Chapter 277 - Play or Not to Play

Chris strolled at the edge of the forbidden forest then after a moment, gave in to the temptation and sprinted through the forest. Slowly her mind calmed down but she didn't slow her pace. She ran and ran till she reached an almost dark part of the forest and saw a baby Thestral. A pair of blank, white, shining eyes were grew larger through the gloom and a moment later the dragonish face, neck, and then skeletal body of a black, winged horse emerged from the darkness. Chris walked up to him as he stared at her with his white pupil-less eyes. She then stroked the baby Thestral and sat beside it.

*****

"Tryouts are on Saturday, wanna practise today?" Ginny said sitting down on the Gryffindor table at lunch, a few days later. 

"No," said Chris looking down at her food. "I am busy today, you go on. Practice with Colin."

"Why? What're you doing today?" asked Colin.

"I'm working on a new potion," lied Chris biting a big piece of Turkey.

After lunch, Chris survived Herbology and as soon the class ended she ran straight to the Room of Requirement while Ginny and Colin went to practice. 

In Room of Requirement, Chris noticed something weird, suddenly the room was awfully small compared to their usual airy big space. Surprised Chris tried again but this time the Room of Requirement didn't open at all. After trying a few more times, Chris guessed that someone was already inside, who had put precautions so nobody could find them. Thinking about who it could be Chris went to the library. At last, she guessed that it must be someone from DA. Chris sat on a table in Library and pulled out a book about Nicholas Flamel. Finding about Nicholas Flamel wasn't very easy, so Chris had to ask the library specialist Hermione. She had shown Chris two books and had assured that she will collect more books soon.

Saturday came pretty quick. Chris avoided all of the practices but couldn't bring herself to tell Ginny and Colin that she wasn't planning to go on tryouts. 

"Anyone we know dead?" asked Ron in a determinedly casual voice, as Hermione opened her Daily Prophet, Saturday morning.

"No, but there have been more dementor attacks," said Hermione. "And an arrest."

Chris looked at Hermione as she scanned the newspaper. Chris' own copy was still folded on the table, in front of her. Ginny grabbed it and started scanning the paper like Hermione.

"Who?" Colin asked.

"Stan Shunpike," said Hermione.

"What?" said Harry, startled.

"'Stanley Shunpike, conductor on the popular Wizarding conveyance the Knight Bus, has been arrested on suspicion of Death Eater activity. Mr Shunpike, 21, was taken into custody late last night after a raid on his Clapham home . . .'"

"Stan Shunpike, a Death Eater?" said Harry. "No way!"

"He might have been put under the Imperius Curse," said Ron reasonably. "You never can tell."

"I agree with Ron," said Chris. "It's possible."

Ron looked surprised for a moment then smiled, looking proud of himself.

"It doesn't look like that's the case," said Ginny, who was still reading. "It says here he was arrested after he was overheard talking about the Death Eaters' secret plans in a pub." She looked up with a troubled expression on her face. "If he was under the Imperius Curse, he'd hardly stand around gossiping about their plans, would he?"

"It sounds like he was trying to make out he knew more than he did," said Ron. "Isn't he the one who claimed he was going to become Minister of Magic when he was trying to chat up those veela?"

"Yeah, that's him," said Harry. "I dunno what they're playing at, taking Stan seriously."

"They probably want to look as though they're doing something," said Hermione, frowning. "People are terrified — you know, parents are trying to get their kids home. Eloise Midgen has been withdrawn. Her father picked her up last night."

"So are Padma and Parvati's parents," said Harry. "Padma was telling me."

"But Hogwarts is safer than their homes, bound to be! We've got Aurors and all those extra protective spells, and we've got Dumbledore!" said Colin looking shocked.

"I don't think we've got him all the time," said Hermione very quietly, glancing toward the staff table over the top of the Prophet. "Haven't you noticed? His seat's been empty so often. . ."

Chris looked up at the staff table. The headmaster's chair was indeed empty. Now she came to think of it, she had not seen Dumbledore since their meeting two weeks ago.

"Yeah but I trust Dumbledore," said Luna. "I'm sure he will never leave the students unprotected."

"Yes, but there is no way to save their parents, is there?" said Hermione in low voice. "Yesterday, Hannah Abbott was called, when we were class, she was informed that her —"

Hermione abruptly stopped.

"Her mother had been found dead," finished Ron.

Chris and Colin's eyes widened, Ginny gasped and Luna dropped her spoon. No one of them ate after that. 

Ten minutes later, Harry got up, "We should go."

Ron, Ginny, Colin, and even Luna and Hermione rose from the table automatically. Chris hesitated.

Ginny looked at Chris and opened her mouth but Chris cut her and turned to Harry, "Harry, can I talk to you for a second — alone?"

Harry looked surprised. "Now?"

"Yeah, it's important," said Chris.

"Okay," Harry nodded and turned back to others.

"We will wait for you at the field," said Hermione quickly pulling Ginny and Luna. 

Colin and Ron followed Hermione, Ginny and Luna out as Chris pulled Harry to a corner of the entrance hall. Harry looked at her expectantly and Chris sighed.

"Look Harry — I need a favour," she said.

"Really?" Harry looked more surprised. "Sure. What do you need?"

"I — I don't want to be in the team this year," Chris looked away.

"What?" Harry almost shouted.

"Harry, you know right, there is so much going on —"

"There are loads going on with me too, but I still love playing Quidditch and —" Harry began.

"Hey, it's not like I don't love Quidditch anymore, okay?" Chris said quickly seeing Harry's expression. "I still love it and I will watch all the matches. It's just — Quidditch is your passion Harry and though I like playing it, I have different priorities. I can't focus on winning a match when people are dying and I have some responsibility for that."

Harry stared at her, his face clearly showed his inner struggle. Finally, Harry sighed and nodded.

"So you are not heading for the trials, I guess?" he said.

"I am," Chris looked apologetic as she averted her eyes. "But you have to reject me. I shouldn't make it to the team."

Harry ogled at Chris.

"Look, I have thought about it, if I back out now or tell Ginny about it, I think Ginny will be distracted during her tryouts. I don't want that. She is great and I don't want her trials to go bad because of me," Chris pleaded. "So I need you to select someone else over me. I will blow up my tryouts, I promise. You won't look unfair or anything like that and I will explain everything to Ginny after the tryouts."

For a long time, Harry gaped at Chris and Chris bit her lips.

"Please?"

"Fine, I will do it," Harry shook his head.

"Really?" Chris squealed.

"Yes," Harry gave a painful smile. "I will do anything for you."

The earnestness in Harry's voice caught Chris off guard. The smile slid off her face.

"I mean that's good friends do, right?" said Harry quickly changing his expression.

"Yeah," Chris smiled. "Thanks."

She hugged him happily. Harry hugged her back smiling.

"What's going on?"

Suddenly, a voice called, standing a little far from them.

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To be continued. . .