Chapter 9: Quidditch Field

In the next few days, Chris understood remembering the ways in Hogwarts was not difficult but impossible. There are not only moving staircases but hundred and forty-two staircases, some that led somewhere different on a Friday, some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump. And then there were doors that wouldn't open unless you asked politely, or tickled them in exactly the right place, and doors that weren't really doors at all, but solid walls just pretending.

Chris decided to act more friendly towards the ghosts and paintings, thinking they might help her in need. Some of the ghosts actually helped her, especially Gryffindor tower ghost Nick and few paintings, but other than that no one gave any importance to her.

But most difficult to befriend was Peeves, the poltergeist, he tricked everyone for fun and when you are late for class do not ask him because if you took his way then you will be lost, maybe for rest of the day. He would drop waste-paper baskets on your head, pull rugs from under your feet, pelt you with bits of chalk or sneak up behind you.

Chris was not annoyed by these things, in fact, she was getting more excited and curious. Even the caretaker Argus Filch amused her. Though she felt sometimes, that he went to extreme levels to punish students but then again the students already hated him so what's the point of behaving nicely with them. In short, Chris found them amusing but she never wanted to cross path with Peeves, Filch or Filch's cat Mrs Norris, a scrawny, dust-coloured creature with bulging, lamp-like eyes just like Filch's. She patrolled the corridors alone.

Besides these things, Chris was learning loads of new things in her classes. Except for Herbology, she was doing fine with other subjects. She loved the flying lessons by Madam Hooch. She noticed in other subjects Ginny wasn't very confident but at flying lessons, she was best in their year. After asking many times, Ginny finally told Chris that she used to stole her brother's brooms and practised flying since she was six. Chris also liked the Transfiguration class, History of Magic class and Charms class. She found Defense Against the Dark Arts as the most boring class. They only spent the classes hearing Professor Lockhart's self-obsessed stories.

According to Chris, the most strict teacher was Potions teacher, Professor Snape. He was almost impossible to impress. Surprisingly Chris and Ginny were able to get some house points from him on the third day.

Chris also helped Colin with the potion for his moving pictures. After that day with Harry, Colin became friends with Chris and Ginny. Though Colin was still a big fan of Harry, he took Chris's advice and didn't bother Harry much but never missed a chance to say hi to him.

After a long week on Friday night, Chris was sitting alone in an armchair in the Gryffindor common room. She was looking at the stary sky, through the window.

"Hey." Someone said.

Chris turned around and saw Harry standing behind her.

"Hey" Chris replied with a smile.

Harry sat beside her.

"It's late. Are you trying to watch the stars and memorize their names?" Harry asked.

"What? No." Chris answered.

"Well, I've seen Hermione doing this. She always wants to memorize things."

"Um... I don't want to memorize everything. I feel, if you start to believe everything theoretically, you start to miss the natural charm." Chris replied as she looked at the sky again. "It's my old habit. Watching the sky feels nice. So whenever I don't need to wake up the early following morning, I watch the sky late at night."

"I never thought like that but I can try," Harry said, also looking at the sky. "So how are your classes going?"

"Pretty good actually, well except Herbology."

"Why?"

"I really can't study trees and fungus for more than a few minutes. It's not my thing." She said with a dramatical sigh.

Harry chuckled.

"Then what about potions?" He asked.

"Potion is definitely not easy but Ginny and I are working on it. We even got 5 points last time."

"Really? Did he give 5 points to Gryffindor? Does that mean he only hates me?" Harry asked surprised.

"Wait. I don't think anyone can hate Harry Potter?" Chris said chuckling.

"Hey. It's not funny. Do you know? I literally have to hide from Lockhart and Colin" Harry said with an annoyed tone.

"Relax. Colin doesn't bother you much. And for Lockhart, just ignore him. The more you think about him, the more you feel irritated. Ask me, I was in my dreams in his class, literary. Ginny woke me up before he could notice." She giggled.

"You fell asleep?"

"Yeah. After hearing his stories."

"So you don't believe them? I mean every girl in my class thinks he is a hero."

"It's not like I don't believe them. It's just... even if he has done all those things he wrote about, he should at least show some modesty but on the contrary, he boasts about it every chance he gets. I have a problem with that."

"You are right. But I just don't like him because of how he behaves with me. I feel like he believes, that I am competing with him in this fame race or whatever this is. But the truth is I really don't want this fame or attention." Harry sighed.

"I understand Harry. It's alright to be angry or upset at something. My Dad says it's a part of growing up."

Harry smiled, "Your Dad sounds like a nice person and what about your mother?"

Chris's looked away from Harry as her smile vanished. Harry noticed it and tried to change the topic, "Umm... Well, how were you.... flying classes? Did you like it?"

"Its ok Harry. You can ask about my mother. It's just she doesn't live with us and I don't talk about her."

"Hmm... So did you like flying?"

"Yeah. I am trying to learn as soon as possible. Ginny is already great."

"Really?"

Chris and Harry talked a little more about Quidditch, about Harry's first-year experience and about Harry's uncle and aunt. Then both said goodnight and went to their respective rooms.

Next Morning Chris wanted to sleep the entire morning but Ginny convinced her for breakfast. So after a few minutes, they get ready, met Colin in the common room and left for the great hall.

In the Great Hall Ginny sat beside Ron who was eating his breakfast with Hermione. Harry wasn't there. Chris sat beside Ginny. A few minutes later Luna joined them.

"Ron, where is Harry?" Colin asked first.

"Umm... Wood, Gryffindor Quidditch team captain dragged him for practice early in the morning." Ron answered while eating.

Chris felt bad, Harry was talking with her so he went to bed very late, and now he had to wake up early for Quidditch practice.

While Chris was in deep thoughts Colin nudged her. "Chris?" He called, "What do you think?"

"About...?" Chris came back to them.

"You didn't hear? We were talking about watching the Quidditch practice. You want to come?" Colin explained.

"I am repeating, maybe the practice is over by now," Hermione said.

"It's ok. In that case, we will come back. I just want to show something to Harry." Colin took out the moving photo of Harry and showed everyone.

"Well, I like Quidditch. So I have no problem." Luna said.

"And if you all are going then I can join," Ginny replied. 'I can take some food and give it to Harry. At least.' Chris thought and took some cakes.

"Ok let's go."

Chris entered the field and saw it was empty.

"Told you," Hermione said, sitting on the stands.

Colin and Ginny both looked disappointed.

Chris was looking around for any sign of Harry.

"I think they are in the locker room. We will wait for him." Ron said as he sat beside Hermione.

"You all can go now, and Colin, I will tell Harry about the picture. You can show him later." Hermione said.

Chris decided to leave when she saw Harry and Ginny's twin brothers Fred and George with some other people, all were walking into the field.

Chis smiled.

Harry noticed them and walked to them.

"Aren't you finished yet?" Ron asked Harry.

"Haven't even started," said Harry. "Wood's been teaching us new moves."

"Want to eat something?" Chris said, showing the cakes she brought.

Harry smiled.

"Save it. I will eat after practice." And he mounted his broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring up into the air. He soared right around the stadium at full speed, racing Fred and George. Colin pulled out his camera and took a picture. Then he was about to take another one when Chris stopped him.

"I think one is enough Colin."

"Yes. Yes. I remember Chris." Colin replied and put the camera away.

The thing Colin remembered was Chris's advice. Chris told him if he continues to bother Harry very much then he will run away. And Colin never wanted Harry to ran away. So he decided to listen to Chris.

Chris looked at the flying players. She was waiting to understand what was Quidditch.

She had read about it and Harry had also told her but watching it was a different thing.

But before they can start practice, several people in green robes were walking onto the field, broomsticks in their hands. 

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.novelhall.com www.webnovel.com for visiting.

"Slytherins" Ron snorted. "What do they want?"