Chapter 141: Not Butterflies but Dragons pt 1

A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall. People were staring at Dumbledore in disbelief, in horror. He looked perfectly calm as he watched them mutter themselves into silence.

"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so — either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies."

Stunned and frightened, every face in the Hall was turned toward Dumbledore now . . . or almost every face.

"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric and Harry's victory." Dumbledore went on. "I am talking, of course, about Christina Norton."

A kind of ripple crossed the Great Hall as a few heads turned in Chris's direction before flicking back to face Dumbledore.

"Christina didn't choose to be the maze but was forced to." Dumbledore said. "She also risked her own life and fought with Harry and Cedric. She didn't tried to escape alone or only to save herself. She showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards and witches have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor her."

Dumbledore turned to Chris and raised his goblet once more. Nearly everyone in the Great Hall followed suit. They murmured her name, as they had murmured Cedric's and Harry's and drank to her. Chris saw Jason was looking at her. As she caught his eyes he shook his head.

"The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened — of Lord Voldemort's return — such ties are more important than ever before."

Dumbledore looked from Madame Maxime and Hagrid, to Fleur Delacour and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to Viktor Krum and the Durmstrangs at the Slytherin table. Chris saw, Krum, Shawn and other Dumstrang students looked wary, almost frightened, as though they expected Dumbledore to say something harsh.

"Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore, and his eyes lingered upon the Durmstrang students, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again — in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. It is my belief — and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken — that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy."

Chris's trunk was packed, Leon was hooting happily in his cage, as Chris was waiting in the crowded entrance hall with Colin, Luna and Ginny for the carriages that would take them back to Hogsmeade station. Fleur Delacour said bye to Cedric and Harry as Harry, Ron and Hermione went their way towards Chris, Ginny, Luna and Colin.

"What did Fleur Delacour said?" Ginny asked suddenly.

"Just said bye, why?" Ron said.

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"Harry looks happy." Ginny chuckled.

"What? No.. it's just..." Harry tried to protest.

Chris laughed.

"You boys are so pathetic." She said giggling with Hermione.

"Wonder how the Durmstrang students are getting back," said Ron changing the topic. "D'you reckon they can steer that ship without Karkaroff?"

"Karkaroff did not steer," said a gruff voice. "He stayed in his cabin and let us do the vork."

Victor Krum and Shawn had come to say good bye.

"Could I have a vord?" Krum asked Hermione.

"Oh . . . yes . . . all right," said Hermione, looking slightly flustered, and following Krum through the crowd and out of sight.

"I'm going to miss you all." Shawn said looking at Luna and Chris.

"I'll write to you." Luna replied smiling.

"I'm looking forward to it. What about you, Miss Norton?" He asked grinning.

"I'll see what can I do, Mr Nelson." Chris said.

Both of them laughed.

He hugged Luna then Chris. Shook hands with Ginny and Colin. Then smiled at Harry and Ron.

"Have you got a new headmaster yet?" said Harry.

"Nah." Shawn replied.

Krum came back with Hermione. He shook hands with Harry and Ron. Then held out his hand for Chris. They shook hands.

"Tell us if you find some new creatures." Shawn said to Chris. "Do you know how excited Poliakoff was to say goodbye to you. It took a lot to stop him."

"Shut up." Chris rolled her eyes. Then he turned to Krum. "Have a nice trip."

"You to." He said.

They had already started walking away when Ron burst out, "Can I have your autograph?"

Ginny, Chris and Hermione burst out laughing at once. Ron went red with embarrassment.

The weather could not have been more different on the journey back to King's Cross than it had been on their way to Hogwarts the previous September. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Chris and Luna, Ginny and Colin sat with Harry, Ron and Hermione in an empty compartment. Crookshanks curled up on Chris's lap like a large, furry ginger cushion.

They started to talking about what Dumbledore was planning... what going to happen.... 

"So anyone interested to know how Rita Skeeter was hearing our private conversations when she wasn't allowed in Hogwarts grounds?" Chris said when the topic of Voldemort and Dumbledore died down.

Everyone sharply turned to her.

"You found out?" Hermione squealed, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Yes." Chris chuckled seeing her.

"How was she doing it?" said Harry at once.

"When did you find out?" Ginny asked next looking disappointed.

"How did you find out?" said Ron, staring at her.

"Just few days ago. At the night of the third task. She was at the hospital wing. Caught her there." Chris replied.

"So she heard everything?" Hermione said looking surprised. "But there's nothing in the Daily Prophet, other than Harry and Cedric won in a tie."

"Yes because I told her to behave herself if she doesn't want a Dementor's kiss."

"What do you mean?" Colin asked.

"She's an illegal Animagus." Chris said casually. "She can turn into a beetle."

"Wow." Ron said looking very impressed.

"There was a beetle on the statue the night we heard Hagrid telling Madame Maxime about his mum!" Harry said.

"That's how he heard Hagrid's secret." Ginny said angrily. "Why didn't you hand her over to the Ministry? She should be in Azkaban."

"Ginny... I..."

Chris stopped as the door of the compartment slid open.

"Enjoying your victory, are you Norton?" said Draco Malfoy.

Crabbe and Goyle were standing behind him. All three of them looked more pleased with themselves, more arrogant and more menacing, than Chris had ever seen them.

"So," said Malfoy slowly, advancing slightly into the compartment and looking slowly around at them, a smirk quivering on his lips. "You caught some pathetic reporter, and Potter's Dumbledore's favorite boy again. Big deal."

His smirk widened. Crabbe and Goyle leered.

"Trying not to think about it, are we?" said Malfoy softly, looking around. "Trying to pretend it hasn't happened?"

"Get out," said Harry.