Kristen Gregory
Kristen went to the Hospital Wing every day during the break to visit Hermione. She had actually grown to like the little know it all, plus it gave her an excuse to watch out for Todd as he went to visit his sister. Unlike Todd, Kristen was not allowed to stay there for meals, but it was nice to know that he had a little more than a ghost to walk him to and from the Hospital Wing.
Today Todd was not there though. Student were arriving back at Hogwarts so Kristen figured that he was going to see his friends. Kristen was actually happy about this so that she could talk to Hermione without having to worry about Todd listening in. She wanted Hermione's true opinion of Harry. Kristen knew that Dylan was so happy to finally have real family, that it would be nearly impossible for her to see Harry in a negative light, but Hermione seemed to be quite logical and intelligent. She might be able to make some sense of things.
"Hermione?" Kristen asked quietly so that Madam Pomfrey could not hear their conversation.
Hermione looked up from her History of Magic textbook. Even though Hermione was looking a lot better and almost all of the fur had disappeared from her face, she was going to have to miss the first couple days of classes so she wanted to stay ahead of the game with her studies. Kristen could respect that because she would be doing the same thing in this situation.
"Yes Kristen?" she asked.
"Did you ever really think that Draco was the Heir of Slytherin?" Kristen asked.
Hermione glanced around the other side of the sheet put up to conceal her from other students that might try to sneak a peek.
"Well he did seem to be a logical choice. He obviously hates Muggle Borns and has been quite outspoken about it," she shrugged.
"But wouldn't he be a little too obvious?" Kristen asked.
"Well we know now that he is not responsible for the attacks. Why do you ask? Do you have any new leads?" she asked.
Kristen took a deep breath. She knew that it could be risky to trust Hermione with what she was about to say, but she needed to get another opinion on this. Even though Kristen could admit that Harry seemed genuinely surprised that Draco was not the Heir, he could just be a really good actor. Hermione knew him better than Kristen so she would be more likely to be able to see through him.
"How much do you trust Harry?" Kristen asked.
Hermione gasped quietly.
"You don't actually believe that the Potters are responsible, do you?" she asked in a whisper.
"I mean I know Dylan didn't do any of this...but the signs really are pointing to Harry," Kristen shrugged.
"Kristen I would trust Harry with my life. He is a good person and I know you weren't there, but he did save me from a troll last year. If he really hated Muggle Borns, do you think he would do that?" Hermione questioned.
She had a point. Kristen almost forgot about the troll.
"I wouldn't be so close with Harry if he was a blood purist and I doubt he would hang out with me," Hermione said.
"But what about the fact that Harry is a Parcelmouth and he has been seen at the scene of the crimes," Kristen pointed out.
"You know how you said that Draco Malfoy was too obvious? Don't you think it looks like someone is trying to make the Potter Twins seem a little too obvious?" she asked.
"I guess you have a point," Kristen shrugged.
"Harry is not responsible. I promise," Hermione said.
"But how can you be so sure? I've known Dylan my entire life, but you've only known Harry for less than 2 years. How can you have so much faith in him" Kristen asked.
"The same way I have so much faith in Dylan. I've seen what they are capable of at such a young age and based on their past actions I know that they have good hearts. They are going to be great wizards one day. They might even change the world. I might be good with books and memorizing spells, but they understand the importance of loyalty and friendship. They are the Anti-Dark Lord. They may break some rules every once in a while, but it is always for the greater good. They will always fight for what is right. You have to believe that," Hermione explained.
Kristen could tell by Hermione's conviction that she really thought highly of the Potter Twins. She really had a lot of faith in them and Kristen respected that. She could tell that Hermione knew in her heart that Harry was not guilty, just like Kristen knew in her heart that Dylan was not guilty. Maybe she could trust that Harry was innocent. He really did seem like he wanted to get to the bottom of everything. Maybe it was time to stop being so suspicious of Harry so she could finally invest in finding the real culprit.
Kristen was about to close her book and head back to her dormitory to see Padma and the rest of her Ravenclaw friends when she saw something sticking out from under Hermione's pillow.
"What's this?" Kristen asked pulling it out. Hermione quickly snatched it away, but not before Kristen saw Professor Lockhart's signature.
"Just a get well card," she said blushing.
"From Professor Lockhart...you keep that under your pillow?" Kristen asked.
"Um...yes...well... please don't tell the others," she begged.
Kristen could respect that Hermione was on Team Potter, but she would have to disagree with being on Team Lockhart. Nobody was perfect after-all.
Kristen has warmed up to Hermione. I guess working together to save the school can do that. In the next chapter Dylan finds something that leads to more questions and then after that Plovert decides to try to get in the Golden Crew's adventure. Stay tuned!
