Fan fiction - Chapter Eight

Harry went to the bar while Christina found them a table, he looked over at her as she sat down and wondered if she had felt the same things as he had over the past two months. Harry paid for their butterbeer's and made his way over to her.

'I just thought I'd tell you that I'm meeting my friends here in half an hour,' he said as he took a sip of his drink, 'that's if it's alright by you, of course.' he added

'Not at all,' said Christina, 'I just hope that they're as nice as you.'

Harry grinned, 'Yeah, they're really cool. You'll get to meet the whole gang on the Hogwarts express tomorrow I guess'.

'I'm really nervous.' she confided, 'I've been to four schools, but Hogwarts is, like, the best. I'm just worried I won't make any friends.'

'You already have,' Harry pointed out, 'Got any idea what house you'll be in?'

'I would love to be in Gryffindor, but I guess Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad. Which house are you in?'

'Gryffindor, everyone's really nice although there's only three girls in our house year.'

'How many boy's?' she asked with interest.

'Five. Me, my best mate Ron Weasley, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan. The girls are Hermione Granger, she's my other best friend, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown,'

'I really hope I get into Gryffindor, I've always wished I could go to Hogwarts.'

Another silence fell, this one more friendly, Harry wondered at the fact that he was instantly as comfortable with her as he was with Ron or Hermione.

'So how come your here in England?' Harry asked tentatively 'You said you were in the U.S. before ... before you transferred.'

'Yeah I was, my mums English, we moved to be with family.' she said 'my dad was 100% American, he met my mum when he was tracking Spinks, that's the wizard who killed him. It was seventeen years ago when he came over here and had a whirlwind romance with mum. They married quickly and a year later I appeared.' she said the last bit with a small smile.

'My godfather was Sirius Black.' Harry said 'He was a great guy, even though I only knew him for two years I saw him as a kind of big brother, I told him everything. He was murdered by a Death Eater, his cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange.'

'That's terrible,' she said with tears in her eyes, 'You've lost so many people you cared about, I don't know how you cope.'

'I've had a long time to get used to not having a mum or dad. When Sirius died it was like I had a curse on me, the only thing that kept me sane was having Ron, Hermione and Ginny.'

'I'm glad they were there for you, when dad died it was just after we'd moved. Dad was happy there, but I wasn't there long enough to make many friends.' she said sadly, with a regretful shake of her head.

'Speaking of friends, here come Ron and Hermione.' he stood up and gestured to them. As they got closer he said, 'this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, guy's this is Christina-Anne Dudley'

'Its just Christina,' she said smiling, 'Christina-Anne makes me sound about ten years old.'

'Christina's transferred to Hogwarts from the U.S. She's in our year.'

'Cool,' said Ron, he gave Harry a questioning look then turned to Christina and Hermione who were in deep conversation about the classes they were taking next year.

Christina was beaming at Hermione. Harry saw how much she had changed in only half an hour her face had a lot more colour in it as she said, 'I'm taking Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Transfiguration and Charms,' adding proudly, 'I'm gonna be an Auror like my dad.'

'That's what Harry and I are taking,' said Ron smiling at her, 'We've fought the dark arts enough to be qualified by not though!'

Harry laughed, Ron had a way of making their adventures sound like a Sunday morning walk in the park. He was now telling Christina about their giant chess game and the Philosophers Stone.

'...Then I said, "That's chess, you've got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she'll take me- that leaves you free to checkmate the king." The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital wing with Hermione sitting next to Me.' he gave Hermione a look of total appreciation.

'So are you two going out then?' asked Christina.

Harry laughed again, but Ron and Hermione suddenly looked uncomfortable. Ron reached out and took her hand, saying 'Well actually we've been meaning to tell you for a while...'

'When did this happen?' Harry asked blankly.

'Um. it was a couple of weeks ago. when we came here with Ginny and Dean. We would have told you before but we were waiting for the right time'

'Right time?' Harry said incredulously, 'When would that have been? The year 2089? What would have happened if Christina hadn't asked?'

'I dunno mate.' Ron said looking worried, 'listen, you know nom and it's no harm done. You're the first person I've told, Hermione told Ginny, it seems that they were planning this whole thing.'

Harry laughed and said, 'This is great, I've just got to get over the initial shock, it's just so unexpected! But I'm really chuffed for both of you. Congratulations.'

Hermione looked at her watch and said, 'We'd better get going... Remus was expecting us back ten minutes ago.'

'Okay then... see you tomorrow Christina.' said Ron standing up.

'Yeah, bye.' said Hermione as they moved towards the fireplace.

'We'll look for you on platform nine and three-quaters.' said Harry.

'See you all later,' stepping into the grate and saying 'Forty-two Pickling Drive.'