Chapter three
"...so when my mum died I was left with my dad. He wasn't really capable of taking care of of a nine-year-old girl so I moved to London to live with my Aunt. I didn't live with her long though. I got a full scholarship to a boarding school when I was ten and went to that school for a year. That's where I met my best friend, Jenna. I still go back to America every summer and spend time with my friends."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all game her generous little smiles. None of them had any idea what emotion to be portraying at this moment.
"You don't have to feel bad for me you know." Crystal laughed at their faces, "I'm fine really. For the most part I'm happy."
"For the most part...?" Hermione asked.
"My boyfriend..." she started, Ron and Harry's faces fell, "I kind of caught him with another girl this last summer. I broke up with him and came back to England early this year because I didn't want to face everyone there."
They all looked sad for her.
"Seriously!" she said to them, "I don't want your pity, that's why I moved back here. To get away from it."
Hermione nodded understandingly but Harry and Ron just shrugged.
They had the entire day to do nothing so they stayed in the Room of Requirement and played Exploding Snap and wizard's chess while Hermione read the new textbooks.
"You know, Hermione," Harry started, "We don't have to read those yet. You could come over here and have some fun."
"Harry!" Hermione glared at him, "I'm already four chapters behind in Potions and you know Snape's not going to be happy with that."
"So you're just reading to make Snape happy?" Ron asked her without looking up from the chess board.
"No," she said exasperated, "And I suppose you two haven't even started reading your textbooks yet."
"Why should we?" Ron asked her
"So you don't get detention for not doing your homework."
"Since when is reading the entire textbook before class even starts homework?"
"It always pays to stay ahead."
Harry just rolled his eyes at her and moved a knight.
"Checkmate." Ron said.
Harry looked surprised then started scanning the board. When he found it he made a disgusted face at the game.
"I give up." he said and stood up before he walked over to the door, "I'm going to get something to eat. Anybody want anything? Butterbeers?"
They all nodded.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"Get me some of that roasted chicken." Ron said.
"See if they have any buttered rolls." Hermione asked from behind her potions book.
"Ask if they've got apricots or some peanuts." Crystal said, "Please."
"Yeah, please." Ron and Hermione said together.
"Okay." Harry said to them, "I'll be back soon."
When he returned fifteen minutes later he was loaded down with food.
"A butterbeer each," he handed them out one by one, "Rolls, chicken, and apricots with peantus."
"The house elves gave a lot of chicken," Hermione scowled, "Does anyone else want any?" Ron looked to Harry. He shook his head. Hermione didn't respond. "Hermione do you want any chicken?"
"What?" she finally looked up from the reading.
"Do you want any chicken?"
"Oh, no thanks, Ron."
He shook his head then looked to Crystal.
She shook her head. "I'm a vegetarian."
"Oh." Ron said, "Sorry then, Crystal."
"No it's alright. Just call me Crys."
"Okay, Crys."
They all sat in silence and just ate for a minute. After a while the sun started to set and they figured they should porbably go and find the rest of the students who should be arriving soon.
The four of them endured a lot of hugs and slaps on the back from people who apparantly thought that was the best congratulations for defeating Voldemort. They didn't eat much at the feast because they had eaten only about an hour ago. At the end of the feast Dumbledore recognized them.
"If I could have your attention," He said as he stood at the front of the great hall, "I would like to award four very unique students who were responsible for the fall of the Dark Lord Voldemort Just a few days ago. Would Hermione Gernger, Ronald Weasley, Crystal Noramison, and of course Harry Potter please stand."
They stood, Ron and Hermione reddening as they did. The other two were a bit more successful at hiding their feelings.
"I would like to begin the year by awarding twenty house points to each of these students for their remarkable performance in the face of evil." At those words every Slytherin in the Great Hall's jaw dropped. The four students that were standing smiled at that.
After Dumbledore finished his speech they were sent to bed again, this time they were able to enter the Griffindor Tower. As they walked by the Fat Lady Ron mumbled, "I told you so."
Harry laughed and they all split up to go to bed.
