When the Hogwarts Express finally stopped it was already dark. Harry, Ron
and Christina got off and made their way toward the horseless carriages
when they heard a loud shout "Firs years this way, Firs years." The shout
startled Christina and she turned toward the voice.
"Who is that?" she asked amazed by the mans size.
"Hagrid." Ron answered her question by greeting the man.
"Ello Ron. Harry." He greeted in his usual friendly tone. "Who's yer new friend." He said smiling at Christina.
"This is Christina." Ron answered as Christina shook hands with the giant man.
"Nice ter meet ya." Hagrid said.
"Nice to meet you too."
"Where's Hermione?" He asked as he looked around.
"We're not sure. She's probably with the other prefects."
"A prefect ey. I knew she had it in her."
"We best be off Hagrid. See you at the feast."
"See yer."
As they walked off Christina asked, "How did he get so big?"
"Oh he's half giant. Come on lets go get a carriage before they all fill up."
They ran toward the carriages and got one to themselves. When they finally reached the castle Christina gasped at the castle's beauty. They went through the huge doors into the Entrance Hall and were greeted by a strange site. The entire Hall was crammed with students. Harry and Ron were walking in front and Christina was trailing behind them admiring the castle.
"What's going on?" Harry asked to a student nearest to them.
"Apparently there is some sort of meeting between the teachers going on in the Great Hall. It should have ended by now but I guess it must have run late" The girl then turned and walked toward another group of people.
"A meeting about what?" Harry asked aloud to no one in particular.
"Isn't it obvious. I would think you of all people should know." Came a very familiar drawl. Harry spun around to come face to face with his nemesis, Draco Malfoy "You are after all the boy-who-lived." He said in mock admiration.
"What do you mean by.." Harry was cut off mid sentence by Christina.
"Hi Draco."
"Chris?!" he said. All traces of dislike were wiped off his face and one of disbelief and happiness replaced it.
Christina pushed past Harry and Ron and hugged the blonde boy tightly the boy hugging back.
"I've missed you Draco."
"I missed u too Chris."
After Harry and Ron's shock had worn off Ron was the first to act. "Get your slimy paws off her Malfoy." He said pushing Malfoy, sending him falling to the ground.
"Ron what are you..." Christina began to say but was stopped when Ron grabbed her face cupping it in both of his hands.
"He's got you under Imperious doesn't he. Snap out of it." He was about to slap her through the face (not very hard, just hard enough to bring her back to 'senses') when Harry grabbed his hand. Ron realized he might have over reacted just a bit and blushed a bright red to match his hair. Draco had long since stood up to regain his dignity.
"Ron what were you thinking?" Christina said pushing his shoulders. "You okay?" she then asked turning to Draco.
"How do....Why.....huh?" Ron asked stuttering, at a loss for words.
"How do you two know each other?" Harry asked the question that Ron had been trying to ask.
Before Christina had a chance to answer, a voice came from behind Harry. "Hello Harry."
"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked as he spun around. Harry's old professor gave him a one armed hug.
"How are you Harry?"
"I'm fine and yourself?"
"I'm doing well." Lupin's words were true. He definitely did look much better than the last time Harry had seen him. "Hello Ron." He said nodding to him. "I have a message for you, where is Hermione by the way."
"With the other prefects."
"Oh well I guess you should just pass the message along then. Dumbledore wants to see you Ron, Hermione and a girl called Christina in the Great Hall right now."
"Okay."
"Would you mind helping me find the girl?" Lupin asked.
"Oh this is Christina." Ron said turning to Christina who after saying goodbye to Draco, telling him she would see him in the Great Hall, walked forward. At the sight of the girl Lupin's eyes bulged slightly and he seemed taken completely by surprise. He shook off the surprise and extended his hand and the girl shook it.
"I'm professor Lupin."
"I'm Christina."
"Nice meeting you. You three had better go quickly. The feast cannot begin before Dumbledore has seen you."
They rushed through the crowds of students and slipped through the doors to the Great Hall. When they entered they saw Dumbledore and McGonagall obviously waiting for them.
"Ah Harry. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to make our meeting a short one." He said in an apologetic tone. "Christina" he said turning to the girl. "you are going to have to keep the fact that you're in anyway related to Ron a secret."
"What? Why?" she asked and then she realized the rudeness in her voice. "I'm sorry Sir but I don't understand why would we need to keep my relation to Ron a secret?"
"Those reasons I will give to you at a later stage." He said with a voice that made Christina immediately put all her trust in him. She liked this man. He made her feel secure.
"Won't my surname be a bit of a giveaway?" she asked
"You wont be using the name Weasley but rather your original name." This time McGonagall answered.
"No please. I can't use my last name!"
"Well then we will make one up for you" McGonagall said understanding the girls situation. "How about Johnson?"
"Christina Johnson? Sure. Sounds good to me." She said turning to Dumbledore. "Oh wait I've told Neville that I'm Ron's cousin. So, he knows as well."
"That is a small problem. A simple memory modification will do the trick." Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "I have already told the rest of the Weasleys about it. That is all. You can go find yourselves seats at the Griffindor table." He said to Ron and Harry. "Christina you need to go with McGonagall to be sorted into your house."
A few minutes later, the entire hall was filled with hungry students anticipating the feast. At the Head Table Oliver Wood was sitting in the chair that Madame Hooch would normally have sat in. Lupin was also at the head table with a great big shaggy dog sitting on the floor at his side. The first year students that had to be sorted were all standing in between the two middle tables. The Sorting Hat was sitting on a three-legged stool in front of them. McGonagall started calling names and then the children would be sorted into the correct houses. When all the new first years had been sorted, McGonagall called Christina's name.
"This is Christina Johnson. She will be joining the fifth year students."
Christina was scared but didn't show it, she walked with an air of absolute confidence and self assurance. As she neared the Sorting Hat she hesitated and looked up at the staff table, Oliver winked at her in a reassuring way, many girls from all houses were now giving Christina sour looks because of this little friendly wink. She walked forward and put the hat on.
"Ahh. Another Weasley." The hat said softly in her ears so that only she could hear. "This is a difficult decision. You are clever and cunning with a brave heart and a loyal soul." After about 30 seconds the hat finally decided.
"SLYTHE.....GRIFFINDOR." The Slytherins had started cheering but stopped as soon as they heard the final decision. Now the Griffindors were cheering. Christina removed the hat and hopped off the stool with what should have been a radiant smile but instead was a confused and rather startled look on her face.
She sat down between Harry and Ron as many of her fellow fifth years introduced themselves. Her mind was spinning now and she was glad when Dumbledore stood up and motioned for silence. The black dog that was sitting with Lupin had sat upright and was staring at Dumbledore, rapt with attention. Christina found this rather odd but dismissed it. After all she was a witch and sort of accustomed to weird and strange things.
"Welcome back Everyone. Before I start the usual beginning of year announcements I would like to ask you all to raise your glasses to someone we have lost. At the end we lost a friend, a son and one of the greatest prefects Hogwarts has ever seen. I would like to make a toast to Cedric Diggory." Almost everyone in the hall raised their glasses and some even started to cry softly. Christina raised her glass not completely understanding why. Then Dumbledore carried on.
"I would like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is, as the name suggests, still very forbidden." Christina could have sworn that Dumbledore had looked straight at Harry.
"You will all have two days in which to get organized for school and on Monday you will start your classes again. Another thing I would like to introduce to you the new flying instructor, whom most of you know from last year, Mr Oliver Wood."
Dumbledore motioned for Oliver to stand up and he did, blushing furiously as the Great Hall filled with applause. Christina couldn't help noticing all the girls in the great Hall watching Oliver with very dreamy looks in their eyes.
"I would also like to welcome back our new Defence against the dark arts professor, Mr Remus Lupin." Once again the hall filled with applause since he had been one of the better Defence against the dark arts professors.
"Now I will stop talking because I can know you are all anticipating the feast. I have only one last message, this year we will be starting duelling teams. You will participate mush like in Quidditch and there will be a house cup awarded at the end of the year. This activity will only be allowed to students in fifth year or above. Now let the feast begin." Dumbledore waved his hands and the large tables filled with food and the hungry students began filling their plates.
When the feast was over Christina followed the Trio to the Griffindor Common room. As they were walking Christina saw Draco and went over to him wanting to say that she was sorry for the way Ron had behaved. When she had finally found her way over to him she touched his arm and he looked back when he saw who it was he just turned his head back and pretended he hadn't seen her.
"Draco. Wait up." She called.
"What do you want Griffindor?" he asked as he spun around, now flanked on each side by Crabbe and Goyle.
"You know her Draco?" came Blaise's voice from behind Draco.
"Of course not. Why would I mingle with a Griffindor?" he said as he looked at Christina with disgust.
"Fine." With that Christina walked away with clenched fists, she was on the verge of tears but she managed to hold them in.
Harry, Hermione and Ron who had seen the whole thing just walked after her, Ron very nearly going back to give Draco a piece of his mind.
"Hey Chris? You ok?" Ron asked walking behind her.
"I'm fine." She said bluntly.
"Don't you want to follow us?" Harry asked.
"No." came her reply.
"Do you know the way?"
Christina hesitated and stopped, she then turned around to face Ron, Harry and Hermione. "Maybe I should follow you."
She then walked after them and when they found the common room they went in. most of the common room was filled with Griffindors having a little beginning of the year celebration.
"Where is my room?" Christina asked Hermione.
"This way." Harry and Ron had left the two girls and were now chatting to Neville and Dean. So Hermione led the way to their room. Fred and George saw that Christina was leaving so they went over to her.
"Hey Chris you're not going upstairs already?" Fred asked.
"Yeah I'm tired." Christina lied.
"Oh come on have some fun." George took her arm and attempted to pull her towards the party but Christina jerked away and walked toward the stairs again. George persisted but Hermione gave him a look that said lay-off-or- I'll curse-you and he gave up.
Hermione showed Christina where their room was and Christina was amazed to see all their things were already there.
"Ok well I'm going to get changed and go to bed." Christina said yawning.
"Ok before you do though can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Well how do you and Draco know each other?"
"Can I tell you tomorrow. I'm really tired and need a good nights sleep."
"ok sure. Good night Chris."
Christina smiled at Hermione using her nickname and felt happy that she already had one good friend.
"Good night Hermione."
"Who is that?" she asked amazed by the mans size.
"Hagrid." Ron answered her question by greeting the man.
"Ello Ron. Harry." He greeted in his usual friendly tone. "Who's yer new friend." He said smiling at Christina.
"This is Christina." Ron answered as Christina shook hands with the giant man.
"Nice ter meet ya." Hagrid said.
"Nice to meet you too."
"Where's Hermione?" He asked as he looked around.
"We're not sure. She's probably with the other prefects."
"A prefect ey. I knew she had it in her."
"We best be off Hagrid. See you at the feast."
"See yer."
As they walked off Christina asked, "How did he get so big?"
"Oh he's half giant. Come on lets go get a carriage before they all fill up."
They ran toward the carriages and got one to themselves. When they finally reached the castle Christina gasped at the castle's beauty. They went through the huge doors into the Entrance Hall and were greeted by a strange site. The entire Hall was crammed with students. Harry and Ron were walking in front and Christina was trailing behind them admiring the castle.
"What's going on?" Harry asked to a student nearest to them.
"Apparently there is some sort of meeting between the teachers going on in the Great Hall. It should have ended by now but I guess it must have run late" The girl then turned and walked toward another group of people.
"A meeting about what?" Harry asked aloud to no one in particular.
"Isn't it obvious. I would think you of all people should know." Came a very familiar drawl. Harry spun around to come face to face with his nemesis, Draco Malfoy "You are after all the boy-who-lived." He said in mock admiration.
"What do you mean by.." Harry was cut off mid sentence by Christina.
"Hi Draco."
"Chris?!" he said. All traces of dislike were wiped off his face and one of disbelief and happiness replaced it.
Christina pushed past Harry and Ron and hugged the blonde boy tightly the boy hugging back.
"I've missed you Draco."
"I missed u too Chris."
After Harry and Ron's shock had worn off Ron was the first to act. "Get your slimy paws off her Malfoy." He said pushing Malfoy, sending him falling to the ground.
"Ron what are you..." Christina began to say but was stopped when Ron grabbed her face cupping it in both of his hands.
"He's got you under Imperious doesn't he. Snap out of it." He was about to slap her through the face (not very hard, just hard enough to bring her back to 'senses') when Harry grabbed his hand. Ron realized he might have over reacted just a bit and blushed a bright red to match his hair. Draco had long since stood up to regain his dignity.
"Ron what were you thinking?" Christina said pushing his shoulders. "You okay?" she then asked turning to Draco.
"How do....Why.....huh?" Ron asked stuttering, at a loss for words.
"How do you two know each other?" Harry asked the question that Ron had been trying to ask.
Before Christina had a chance to answer, a voice came from behind Harry. "Hello Harry."
"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked as he spun around. Harry's old professor gave him a one armed hug.
"How are you Harry?"
"I'm fine and yourself?"
"I'm doing well." Lupin's words were true. He definitely did look much better than the last time Harry had seen him. "Hello Ron." He said nodding to him. "I have a message for you, where is Hermione by the way."
"With the other prefects."
"Oh well I guess you should just pass the message along then. Dumbledore wants to see you Ron, Hermione and a girl called Christina in the Great Hall right now."
"Okay."
"Would you mind helping me find the girl?" Lupin asked.
"Oh this is Christina." Ron said turning to Christina who after saying goodbye to Draco, telling him she would see him in the Great Hall, walked forward. At the sight of the girl Lupin's eyes bulged slightly and he seemed taken completely by surprise. He shook off the surprise and extended his hand and the girl shook it.
"I'm professor Lupin."
"I'm Christina."
"Nice meeting you. You three had better go quickly. The feast cannot begin before Dumbledore has seen you."
They rushed through the crowds of students and slipped through the doors to the Great Hall. When they entered they saw Dumbledore and McGonagall obviously waiting for them.
"Ah Harry. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to make our meeting a short one." He said in an apologetic tone. "Christina" he said turning to the girl. "you are going to have to keep the fact that you're in anyway related to Ron a secret."
"What? Why?" she asked and then she realized the rudeness in her voice. "I'm sorry Sir but I don't understand why would we need to keep my relation to Ron a secret?"
"Those reasons I will give to you at a later stage." He said with a voice that made Christina immediately put all her trust in him. She liked this man. He made her feel secure.
"Won't my surname be a bit of a giveaway?" she asked
"You wont be using the name Weasley but rather your original name." This time McGonagall answered.
"No please. I can't use my last name!"
"Well then we will make one up for you" McGonagall said understanding the girls situation. "How about Johnson?"
"Christina Johnson? Sure. Sounds good to me." She said turning to Dumbledore. "Oh wait I've told Neville that I'm Ron's cousin. So, he knows as well."
"That is a small problem. A simple memory modification will do the trick." Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "I have already told the rest of the Weasleys about it. That is all. You can go find yourselves seats at the Griffindor table." He said to Ron and Harry. "Christina you need to go with McGonagall to be sorted into your house."
A few minutes later, the entire hall was filled with hungry students anticipating the feast. At the Head Table Oliver Wood was sitting in the chair that Madame Hooch would normally have sat in. Lupin was also at the head table with a great big shaggy dog sitting on the floor at his side. The first year students that had to be sorted were all standing in between the two middle tables. The Sorting Hat was sitting on a three-legged stool in front of them. McGonagall started calling names and then the children would be sorted into the correct houses. When all the new first years had been sorted, McGonagall called Christina's name.
"This is Christina Johnson. She will be joining the fifth year students."
Christina was scared but didn't show it, she walked with an air of absolute confidence and self assurance. As she neared the Sorting Hat she hesitated and looked up at the staff table, Oliver winked at her in a reassuring way, many girls from all houses were now giving Christina sour looks because of this little friendly wink. She walked forward and put the hat on.
"Ahh. Another Weasley." The hat said softly in her ears so that only she could hear. "This is a difficult decision. You are clever and cunning with a brave heart and a loyal soul." After about 30 seconds the hat finally decided.
"SLYTHE.....GRIFFINDOR." The Slytherins had started cheering but stopped as soon as they heard the final decision. Now the Griffindors were cheering. Christina removed the hat and hopped off the stool with what should have been a radiant smile but instead was a confused and rather startled look on her face.
She sat down between Harry and Ron as many of her fellow fifth years introduced themselves. Her mind was spinning now and she was glad when Dumbledore stood up and motioned for silence. The black dog that was sitting with Lupin had sat upright and was staring at Dumbledore, rapt with attention. Christina found this rather odd but dismissed it. After all she was a witch and sort of accustomed to weird and strange things.
"Welcome back Everyone. Before I start the usual beginning of year announcements I would like to ask you all to raise your glasses to someone we have lost. At the end we lost a friend, a son and one of the greatest prefects Hogwarts has ever seen. I would like to make a toast to Cedric Diggory." Almost everyone in the hall raised their glasses and some even started to cry softly. Christina raised her glass not completely understanding why. Then Dumbledore carried on.
"I would like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is, as the name suggests, still very forbidden." Christina could have sworn that Dumbledore had looked straight at Harry.
"You will all have two days in which to get organized for school and on Monday you will start your classes again. Another thing I would like to introduce to you the new flying instructor, whom most of you know from last year, Mr Oliver Wood."
Dumbledore motioned for Oliver to stand up and he did, blushing furiously as the Great Hall filled with applause. Christina couldn't help noticing all the girls in the great Hall watching Oliver with very dreamy looks in their eyes.
"I would also like to welcome back our new Defence against the dark arts professor, Mr Remus Lupin." Once again the hall filled with applause since he had been one of the better Defence against the dark arts professors.
"Now I will stop talking because I can know you are all anticipating the feast. I have only one last message, this year we will be starting duelling teams. You will participate mush like in Quidditch and there will be a house cup awarded at the end of the year. This activity will only be allowed to students in fifth year or above. Now let the feast begin." Dumbledore waved his hands and the large tables filled with food and the hungry students began filling their plates.
When the feast was over Christina followed the Trio to the Griffindor Common room. As they were walking Christina saw Draco and went over to him wanting to say that she was sorry for the way Ron had behaved. When she had finally found her way over to him she touched his arm and he looked back when he saw who it was he just turned his head back and pretended he hadn't seen her.
"Draco. Wait up." She called.
"What do you want Griffindor?" he asked as he spun around, now flanked on each side by Crabbe and Goyle.
"You know her Draco?" came Blaise's voice from behind Draco.
"Of course not. Why would I mingle with a Griffindor?" he said as he looked at Christina with disgust.
"Fine." With that Christina walked away with clenched fists, she was on the verge of tears but she managed to hold them in.
Harry, Hermione and Ron who had seen the whole thing just walked after her, Ron very nearly going back to give Draco a piece of his mind.
"Hey Chris? You ok?" Ron asked walking behind her.
"I'm fine." She said bluntly.
"Don't you want to follow us?" Harry asked.
"No." came her reply.
"Do you know the way?"
Christina hesitated and stopped, she then turned around to face Ron, Harry and Hermione. "Maybe I should follow you."
She then walked after them and when they found the common room they went in. most of the common room was filled with Griffindors having a little beginning of the year celebration.
"Where is my room?" Christina asked Hermione.
"This way." Harry and Ron had left the two girls and were now chatting to Neville and Dean. So Hermione led the way to their room. Fred and George saw that Christina was leaving so they went over to her.
"Hey Chris you're not going upstairs already?" Fred asked.
"Yeah I'm tired." Christina lied.
"Oh come on have some fun." George took her arm and attempted to pull her towards the party but Christina jerked away and walked toward the stairs again. George persisted but Hermione gave him a look that said lay-off-or- I'll curse-you and he gave up.
Hermione showed Christina where their room was and Christina was amazed to see all their things were already there.
"Ok well I'm going to get changed and go to bed." Christina said yawning.
"Ok before you do though can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Well how do you and Draco know each other?"
"Can I tell you tomorrow. I'm really tired and need a good nights sleep."
"ok sure. Good night Chris."
Christina smiled at Hermione using her nickname and felt happy that she already had one good friend.
"Good night Hermione."