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❝ Why are you using this ghostly voice of yours? ❞
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𝕮HRISTMAS 𝕾PIRIT 𝖂AS thin on the ground in the Gryffindor common room that morning. Hermione had shut Crookshanks in her dormitory, but was furious with Ron for trying to kick him; Ron was still fuming about Crookshanks's fresh attempt to eat Scabbers.
Harry gave up trying to make them talk to each other and devoted himself to examining the Firebolt. He had brought it down to the common room with him. He was also wearing the brand-new sports shoes that Crystal presented to him as soon as her parcel arrived.
For some reason his fascination with the Firebolt seemed to annoy Hermione; she didn't say anything, but she kept looking at the broom as though it too had been criticizing her cat.
Hermione threw a paper ball at Crystal and caught her attention successfully. She signalled Crystal with her eyes to go talk to Harry about the broom but Crystal raised her both hands in surrender and went back to sign some papers she was reading earlier. She didn't want to have any discord between her and Harry again after their fight. Hermione huffed and glared darkly at the broom again.
At lunchtime, they went down to the Great Hall to find that the House tables had been moved against the walls again and a single table, set for twelve, stood in the middle of the room.
Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick were there, along with Filch, the caretaker, who had taken off his usual brown coat and was wearing a very old and rather moldy-looking tailcoat. There were only two other students, one extremely nervous-looking first year and a sullen-faced Slytherin fifth year.
"Happy Christmas!" said Dumbledore as Crystal, Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached the table. "As there are so few of us, it seemed foolish to use the House tables. . . Sit down, sit down!"
Crystal, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat side by side at the end of the table.
"Crackers!" said Dumbledore enthusiastically, offering the end of a large silver noisemaker to Snape, who took it reluctantly and tugged. With a bang like a gunshot, the cracker flew apart to reveal a large, pointed witch's hat topped with a stuffed vulture.
Harry, remembering the boggart, caught Ron's eye and they both grinned; Crystal snorted but covered up, excusing herself as she pretended to clear her throat, the teachers stared at her and some smiled; Snape's mouth thinned and he pushed the hat toward Dumbledore, who swapped it for his wizard's hat at once.
"Dig in!" he advised the table, beaming around.
As Harry was helping himself to roast potatoes, the doors of the Great Hall opened again. It was Professor Trelawney, gliding toward them as though on wheels. She had put on a green sequined dress in honor of the occasion, making her look more than ever like a glittering, oversized dragonfly.
"Sibyll, this is a pleasant surprise!" said Dumbledore, standing up.
"I have been crystal gazing, Headmaster," said Professor Trelawney in her mistiest, most faraway voice, "and to my astonishment, I saw myself abandoning my solitary luncheon and coming to join you. Who am I to refuse the promptings of fate? I at once hastened from my tower, and I do beg you to forgive my lateness. . . "
"Certainly, certainly," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "Let me draw you up a chair —"
And he did indeed draw a chair in midair with his wand, which revolved for a few seconds before falling with a thud between Professors Snape and McGonagall. Professor Trelawney, however, did not sit down; her enormous eyes had been roving around the table, and she suddenly uttered a kind of soft scream.
"I dare not, Headmaster! If I join the table, we shall be thirteen! Nothing could be more unlucky! Never forget that when thirteen dine together, the first to rise will be the first to die!"
"We'll risk it, Sibyll," said Professor McGonagall impatiently. "Do sit down, the turkey's getting stone cold."
Professor Trelawney hesitated, then lowered herself into the empty chair, eyes shut and mouth clenched tight, as though expecting a thunderbolt to hit the table. Professor McGonagall poked a large spoon into the nearest tureen.
"Tripe, Sibyll?"
Professor Trelawney ignored her. Eyes open again, she looked around once more and said, "But where is dear Professor Lupin?"
"I'm afraid the poor fellow is ill again," said Dumbledore, indicating that everybody should start serving themselves. "Most unfortunate that it should happen on Christmas Day."
"But surely you already knew that, Sibyll?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyebrows raised.
Professor Trelawney gave Professor McGonagall a very cold look.
"Certainly I knew, Minerva," she said quietly. "But one does not parade the fact that one is All-Knowing. I frequently act as though I am not possessed of the Inner Eye, so as not to make others nervous."
"That explains a great deal," said Professor McGonagall tartly.
Professor Trelawney's voice suddenly became a good deal less misty.
"If you must know, Minerva, I have seen that poor Professor Lupin will not be with us for very long. He seems aware, himself, that his time is short. He positively fled when I offered to crystal gaze for him —"
"Imagine that," said Professor McGonagall dryly.
"I doubt," said Dumbledore, in a cheerful but slightly raised voice, which put an end to Professor McGonagall and Professor Trelawney's conversation, "that Professor Lupin is in any immediate danger. Severus, you've made the potion for him again?"
"Yes, Headmaster," said Snape.
"Good," said Dumbledore. "Then he should be up and about in no time. . . Derek, have you had any of these chipolatas? They're excellent."
The first-year boy went furiously red on being addressed directly by Dumbledore, and took the platter of sausages with trembling hands.
Professor Trelawney behaved almost normally until the very end of Christmas lunch, when a small grey owl, Cash, flew in and swiftly landed in front of his master. Crystal reached out to untie the letter but Cash swatted her hand away with his wing.
"Well, Cash, it's good to see you at the same time it's not," Crystal sighed tossed him a coin and untied the letter.
"I reckon you have got the richest owl in the world, Crystal," said Dumbledore amused.
"All thanks to Professor Hagrid - please excuse me first —" Crystal stood up as she unfolded the letter, ready to leave but Professor Trelawney shrieked loudly.
"My dear! You stood up first! My poor little girl!"
Startled by the voice, the letter in Crystal's hand fluttered down to the floor. A silence settled in the room and Crystal bend down to pick up the letter and put it back in the envelope.
Ron looked uneasily at Harry and Hermione, who rolled their eyes in sync. Crystal assumed what the Professor was thinking.
"Then, if you could please, at least help me know the cause of my death, Professor, Crystal played along. "I'm very eager to save my life, you see,"
This time Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, and the corner of her lips curled up the slightest bit.
"My dear, I only know that you are in grave danger! Possibility of untimely death! I can see you travelling towards the door to the death!" said Professor Trelawney with misty eyes, "my dear girl, you shouldn't have stood up first—"
"I doubt it will happen," said Professor McGonagall coldly, "unless a mad axe man is waiting outside the doors to slaughter the first into the entrance hall."
Even Ron laughed. Professor Trelawney looked highly affronted. Harry stood up, still wearing their party hat.
"Coming?" Harry asked Hermione.
"No," Hermione muttered, "I want a quick word with Professor McGonagall."
"Probably trying to see if she can take any more classes," yawned Ron as they made their way into the entrance hall, which was completely devoid of mad axe-men.
When they reached the portrait hole, they found Sir Cadogan enjoying a Christmas party with a couple of monks, several previous headmasters of Hogwarts, and his fat pony. He pushed up his visor and toasted them with a flagon of mead.
"Merry — hic — Christmas! Password?"
"Scurvy cur," said Ron.
"And the same to you, sir!" roared Sir Cadogan as the painting swung forward to admit them.
Crystal plopped down on a couch, finally reading the letter she got minutes ago.
Harry went straight up to the dormitory, collected the Firebolt and the Broomstick Servicing Kit Hermione had given him for his birthday, brought them downstairs, and tried to find something to do to the Firebolt; however, there were no bent twigs to clip, and the handle was so shiny already it seemed pointless to polish it.
He and Ron simply sat admiring it from every angle until the portrait hole opened, and Hermione came in, accompanied by Professor McGonagall.
Though Professor McGonagall was head of Gryffindor House, Harry had seen her in the common room only once before, and that had been to make a very grave announcement. He and Ron stared at her, both holding the Firebolt.
Hermione walked around them, sat down beside Crystal, and picked up the nearest book, and hid her face behind it.
"So that's it, is it?" said Professor McGonagall beadily, walking over to the fireside and staring at the Firebolt. "Miss Granger has just informed me that you have been sent a broomstick, Potter."
Harry and Ron looked around at Hermione. They could see her forehead reddening over the top of her book, which was upside down.
"May I?" said Professor McGonagall but she didn't wait for them to answer before snatching the Firebolt out of their hands and examining it carefully from handle to twig-ends. "Hmm. And there was no note at all, Potter? No card? No message of any kind?"
"No," said Harry blankly as he and Ron looked at Hermione hiding behind her upside-down book.
"I see. . . " said Professor McGonagall. "Well, I'm afraid I will have to take this, Potter."
"W- what?" said Harry, scrambling to his feet. "Why?"
"It will need to be checked for jinxes," said Professor McGonagall. "Of course, I'm no expert, but I daresay Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick will strip it down —"
"Strip it down?" repeated Ron, as though Professor McGonagall was mad.
"It shouldn't take more than a few weeks," said Professor McGonagall. "You will have it back if we are sure it is jinx-free."
"There's nothing wrong with it!" said Harry, his voice shaking slightly. "Honestly, Professor Minnie —"
"You can't know that, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, quite kindly, "not until you've flown it, at any rate, and I'm afraid that is out of the question until we are certain that it has not been tampered with. I shall keep you informed. Well, I hope you are ready to depart for your home this evening. I'll pick you up soon."
Professor McGonagall turned on her heel and carried the Firebolt out of the portrait hole, which closed behind her. Harry stood staring after her, the tin of High-Finish Polish still clutched in his hands. Ron, however, rounded on Hermione.
"What did you go running to McGonagall for?"
"I told her to," Crystal said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest and crossed her legs.
"I thought you were with us!" Ron yelled, "But you've chosen sides,"
"There are no sides. You're the one who's making it sides," Crystal said calmly as a matter of fact.
"Please, I don't want to talk to you! You just do as you please and always support her!" Ron scoffed.
Hermione threw her book aside. She was still pink in the face but stood up and faced Ron defiantly.
"Don't blame her! I did it because I - Crystal and Professor McGonagall agree with me — that that broom was probably sent to Harry by Sirius Black!"
"This is ridiculous!" Ron scowled and went up to the boys' dormitory. Harry threw a last glance at Crystal then followed after him.
Hermione and Crystal let out a long breath before falling back onto the couch they were sitting on.
"Well, that wasn't pretty. Anyways, you've to go to Harry's tonight, right?" said Hermione, "did you pack up at all?"
"Change of plans. I'm not going. I sent a note to his parents. They'd be obviously disappointed." said Crystal.
"But why?"
"I've to meet someone important today,"
"Seriously, Crysie? A business meeting on Christmas?"
"Something like that. . . Well, I unexpectedly got invited to their party today and couldn't just refuse because we could be business partners in future. . . Don't want to offend them,"
"Does Harry know you're not going with him?"
"I wanted to tell him but I do not dare now," said Crystal and pressed her lips together, "He'll be even more mad at me when he comes to know —"
"And of course!" Harry said from behind them. Hermione and Crystal looked at each other startled and turned their heads to face Harry. "My mum and dad just want to spend some time with you and you can't even- "
"Shit!" Crystal cursed under her breath as she chased after him stumbling a bit, "Harry, listen to me!" She tried to get hold of his hand as they ran upstairs but missed, "Hey! wait!"
"It's absolutely fine! I understand! Just do your work! It's more important than me or my family!" Harry yelled and slammed the door in Crystal's face.
"Harry! Open the door, please!" Crystal banged on the door a few times to no response, "Please listen! You know how people still think of me, right? Did you listen to Fudge that day? I don't have much power yet to make more enemies at the moment. Please, Harry, try to understand! I'm sorry!" she tried to explain to him.
"Let me think! Go away!" Harry shouted from inside, his voice sounding upset.
Crystal had a feeling that talking to him now wouldn't do much as he was already upset about the broom and now her news.
Dispirited, she went back to sit with Hermione on the couch.
"And I messed it up again. . ." She muttered and sighed. Hermione brought her into a hug. "Why do I always end up messing my friendship with him?"
"Is it just friendship between you and him?" Hermione asked casually as she stroked her hair.
"Then, what?" Crystal pulled away confused. "Look, I may be into business so much that I think about deals day and night and I may have only approached people for the sake of my business but you must know that my friendship with a few of you here is not business,"
"No! No, I- I didn't mean that, Crysie. I meant—" Hermione let out a defeated sigh, "Anyways, Give him some time to rethink, he is just upset with you not spending much time with us and giving all your time to work," said Hermione as she ran her fingers through Crystal's hair.
"Do you think I even have time to spare for myself?" Crystal asked more to herself.
"He will come around. Don't worry about it," Hermione removed the hair clasp from Crystal's hair and patted her hair gently as she leaned her head on her shoulder. Crystal felt sleepy when she relaxed but when she heard the sound of something falling with a thud, she immediately sat up straight alert and wide awake.
She looked at the source of sound and saw Harry's luggage on the floor and the person himself standing with his hands crossed looking anywhere but Crystal and Hermione.
Hermione rolled her eyes, stood up, bid him goodbye and went upstairs to the girls' dormitory giving them space to talk sanely for the minutes left to spend together.
Harry discreetly looked towards Crystal who was staring down at her fidgeting fingers. He cleared his throat before speaking to her.
"I'll ask you one last time," He asked in a grumpy tone. "Are you coming with me?"
"I'm sorry, I really wanted to go, Harry. I was so looking forward to it but-I got an invitation suddenly earlier," Crystal tried to explain desperately. Although, Harry sounded mad but he couldn't, looking at her sad face.
"You can reschedule to a later date," He suggested. "Christmas is the time you spend with family and friends, not with business partners, Crys,"
"I know. . . " Crystal said in a low, guilty tone. "I know that. I'd have done it already before you asked but if it weren't this person. . ."
"Alright, I understand." Harry said finally then asked with hope, "You will come over tomorrow, right?"
Crystal remained silent for a while before she spoke.
"I- I've got to visit Sam, it's important and I need to go to the Mansion later. . . " she said quietly, not meeting his eyes.
"Crys, I didn't go home at the start of the holidays because you had extra lessons and we planned to go home together," Harry said dejectedly.
"I'm sorry. . ." was all she could say. No words felt right to defend her. She wouldn't even look at him while talking with him now. Harry hated it when she did not look at him, when he can't look into her eyes whenever they talked.
He released a long breath to calm himself. He tried to understand her circumstances, Crystal was not in a solid position after only taking over her business for merely six months but she is still fighting. Anyone of her age, even himself, won't have the strength to go through the torturous life bonded to everything but himself. But Crystal, she never complained, she was sailing through the angry storm in the middle of the sea quite admirably. With this, a sudden wave of admiration towards her washed over him. He was quite impressed with her immense patience, determination, hard work and strength to keep her sanity under all kinds of pressure.
He tried to dissipate the tense atmosphere hanging above them.
"Anyways, then you better be successful in that darned meeting of yours for which you missed my amazing Christmas Party," Harry said walking towards her and closing the distance between them. "But let's make a small deal between you and me,"
He reached out his hand and gently lifted her chin, bringing her eyes to meet his. He leaned down placing his other hand on the armrest of the couch, "I'm expecting a daily report sent to me, young lady,"
Crystal was surprised and perplexed for a few seconds before a smile slowly crept on her lips as well as she saw Harry's smile. She knew that he was not mad anymore.
"Please pardon me for asking this, young master," Crystal played along with a tone of amusement. Harry bit his lower lips to stop himself from bursting into laughter. "I thought I'm the boss here who checks on the reports. Are you mistaken with the roles perhaps?"
"Miss Calisto. I deem it necessary that someone shall oversee you, in case you are being reckless, which you always are" —Crystal scrunched up her nose— "So, you shall follow what I say," Harry said in a commanding tone with a smirk. "Your answer, My Lady?"
"What kind of answer would you expect from me, Sir?"
Harry paused to think for a second before moving his hand to gently brush a few strands of her lustrous black hair behind her ear. He kept his hand there, with his thumb on her cheek and leaned in close to her other ear.
"Yes, should be your only answer while negotiating with me," he whispered into her ear with a playful smile. Crystal blinked as Harry's breath tickled her ear. The hair on the back of her stood as she glanced at him surprised that he would do that, his pranks were getting confusing. He pulled away just as slightly to get a look on her face inches away from him but when their eyes met, they couldn't help but break into a laugh.
"Why are you using this ghostly voice of yours?" She laughed.
Ghostly voice. . . Harry was forced to rethink his actions, he failed to try to tease her but her pure innocent laughter was enough to take his mind off anything.
"It's unfair. I can't be mad at you for long when I get to see you laugh like that," he whispered. Crystal smiled as she said, "Trust me. Neither can I but sometimes I feel like you hate me,"
"Believe me, I don't know what this weird thing is happening inside me right now but I can never hate you. Not even in my dream, Ryslie," He pulled her head into his shoulder as he buried his face into her hair and patted the back of her head.
"Ah! The new nickname I forgot about," Crystal pulled away chuckling, "I have been wondering this, how do you come up with such varieties of strange non-resembling nicknames? I don't get any in my mind,"
"Pure talent, of course," Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"Huh." Crystal rolled her eyes playfully.
"Now, listen, your next year's Christmas is mine, at my home. You, me, mum and dad, promise me?"
"Promise. My next year is all yours," Crystal answered as he wanted, the smile never left their lips. The fun of the short play eventually subsided.
A comfortable silence surrounded them as the emerald eyes dived into the depths of the mesmerizing sea blue, he found himself wanting to lose himself in them. There was something about her eyes that makes him want to always keep looking into it, it draws him in, an invisible magnetism, as though they keep pulling him into it, closer to her—
AHEM!
Someone cleared their throat loudly snapping the delicate thread of tranquillity of the moment.
Harry snapped out of his daze and straightened his posture removing his hand from Crystal's cheek. Crystal stood up beside him with a blank expression and looked at the person who entered the portrait hole.
"Professor McGonagall," Crystal whispered. Then it sunk into her that it was time for him to go.
"Good Afternoon, Miss Calisto," she greeted then looked at Harry, "Potter, if you're done with your" — Professor McGonagall looked at Crystal then cleared her throat, with a subtle smile — "goodbyes then let's go. We're sending you through the floo network before sunset,"
"What goodbyes—I didn't even say goodbye yet —" Harry hurried to explain but Professor McGonagall smiled subtly, "Minnie- I swear it's nothing like what you saw or what you are thinking- "
"I did not say anything, Potter." Professor McGonagall said amused.
"I— yes," Harry's ears flushed in realization.
"Um, it's exactly like you saw, Professor McGonagall," Crystal said. Harry slapped his forehead in exasperation as Professor McGonagall's smile widened. "He was threatening me to write to him every day. Can you imagine every day? Who has so much to talk about?"
"Minnie, let's just ignore this innocent little kid and be on our way," Harry sighed and went to pick up his bag pack and pulled his trunk along.
"Hey! How dare you call me a little kid!" Crystal scowled.
"Innocent!" Harry scowled back, pushing his hair back frustratingly as he was already embarrassed enough, "The keyword is innocent, silly!"
"Miss Calisto, I'll see you in an hour," Professor McGonagall said before their banter could escalate. She had a small smile on her face as she left.
"Oh, wait— well then, see you, Ryslie! Take care!" Harry gave her a hasty half hug then dragged his luggage following Professor McGonagall out the portrait hole. Crystal followed after them.
"Bye, Harry! I'll write to you only if you write to me!" Crystal shouted from after him. She was also about to suggest him to levitate his luggage but he was already doing that walking downstairs.
Harry casually raised a hand above his shoulder without turning around, a flicker of a smile flitted across his handsome features.
Crystal went back inside the portrait hole and went to get ready to leave later in the evening.
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"Seems like I have surprised you all by coming here today all of a sudden. . . " Crystal said awkwardly sitting at the dinner table with a family of strangers where the only person she knew was Rolf Scamander, one of Harry's Quidditch partner and friend.
"Of course not, dear!" said an old woman in an elegant tone, "My husband often tends to forget about the important things before informing his family but I'm quite pleased to have you here. Is the food to your liking?"
"Yes, thank you. You are so kind, Mrs. Scamander," Crystal said gratefully.
Rolf was fixedly staring at her with his mouth slightly open. He had heard of her infamous stories from Harry but he was surprised to see her acting just the opposite, well-mannered, graceful and holding a good conversation ever since she stepped into his grandparent's house. She was the hallmark of elegance from head to toe, even her way of talking or her gait.
"Thank you for the exquisite wine you brought, Miss Calisto," Rolf's father said. "It looks quite expensive,"
"Oh please, it's nothing, Mr. Scamander," Crystal assured, "Please feel free to call me Crystal,"
"Have you met my grandson before, Crystal?" The elder Scamander, Newt asked with a soft smile. Rolf was snapped back to reality.
"Ah, yes, Harry, my friend, introduced us this year," Crystal said, "Although, I've seen him play for the Hufflepuff team before, quite a tough competition he is if must add,"
Rolf gulped thickly, as he tried to pitch down the heat rising his face when she smiled at him. 'You know it's all fake. Don't fall for it. Don't fall for that bewitching face. She didn't even notice you before.' He kept reminding himself over and over.
"Ah! Harry Potter! What a good boy he is—"
So dear reader, the important person who invited Crystal you asked? So much important that she took a tough decision to miss spending time at Potter's home?
Before the start of the holidays, Crystal sent a mail to none other than the famous Magizoologist, author and retired personnel of the Ministry, Mr. Newt Scamander, praising his work she read to control her phobia of creatures and animals . . . But his book wasn't the thing that fascinated Crystal the most.
Crystal was quite impressed by Mr. Scamander's briefcase that sheltered hundreds of species of creatures. Her main agenda to meet him was to get a similar briefcase for her own use.
The mail she sent for a meeting as soon as possible, returned with an invitation to join them over the dinner on Christmas night. Newt Scamander, being very aged, forgot to inform the family and Rolf's and Crystal's second meeting was most awkward. Crystal had her doubts about how the meeting would go if he frequently forgot things but thankfully Rolf's father was there with them.
The Scamander family was very warm and welcoming, especially the over-affectionate woman named Queenie and her husband, who to her surprise was No-maj (Muggle). They were visiting her sister Porpentina, Newt Scamander's wife for Christmas. Rolf and his family were also there to spend their Christmas holidays, of course, Crystal had no idea when she got the invitation that the whole family would be present.
When the dinner was over and she was led to the drawing room for their meeting, Crystal had some challenges in explaining to Newt Scamander what she exactly wanted and what will he will get in return. She proposed a win-win proposal for both of them and he agreed happily to support her.
The meeting with the three people almost went on for an hour. Well, it was less like a meeting and more like a joyful conversation with each other.
The Scamander family offered Crystal to stay the night as well but she declined as she was running late to meet with Samantha to check out the Intelligence team. The mission was to find something about her father.
She met Rolf while getting out of the washroom before leaving. He was waiting for her outside.
"Hey," he said with a small smile.
"Hi, um, so how are you?" Crystal said. She got caught in the awkward moment when you don't have anything to talk but have to say something to look less awkward.
"I'm perfect— well, didn't expect to see you here today," Rolf said with a small laugh, "I mean, you're welcomed anytime here, but Harry was excited to have you over at his so—"
If he knows that means he is a true friend of Harry and he trusts Rolf, Crystal thought as she stared at him. No one apart from the Weasleys and Hermione knew she had plans to stay at Harry's this Christmas. She had seen Harry and Rolf hanging out together with Ron from time to time.
On the other side, Rolf's situation right now was not good. He was getting nervous because first, she was more beautiful than any girl his eyes fell upon and ever since Harry introduced them on the train, his eyes would unknowingly spot her in the crowd. She stood out all the damn time and he couldn't help but notice her. Second, they were having a conversation and her beautiful eyes were fixed on him. Rolf cleared his throat, embarrassed.
"Then you must know it very well that he won't let me off easily. We have a deal." A small smile crept up her face thinking about the little roleplay they had.
"Ohh, what deal?" Rolf asked curiously.
Crystal smiled mysteriously and said, "Happy Christmas, Rolf," She wasn't going to tell him that.
◆◇◆◇◆
After visiting Samantha, Crystal went back to Calisto Mansion the next day to spend the rest of the holidays. She spent day and night speedily working on the low-priority documents that had piled up in her absence and couldn't be sent over.
With the burden of pending work at the Mansion off her shoulders now, Crystal returned to school with Zachary shortly after the New Year, a day before classes resumed again.
Crystal, so busy with her schedule over the winter holidays, felt fatigued and directly went to her dormitory to get some sleep as soon as they reached Hogwarts.
And that was how her winter holidays went by. The privilege to take a whole day vacation in a whole year was far from a dream ever since the place she took over.
But she had to live like that now, anyhow. There was no going back. Although everything was tiring and physically and mentally taxing, she didn't regret it because this was what she wanted and she was working towards her set aim.
One day when it's all over, I'll leave everything. She thought looking up at the sky through the window near her bed.
Harry's time back at his home was enjoyable but it'd have been more perfect if his friends and Crystal also came with him. He wanted to stay home at the same time wanted to go back to school. He too, like Crystal, came back a day before school started.
Harry met Ron sitting in the common room. He saw Zachary entering the portrait hole with Hermione which made his doubts clear that Crystal was also back to school. The brunette boy was telling Hermione something about Crystal which made her laugh for hours after that.
Harry knew that Hermione had meant well, but that didn't stop him from being angry with her.
Harry told his dad and mum about the Firebolt but they support the girls that they did good. He didn't dare to bring up what he had heard about their relation with Sirius Black and what he heard whenever the Dementors attacked him. He didn't want to worry his happy family and ruin their jolly time.
But still, he had been the owner of the best broom in the world for a few short hours, and now, because of Hermione's interference who has always somehow managed to lure Crystal to her side, he didn't know whether he would ever see it again.
He was positive that there was nothing wrong with the Firebolt, but what sort of state would it be in once it had been subjected to all sorts of anti-jinx tests?
Ron was still furious with Hermione and Crystal too. As far as he was concerned, the stripping-down of a brand-new Firebolt was nothing less than criminal damage.
Hermione, who remained convinced that she had acted for the best, started avoiding the common room. Ron supposed she had taken refuge in the library and didn't try to persuade her to come back.
All in all, Ron was glad when Harry and the rest of the school returned shortly after New Year and Gryffindor Tower became crowded and noisy again.
Wood sought Harry out on the night before term started.
"Had a good Christmas?" he said, and then, without waiting for an answer, he sat down, lowered his voice, and said, "I've been doing some thinking over Christmas, Harry. After the last match, you know. If the dementors come to the next one. . . I mean. . . we can't afford you to — well—"
Wood broke off, looking awkward.
"I'm working on it," said Harry quickly. "Professor Lupin said he'd train me to ward off the dementors. We should be starting this week. He said he'd have time after Christmas."
"Ah," said Wood, his expression clearing. "Well, in that case — I really didn't want to lose you as Seeker, Harry. And have you ordered a new broom yet?"
"No," said Harry.
"What! You'd better get a move on, you know — you can't ride that Shooting Star against Ravenclaw!"
"He got a Firebolt for Christmas," said Ron.
"A Firebolt? No! Seriously? A — a real Firebolt?"
"Don't get excited, Oliver," said Harry gloomily. "I haven't got it anymore. It was confiscated." And he explained all about how the Firebolt was now being checked for jinxes.
"Jinxed? How could it be jinxed?"
"Sirius Black," Harry said wearily. "He's supposed to be after me. So Minnie reckons he might have sent it."
Waving aside the information that a famous murderer was after his Seeker, Wood said, "But Black couldn't have bought a Firebolt! He's on the run! The whole country's on the lookout for him! How could he just walk into Quality Quidditch Supplies and buy a broomstick?"
"I know," said Harry, "but Minnie still wants to strip it down—"
Wood went pale.
"I'll go and talk to her, Harry," he promised. "I'll make her see reason. . . A Firebolt. . . a real Firebolt, on our team. . . She wants Gryffindor to win as much as we do. . . I'll make her see sense. A Firebolt. . . "
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Classes started again the next day. The last thing anyone felt like doing was spending two hours on the grounds on a raw January morning, but Hagrid had provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment, and they spent an unusually good lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing while the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs.
As always, Crystal had some complaints about the creatures.
"It's gross to be near that slippery ugly thing and would look at that tongue — uhh, gross, ew, I'm gonna throw up," Crystal shuddered as she whispered to Hermione who chuckled and said, "Crysie, you won't ever change — though you are progressing, no doubt,"
The first Divination lesson of the new term was much less fun; Professor Trelawney was now teaching them palmistry, and she lost no time in informing Harry that he had the shortest lifeline she had ever seen and to Crystal that she had never seen so many deadly encounters of danger in someone's life. Crystal was now getting bored of the same things repeated over and over that a thought crossed her mind to use the class as a sleep-catch-up class.
Next, it was Defense Against the Dark Arts that Harry was keen to get to; after his conversation with Wood, he wanted to get started on his anti-dementor lessons as soon as possible.
"Ah yes," said Lupin, when Harry reminded him of his promise at the end of class. "Let me see. . . how about eight o'clock on Thursday evening? The History of Magic classroom should be large enough. . . I'll have to think carefully about how we're going to do this. . . We can't bring a real dementor into the castle to practice on. . . And inform Crystal if she could manage to come, she looks in hurry. . . "
As soon as the bell rang, Crystal ran out of the classroom. She had extra lessons with Snape just after that and she didn't want to hear his snarky comments.
"Still looks ill, doesn't he?" said Ron as he and Harry walked down the corridor, heading to dinner. "What d'you reckon's the matter with him?"
There was a loud and impatient "tuh" from behind them. It was Hermione, who had been sitting at the feet of a suit of armor, repacking her bag, which was so full of books it wouldn't close.
"And what are you tutting at us for?" said Ron irritably.
"Nothing," said Hermione in a lofty voice, heaving her bag back over her shoulder.
"Yes, you were," said Ron. "I said I wonder what's wrong with Lupin, and you —"
"Well, isn't it obvious?" said Hermione, with a look of maddening superiority.
"If you don't want to tell us, don't," snapped Ron.
"Fine," said Hermione haughtily, and she marched off.
"She doesn't know," said Ron, staring resentfully after Hermione. "She's just trying to get us to talk to her again."
"Leave her, Ron. It's fine," Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head. Where's Crystal when you need her the most, he thought.
At half past eight on Thursday evening, Crystal ran through the corridors to attend the lessons with Professor Lupin in the History of Magic classroom. The lessons started at eight o'clock already, but Crystal sent a note to Harry from someone that she'd be late so he can start practice.
When she reached near the door of the classroom she could hear the voice of Professor Lupin. She opened the door quietly and stepped in.
"Ready again?" said Lupin, who again looked as though he were doing this against his better judgment. "Concentrating hard? All right — go!"
He pulled off the lid of the case for the third time, and just then Crystal walked inside, huffing and panting after the run.
"Sorry, Professor! I'm really late," Crystal rested her hands on her knees, catching her breath. "I'm sorry,"
"It's fine, Crystal," said Lupin, concerned as she was looking pale and tired, "just don't overexert yourself,"
Harry instantly turned around hearing Crystal's voice and stepped down the stairs to help her, distracted from his opponent.
"Thanks for unders— " Crystal looked up with a smile which was wiped off as soon as it showed. Instead, her eyes widened as the colour completely left her face and beads of sweat started to form on her forehead. She stumbled back and fell on the cold stone floor, covering her eyes.
Harry thought Crystal feel down because she was dizzy. He was about to rush towards her but turned around sharply when the echo of the cries of animals filled the classroom and he gasped at the sight.
Flames of blazing fire rose burning up the tents and in the middle of all those, there was a big cage in which a girl was lying, unmoving, she would also get burned if she didn't wake up. There was a lot of sound of chaos but the sound of animals remained constantly background which was constantly ringing irritably in the ears.
And then it came to his realization that he was not in the middle of chaos but it was the boggart on which he'd been practicing and Crystal now, was directly in front of it. Crystal was crouching down on the ground with her eyes shut tightly and ears covered with her trembling hands. Lupin was surprised and frozen unable to comprehend.
Harry rushed to Crystal to comfort her but just as he touched her shoulders Crystal flinched at jerked away from him. He was surprised to see fear in her eyes, he was surprised Crystal rejected his touch when they were always comfortable with each other's presence.
The girl who had always been so calm and composed, the master of hiding her weakness that the whole school had been fooled that she wasn't afraid of anything, was trembling from head to toe.
Crystal had a hard time breathing, she took deep breaths patting her chest then hurriedly wiped some sweat off her forehead. Thanks to the shock Harry gave her, she regained a bit of her mind back to use.
Professor Lupin coming back to his senses immediately cast the spell, the boggart swirled in the air and Lupin closed the case as it went in.
Crystal's eyes started to zone in and out of focus. She held her trembling hand tightly with the other as tried to get up. She felt like losing her mind as the memories of her dark nightmare-like past surfaced again, flashing vividly in front of her eyes.
"Crystal? Are you okay?" Lupin rushed towards her side.
"Crys— " Harry tried to reach out hesitantly stopping midway when she started to walk backwards clumsily, hard to her balance.
"Tha—that—they—" She tried to speak but couldn't form words. Her throat was closing as her eyes were glistening. The next second, on instinct, Crystal turned around and ran out of the classroom. She didn't want anyone to see her, not like that when she was losing control over herself.
"Harry, is she not well?" Lupin asked quietly but Harry wasn't listening to him. He was just focused on why Crystal was acting like that. What did her boggart mean to make her that scared?
"I gotta go," He said and ran out of the classroom searching for Crystal.
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