Chapter 8 Signed Photos
Chris and Ginny were about to leave the Great Hall after breakfast when a blonde-haired girl came in front of them.
"Good morning."
"Morning," Ginny replied with a smile.
"Morning Luna." Chris smiled. "So how is your Ravenclaw house?"
"It's beautiful. We have to solve a riddle to enter. It's a nice way to learn. What about Gryffindor?" Luna asked.
"Oh. We just give a password." Chris replied.
Chris looked at her schedule again and said, "Well we have Transfiguration with Ravenclaws this afternoon. So we can meet at Lunch, then go together."
"That will be great," Luna answered happily.
"Then see you at Lunch, Luna." Ginny smiled.
"See you," Luna said as they parted their ways.
Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the start of their first lesson, he took the attendance register. Then he started the class. "Now the most important things of using a wand, your wrist movements and saying the magic words properly." Said Professor Flitwick. "Practice swish and flick." They practised a few times. "Let's start with a simple spell 'Lumos'." as he said a blue light came out from his tip of the wand. Everyone started doing it. Chris took a deep breath and cast the spell. She was successful on her first attempt.
Professor Flitwick also told her the jinx spell "Nox" to turn the light off. She successfully cast that too in the first attempt.
Professor Flitwick excitedly said, "Well done Miss Norton. 10 points to Gryffindor for casting both spells properly."
Chris smiled but just then, someone snorted from behind "Show off."
Chris turned around and found a Slytherin boy sitting behind her. Chris saw, he was lighting his wand and turning it off continuously. But he was covering the light with his palm so that no one could see it.
He looked up at Chris, "What? These are very simple spells. Anyone can do it. What so special?"
"So why don't you show this to Professor Flitwick? I think he will be impressed."
"Really. Not. Interested." He said as he turned away.
"Ookkaayy," Chris said it very slowly then turned back to Ginny.
After class Chris noticed the same boy leaving alone.
They had Herbology with Hufflepuffs, next. Herbology was taught by Professor Sprout, a dumpy little witch.
After Herbology they went to Great Hall for Lunch. Ginny and Chris sat on the Gryffindor table and after some time, Luna joined them.
"It's so good that you two are roommates. My all roommates think that I am crazy." Luna said with a flat tone.
"Trust me, Luna, our other two roommates are not very great," Ginny answered.
"Well, I think they are missing out. You two will be great friends. That's why I chose you." Chris said with a serious face and next second they all burst into laughter.
They were talking about their first classes when Chris noticed a boy beside Ginny, was looking at something with an awestruck expression. She followed his gaze and saw he was staring at Harry who was eating his lunch with Ron and Hermione.
Chris chuckled.
'He really is a celebrity.' She thought.
"You want to talk to him. Just go ahead. Don't stare. It's a bad manner." Chris said loudly.
The boy heard her. He looked at Chris with a surprised face only to her looking at him.
"Ummm... Me?" He asked uncertainly.
Chris nodded.
"Oh.. Ummm... I wasn't staring... You see..." He tried to explain but Chris raised an eyebrow and he sighed, "Do you think he will talk to me? I mean he's so famous."
"I think Yes. Just remember the difference between talking and going full-on fanboy on him." Chris replied.
"Is he talking about Professor Lockhart?" Ginny asked curiously.
"No. No. I was talking about Harry Potter." He corrected.
As Ginny heard the name Harry Potter she looked down and went red.
Chris looked at her but before she can say anything the boy said, "Well... I am a muggle-born. My father is a milkman. He is the famous Harry Potter. I just want a picture with him. I have heard everything about him. About his scar, and because of him you-know-who disappeared. He.."
"Ok. Stop. Stop. Stop. You can't say this to him." Chris said.
"I can't? Why?" He asked dumb folded.
"Because it actually is his bad memory," Luna answered.
"Yes. He became orphan the same day he became famous. Have you never thought this?" Chris asked the boy.
Ginny was looking at Chris and Luna with the same expression as the boy. Realisation.
"No. I never. Oh lord. I was just going to hurt him and after that, he was going to hate me." He looked terrified.
"Yes. You were." Said Luna flatly.
The boy has about had an emotional breakdown.
Chris sighed.
"Relax. He will not hate you."
"Really? Will you all.... help me to.... talk to him? I just want to... send a picture to... my father." He requested.
Chris looked at Luna and Ginny. Luna said she doesn't have any problem and Ginny just nodded.
"Ok, then fanboy. Let's get you a picture." Chris said with a smile. "By the way, I am Chris. This is Ginny and this is Luna."
"Oh. I am Colin. Thanks for helping" He smiled awkwardly.
After lunch, they found Harry, Ron and Hermione at the overcast courtyard. Colin looked at Chris expectantly.
"Wait. Ginny's brother is his best friend. Ginny can easily ask him for the..." before Chris can finish Ginny almost shouted "NO... I can't. "
"Its ok Ginny. It was just a suggestion." Chris said with a surprised look.
'What's up with her?' She thought.
Chris walked towards Harry and heard he was talking about Quidditch. Colin, Luna and Ginny all followed her.
"You are a Seeker?" Chris asked as soon as she heard Ron saying that to Harry.
Harry looked at her and smiled awkwardly, "Yeah. I am."
"But it's just the first day of your second year." Chris was actually confused. She heard the rules clearly from Professor McGonagall when she was in her house.
"Umm... Well..." Harry smiled and tried to explain but Ron interrupted, "He is the youngest Seeker in a century. Professor McGonagall specially made him Gryffindor seeker last year."
"That's cool. I have read about Quidditch but never saw a match. Flying sounds amazing." Chris grinned.
Ron noticed Ginny behind Colin and Luna.
"Ginny?"
Ginny almost stumbled.
"Hey, you ok? I was hoping to see you. I am sorry, Ginny. I heard you were worried about us yesterday." Ron looked sincere.
"We are sorry Ginny," Harry added.
Ginny blushed a little then smiled and nodded.
Colin poked Chris's shoulder.
"Oh. Yes. Harry. Colin here wants to take a picture with you. He wants to send it to his father." Chris said getting back Harry's attention.
"A picture?" Harry repeated blankly.
"So that I've got a proof that I've met you," said Colin. "And a boy in my dormitory said if I develop the film in the right potion, the pictures move. It's amazing here, isn't it? I never knew all the odd stuff I could do was magic till I got the letter from Hogwarts. My dad's a milkman, he couldn't believe it either. So I'm taking loads of pictures to send home to him. And it'd be really good if I had one of you."
Harry looked at Chris. She smiled helplessly.
"I could stand next to you? And then, could you sign it?" Colin said eagerly.
"Wait. We didn't have an agreement about signing Colin?" Chris said looking at Colin meaningfully.
Colin nodded, "No. I was just thinking. I will just take a picture with you if that is ok? You don't have to sign it."
"Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos, Potter?"
A pale and pointed faced boy came smirking.
"Everyone line up! Harry Potter's giving out signed photos!" He roared to the crowd.
"Is he another fanboy?" Chris asked looking at him.
"What? I am Draco Malfoy. I don't follow someone just because they have a scar right across their head, thanks. I don't think getting your head cut open makes you that special." The pale boy replied.
"So why are YOU so excited about signed photographs by Harry?" Chris asked raising an eyebrow.
Harry chuckled, Ron almost laughed aloud and few seniors who were listening to the entire conversation laughed loudly.
Malfoy went red. He was about to say something when Chris interrupted, "I only agreed to take a picture of Harry with Colin. So please do it fast. We have classes."
Hearing this Colin hurriedly gave the normal muggle camera to Chris and stood next to Harry. Harry was staring blankly.
"You have to smile for the camera Harry," Chris said smiling as she completely ignored fuming Malfoy.
Harry smiled a little and Chris took the picture. Colin almost jumped with excitement.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, Harry." He took the camera and said, "Thank you, Chris. If it were not for you I would have never got a picture with Harry."
"What's all this, what's all this?" Gilderoy Lockhart was striding toward them, his turquoise robes swirling behind him. "Who's taking pictures?"
Harry started to speak but he was cut short as Lockhart flung an arm around his shoulders and thundered jovially, "Shouldn't have asked! We meet again, Harry!"
Malfoy smirked.
Harry helplessly looked at Chris.
Chris decided to speak, "Umm... Professor, I think you have mistaken. We were just taking pictures of friends."
"Is that so?" Lockhart asked Chris, with a perfect smile.
"Yes Professor. Harry and Colin are my friends. Colin just wanted to take a few pictures to send home." Chris said.
"Very well then, I guess a photo of mine with inspiring your parents, boy, that how lucky you are?" Lockhart said smiling.
Just then the bell rang.
"We've Transfiguration class Professor," Chris said. "We've to postpone the photo shoot."
And Chris walked inside the castle.