Luna had a very busy morning ahead. Like all good Ravenclaws would, and many substandard ones, she condensed everything she had learned. In this case, she summarised Harry's interests as "anyone normal looking" and it wasn't all that helpful. Still, she had to concede that it at least meant she didn't have to scour the less known students to fit a bizarre profile and rather she could establish a ranking and work her way down.

With that in mind, she already had her "first wave" of girlfriends. She thought it a good idea to play it by numbers and so decided that seven girls would be magically powerful and allow each to have a Harry-day every week. After a week or two, she would swap out any that didn't connect well with him. Hopefully she would be able to identify the seven ideal witches, but she knew it was better to plan to fail than fail to plan.

Her first was easy enough. Gliding into the common room, she spotted the witch. They always awoke early to read a bit before breakfast. 'Good morning Padma, what do you think of Harry Potter?'

Padma shut her book and eyed Luna suspiciously. 'Why?' she asked.

'Oh goody,' Luna cheered, clapping her hands together. 'So he did apologise and you did accept. That's good to know, it will make this much easier.'

After a pause, a bemused Padma asked, 'How did you know?'

Luna frowned. She really could forgive Harry for not always thinking, but here was a Ravenclaw who wanted to know how she worked something out without even trying! If Padma had thought about it, she would know that Harry wasn't the kind of person to treat someone badly without apologising nor that, if she were still upset about it, she wouldn't have been so defensive about him would would have started ranting about him instead. So, Luna decided to ignore her question and go straight on. 'I am organising seven girls to be Harry's girlfriends and wanted to see if you would be one of them.'

'What?' Padma blurted out, blushing slightly and switching to confused anger.

Luna frowned again, wondering if there was perhaps something wrong with her voice given that multiple people had now questioned her after stating something perfectly straight-forward. A bit slower and with careful enunciation, she said, 'I am organising seven girls to be Harry's girlfriends and wanted to see if you would be one of them.'

'I got that,' Padma snapped, 'But what do you mean seven girlfriends? Does he think he's something special? Is it because I'm Indian that he thinks I'll be part of his harem?' she asked, practically hissing the last part.

That whole not thinking before you spoke seemed to becoming worse by the minute. 'Of course he doesn't think he is special, even though he is. I had to convince him last night in fact to agree to it. I thought your heritage would make you more open to the idea, but primarily chose you because Harry obviously finds you physically attractive while your personalities would be complementary.'

Apparently mollified by part of the statement, Padma, despite being an intelligent girl, was quickly stuttering a denial about Harry's opinion of her body. Luna patiently waited for her to move on and was soon rewarded when Padma regained her composure and asked, 'Anyway, what makes you think I'd want to share Harry with six other girls?'

It was great news for Luna that Padma had admitted she wouldn't mind being Harry's girlfriend and possibly eventual wife since she hadn't protested Luna's lack of a denial when it came to a harem. 'If you both fell in love, he would treat you with more love than any other man here and regardless he will treat you with more respect. He will be kind and generous with his affection once he feels comfortable and he will always do what's best for you, never pressuring you into something you're not ready for nor will he encourage you to do anything you shouldn't.'

The pink tinge to Padma's cheeks was making Luna very happy with how it was going. 'How do you know that?' a rather timid Padma asked.

Luna gave her a short look that she hoped conveyed "Are you a Ravenclaw?" but when Padma didn't seem to understand, she sighed and said, 'What did you think about Harry last year when he returned with Gabrielle Delacour?'

Padma looked confused for a moment, but then the memory clicked. 'I thought he was foolish for thinking any harm would come to the girl, especially when he was the first one down there – he could have easily won the task by a clear margin.'

Saddened, Luna gave her a pitying look. 'Harry wouldn't leave anyone behind. Even though he didn't know Gabrielle, he would sooner die than purposefully risk another's life. That he cares so much for a complete stranger, what lengths do you think he would go to for someone he loved?'

It struck true and Padma was left reeling for nearly a minute as she sorted through her thoughts and feelings. 'That... That's just once he did that...' she pathetically said.

Luna sympathised though and reached over, patting her shoulder. 'At the end of the third task, Harry was used in a ritual to bring Voldemort back to a body. When he escaped, he brought back Cedric's body so his parents would have at least that.'

Padma stifled the twitch at Voldemort's name, but couldn't stifle the sob as she remembered that bloodied and beaten Harry when he returned, somehow holding Cedric's heavy body. Even if Voldemort's resurrection was a lie, which she wasn't entirely sure of despite the media and ministry denying it, she knew that Harry went through some kind of hell that night.

Tilting her head, Luna took in Padma and added, 'You will be able to break up with him if it doesn't work. If it does work, you will find yourself with the man of your dreams.'

Still with the odd tear flowing down her face, Padma nodded and Luna let out a squeal.

'Oh Padma, that's great! We can go down and formalise this once you have calmed down a bit. While we're on the subject though, would you be opposed to having your sister as one of his other girlfriends? I realise that it may be odd, but I thought your background may make you inclined to be odd on this matter.'

It took a few seconds, but Padma burst out laughing. Luna continued to stare at her until she calmed down. 'Sorry, it's just that if Parvati heard that she couldn't date the "delicious" Harry Potter because I said so, she'd hex me into next week.'

Luna frowned, wondering if Padma was being obtuse on purpose. 'I wasn't asking what Parvati wanted.'

Padma wasn't sure why she was being so open, but there was something about Luna's grey eyes that made her feel safe, though the more she answered, the more flustered she became. 'Honestly, I'd prefer it if she didn't, but that's more because she would insist on – this is so embarrassing – us, erm, sharing him if you know what I mean and, well, I don't want, ah.'

Shaking her head, she patted Padma's shoulder again. 'It's okay Padma, I am confident that Harry would step in if your sister tried to force you into a ménage à trois, certainly if you were still a virgin.'

After a good deal of sputtering indignantly and furiously blushing along with mutterings of dates and kisses and no mentions of sex, Padma calmed herself with deep breaths. 'I'm ready,' she quietly said, casually straightening her robes and fixing her hair.

'Goodie, this should be fun, I've never gone down to breakfast with someone else before!' Luna cheered, grabbing Padma's hand and pulling her across the semi-empty common room and through the portrait, down the corridor and stairs and only slowed when they were approaching the great hall. Checking on Padma, she asked, 'Are you okay? You are incredibly flushed and panting heavily, which I wasn't expecting until a little after you had officially become Harry's girlfriend at the earliest.'

Padma scowled at the joke, but quickly realised that Luna wasn't joking and was, in fact, perfectly fine after the long run. 'Just... tired... from... the... run...' she managed between breaths.

Luna gave her an inquisitive look, but was satisfied by that answer – not everyone had as much experience running away after rare creatures like she had. Once Padma's breathing settled down and the crimson tinge to her cheeks receded, she said, 'Let's go.'

Happily pulling her along, Luna strode into the hall and, without changing direction at all, headed straight for Harry and Hermione, who were sitting in silence, Hermione paying more attention to her eating habits than was usual. She felt Padma's hand tighten in her own and wondered why, though not very much as they were nearly behind Harry now.

Hermione glanced up during their walk over and, after seeing Luna dragging an unusually shy Padma, she couldn't help but hope that things were going to get much more interesting and infinitely more amusing. When Harry noticed, he asked, 'You okay?' She nodded, grinning, and pointed behind. Frowning in confusion, he looked behind and said, 'Oh bugger.'

'Language Harry,' Hermione scolded, though it was offset by the laden mirth.

'Good morning Harry! I've found you your Tuesday girlfriend,' Luna cheerily said, leading Padma to a seat on one side of Harry before taking the one on the other side. 'I'm sure you remember, but not to rely on assumptions where possible, this is Padma Patil, a fifth-year Ravenclaw who is currently top of your year and enjoys reading for pleasure as well as strolls around the lake while the sun sets.'

Demurely, Padma said, 'Hello Harry.'

Hermione had been relishing in the maroon Harry had turned, up until Luna suggested that she wasn't top her of year. Being the polite girl she was, she waited for Luna to finish and Padma to get in a short greeting before parroting, '"Top of your year"?'

Luna nodded. 'Padma scored the highest marks in your year for her Charms, Transfiguration and Ancient Runes written portions, while being either second or third in all other subjects. Her practical side was a little behind, but her lowest position was fifth in Herbology. Using a standard scoring system of ten points for first, nine for second and so on, she beat you by seven points, mainly due to your slump in performance when it came to the Defence practical that saw you in ninth place in the year despite near-perfect wandwork.'

Though he was still immensely embarrassed by having been set up with a girlfriend by Luna, Harry found some consolation in Hermione's mixture of outrage and disappointment at not being top of the year as well as a healthy mix of curiosity as to how Luna got the information. She eventually settled on huffing indignantly and saying, 'I guess coming second to a Ravenclaw is okay. I'll have all year to get to number one for the OWLs anyway since I won't be researching dragons and all that...'

'Sorry, but you're third,' Luna said, genuine sympathy in her eyes. 'Daphne got three more points than you. Though she was only first in the Defence written portion, she was consistently second or third in all others.'

'Oh great, two Ravenclaws I have to beat. Merlin...'

Padma, slightly disgruntled at Hermione's assumption that she could be out-studied, interrupted saying, 'Daphne Greengrass is a Slytherin.'

'A Slytherin? So she cheated, that's okay though. She won't be able to cheat her OWLs.'

'Hermione!' Harry harshly said. 'Do you even know her?'

Looking annoyed, Hermione replied, 'No, but...'

'So, because she's a Slytherin and she did well, she obviously cheated?'

'Well, yes, but...'

'So, even though you spent a lot of the year, when you weren't helping me out, studying, you obviously cheated, because you're a muggle-born and muggle-borns aren't good at magic?'

Luna and Padma could quite easily see where Harry was going, but Hermione was blinded by rage and coldly whispered, 'How dare you Harry!'

'No, how dare you Hermione! I expect Ron to blindly call Slytherins slimy bastards, but I thought you liked evidence and facts before making decisions? From where I'm sitting, you just accused someone you don't know at all of cheating because she did better than you and because she's a Slytherin.'

Gulping, Hermione mumbled something about being sorry, completely forgetting to chide Harry's swearing.

'Now, I think you also owe Padma an apology, since I doubt she liked you saying the only reason she was top of the year was because you were helping me with the tournament,' he paused, raising his hand to stall Hermione's response, 'Whether or not that is true is not the point. You would hate it just as much if someone said the same thing to you and you know it.'

Having the decency to look embarrassed, Hermione meekly said, 'Sorry Padma.'

'Apology accepted,' Padma replied, forcing a smile.

'She's not usually this silly,' Luna said, then tilted her head slightly before adding, 'I think it may be either Wrackspurts or her time of the month.'

Padma and Hermione both choked in surprise, while it took Harry a moment longer to catch on and joined them. Luna noted though that Hermione didn't deny the suggestion.

'Anyway, as for the initial reason for my being here, Padma has agreed to be Harry's Tuesday girl.'

Harry groaned, rubbing his temples as he tried to think of a way to get through this without offending someone. 'Luna, as great as Padma is, I'm not looking for a girlfriend and certainly not a girlfriend for every day of the week.'

'But Harry, we talked about this last night,' she tiredly replied, as though it were a conversation about whether or not it rained last year on the same date and they had already agreed it hadn't.

'Yes and this morning I was telling Hermione that I thought it was a strange dream. I wasn't thinking properly at the time when I agreed, so I didn't really agree, did I?'

'I guess not,' she said, disappointed. 'Though, if you couldn't think properly then but could think properly now, have you come up with counter-arguments?'

He muttered to himself, before finally saying, 'Your points were that I wouldn't be allowing my girlfriends to possibly find love and that I wouldn't be taking advantage of them since they would know what they're getting into.'

'Yes. So, why are they no longer true?' Luna seriously asked, her big silvery eyes focusing intently on Harry.

'Well, erm, I...' he trailed off before turning to Hermione and asking, 'Help?'

Though a little flustered from her earlier telling off, Hermione nodded and started thinking. 'Ah, each girl would only get to see Harry once a week, so they wouldn't have enough time, especially as Harry will have to be doing a lot of studying for his OWLs.'

Luna nodded along while Hermione was talking and then turned to look passed Harry. 'Padma, would it bother you if you only had a few hours outside of lessons every week where you could kiss Harry senseless and help him do a bit of studying?'

Before she answered, Padma had a thought, one that said Luna was much more on top of everything than she thought Luna was. For starters, while she knew practically nothing about Luna, Luna accurately described her favourite past time of reading fiction and her evening ritual of taking a relaxing walk. That she also had access to the entire school's exam results, something most Ravenclaws would give up their first born, or more, for, was also quite a shock.

Finally, the exact words Luna had used hit her. 'Well, with the four hours of shared lessons as well, I don't think it would be a problem.' Sparing a glance at his still rosy-cheeks, she coyly added, 'It should be fun watching him use his wand.' She couldn't believe she said it, but quite liked the deeper red Harry turned (even if she was definitely blushing just as much) as well as the spluttering from both sides of the table.

Luna was happy that Padma had started using her brain and continued on, saying, 'Well there we go Hermione.'

'But... but it's wrong,' Hermione weakly said.

Tutting, Luna asked, 'I thought you were through making claims without factual or logical evidence to support it?'

'Erm, won't people think poorly of them?'

'Well, I can't speak for Padma, but I honestly doubt the added title of polygamist detracts from Harry's image as a lying, attention-seeking, mentally unstable threat to society as far as the Daily Prophet and gossip queens are concerned.'

Padma added, 'I... have had unsettling rumours spread about me in the past. I learnt that I only had a few friends then and they are all I care for. Though I have not asked, I am confident they will support me, otherwise they would not be my friends, would they?'

'I...' Hermione muttered before looking at Harry, gently shaking her head. 'I've got nothing Harry, you're on your own.'

'Great, all that's left is for Harry to ask Padma out and we can continue with the day.'

Hanging his head in defeat, Harry turned to Padma. 'Well, Padma, erm, if you're sure you really want to go out with me, um, I guess that would be okay.'

Frowning, Luna clouted the back of his head. 'Harry James Sylvester Potter, that is not how you ask a girl out! For starters, the way you make it seem like you don't want to must be deeply upsetting for poor Padma. After all, how would you like it if someone asked you out by saying that "it would be okay"? I can't believe that the Harry I know would be so callous! Try again.'

'Okay, okay, sorry Padma.' Taking a deep breath, Harry looked up to meet Padma's eyes and smiled slightly before saying, 'Padma, would you do the honour of going out with me, even though I'm not that handsome or funny or kind or strong or – ow! What did I do wrong that time?'

'Well, Harry James Simon Potter, Padma here has agreed to share you with six other women because I told her just how amazing you are and I refuse to let you insult me by making me a liar.'

Sighing, and rubbing the back of his head, he caught Padma's amused eyes again and put on a bit of a bigger smile. 'Padma, a wonderful woman such as yourself requires an equally wonderful man to accompany you and I was wondering if you would let me be that wonderful man?' With an audible crack this time, he turned around, glaring at Luna, and spat, 'Dammit woman, I'm trying my best!'

'Harry James Steven Potter, don't you take that tone with me! That last try sounded like something Draco Malfoy would say, not the dashing young man in front of me. Now, try again and stop being an idiot or I'll go get Pansy since she has a thing for you.'

Glancing at the Slytherin's table, he couldn't suppress the shudder. 'Okay, I get it.' Shaking off the fear, he turned back around to Padma and looked her in the eyes again. Slowly breathing in, he asked, 'Padma, you were a wonderful date last year, even if I was a bit of a twat. Now, I am slightly more mature and ready to make it up to you and be your boyfriend, if you'll let me?'

After finishing, he kept his eyes focused on Padma, though he kept ducking slightly as though expecting another swat. It didn't come, so he was pleasantly relieved when Padma said, 'I accept, Mr Potter, under one condition.'

Frowning slightly, he asked, 'What is it?'

Fearful, she leant forwards and gave him a quick kiss on his lips. 'That condition,' she said after sitting back up, both their blushes back with a vengeance.

'It-it's reasonable enough,' he stuttered, then, with only a slight push on his back from Luna, he leant in and gave Padma a return kiss, slightly deeper than their first but still just a peck. Pulling back, he asked, 'Was that satisfactory?'

'Yes,' she hastily said, smiling down at her lap. Timidly looking around, she was pleased that it was still fairly empty and without any teachers, even if most people were still looking at them.

Not much above a whisper, Harry said, 'Um, Padma, I'm new to this whole boyfriend thing, so if I do something stupid that I'm not supposed to or anything like that, could you let me know and I'll try not to do it again?'

She smiled and slowly reached for his left hand with her right. 'Only if you do the same for me.'

'Really?' Harry asked, surprised. 'I thought someone as pretty as you would have had at least one boyfriend by now.'

'Beautiful, Harry,' Luna chided. 'You call girls pretty, but young women are beautiful.'

Harry rolled his eyes, getting a giggle from Padma. 'She's right, but I appreciate the compliment, handsome.' Pausing slightly, mainly to take in his slight blush, she asked, 'Do you not know the rumours I spoke of?' Harry shook his head. After a sigh, she hesitantly said, 'they can be summarised as "The Patil twins are a set" and I found myself... often crowded with unwanted attention. My sister... took the rumours better than I did.'

There was a slight pause before Harry asked, 'Did you want to eat breakfast together?'

She smiled in appreciation, answering, 'Yes, that would be lovely.'

He pulled a plate over for her and Luna as well. Padma couldn't help the smile as she held onto his "pretty" compliment. It warmed her as she doubted the shy boy beside her gave out many compliments, even indirectly, and had no doubt received few back if "handsome" embarrassed him.

There wasn't much conversation as they ate which she didn't really mind as she wasn't much for talking nor could she think of anything to talk about at the moment. Of course, she did get a few odd looks from arriving Gryffindors, but if any lingered too long, Harry would reach over and give her hand a squeeze on the tabletop and that was enough to move them on.

It was that little gesture that quelled the tiny doubts she had remaining.

When they had finished eating, Hermione asked Harry, 'Did you finish your charms essay?'

Harry nodded and Padma, happy to help, offered, 'I can look over it if you want.'

His smile was infectious as he turned to face her. 'Are you sure?' She nodded. 'Great, I'll go get it.'

'I should get my stuff for class too,' she said.

Already standing, Harry offered her a hand up and her cheeks held a slight tinge while they started walking out, continuing as he held her hand up the stairs. 'Erm, did you want me to walk you there?' he asked, his nervousness bleeding through.

'Not this time, I'll meet you in the library,' she said and then leaned in to whisper, 'I can walk by myself, but I'll appreciate it if you offer to carry my bags.'

'Will do,' he whispered back before giving her a peck on the cheek, leaving them both blushing. They separated at the third floor, Padma taking a corridor west while Harry began climbing more stairs. In no time at all he was opening up his trunk, getting his charms and transfiguration books as well as an extra quill and bottle of ink.

When he was about to leave the dormitory, a sleepy, 'Mornin' Harry,' stopped him.

He felt guilty as he realised he had completely forgotten about his best friend. 'Hey Ron.'

'Why've you got your bag? I haven't missed breakfast, have I?' Ron asked, growing alert and slightly scared.

Harry shook his head. 'I'm just going to the library for a bit before class. You've still got an hour.'

'You shouldn't scare me like that mate,' Ron said, falling back down on his bed. 'What's Hermione dragging you to the library for anyway? We got charms done and there wasn't anything for transfiguration, was there?'

'Erm,' Harry uncomfortably said. A few of Luna's words from the night before were coming back and he desperately hoped she was wrong. 'I'm not going to the library with Hermione,' he said, getting a curious look from Ron. 'Padma offered to look over my charms essay and I accepted.'

'But, why would Padma want to look at your homework? She's a Ravenclaw and, no offence mate, but you're not exactly getting outstandings.'

Slightly ruffled, Harry refrained from being hasty, reminding himself Ron was just being honest and he didn't mean to offend. Taking in a deep breath, he said, 'Look, there's no easy way for me to say it, so I'm just gonna tell you. This morning, I asked Padma out and she said yes.' Ron looked like he was about to interrupt, so Harry held up his hand. 'There's more. I... I'm probably going to have a few more girlfriends, seven in total. I know this is gonna be hard, but I won't be able to spend as much time with you as before.'

There was a minute of silence when Ron despondently said, 'But I'm your best mate.'

'I know,' Harry softly said, ruffling his hair, 'But this is something I want to do. I've seen how happy your parents are together, how happy my parents looked together, and someone helped me realise that that's what I want. It's not going to be easy for us at first, but I still want to be your friend. We'll work something out, I promise.'

Ron stared at him blankly. 'Who am I gonna play chess with? Or talk about Quidditch with? Hermione's good for homework and all that, but she's boring.'

Harry sympathised, he really did, but it was being tested. 'Just because she prefers reading to Quidditch doesn't mean she's boring. Besides, I've seen you play chess with Seamus and Dean's a Quidditch fan, isn't he?'

'It's not the same; they're not you!' Ron angrily declared. 'We're best mates! You should've asked me before asking anyone out.'

'I should've asked for your permission to date?' Harry asked, disbelieving.

'Yeah! It's, like, a best mate rule.'

Cocking an eyebrow, he asked, 'Like it's a best mate rule to never betray your best mate?'

'Exactly!' Ron happily said, but quickly turned downcast with mild anger. 'Oh here we go again. Look, I apologised about that, didn't I? What more do you want me to do? Are you gonna bring this up every time? Haven't I made up for it?' he shouted.

Harry ruffled his hair again, struggling for the right words. 'I know you apologised and I forgive you, I do, but, it's like, you owe me. So, to pay me back, just drop it, alright? I'm not gonna stop seeing Padma because you're upset about it. For once, I'm doing something to make me happy and, I guess, I was hoping you'd be happy for me, even if it wasn't what you wanted.'

'You want me to be happy for you? You're throwing me away, after everything I've done for you and you want me to be happy?'

'Look, Ron, that's not what I'm saying! I promise you, if you still want to be friends, I'll make some time for us. It won't be much, but I don't want to end this. It'll only work if you can accept that you won't be the most important person in my life anymore.'

Ron paced across the floor, looking at his feet. 'Is it something I did?' he asked.

'No, it's me. I've changed; it's not your fault.'

'Am I not good enough for you anymore? Is that it? It is, isn't it?'

'Look at me Ron! It's not you, it's me! I swear, I wish I didn't have to choose, but I do. I won't lie to you, it was an easy choice to make, because I want to be happy, I do. I'm sorry that what makes me happy makes you unhappy, but I think I've done enough to be a little selfish, don't you?'

Ron didn't say anything.

Sighing, Harry went to the door. 'I'm sorry Ron, I truly am. I'll give you some space until you work this out, but I meant what I said and I won't change my mind.'

Walking to the library, the conversation played heavily on Harry's thoughts and it wasn't until a concerned Padma tapped his shoulder that he snapped out of them.

'You okay? It looked like you were imperiused,' she joked.

He managed a smile. 'Sorry, it's just, Ron was awake.'

'Oh,' she said, not really understanding.

'He didn't take the news too well. I'm giving him time to think it over before he decides anything, but I'm not sure if we'll stay friends.'

'Oh dear,' she added, the situation clear now. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean-'

She was cut off by Harry. 'Don't be. This was going to happen eventually and I am sad about it, but I made it clear to him: either he accepts that I've got a girlfriend, well, girlfriends and I'll make some time for him or he doesn't accept it and we're no longer friends.'

Unsure of what to do, she smiled reassuringly and gave his shoulder a squeeze. 'How about we look at your essay?' she suggested.

'Sure,' he replied, thankful for the change in topic. The time until lessons began was pleasant, Padma offering a much softer approach to critiquing his work compared to Hermione, often phrasing them as suggestions or finding relevant parts in textbooks for him to read.

In the end, he felt like he had really improved it and, more importantly, he made sure to pick-up Padma's book-bag. She smiled, letting him know she appreciated it with a squeeze of his hand.

On their way out, Harry nervously said, 'Thanks for the help.'

'Not a problem,' Padma happily replied. Just like that, Harry was looking forward to class for the first time he could remember.

Small note: For ease of use of writing, Padma went with Harry rather than Ron to the ball. Also, this has taken longer to put up, but with all the positive reviews, I found myself overwhelmed with fear of lowering the quality of the story, so I've been working ahead a bit, with the next chapter already written and the one after nearly finished. With the extra bit of polishing time, I hope this was worth the wait and if not, I blame the Wrackspurts that have infested my pet mistletoe.