"I can't believe how sacred you were last night, Luna. Couldn't you tell it was only an owl?" I asked the next morning.

The ski was overcast, so Luna had come over to my house instead of meeting me at the poll. We were sitting in the kitchen, drinking iced tea, while I riffled through the stack of sheet music I'd put on the kitchen table.

"I was so freaked that I didn't stop to find out," Luna admitted sheepishly. "I never knew Harry was so good at telling ghost stories!"

"Too good, if you ask me. But as far as I can tell, it's the only thing his good at," I said. "He's a pain the you-know-what! Do you realize that I had three mishaps yesterday, and all because of Harry?"

Luna took a sip of her iced tea. "It's not as if he deliberately tried to hurt you, 'Mione. I mean, the thing with the horse, and the pool, and the creek-well, they were just accidents."

"Accidents that never should have happened," I pointed out. "And the last one would've happened if you hadn't invited him to come on the hike with us."

"I invited him because Harry is my friend and I wanted the two of you to get to know each other. I told you that."

I looked at her closely. "Are you sure there wasn't another reason?"

"What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"Well, maybe you wanted him to come along because you're staring to fall for him," I said.

Luna stared at me. "Don't you ever listen to a word a say? Harry is my friend. There's nothing romantic between us at all. Besides, I really think he's interested in you."

"And I think you're a few bricks shy of a full load," I retorted, using one of Dad's favorite expressions. "How could he possibly be interested in me and treat me the way he does?"

"He hasn't done anything to you on purpose," Luna reminded me. "And even if he had, it wouldn't mean he didn't like you. Remember that boy I told you about in fifth grade, Marvin Mahoney, the one who kept kicking the back of my desk and pulling my hair?"

I nodded.

"It turned out he was doing that because he had a crush on me."

"So?"

"So maybe Harry isn't sure how to act around you, and he gets flustered and ends up doing something stupid or clumsy," Luna said. "I've never seen him act this way around a girl before."

I raised an eyebrow. "Not even Cho?"

"Especially not Cho. Harry is so stiff and polite whenever I've seen them together that he's like a-a robot or something." Turning her attention to my pile of music sheet, Luna asked, "What's all that for?"

"I'm trying to decide which piece Dad and I are going to perform for the staff talent show, and I just can't seem to make up my mind," I told her. "He's been pestering me all week to pick something out so we can start practicing."

"I'm so glad you're going to do that again this year," Luna said. "You've been performing in that show ever since I started coming to Briar Grangers!"

"Yeah, I know. I guess it's kind of corny, but Dad enjoys it so much that I can't disappoint him by backing out. Besides, I kind of enjoy it too."

"You should. The two of just keep getting better and better. Your Dad has such a great voice, and you play the piano so well." She sighed. "I wish I had your talent. But if I did, I probably wouldn't have the guts to perform in front of all those people."

"You don't seem to mind being the center of attention on the dance floor," I teased. "Anyway, I'm not all alone onstage. Dad's right there beside me."

"Did I hear my name being taken in vain?" my father asked, coming into the kitchen and smiling at both of us. "Hello there, Luna. Nice to see you again. I'd shake hands, but I've been transplanting some shrubs and my hands are kind of grubby."

Luna beamed. "Hi, Mr. Granger. Nice to see you too."

"Want some iced tea, dad?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No thanks, honey. I can only stay a minute. I just stopped by to tell you that Hagrid wants to talk to you. "

"What about?"

"He said something about leading a horse expedition. Guess he wants to know if you'd be interested-it pas extra."

"Terrific!" I jumped from my chair. "Every little bit helps. I'll go see him right now. Want to come along, Luna?"

"Sure. Bye, Mr. Granger."

As we headed for the stables, Luna said, "Your dad is such a neat guy. When are you going to tell Harry who your real father is?"

"Oh, one of this days, but not right away." I grinned. "It's so much fun making him think he has to watch his step around me because I'm somebody important."

"Harry isn't like that at all," Luna objected. "He doesn't care how important anyone is, or who their parents are, or-"

"Or how rich they are?" I cut in. "Come on, Luna. Face facts-if Harry knew I was only a part-time stable hand instead of Grant Granger's daughter, he would've me the time of the day. Believe me; I know what I'm talking about. You've never seen that side of Harry because you're part of his world, but I'm not. I'm used to being snubbed by kids who come to Briar Grangers."

"Are they snubbing you, or are you snubbing them?" Luna asked, giving me a sharp look. "It works both ways, you know. If you just give them a chance…"

I sighed. "You don't understand. Most of these kids don't have a clue that people like me have to work and save our earnings if we want to go to college. They don't have to worry about where the money's coming from for new clothes or a night out at the movies either, because their parents can afford to give them anything they want. They seem to think you're inferior if you're not wealthy, and Harry Potter would think so too!"

Luna suddenly put a hand on my arm. "Speaking of Harry…"

I followed the direction her gaze and saw Harry coming towards us. Oh no, thought. Why do I have to keep running into him?

"Hi Luna," Harry said as though I weren't even there. "All recovered from last night's adventure?"

She punched him playfully on the arm. "You and your ghost stories! What mischief are you up to today?"

"Not much. I'm meeting some of the guys at the golf in a few minutes."

"Sounds like fun. Catch you later, I guess."

"Yeah, take care."

As Harry strode off down the path, Luna frowned at me. "Why didn't you speak to him, 'Mione? That was very rude."

"Rude?" I repeated incredulously. "Me rude? He's the one who ignored me! He didn't even say hi!"

"Can you blame him after you've been so nasty?"

"I have not!" I protested. "Or if I have, he deserves it. I'd like to like him for your sake, Luna, but I'm afraid Harry and I will never be friends."

She shook her head. "I don't believe you really mean that. Deep down inside, I bet you'd like to get along with him, but you don't know how."

"Well, please don't try to teach me now," I said.

As we walk into the stables, several horses stuck their heads out over the doors of their stalls, nickering greetings. The sweet scent of fresh hays filled the sir. I took a deep breath. "Don't you just love that smell?"

"Oh yeah." Luna wrinkled her nose. "Nothing like the smell of horse poop to clear the old sinuses!"

I poked her in the ribs. "Is that the only thing you notice? I meant the smell of hay and saddle soap!"

On the way to Hagrid's office at the back of the stables, I paused at Crookshanks' stall to stroke her nose. Luna, who regarded all horses with suspicion, gave the mare a tentative pat, then followed me to the office door. It was ajar, and I knocked on it. "Hagrid, it's me, Hermione," I called out. "Dad says you wanted to see me."

"Come on in, 'Mione," he replied.

As Luna and I entered, Hagrid looked up from hi desk, where he had been going over some papers, a broad smile on his weathered face. "I see you brought somebody with you. The face is familiar, but I can't place the name."

"This is my friend, Luna Lovegood," I said. "She's been coming to Briar Grangers for years, so you've probably seen her around."

"Want to ride, Luna?" Hagrid asked. "I can have one of the boys saddle up a horse for you in a jiffy."

"No thanks," she said quickly. "I'm not a horse person-I'm just hanging out with 'Mione."

"Not a horse person, huh?" Hagrid shook his head sadly. "Well, I guess it takes all kinds…" he turned to me. "'Mione, how'd you like to lead a bunch of kids on an overnight horseback riding trip into the mountains day after tomorrow?"

"That would be great!" I exclaimed. "But why me? I mean, I've never done anything like that before."

"I know, but you know the trails and the horses as well as I do-maybe better-and you're a sensible, reliable person. Besides, there just isn't anyone else who's free to do it. I can pay double your usual hourly rate. What do you say?"

I grinned from ear-to-ear. "I say yes! I'd love to." Then I had a sobering thought. What if the group I'd be leading were teenagers? I didn't relish the prospect of spending two days with a bunch of rich kids my own age that would treat me like I'm some kind of servant. "How old are these kids anyway?" I asked.

Hagrid glanced at his clipboard. "Let's see-seven of them have signed up, four girls and three boys, aged ten to twelve. Think you can handle it?"

I suddenly felt a little nervous. "I'll be responsible for seven young kids all by myself?" What had I gotten myself into?

"Don't worry, 'Mione," Hagrid said. "I'll get someone to help you, but I don't know ye who it'll be. We're a little shorthanded right now, and all the guys are real busy, but I'll just have to rearrange some schedules. Probably either Justin or Terry will be going with you."

That made me feels a lot better. I'd work with Justin and Terry for years and we got along just fine. "Sounds good," I said, smiling. "What time should I report for work today?"

"How about one o'clock?" Hagrid suggested. "You can take out some parties of riders-unless it rains, of course. If it does, there's plenty for you to do indoors."

"Ok. See you at one, Hagrid. And thanks for giving me the job!"

"Nice meeting you, Mr.-uh, Hagrid," Luna said as we left the office. The minute the door closed behind us, she turned to me. "Ok, 'Mione let me get this straight. You're going to lead a bunch of little kids on big, smelly horses into the mountains, spend the night in the open sleeping on the hard ground, and eat disgusting dehydrated food, and you're actually happy about it?"

I laughed. "We won't be roughing it all that much. This is Briar Grangers, remember? We'll have tents and air mattresses-all comforts of home. Why don't you come along? I bet you'd enjoy it."

"No way!" Luna shuddered. She sighed as we walked out of the stables. "Listen; let's go over to the golf courses. We could rent one of those little carts and drive around, checking out the scenery."

"You go if you want to. The last thing I need is another run-in with Harry. He'd probably bounce a golf ball off my head accidentally on purpose!" Glancing at my watch, I added, "Besides, it's after eleven o'clock. I ought to go home and figure out what dad and I are going to do for the talent show before I come back here at one."

"Honestly, Mione!" Luna said, exasperated. "We used to have so much fun together, but now all you ever do is work."

"Well, excuse me for having to earn money so I can afford some of the thing you take for granted!" The minute the words were out of my mouth, I regretted them. "I'm sorry, Luna," I mumbled. "That was a cheap shot."

"I'm sorry too," she said. "I didn't mean to put you down. I wish you could spend a little time with me. Before you know it, the summer will be over, and at the rate you're going, we'll hardly have seen each other at all."

"You're right," I admitted. "Ok, I'll come to the golf course with you. But I'm warning you, if Harry hits me on the head with a golf ball, I'll never speak to either of you again!"

I needn't have worried. Although we spent the next hour driving around the entire thirty-six-hole course, Harry was nowhere to be seen. Oddly enough, I felt kind of disappointed.