Disclaimer: I make no claim to the rights of any characters that are owned by J.K. Rowling or Warner Bros., and make no money from this venture. This work is purely for entertainment purposes.


—CHAPTER SIX—

New Acquaintances

Harry watched Luna disappear into the trees and sighed as she moved out of sight. He turned to Mrs Weasley who was looking at him with a strange look on her face that he couldn't quite decipher.

"Mrs Weasley," Harry began, "could you tell me where Ron is please?"

"As far as I know he's out on our pitch flying," Mrs Weasley replied, her strange look changing into one that made her seem much more motherly. "I really do think you should talk. Ron was just upset about … Well I'm sure you understand."

"I do, Mrs Weasley," Harry assured her, only partially believing what he was saying. "Thank you." Harry made his way out of the house, brushing the soot off his clothes as he walked briskly towards the area set aside for the boys to fly around on their brooms. He had yet to actually do any flying, but Ron had made sure to show him the pitch almost immediately.

As he walked, he wondered exactly why he, in the memory, came to distrust Ron so much. There was no actual moment mentioned other than the times that he left them and returned in their Fourth and what should have been their Seventh Years. He thought that a little jealousy and possessiveness wasn't a terrible crime. There had to be something other than that, and he was frightened about what it was.

He finally approached the clearing and saw Ron flying around in the air doing what looked to Harry very like circles. Not wanting to disturb him, Harry took a sat on the grass and leaned back on a nearby tree. As he watched his best mate fly around above him, he couldn't help but think morbid thoughts about what Ron had done to cause such distrust. The problem was that he couldn't know if Ron would still do it or if he might not if some things changed. It maddened him that he wanted to have Ron be his best friend, but now he knew that it would not be such a wise decision, and there was a part of him that hated it.

At least he knew that Hermione would stay by his side and remain trustworthy. He also now had Luna as well, and even though they had only known each other for a short time, he would trust her with anything. He badly wanted Ron to be by his side like he had been for a year, but he knew that he couldn't do it. He couldn't deny that Ron had been acting less and less like the amazing friend he had known in First Year, but, he couldn't help but feel that same affection for him that he had since Ron entered his carriage on the Hogwarts Express. His mind whirred as Ron descended from the sky, landing just a few metres away from him.

"Why are you here?" Ron asked in an even tone, though Harry could tell that he was still angry.

"Ron, we need to talk," he said. He opened his mouth to say more but he was cut off.

"About what?" Ron asked. "You stole from me."

"Ron can't you see what that rat really was? Who he really was?" Harry asked and Ron seemed to calm, if only slightly.

"Yes I can," he replied in a more even tone. "But you still stole from me."

"I know I did, but can't you see why?" Harry asked. Ron looked angry again.

"No! I can't! Why would you steal instead of come to me and tell me?" Ron asked angrily.

"What would you have said if I came to you and told you that Scabbers was the man who betrayed my parents and got them killed?" Harry asked with an edge to his tone. Ron paled slightly.

"I … I would have believed you," Ron said falteringly. Harry shook his head.

"I don't think you would have, Ron," Harry said. "You would have called me 'mental' or 'barmy' and not even thought about giving me Scabbers." Ron was silent for some time.

"I guess you're right," Ron replied. "But why couldn't Dumbledore come to me?"

"What would you have done if Dumbledore, a man you've actually called barmy and mental before, came to you with that same request?" Harry asked with a slightly amused tone. Ron's lips twitched upwards slightly.

"Okay, okay," he said. "But it just hurts that you stole from me."

"I know, Ron," Harry replied. "And I am sorry for that. But look at everything that happened because of it. I saved a man from years in Azkaban, I got the right man sent there and I got a godfather." Ron looked slightly guilty when Harry said all that.

"It sounds different when you say it like that," Ron conceded quietly. "It's not like you took him to hurt me."

"Exactly," Harry said, clapping Ron on the shoulder. "Besides, I'll buy you a pet when we go to Diagon Alley. How about that?" Harry did feel as though he owed Ron something, but he also wanted to make sure that he was on Ron's good side if he was going to have to share a room with him until the end of August. Ron's eyes lit up at the suggestion.

"You'd do that?" he asked.

"I was the one who took away your rat," Harry replied. "It's only fair."

For the rest of the day, both of them were much friendlier with each other and it felt like old times. From time to time, Harry could feel the thoughts creeping up on him about not trusting Ron as much, but he pushed them away. He would deal with them another time. For right now, Ron was his friend, and that's how it would stay.

That night, he received a letter back from Hermione which he quickly opened and read.

Dear Harry,

I wondered why you weren't returning my letters! I didn't really know what a House Elf was so I did some research and they sound suspiciously like slaves. You told me that Dobby works for you now? That means you have a slave Harry! You can't think that's right.

It was good of The Weasleys to let you stay there for the rest of the holidays. I'm glad you had a place to go. Of course, I'm sure you could have stayed here, but you probably like it better there. My family can be boring, and I'm sure the Weasleys have more interesting magical objects and knowledge as well.

This Luna girl you met sounds very interesting. I've heard about The Quibbler before, and it sounds very strange, but if you like Luna I'm sure I will too. It was nice of you to stay with her while she was on her own, but I expect nothing less from you. You are the type of person who would do that and more, even for people you don't know.

My parents are going to take me to Diagon Alley on Wednesday next week, assuming we get our booklists by then, of course. Should they really be taking this long? Perhaps Professor Dumbledore is having trouble finding a replacement for Quirrell. Anyway, maybe we could meet up then? I really hope we can. I want to introduce you to my parents. I'm not really sure they believe that I have a friend, let alone one like you.

I think I should tell you, so you are prepared, that I've told my parents about everything that happened in the last year, including the troll and the third floor corridor. I don't like to keep secrets from them. Mum and Dad both went a little crazy at the idea of me being attacked by a troll but I explained the circumstances and they are consenting to me continuing on at Hogwarts. I was a little worried for a while there.

Have you done your homework yet? I got it all done in the first two weeks, myself. If you want to, I can look over some of yours for you if you send it with Hedwig. Anyway, I have to go for lunch. I'll get Hedwig to take this letter right now.

Hermione

Harry put down the letter, thinking only one thing. Hermione hadn't once mentioned Ron by name in the entire letter. He found that interesting because she was Ron's friend too, and she knew that he was staying at the Burrow with Ron. Harry went downstairs to ask Mrs Weasley when they were going to Diagon Alley. She informed him that they were going the same day as Hermione so he wrote a letter back to Hermione telling her that he would see her then. He also told her that he would love to meet her family and that he didn't think for even a second that they were boring.

The next day, Mrs Weasley let Harry use the Floo to go and visit Sirius, which he was immensely grateful for. He spent a good two hours with his godfather until Sirius was told that he had to go to sleep again for more tests.

It was on the second day that Harry got a surprise as he walked into the ward where Sirius was staying. He stopped at the door as he heard the sound of two voices laughing.

"Oh, Merlin, Padfoot," a strangely voice said after the laughter. "I can't believe Prongs was that stupid." Harry immediately knew that they were talking about his father and stood, rooted to the spot, wondering why his father was stupid.

"I know, Moony," Harry heard Sirius say. Well that's Remus then, Harry thought with a small smile. "Five detentions and forty house points taken away! And in First Year too!" Harry laughed at that, thinking of his loss of fifty points and detention in the Forbidden Forest in his first year. He swiftly made his way into the room as Sirius and Remus laughed together again. Sirius apparently caught sight of Harry because he stopped laughing. Remus looked towards where Sirius was looking and he broke into a smile.

"Harry," Remus breathed as he stood from where he was sitting on the bed. "You look so much like your father."

"In looks alone, Moony, I assure you," Sirius said. "The little bugger got Lily's personality. Probably worse than if he got his father's, come to think of it." Remus laughed.

"If he's as stubborn as she was then yeah, I have to agree," he said before looking back to Harry. "You can't imagine how good it is to see you, Harry."

"I guess not," Harry replied, shaking his hand. "It's good to meet you. How did you know to see Sirius?" Remus sighed.

"I read about it in The Daily Prophet," Remus replied. "I would have come yesterday but … I wasn't sure I would be welcomed to be honest." Sirius scoffed.

"Bloody idiot," Sirius said. "It's not your fault you saw what we wanted everyone to see. All I can say is that I'm glad you didn't find me that night. I'm sure your instincts would have kicked in." Harry knew what Sirius was talking about but said nothing as Remus paled.

"Yeah, that's probably true …" Remus said sadly. There was silence for a few seconds. "How was your First Year, Harry?" Remus asked suddenly and Sirius laughed a barking laugh.

"Hey, you mutt," Harry said in mock-anger. "It wasn't funny." Sirius laughed again. "Fine. But you let me tell it."

"Aww," Sirius said, pouting. "No fun."

"Too bad," Harry said before looking back to Remus and telling him all about his First Year and his holidays. Remus was amazed at everything Harry got up to at Hogwarts in just one year. That discussion took up quite a bit of time and by the time he finished, he was told that he had to leave so he and Remus left together.

The following Wednesday, just as Dumbledore had speculated, the booklists arrived and were chock full of books by the egomaniacal ponce, Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry groaned as he opened the letter, as did Ron and the twins. It seemed that Percy was under the impression that Lockhart was, in fact, as amazing as his books claimed. As was Mrs Weasley who was practically bursting with joy the moment she saw them, though she seemed to be cured of that when she realised exactly how much the books were going to cost considering she had to buy five sets of them. Harry offered to help pay for them, seeing as he was spending his holidays there, but Mrs Weasley would not hear of it.

Harry did insist on buying them some more Floo powder after he had used quite a lot of it going to St Mungo's almost every day. When he did, he would either be there with Sirius or both Sirius and Remus. Harry found that he really enjoyed his time with both men. He could absolutely see why his parents were so close to them. Remus had yet to actually tell Harry that he was a werewolf, but Harry didn't mind too much about that. That would come in time.

Luckily for Harry, Ron was back to being a friend again. He was even coming around in regards to calling Luna by her actual name and not "Loony". He and Ron also played a rather large amount of Quidditch with the twins, which was always fun. Though, they mostly played with each of them getting one of the twins. Whenever he and Ron played on one team, the twins always seemed to slaughter them. Harry wasn't quite sure if that was because they were too good as a team or because they were cheating somehow.

Harry was glad to have Luna come over regularly. He really did love Quidditch but he knew that there was such a thing as too much Quidditch, though this concept was entirely lost on Ron. He, and Ron if he was in a good mood, would have discussions with Luna and, occasionally, Ginny. Harry was also pleased to play a few magic-based games with them that he had never played before.

The time flew by while Harry was staying at the Burrow and it soon came to the Wednesday that they planned to go into Diagon Alley. Harry actually had to be woken up that morning, surprisingly by Luna. He woke with a start as Luna leapt onto his stomach, laying across him. Luna was giggling.

"Wake up sleepyhead," she said in a sing-song voice and Harry groaned. She giggled again. "It's not that bad. We're going to Diagon Alley today."

"Oh. You're going too?" Harry asked. Luna nodded as she got off of him.

"Daddy was going to take me, but he's got caught up with other things," Luna explained and Harry felt kind of bad for her. "So Mrs Weasley said I could come with all of you."

"Sounds good," Harry said with a groan as he stood up and stretched. "I've just gotta have a shower and I'll be down, alright?"

"Alright," Luna said as she walked to the door. "But don't be too long or the breakfast'll be gone." Harry groaned, knowing full well that she was absolutely right given the way Ron ate. Harry had a quick shower, got dressed and raced downstairs to find Mrs Weasley cooking and Luna smirking, something that the girl rarely did. "Oops," Luna said innocently. "Did I forget to tell you that Mrs Weasley was cooking more? My mistake. I blame the Wrackspurts."

Harry couldn't help but smile as he sat down next to Luna and got stuck into the bacon and eggs Mrs Weasley had prepared. When he was finished, Mrs Weasley left the kitchen to find where Ginny and the twins were, leaving Harry and Luna alone.

"Harry," Luna said in a hushed whisper. "I think we should keep an eye out for Colin while we're in Diagon Alley. It's a long shot but he may just be there as well. It'll make things a lot easier if we talk to him today."

"You're right," Harry replied in an equally hushed whisper. "This could actually work well. We can tell him to look for us on the train. And it might be smart not to tell him my name. Maybe he'll like me before he knows who I am." Luna nodded and was about to say something more but Mrs Weasley came back into the kitchen.

"Alright then, you two," she said quickly. "We're ready to go. Have you got the lists?" Harry and Luna both just nodded and Mrs Weasley smiled. They got up and entered the living room where the rest of the Weasley family, including Mr Weasley who had taken the day off, were waiting to go through the fireplace.


Luna watched as Harry disappeared through the fireplace and quickly scooped up some Floo powder of her own and headed right through. Seeing as they were the first two to go through she found Harry, who had come out of a grate a short distance away. They both watched as the Weasleys all came out of several different grates before everyone grouped together.

"Is everyone here?" Mr Weasley asked quickly before doing a headcount. "Excellent! We just have to make a quick stop in Gringotts before we get into shopping. We also have to find the Grangers."

"They told me that they would wait in the Leaky Cauldron," Luna heard Harry say from her side. Mrs Weasley nodded her head.

"Arthur can go and find them," she replied. Luna was slightly amused to see Mr Weasley's face light up at the thought of meeting actual Muggles. He nodded and swiftly scurried off in the direction of the old pub. Mrs Weasley turned back to the group. "Percy, Ron, Fred, George. You can have a look around in some of the shops but you have to be outside Gringotts in half an hour. I'll take Ginny with me because she's never been into Gringotts before."

The twins and Ronald shared a knowing look while Percy looked slightly put out. Luna knew that the twins and Ronald were planning to go into the Quidditch supplies shop. She didn't know why they liked to go there given that they would likely not be able to buy the things they wanted. Luna only liked to shop for things she absolutely needed.

They reached the large, white building and entered quickly. Luna smiled as she saw all of the faithful goblins working tirelessly. Despite the bad things people often thought about goblins, Luna admired them and always liked to see them hard at work, even if they didn't particularly like the looks she gave them.

A goblin called Gornuk took the group down to the vaults, stopping first at the Lovegood Vault which was closest. Luna quickly tossed enough money into the money pouch her father had given her and then some. Gornuk then took them to the Weasley vault which was definitely less full than Luna's, though she figured her father earned quite a bit from his business.

She then was taken deeper still down to the Harry's vault which held the most gold Luna had ever seen. There were piles of the stuff. But her eyes strayed from the gold and saw that Harry was trying his best to keep the true amount from the eyes of Mrs Weasley and Ginevra. Luna found this endearing and smiled at him, though she didn't think he actually saw her, as he took about the same amount out that she had.

They all quickly entered the cart one more time and ascended from the depths back to the bank. They all exited the cart and Luna turned to Gornuk who was moving to leave.

"I love those cart rides. Thank you, honoured Gornuk," she said seriously, with a slight bow. "You were most helpful and hospitable. I would like to offer you a piece of advice. Beware Minister Fudge." Gornuk's shocked look changed very swiftly to a strange, evil looking smile.

"We always are," was all he said before turning and leaving through the door to the bank. Luna followed, knowing that she was receiving stares from Harry, Ginevra and Mrs Weasley behind her. They did follow pretty quickly though.

"What was that about, Luna?" Harry asked as Luna and he exited the doors to Gringotts.

"Oh. I just believe that we should be nicer to our goblin neighbours," Luna replied. "We have done so much wrong by them."

"And what did you mean about Fudge?" Harry asked. Luna blinked.

"He eats goblins, of course," she replied as she walked towards where she could see Ronald, Fred and George standing with Percy nearby. "Didn't you know?"

"Uh ... No I didn't," Harry admitted and Luna was not really surprised.

"Not all that many people know about it," she said sadly. "Daddy has contacts in the Ministry who have told him, but he won't print it unless he has more proof." Luna truly did believe that. Her father was a very honourable and trustworthy person.

"Alright now," Mrs Weasley said as she approached her four sons. "Where to first?"

"Oh, mother," Percy said before the others could say anything. "I saw a notice out the front of Flourish and Blotts. Gilderoy Lockhart is signing books." Mrs Weasley suddenly looked very excited while Luna and Harry groaned.

"Well then," Mrs Weasley said happily, putting an arm around Ginevra. "We'll go there straight away," Luckily, as she said that, Mr Weasley came wandering towards where they were standing, locked in what looked like a very intriguing conversation with a man and a woman. The man was not quite as tall as Mr Weasley and had brown hair. He also was sporting a slight beard as well. The woman had bushy, black hair. They were both in Muggle apparel. Walking nearby the woman was a girl with bushy brown hair. Somehow, Luna knew instantly that she was looking at Hermione Granger. Mr Weasley looked towards them.

"Isn't that lucky?" he said loudly. Hermione turned her attention to the family in front of her and her face lit up and she ran to Harry, flinging herself into his arms.

"How are you Harry?" she asked excitedly as she let go of him.

"I'm fantastic," Harry replied. "How have you been?"

"Not too bad," she replied before her eyes moved to Luna. "You must be Luna Lovegood. I'm Hermione Granger." She extended her hand and Luna took it.

"Nice to meet you," Luna said with a large smile.

"Oi!" Ronald said from behind Hermione. "Forget someone?"

"Hello Ron," Hermione said in a strangely emotionless voice. Although it appeared that Ronald didn't notice as he smiled and began to talk amicably to Hermione who obviously didn't want to talk to him at all. She soon interrupted him.

"Harry," Hermione suddenly said, grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him to her parents. "These are my parents, Steven and Cheryl Granger. Mum, Dad, this is Harry Potter."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Harry," Mrs Granger said with a smile. "Hermione has told us many good things about you." Harry blushed at that.

"Yes. Hermione really talks about you quite a bit," Mr Granger said, which made Harry's blush deepen which, in turn, made Luna have to stifle a giggle.

"It's very nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Granger," Harry said.

"We should get going," Mrs Weasley said quickly. "We don't want to miss Gilderoy Lockhart." Hermione let out a small squeal.

"We get to meet him?" she asked excitedly. "He wrote nearly the entire booklist. Oh, I can't wait." Luna felt quite bad for Hermione. She really wanted to expose Lockhart right then and there, but she knew that she couldn't at that moment, so she silently walked to Flourish and Blotts with Harry at her side.

The bookshop was completely packed with people, mainly witches Luna noticed. Mrs Weasley quickly formed a path through the people and, somehow, they ended right up the front very close to where there was a raised platform with a single table with many books on it. They stood there for about two minutes, scrunched together, before Lockhart made his way in. He wore a blue robe and had a pointed hat sat upon his wavy hair. As he entered, the women in the crowd swooned and Luna nearly snorted. A cameraman stepped up behind Ronald.

"Get out of the way," he snarled. "This is for the Daily Prophet!"

"Big deal," Ronald said. Lockhart apparently heard him because he looked sharply at Ronald. But when he did he also caught sight of Harry. Luna could see a glint in his blue eyes.

"It can't be … Harry Potter," he murmured, though he quieted the crowd with his words. Lockhart quickly reached forward and pulled Harry roughly on to the platform as the crowd applauded. He leaned over and Luna watched him whisper something in Harry's ear. Harry looked annoyed and whispered something back to which Lockhart's smile faltered slightly but he nodded.

They both smiled, though Harry's smile was decidedly forced, at the cameraman who took a photo with a large flash and causing smoke around the area around the front row. Luna watched as Harry, obviously uncomfortable, smiled along with Lockhart, who now had an arm around his shoulders.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said loudly, waving for quiet. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting on for some time!

"When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography, which I shall, of course, be happy to present to him and all of his friends now, free of charge, along with my full works." The crowd applauded again. "He had no idea that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I take great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September I will be taking up the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" The crowd cheered and clapped as a wizard appeared carrying a full set of Lockhart's books. The man asked Harry something and Luna heard Harry say, "Eight".

The same man motioned for something and a few others came with their arms full. Harry walked towards Mrs Weasley and pointed to Luna, Hermione, Ronald, Ginevra, Percy, Fred, George and Percy who all got given a set of the books and Mrs Weasley looked absolutely ecstatic.

They left Flourish and Blotts quickly and without incident after that. But as they were leaving, Luna heard something which made her stop in her tracks.

"Colin? Isn't that the man who wrote nearly all the books you need?" a woman's voice asked. Luna looked over and saw a small boy with mousy hair with a woman with long blonde hair. There was also a younger boy with the same mousy hair, though he looked subdued or even frightened. The first boy, Colin, Luna assumed, looked very excited. Luna nudged Harry slightly, though he had apparently heard too. Mrs Weasley chose that moment to look behind her.

"Is everything alright dears?" she asked. Luna nodded along with Harry.

"Yes, Mrs Weasley," Harry replied. "I was just wondering if Luna and I could stay for a few minutes and look around. I didn't really get a good look when I came here last year."

"Of course," Mrs Weasley said with a smile. "We were all going to split up anyway. Just make sure you meet us at the Floo grates at about one. We'll be heading home for lunch then."

"Will do Mrs Weasley," Harry said. Just then, Hermione looked to her parents.

"Can I go with Harry and Luna and look at the books please?" she asked in a pleading tone. Her parents both chuckled.

"Of course," Mr Granger said. "I think Arthur wanted us to answer a few questions anyway."

"You have your money dear?" Mrs Granger asked and Hermione nodded furiously. "Remember what I said. No more than ten Galleons on books. You need to buy your other stuff too."

"Thank you Mum," Hermione said, hugging both her parents. Luna looked behind her and saw Colin enter the bookstore. Hermione then grabbed one arm of both Luna and Harry, pulling them in. Luna heard Ronald snort behind her.

Luna, Harry and Hermione looked at a variety of books, with Hermione choosing three and Harry choosing two, Luna noticed. Luna and Harry made sure to keep close to Colin in the hopes that he would say something that would need explaining to a Muggle-born. Luckily, just as they were ready to leave the store, Luna heard him say something.

"What's a Hufflepuff?" Colin asked excitedly, looking at a book about the most successful Hufflepuffs of all time with an intrigued look.

"I'm not sure, honey, but I don't really think you need it," the woman said kindly, taking the book from a disappointed Colin and putting it back on the shelf. Luna felt an elbow in her side coming from Harry so she walked towards Colin.

"I'm sorry," she said and Colin and the woman looked at her. "Did you ask what Hufflepuff is?"

"Yeah," Colin replied happily. "D'you know what it is?"

"Of course," Luna replied airily. "Hufflepuff is one of the Houses at Hogwarts."

"Houses?" Colin asked and the woman sighed.

"You remember Professor McGonagall telling you about the Houses," she said exasperatedly. Colin looked sheepish.

"Yeah," he replied, a bit subdued. "But she never mentioned what they were called."

"Well," Luna cut in, noticing that Hermione looked slightly put out. "You get sorted into a House when you get to Hogwarts and you stay there for the duration of your time at Hogwarts. Each house is represented by a number of qualities, but most people think about one main one for each. Hufflepuffs are loyal, Ravenclaws are smart, Gryffindors are brave and Slytherins are cunning." Luna could see Colin's eyes light up.

"I hope I'm in Gryffindor!" he said, nearly bouncing on the spot.

"What's your name, dear?" the woman asked kindly.

"Luna Lovegood," Luna replied serenely. "I'll be in First Year as well."

"Well then, I'm Emma Creevey and these are my sons Colin and Dennis," Mrs Creevey said with a smile. "Colin's going to Hogwarts this year and Dennis will be in two years himself."

"It's lovely to meet you all," Luna said. Dennis seemed to cling to his mother as Luna looked to Colin. "I've got to go, but you should look for me and my friends," Luna pointed to Harry and Hermione who were watching on, "on the train. I think we'll sit near the back. I like the back."

"Okay!" Colin said excitedly. "I'll do that. See you then!" Luna nodded and turned back to Harry and Hermione. Hermione looked curious, but Harry was smiling knowingly.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked. Luna smiled.

"He's a Muggle-born," she explained. "I thought he could use a friend." Hermione's eyes softened and she nodded.

"So," Harry began as they exited Flourish and Blotts and headed to the other shops, "what's his name?" It was all Luna could do not to laugh.

The rest of the trip in Diagon Alley was rather uneventful, though Luna was absolutely fascinated by the apothecary. Harry and Hermione didn't seem to like it much, but Luna loved it. There were all sorts of things around the place. She had to admit that it didn't smell overly pleasant, but she was completely engrossed in seeing all of the ingredients for potions as well as some of the more dangerous and exotic plants.

They all finished up rather quickly and soon caught up with everyone else near the Floo grates. Hermione's parents were still locked in conversation with Mr Weasley, though they turned to talk to Hermione when they spotted her.

"Did you have fun?" Mrs Granger asked and Hermione nodded very quickly.

"I got everything that I needed, including new robes, and I also got three books," she said quickly. "We even had time for ice cream at Florean Fortescue's. Harry bought them for us."

"That's nice," Mr Granger said, looking to a watch on his wrist. "But we should get going. We have to be back at the practice soon. Say goodbye to your friends." Hermione nodded and turned to Harry and Luna.

"Thank you very much Harry," Hermione said, giving him a hug. "I had a great day. It was very nice meeting you, Luna. I hope we can be good friends."

"I'm sure we will," Luna said with a smile. "As long as the Wrackspurts don't get to you." Hermione looked at her in confusion. Luna was about to tell her about Wrackspurts but Harry spoke.

"Luna can tell you about those later," he said quickly, smiling in Luna's direction. "Have a good few weeks. I'll write as often as I can."

"Okay Harry," Hermione said and turned to leave. Ronald then coughed loudly and Hermione turned around. "Goodbye Ron. Have a good holiday. Don't forget your homework." Ronald groaned but nodded. Hermione then waved goodbye and she and her parents left the group.

"Interesting people," Mr Weasley said suddenly. "I had the most intriguing talks with them."

"I'm sure you did, dear," Mrs Weasley said. "Well then, all of you. Let's get back."


2016

Gilderoy Lockhart had spent fourteen years in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries on the Fourth Floor in the Janus Thickey ward, not that he could remember why. All he remembered was being in a strange dungeon-like place many, many years ago and being rescued by a scarlet and gold bird, a black-haired boy and two red heads, one boy and one girl. He didn't know why he needed rescuing or even why he couldn't get out himself. It was very much like an insane dream.

On the topic of dreams, Gilderoy often had strange dreams about himself, but he was always doing dastardly things like erasing a poor, ugly old woman's memory. He also had dreams where he was a huge celebrity and everyone loved him. They were strangely realistic dreams, but he knew that they weren't real because he had no recollection of such things ever happening. He could really only remember being cared for in a hospital.

But when he had been told that he was a wizard, boy that was exciting. He thought it was preposterous to begin with, but he quickly came to accept it and, soon, he was being trained to be a wizard, apparently for the second time. At least according to his Healer. Of course, he had to try very hard to remember things. His memory was terrible.

But fourteen years later, Gilderoy was finally being released back into the world and he finally felt free again. He had his wand clutched in his hand and a brand new robe on his back. The ministry had provided everything that he needed, including a fully-furnished house. He didn't really understand why this was, but Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister, had said that he deserved a second chance. For the life of him, Gilderoy couldn't work out why he needed, let alone deserved, a second chance. That was the first thing that got Gilderoy wondering exactly why he couldn't remember anything past mid-1992.

That was Gilderoy's primary goal once he finally left St Mungo's. To discover his past. He didn't really know why, but he felt that it was important for him to know. He wanted to know what he had done.

It was a slight surprise when the time came for him being escorted out of St Mungo's. He had an Auror escort, some black-haired man by the name of Harry Potter, but there was really no one else. None of the Healers even turned up to say goodbye. Gilderoy was rather hurt by that. He felt that he had touched the lives of at least some of the workers at the hospital, but apparently he hadn't.

When they reached the outside of the hospital, Harry Potter turned to Gilderoy and handed him a quill.

"This will activate when you say the word 'home'," the Auror explained. "It will take you to your home and you can do what you like from there."

"Thank you," Gilderoy said sincerely. "Home."

It hadn't taken Gilderoy very long to discover exactly what he had done to warrant the treatment he received. He went to Flourish and Blotts, a bookshop in Diagon Alley and asked the clerk to point him towards anything about Gilderoy Lockhart. The clerk smirked and pointed him in the direction of a bookshelf with titles devoted to him.

Break With A Banshee. Travels With Trolls. Magical Me. All of those books had a moving picture of a younger him on the front. Gilderoy smiled to himself, thinking that he must have been quite the wizard to have done those things and written an autobiography. But his eyes soon fell on a title that made him sick.

Gilderoy Lockhart, A Fraud and a Fiend by Rita Skeeter filled most of the shelf. There was, as usual with these books, a picture of him on the front. Gilderoy slowly picked it up and read the blurb on the back.

You've all heard of the tales of one amazing wizard, Gilderoy Lockhart. He's spent a year with a yeti, taken a break with a banshee, travelled with trolls, went on voyages with vampires and even gadded with ghouls. He even has a vast knowledge of household pests. But is what you read in his autobiography, Magical Me, actually the truth? What skeletons lurk in Gilderoy's cupboard? Why has he disappeared from the public light? What does Harry Potter have to do with it? Rita Skeeter attempts to answer all these questions or more. There will be twists, turns, shocks and more. You will be both amazed and disgusted by the wizard known as Gilderoy Lockhart.

Gilderoy's hands were shaking as he read the blurb and thought of the implications of the whole book. He wanted to flee the store, screaming for his life and his hands held in the air in defeat, but he knew that he owed it to himself to purchase the book and read it for himself, if only to find out what he had done.

So he took the book to the clerk and paid for it. Luckily with his aging face he was not recognised. He returned to his home as quickly as he could and opened to the very first page and began to read. To begin with, the book wasn't that bad. But as he read on it became harder and harder to read. He was persistent, however, so he read on despite the almost constant sinking feeling in his stomach. By the end of the book he knew what had happened. And he wished that he didn't.

Gilderoy sat the book down on the table beside him and picked up his firewhiskey, downing it very quickly. He felt sickened that he could ever have tried to do that to anyone, let alone two twelve year old students who were meant to be in his care. And at the expense of an eleven year old girl as well. It was unthinkable!

And so, Gilderoy continued to drink. He was disgusted in himself for what he had done. He was disgusted that no one had told him earlier. But most of all he was amazed that Harry Potter had consented to be his Auror guard at the hospital despite their past. Gilderoy Lockhart, alone and unloved, sat in his Ministry paid-for house in his Ministry paid-for reclining chair and silently toasted Harry Potter, without even knowing the man's true story. He was just another name in a book.