Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. You should know this by now. Silly.
I apologize for the long silence. I had a choice between fanfiction and schoolwork and school took precedence. Sorry. Happy day though: I am done with school! For now. I have officially graduated from the college I was going to and I now have a General Education Associates Degree of Arts. Yay me! Sad day though: I am trying to get a job, so that doesn't really mean that updates will speed up. I have been working on a more solid outline than the vague ideas and less vague plans in my head. We will see how things go with the updates, just don't expect a regular schedule like I attempted at first.
Thank you to all of the people who added me/this story to their alerts/favorites! I am overwhelmed by the response.
Thanks for the reviews, and don't worry, I have a plan. All will be revealed in time. (maniacal laughter)
Thanks for those who pointed out mistakes! (Blushes) so embarrassing.
I know I seem to be following the books pretty closely so far, but that's mostly because I figure that there are things that happen that would have happened no matter where Harry grew up. The next few chapters will see a significant divergence, though several key elements will follow canon. Like I've said before, I have a plan.
I noticed an inconsistency between the prologue and canon. Sirius' mother didn't die until 1985 so he wouldn't have been able to go to the Black family home when he picked up baby Harry in 1981. I've changed it. Just thought you ought to know.
Anyway! Sorry for the long AN. Onwards!
Chapter 7: Year Two Begins
It was the day after his arrival back home and Harry was sitting in the living room reading a book when he heard the ringer that announced someone was trying to come through the floo. The name "Lovegood" hovered over the mantle, so Harry granted access. The fire flared and Harry was happy to see one of the friends he'd missed most while he was at school.
"Loony!" He marked his place in his book and rushed to give his friend a hug. "It's so good to see you; school was so colorless without you there."
Luna smiled dreamily at the older boy. "I'm glad the wrackspurts didn't get to you too bad while you were gone, Harry."
Harry smiled back at her. "Me too. And next year I'll have you there to tell me when they're getting too close." She'd taken on some odd characteristics after her mother had died two years previous. Of course being raised by Xenophilius could make anyone a little loopy. Harry had learned to live with her odd behavior while he helped her cope with her grief after her mother's death. They'd grown quite close during that time. Luna was like a little sister to him now; he'd even gotten in the habit of lovingly calling her Loony.
He led her to the soft chairs in the living room and they both sat down.
Sirius poked his head in the doorway. "I heard the floo, do we have company?" Seeing Luna he grinned. "Luna! Merlin I've missed having you young people here to liven things up. It's been too quiet around here all year. Maybe I should make a floo call and invite the Weasleys?"
Luna smiled her usual dreamy smile. "That's alright. I'm happy being here with Harry without them. The Blibbering Humdingers will keep us company."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, but ignored the odd comment. "Well then would you like some tea?"
"No thank you. I'd just like to talk to Harry about the Nargle population at Hogwarts if that's alright."
Harry had to hold in his laughter at his godfather's expression. He knew that Luna was using her imaginary creatures to get his godfather to leave. She only actually believed in some of them.
"I'll just… leave you two alone then. Holler if you need anything." Sirius left looking severely confused.
Once Harry was sure Sirius was gone he released his laughter. "That was great Luna! Did you see his face? Priceless!"
Luna just smiled and watched him until he calmed down. "It was rather funny wasn't it?" Harry smirked at her, wiping a tear from his eye. "Now. Tell me all about Hogwarts. I wasn't joking about the Nargles."
Harry smiled fondly at his odd friend, but nonetheless told her everything he might have left out of his letters. They talked for the better part of the afternoon and into the early evening before she left home for dinner.
-HPBC-
The weeks passed peacefully for Harry. He visited his magical friends almost every day and wrote owls to Hermione at least once a week.
Molly Weasley threw Harry a grand birthday party at the Burrow. All of Harry's school friends were invited. Sirius even had the consideration to invite the Tonks family (who he had reinstated to the Black family after he became the head) and even allowed for Severus to attend.
"Dora!" Harry hugged his favorite "cousin" with enthusiasm. Her signature pink hair glistened brightly in the sun. "I hardly get to see you because of school and then after the summer starts you never visit." Harry practically pouted.
"Wotcher Harry. So sorry about that, but I after graduation I went immediately into auror training. I've been very busy this past year." She pouted right back at him.
Harry scoffed. "Excuses." He glared up at her. It didn't take long for the both of them to be holding each other's shoulders for balance as they laughed so hard they nearly fell over.
When the two of them finally calmed down Dora patted Harry on the back. "Happy birthday Harry. Who's all here then?" She looked around at the tables curiously. Her parents had taken their seats while she and Harry had been laughing. They were talking with Sirius and oddly enough Xenophilius Lovegood. The Weasleys were scattered throughout the patio and Neville and Hermione sat at a table together talking with Luna. Dora's eyes caught Remus' and she quickly looked away, nearly tripping over Harry in her haste.
"Careful there Nymmy. We're just waiting on Draco and Snape. They should be here any minute now." Harry led his cousin to the table where Hermione, Neville, and Luna were sitting.
"Tonks," Luna smiled dreamily at the pink haired woman.
"Wotcher Luna." Dora seemed a bit distracted.
Luna tilted her head quizzically. "Do you have wrackspurts making you flustered whenever you look at Mr. Lupin? You should probably get that checked."
Dora blushed.
Hermione frowned. She looked like she was about to say something about Luna's comment, but a loud crack followed by a softer pop distracted her.
"Dobby is sorry master! It is all Dobby's fault!" The little elf was very flustered over the fact that his young master had fallen to his rump upon arrival.
"Shut up Dobby, I'm fine." Draco dusted himself off. Snape looked on with his usual frown.
Dobby continued to apologize under his breath as he wrung his hands.
Sirius erupted into laughter. "Hey Sevvy, what's wrong with Draco? Can't keep his balance after a side-along with a house elf?" He seemed to think that was monumentally hilarious, because he continued to laugh.
A shrill sound filled the air and everyone gaped as Dobby the house elf appeared in front of the laughing man. "How dare you insult the young master!" He snapped his fingers and the pudding bowl on the table lifted into the air and dumped itself over Sirius' head.
Silence fell over the pavilion.
Dobby turned around to look at his masters. "Dobby is sorry sirs." He bowed. "Dobby will go home now." With a pop the house elf was gone.
Sirius wiped the chocolate pudding from his eyes and licked his fingers. "Great pudding Molly."
The previously stunned onlookers erupted into peals of laughter. Molly fussed over her lost pudding as she vanished the mess and returned to her kitchen to retrieve the cake.
Draco walked over to Harry and the others and smiled his usual sneer. "Did you see Dobby's face? That was fantastic, kind of reminds me of that prank we pulled on the Ravenclaws last term, eh?" He took a seat across from Harry and Tonks.
"I heard about that. That was you guys?" Tonks received nods in reply. She frowned. "Did you also pull that one on the Puffs with the flour?"
"I remember that! One of our most brilliant ideas if you ask me." Ron had walked up as they were talking and took the seat next to Draco.
Tonks' frown deepened. "You know my friend owled me about the aftermath. Some of the more sensitive Puffs were really upset about that. Nobody was hurt, at least not physically, but the emotional damage was rather serious."
Her disapproving stare was met with the shocked faces of the young students.
Harry and his friends all shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"We didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings." Neville was staring dejectedly into his hands.
"We didn't even consider people's feelings." Harry was angry with his oversight. "We just thought it would be a good laugh."
Tonks' face softened. "Well I'm sure you didn't mean any harm, but you need to be more considerate if you intend to continue with these pranks next year. Just keep in mind your target and how well they can handle ridicule. Try and remember that most of the Hufflepuff house and some of the Ravenclaws are a bit more sensitive than most members of the other houses. I'm not saying you should stop completely, but maybe you should only prank people who deserve it?" She raised an eyebrow and paused for emphasis. "I for one thought they were brilliant." She winked at them and they cheered up considerably, taking her advice to heart.
They were all distracted as Molly brought out the cake and everyone broke out into a chaotic and ear-shattering rendition of the Happy Birthday song. Grinning as the twins and Sirius held the last note at the top of their lungs Harry blew out his candles and everyone cheered.
The cake was delicious. Harry enjoyed the rest of his party immensely.
-HPBC-
The eleventh of August was Ginny's birthday. It was just as big an affair as Harry's and everyone stuffed themselves with cake once again.
Two days after Ginny's birthday the Weasleys plus Harry and Luna all took their annual shopping trip to Diagon Alley for school supplies.
After a quick trip to Madam Malkins the large group entered Flourish and Blotts for their school books. There was a large, excited mass of people crowding the bookstore, making it difficult for the group to find the books they needed.
The first interruption came when a man knocked into Luna, causing her to drop her bag. The man seemed apologetic, helping her to pick up her things and return them to her bag. She frowned when he held out the bag for her, but took it and thanked him. The man left without another word.
"Is there something wrong Loony?" Harry was concerned for his friend. "Did you get hurt when that guy bumped you?" His green eyes blazed with anger behind his glasses at the idea that someone hurt his Loony. His Loony? Where did that come from?
Luna smiled dreamily at Harry. "I'm alright Harry, I was just—"
"My word!" Luna was cut off by a flamboyantly dressed man with perfectly styled blonde hair and a very white smile. "It can't be Harry Potter!"
Harry frowned. He'd heard of this guy.
"Gilderoy Lockhart, I'm sure you've heard of me." The man grabbed Harry's hand and began shaking it excitedly.
Harry grinned as an idea formed. He made sure to speak loud enough for the reporters to hear. "Oh of course I've heard of you. My godfather is a big fan. He told me that you were awarded Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award four times in a row. He also told me that you're the most revered fiction author of our age. It is a huge honor to meet you!" Harry returned the man's handshake with vigor, hiding a smirk.
"Four? Fiction?" Lockhart looked a bit put out, but hid it well behind his blinding smile. "Ah, yes well." It only took a moment for him to recover. He turned to the reporters. "When young Harry walked in here today he only expected to purchase my complete works, but didn't expect to not only receiving signed copies free of charge, but he'll also be receiving… me. As a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. That's right, Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five times winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award. But I don't talk about that; I didn't get rid of the Banden Banshee by smiling at him." He smiled brilliantly once more as the cameras flashed.
Harry didn't miss the stress the peacock put on the word "five." He would have laughed at his successful jab, but he was too busy gaping in open mouthed horror at this latest revelation. "You're going to be my Defense Professor?" He glanced at Luna who gave him a like-minded frown.
"Completely stunned. Just as I expected. I'd be happy to accept questions. Good to meet you Harry." He shoved a pile of books into Harry's arms. "Off you go now." He turned away from Harry as though he were already gone and continued to address the press.
Harry walked away disgusted. He dumped his books into Ginny's cauldron. "Here, you can have these. I don't want them. Consider them another birthday gift." Ginny smiled and a light blush dusted her freckled face, but she said nothing.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that Harry."
Harry turned to Luna and smiled at her. "I'm used to it. Sort of." He shrugged. "Come on, let's get the rest of our books so we can go get some ice cream."
They all finished their shopping as fast as they could and retreated, dragging a blushing Molly behind them.
-HPBC-
September first came all too fast for Harry. He had his stuff packed and ready early as usual and he and his guardians made it to the station with plenty of time. Sirius and Remus helped him put his trunk on the train before they both smothered him with their hugs.
"Now I expect you to have a girlfriend by the end of the term you understand me?" Sirius punched Harry playfully on the shoulder and grinned. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes Dogfather, whatever you say Dogfather."
Remus laughed as Sirius pouted.
"Seriously though. Look after the younger students and keep up the good pranks."
Harry's smile faltered a little, but neither of the men noticed.
"Keep your grades up. Hermione can help, but don't start using her as a crutch. You're smart in your own right." Remus patted him on the shoulder.
"I will."
A swarm of redheads started bobbing through the crowd.
"Ah, the Weasleys are here. We'd best be going. Sirius needs to go to work today."
Sirius pouted again and Harry laughed. "I thought you liked being an Auror."
"I do!" Sirius frowned. "It's just that today's going to be filled with boring paperwork."
"And we all know how much Padfoot hates paperwork." Remus jabbed playfully at his friend.
Sirius grumbled.
"Anyway. Have a safe trip Harry. Owl often. We'll see you again for Christmas."
Harry waved as the two men disappeared into the crowd. He then turned and made his way onto the train. He found an empty compartment near the back, like last year, and settled in for the trip. He was soon joined by Hermione, Neville, Ron, Draco, Ginny, and Luna. The compartment was quite full, but none of them minded sitting close with the girls and Harry on one side and the other boys across from them.
Not long after the train departed the compartment door opened to reveal Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy was nowhere in sight. The two large boys looked dumbly into the compartment before seeming to lose interest and turn away.
Ron closed the compartment door. "What was that?"
"Where was Pansy? Why wasn't she with them?" Neville looked nervously at the door as though it was going to open again and she'd be there to taunt them.
"Maybe she decided she had better things to do that get humiliated by us." Draco puffed up at the idea.
"Maybe." Harry smiled weakly.
The rest of the trip was spent snacking and speculating about the placement of the first years in their group.
When they arrived at the school Luna and Ginny were promised saved seats at the Gryffindor table, "just in case," before they were ushered after Hagrid.
The rest of them climbed onto the horseless carriages with the older students. They reached the castle and everyone settled into Great Hall—Draco grumbling as he marched unhappily to the Slytherin table—to wait for the sorting. It didn't take long for the new firsties to file in nervously. Harry caught Luna's eye and gave her an encouraging smile and a wave. She smiled her usual dreamy smile and waved back.
Harry had thought that he'd been nervous about his own sorting, but now that it was his friend on the proverbial chopping block he couldn't help but worry. His hands became slick with sweat and he wiped them on his robes. What if she was sorted into Slytherin like Draco?
Harry wasn't nearly as worried about Ginny as he was about Luna. Ginny's family always ended up in Gryffindor. From what Harry had learned over the years about her family tree, Luna was more of a mystery. While her father's side of the family tended to end up in Ravenclaw, with a few Puffs and Lions in the mix, her mother's family was scattered rather evenly between all four of the houses. If the hat determined house based primarily on ancestry, then Luna's destined house could be any of the four with a slightly higher chance of being placed in Ravenclaw.
Taking a deep breath, Harry forced himself to calm down. Luna would be fine if she was in Slytherin, Draco would help look after her. Any of the other houses were even less of a concern with the lack of hostility between them and Gryffindor. Just like Draco, she would still be Harry's friend if she was in another house.
Applause from his own table brought Harry back to reality with a jolt. He looked up, clapping with his house-mates, to see a small boy with light skin and mousy-brown hair walking directly for the empty seat next to him with an excited look on his face. Harry held back a grimace at the boy's obvious enthusiasm to meet the boy-who-lived.
Harry turned the excited boy—whose name he had missed—down when he tried to sit next to him, explaining that he was saving it for a friend. He tried to ignore the disappointed look the boy gave him before sitting next to the Weasley twins instead. Luna was more important.
It didn't take long for Luna's name to come up and Harry's chest clenched in frantic anticipation. The petite blonde walked gracefully up to the stool and placed the ratty hat daintily on her head. She sat for a moment, a rare frown slowly forming on her face—never a good sign—before the hat stubbornly shouted "RAVENCLAW!"
Luna's frown deepened for a moment, but was quickly replaced by a polite smile as she removed the hat and glided over to her new House table. Harry caught her eye and smiled at her. She smiled softly back before she seemed to get distracted by the hovering candles.
The sorting continued and Harry listened halfheartedly, clapping politely whenever someone was sorted into Gryffindor, until "Weasley, Ginevra" was called. The hat barely touched her fiery red hair before it practically screamed out "GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry applauded much more enthusiastically than he had with any of the other new Lions. She sat next to Hermione and Neville and smiled at all the congratulations coming her way.
Dumbledore gave a similar speech to the year before—minus the warning about the third floor corridor—before waving his hand to start the feast. The students tucked in with enthusiasm, Harry evaluating the flavor of every dish he tasted in an attempt to discover their secrets.
After the feast Harry gave Luna a hug before she left for the Ravenclaw tower after her house Prefects.
"See you at breakfast, Loony." They shared a smile as she walked away.
Harry and his other Gryffindor friends made their way up to their tower. Harry, Neville, and Ron said goodnight to the girls and made their way up to their second year dorm and got ready for bed. Harry couldn't help but smile as he pulled the covers over himself. Despite the likelihood of the new Defense professor being a whackjob braggart with no experience, he expected that it was going to be a very good year at Hogwarts.
With that thought Harry rolled over and fell into a sound sleep.
-HPBC-
AN: I apologize for another long AN. I really did try this time. I just can't help but explain myself. See? There I go again, explaining myself! I would like to apologize in advanced for future long ANs.
As always, thanks for reading! See you next time, whenever that may be.
Kadtie, out.
