Chapter 10. Trains, Monkeys, Eagles, and Thestrals.

I don't own Harry Potter. Our Lovely Queen Jk Rowling owns the wizarding world. J

The trip back to Hogwarts was uneventful, the only difference this year was that I was a prefect and I had to do rounds with Ron to make sure everything was in order. As per usual, I caught the twins trying to tell first years the horrors of being sorted. Did they never learn that they would be caught?

"You have to go into the lake.." Fred started.

"And fight the squid.." George continued.

"After that you have to go into the forest.."

"And fight a Giant!"

"I thought it was a troll?"

"No, definitely a Giant, dear brother.."

"Of course! How silly of me to forget old Jalardo. Such a friendly bloke.."

"When he's not trying to eat you, of course."

The poor first years looked absolutely terrified, and no one was trying to help them.

"Fredrick, am I going to have to tell your Mum that you and George are terrifying first years again? Last time she almost came to Hogwarts to make you do the things you told the poor first years." I butted in.

"Oh, 'Mione, don't you understand?" Fred said.

"We're only having a bit of fun.."

"But you always interrupt us!"

"Now why don't you and Ickle Ronnikins go patrol.."

"While we continue our fun." Fred flashed a brilliant smile at me as he finished their tandem speak.

"You two give me a headache. And no, I will not go off and leave you two to terrify more kids. By the way, I can't tell you what the sorting is exactly, but it is absolutely harmless," I told the first years. "Now, Fred, George, You two are going to follow me to the compartment Harry is in. You are then going to stay there and try to cheer him up, or so help me I am going to write to your mum, and tell her all about your deviousness." I then turned on my heel and started walking away.

"Must you say that to them? They're only going to give me more hell for it." Ron mumbled.

"Oh, grow up Ronald." I snapped.

We reached the compartment and I pushed the twins inside before they could try and escape. Harry was sitting next to a blonde girl who was reading a magazine upside down. She looked quite odd, but she had a pleasant smile on her face which made her look quite friendly. Harry was looking out the window, brooding as per usual.

"Harry, the twins have decided to come keep you company. They are not to leave under any circumstances. If they do, you have my permission to place them in full body binds until I return." I smiled at the girl's amused look, and left the compartment.

After a couple hours, Ron and I were done patrolling so we were able to go to the compartment and talk with our friends and eat lunch. When I walked into the compartment, I almost thought I had the wrong one. Instead of Harry, Fred, and George there were three monkeys playing. The only reason I knew I was in the right compartment was because the girl with the friendly smile was still sitting there reading her magazine.

"Uh.. what happened?" I asked her.

"Oh, Fred and George were trying to leave, and Harry wasn't paying attention to them. He was surrounded by Nargels, So I transfigured them into monkeys so they wouldn't be able to cause trouble, and so Harry would have some fun." She answered.

"But, that's a really advanced spell! Like seventh year transfiguration! How did you manage it?" I asked as I sat down next to her.

"Oh, it was quite easy really," she started to explain; "I just had to ask the Snorkels for help. They are great at transfiguration. I learned the spell from them. I could teach you if you would like." She added in a dreamy far-away voice.

"I would love that. My name is Hermione, by the way. And this is Ronald."

"I know who you are. Everyone knows the golden trio. Plus, I live just over the hill from the Weasleys, I grew up playing with them. I'm Luna Lovegood. Its nice to formally meet you."

"Likewise. Do you think you could ask the Snorkels how to change the boys back? I don't think Professor McGonagall would be too pleased if she had three monkeys instead of students."

"Oh, that's easy. You just need to use the Finite Incantantum charm." She smiled and returned to her magazine for the rest of the trip.

After I changed the boys back, Fred came and sat by me while George, Harry and Ron sat by the window playing exploding snap.

"So, 'Mione.. Any thoughts on who the new defense teacher is going to be?" Fred asked.

"Who knows. With the track record we've had, we might just end up with a troll! Or a toad." I smirked.

"Oi! My jokes are rubbing off on you!"

"Who says I wasn't always this funny, hmm? I could just hide my humor well."

"Well, we all know that's true. I mean, how else could you deal with all the shit you, Harry and Ronnie-kins have gotten into?"

"Humor, cleverness, and a whole lot of luck."

"Well, I'm quite glad you have had so much luck." He mumbled and blushed.

"Me too," I smirked, "Are you wearing make-up? Oh, no. your just blushing really bad!" I laughed.

"'Mione."

"Yes Fred?"

"You might want to run."

"Why?"

"Cause I'm going to get you."

"Oh really?"

"Yep."

"And what is it you're going to do if you catch me?"

"Tickle the bloody hell out of you."

Shit.

"Not gonna happen." I stuck my tongue out at him and luckily we had just reached Hogsmeade station, so I grabbed Harry's hand and ran out of the compartment searching for a carriage.

We ran until Harry stopped suddenly. I was still holding his hand, and so I was forcibly yanked to a stop.

"What the Hell? The point of running away from being tickled, Harry, is to run as far and as fast as possible." I said, as I looked around for Fred.

"Hermione, what is that?" Harry asked pointing infront of the Carriages.

"There's nothing there, Harry. They are pulling themselves like they do every year."

"No. They're not. Theirs horse like creatures pulling the carriages. They are black, look like horse skeletons, and have massive freaking wings. How can you not see them?" He said and asked with a growing panic in his voice.

"They are Thestrals. Only those of us who have seen death can see them Harry. Don't worry; you're just as sane as I am." Luna said as she walked up to us. "After the tournament last year, you can see them."

"Why couldn't I see them before, then? Last year wasn't the first time I'd seen death. My parents were killed in front of me.." Harry said, as it looked like he patted thin air.

"You have to be able to comprehend what has happened for you to be able to see them." She said in her dreamy, musical voice.

"Oh."

"We should probably go. Fred was pretty close after me, and he's going to catch you sooner or later, Hermione. If we go now, He wont be able to catch you before we get into the Great Hall."

"Good point! Quick, Harry, Get in the carriage and let's get up to the school before Fred." I said as I climbed into the carriage.