Chapter 14
"And the Nobel Prizes for Physics, Medicine, and Peace go to Prof. Dr. Hermione Jane Granger, The Lady Countess of Harcourt, Minister for Magic of the United Kingdom, and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, for proving the scientific basis behind magic, and bringing an end to all world wars!" King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden himself presented the brunette to the crowd.
"Thank you, thank you all," Hermione spoke proudly. "It took years of study, but my study has successfully proven that magic has a scientific basis, and every one of us can be turned into a witch or wizard. And now that we all are magical, there are no more wars for resources, isn't that right Mr Rabin and Mr Arafat?"
The two men, leaders of Israel and Palestine, stood hand-in-hand as they agreed with her.
Hermione mingled with the crowd a little after her speech. The recognition of her peers was what she had always been hoping for. There stood Joanne Kathleen, the bully from her old primary school, who looked at her with admiration and now apologized to her. And Draco Malfoy, humbled by her achievements, acknowledged he had been a complete git and was wrong, and hoped that she, the brightest witch of her age, would be able to forgive him.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt stood face to face, and they were preparing to raise their fists. With a laugh, Hermione darted in between them: "Now boys, no need to fight over me... you know you can't have me anyway."
Suddenly she was in the arms of Harry. His muscular, powerful arms embraced her as he leant in closer, "I am so proud of you Hermione... I knew you could do it," he breathed in her ear. Hermione felt a shudder over her entire body.
"Why don't we celebrate a little in a more quiet place?" he suggested.
Next she knew, they were in a beautiful bedroom, fit for a palace. She was wearing sexy lingerie, and standing in front of a roaring fireplace. Harry walked up to her and kissed her deeply. She felt her body melt, and her knees went weak.
He picked her up, and carried her bridal style to the bed. Her eyes found his, and she saw the pure lust in them. Again, he kissed her, while he lowered himself over her. Her lingerie was gone, as were his clothes, and she willingly spread her legs wider for him.
A rod of molten red steel speared her, moving past her folds into her virginal tunnel. There was no pain at all, and Hermione let out a cry of delight: "Harry! Oh yes!".
Deeper and deeper inside her he went, until their pelvises met.
"We fit together perfectly. I love you, Hermione," Harry said. Hermione looked back at him with love, as he pulled out more than halfway, then plunged back in. Again and again he claimed her, and she felt her entire body go numb.
"I am going to cum inside you now... that will mark you as mine forever," Harry whispered in her ear.
Hermione let out a deep moan as she felt him flood her tunnel, then cried out: "Take me Harry! Make yours!"
Her entire body went limp as she was hit by the most powerful orgasm of her life.
A female voice suddenly spoke: "Morgana's tits, Hermione, keep it down will you? Some of us are trying to sleep!"
Hermione's eyes shot open, and she saw Ginny sitting up in her bed on the other side of the small bedroom at Grimmauld Place. Hermione's covers were on the floor, she had kicked them off during her... dream... and her knickers, and indeed her entire bed, were soaked.
"I... I'm going to take a shower," she squeaked. She grabbed the towel that was lying next to her head – Harry's towel – and rushed out the room.
Ginny glared after her, wrinkled her nose at the scent in the room, but she was too tired to open a window now. The red-head tried to get back to sleep, muttering about horny, inconsiderate room-mates.
–-
Ginny woke up, feeling cranky and miserable. "Merlin, Hermione, for your room-mate's sakes at Hogwarts I hope that next time you decide to stir the sauce, you put up a silencing charm," she grumbled.
Hermione had the good decency to look guilty, at least.
"Oh Morgana, what is this?" Ginny looked down in horror.
"What is it? Can I help?" Hermione rushed over.
"No, don't, it's –" Ginny protested, but too late, Hermione pulled the covers off her.
"Don't worry about it Ginny," Hermione said in a soft tone. "It happens to all of us... I was a little irregular when I started as well. Do you have any pads, or do you need to borrow some of mine?"
Ginny looked at the brunette as if she had grown a new head. "Pads? Hermione, I am on the Potion," she said in an exasperated tone. "Although... maybe I forgot to take it?" Ginny looked uncertain.
"What Potion? Is it something like the Pill?" Hermione had that look again that promised she would keep nagging until she got her answer.
"Don't you know?" Ginny was genuinely surprised. "Everyone knows about the Potion! Well, all girls. Either your mother would've told you, or, for you Muggleborns, Madam Pomfrey has an information meeting near the end of second year, since most girls start around that age."
"I was petrified, remember? I guess Pomfrey forgot about me," Hermione said testily.
Ginny's face paled a little. "Don't remind me of my first year, please. But that'd explain it. Erm... oh this is awkward. The Potion – everyone calls it that – is for birth control. It also helps stop your, erm, monthlies. One dose lasts about seven months, but to be sure, most witches take it every half year. I was sure I took mine less than half a year ago though..."
"Well no-one bothered to tell me," Hermione grumbled. "How do we get it?"
Ginny let out a sigh. "Let me... well... clean up a little, and I'll go talk to mum. I bet she can whip it up, it's not a simple recipe but mum is good with potions, had a N.E.W.T. in it and all. We're supposed to learn it in seventh year, but I don't think I'm taking my Potions N.E.W.T. with Snape."
"Professor Snape Ginny," Hermione corrected. Ginny just shot her a glare.
–-
Molly Weasley dropped a cutting of silphium into the cauldron. The useful plant was extinct in the Muggle world due to overuse by the Romans, but on the magical side it was still widely known.
"Ginevra Molly Weasley, that was very irresponsible of you," she said, rounding on her daughter.
"Muuuum! I thought I had taken it," Ginny protested. Hermione stood a little to the side, feeling sympathy for her fellow Gryffindor.
"'I thought I had taken it' won't keep you from getting pregnant young lady," Molly continued. "What if something had happened? You need to learn some responsibility."
"Mum, please! It's not as if I'm... active... anyway," Ginny admitted.
"Well I'm glad to hear that, at least," Molly sniffed. "Make sure you don't... start... either."
She looked in the cauldron, pleased with what she saw. "It needs to simmer for another ten to twenty minutes, then you're both taking a full dose, girls. Hermione, talk to Poppy about getting your own supply when you're at school. And remember you can always come to me, or pick it up in an apothecary in Diagon Alley."
"Thank you, Mrs Weasley," Hermione said gratefully. She was still a little annoyed that neither of her room-mates at the school ever bothered to tell her there was a magical way to get rid of cramps, but then again she, Lavender and Parvati barely tolerated each other at best. Knowing them, they probably made fun of her behind her back for feeling grumpy and sniping at everyone.
–-
"Oi, if you won't let me get past, at least let me listen in," Ron whined. The kitchen door was closed and locked when the Weasley boys came downstairs, so Fred and George had lowered one of their Extendable Ears, but had raised it back up almost as soon as they heard what was being discussed inside.
"Trust us little brother,"
"You don't want to know," they said in twin-speak.
"Are they talking about woman's treasures again?" Ron looked intrigued.
"In a matter of speaking..."
"Best you don't press the issue though,"
"Or we'll take it as you volunteering,"
"To be a test subject."
Ron paled, and backed off. "No, I'm good!" He ran back up the stairs leading up, leaving two grinning pranksters behind.
"What's got him so spooked?" Harry asked as he came down the stairs. "Ron rushed past me when I got to the first floor, and hid in his room."
"Nothing important,"
"Just making sure little Ronnie,"
"Doesn't annoy ickle Gin-Gin."
"Do I want to know the details?" Harry asked, amused.
The twins looked at each other, then said in tandem: "No."
"Okay, I guess," Harry grinned. "Say, now that I've got you both here... what do you think about preparing a major prank for the opening feast?"
"Look at him Fred, little Harry is all grown up," (presumably) George said, pretending to wipe away a tear.
"Our little boy is turning into a prankster!" (presumably) Fred answered, and reached for Harry's hair to tussle it.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up. If you're not interested, I'll just ask Padfoot," Harry grumbled, ducking away from Fred's hand.
Instantly, the twins rounded on him. "Padfoot? As in Padfoot, Moony, Wormtail, and Prongs?" one of them asked.
"Why are you talking about the Marauders?" Sirius walked down the stairs, yawning as he spoke.
"How do you know about the Marauders?" The twins seemed to forget all about their twin-speak routine.
"I founded the Marauders – well, me and Harry's dad," Sirius said. "Breakfast ready yet?"
"Mum's got the kitchen sealed up for some girl thing," Fred said. "But that's besides the point. Up to the drawing room we go!" Fred and George put their arms under Harry's, and lifted him up, dragging him with them to the stairs. Amused, Sirius followed them.
"Someone is in a lot of trouble,"
"Not telling his elders he knew about their idols,"
"If that someone weren't our chief,"
"and only investor,"
"we'd be angry," the twins spoke as they forced Harry to go with them.
"Look guys, I would've told you if I knew you wanted to know," Harry protested. He couldn't keep the amusement at the situation out of his voice.
They entered the – fortunately empty – drawing room, and the twins dropped Harry back on his own feet.
"Gentlemen, Marauders and Boys-Who-Lived,"
"Let's talk pranks."
–-
More days passed. Having completed all their summer homework long ago, Harry and the twins had ample time to prepare pranking plans. When asked why he had a sudden interest in them, Harry had this to say: "Dumb-as-a-door thinks I am unsuited to be a prefect, so I'm done following the rules. If he wants to treat me like a troublemaker like you both," he ignored the mock protests from Fred and George, "then I'm going to earn the reputation by having fun."
Sirius approved completely. Harry told Tonks about his decision as well. She seemed amused, and had some suggestions, in fact.
Hermione and Ron spent a lot of time bickering about prefect matters. Hermione wanted to prepare a detailed schedule for patrols, and the optimal route to go through the castle, Ron on the other hand didn't care at all, pointing out that the Head Boy and Head Girl would decide these things, not fifth-year Prefects.
When Hermione was not arguing with Ron, she was trying to stay close to Harry. It was not uncommon to see her sitting in a chair with a forgotten book in her hands, a dreamy look on her face while she watched him.
And Molly still kept them cleaning. Sirius had tried to convince her it was a massive waste of time since he planned to abandon the house once (if) his name got cleared anyway, but she would not be convinced. At least it kept everyone a bit busy, and held off boredom, so in the end everyone went along with it.
A little good came of it: Sirius explained the family tapestry to Harry, pointing out where his name had been before it had been burned off by his insane mother, and he pointed out Harry's grandparents, Dorea Potter née Black, and Charlus Potter.
"Wait, does that mean we are related?" Harry asked.
"Sure thing pup, you're my, erm... first... no, second cousin," Sirius answered.
"He lied!" Harry cried out.
"Who did, pup?"
"Dumbledore! I asked him once why I had to go to the Dursleys, and he said it was because they were my only blood relatives. He lied to me!"
Sirius frowned. "True... I mean, even with me in Hotel Azkaban, you have more family." Sirius got a mean grin, as he pointed out another burnt spot. "See this one here, also a second cousin to you?"
"Yeah?"
"That's Andromeda, or as you'll soon call her, 'Mum'," Sirius barked out a laugh. "Although maybe it's a good thing you didn't go to her, because you're shagging her daughter rotten on a nightly basis."
Harry glared at him. "Not funny. I guess it can't be avoided can it? Just about everyone with any pure-blood parent is related."
"True, look here for example, Andromeda's sister Narcissa... that makes your best friend, Draco, your second cousin once removed, just like Nymphadora is to you."
"Ugh. Well I'm only interested in one family member that way... and it's not a blonde ponce," Harry quipped.
"I'm sure Draco will be devastated," Sirius replied. "Haven't you ever wondered about him? With what I hear from you and the other kids, he spends more time on his hair than Ron does eating... and doesn't he hang around with two boys all the time?"
"What, you think Malfoy is a poofter?" Harry let out a laugh. "Oh wow. I can so see that."
He didn't wait to tell the others about this. The twins and Ron were highly amused, Ginny got into a laughing fit, and even Hermione had to fight to keep a grin from her face.
–-
Finally it was the last week of August. School would start the next Friday, September first, and Molly got it into her head that a last cleaning sweep was necessary.
Everyone, including unfortunate Order members who were there as guests, got roped into work. Mundungus Fletcher, of all people, was assigned to work with the twins, but from what little Harry overheard, he was sure they were talking business rather than mucking out the master bedroom that now served as Buckbeak's pen.
Ron somehow managed to got out of work and was polishing his broom, and since Harry had little desire to see 'Prefect Ronald' gloat, he decided to go clean out the mouldy cupboard on the third floor that they'd skipped so far.
He walked up to the cupboard's door. The second floor cupboard had been overrun by a doxie infestation, and he just barely escaped their mildly poisonous bites. It had taken a lot of doxiecide before the colony was taken care of, and he was going to be more careful this time.
Carefully, he opened the cupboard door. It was dark inside, and he reached for the light switch, but it wouldn't turn on. Harry heard something stumble inside.
"Hello? Anyone there?" he asked.
A figure stepped forward, and Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise as he saw Tonks. "Nym? What are you doing in there?"
A green light flashed. Tonks let out a weird gurgle, and collapsed to the floor. Harry was rooted to the spot in horror as the unmistakable form of Lord Voldemort stepped out of the shadows, his wand tip still glowing green from the Killing Curse that had felled Tonks.
"Nym... no..." Harry grabbed the closest wall, and slid along it to the floor. "No... you can't be dead..."
'This isn't real... Nym is at Hogwarts, and if this really was Voldemort, wouldn't he be gloating?' a small voice in his head spoke.
With a shaking hand, Harry whipped his wand out of the holster, and aimed it at the form of the Dark Lord. "R... Riddikulus!" he yelled. Nothing happened.
"Harry? Oh Merlin!" Lupin came running up the stairs, having heard Harry, and pushed him to the side. Tonks' corpse and Voldemort vanished, replaced by a silvery orb. Lupin held out his own wand, and clearly said: "Riddikulus". The orb deflated like a balloon, and popped away.
Harry sat on the floor, looking pale still. "Thanks... I... I couldn't think of a way to make that funny," he admitted softly.
Lupin knelt down beside him, and wrapped an arm around the shaking boy. "It's okay Harry, don't feel like you failed. That is one of the major dangers of a boggart... sometimes they take a form which is too traumatic. That's why standard procedure is always to be with more people."
"Please, don't tell the others, okay?" Harry held out his hand, and Lupin helped them both get up.
"I won't," the werewolf promised. "So... why was it Tonks who was dead there, and not one of your friends?"
Harry flushed a bit. "Tonks is a friend," he stated.
"Mm-mm. More than a friend maybe?" Lupin padded him on the back. "Go get some hot cocoa downstairs, cub, I'll finish up here."
Gratefully, Harry left.
–-
Harry was grateful for the real Nym that night. She just held him until he went to sleep, and he had a pleasant dream.
"See you at Hogwarts luv. Remember, it's Professor Tonks from now on," Tonks whispered in his ear as Harry slowly woke up. She was already dressed in a shirt and skirt, and standing next to his bed.
"I'm going to miss sleeping with you," Harry admitted.
"We'll figure something out, hero. Here, I have something for you to keep me in mind on the train," Tonks said with a smile. She reached below her skirt, wiggled, and her knickers dropped to her feet. With quick footwork they were dangling from one foot, and she kicked up, causing them to fly in Harry's face.
"Score!" Tonks giggled. "Keep them with you, and you can give them back if we get the chance tonight at school..."
"Nym! Won't you get into trouble for that?" Harry gasped. He had her knickers in his hand by now.
"Nah, I'll be wearing teacher's robes over this... but you, Mr Potter, can be the only one who'll know that your hot, young, beautiful DADA teacher is going commando at the High Table," Nym giggled again. "I really need to get going. Dumbles wanted me there by nine at the latest, and you need to get some breakkie before you lot go off to King's Cross. Knowing Molly, the Weasleys will be running late again."
Harry pulled her down quickly and gave her a kiss. "See you tonight then Nym... I love you," he said, blushing deep.
Tonks felt like she could float as she blew him another kiss before going into the secret passage. 'He said he loves me! Oh Tonskie, you are one lucky girl,' she thought to herself, humming happily, as she prepared to apparate to Hogwarts.
–-
There was a lot of commotion in the house, Harry realised as he went down the stairs. From what he heard as he wolfed down some breakfast, Fred and George had bewitched their trunks to fly downstairs rather than bothering to carry them, and they had slammed into Ginny, causing her to fall down two flights into the hall. Molly and the painting of Mrs Black seemed to be having a shouting match as both rounded into the boys.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked Ginny when she came down into the kitchen.
"Mum patched me up," Ginny said as she took some bread. "Just a bump on my head, that's all. I guess we're just waiting for the guard to go to King's Cross now."
"Guard? Since when do we need a guard to get to the station?"
"We don't need a guard, you need one," Hermione informed him. "Professor Dumbledore said –"
"I don't care what Professor Dumb said," Harry interrupted her. "I can look out for myself."
"WILL YOU LOT GET DOWN HERE NOW, PLEASE!" Mrs Weasley's voice bellowed through the house. Harry shot the girls a grimace, and went back upstairs.
"We're here, no need to shout," he informed the Weasley matriarch.
"Oh, good Harry. Where is your trunk and owl?"
"My trunk is in the dining room, and Hedwig is flying to the school," Harry said.
"I've got my trunk there as well mum, and Hermione's too," Ginny added. "Where's Ron?"
"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY! We need to leave, NOW!" Molly bellowed once more.
Ron came stumbling down the stairs, his trunk hitting every step behind him. "I'm here, I'm here!" he yelled.
"What were you doing? No don't answer that," Molly decided. "Is Mad-Eye here?"
"Morning Molly," the ex-Auror grumbled. Harry jumped, he hadn't even seen the man arrive.
"Constant vigilance, Potter," Moody barked a laugh.
"How are we getting to the station? Cars again?" Harry asked.
"No, we're walking, as soon as Sturgis gets here," Molly answered. "Arthur tried to get us cars, but Minister Fudge didn't want to sign off for it when he heard you were with us..." she patted his arm distractedly. "Sorry, dear."
"Err... why don't we take the floo instead? Surely, that is more safe?" Harry offered.
Molly stared at him with open mouth, and blinked twice. Moody barked out another laugh: "Good head on your shoulders there lad! Merlin, I should've thought of that myself... floo is much safer indeed."
"I'll take Harry," Sirius spoke up. He had come down while they were talking, and now everyone was standing in the entrance hall.
"Sirius, be serious," Harry quipped. Then, with a little sad expression: "it's not safe, even as Padfoot. Remember, Wormtail has joined You-Know-Who, so your doggie identity may have leaked out."
Sirius drooped his head in an almost canine fashion. "I suppose you're right," he admitted. "Will you come back for Christmas at least?"
"Of course!" Harry beamed at his 'uncle'. "We're family, and family sticks together." Sirius seemed happier at that.
The group went back to the kitchen, and a queue for the floo was formed. Lupin and Ron would go first, followed by Mad-Eye with Harry, then the girls, the twins, and finally Molly with Sturgis Podmore. The latter duo would also take all trunks with them.
Harry shot out the floo like a bullet, but Mad-Eye's hand on his shoulder stopped him from going too far. Harry gave the man a grateful smile as they moved to the side with Lupin and Ron. The others joined them quickly.
"Oh look, there's Mrs Weasley with the trunks," Hermione said. Harry was looking around. The station was as busy as ever, people rushing to and fro.
"Hey Weasleys! Had a good summer?" A tall boy with dreadlocks walked up. The twins as one hugged their mother, ruffled Ginny's and Harry's hair, and headed off with Lee.
"Right, err, I guess we'll go then," Harry suggested.
"Take care of yourself," Remus said, giving Harry a clap on the shoulder. "You especially Harry, stay safe."
"I will," Harry promised.
A warning whistle sounded, and the students still outside started heading for the train doors.
"Harry? Be careful, you promise?" Molly pleaded. Harry gave her another hug, then stepped aboard the train. Remus helped him with his trunk. Together, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny waved through the window to the Order members, as the train started moving. The twins were nowhere in sight, having gotten on board with Lee.
"Shall we get a compartment then?" Harry asked.
Hermione and Ron shared a look. "Err.. Harry... we're supposed to go to the prefect carriage," Hermione stammered.
Harry's expression turned into a frown. "Oh. Right. Well, see ya then." He turned his back on them, and picked up his, and Ginny's trunk. "You coming, Gin-Gin?"
Ginny nodded.
"Oi mate, it's not as if I asked for it, I'm not a git like Percy," Ron protested behind him.
"You have a meeting to get to, remember?" Harry said without turning his head as he walked off. People were looking at him as he and Ginny passed the compartments. Harry wondered why he got such weird looks, until Ginny pointed it out to him:
"Harry, they're either recognising you, and thinking of the Prophet and its slander campaign, or they see a hot boy and wonder who he is," the ginger said with a giggle.
"You think I'm hot?" Harry shot a grin at her.
"Don't get a big head, Mr Potter. I'm taken, and so are you," Ginny laughed.
Everywhere they passed seemed to be full, or was filled with people they didn't want to sit with. As they passed by one such compartment, several Slytherin girls – he thought two of them were Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis from his year – looked him over like he was a piece of meat on offer.
At the very end of the train, they found Neville Longbottom standing in front of a closed compartment door.
"Hi Harry, hi Ginny," he panted. Neville was slightly overweight, and the effort of pulling his trunk was apparently a bigger workout than he was used to. "I walked... half the train... Everywhere's full..."
"Don't be silly Neville, what about here? It's just Loony Lovegood," Ginny looked past him through the door. "Let's go in." Ignoring Neville's protests he didn't want to disturb anyone, Ginny opened the door and stepped through. Harry, pulling his and Ginny's trunk, followed, while Neville waited outside.
"Hi Luna, mind if we take these seats?" Ginny asked, shooting the girl a smile.
Luna was a very pale girl with long blonde hair, and had the largest eyes that made her look constantly surprised. Her wand was stuck behind her ear, and she was wearing a necklace of what appeared to be Butterbeer corks. She was holding a magazine, upside-down. Luna looked over the newcomers, then nodded. "Hello Ginevra. I don't mind, but I think the school will be upset if you take the seats from the train. Why don't you sit down instead?" she said.
Ginny forced a laugh, "that is funny, Luna." Turning to Harry, she waved him further inside. Neville took a look at Luna, frowned, and walked off.
"Oi Nev, where are you going?" Harry called after him.
"Don't mind Neville, he thinks I am a little weird," Luna said. Harry shrugged and stowed the trunks, then sat down across from her. Luna stared at him, not seeming to need to blink. Harry began to feel rather uncomfortable, until she broke the silence: "You're Harry Potter."
"I know I am," Harry replied. Something about the blonde was off, but he thought she might be all right still. Ginny seemed to trust her. "And you're Loon– Luna Lovegood?"
Luna's expression changed for a fraction of a second, before she took on her serene look again. "Yes, I am Luna Lovegood. I'm in the same year as Ginny, in Ravenclaw. Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure," she said in a sing-song voice, then went on, "some of the girls call me Loony and tease me. I don't like that much."
"Understood Luna, I won't use that name for you," Harry said. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Harry Potter." Luna resumed staring at him.
"Erm... what are you, err, reading?" Harry felt very uncomfortable.
"Oh, the Quibbler, it's my daddy's periodical," Luna said, not taking her eyes off him. "I was doing the rune puzzle. Have you tried runes Harry Potter? I think they are fascinating."
"Err, no, I'm not taking Ancient Runes," Harry admitted. "Well... err... have fun I guess."
The train went silent again. Ginny had picked out a copy of Witch Weekly, Luna stared at Harry, and Harry sat there, fidgeting. He slipped his hand in his right-hand side pocket, and found the soft cloth he was looking for, then just held it, trying to keep his mind on other things as he looked out the window.
"Oh! I didn't know you were a collector," Luna suddenly spoke. Harry focused back on her.
"Err... what?" he asked, confused.
"Daddy warned me some bad boys would do underwear raids," Luna clarified. "Or is that your own pair?" she indicated his right hand. Ginny also looked over, and let out a giggle as she saw Harry held Tonks' knickers.
"What? No! It's not mine, it's..." Harry trailed off, fighting a blush.
"I don't know the rules. Do you have to take them off me, or do I just hand them over?" Luna asked. She stood up, and raised her skirt with both hands, revealing her white bloomers.
Almost panicking at the unexpected surprise, Harry looked over at Ginny for support.
"You're not getting mine, Harry If anyone is, they're Dean's," Ginny giggled, before giving in to full laughter.
Harry just stared at the blonde girl, mouth open. This was so unexpected he had no idea what to say.
At that precise moment, the door to their compartment slid open. Harry jumped up in surprise, accidentally bumping against Luna and causing her to fall back on her rear, her skirt fortunately now no longer raised. In the tussle he felt his glasses fly off his head and land on the floor, then as he was stumbling for his balance, heard a crack as he accidentally stepped on them.
"Oh... err... hello," someone at the door said, the door now fully sliding open. Harry looked over, and through the blur caused by not wearing glasses, thought he recognised Cho Chang, his crush from last year... and Cedric Diggory's ex.
"Hi there hot stuff, are you a transfer student?" Cho said seductively, stepping inside. Ginny was still laughing although trying to stop, and Luna just sat there looking at Harry and Cho, but Cho paid them no mind.
"Why are you sitting with these losers? Come on over to my compartment, and maybe we can get to know each other better?" she suggested.
Harry found his voice again, "Err... no thanks Cho," he spoke out, hating how his voice seemed to tremble. Then, with more power: "I'm happy sitting with Ginny and Luna."
"Harry?" Cho blinked in surprise. "I didn't recognise you! Err... had a nice summer?" She looked him over much like the Slytherin girls had earlier – or indeed Hermione.
"Capital," Harry dryly responded. "Excuse me." He bent down to pick up his glasses, or what remained of them.
"Oh Morgana, look at that bum..." Cho whispered to herself. Before Harry got back up, she just closed the door, and hurried off.
"Where did she go?" Harry asked no-one in particular. He held his broken glasses morosely.
"She, hee hee, had to leave," Ginny finally seemed to calm down a little. Then, more seriously, "Here, let me Harry." Ginny took out her wand and waved it over the remains of his glasses, intoning, "Oculus Reparo."
Harry's eyeglasses trembled and flowed back in shape, but then a poof-like sound was heard, and they disappeared into nothing.
"Oops... that's not supposed to happen," Ginny apologised.
"Just my luck," Harry grumbled. "What am I supposed to do now?"
"I'll be your seeing-eye girl for the train ride," Ginny giggled. "Talk to a teacher when we arrive, I'm sure one of them can help you."
Luna kept silent, reading her magazine somehow upside-down.
An hour later, after the food trolley came and went, the next visit turned up. Harry sat there with a scowl on his face looking outside for all the good it did him, and Ginny and Luna were still reading their magazines.
The door slid open and Hermione walked in, pulling her trunk and carrying Crookshanks' carrier.
Harry got up to help her. Crookshanks looked ready to murder someone in his carrier, and Hermione looked tired; even without his glasses he could see it.
"Where's Ron?" Ginny asked.
"Ron found Dean and Seamus, and wanted to sit with them," Hermione said disdainfully. "Well, each House has a boy and a girl fifth-year prefect," Hermione she continued. She looked annoyed at Ginny for having claimed the seat next to Harry, and opted to sit down next to Luna instead, as Harry stowed her trunk away. "Guess who made Slytherin prefects?" she asked rhetorically.
"Malfoy," Harry replied. "Figures, who else would Snape pick," he added.
"Right, and it's Professor Snape, Harry. And the other one is that horrid cow, Pansy Parkinson," Hermione said, anger in her voice. Then she looked at Harry, "where... where are your glasses?" Harry looked in her direction, and Hermione felt her heart skip a beat. Without the glass in front of them, Harry's green eyes were even more intense...
"Broke them," Harry said miserably. "And the repair spell made them disappear."
"Oh! That is interesting, I read about that possibility in Waffling's Magical Theory, he wrote that an object that was repaired once before, has a forty-seven percent chance of being reduced to 'nothing' – I guess he meant into atoms – if another repair is attempted each time," Hermione piped up. "Oh hello, who are you?" she added in an aside to Luna, who was now looking at her.
"You are misplaced in Gryffindor. Why you're not a Ravenclaw is the biggest mystery in the school," Luna said. "I am Luna Lovegood, pleased to meet you. Have you given Harry your knickers yet? I offered him mine, but he hasn't said yet if he wants to take them himself, or if I should just hand them over."
Harry let his head collapse on his hands, as Ginny again began to giggle uncontrollably, and Hermione emulated a fish as she let her mouth drop open, having no idea what to say to that.
A/N: thanks to stgulik for beta-ing this for me.