AN: Once again thank you all for your patience with me. I know it has been a while since my last chapter and I appreciate your willingness to wait for the next one. I did have a lot of difficulty writing this one, so I do hope you enjoy it and any constructive feedback will be particularly appreciated. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and I sincerely hope I didn't miss replying to any of you. Please enjoy the story.

AN2: Currently this story has Luna as the second main character. It is no secret that I do intend for Luna to be the eventual love interest, however much of Luna's original role has been usurped by other characters. I am now wondering whether it is misleading to leave Luna up as main character considering the greater context of the story, or whether her role as love interest makes up for that. Main character labelling can be a bit controversial so feel free to PM me or comment in a review if you have an opinion on this. Considering what people say I may take Luna off the main character listing, and leave it labelled as purely a Harry story.

AN3: Thanks as always to Teufel1987 for betaing this chapter. It is much appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, I doubt even the first book would be finished by now.

Since it was only a couple of hours before he would have had to get up anyway, Harry decided not to go to bed again. His mind was far too active and in any case, he normally found it difficult to go back to sleep once he was awake. Glory and Chris clearly felt the same way, as they went into their rooms to get changed and then went into the common area and got out a chess set. From their moves, Harry could tell their heart wasn't in it. Their lacklustre commands caused their pieces to slump and move reluctantly to their opponents, dejectedly and morose.

Harry meanwhile ordered his own things to be collected, and then went into the room he was sharing with Chris to organise it and settle in; the meaningless chore effectively distracting his mind until it came time to go to breakfast.

Before leaving his room, he checked his hair, straightened his tie and made sure he looked as regal as possible. Chris and Glory did the same before together they stepped into the corridors. They were largely empty. They had timed leaving their rooms so that they would enter the hall when it was already mostly full, so only a few stragglers were hurrying to breakfast. All these stragglers stopped to gawk and whisper when they caught sight of the three Potters. They had rarely been seen together within Hogwarts and together, Harry had to admit, they did cut an imposing sight, especially with their respective guards walking behind them.

They reached the Great Hall as one, and the noisy clatter dimmed to nothing before erupting once more. The morning post had yet to arrive.

Harry split up from Glory and Chris with a nod of his head and walked over to the Hufflepuff table, where his friends hurriedly made room for him.

Justin passed him some breakfast, and Harry forced himself to eat for the sake of appearances, though it sat like lead in his stomach. Hannah Abbot exchanged a glance with Megan Jones. Hannah was easily the most motherly one of the group, and she noticed his mood.

"Is something wrong, Harry," she said with a worried look on her face, "When Wayne said you were not in your room this morning..." she trailed off.

Harry pushed his plate of food away, and reached for his juice. There was no use forcing himself to eat. He'd likely enough just make himself sick.

He opened his mouth slowly then paused before continuing on. It hadn't escaped his notice that people were leaning in eagerly to hear and he wasn't sure he was comfortable with that. There was no use hiding the matter though. Everything would be in the paper.

"Sirius Black," he began and Zacharias Smith looked up with a keen expression on his face, "Has escaped from Azkaban."

There was a lull in the conversation at just that moment and his voice rang across the hall. Several people screamed and Sally-Anne Perks let out a little 'meep'. Several others whitened and the hall erupted into noise and panic. Harry winced.

He looked up at Dumbledore who looked at him with an expression of profound dissapointment. Harry couldn't blame him. That was not well handled. It suddenly occurred to him, that Dumbledore had probably been planning an announcement in order to prevent this sort of reaction.

Dumbledore stood up and raised his wand into the sky, shooting off several loud bangs, and sparks. The hall quietened and he cleared his throat, and looked over his half-moon spectacles at them all.

"That wasn't quite the way I intended for you to be told, but what His Majesty has said is correct. Sirius Black has escaped."

A buzz of noise broke out across the hall, and Harry squirmed in his seat as several students stared unabashedly at him. Dumbledore raised his hand and at once there was quiet again.

"I must assure you that you are all perfectly safe within these walls," he said, looking down his crooked nose at the students. "However," and at this he turned very stern and imposing and Harry was reminded why Dumbledore was considered one of the most powerful Wizards in the world, "There are a few new rules that you will have to abide by, for your own safety and for the safety of your fellow students."

"Members of the Royal Guard will be patrolling the corridors and grounds. You are not to disturb them, or interfere with their business, but if they ask you anything you will cooperate with them. In addition to this, Dementors will be stationed at every entrance and exit to Hogwarts..."

Harry noted that Dumbledore did not look particularly pleased about that. He couldn't really blame him either. Dementors could tinge the atmosphere with grief and melancholy even from a distance, and being at every gate, they would effectively be surrounded. Harry imagined it wouldn't be long before morale began to plummet. Sirius Black was worse though. Much worse.

"And while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors cannot be fooled by tricks or disguises. It is not in their nature to understand pleading or excuses, and I cannot stress enough that they are dangerous. Therefore, I ask each of you, not to give them any reason to harm you."

A few students were looking pale, so Dumbledore smiled benignly at them and added, "However, several of the guards and teachers are capable of creating the Patronus charm, which is able to repel the Dementors. If any of you would like instruction in how to create this complex, and difficult piece of magic, then Professor Snape has graciously agreed to teach it to any who ask."

Professor Snape glared darkly down at the students, as if daring any of them to approach him. Harry was grateful that he was already having lessons, and he almost had a Corporeal Patronus. It was something with four legs and could only be described as huge.

Then Dumbledore clapped his hands and beamed down at the students, "On a lighter note, with the Triwizard tournament now only a month away, the selection process for those wanting to be part of an academic team is complete, and you can find out if you have been chosen on the notice board in the main hall, or alternatively in your respective common rooms. I have also been asked to inform you that the Quidditch tryouts for the School Team will be held on Saturday and will be conducted by Madam Hooch. The Captain will be chosen after the tryouts. Anyone who wishes to attend the tryouts should let Madam Hooch know before Saturday. The tryouts are open to anyone from second year and upwards. If enough first years show interest, a junior Quidditch competition will be made for you."

Excited whispers broke out at this and Harry could see that in the face of Quidditch, Sirius Black was almost forgotten. 'Well played,' Harry thought; filled with admiration for the masterful way that Dumbledore had diffused the situation he unwittingly created. If nothing else, Harry could learn a lot about crowd control from the man.

"Well, I think that is all the news I have for you this morning, and I think the professors want to begin their lessons. Off you trot. Chop, chop."

Harry got up with the rest of the students and began heading towards the door but as he reached it he caught sight of a flash of dark hair in the crowds. He quickly said goodbye to Wayne who had been next to him, promising to catch up and started making his way towards the girl, who had stopped just outside the notice board.

"Su," he shouted, and she looked up, confusion briefly painted on her face, before it was replaced with her usual cool mask. She quickly spotted him, and made her way over and gave a small bow.

"Your Majesty?" she bowed in question.

Harry's smile froze and suddenly he was uncertain over what he wanted to say. Why did she have to call him that? It made it all so awkward. Absently, he noted people looking at them, and he said softly, "Can I speak in private with you for a minute?"

She shifted uncomfortably, "Now? I'm kind of late for my..."

"It will only take a minute," Harry said, and with a sigh she relented and Harry led her over to a small alcove, and his guard stood watch so no one would be able to spy.

Once there, he became all tongue tied, and they stood in silence for several moments, before Su prompted, "What did you want to say to me, Your Majesty?"

"Will you go out with me," he blurted out, and Su froze with her hand mid- placing a bit of hair behind her ear. Whatever she had expected him to say, it certainly wasn't that.

"Excuse me," she asked.

Harry took a deep breath and said it again.

"Why?" she asked, looking genuinely confused, and utterly unable to hide it.

Because you're quite pretty, and you're honourable, and you fight really, really well, Harry thought to himself. Of course he couldn't say all that, because it would be really embarrassing and he was also aware that they were not very good reasons, especially not compared to the main one which was, "I like you. At least I think I do, and I want to get to know you a bit, to make sure."

Su stared at him for a moment and her mask slipped over her face and Harry braced himself for the cruel and humiliating rejection which was about to follow when she said...

"Alright."

Alright? Did she just say? He looked at her, and saw that there was a faint twitch at the corner of her mouth. Oh!

"That's good then," he breathed.

The twitch at her lips developed into a full blown smile and her eyes shone with mirth.

"How about Sunday?" she asked, and Harry did a quick mental check to see if he was free, before deciding, to hell with it, he'd make sure he was.

They quickly arranged times to meet and then the bell rang signifying that class was about to start. Without warning Su stood on her tiptoes, and pecked him on the cheek, before sauntering off to class.

His guard had to prompt Harry to send him on his way.

When mixing Blood from the Hungarian Horntail with extract of Whomping Willow, it is important to remember to use a neutralising agent as both are highly volatile ingredients. Blood in potions should always be handled carefully because of its highly magical nature and depending on how it was gathered it can have very different reactions in its use. For this reason, willingly given blood is always the safer blood to use but even this has its dangers. A good case study to look at is that of Mrs. Fosters who in the year 1645...

Harry clenched his fist tightly around his quill and tried to recall the case study of Mrs. Fosters for his extra essay, which Snape had assigned him. He thought it was mighty unfair that he had been given the assignment. After all, it wasn't his fault the cauldron had exploded. He was working with Hannah Abbot who was almost as bad at potions as Neville Longbottom. Still, whether it was fair or not, he wasn't going to not do the assignment. Snape didn't like him as it was and there was no need to give him an excuse to hand out a detention.

Still, doing the assignment was proving impossible with his brother making that racket in the background.

He squeezed his eyes and took a deep breath. He put the quill to parchment when there was an exclamation of "Goal! Yes!"

Harry jumped and made a line of ink right across half the essay. He swore.

"Damn it, Chris! Will you be quiet I am trying to do this essay."

Chris looked up from where his head had been buried in Which Broomstick? A sports magazine that included recordings of one of the matches that had taken place that past weekend so that those people who could not get tickets could still see the games. Harry did not care one bit about what match he was watching. What he wanted was for Chris to shut up so he could do his assignment.

Chris frowned and tapped the magazine with his wand to stop the recording.

"I'm trying to watch this match. Go and do the essay in your office. That is what it is there for."

He tapped the magazine, re-starting the match. Harry stood up, went over to the magazine and tapped it with his own wand, stopping it.

"I can't," he said through ground teeth. "I have put that office at the Egyptian Minister of Trade's use as he goes over the regulation that the British Ministry has drawn up which might allow flying carpets to be sold in this country."

Chris snorted, "Who would want a flying carpet anyway. Broomsticks are so much better. Anyway, if you wanted to do an essay you shouldn't have given up that room. I want to watch this match."

He tapped the magazine. Harry tapped it. The figures in the magazine were frozen in a comical position.

"Families find it more convenient to use than broomsticks and they are more comfortable over long distances. If you want to watch the match, why don't you go do it in the Gryffindor Common Room? I'm sure there are loads of people interested in watching it with you."

"This was my room first and I don't want to go. Why don't you go and do it in the Hufflepuff Common Room? Why should I have to leave?"

He tapped the magazine and it started again.

Harry said loudly, "Because you wouldn't even have this room if I wasn't King and I need to stick around in case the Minister finishes."

Instead of tapping it again he snatched the magazine off the bed. Chris immediately lunged for it but Harry held it behind his back out of reach, so Chris knocked Harry to the floor. What followed were a few minutes of mad wrestling, which ended when the door was opened by one of the Guards. At that precise moment in time, Harry was sitting on top of Chris, whilst Chris had one hand on Harry's chest, whilst the other half in his mouth, trying to push Harry away. The magazine lay forgotten several feet away.

The guard cleared his throat and Harry jumped off of Chris, straightening his robe and blushing terribly. What he must be thinking?

"The Minister has said that he will probably be some time going over the agreements and that he begs Your Majesty's leave to continue to use your office," the Guard said with suppressed mirth.

Harry nodded his head absently, and continued to straighten his robe. How had he got ink on it? Oh right, he'd knocked his pot off his desk in the fight.

Chris spoke up interrupting, "I think I'm going to head to the Common Room to watch the rest of this."

Then, swiftly he picked up the magazine and hurried out of the room. Harry stared after him. Why was he so eager to leave when a minute ago they'd been fighting over just that? Then Harry spotted the state of the room. The cheeky bugger! He'd left the mess for him to clear up.

Harry looked over at the Guard who was still waiting for a response. Well if there was an advantage to being King...

"I'm going to go to the library. Tell the Minister that when he is finished he can call on me there," he said as regally as he could.

The guard to his credit didn't say anything but simply bowed and without another word Harry grabbed his essay and strolled out of the room.

When Harry entered the library, it didn't take long for him to spot a table, with a familiar head of bushy hair behind a mountain of books. Wondering what his curious friend was studying this time he headed over.

"Hi Hermione," he said, dropping down into the seat next to her. She jumped.

"Oh! I didn't see you there."

Harry smirked. Of course she didn't. There was a book. Harry just didn't rate in comparison. Harry looked at the titles of the books and his eyebrows rose.

"What are all these for?"

Hermione had already gone back to her book and was chewing her bottom lip in agitation. She jolted again.

"This is for the Transfiguration team. I've had this idea for a while and even without making the team..." Harry couldn't resist a snort at the very idea that Hermione Granger would fail to make it onto an academic team. "...I would have tried to find time to develop it. Now I have an excuse and the others on the team seem ever so eager. If we can make this work, it will wipe the floor with the other schools."

She beamed at him.

Harry stared back bemused, "Yes, but what is the idea?"

She looked taken aback.

"It's the Animagus transformation of course."

Harry stared for a moment before saying slowly, "Hermione, the Animagus transformation already exists."

She waved her hand negligently.

"I know that," she said. "This isn't about making the Animagus transformation this is about making it more accessible to the everyday witch or wizard."

Harry translated that from Hermione speech. The Animagus transformation is very hard. She was trying to make it easier.

"Everyone knows it's such a complex and difficult piece of magic and so few are ever able to make the transformation. I've checked the register, there have only been seven Animagus this century..."

"That have been registered," Harry interrupted. He knew for a fact that there were several that were unregistered.

Hermione conceded the point but then continued, "Still, in proportion to the number of wizards, there should be far more walking about but there aren't. I've checked my facts. Every witch and wizard has an inner animal but so few are able to make the transformation. It's illogical."

"It's because everyone is going about the transformation the wrong way," a new voice piped up, and this time it was Harry's turn to jump. Without either of them noticing Luna had plopped down in the seat next to them.

Hermione was also surprised, "Hello Luna. What did you just say?"

"I said, wizards and witches are going about it the wrong way. They treat it like it is a transfiguration when really it isn't like a transfiguration at all.

"How can it not be like a transfiguration, your changing one thing into another?" Hermione said incredulously.

Instead of answering her Luna turned to Harry and said to him, "Tell me, what is the hardest thing about doing an animate to animate transfiguration?"

Harry thought for a second before saying tentatively, "Convincing the animal that it is the new animal, especially when the new animal goes against its natural instincts."

"Exactly," she beamed.

Harry stared in confusion. Evidently Hermione felt the same way as she exclaimed, "But that doesn't make any sense."

Luna got out a sugar quill and started nibbling it. Then she placed it behind her ear, "Doesn't it? Even in the most basic of transfigurations you have to convince something that it is something else. Matchstick to needle? You have to convince the matchstick that it is a needle. Ball to feather? You have to convince the ball that it doesn't have to fall, but instead it can float if it wants to, changing the essential quality of the item, if you want to go all Aristotelian on me. Inanimate to animate, you have to convince it that it is alive. Animate to inanimate, that it isn't. Even conjured items have to be convinced that they actually exist, otherwise they would fade. But Animagus! What essential quality are you changing?"

Harry was still confused but Hermione had the light of understanding in her eyes, "You're not changing anything. The Animagus is a representative of yourself at your most basic nature. In fact the most dangerous part of the Animagus transformation is not the transformation itself, but getting stuck, because the animal is so much a part of you, and even the most powerful transfigurations fade with time." Then she blinked and the light was gone. "But it can't be as easy as that!"

"Can't it?" Luna grinned, and with a pop, where once sat a blonde haired girl, now sat a beaver. She tilted her head to the side and stared at them with the most curious expression on her face. Hermione and Harry stared back, gobsmacked.

"Impossible," Hermione breathed, but after a moment of staring she turned back to her notes, muttering under her breath.

The beaver scrunched up her face and gave a little wiggle and with another pop, Luna was returned. She beamed at Harry, who still hadn't got over his shock.

"Do you like my form?" she said, and Harry choked.

"Yes, I... I..." Don't say anything bad! He searched for something to say, "Have you got it registered?"

She nodded her head and retrieved her sugar quill and bag, "Yes, in Switzerland." Before Harry could say anything she exclaimed, "I'm going Snorkack hunting now."

With a blink of an eye, she was gone.

Harry was sitting in his office when two owls swept into the room. He recognised them both instantly as Krum's Striped Owl, Gestreift – Yes he was that unoriginal – and Fleur's stocky Tawny, Autour. Fleur loved her little owl, considering it the cutest thing ever. Harry just thought it was a menace, which considering it knocked over his paperwork as it landed, and then had the nerve to stare cockily up at him, was probably a fair assessment.

Harry looked at his paperwork, now scattered on the floor, and thought that it had taken hours - when he should have been doing his potions – to sort. He'd have to give it up as a lost job.

He looked at the two owls. From experience, he knew that if he ignored Autour, he would likely peck where as Gestreift was normally quite stoic and well behaved. He glared at Autour as he took Fleur's letter.

He read it, blinked, and read it again.

My Dear Harry, it began.

I hope that this letter finds you in good health, though I am sure that I would hear if that were not so, as not a day goes by when you are not in the papers for some reason or other.

Harry knew that this was true, much to his continued displeasure.

It is such a shame that the same could not be said for me. Harry, my heart is broken in two. Krum, that deceitful, backstabbing, little...

And there the word was crossed out, which meant, Harry knew, that Fleur had written something terribly rude which her upbringing would not allow.

I shall not go there, as it is beneath my dignity to comment on such a dog. But I will relate what I know to be true. He has cheated on me and so we have broken up. I hope never to speak to him again, and I know that I will have your support in this.

Then several lines were crossed out, signifying that Fleur was quite agitated, otherwise she would never have sent the letter with mistakes.

I don't know how long it will be before I recover from such disappointment and heartache, but it is a dear comfort to me to know that I have your friendship. It lightens my heart when I realise that in less than a month, I will see you again and then perhaps I will re-find happiness. Until then though, I will have to hope that I can overcome my own misery and melancholy.

Your dear and faithful friend,

Fleur Delacour.

For a moment Harry was overcome with rage on behalf of his friend. How dare Krum cheat on her! How dare he hurt her! He had half a mind to destroy the letter without reading it. He was glad that he didn't as the letter read.

Harry,

By now I am sure that you have received a letter from Fleur. Do not listen to it! We have broken up, but I did not, nor have I ever cheated on her. She saw a picture of me with my Coach's daughter and assumed the worst, and stubborn as she is, she just won't listen! She's let her damned Veela jealousy get the better of her.

As it is though, I'm glad I learnt about this side of her before we got any more deeply involved. Even if she listened to me now, I wouldn't date her again. I couldn't date a person who doesn't trust me and unfortunately her Veela half will never allow her to trust me, not when I am so successful.

For your sake, I hope to patch up the damage before we come to Hogwarts, but knowing Fleur I do not have that much hope. That girl can hold a grudge.

I'm sorry you're stuck in the middle,

Krum.

Harry felt his rage ebb away and then groaned. Great! He'd missed his best friends and now they weren't talking to each other. When they got to Hogwarts, unless by some miracle Krum did manage to appease Fleur, they'd be unbearable.

What was he going to do now?

The Carriage and Thestral Inn was as busy as it always was on a Friday evening. People had finished their working week, and so flocked to the pub for a pint or two before heading home to their families for the weekend. The low lit lamps, beamed ceiling, and smoky atmosphere were the perfect ending for a hard week of work.

"Wahay!" came a shout from a group of red-robed Aurors sitting in a corner booth as the door swung open, admitting a pink haired Tonks.

Tonks smiled and waved at them, stopping at the bar to get her own pint before heading over.

"Is it not the lady of the hour? Ay Captain," said Aaron Baines, a young man who wasn't on her team, but whom Tonks thought would be a worthy addition.

Tonks blushed right through to her roots and tips at her new promotion, given to her just that afternoon after work. She was the youngest Captain since the war, and she was rightly proud.

Tonks quickly settled into the hub and flow as drink after drink was offered to her. Unfortunately Tonks had to decline as she would be heading another mission the next day and she wouldn't do that with a hangover. She wanted to live up to her new title.

Aaron seemed to notice as he frowned at her and said, "You're not drinking much. Shouldn't you be celebrating?"

Tonks shrugged, "I'm apparating, and anyway I have work tomorrow." There was no harm in saying that.

"Fair enough, what is it that you are doing anyway?"

Tonks was about to answer when a purple-robed Royal Guard came over, his own pint in his hand.

"Hi, Tonks, I hear congratulations are in order?"

Tonks beamed at him, "Thanks, Owen. It was a bit of a shock. What are you doing here though? Shouldn't you be on guard duty right about now?"

He sat down next to her, "No, I have the weekend off, family thing. I'm quite glad, working in a school full of children is hard, not that I don't love being back at Hogwarts."

Tonks smiled and Aaron butted into the conversation, "How is His Majesty anyway."

Owen took a gulp of his drink and slammed it back on the table, "No idea. I rarely see him. I'm assigned to the Princess."

Tonks thought that was a bit odd. So did Aaron it seemed as he prodded, "But surely they are together quite a bit? They are siblings."

"Well, I've seen more of him in the past week, now that he is sharing a room with his brother, but between you and me..." he paused, looked furtively around the room, leant in close and whispered. The other two leaned in close to hear, "Between you and me, I don't think the siblings get along that well."

Tonks frowned but it was Aaron who put into words her thoughts, "You think there is something fishy going on in the royal pond?"

"No, I mean, I don't know. At times they seem perfectly normal, but others..." he said thoughtfully. Then he shook his head, "Their family isn't a normal family, but I haven't seen anything to be concerned about. At least I don't think I have."

Tonks breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, it wasn't in her jurisdiction to worry about the King's home life, but she was relieved nonetheless.

"If you do see something to worry about, you'll report it straight away to Moody, right?" she couldn't help but ask.

Owen took a long pull of his drink, "Tonks, if I see something to worry about. I won't need to say anything to Moody."

This, Tonks reflected, was probably the truest statement out there.

It was Saturday and Harry was on his way down to the Quidditch pitch with what seemed like half the school. Harry sincerely hoped that most of them were there to watch or else it would take until tomorrow as well, and then Harry would miss his date with Su.

"Your Majesty!" a voice shouted behind him and Harry paused and turned to look and saw Ron Weasley limping towards him, a bright smile on his face.

"Hi, Ron," said Harry.

"Hello, great morning for Quidditch isn't it."

"You're not going to compete are you?" Harry asked, looking incredulously at his cane.

"Nah," Ron waved him off, "I can ride a broom, but my leg stops me from playing at anything near competitive level. It can't handle the strain and it can't pull off several manoeuvres."

Then his tone went all wistful and he got this far off expression on his face, "It's ironic though. When I was younger I had this dream. I saw it in a mirror and everything..."

At Harry's confused look he said, "I'll explain that later, it is a long story. But, I had this dream. I was going to be Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor and Headboy. It would have been brilliant. I would have beaten all my brothers who came before me. It was shallow and an awful dream, I know, but I wanted it so badly. It would never have happened, I know now, not with Chris around to be Prefect, but I always had the Quidditch dream, because I was good, Harry. Maybe not to professional level, but I was good. But then, there was the whole thing with the stone..."

He trailed off and there was silence for several seconds before he shook his head and smiled broadly, "But you know what, I wouldn't have changed the past for all the world. I'm far more famous then I would ever have been as a mere Quidditch Captain."

Harry nodded mutely, but he could see that there was something dark hidden behind his eyes and that Ron was not anywhere near as happy as he was pretending to be. It occurred to Harry that for all that Ron was the Hero of Hogwarts, he had lost something when it happened and it wasn't something that he could ever get back.

Ron carried on as if nothing was the matter and Harry, out of kindness, allowed him the illusion, "Anyway, I take it you're going to the tryouts as well. Are you watching?"

"No, I make a fair seeker, so I figured I would try to get it."

"I don't see your broom anywhere?" Ron questioned.

"Yeah, well, I figured I could borrow one of the school brooms. I don't actually have my own broom as Beauxbatons required us all to use school brooms so nobody would have an unfair advantage," Harry explained.

Ron froze where they were walking, "Your Majesty is planning to use one of the school brooms?"

"Yes," Harry said slowly.

Ron gulped, "Have you seen the school brooms?"

Now Harry was getting a sinking feeling in his stomach. "No, why?"

Ron let out a chuckle and said, "Because the school brooms are only fit to be used as firewood. I swear that there is an old Moontrimmer in there and I know for a fact that there is a Silver Arrow."

Now it was Harrys' turn to freeze, "Do you know how much those brooms are worth?" he gasped.

"An awful lot, I'd imagine, but it doesn't change the fact that they are not fit to be flown."

That brought the point home and Harry groaned, "I don't have anything to fly though."

If he'd known, he could have ordered a broom. There was no doubt that he'd have been able to get one in just a week. Heck, the company would probably have given him a broom for free, just for the advertising perks. 'The broom of Kings' and all that.

"Is there anyone you can borrow a broom from?" Ron asked.

At just that moment Harry spotted Cedric coming up the stairs from the Hufflepuff Common Room and hailed him over. Cedric came over with a wide grin on his face.

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"Cedric," Harry began desperately, "Are you planning on trying out for the Quidditch team?" he said spotting the broom swung over Cedric's shoulder.

Cedric noted what he was looking at and said, "Oh, no. I'm hoping to be the Triwizard Champion and I wouldn't have time for that and Quidditch. I've offered to help out Hooch with the selection process though. Why?"

Harry explained the situation and Cedric frowned, "Well, I guess you can borrow my broom for the tryouts, Your Majesty. It's a Cleansweep 7, not the best broom around but serviceable enough. I can use one of the school brooms. It's not like I need a good broom to observe."

Harry thanked him profusely and Cedric waved it away, "It's no problem. Regardless of the fact that it is my duty to serve you, I would likely enough have done it for anyone in that situation."

"I am grateful though."

"Yeah, well as grateful as you might be, if we don't hurry, even with a broom you won't make the team as we will miss the tryouts."

Realising the truth of this, Harry, Ron and Cedric, hurried down to the Quidditch pitch.

Harry's hope was unfounded as it quickly became apparent that most of the people were there to compete. Thankfully the huge numbers were whittled down very quickly by some basic flying tests. Harry couldn't help but be bemused. Why were some of those people even attempting to join the team? Some of them couldn't even stay on a broom, whilst others were in danger of knocking both themselves and others out of the sky. However, once they'd all been eliminated and sent into the stands to watch, the numbers were much more manageable and the real tryouts could begin.

They were split according to the positions they were applying for and Harry was pleased to see Chris going off with the other Keepers. Harry knew that he was an excellent flyer. He competed against Krum after all, and Krum was known to be world class. He also knew though that Chris was probably just as good and that whilst Harry might have a slight advantage in speed due to body weight, Chris would make it more than a challenge. As it was though, Chris obviously recognised that he would make a better Keeper than Seeker.

There were fifteen students applying to be Seeker including a pretty Chinese girl who Harry knew was dating Cedric and Draco Malfoy. Draco smirked at Harry from atop his polished Nimbus 2001, as it hovered gently over the ground.

"I hope that Your Majesty is up to the challenge. I am after all the best seeker in the school."

In answer Harry swung over the broom and kicked off into the air, leaving a trail of dust in his wake, pushing the old Cleansweep to the limits of its speed and agility. He looked behind him and saw Draco staring open jawed at him. Noticing Harry looking at him, he shut it with a clack. Harry couldn't resist the taunting jibe, "I think I can manage."

After that they had to catch a series of apples thrown at increasing further distances away from them and the fifteen was cut to ten. Then the ten had to complete an obstacle course which was designed to force the flyer to perform various Seeker techniques, as well as steep dives and climbs and the ten was cut to five, amongst them Cho, the pretty Chinese girl, Draco, Harry, Ginny Weasley, and surprisingly Colin Creevey. Although it was clear that Colin was not up to the standard of the other four.

For the remaining five, two snitches were released. It was a tense competition but at last Harry prevailed catching the first snitch, followed shortly by Draco with the second. Harry now knew that Draco hadn't been mindlessly boasting. He was talented, although Harry suspected that he was still the better flyer.

By this point all the other selection processes were almost complete. They had enough players to make two complete teams, and whatever happened whoever did not make the final team would be on the reserve. Each player would be observed on their own merit and not on whether they were on the winning team or not.

It was time for the highlight of the tryouts and what most people had been looking forward to. A quidditch match. On one team there was Harry, Draco's goons as Harry liked to call Crabbe and Goyle, Cormac McLaggen, Demelza Robins, Alicia Spinnet, and surprisingly Zacharias Smith. Cormac was made temporary captain of the team, by virtue of the fact that he asked and nobody else cared much to argue.

The other team included Chris, the infamous Weasley twins, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Montague ("I don't have a first name, and if anyone says otherwise they are lying, got it!") and Draco. Surprisingly enough, no Ravenclaws made the team and only two Hufflepuffs, which really emphasised the Slytherin and Gryffindor monopoly on quidditch players.

The two temporary Captains were made to shake hands – Angelina for the other team, although she and Montague had almost come to blows over it, and it was only the fact that the Weasley twins backed up Angelina which made a difference – and then they were off.

For the first few minutes the game went brilliantly, especially since at some point Luna had got hold of a microphone and she was cheerfully and obliviously commenting on the game. Then without warning a bludger came hurtling towards him and then another in a Dopplebeater Defence. Harry executed a perfect Sloth Grip Roll and righted himself just as the whistle blew indicating a foul. Harry flew over to where Cormac was as did the others in slight confusion. Why had a time out been called so soon?

"What do you two think you are doing out there?" Cormac screamed at Crabbe and Goyle. They looked at each other in confusion.

"Because of your inattention, His Majesty was almost hit by a bludger. Do you want that on your conscience?"

Harry thought that was a bit unfair. After all, Fred and George were excellent beaters and Harry expected to be hit by a bludger every now and again. He opened his mouth to protest, "Cormac, its fine. Crabbe, Goyle, you two are doing a brilliant job. Don't worry about it. It's not your fault. The Dopplebeater Defence is notoriously difficult to counter and it is the Twins signature move."

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Cormac sneered and Harry started to really dislike him. "Your safety is paramount, and it is the responsibility of the Beaters to make sure you remain safe. What the Weasleys were thinking sending such an attack against you, I do not know, but I intend to have words with them."

Before Harry could stop him he was off flying towards the twins. Harry got a sinking feeling in his stomach when he noticed that they were also being yelled at, by Angelina, Montague, and Draco.

He quickly flew over just in time to hear Angelina say, "You are not to target His Majesty. I can't believe you two, knowingly endangering his life!"

The twins stared sullenly at the others in silence and Harry snapped, "I knowingly endanger myself. This is a game people, and I expect to be treated like every other participant!"

"But, Your Majesty!" Draco protested, and Harry silenced him with a glare before flying away, hoping that was the end of it. He was beginning to think that he ought to have tried out in disguise.

The game quickly resumed but Harry quickly realised that it was not the end of it. No bludger went anywhere near him and several times Harry sped off to intercept some Chasers only for them to not counter his move at all. It came to a head when Harry sped towards the ground at top speed, chasing the snitch, with Draco just behind him. Unfortunately for him Demelza accidentally got in the way and he had to pull to a sudden stop. Draco instantly stopped as well.

Harry'd had enough.

He flew to the ground in a rage and landed, dismounting his broom. A hush flew over the stadium. Draco realising his mistake quickly flew after him as did the rest of the teams.

"Your Majesty, wait!" he shouted as Harry walked to the stadium exit.

He stilled and turned around, his back rigid and his face cold. "You threw the game."

Draco stared at the ground, "I know and I'm..."

"Do you think that I am such a sad human being that I can't handle losing? Do you think so little of me? I do not need to be coddled, Draco Malfoy."

"We were just trying to protect you," said Katie Bell.

"I do not need to be protected by you, Miss Bell. I intended to compete, but the only people who have acted like they have the same intention are Fred and George and my brother, and my brother doesn't exactly have much interaction with me in the game. Since you all have no intention of playing properly with me around, I see no recourse but for me to leave."

They all started protesting and then another figure landed near them and Cedric was standing at Harry's back. "There is no need for that, Your Majesty. I think that they have learnt their lesson and will now play properly."

Draco began to protest but Cedric issued him a stern glare. Harry thought that the glare on what was usually a smiling face was quite effective.

They all agreed and Harry felt his anger ebb away and remounted his broom.

The second half of the game was much more enjoyable. Chris's team quickly took the lead as it became clear that whilst Alicia was brilliant and Demelza was fantastic at dodging bludgers, overall the stronger chaser side was with Angelina and Katie, with Montague almost acting like a human bludger. Fred and George were prodigious beaters and it was apparent that even if Chris was not an excellent Keeper, he would have been better than Cormac. Cormac seemed more intent in watching the game and telling his team what to do, than actually guarding the goals. It was apparent that if Harry wanted his team to win, he would have to catch the snitch.

Unfortunately for him Draco had taken up the strategy of guarding his tail. With his superior broom, if Harry wanted any chance of winning he would have to shake him loose somehow.

Suddenly, Harry angled his broom to an almost vertical position, and got an intense look of concentration on his face and he sped off towards the ground. Draco followed behind him, his head dodging left and right, looking for a sign of what Harry spotted. At the last possible second, Draco pulled neck and neck with Harry. Harry instantly pulled up. Draco's eyes widened as he realised his error, right before he slammed into the ground.

Meanwhile Harry had spotted the snitch and shot off in its direction. Draco, remounting his broom had no way of catching up with him.

The snitch was hovering just next to his brother's shoulder, and Harry reached out a hand to grab it. At just that moment something hard and solid, slammed into the back of him knocking him off his broom and into his brother. They both span wildly towards the ground, but thankfully were not that high up. Still, Harry landed hard on his left arm and with a stabbing pain, felt it crunch beneath him. Someone screamed as Harry slowly sat up, looking at the bloody mess that was his arm. A meter away Chris was on his knees, spitting blood and broken tooth out of his mouth.

As several people came running towards them, Harry felt something cold and round, wiggling in his sleeve. He reached inside and grabbed it and stared as shock began to set in.

He'd performed the Plumpton Pass.

Sunday came quickly and to Harry's good fortune he had no problem greeting it as Madam Pomfrey was a superb healer. That hadn't stopped her from ranting about the dangers of quidditch and the teenagers who insisted in taking part in such dangerous activities. Harry let her rant as she did such a fine job of fixing him up and he was prepared to put up with a lot for talent. She was even able to regrow Chris's teeth and that was not something that the average healer could do.

Harry spent some time deciding what to wear for his date before Chris decided that since Harry was being such a girl, he would get Glory to help him do his hair and nails. Glory had in fact been quite eager to do his hair, claiming that it was an embarrassment and that he should at least try and do something with it. He didn't have to let the Potter hair win. Harry put his foot down though and Glory had left in a huff, saying that he'd regret it when Su dumped him for his hair. Harry rather thought that Su was not that shallow and if she was, then he was better off without her.

Then he went down to the entrance hall where he had agreed to meet her. She was already waiting and together they went into Hogsmeade.

The date actually started quite well. They found it easy to get along with each other. Su had a rather dry and sarcastic sense of humour once she felt comfortable enough to use it and Harry had a way of setting her at ease. She was also a keen duellist and the two chatted happily about various matches and competitors as they went from store to store. Su's favourite competitor was the Wizard, Amias Assumptio. Harry thought his name sounded rather like a spell. Su agreed and then proceeded to explain that his name actually was a spell. She then proceeded to explain the grand history of the spell and the numerous incidents people had got into when saying his name with a wand in hand until he'd changed his name to Ajax. Harry then recognised the duellers name and agreed that Ajax was very good.

It had all gone to pot when someone had recognised Harry, so that when they emerged from Honeydukes is was to a flash of photography in their faces and a slew of questions from eager reporters. Before Harry could react Su grabbed him, pushed him behind her and shoved him back into the shop.

Harry righted himself and straightened his robe, impressed with her quick reaction time, and slightly embarrassed by it as well. He should have protected her!

Su must have interpreted his look because she smiled slightly and flicked her hair over her shoulder, and explained. "My Father is a muggle and a professional bodyguard. I am his only child and so he trained me to follow in his footsteps. That didn't change just because I have magic." Then she looked a bit unsure and added, "That doesn't bother you, does it?"

"No, of course not," he quickly assured her, even though it had slightly bothered him, although he was sure he'd get over that.

After that they decided to continue their date somewhere else. Harry was allowed to go anywhere because of his position and they figured that since Su was with him, the same could be said for her. If not, Harry promised that he would take the blame. The store owner graciously allowed them to use his backroom, and from there they flooed to Diagon Alley and before anyone realised who was amongst them, they headed into muggle London.

The date resumed with them going to a restaurant and then spending the afternoon shopping, although neither of them felt the urge to buy much. They were walking back towards Diagon Alley when Su spotted something.

"That looks fun!" she exclaimed, "Let's go in there."

She was pointing at a rather large building which had in bright, yellow writing on the roof, the words exclaiming Tricks and Acrobatics and then underneath on a window it had, Circus Activities for all Ages and Levels. Inquire inside for details on parties and events!

They headed inside and found out that it wasn't just for parties and that they had space for the two of them to take go in if they wished and he passed them the health and safety forms to sign. Harry quickly looked at his watch.

"We have time to go in for an hour, I think."

"That will be brilliant. Let's do it!"

There were all sorts of activities inside. There was juggling, stilts and Diablo's for the older children and for the younger a small play area with pictures of clowns to colour in, and face painting so they could become clowns themselves, or lions so they could pretend to do lion taming. There were trampolines, trapezes, and various other gymnastic equipments, and hanging above it all was a tightrope.

Su immediately headed over to the trampoline, but after spending a bit of time with her, Harry was drawn to the tightrope, much to his guard's (who was disguised as a chaperone) unease. He was quickly harnessed up and given a safety talk and then he began.

It was hard going. Harry could feel the rope shaking with every step and he had to hold his arms out on either side to keep from toppling and even with the harness he felt a strong thrill. He had a feeling he was doing rather well as he had seen others try and they had barely made it a few steps, although he figured that might have something to do with him having stood on a broomstick whilst it was flying at top speed before.

He had just made it half way, when by chance he looked across at Su right when she was attempting to juggle some balls. She tossed three balls in the air, and all three of them she missed and they landed comically, one after the other on her face.

Harry couldn't help it. He laughed, and in doing so, he lost his footing and began to fall. The harness caught him with a jolt. Then suddenly, there was a tearing sound and the harness snapped. He fell. Harry saw the ground rushing up to meet him. Someone screamed. He shut his eyes.

Then nothing happened. He slowly opened his eyes, and saw that he was hovering, several meters above the ground. He looked at his guard in confusion, but noted that his hand was still reaching for his wand. Only a second had passed since his descent began. The guard was staring at his chest. Harry looked down and saw Luna's necklace, the one she had given him on the train.

It was glowing.

They had to get the obliviators in unfortunately, as they couldn't explain away floating in mid-air. Because of this, it was quite late when they got back to Hogwarts and Harry knew, just knew that the whole incident would be in the next day's paper. He resolved to seek Luna out and thank her before then.

Harry walked Su to her Common Room, and the two stood in silence for a moment before Harry said, "Well, that was fun."

"It certainly was interesting," Su agreed.

A moment passed and then the two burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, this isn't working is it?" Harry asked whilst wiping away a tear.

"No it isn't." Su laughed herself.

After they composed themselves Su explained to Harry, "Actually, I didn't think we would be suited for each other, but you're a nice guy and I figured it couldn't hurt."

"Yeah, well you were right on the money, with that prediction," Harry snorted.

"I did have fun," she said earnestly.

Harry snorted again, "At which point, when the press was there or when the obliviators were?"

"Like I said, that just made it interesting."

"Well, I've been on worst dates."

Su looked curiously at him and Harry kept his mouth shut. No way was he going to be talking about that event. No way.

"Now, I am curious."

"Tough."

"We're friends aren't we?"

Harry looked at her and said, "Yes, we are Su. Yes we are."

Final end of chapter AN: In this chapter, Luna mentions registering an animagus form in an other country. I know I have seen this idea before, but for the life of me, I can't remember where. If anyone knows, please tell me so I can credit it. Unless it is a pretty common idea, in which case I've fallen into another cliche and it doesn't matter. Cheers. Cap ;)