Chapter 37: Relationships

Harry looked down at Luna who sprawled across his lap. She tossed her head to fix her platinum hair the way that she desired and turned to smile at Harry. He grinned back and stroked her soft hair with his hand. "I wish we had more time like this, together. We are way too busy though with the Order. It makes me wish we didn't need the order." He said to her as he admired some of the scenery enveloping the two of them. They were surrounded by beautiful foliage. Shorn leaves littered the forest floor they occupied. Harry lifted his mouth to Luna's. After a few moments of sharing saliva the two broke apart for air.

"I'm not looking forward to class tomorrow at all. I can't handle any more of Umbridge." Luna said as she began to brush herself off as she observed the lowering of the sun. She picked herself up from Harry's lap. He looked reluctant that she had to leave. He then stood up himself brushing off dead leaves from his back and legs. He then began to walk with Luna back to the castle with his arm slung around her slender waist. The two took in the sunset over the foliage as they came upon the entrance to the Great Hall.

"Well, I have the feeling that she isn't going to bother you anymore. It's just an intuitive thing you know, if you don't try to mess with her anyway. Don't forget that Terry and I have to deal with the big bitch too." Luna rolled her eyes at the use of the muggle curse. "What do you think she isn't a bitch or something?" Harry said as they made their way through the large double doors into Hogwarts. Luna shook her head in bemusement.

"She certainly is a bitch if what you elucidated the term as meaning is correct. I'm telling you if she keeps teaching like she has been she isn't going to be liked by many students here, that's for sure. No one will stand up to her though like you and Terry. I wish everyone had the courage you do Harry." Harry snorted at the comment in disbelief. "I'm serious sure you personally might not stand up to her but not responding to her bait also shows a certain poetic defiance. I really respect Susan who openly rebels more than me." She said as they began the ascent to the Ravenclaw Tower.

"Do you really think that I'm brave for just not responding to Umbridge? Most would consider it coward behavior. Most people who are like my sister. Kayla no doubt supports Umbridge and thinks it shows strength to side with the Ministry when all it shows is a translucent spine as far as I'm concerned. It's a good thing that Voldemort doesn't have designs on her any more. I can handle the bastard without the whole powerful ministry behind my back. If we're going to win this Luna we have to do it ourselves." He said to her as they reached the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. He grabbed both of her hands gently and looked into her eyes. "We will do it, that's all that matters."

Harry then walked up to the entrance hand in hand with Luna. Then he answered the riddle and the door opened to gain them access to the Ravenclaw common room. Terry was writing furiously with an ink quill. It was obvious that he had left the essay until this moment on Sunday night with class the next morning. Harry decided not to antagonize Terry and let him continue the essay. Luna rolled her eyes as if to say that the male gender was infinitely numb.

"I have a couple of inches left on my essay too."Harry said and went to get his stuff. Even he had not completed the assignment yet. (Terry would no doubt have touted this as a victory had he not been so wrapped up in finishing his own essay.) Luna went up to her dorm to get some reading material to peruse while her two friends hurried to get work done for tomorrow.

()()()()

The door crashed against the wall in visible fervor. Umbridge flew into her office like a tropical hurricane. "I can't believe that little son of a bitch. I can't tell anyone about that measly little threat of his. I just want to squeeze his neck until his little black haired head pops off! I must find a way to bypass his spell." She mumbled to herself as she tried to pour herself a cup of tea. She failed miserably as some of the hot beverage spilled over her papers. She slammed down the tea kettle on her desk in frustration.

"How does this happen to me? I'm one of the most successful members of the ministry. This little wizard punk shouldn't be able to get to me. I have been trained to handle any kind of person or threat. I just wish I could bypass the enchantment and reveal the little bastard to the world then he would receive his just desserts. All of the fury and might of the ministry would slam down upon him. That day will come and Harry Potter will rue the day he threatened Dolores Umbridge!" She said as she flung open the door to her private quarters.

()()()()

Terry looked over at Susan who sat at a library table furiously writing an essay for transfiguration. "I already have my essay done. I got it done last night." Terry nodded a he stretched out luxuriously. He laughed as Susan began to roll her eyes at his bragging. He walked behind her and began to massage her shoulders as she scribbled away at her paper. "I suppose I had a little bit of help from Harry, if you know what I mean." She shook her head in disbelief at the brazenness of his comment. He smiled at her reaction she had never cheated once in her life he would have bet.

"You count on your best friend way too much." She said after she finished her last sentence and turned around to Terry. "Without Harry you wouldn't be getting E's in any classes! How did you end up attached to the hip of one of the most intelligent wizards of our year?" She asked him as she began to pile up her school materials so they could leave the library.

"Well some of us choose our friends wisely I guess. We have things in common. It's not like I only had one reason to hitch my cart to his rising star-which he no doubt is even if most of the wizarding world doesn't realize it-I like him as a person." Terry explained as they made their way up a stair case that began floating up to the Ravenclaw Tower floor.

"I'm not saying that you're a cold blooded schemer. What I am saying is that you have made a good choice. Harry's definitely a good person to have as a best friend. I have no doubt that you will support him when this war really starts to rage over all of us." She commented as they came upon the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. Terry just solemnly nodded instead of replying.

()()()()

"What has that little bastard done now Wormtail? The last time you came to me with news you failed me. You better have obtained solid and confirmed information this time. I need to get that rodent under my claw!" Voldemort said as he turned around to look at his rodent like servant. "Well, out with it now."He said and motioned with his hand for the man to speed up.

"Apparently that report I obtained long ago was correct and we just missed a meeting of young students who have formed an organization against you Dark Lord. You must come down on them with all your might my lord! This time we will destroy them. That punk can't win against you with an army behind him!" Wormtail exclaimed.

"Not yet, my servant we shall wait until he doesn't expect the strike then we will annihilate these children who are playing out of their league." The flame crackled in the fire engulfing a log with bright yellow and orange flames.