Chapter 33

N/A I don't own anything you recognize. Sorry for the extremely long wait and shorter than I would like chapter. This past year has been extremely hard both on my mind and body. I will be trying to get back in the swing of things. Thank you all for sticking with me. :) Special Thanks Tina Phixaykoune, davycrockett100, .58, yng2bhdls, supergrandefan, 1speedreader1, ts-29, Ponda, 1. TINA PHIXAYKOUNE, Hectorsmom, lyraXIII, HappyFox, imiko-hiei, Ronin Kenshin, Kradissian, k4m3j0, MayaCC, Darlok, greyowl1997, raelwell9696, kingling, supersta126, Dragonsblood62463, DaYaNa1997, Lala, Slater01,

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The next morning Harry woke up with a clear plan in mind or at least the beginnings of a clear plan. He would not let Lockhart mess up what would hopefully be an uneventful year. After all there was no way that Ginny would be writing in Riddle's diary, get possessed, open up the chamber and set Viride loose on the school. It just wasn't a feasible idea considering that the diary was destroyed and he visited Viride regularly. She would tell him if anyone strange came around. And if she did end up controlled he was sure to realize it right?

Harry sighed to himself. Sure. Normal year. That was how it would end being he was sure because fate just loved him. He rolled his eyes. Yeah right. He was fate's favorite chew toy. He could hope though. He would keep thinking that way till something happened.

Grabbing a quick shower, he changed into his school uniform and was just finishing tying his tie as his roommates were beginning to stir. Normally he would he go run first but he was actually running a little late after up a little bit last night to work on his plans for Lockhart, he had ended up falling asleep a little later he usually did. He also wanted to be the first of his friends (and hopefully soon to be friends once again).

It was quiet enough as he wondered up from the area around the kitchen where the Hufflepuff common room and dorms were located to the great hall. As he had hoped, the great was basically deserted and none of his friends were there yet. His decision of where to sit made the night before, he made his way to the middle of the Ravenclaw table and sat down.

Just as he was doing that, the food arrived. Harry happily grabbed some fruit, eggs, and of course bacon. He was almost sure that Hedwig would be showing up at some point during and if he didn't have any he would have a very angry companion on his hands. That was never fun. His hands hurt in memory of the last time that happened.

He was just starting on his meal when Hermione wandered in with, as he had hoped, Luna trailing behind her Hermione holding her hand all the way. Harry could tell behind Luna's airy facade that she was scared an unsure. It was clear that Hermione was trying very hard to show that she was her friend. It was easier said than done, Harry knew. Like Hermione, Luna had always been different and been made fun of. Also like Hermione, she put up a mask to avoid being hurt. While Hermione's mask consisted of a bookworm unconcerned with what her peers thought of her, Luna's was of a dreamy airhead who was slightly insane. Harry had several years of seeing behind her mask though. While Luna died in the explosion at Hogwarts, Harry had still spent enough time around her to know her feelings right at the moment.

One of his missions this year was to make her feel included in the group and let her know that she had friends in him and his friends. He would bring her out of her shell.

Harry waved the two girls over, Luna hesitated but not for long as Hermione still had a hold of her hand. They settled around him Hermione at least started grabbing some breakfast. After a moment, Luna did as well.

"Morning ladies, so how was your night? Did you get settled in Luna?" Harry asked as he went back to his breakfast.

"Oh yes Harry, I did have a bit of trouble as I am excited for classes to begin. I can't wait for Defense..." and here Harry began to tune her out as she started going on about the blond menace. Harry really could not help it. He knew that when Hermione got going on a topic that she could and would keep going for a while. Therefore he turned to hear Luna's answer to his question.

"Oh it was fine. Ravenclaw is interesting. Many of them are surrounded by nargles though. I told my roommates that they should get rid of them. They did not seem to understand. I hope that they are not deaf. I would have suggested that they get looked at but I did not want to offend them. I did sleep well though." She answered as she made a pyramid out of her fruit.

"That is good Luna. Too bad about all the nargles though. Let me know if they start taking your things alright. I heard the ones around the school like to do that sometimes and I would hate for your things to go missing if I could prevent it." Harry said taking a sip of pumpkin juice.

"That is very kind of you Harry. I will let you know." Harry could tell she was startled by his proclamation. He meant it too. If he saw her without her shoes again, someone was going to be in some serious trouble. He really hoped that she would soon feel comfortable enough with him to come to him if something like that happened to her this time.

It was at that moment that Ginny came in. Harry waved her over. She looked surprised but came over all the same, blushing a bit.

"Hello Ginny, come sit with us."

"Are you sure? I can do sit here even though I'm a Gryffindor?" She was confused clearly.

Before Harry could answer in the affirmative, Hermione spoke up. "Sure. We sat together all over the place last year and never got into trouble. Plus it says in Hogwarts A History that you can sit at any table except during feasts. Good Morning Ginny."

"Oh. Cool." With that Ginny sat on the other side of Hermione.

It was not long after that that Neville came in looking harried.

"Sorry guys, I overslept." He said sheepishly as he sat down.

"No problem Nev. We were just finding out how Ginny's night was." Harry told him.

"You were?" Ginny jumped startled.

"Yes. After all Hermione and Luna already told me how there's was. Why wouldn't I want to know how yours was?"

She was stunned. "Oh it was alright. My roommates seem nice enough."

"I am glad. Let me know if you need anything. I want to be sure that you and Luna both are able to settle in well. You guys are my friends after all." He smiled at both Ginny and Luna in turn.

Luna gave him a brilliant smile back whilst Ginny's was more hesitant but still there.

They all returned to their breakfasts to try to finish them before they got their schedules and had to get to their class of the day.

That hope was dashed as Colin Creevey came running up to them or more specifically Harry. Inwardly Harry sighed. He should have known this would happen. It did the last time around after all. He tried to head it off as he saw Lockhart make his way into the Great Hall.

"Hello Harry I'm Colin Creevey. I'm in Hufflepuff too. Is it already if one of your friends takes a picture of us." Colin began excitedly.

"Hello Colin, it is nice to meet you but could we do this later I mean..." Before Harry could get any farther Lockhart walks up.

"Boys what is this. Pictures. Now Creevey there are better times for pictures than the middle of breakfast. Tell you what you come by later and..." Giggling started up around him. "And Harry and I will both... both..." The laughter had gotten louder. "Now see here, what is the matter students?"

"Sorry Professor." Colin said. "It is just your hair."

"What about my hair?" Lockhart asked.

"Well... um..."

The so called Professor pulled out a mirror, took a look and gasped running from the great hall after getting a good look at his now violet and green streaked hair.

It took a few minutes for the students to calm down and by then it was almost time to leave.

"I tell you what Colin, you never mention anything to anyone and especially around Professor Lockhart and you can have a picture later. I will even sign it alright."

"Gee thanks Harry."Colin said scuttling off to find his first class.

"Potter? Did you just turn the Professor's hair color?" Malfoy said coming up to them.

"Harry tell me you weren't the one to do that." Hermione was obviously appalled.

"I will neither confirm nor deny that statement. I will say that you can not prove anything though." Harry said.

"Oh Harry." Hermione said exasperated.

"Oh look at the time. We must be getting to class." Harry grabbed his bag quickly and made for the door. The others had no choice but to follow him.

N/A Thank you for reading. This is unbetaed