[a/n-1]About my antiNFL rant from #96, all my paraphernalia is gone. A friend texted me with the usual banter, 'my team' hadn't won Sunday. Didn't even flip once to the game. Just mentioning it because it sparked interesting PMs, some in support, some in opposition. I want to thank one opposer in particular [without naming him/her] Debate may not change either's opinion but, truthfully, it's fun.

[a/n0]Well no one complained about Lucius' fate. Well except for Harrison .He should have been thrown through the veil ex-post-facto.Hands Off MY Wolfie observed He's also as mouthy as his son Can't we imagine a long-haired blond terrorizing Hogwarts of the late 60s with 'Wait'll I tell Abraxas!" A sequel might be in order

[a/n]Meanwhile, a foray into fluff

Harry Does Different CCCXLIX

So Ugly

"Hello Harry Potter." The blonde Ravenclaw greeted him with a spacey expression punctuated by protuberant eyes.

The young Gryffindor backed away some, thinking for a hero he was making a pretty poor showing "I'm sorry. I remember meeting you on the train but I don't recall your name."

"Of no concern at all." Came airy reply "I am Luna Lovegood." She was holding a small wicker basket and had just tossed an apple slice to a creature.

Harry watched the odd, ungainly thing. It was small, rather a large dog. It didn't seem to have skin, except for what had to be wings. Its head recalled a dragon. A larger one, probably the mom, came up and nudged the smaller one away. It gave a brief snort at the humans before trotting off. Harry smiled and commented "Never seen the like."

Luna Lovegood: "They're called Thestrals. They're quite gentle, really... But people avoid them because they're a bit..."

Harry Potter: "Different. But why can't the others see them?"

Luna Lovegood: "They can only be seen by people who've seen death."— Harry and Luna discussing Thestrals

"I think I like them." Harry pulled an apple slice from Luna's baske and tossed it underhanded into a cluster. A large thestral sniffed at the offering, then pushed it to a small one. This one walked right to the humans, plucked a slice from Luna's basket and swallowed it whole. It lightly butted its head on her arm. He commented with a smile "They sure are ugly."

Luna affected a haughty glare and countered "They are positively distinguished looking."

"Y-wa" stammered Harry in shock at the witch's change in demeanor. He very gently touched a wing then nodded "Feels a bit like leather. I guess you're right, Luna, distinguished fits. Do you actually fly?"

What isn't quite obvious is that wings evolve from hands and arms. The wizard was forcibly reminded of this fact as he was plucked off his feet and sat on the thestral's back. A bare second to gather his senses and the horselike creature thundered through the clearing. The wings beat a few times and they were airborne.

"Wh-ooah." At first he was scared out of his wits, but as with Buckbeak, it soon became thrilling. As they circled above the Forbidden Forset, Harry let out an almighty "YAAHOOOOOO!"

Luna was there when they landed perhaps five minutes later. Her head tilted in contemplation she wondered "You know, Harry Potter, to those unfortunate enough to not see thestrals…that must look a bit scary."

"Thank you so much!" he swung his legs and hopped off, then hugged the thestral's neck enthusiastically. He wasn't the least bothered by the feel of its skin "You want a turn, Luna?"

She looked askance "The first time I flew I broke my ankle. I barely made an A in Flying Class. People like you are artistes."

"My friend Neville broke his wrist in First Year." Harry commiserated while still petting the thestral's side "You are positively distinguished looking."

The thestral snorted, then trotted back to the herd.

"You have made a friend, Harry Potter." She waved to the creature.

He copied the gesture and added "Maybe two, Luna Lovegood. Let's not miss curfew." And the two headed back together.