Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I am writing this fanfiction for my own amusement and make no profit, all recognizable characters in this story are the property of J.K Rowling, Scholastic, Warner Brothers, etc.
Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts, 12/4/1995, 22:03
Harry entered the common room to find Ron and Hermione waiting for him on one of the couches by the fireplace, both of them already dressed in their pajamas.
"You're right on time," Hermione beamed as she shut her arithmancy book and slid it into her bag.
"Yes, we have a very big problem we have to figure out," Harry said as he cast a privacy charm around the fireplace before taking a seat in the armchair facing the couch.
"Yes, I thought so too," Hermione agreed, sitting up a bit straighter.
"What problem?" Ron asked in confusion.
"This new decree," Hermione said slowly.
"Exactly, the meeting schedule we have for the D.A won't work any longer it would be too easy for someone to notice forty students going to the seventh floor every Saturday after lunch," Harry elaborated.
"You're right, it's too predictable but finding different days to schedule meetings will be a nightmare," Hermione agreed.
"I know, I was hoping you might be able to figure out a schedule that will work," Harry said casually, giving Hermione a hopeful look.
"That's why you wanted me to be the group's leader, you knew something like this might happen, didn't you?" Hermione muttered, shooting Harry a look of irritation.
"You have a gift with organisations," Harry shrugged, not denying the accusation.
"You know how I apologized for getting you in trouble with Hannah?" Hermione asked in a tone dripping with annoyance.
"Yeah," Harry answered.
"I take it back, you're a right wanker," Hermione scowled.
"That's just rude," Harry chuckled.
"You must have got under her skin, Hermione never curses," Ron laughed.
" From I what I've heard about Umbridge, I had a feeling she wouldn't give up on the school, especially after the flaming toad prank. I figured it would be a good idea to let you run the group," Harry shrugged, trying not to laugh at Hermione's look of indignation.
"I never asked you to pull that prank on her," Hermione said with an exasperated sigh.
"She hurt my best friend, I wasn't about to let her get away with that," Harry shrugged as he leaned back in his seat.
"And I am very touched," Hermione assured him, giving him a soft smile.
"But I had a feeling it would have consequences," Harry confessed as he stared into the fireplace.
"Which is why she isn't backing off even though Dumbledore was proven right on Halloween," Hermione said in a resigned tone.
"You mean all of these decrees are because of that toad prank you pulled on her?" Ron asked incredulously.
"I think so, I would bet anything that she has an axe to grind with the students now," Hermione answered.
"That was three months ago," Ron snorted looking as if the idea was ludicrous.
"She was humiliated in the middle of the great hall. On top of that, the prank caused her unimaginable pain. She won't let it go," Harry predicted, turning away from the fireplace to look at his friends.
"She probably wouldn't have given the school another thought after the attack at Halloween if it wasn't for that prank," Hermione sighed, shooting Harry an exasperated look.
"Unfortunately, I think you're right," Harry agreed, shooting Hermione an apologetic smile.
"So what are we going to do?" Ron asked looking between the other two.
"Well immediately we are going to have to figure out how to set up meeting nights that all of our members can attend," Hermione said, giving Harry another look of annoyance.
"Then we have to start attacking Umbridge without it coming back to us," Harry added before Hermione could voice her displeasure again.
"Which is making me wonder if using the Quibbler is such a good idea," Hermione admitted.
"Why?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Because that will put a target on Luna's back," Hermione explained.
"Right, I don't wan't her getting in trouble for this," Harry agreed, surprised he hadn't already considered that.
"It would be better if we could get it in the Daily Prophet anyway," Hermione admitted.
"They'll never print it," Ron said matter-of-factly.
"I will talk to Sirius and see if he could help us get it in the Prophet but I don't think it will do much good. I doubt we'll be able to get it in the Daily Prophet unless we break into their office and sneak it in the morning edition" Harry said as he thought about it doing exactly that.
"Then we may have to use The Quibbler after all," Hermione muttered looking conflicted.
"Well if we do that then Luna needs to know all of the risks too, I don't want her being singled out or worse for helping us," Harry said and got a nod of agreement from the other two.
"Who would you get to write the article?" Ron asked shooting Hermione a curious look.
"I think I've got that part covered," Hermione said confidently.
"Hermione, this isn't an essay on valerian root, it has to engage the readers and your writing would put most people to sleep after the first paragraph," Ron exclaimed.
"Not me you twit, I wouldn't know how to write for a tabloid. I know someone who I could convince to write it for us," Hermione huffed as she shot Ron a scathing glare.
"Alright, anything else?" Harry asked before they could start up an argument.
"Yeah, what are we going to do about Runcorn?" Ron asked as he looked away from Hermione.
"I don't think he really wants to be here," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Which is why he is such a wanker in class," Harry agreed.
"We shouldn't have much trouble getting rid of him when we deal with Umbridge," Hermione assured them both.
"Then let's focus on dealing with Umbridge so we can give Runcorn the boot. It's like having another Snape running about," Ron exclaimed.
"He wasn't as bad as Snape though I agree, we need to send the ministry packing," Harry agreed as he thought about their defence class a few hours ago.
"Now that we got that figured out, I believe it's time for Ron to go brush Lavender's hair," Hermione smirked.
"You're just jealous nobody wants to brush your hair," Ron shot back.
"Who says they don't?" Hermione rebutted, glaring daggers at Ron.
"I think we can call it a night," Harry said as he dropped the privacy ward.
"I'll start making up a schedule, good night you two," Hermione said before darting up the girl's staircase.
"I'll catch you later, mate. I'm going to bed," Harry said.
"Good night," Ron said distractedly.
Harry laughed as he caught Ron making his way over to Lavender and Parvati. Ron had been brushing Lavender's hair for her nightly. Harry couldn't help but wish he was in Hufflepuff right about now as he wouldn't mind doing that for Hannah every evening.
'Why couldn't she have been sorted into Gryffindor,' Harry thought as he stepped into the empty dorm and got ready for bed.
Room of Requirement, Hogwarts, 12/5/1995, 05:58
Harry groaned as he was slammed to the mat again and tried to roll away only for Tonks to straddle him, her left arm came under his right armpit while her right wrapped around his neck basically hugging his right arm and neck, with her elbows resting on the mat.
Harry tried to plant his feet and roll her off of him only for her to slip her legs in under his bent knees so that the tops of her feet hooked behind his knees. This made it impossible for him to straighten his legs back out.
Harry tried to bridge only for her to flex her legs, digging the top of her feet painfully into the back of his knees as she pressed her stomach into his forcing him back to the mat.
"Ow, I gi-give," Harry panted out, trying not to think about how close they were, nor the fact that her breasts were pressed to the side of his face.
"This is a favourite pin of mine, it's called the straight four-corner hold," Tonks explained as she released her grip on his head and sat up a bit so she was looking down at him.
"I-it's effective," Harry stammered out, trying to ignore the heat from her groin pressing into his navel.
"The trick to keeping your opponent from being able to roll out, is to always have four points of contact with the mat and to stay as close to them as you can so they can't break your hold," Tonks lectured, her breath tickling his nose.
"Yo-you are pretty close," Harry said breathlessly as he looked into Tonks' grey eyes, inches away from his own.
"That's so you can't break the hold and roll me over," Tonks said in a soft breathy voice.
"S-so can you let me up now?" Harry asked as he felt his body starting to react to her close proximity.
"Maybe," Tonks whispered as she sat all the way up so that she was looking down at him.
Unfortunately, when she sat up, her body slid down his stomach so that she was now straddling his waist. Harry groaned as he felt the heat from her core pressed against him and he involuntarily moved his hips against her.
"Oooooh hell!" Tonks gasped in surprise as she felt his erection pressing against her core through her thin spandex shorts.
"So-sorry," Harry stammered in embarrassment as she slid forward so that she was straddling his stomach again.
"You s-should be, I didn't know you were pitchin' a tent," Tonks murmured, her cheeks a bit flushed.
"I can't exactly help it," Harry said, his face still feeling incredibly warm.
"I figured as much, it just caught me off guard," Tonks said, looking just as embarrassed as he felt.
"So are you going to let me up now?" Harry asked in exasperation.
"No, You are going to roll out of the pin before I can lock you up. I'm just giving you a minute for that problem of yours to go away," Tonks explained.
"As long as you are on top of me like this, it isn't going anywhere," Harry said, his face heating up even more at that admission.
"Fine, then we'll just have to get this over with," Tonks muttered as she lunged forward to pin him again.
Harry groaned as her hips slid down his stomach as she locked her arms around his head causing them both to grunt.
Harry quickly bridged hard to the right and then rolled them to the left, rolling her before she could lock her legs in behind his knees. Harry succeeded, their roles were now reversed with Harry pressing her to the matt. As soon as he was on top of her he was able to break her hold on his head. Harry forced her wrists to the mat on either side of her head so he was leaning over her, pinning her to the mat.
This new position wasn't much better for him than the other one. He had her back pinned to the mat with his pelvis pressed to hers and her legs wrapped around his waist. They were pressed together much tighter than they were before and her squirming around trying to roll them back over provided further friction.
"W-well done," Tonks shuddered as she tried to free her hands but couldn't slip Harry's grip
"Thanks," Harry muttered, his face inches from hers.
Harry felt that desperate urge to kiss her again as their eyes locked. Harry forgot about everything else except how much he would love to place his lips on hers and throw caution to the wind.
The way she was looking up at him wasn't helping matters either, there was that same look in her eyes that he had seen the first time she had pinned him, a needy almost hungry look that made his heart speed up.
There was also the fact that Harry could feel the heat from her centre through her thin spandex shorts as she continued to squirm in around. Her groin was pressing against his lower region making his desire to kiss her even stronger.
"H-Harry," Tonks whispered pulling him from his traitorous thoughts.
"Ye-yeah?" Harry asked softly licking his lips slightly as he leaned into her a little more.
"If you don't st-stop pressing that thing there, I am going to do something we'll both regret," Tonks panted out as she moved her hips against him making him hiss in surprise at the pleasurable sensation.
"S-sorry," Harry stammered as he sat up on his knees, putting some distance between them
"I-it's okay," Tonks assured him.
Harry was surprised to see her face was flushed a deep red colour and the pink colour of her hair had darkened to a deep red. Her breathing was coming out in pants, her chest rising and falling rapidly making her look sexier than Harry had ever seen her.
"I think I got the basics of the pin," Harry said as he stood up and offered her a hand.
"Good, 'cause now it's your turn to pin me," Tonks said as she took his offered hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet.
"Great," Harry muttered.
"Just relax, Harry. This isn't uncommon especially given your age," Tonks assured him.
"Easy for you to say, it's bloody humiliating," Harry grumbled.
"Just don't think about it. In a life or death situation you probably won't have that reaction... well unless you're fighting my aunt," Tonks said teasingly.
"Gross, she looked like a walking corpse the last time I saw her," Harry shuddered.
"She was a head turner back in the day," Tonks smirked.
"Well she isn't anymore," Harry snorted.
"True, are you ready to try again?" Tonks asked.
"I think so," Harry nodded.
"Then get in position, we're going through the same technique again only this time you throw me to the floor, then pin me just like I dd you," Tonks instructed.
"Okay," Harry said feeling slightly apprehensive.
"I'm not made of glass so don't hold back on the one-arm throw," Tonks said giving him a pointed look.
"If you're sure," Harry nodded.
"I am," Tonks assured him.
The rest of the morning passed much smoother, Harry picked up the pin very quickly though and repeated the throw pin combo over and over, getting faster and smoother every time he went through the sequence.
His body's reaction stopped being so much of a problem when he was pinning her. Though he was still incredibly aware of her body pressed against his every time he pinned her.
"I think we'll go back to practising strikes on the dummies tomorrow," Tonks said from where Harry had her pinned to the mat.
"So we're done with pins?" Harry asked feeling a bit disappointed as he released the grip he had on her head and sat up.
"No, there are quite a few that I still have to teach you, but you're not the only one getting worked up doing this," Tonks muttered, looking slightly embarrassed.
"What?" Harry exclaimed his face feeling warm.
"Nevermind, let's call it a morning," Tonks said evading the question.
"Alright," Harry said as he carefully got to his feet.
"You got the pin down pretty quickly, though," Tonks praised as he pulled her to her feet.
"Yeah it's fairly straightforward," Harry shrugged as he walked over to the wall and picked up his outer robes from the floor.
"They all are for the most part," Tonks admitted.
"So have you made up your mind about Hermione training with us?" Harry asked nervously as he buttoned up his robes.
"She can train with us but only for the morning PT to start with," Tonks said while slipping on her socks.
"Okay," Harry said, feeling slightly disappointed at this.
"I may set her some training drills while we do hand-to-hand combat but she would slow your training down if she joined us in the evenings," Tonks explained as she stepped into her combat boots.
"Fair enough," Harry said, as he crouched down to tie up his trainers.
"If she can get nonverbal casting, spell chaining, and spell swatting down, then she can start practising with us in the evenings," Tonks said as she bent down to tie up her boots.
"I'll let her know," Harry said, sparing a glance at Tonks' backside before averting his eyes.
"She's going to hate it," Tonks chuckled as she slipped on her robes.
"Probably, but I'll bring her with me in the morning," Harry said as the two of them stepped toward the door.
"I might even teach her that pin and let her try it on you," Tonks teased.
"No, she's like my sister it would be incredibly awkward," Harry exclaimed, feeling uncomfortable at the thought.
"Like I'm not?" Tonks asked as she shifted her form to look that of Wendy McDonald.
"Trust me, I don't see you as a sister," Harry blurted out before he could stop himself.
"Really, what do you see me as?" Tonks smirked as they stepped into the hall.
"I-
"Harry, I've been waiting for you to come out. The room wouldn't let me in," Hannah's voice cut him off as he and Tonks stepped out of the room.
"I'll catch you later, Potter," Tonks grunted before stalking off down the hall without another word.
"I didn't know the room was locked," Harry said apologetically, shaking his head at Tonks' retreating back.
"Susan got that file Hermione wanted but she didn't want to give it to her in the great hall," Hannah said as she pulled a yellow manila envelope from her school bag.
"Thank you," Harry said as he accepted the folder.
"I'll walk you to your common room," Hannah offered.
"Can I trust you with the location of the Gryffindor common room?" Harry asked playfully.
"I already know where it is, my mum was a Gryffindor after all," Hannah said as she hooked her arm through his.
"I guess if we're ever pranked then you'll be my first suspect," Harry grinned.
"The only reason I would sneak into Gryffindor is to climb in your four-poster," Hannah whispered in his ear.
"Alright as long as you climb in bed naked," Harry said in faux seriousness.
"Keep dreaming, Harry," Hannah giggled.
"It would be a hell of a Christmas present," Harry suggested.
"I already got you a Christmas present," Hannah pointed out.
"Damn," Harry sighed dramatically.
"Maybe next year," Hannah giggled.
"Speaking of Christmas, what are you doing over break?" Harry asked, an idea popping into his head.
"Nothing much, just spending Christmas at home, why?" Hannah asked.
"I don't want to spend three weeks without seeing you," Harry admitted.
"I may be able to meet up with you on Boxing Day," Hannah said, a smile playing on her lips.
"That would be great, Andi said the house is fixed now so you could come over," Harry suggested.
"I'll ask mum but I think that would be okay," Hannah agreed as they came to a stop in front of the portrait hole.
"Alright, she said that they had a hot tub," Harry grinned.
"We'll see, I'll meet you at breakfast," Hannah said her cheeks a rosy pink.
"I'll be down as soon as I get a shower," Harry promised before placing a kiss on her lips.
"Well hurry up," Hannah ordered before she gave him a much deeper kiss and then darted back down the hall, leaving him standing there with a goofy smile on his face..
Harry made his way through the common room to find his dorm mates getting ready for the day.
"Running a bit behind this morning," Ron said as he stepped out of the bathroom.
"Hannah held me up a bit," Harry shrugged as he grabbed his clothes and tucked the envelope in his school bag.
Harry was eager to read what was in the envelope but from the look of things, he would have to wait for tonight as he was already running behind, not that he was complaining.
'What a morning," Harry thought to himself as he began getting ready for the day.
Library, Hogwarts, 12/9/1995, 16:39
Harry was just getting started on his essay for Transfiguration. He was sitting in his favourite spot in the library enjoying the peace and quiet of a Saturday afternoon. The weekends were always the quietest days in the library, meaning he could work without the chaos of the common room.
The last few days had been fairly uneventful. Hermione had started going accompanying him to his morning P.T. She had adjusted to the exercises rather well and didn't have much trouble with running. She struggled a bit with press-ups and pull-ups but she had good stamina.
He still had to help her get back to the common room after he finished his hand-to-hand training. They had entered the common room with her arm over his shoulder as he guided her through the portrait hole. This raised a few eyebrows in the common room, especially after Ron asked what was wrong with her and she answered.
"I am sore all over, Harry really wore me out."
Luckily Hannah wasn't really the jealous type and had listened to his explanation after the rumour got back to her.
"Hello Harry Potter," A dreamy voice said from his left, pulling Harry's attention from his essay and his wandering thoughts.
Harry looked up to see Luna Lovegood standing over him, her head cocked to the side quizzically.
"You never did say why you cancelled our D.A meeting today," Luna said as she hopped up and took a seat on the table in front of him.
Harry was forced to slide his chair back away from the table as she spun her body so that she was facing him. She was now looking down at him with her legs dangling off the side of the table and the same curious expression on her face.
"It was best with that new decree. Why is your bum on my book?" Harry asked, noticing she had literally taken a seat on his open reference book.
"You were paying attention to the book and I wanted you to pay attention to me," Luna said as if it were obvious.
"I see, so was there something else I can do for you?" Harry asked tiredly.
"You have a story that needs publishing, I can help you with that," Luna said as she began lazily kicking her legs.
"It might be dangerous to publish it in the Quibbler," Harry said, guessing that Hermione had talked to her about the article.
"Don't worry about that, the toad is focusing all of her anger on that prank you played on her," Luna assured him.
"How do you know it was me?" Harry asked.
"The nargles told me," Luna beamed.
"What are nargles?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Nargles are fairly like creatures that love to hide things and have been known to like pudding," Luna explained in a dreamy tone.
"Well never mind the nargles, if you want to print the article we would be very grateful but it could be dangerous," Harry said deciding to not let her sidetrack him.
"It'll be fine," Luna said with a serene smile.
"If you're sure, there could be backlash on your family if you print this," Harry said, looking into her large grey eyes to convey how serious this was.
"It's just me and Daddy. The ministry is always hassling him for something. Did you know they tried to sue him for the Goblin-Crusher article?" Luna asked sounding indignant.
"That doesn't really surprise me," Harry said thoughtfully.
"The ministry wants daddy to print their stories but I think they are just trying to silence him before he gives away too many of their secrets," Luna said in the same dreamy voice.
"I will discuss it with Hermione but she was worried this article could cause you and your father trouble," Harry warned.
"We'll be fine, most people think we're insane and don't know how to handle us," Luna assured him.
"Okay, if you're sure," Harry said not sure what he should say to that as he had questioned the sanity of whoever ran The Quibbler more than once.
"I am," Luna assured him as she swung her legs excitedly.
"Where are your shoes at?" Harry asked distractedly when her cold bare foot brushed against his leg.
"The nargles have stolen all of my socks and shoes," Luna answered, sounding unconcerned about this.
"It's December, that can't be comfortable," Harry exclaimed.
"It isn't, my feet get quite cold," Luna agreed as she lifted her right foot and placed it on his left kneecap.
Harry hissed in surprise when he felt how cold her foot was, it felt like a block of ice, even through his jeans. He was further distracted when he noticed one other minor detail.
When Luna had lifted her leg to place her foot on his knee, her skirt had ridden up showing him that there was another garment that she was missing as well.
"Luna, p-put your leg down," Harry stammered in embarrassment.
"Oh poo, I forgot the nargles had stolen my knickers too," Luna said absentmindedly.
"I noticed, are you telling me your clothes just vanish?" Harry asked at a loss for how that could happen.
"Yes, they disappear right out of my trunk," Luna nodded.
"And you never find them again?" Harry asked.
"No, I usually find them around the castle or on the roof of the greenhouses at the end of the year," Luna replied.
"Something tells me there is more to it than that," Harry said making sure to look her in the eye as she rested her other foot on his right knee.
"Well I do see the other girls in my dorms with clothes and things that look like mine, but when I ask them about it, they say I am just being Loony," Luna admitted, looking confused.
"I see," Harry said as he took out his wand and pointed it at her feet, casting a powerful warming charm over each one in turn.
"Oh that feels nice," Luna giggled as the warming charm he cast took effect.
"Your freezing feet were freezing me, now could you please cover yourself," Harry sighed feeling a bit wrong about seeing her in such a state.
"Fine," Luna pouted as she dropped her legs so they dangled off of the edge of the table again.
"Come on, I may have an idea to get your things back," Harry said as he put his half-finished essay in his bag along with his ink and quills before standing up.
"Okay, maybe we can see some nargles on the way," Luna said as she hopped down from the table.
"If they're stealing your stuff, why would you want to see them?" Harry asked as he closed the reference book she had been sitting on and carried it to the librarian's desk to check it out.
"So I can ask them why they steal my things," Luna answered.
Luna hummed serenely as Harry went through the process of checking the book out, ignoring the look of annoyance the vulture-like librarian kept giving her for disturbing the peace of the library.
Once Harry was cleared to take the book, he slipped it into his bag and led Luna out of the library.
"Where are we going?" Luna asked as they started climbing the stairs.
"To see if we can get your things back," Harry answered, ignoring the strange looks he was getting from other students they passed on the stairs.
"If the nargles have taken them then we just have to wait," Luna said in a mysterious voice.
"I can't hurt to try," Harry shrugged as they stepped off of the stairs on the seventh-floor corridor.
"We're going to the room," Luna asked excitedly when they turned down the corridor.
"We are, it's a magical room and can do far more than you see during meetings," Harry explained as they came to stand in front of the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy.
"So the legends are true? Is this the mythical sex dungeon that Rowena Ravenclaw built to punish the naughty Helga Hufflepuff?" Luna asked hopefully.
"I have no idea, I know it as the room of requirement," Harry said, shooting Luna an incredulous look.
"Oh," Luna said looking a bit put out.
"I want you to pace back and forth in front of this wall while thinking about wanting your missing things back," Harry instructed, making a note to tell Ron about that theory later.
"Can I skip instead, pacing is so boring?" Luna asked hopefully.
"Sure, it doesn't matter as long as you think about your missing things," Harry answered patiently.
"Okay," Luna nodded before she began skipping down the hall before turning and skipping back.
On the third pass, a door materialized in the wall with an audible 'pop' causing the quirky girl to come to a halt.
Harry gaped at the neon yellow door that had appeared. The door was completely circular with drawings of strange creatures painted in bright colours with a glowing pink door handle.
"I think you did it," Harry said as he cautiously approached the door before slowly pulling it open.
The room beyond was fairly small with fluffy light-blue carpet covering the floor, ceiling, and walls. In the centre of the room was a large table, the tabletop was covered in the same fluffy blue carpet.
The room was the size of his bedroom at the Tonks' but the table still took up most of the room. On the table was a large pile of assorted clothes shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, pajamas, jackets, several pairs of shoes, a pile of colourful socks and a heap of colourful lacey knickers. There were quite a few hairclips, a pile of almost new quills, a stack of texbooks, parchment, photographs, and an assortment of knickknacks.
Little did Harry know that the magic of the room had summoned Luna's possessions from wherever they were in the castle. At the exact moment that the door formed in the wall, these items disappeared and reappeared in the room (even if someone was wearing them).
Harry watched her eyes light up and couldn't help but smile, she really was cute when she wasn't trying to confuse him with strange creatures that he was pretty sure she had made up.
Harry was pulled from his thoughts when Luna pulled her blouse over her head and grabbed a bra from the pile.
"It's still warm," Luna said thoughtfully before pulling on the undergarment.
"I-I think I'm going to go," Harry stammered before quickly averting his eyes, though not before he saw... things.
"Okay, thank you for finding my clothes," Luna chirped as she dug through the pile.
"I will talk to Hermione about the Quibbler printing the article," Harry said as he turned to see her pulling on a tee shirt.
"We would be glad to print your article," Luna assured him as she unzipped her skirt.
"We'll... um... let you know," Harry said before making a hasty retreat.
"Goodbye, Harry Potter," Harry heard her call after him before he shut the door behind him.
"Bloody hell," Harry muttered as he began making his way to the great hall for dinner.
Harry was still a little shell-shocked from his encounter with Luna. She really was a sweet girl though she could exercise a bit of modesty. Thinking of that had the mental image of her standing topless come back to his mind.
It didn't take long for him to make it to the hall and he made a beeline for Ron and Hermione seated at the Gryffindor table.
"Harry mate, you really missed a show," Ron exclaimed as soon as Ron saw him approach.
"Really?" Harry asked as he took a seat.
"Yeah like six girls at the Ravenclaw lost their clothes," Ron exclaimed sounding absolutely thrilled.
"Lost?" Harry asked while fixing himself a plate.
"Yeah they were wearing them one minute and suddenly their clothes just vanished right off of them. Their skirts, blouses, shoes, hell even underthings just disappeared," Ron guffawed before taking a large bite of his casserole.
"The professors are still trying to figure out what happened," Hermione elaborated sounding far less excited about this strange phenomenon.
"Yeah, Chang's friend lost all of her clothes," Ron exclaimed a wide grin playing on his lips.
"Why couldn't Lavender be down here?" Hermione muttered as she gave Ron a disapproving look.
"You mean that stuck-up curly-haired girl?" Harry asked.
"That's her," Ron agreed.
"How long ago did this happen?" Harry asked getting a sneaking suspicion about what had really happened.
"Fifteen minutes ago, just before the food appeared," Hermione said looking amused.
"Now I know who's been stealing Luna's clothes," Harry said thoughtfully as he tucked into his own dinner.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
After Harry had recounted what had happened in the library and then the room, Ron was laughing loudly. He seemed to find the whole situation hilarious not that Harry couldn't see the humour in the situation himself.
"So you used the castle to get her things back?" Hermione asked, looking quite impressed.
"To be honest, I wasn't sure if it would even work," Harry admitted.
"So what did she want from you?" Hermione asked over Ron's laughter.
"She wants to print the article in the Quibbler," Harry said in a much quieter tone.
"I know, I told her I would have to run that by you before I made a decision," Hermione admitted.
"I said pretty much the same thing," Harry admitted.
"I didn't think she would talk to you about it directly," Hermione admitted
"Well she did," Harry snorted.
"So what do you think?" Hermione asked.
"I suppose it's up to her, isn't it? If she feels safe printing the article then we should let her," Harry sighed.
"Very well, we have to meet a contact tomorrow who will write the article for us," Hermione whispered.
"Who?" Harry asked in confusion
"I'd rather not say just yet," Hermione answered before sipping her pumpkin juice.
"Alright, where are we meeting them?" Harry asked deciding to let it go.
"The Three Broomsticks, she's not allowed in the castle," Hermione admitted.
"So we're sneaking out of the castle?" Harry asked in surprise.
"We'll have to," Hermione shrugged.
"Unbelievable," Harry sighed.
"What?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"You are always on me and Ron about following the rules and whatnot. You give us all sorts of grief about breaking the smallest of rules but when you decide to break a rule, it's always a big one," Harry exclaimed.
"I do not," Hermione protested.
"Do you not remember second year?" Harry asked giving her a pointed look.
"Don't forget third year," Ron added.
"I only do it when it's something important," Hermione defended, her cheeks flushing a cute shade of pink.
"Fine, when do we have to be there?" Harry asked with an amused grin.
"Two o'clock and if the Quibbler is going to print the story then we need to bring Luna with us too.
"Alright, I guess I'll fill her in," Harry sighed as he saw Luna enter the hall.
"No worries, she's heading this way," Ron beamed.
"Lovely," Harry muttered seconds before Luna plopped down beside him.
"Did you hear the exciting news?" Luna exclaimed.
"What news?" Harry asked.
"Nargles struck in broad daylight, in this very hall!" Luna said excitedly.
"Yeah, I saw it! Marietta Edgecombe ran out of the hall starkers," Ron beamed though he quickly composed himself when Lavender and Parvati entered the hall.
"I hope they take all of my clothes too, it would be amazing," Luna said causing Ron to cough into his pumpkin juice.
"If you want to take them off for us, we don't mind," Seamus called from down the table.
"Aren't you the boy that everyone calls, Lucky?" Luna asked curiously.
"No it's Seamus," Seamus corrected, shooting a sniggering Dean Thomas a glare.
"So the nargles are not really after your lucky charms then?" Luna asked looking at him critically.
"No," Seamus huffed, his face turning red.
"Then I imagine they're after you because of your tiny winky," Luna said thoughtfully causing everyone within earshot to laugh uproariously.
"Dammit Granger, you started that bloody rumour!" Seamus exclaimed angrily.
"I have no idea what you mean, Lucky," Hermione smirked.
"What are you doing tomorrow, Luna?" Harry asked.
"I plan on searching for nargles, then I have a bit of homework to finish, and I thought I would finish the day off by masturbating in the bathtub while thinking about Justin Finch-Fletchley," Luna said dreamily as she fixed herself some dinner.
"Riiiight, Hermione and I need you to come with us after lunch," Harry said awkwardly.
"Alright but I am not into girls," Luna said before looking at Hermione, " no offence."
"It's nothing like that, we have to meet someone about that article we talked about," Harry sighed, Secretly amazed at how much disruption Luna's presence was causing at the Gryffindor and (from the looks of it) Hufflepuff tables.
"Oh, poo I was hoping you would demand repayment for getting all of my clothes back for me," Luna pouted.
"Sorry, Luna he's mine but you definitely got Justin's attention," Hannah said as she took a seat on the other side of Harry.
"Good," Luna beamed.
"Somehow I think that you've had a busy day," Hannah said before placing a kiss on his cheek.
"You have no idea," Harry muttered as he glanced at Luna out of the corner of his eye.
"So how was your day?" Harry asked.
"Good, Susan finally got out of her funk over Smith," Hannah beamed.
"Glad, though I didn't mind her wanting to cuddle me all the time," Harry teased.
"I'll bet you didn't but she isn't allowed to cuddle with you anymore. I don't want you two getting attached to each other," Hannah said with no real heat.
"I prefer blondes to redheads anyway," Harry assured her.
"You just like the pigtails, they go really well with the plaid skirt and knee highs," Hannah smirked.
"You're not wrong," Harry said ignoring the exasperated look Hermione was giving him.
Harry couldn't help but smile at how good things were going for him this year. He was doing amazing in his classes, he was leaps and bounds ahead of his classmates in his wanded classes and he had a wonderful girlfriend who he was growing to care for more and more as the days went by.
'Life is pretty good,' Harry thought as the desert course appeared on the tables and he fixed himself a large plate of treacle, knowing he would need all the energy he could get for his magical training later.
Three Broomsticks, Hogsmeade, 12/10/1995, 13:39
Harry, Luna, and Hermione were sitting in the refurbished pub waiting on their contact to arrive. Half of the pub was still under construction but there were enough tables open to the public for them to get a table in the back.
"So who are we waiting for?" Harry asked after Madam Rosmerta had brought them their drinks.
"Rita Skeeter," Hermione answered.
"Are you mad?" Harry asked, thankful he wasn't drinking his butterbeer when she had revealed the name of her contact.
"No, I'm not. I never got a chance to tell you after the third task but I figured out how Skeeter always got her scoop last year," Hermione said looking very pleased with herself.
"Well don't keep me in suspense," Harry said, a bit impatiently.
"She's an unregistered animagus," Hermione whispered.
"You're blackmailing her, aren't you?" Harry exclaimed in realisation.
"I have no idea what you mean, I simply implied that her secret could make its way to the auror department if she didn't agree to meet with us," Harry said innocently.
"That sounds like blackmail to me," Luna said matter-of-factly while she stirred her drink with a cocktail onion on a toothpick.
"Whatever you want to call it, Rita has a talent for spinning a story in a certain direction and we need that for this article," Hermione shrugged.
"Glad to hear my work is appreciated," The voice of Rita Skeeter cut into their conversation.
"Yes, well we have need of your special skillset to destroy someone's reputation," Hermione said as soon as Rita took a seat.
"And what is in it for me?" Rita asked a calculating glint in her eye as she eyed Hermione.
"I will give you an oath that I will keep your secret as long as you never splash mine or Harry's name in the paper like you did last year," Hermione answered in a business-like tone.
"Alright, who do you want me to write about," Rita said looking interested.
"Dolores Jane Umbridge," Hermione answered before sipping her drink.
"Are you insane, there is no way the Prophet will print anything against ole Fudgy's attack dog," Rita snorted as Romerta brought her a glass of firewhiskey.
"This isn't for the Daily Prophet, you'll be writing for the Quibbler and we even did some of the legwork," Hermione said as she pulled the yellow manila envelope from her school bag and placed it on the table.
Rita snatched up the envelope before removing a stack of documents and looking them over a pleased smile on her face.
"I can work with this," Rita said thoughtfully.
"There is also this," Hermione added as she pulled out a copy of the file from the school archives and handed it to Rita.
"Alright, I'll write it but I want a hundred galleons as an author's fee," Rita said bluntly.
"Fair enough," Harry said before Hermione could protest.
"I want half up front and the other half when I submit the article to the Quibbler," Rita continued.
"Fine but if you try to fuck me over on this, I'll go to my guardian and get a libel suit started against you for all of those articles you published about me last year," Harry warned.
"And exactly who is your guardian?" Rita asked looking amused at the threat.
"Andromeda Tonks," Harry said and was pleased when the look of amusement disappeared from Rita's face.
"You have a deal," Rita said looking much more serious now.
The rest of the meeting passed fairly smoothly, Hermione gave a short interview about her first class with Umbridge, getting detention for asking a legitimate question in her class, and what the detention entailed. After this Hermione gave Rita the bullet points of what she wanted the article to accomplish. Lastly, Hermione gave a magical oath swearing to keep Rita's secret as long as she followed the terms they agreed upon.
Within an hour of their arrival, the three Hogwarts students were making their way down the tunnel under the shrieking shack feeling quite pleased with how the meeting had gone.
"That went pretty well," Hermione said optimistically.
"I thought so," Luna agreed
"You had her over a barrel she didn't have much choice in the matter," Harry pointed out.
"I will let daddy know to expect her soon," Luna said as they came to the other end of the tunnel.
"Thank you for helping us with this, Luna," Harry said genuinely.
"You are welcome, and thank you for getting me my knickers back," Luna beamed.
"Don't mention it" Harry chuckled before reaching his hand out of the tunnel and pressing the knot on the trunk of the whomping willow.
"Alright let's go," Harry said as he scrambled out of the tree and ran as far away from it as he could, Hermione and Luna hot on his heels.
Once they were out of the tree's reach, they slowed to a slow walk as they made their way back to the castle. They walked in silence as they trudged through the deep snow covering the lawns.
As soon as they entered the castle they went their separate ways, Hermione to the library, Harry to go find Hannah, and Luna to go search for nargles on the fifth floor.
Harry roamed the halls thinking about the interview and wondering how much of a stir it would cause when the article was published.
'I just hope Luna doesn't get in trouble because of this,' Harry thought as he spotted Hannah and Susan, sitting at the Hufflepuff table and made his way over to them.