And here it is ... (whew) Finally, eh?


5: Point Taken

"You look like you feel better," Hermione noted, she and Harry sitting on either side of him at the Gryffindor table.

"Yeah, loads," Ron smiled, voice clear of congestion and blue eyes bright.

"How was Hogsmeade?" Ginny inquired.

Hermione shrugged, "Oh you know, not that great."

"Whatever," Harry scoffed, "There was a fight in the street."

"It wasn't a fight, Harry."

"Close enough." Noticing the questioning eyes of the Weasley's, he explained, "Cho was slapped down on the main road."

"By who?" both red-heads wanted to know.

Harry raised his eyebrows, "Why don't you tell them, Hermione?"

"Hermione?" Ron gasped, the corners of his mouth twitching and his eyes twinkling.

"That's brilliant," Ginny giggled.

Neville arrived at the table with Luna.

"Do you mind if she joins us?" he asked, already motioning her to the space beside Ginny.

"Please," Ginny agreed.

"Definitely," Ron put in.

"Of course," Harry smiled.

"That would be lovely," Hermione added.

Once she'd sat down, he sat next to her on the bench and Harry pulled something out of his pocket.

"Hey, Luna, I thought you might have dropped this in Hogsmeade," he told her, holding out the butterbeer cap on the chain with a furtive glance at Hermione who pursed her lips, eyes flashing. Luna touched the bare place on her neck as she took the necklace.

"Must have, thank you," she breathed.

"Whoa," Neville said, suddenly, "What happened to him?" They rest turned to look and see a very angry Cho Chang scowling at them and escorting a heavily bruised and bandaged Michael Corner to the Ravenclaw table.

"He looks like he ran into a wall," Hermione commented.

"Or the high snorkack of the covey thought he was a challenger," Luna threw in.

Ginny smirked and Ron pretended to think for a moment.

"Hmm," was all he said, shrugging and turning around again.

"Was he in Hogsmeade today?" Neville asked.

"No," Luna told them, filling her plate. "He was to stay at the castle today and help Professor Flitwick decorate the common room as Christmas is in a few weeks."

Harry and Hermione paused to think this over for a moment just as the food appeared on the tables. They turned to Ron, blinking, Neville even looking up.

"It's about time. Let's eat," he exclaimed, elbowing Harry in the ribs when he opened his mouth to speak. The five Gryffindors exchanged meaningful glances before turning their eyes to Luna who seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.

She, however, understood everything.

And scratched a persistent itch on her nose.