Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any Harry Potter names or any fun stuff like that. I am a simple writer that is trying to make use of my own time, so please, do not sue me. J
Beyond Weird:
Chapter Three: Hogwarts Express
Dark shadows were dancing on the wall as Harry stared off into the night, pondering what Luna was doing. He supposed he could go to her room and talk to her, but it was the dead of night and Harry wasn't sure Luna's father would agree with a midnight visit.
The room Harry had woken up in the previous morning had been Luna's bedroom, and he was now currently staying in the Lovegood family room, sleeping on their overlarge couch. He had been disturbed many times late at night by a creature that slightly resembled a pink dragon on four legs, but he wasn't sure what it was.
The clock on the mantle rang, telling Harry that it was four in the morning. Thoughts raced through his mind, painting a mental picture of Luna and him together, holding hands. The thought wasn't even hard to think about, as it had been with Cho. In fact, Harry believed that if he ever had the chance to date Luna, it would be an enjoyable experience in which Harry wouldn't have to worry about much. A picture of Mr. Lovegood on the wall stared at him, having not gone to sleep yet. Harry was feeling very uneasy as he sat on the sofa, looking at old clippings of The Quibbler that were lying around.
"Cornelius Fudge has tea with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" one of the headlines read. Harry smiled pensively as he shuffled through some more papers. "Lucius Malfoy donates unwanted children to St. Mungos for testing" it was ridiculous, and yet… "Broderick Bode murdered by death eater."
Harry shifted in his seat, his eyes sticking together with sleep. Perhaps he could read more articles tomorrow? He didn't see why not, since there was still two days left until they boarded the train to go to back to Hogwarts on the school train.
One of Harry's eyes shut closed, his other one staying open on long enough to see the pink dragon-like creature curl up on the other end of the couch. Harry's last fleeting thoughts before he dozed off to sleep were of Luna and her strange ability to give off the idea that she knew something mysterious.
"You heard them, didn't you? Beyond the veil…"
Harry's heart ached… "Sirius…" he cried in his sleep. "Sirius- don't die, Sirius… she's going to kill you. Don't leave me behind, don't leave me here alone." It was hopeless. "Please don't do this; I have no one left to turn to…"
"There is still Lupin…." a voice called to Harry. "He is the last of your father's friends. He can help you through these hard times." Harry stirred; ready to proclaim himself legally insane… he seemed to hear voices a lot. But as hard as he tried to block out the voice, the louder it got. "Harry, you can turn to Lupin. Lupin still cares about you…"
Harry's eyes shot open. "What do you want!" he cried aloud, staring around Luna's living room, surprised to find himself there. For some reason, he had expected to be in his bed in Gryffindor tower, peacefully sleeping to the sounds of Neville's snores and Ron's mumbling.
Instead, Luna was standing over him. "You were talking in your sleep." she said, her hair falling over her face. "About Sirius Black."
Harry was taken aback. "Was I?" the old scar on his forehead was burning as he spoke. "I'm sorry, I didn't know I was. Though I'm not surprised, I talk in my sleep a lot… my cousin Dudley told me and then it's always waking up the people in my dormitory."
"I see."
Harry looked up at Luna and wished he hadn't. She was intoxicating. It was almost hard to look at her without a terrible longing growing in his heart and settling over his entire body like unchecked ivy.
"But they're right you know…" Luna was staring at the ceiling again. "You still have Professor Lupin."
Harry chocked on the air he was taking in to relax himself. How had she known of what the voice was telling him? Perhaps they were both insane… he definitely wouldn't be surprised if Luna needed mental help.
Or maybe it was everyone else who needed mental help…
Luna got up, left and Harry decided that her appearance in the living room meant that it was time to get up. She had promised him that they would go school shopping in Diagon Alley that day, and he was more then ready to get going, even though he was feeling too tired to even sit up from the couch.
Harry couldn't prevent himself from thinking of their rendezvous to Diagon Alley as a kind of date… he was to be alone with Luna for a day on the town… he would expect they'd stop to eat lunch in the Leaky Cauldron or get a snack at the ice cream parlor.
Mr. Lovegood had to go to work, so they would be alone.
Harry began undressing in the open, not caring if Luna or Mr. Lovegood walked in the room. He had changed enough times in the Quidditch changing rooms to not care as much as many would, and he couldn't explain it, but he really trusted Luna.
Lanky and weak, Harry's body was not up to the standards he wished it was. His knees were incurably knobbly, his hair was an untidy mess of black, and his face was quite long. Only two things made him particularly unusual; his bright green eyes he inherited from his mother, and his lighting scar given to him by the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort.
Zipping up his jeans, Harry ventured bravely up the crooked stairs that led right into Luna's bedroom.
The Lovegood house had a very strange build. It was two stories high, but every room but Luna's existed on the first. The lopsided stairs led straight into Luna's circular bedroom, which wasn't supported by the roof, but rather by the gutter on the side of the house. It took Harry a while to realize that it had to be held up by magic.
Harry knocked on the door and a voice cried, "LUNA! HARRY POTTER. HARRY POTTER AT THE DOOR." The voice made Harry think of a kind of shrieking animal, sort of like a mandrake.
Then, a second voice- "I'm coming, I'm coming!" Luna that time.
The door swung open and Luna emerged. She was wearing a red turtle neck and a black skirt that fell to her knees. On her legs she wore bright red fishnet, which Harry had never seen on another witch or wizard in his life. Luna truly was a rebel.
Harry looked at her ears… those darn radishes… but in a way, he liked them. They were Luna's, however strange or bold they were.
Luna's eyes were wide once more, practically staring Harry down the stairs with their brown intensity. She kind of looked like Hermione, yet with a drastic difference in fashion.
"Hello Harry. Are you ready to go?"
Before Harry could answer Luna's question she spoke again. "We have a different way of traveling here. Follow me."
Harry was taken aback for the at least the twentieth time in the last day. He should have realized Luna was unpredictable, but he seemed to think he could figure her out. Her letter had said that she was vacationing in Venice, yet she was in Ottery St. Catchpole with Harry and Ron.
This reminded him… Ron was just up the street, so why was he staying in this strange house with Luna when he could be with the wonderful Weasley family? The question even puzzled his subconscious. He felt away from home in the Lovegood house, but he longed to be with Luna so much he'd never thought of going to stay with Ron.
Harry followed Luna down the stairs, past the fireplace and into the garden. A gnome was currently trading Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans with a squirrel, and the site of it amused Harry immensely. However, Luna didn't seem to notice as Harry followed her, chuckling.
"Jump into the hole, Harry Potter." Luna said dreamily, staring him into oblivion… cursing him with her charm. Harry looked down and saw a gnome hole. He stared at her, but Luna did not give off any explanation.
"Luna- this is all very new and strange to me… I don't understand what you're trying to tell me…" Harry was somewhat exasperated. "What do you mean, jump into the hole? It's a gnome hole… it's not big enough!"
Luna took his hand. "Do you trust me?"
Harry felt a painful struggle happen in his heart. "Yes."
"Then jump."
The last thing Harry felt before he plunged into the hole was Luna's hands pushing him in. He still trusted her.
Harry had just popped through a hole in the ground inside a mysterious shop with items that reminded Harry of black magic items from muggle movies. Books about omens littered the shelves, and red crystal wands sat on dusty cushions in the window. Black candles and arithmancy stones were set up on the counter, and everything seemed to be red, including the curtains that led into the office on the right.
Harry looked about the room to find a signal to tell him where he was located. According to the sign outside, he was in "Mistress Leniva's," whatever that was…
Luna had just appeared next to him, having just come up from the hole. She smiled pensively at her surroundings and quickly went over to a shelf labeled "Newly Acquired Items."
"Mistress Leniva has gotten Reliaballs!" Luna practically squealed. "I do wish I had brought spending money!"
Harry was feeling uncomfortable. "I could buy one for you, but we'd have to stop by Gringotts later…" he was hoping he'd come across as a caring person who made good boyfriend material. "I've got too much money anyway."
"Don't be silly, Harry." Luna shrugged it off. "I'll pay you back later… I've got to act on this deal right away… they'll be sold out tomorrow."
"Well, how much are they?" Harry asked, willing to spend at least ten galleons on Luna.
"A bargain at twenty-four galleons!" Luna was quite full of herself, and Harry had to cough loudly to prevent himself from cursing. It was such an expensive gift!
"I'll buy one for you…" Harry wasn't feeling quite as generous as he sounded, but he was desperate to gain Luna's approval. "I've got to burn some more money from my Triwizard winnings…" he lied.
"Oh," Luna began. "well, if you so boldly insist!"
"I do." Harry said lightly, as he fumbled through his pockets while fishing for twenty four galleons. It was all the money he had with him, and a burning regret coursed through him like poison when he thought of how much he was wasting.
Luna smiled broadly, kissing Harry on the cheek. He blushed as Luna made a beautiful noise with her throat to announce that there were customers in the store.
Someone was emerging from the velvet scarlet curtain. It was a very tall lady that had long blonde hair and dull green eyes. Her nose was rather large, and she looked at Luna with familiarity.
"Miss Lovegood, my dear, I've missed you." Mistress Leniva's voice was soft and girly, and it reminded Harry of running water. "Fifth year already? My goodness you're growing so fast."
Luna smiled mysteriously, not saying anything in response. Her wide eyes just traveled to the red ruby-like ball on the shelf of newly acquired items, letting Mistress Leniva know exactly what it was she wanted.
"Ahh, the Reliaballs!" Mistress Leniva's lips curled in an almost sinister smile. "A good choice… I'm practically giving them away at twenty four galleons. I've already sold a handful and they just came in this morning."
Luna's large eyes stared off onto the shelf beside Mistress Leniva. "Harry here is buying one for me. He's ever so kind."
Mistress Leniva winked at Harry, her green eyes shining. For a second, they seemed to linger on his scar, but when Harry attempted a second glance; her eyes were on Luna again.
Harry handed Mistress Leniva the money, a strong fragrance of cinnamon reaching his nostrils. She was glancing at him in such a way that Harry was sure he was either doing something wrong or something incredibly right… there was no way to tell for sure, and he didn't even know what a Reliaball was used for…
Harry's mind went blank. He was starting to wish he had gotten more sleep the night before, for his eyes were itching and stinging with tiredness. Mistress Leniva handed him the Reliaball and he gave it to Luna, leaving the shop with her and into the dusty sunlight of Diagon Alley.
It was a beautiful day. The crooked road that led to the Leaky Cauldron was packed with people doing last minute shopping for school, and chatting casually about the newly discovered book by Derwent Shippling, found in a cave in Albania.
Harry was feeling confused, making his way through the crowd with Luna. Half wishing he could bump into Ron or Hermione, he also hoped he wouldn't. He was having an enjoyable time with Luna, even though his pockets seemed lighter, which cast feelings of discomfort on him.
Unexpectedly, Luna suddenly plunged her hands into her purse, searching around. "Shit, I knew it." she said dreamily. She hardly ever seemed exasperated or frustrated, but always dreamy; head in the clouds. "I had enough to buy the Reliaball."
Harry was shocked to hear this news. "Oh." he said lightly. "Don't worry about it."
Luna was shaking her head, so that her brown curls bounced off her nose. "No, Harry! Don't play nice, that Reliaball was a great deal but it was still expensive!"
Harry looked at Luna with admiration, but only to find her fishing galleons out of her purse, which was furry and had horns. Feeling the need to sigh hugely, Harry rolled his eyes. She didn't have to pay him back…
In fact, for the sake of what he'd like to consider a "date" he wished she wouldn't.
"Harry!" Hermione's voice was muffled by the crowd of Diagon Alley. "Harry, over here!"
Harry was taken aback as he took his face away from Luna's. He had been tempted to kiss her, as she sat in front of him, her face so near. Her eyes had, of course, been closed, but Harry didn't care. He was to the point where he'd give himself away to her just to kiss her… even if it meant she'd never talk to him again.
"Hermione!" Harry was somewhat disappointed, but he acted as though he was pleased to see Hermione. She ran to him, hugging him with passion. Ron gave them a strange look as Harry stared out to him, wishing she'd get off… especially since Luna was there watching.
Luna seemed undaunted. "Harry I've missed you so over the summer!" Hermione cried in happiness. "I've been so worried since it got out V-Voldemort returned! I was worried that death eaters would be all over the place, trying to get you!"
A smile formed in the corner of Luna's mouth when she saw Ron standing angrily staring at Harry and Hermione. "Hi Ron!" she shouted languorously. "I haven't seen you in so long!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "No, not since last week…"
Harry felt a stab of jealousy. "Sup, Ron?" Harry asked, feeling strange as Hermione's chest slammed into his face when she was standing up. Ron turned pink from across the square, clearly struggling with what was going on.
"Oh. Hey, Harry!" it was almost as if Ron hadn't even noticed Harry was there. "Just in town for school supplies! I would suspect that's why you're here as well! Did the Dursleys drop you off?"
Harry's heart gave a great thump in his chest. "No, I've been staying with Luna."
Ron looked baffled. "Oh… well, what happened to staying with the Dursleys?"
Harry hardly knew the answer to that himself. He was saved the response as Luna interjected-
"I think we should go get our books now that we're all here! Flourish and Blotts is just up the street!"
Everyone agreed, letting the issue go. Harry joined up with Ron and Luna with Hermione as they walked up and down the crooked alley to the bookshop Flourish and Blotts, which was abundant with the new Gilderoy Lockhart Classic Disagreeing with Doctors his new novel about his life in St. Mungos. The reviews hadn't been raving, since the book was poorly written and didn't make any sense.
"Oh blimey, another one." said Ron as he went to the back of the shop to pick up The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 by Miranda Goshawk. "This Goshawk woman must make millions of galleons a year!"
"Not to mention it seems we're now in 'Advanced Transfiguration'" sighed Harry, picking up another large and expensive book in the "Student Resource" isle.
"Complex Potions for Advanced Students…" Ron scowled. "Great."
The air to returning to Hogwarts wasn't positive that year as they loaded the Hogwarts Express, Ron and Hermione in their shiny Prefect badges. Harry was terribly curious about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but was not eager for his 6th year, when he knew there would be danger and fear all throughout the year.
Ron came skidding into Luna's and Harry's compartment halfway through the train journey, looking flustered. "Harry, we don't have potions this year!"
"What?" Harry cried, "But then why was the potions book on our list?"
"Read the fine print!" Ron was indignant. "We didn't have to buy this!" he was shaking the book in his hand, which was heavy and seemed to cause strain for Ron to hold up.
Taking his list out of his back pocket, Harry was shocked to see that Ron was right. "Only students wishing to continue on to advanced potion making skills need purchase this book." he read from under the name of the book. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it before.
"Why is it in such small print!?" Ron was almost shouting now. "This really pisses me off. Bloody hell, it was such an expensive book!"
Harry wasn't quite as shaken as Ron. "It's okay, Ron. We'll get our money back next time we go to Diagon Alley. Just keep the book in good condition."
"Get our money back?!" Ron yelled. "Who has ever heard of such a thing? Only muggles 'get their money back'!"
A bubble seemed to pop in Harry's head. He still felt so stupid, since he barely knew the wizarding world. "Sell it to Ginny if you're so worried." he said, thinking he didn't mind having the book in case he did need to brew a potion in the future. He would, of course, still be taking Occlumency lessons with Snape, so he knew he'd still have to have Snape to suffer through either way. "She's smart, I'm sure she'll take potions next year."
Ron sighed, nodded, and left the compartment. He still seemed angry, and when Harry looked over to Luna after he left she looked strangely more dreamy then usual. "Ron's cute when he's angry." she said.