Chapter 3 – Luna's Secret

Professor McGonnagall accompanied Harry to his compartment of choice, obviously the one with Ron and Hermione. Hermione basically jumped on him, and hugged him like it was the end of the world. With a curt nod, Professor McGonnagall left without another word, leaving Harry with his friends. Almost immediately, Harry told Ron and Hermione what he had heard Malfoy say.

"What an idiot," Ron started wrinkling his nose. "He didn't even try to shut up when you walked in?" He shook his head in disgust.

"Nope." Harry replied, kicking the bottom of his seat.

Just then, the three of them heard a knock at the door. In walked in another small group of people, Neville, Ginny, and Luna. Ginny looked Harry shyly, blinking her deep blue eyes. She tucked a piece of her flaming red hair behind her ear. Harry didn't dare look her in the eyes. Really the only person that looked like they had a remotely good summer was Luna.

"Hello, Harry!" Luna grinned, happily. "Have a good summer?" Even Luna could tell by the look on Harry's face that he didn't want to talk about it. There was no mistaking the air of depres-sion in his brilliant green eyes.

"Really Luna, can we change the subject?" Harry asked her, not even trying to sound in the least bit polite.

Luna nodded, and looked at her feet. "Actually, my father has been premoted! Lucky for him, he's not just the editor or the Quibbler any more! He's in charge of everything – the manager!" She beamed, at the bored expressions on her friends' faces, and interpreting them like they were happy for her. She then picked up the latest issue of the magazine and began to read it sideways instead of upside down.

The rest of the ride on the train was very quiet. Nothing much happened, and no-one really wanted to talk. Finally, Hermione spoke.

"I can see Hogwarts, so, we'd better get into our uniforms.

The train stopped 3 minutes later, and Harry was the 2nd last to leave his compartment. He was followed by the one person he didn't want to talk to – Luna.

"Because my daddy got the job as manager, he finds out every bit of information first. Apparently, some reporter sent in something really secret..."

"Oh really." said Harry, not sounding at all interested.

"Yes. But, you can't tell anybody about what I say to you. You'll be the only person in the school other than me that will know. At least, that's what I think."

Hoping to get rid of Luna, Harry agreed to listen to her, as long as it didn't take long. "Okay Luna. What is it?"

"You promise that nobody will find out?" Luna asked.

"Yes! Just tell me!" Harry replied, starting to get annoyed.

"Okay. Somebody was found in a very secret area of London. My father said that some muggles saw what he looked like. He had black hair, and was kind of pale. Oh yeah, I almost forgot!"

"Forgot what?" Harry inquired.

Luna smiled sweetly. "Someone said that they saw him turn into a massive black dog."