Authors Note: Well, I have thought about it over and over. I like the way I am writing Luna. Everyone matures and I think Luna wouldn't be as strange as she used to be. I am still going to try to give her some more Luna-ish comments. Thanks for reviewing!
Chapter 5-
Luna and Harry walked awkwardly back to class.
Trying to make conversation, as always, Luna complimented Harry on his shoes. Harry replied with a quick 'thanks' and then he accidentally said 'you too' not noticing that Luna wasn't wearing any shoes.
Luna blushed and they walked the rest of the way silent. When they entered the room there was still no teacher.
They took their seats, "Still no teacher?" Harry turned to Ron.
"No. Class should have started 10 minutes ago." Hermione answered for him.
"Do you think something happened?" Ron asked, "Should we go find McGonagall?"
Just then a very disheveled Lupin walked in. His Robes were not buttoned. His tie was askew. His face had red-ish smears.
"Professor, are you alright?" Hermione asked.
"Er…yes." He panted.
Just then a woman walked in. She had blue hair and was half Lupin's age.
"Tonks!" Harry and Ron said in unison.
Tonks also appeared scruffy. Her longer hair was extremely messy and she had red smears around her mouth. Harry finally came to the conclusion that is was lipstick.
"Awe, Tonks. How lovely for you to join the class. I haven't seen you in weeks." Lupin said casually.
"Proffesor" Tanks said seductively.
Lupin gave her a look and she giggled a little.
"I am sorry I am late. I was practicing for our lesson." Lupin lied very obviously, "Let me introduce a close friend-"
"Very close by the look of her unbuttoned robes" Lavender whispered to Ron.
"This is Nymphodora Tonks."
Tonks smiled.
"She will help me teach the class. Alright then. Now that we all know each other, let's get to work." He went to his desk. Tonks followed and sat on the corner of it. "If you could please turn to page nine of the standard textbook we shall begin our first lesson of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Tonks whispered something to Lupin. Then he whispered back. They seemed to be disagreeing about something. Then Tonks got very close to him and whispered something that made Lupin smile widely.
"Never mind." Lupin started, "Put away your books. Tonks has brought it to my attention that the best way to learn to defend yourself is to try, not read about it in a book."
"Everyone get up." Tonks said. "And stand on this side of the room."
Not knowing what was going on, everyone did as they were told. Lupin flicked his wand and the desks shifted to the side of the room and stacked up leaving the class plenty of room.
"Everyone form one line behind Miss Granger."
Hermione felt awkward being in front without a book to hide herself behind.
"Step forward Miss Granger. Wand out." Lupin took his stance. "Ready?"
Hermione nodded slightly. "One, two three…Expelliarmus!"
Hermione went flying through the air falling back onto the line of people.
"Are you alright?" Tonks asked.
"Yes." Hermione picked herself up.
"You will not have time to think of a spell. You must know how to defend your self. Try to make the first move, do not give your enemy the upper hand and let them strike first. Use a spell that you think will help you get away from a dark wizard. Nothing too complex at this point, something simple."
Everyone looked puzzled.
"Anyone have a good one?" Lupin asked.
"I do." Tonks piped up.
"Alright then. Let's give then a little demonstration." Lupin looked a little nervous. "Ready? One..two..-"
"Impedimenta," Tonks roared. The blast hit Lupin, he did not fly back or cry out in pain. Tonks turned to face the class. "The curse Impedimenta is the perfect curse to help you get away. It causes the person or object, Lupin in this case, to slow down to the point where it doesn't even seem like he is moving."
They class looked at Lupin who seemed to be moving his mouth as if he were about to say 'three'.
"It will ware off eventually." Tonks said nervously. "Does, anyone have a charm they would like to try?"
"I really think we should read the book." Hermione said, obviously still embarrassed from before.
"The book will tell you how to say it, how to hold your wand, how to cure it, but you must practice it to truly master it." Tonks smiled, "That is why we are here. You can not go about Hogwarts cursing people to move at a snail's pace."
Lupin started to turn pink. Tonks looked very unsure about herself. "See? It can be dangerous…" She went over to him, "Well, this has been a interesting class period. Why don't you all go back to the common rooms and shift throguht your books for a godd defense spell. Come back tomorrow ready to try to defend yourself against me."
Just then Remus's ears started pouring out steam, "Um. Better yet, why don't you come ready to defend yourself against Lupin's charms? Hmm…that sounds better."
Tonks grabbed a rag and started to plug Lupin's ears.
The class laughed "Class dismissed." Tonks muttered.
Harry and Ron walked out together.
"That was hilarious." Harry said.
"I don't think she is fit to be a teacher." Hermione said.
The trio laughed. "At least we get some free time."
Walking by was Luna holding her books very awkwardly. Ron saw her fumbling with them.
"Hey, Luna. Need a hand?" Ron asked.
"No thank you." She smiled.
Harry felt something weird inside him. He shifted uncomfortably.
"Here, I'll help you." Harry walked over and took her books.
"Thank you." Luna smiled.
Ron, not thinking anything of it, walked to Hermione. She shifted her books to act as if they were to heavy for her to carry.
Ron looked at her, "Er…do you want me to carry your books?" he asked.
"Well…" she started. "No, that's alright."
Ron looked relieved. "Okay."
Luna walked beside Harry who was now holding all of his books and her books.
"Let's go up to my room." She said. Harry looked a little surprised, "So, we can put all the books down."
"Okay, good idea."
"I can also show you my collection of Quibblers."
"Okay…" Harry smiled uncomfortably.
"Good." Luna said and walked faster. Harry struggled to keep up.
Just then Lavender and Ginny walked by. Ginny looked at Harry, who was walking beside Luna carrying her books. She looked shocked.
"Luna, er, what are you doing? Want to come with me and Lavender to the Library?" Ginny asked.
"Maybe later. Harry and I are going up to my room." She said innocently.
"Oh." Ginny looked shocked. Lavender's mouth dropped. They walked ahead and started whispering.
"I think…you shouldn't tell people that." Harry suggested.
"Why?" Luna was confused.
"They could get the wrong idea." Harry tried to explain. "That's all."
"What idea would they get?"
"Well…that we were...that I…" Harry struggled to find words, "That we were together."
"But…we are together" Luna pointed out.
"Not like together, as in, together…." Harry mumbled, "Like...they could think that I like you."
Luna stopped walking. Harry turned to face her.
"You don't like me?" Luna looked a bit upset.
"Of course I like you…" Harry didn't know what to say.
"Then why would you car if people knew?" Luna pointed out.
"When I mean that they think I like you I really mean that they think that…I…wait…er" Harry ran out of words.
"It's alright Harry. I don't mind if they know." Luna smiled. Her eyes were very blue. She was so naive. She didn't understand.
"Let's keep walking." Harry said. And they did.
They reached Luna's room promptly.
"You can just shove the books over there." She pointed to the bed.
He threw them down.
"Okay, we can go now." Luna walked for the door, but Harry caught her by the hand.
"What about your collection…of er…Quibblers?"
"I know you don't think they are interesting." Luna looked down at her bare feet.
"I would like to see them…really…" Harry tried to smile, "I am sorry, about what I said before. I do like you. I don't care what Ginny or Lavender think of us."
Luna smiled. "Okay. The collection is over here."
"Wow, there is a lot."
"I know. It's going to take at least an hour to show you all of them." Luna laughed.
Harry tried to laugh to. He sat down beside her as she opened the first one.
"This one was the first ever printed. I was a baby, but my father put it aside just for me." She handed it to him. "Oh! And this one is my favorite."