Chapter 6-
Harry and Luna spent hours up in her bedroom looking at all the past Quibblers. Despite Harry's expectations he enjoyed it. There were many articles about him and his family in the older copies.
He zoned out while eating dinner in the Great hall.
"Harry." Ginny caught his attention. "Hi. So, you have been with Luna for a while."
"Yeah, I have been."
Ginny gave him a suggestive look.
"What did you do?" Ginny seemed to be jealous.
"I looked at some things." Harry said nonchalantly, secretly taking pleasure in the fact that she was jealous.
"Er…What did you look at?" Ginny tried to say coolly.
"Stuff." Harry brought his cup of pumpkin juice to his lips.
Ginny sat quietly. She attacked her potatoes with her fork. She dangled her chicken over her Butter Beer pretending it was Harry boiling over a pit of lava.
Luna ambled over.
"Hi Harry." She said pleasantly. "Look." She pointed down to her feet.
On her feet were bright pink loafers that flopped as she walked and the laces dragged.
"Luna, you are wearing shoes!" Harry exclaimed.
Luna looked confused. "What?" She looked down. "Oh, yes. Wearing foot wear earlier today would have interfered with the rituals of the Wiggle Woggles, an ancient magical species."
"That's very considerate of you." He smiled genuinely.
Ginny stabbed her pork chop. Her ears went red. sit over here with me." Ginny pulled her into the empty seat opposite of Harry.
Disregarding Ginny's attempt at conversation, Luna proceeded to inform Harry about the traditions of the Wiggle Woggles.
Just then McGonagall appeared and their conversation came to an abrupt end.
"Mr. Potter, may I have a word?" She said sternly.
Harry followed her to where the Slytherin table used to stand.
"Yes Professor?"
"If you need any empty class rooms to prepare in or any books located in the restricted section feel free to do so."
"Thank you," Harry said as she walked away. Harry walked back to the table suddenly feeling nervous about all that he has to face in the upcoming year.
"What was that all about?" Hermione pried.
Harry waved away the question, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Harry, do you remember the new Quibbler I was telling you about?" Luna asked.
"The issue with the Siamese Triplets?" Harry attempted.
"No." Luna said affronted at the idea. "The one about the Farrio Flies. Once a year the brave Farrio Flies light their bulbs. Each light is unique designed to attract the perfect mate with the matching shade. The Farrio Flies can live forever, but once they light their bulbs they only have a few hours mate and lay their eggs."
Ginny and Lavender laughed loudly behind their hands. They whispered to one another mockingly. Harry gave Ginny a disgusted look.
"Oh…we were talking about something else." Ginny quickly recovered. Harry turned his attention back to Luna.
"I'd imagine that if I were one of the courageous Farrio Flies to light their bulbs, but didn't find a mate…well…that would be tragic." Luna said dreamily with a forlorn look on her face.
Harry shifted in his seat, "That would be sad."
"What's even more troubling is that I have seen the Farrio Flies mate every year. Unfortunately, this year it is forbidden to leave Hogwarts and I will miss it."
"When is it?" Harry asked.
"This Friday," Luna sighed.
Harry put his hand on Luna's to console her, but unintentionally left it there to long. Realizing his hand was still holding Luna's, he jerked it back knocking over Luna's pumpkin Juice. The juice spilled onto Luna's loafers and some splashed Ginny's robe. Ginny shrilled as she stormed away from the table with Lavender trailing behind.
Luna looked down at her soiled Loafer and then back at Harry. "It's alright. I never liked them anyway."
Luna smiled. Harry offered his apologies sincerely. They then both laughed.
"I'll buy you some new ones." A tinge of red covered Harry's cheeks
"No. I don't like foot wear anyway. I only wore them to…well…" she gazed off.
"I'll make it up to you somehow."
Realizing that Hermione and Ron had left sometime during the commotion, Harry and Luna decided to retire to the common room. Luna wanted to check on Ginny, but Harry had other thoughts preoccupying his mind. Luna picked up her Loafers and tied the strings together. She threw them around her neck wearing her creation like a scarf.
On the way there Harry realized he didn't know very much about Luna.
"Er…what's your favourite class?" Harry mentally berated himself about his ridiculous question choice.
"Care of Magical Creatures," Luna replied, "Unfortunately, they don't offer it anymore."
"Luna, you know enough about animals to teach your own class." Harry joked charmingly.
"I know, but I still love hearing about different rituals, theories, and legends."
"Like the Farrio Fly?" Harry asked.
Luna looked at him fondly and smiled. "Yes."
They arrived at the common room. Harry muttered 'boggart' and they both walked in.
"Come sit with me Luna." Harry suggested.
"No thanks. I am very tired." Luna looked at Harry. What seemed to be minutes were finally ended when Luna embraced Harry.
"Goodnight." Luna walked away almost tripping over her own two feet. Trailing behind her was a wake of pumpkin juice which was dripping off her loafers.
With nothing else to do, Harry walked up the stairs to his room. Outside it he could hear Neville and Dean talking. He didn't feel as comfortable with them. Then Harry decided to pay Ron a visit. Conveniently, he was just across the hall.
Harry didn't even think about knocking. He opened the door forcefully without thinking about Ron's privacy. Harry stumbled back at what he saw. He closed his eyes immediately and started apologizing profusely.
On Ron's bed was a very embarrassed Hermione scrambling to button her shirt. Ron wiped his mouth and tried to straighten his hair.
"I-so-sorry-er-sorry!" Harry fumbled for words.
"Er, Harry! Hermione and I were just-"
"Studying!" Hermione finished.
"Er right." Ron looked at Harry. He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "So…we have a lot more studying…can you please…leave us?"
Hermione finished buttoning her blouse. She got up angrily and headed toward the door.
"Hermione! Wait…" Ron yelled after her.
Harry, finding no reason to leave now, closed the door behind her. Ron shifted on his bed. He then shoved a hand down his pants and readjusted himself. Harry laughed nervously. Oddly, Harry felt a bit jealous of his two friends.
"When did this start?" Harry asked.
"About twenty minutes ago-" Ron started, but was interrupted.
"No. I meant when did you and Hermione start…doing things…like this." Harry's throat felt dry.
"After the wedding I went to see her. Things just…well...I wanted to tell you…but-"
"I understand. It would have been really awkward." They both laughed at Harry's sarcasm.
Harry noticed Ron's bulge and decided to leave him alone for the night. Once Harry closed the door he felt lonely. He went to his own room and found his roommates in the same state as Ron.
Neville and Dean were both holding some sort of men's magazine.
"Hey, Harry." Dean said coolly. Neville tried to stash his Play Wizard quickly. "Want to read with us?" He said wiping his eyebrows. He threw him a magazine. Harry briefly glanced at it. He then remembered a better magazine to read.
"I have to go." He stammered.
"Where are you going?" Dean asked as he shut the door behind him.
Harry found himself walking up the girl's stairway. Downstairs he could hear Hermione wining to Ginny and Lavender about Ron's insensitivity. He came to Luna's door. 'What am I doing?' Without thinking he knocked on the door. Within minutes the fair-haired girl had opened the door.
"Harry!" Luna stepped back and gestured for him to come in. "What are you doing here? And, what have you brought with you?"
Harry had completely forgotten to leave the magazine Dean had given him. He could feel his heart beating.
"Nothing," he tried to hide it, but Luna snatched it.
Her face looked puzzled for a moment. Then she looked happy.
"Why, Harry, what a lovely gift." Luna said. "How about I give you a Quibbler in return?"
There was a long pause. "Sure." Harry could not believe Luna acted as coolly as she did. She walked over to her large stack of Quibblers and rummaged through them. She pulled out the issue that featured the Farrio Fly and handed it to him.
Harry looked at it, "Isn't this your favorite?"
"Yes, but I want you to have it." She smiled.
Throughout the visit Luna would yawn repeatedly. Harry left shortly after the gift exchange. When he entered his own room he was faced with a very angry Dean.
"Where did you put my magazine?"
"Er, I must have lost it." Harry retreated to his bed.
"Lost it!? Where did you go?" Dean steamed. "Is that it?" Dean pointed at the Quibbler in Harry's hand.
Harry ignored him. Neville eventually calmed Dean down and Harry got ready for bed. He dreamed of the mating rituals of the Farrio Fly all night.