Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update. I had a test, a paper, and a visit from my parents last week.

Chapter 5

Augusta Longbottom was… disturbed to say the least. If she hadn't known Neville so well, she would have thought him a liar.

Voldemort was back. Admittedly, he was just a spirit of some sort, but that was possible to overcome. She would need to keep a closer eye on both the government and the Death Eaters she knew of. Hopefully there would be some way to support Neville's claim.

Harry, Hermione, and Neville met up early on August thirty-first to do their Hogwarts shopping. After replacing their potion ingredients, getting new robes (both Harry and Neville had grown several inches, much to Hermione's annoyance), they headed over to Flourish and Blots to buy their texts.

"I can't believe their making us get all these Lockhart books," said Neville.

"There is no way in hell I'm buying that fraud's books," said Harry.

"He's not a fraud," insisted Hermione. "He's very knowledgeable and brave."

"Do you know how many inconsistencies there are in his books?" asked Harry. "The man is not what he says he is."

"Gran says he used to be an obliviator with the Department of Mysteries and the only spell he could ever perform correctly is a memory charm," added Neville.

"But-"

"Just read one of his books," said Harry. "Look up all the supposedly factual information. You'll understand why we thinks he's a fake soon enough."

"You're a liar."

Harry turned around. He'd known that there had been somebody else several feet away from them, but he hadn't thought that the person intended to talk to them,

A first year girl (judging by the books she carried) stared at them with her too large silvery eyes. Though the colors were a bit… eclectic, she looked like the typical daughter of a moderately well to do pureblood couple in her modest robes. Her colorless hair was worn long and loose, curling into ringlets at the ends.

"What?" he asked.

"You lie every day," she continued. "Living with a dead woman, taking a name not your own. He's coming for you. You're farce won't stop him."

"I can assure that my name is indeed my real name," said Harry. "My grandmother is not dead, and nobody is after me. Well, unless you count Wes. But I think he'll get over the prank I pulled on him by the time I return home."

She gave him a sad sort of smile. "I never said that you knew what lies you told."

With that she walked off, picking up Lockhart's books on the way. Harry turned back to his friends. Hermione looked confused and Neville had a blank look on his face.

"Who was that?" asked Hermione.

"Luna Lovegood," said Neville. "Of the House of Smythe. I wouldn't take what she said too seriously. Everybody knows she went crazy after her mother died. She's completely delusional."

"The House of Smythe?"

"Oh, sorry. I forgot you didn't grow up around these sorts of things," said Neville. "A House is like you're extended family or clan. There's the main part of the family, which uses the actual name, and offshoots, generally from daughters that marry orphans or muggleborns or halfbloods with no claim."

"Oh," said Hermione. "Which House are you a member of?"

"Longbottom. He's the family heir," said Harry. "Me on the other hand… unless I marry some pureblood girl, I will end up being the founder of the House of Typho."

"What about you're Grandmother's family?" asked Neville.

"They disowned her when she was eleven. That particular House no longer has a claim on her or her descendants."

Arabella Typho sat in one of the darker corners of the Leaky Couldron, watching people walk by. She had little to do while Harry was shopping with his friends. Seeing a cloaked man approach, she briefly considered finding some other place to wait for her grandson.

It took her a moment to connect the cloaked figure with a man she had known in passing. A Death Eater. What could he possibly want with her?

As he sat down, he greeted her with, "Hello Aunt."

Her eyes narrowed. "Even if I had not been disowned, I would not be considered your aunt."

"But we are members of the same House, Aunt Arrabella."

"Were. And at least have the decency to refer to me by my alias."

"Of course, Aunt Arilé."

"What do you want?"

He sighed. "There is talk among… my former companions."

"That you-know-who is back? I already knew. Although I don't know why you're telling me. In case you've forgotten, I'm a blood-traitor. I married a muggle and everything."

"I need a favor."

"And you think I'm going to help you because…"

"I'm not the one that needs the help…"

Glancing at his watch, Harry cursed under his breath. He was running late. If he didn't get through the barrier in the next two minutes, He would miss the Hogwarts express.

With a second thought, he cut in front of the youngest Weasley brother and ran though the barrier. He did not notice the nobody came through the barrier after himself. Nor did he know that Ron Weasley had bounced off the now solid barrier, causing a crash.

Arabella had told him to take a taxi to Kings Cross that morning. He wasn't sure what was going on, but his grandmother had looked unusually serious. Unfortunately, it had taken forever to wave down a cab, which meant that he'd almost missed the train.

Walking down the corridor, Harry searched for his friends. Hearing what sounded like an argument, Harry paused. This might be interesting.

"Do you know who I am?" demanded an all too familiar voice. "I'm-"

"The dragon of bad faith," said a soft female voice.

It was that Luna girl. From the sound of it, Malfoy was about to go ballistic. Not that Harry blamed him. The girl could be a bit annoying. She did not, however, deserve whatever Malfoy and his goons were planning.

What if she really was insane? Kriff. His conscience was acting up again. It looked like he was about to live up to the Gryffindor name once more.

"How dare you, you peon. I am your superior," said Malfoy. "You will show me the respect I deserve."

Harry took the opportunity to open the compartment door. "You really want to be shown the respect you deserve?"

Harry didn't wait for Malfoy's reply. Harry leapt into action, kicking and punching Crabbe and Goyle in several sensitive places in ways that would not leave a mark (at least Wes's teachings were proving useful). Before Malfoy had a chance to react, Harry smashed the bottom of his palm into his nose, breaking it.

"Don't you know anything?" asked Harry, ignoring the pathetic noises the other boy was making. "Respect is earned, not bought." He turned to Luna. "Grab you're trunk, you're sitting with me."

Tilting her head to the side to get a better look at Malfoy, Luna blinked. After a moment, she took the trunk off the rack and walked out of the compartment after Harry. Neither spoke as Harry continued his search for his friends.

In the last compartment of the train, Harry found Hermione and Neville. Leaving Luna in the corridor, he went inside to have a quick word with them.

Ignoring the greetings he whispered, "Luna Lovegood is sitting with us. Malfoy is out for her blood."

Hermione fell silent, her eyes wide. Neville just sighed and shook her head.

"I'm guessing he didn't like what she had to say."

"Sounds about right. Although why he was bothered by the English translation of his name…" he trailed off. "I'll go help her put her trunk up."

Once they were all settled in and introductions made, Harry pulled out his deck of cards. He'd had to sneak off to the lower levels of Coruscant to get his hands on a plastic set of playing cards instead of the usual card-chips which were capable of changing when given the right signal by the dealer. He was saving those for later on (if they actually worked at Hogwarts).

"What're those?"

"Playing cards, from back home," explained Harry. "Since everybody's already finished their summer work, I was thinking I could teach you guys to play sabacc."

"Sabacc? I've never heard of that game," said Hermione.

"I didn't think you would have. It's very popular back home, but for some reason it just hasn't spread to any of the other countries."

"Sounds like fun," said Neville. "How do you play?"

"Well, there are seventy six cards," started Harry. "In the deck there are two sets of eight face cards and four suits. The suits are coins, flasks, sabres, and staves. The closest to positive or negative twenty three wins…"

Luna didn't really pay attention when they crossed the lake. Watching the Fauhsrhu had been so much more interesting. Fauhsrhu were pixie-dragon fly hybrids that liked to pretend they were lightening bugs.

Then they entered the castle. Luna was firmly of the opinion that whoever had designed the landscaping to make the castle look evil had done a wonderful job. It would certainly attract Vampires, evil witches, and the source of all darkness: Prince Charming.

"…Luna. Lovegood, Luna," said a grumpy sounding woman.

It took a moment for Luna to realize that she was the one being called. Caught up in the music coming from the walls of Hogwarts, she hadn't been paying attention. With a twirl and several perfectly timed dance steps (Luna didn't want to do anything to disturb the music, including dancing off beat), she sat down on the chair and put on the singing hat.

'I don't see many like you, Miss Lovegood. Most witches don't risk magical overload until their mid-twenties… Some cunning, in a roundabout fashion, but no ambition to use it… Relatively loyal and hardworking, so long as you're interested… but you don't have the drive… You love knowledge…. Learning is everything to you, even if it's not about… normal subjects…You were certainly brave, staying in your home, even though you knew the magic would break you're mind… Ravenclaw or Gryffindor, Miss Lovegood. I haven't sorted anybody this difficult since Mr. Typho… you're friend, is he… You aren't paying me any attention, are you? Of course not. I'm sure Crumple-Horned Snorkacks are much more interesting than an old hat… might as well put you with your friends in "GRYFFINDOR!"'

Harry blinked as Luna was sorted into Gryffindor. He hadn't been expecting that. He motioned for Hermione to move over slightly to give Luna room. Once she realized that the hat was done sorting her, that is.

On the ride up to Hogwarts in the carriages drawn by strange skeletal and scaled winged horses, Harry, Hermione, and Neville had come to a decision about Luna. In the time spent with the girl on the train, it had become apparent that Luna was not in touch with the same reality as they were. Something that would no doubt be a point of ridicule during her time at Hogwarts. So they'd decided to… take her in. Becoming Luna's friend wouldn't be too hard. Even though Harry was quite sure Luna was insane, she was really a very nice girl. And intelligent… if you could keep her on track.

As if waking from a trance, Luna removed the sorting hat and stood up. The moment she looked their way, Harry waved her over. Sorting hat falling from her hand, Luna danced her way over to them.

"Does the castle always sing such dreary songs?" asked Luna. "They're beautiful, but a funeral march is a bit much to listen to everyday."

Jaina flopped down next to Zekk. It had been harder than usual to sneak out of the apartment. Her parents were starting to get suspicious.

Looking around, Jaina still wasn't sure why Zekk had wanted to meet here. Dex's Dinner was in CoCo Town, not one of the best neighborhoods. Certainly worse than where Zekk and Peckhum lived, but better than the places they went when looking for valuables for Zekk to sell.

After they ordered lunch, Zekk gave her a look she couldn't identify. "What's going on?"

"Huh?" Jaina fought the urge to run out the door. She hung out with Zekk to avoid the questions, not to be questioned.

"You come by more often, without your brothers, and half the time you look like you're going to cry when you show up." He had a look on his face that made it quite clear that she wasn't going to get out of this without answering.

She wasn't sure why she started talking. "I-Mom and Dad and Aunt Mara and Uncle Luke keep asking me questions and they won't leave me alone."

"Why?"

"I don't know. And they won't stop and I don't want to talk about what they're asking about and it's not dangerous or anything and they won't leave me alone." She sniffled, fighting the urge to cry.

Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Luna met in the library after they're last class of the day. Luna sat next to Harry, writing an essay for Transfiguration. One glance at the essay she was writing made Harry wince. He doubted Professor McGonagall had asked about transfiguration in the Humdinger-Heliopath war.

"What was that Howler about?" asked Hermione. "The woman was yelling too loudly for me to make out the words."

"Weasley drove a flying car to school instead of catching the train," said Harry.

"Oh."

"The House-Elf Conspiracy," Luna added happily.

Harry sat down in front of the fire with his friends and pulled out his pack of card-chips. After extensive testing, he'd been assured that they did, in fact, work at Hogwarts.

"Anybody up for a game of Sabacc?" he asked.

"Sabacc?"

"Never heard of it."

Harry looked over at the source of the almost identical voices. The Weasley twins, Fred and George, if he remembered correctly.

"It's a card game from back home," said Harry.

"Count us-"

"In."

Harry had to admit that playing Sabacc with six people was certainly more interesting than with four. It didn't take long to teach the twins. And the twins didn't seem as bad as the rest of the Gryffindors… well; they had a sense of humor at least.

"You're coming to try-outs this weekend, right?" asked Gred.

"Wood would be devastated if you didn't show," added Forge.

"He's had his heart set on you joining the team since the second game we played last year."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Was Wood the one chucking golf balls at me?"

"Yeah."

"He can be a bit obsessive."

Harry considered his options carefully. He couldn't turn down the invitation. He and his friends were not on the best terms with their classmates to begin with. But he wasn't sure he wanted to play either…

"A bet," said Harry. "If one of my friends or I win the next game of Sabacc, nobody will bother me about Quidditch again. Either of you win, I'll try out."

"Three against three," said Luna, sitting between the twins.

"Fair enough."

After several rounds, Harry called the hand showing the Mistress of Sabres, the four of Sabres, the six of Staves, and the Queen of Air and Darrkness equal to 21. Hermione's hand was equal to 23, Neville's was –6, Fred had a hand worth –19, and George 17.

"Ah well. We tried," said Fred.

"You get to break it to Oliver."

"No, you."

"Wait, Luna hasn't shown her hand," said Hermione.

When Luna put down her cards, Harry sighed. "Looks like I'll be there on Saturday."

"Huh?"

"That's an Idiot's Array. It beats everything, including Pure Sabacc." Harry paused. "I don't have my own broom, I'll need to use the school brooms."