Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I have no ties to the Rowling family, so sadly have no ties to the owner of Harry Potter. I'm just happy to continue using her great characters in a story I hope you all enjoy.

I would like to thank everyone for their reviews and here are the callouts to those willing to answer my Chapter Trivia: What potential Mini Series explanation can be found in this chapter? (Answer: Lost Room)

stacygrrl2002, thanks for trying.

"Talk"

'Thought'

"Phoenix telepathy"

~ quotes from the book ~

~~ letters or notes ~~

The next day, November 1st, Harry received a large package during the morning mail drop. Opening it, Harry found it to be a Firebolt broom; the latest out on the market and rumored to outclass the Nimbus 2001 broom by a large margin, much like the price difference between the two. With the broom came a note.

Harry, Professor McGonagall informed my you had a Quidditch match this Friday. Here are a couple of gifts you might like. Think of them as some of the late birthday presents I never got the chance to send you.

Your Godfather, Sirius Black.

Next to the name, Sirius put an inky pawprint from his Animagus form. As Harry read the note again and got back to part about 'couple of gifts', another owl flew down with a shrunken parcel. Harry canceled the charm on the parcel and found a full set of top-of-the-line Seekers' Armor. Harry couldn't help but smile at his Godfather's gift. With the set of armor was a note, stating that to reshrink the box for easy carry and storage, Harry needed to think the phrase 'shrink' and tap the box with his wand.

Harry called for Dobby, who then took the broom and armor up to Harry's dorm room; the breakfast table isn't the place for a broom, after all. Luna looked surprised and startled by this event but didn't voice it, the variable of Sirius Black being free was starting to cause ripples in what she had Seen. This would help Harry though, so she saw no need to interfere.

They finished their food and rushed off to class. It was Monday morning after all, so they still had to attend; even if they were all, even Ron, a month at least ahead of their peers. They didn't see the look on several of the Professors at the head table. Professor Snape looked livid, while Professor McGonagall couldn't wipe the grin off her face. Professors Flitwick and Sprout shared an amused smile at the antics of their colleagues.

FG

The week went on with classes during the day and training and studying in the Room of Requirements during the nights. Oliver Woods was practically over the moon that Harry now had a Firebolt to ride in their match against Slytherin that Saturday. The twins were beaming at him whenever they saw him. Harry spent most of his time hiding in the library with his friends. On the plus side, he got to hang out with Luna, and Madam Pince stopped giving them odd looks after the second week. Madam Pince also blocked Oliver Wood's attempts to corner Harry about Quidditch.

The weather had been getting worse all week, and by Friday it was a constant overcast. In hindsight, those of the group not named Luna should have seen trouble brewing. As the third years walked into their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, they saw Professor Snape setting up a projector. The group looked worried, but took their seats. When the bell rang for the start of class, Professor Snape quickly ran through the attendance list, looking to identify each student on the list. He stopped for a moment and sneered at the student every time it came to one of Harry's friends.

Once he was through the list he sneered at the whole class. "As Professor Lupin finds himself unwell, it falls to me to teach you dunderheads what you need to defend yourselves. Given your usual Professor has not left a lesson plan," Snape said, as Hermione's hand rose into the air. "Turn to page 394." Ignoring Hermione's raised hand.

As many of the students got out their books and turned to the required page. They let out gasps when they got there, some exclaiming, "Werewolves?!" Hermione raised her hand higher and attempted to get him to address her by calling out, "Professor?" Professor Snape sneered and said, "Five points from Gryffindor for disrupting the class, Miss Granger. Now be silent, the lot of you, and turn to page 394."

When all the students had their books open and to the correct page, Professor Snape said, "Now, who if any of you can tell me the difference between a werewolf and a true wolf? Anyone? Tsk…tsk… Not one?" Snape asked, a sneer on his lips and malevolent glee in his eyes.

Hermione, still with her hand raised said, "There are several differences between them, but we were supposed to learn about hinky-punks ac…" was as far as she got before Snape snapped at her to be silent.

"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger," Snape said, coolly. "Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."

Hermione went very red, put her hand down and stared at the floor with eyes full of tears. It was a mark of how much the class loathed Snape that they were all glaring at him, because every one of them had called Hermione a know-it-all at least once, and Ron, who told Hermione she was a know-it-all at least twice a week, said loudly, "You asked us a question and she knows the answer! Why ask if you don't want to be told?"

The class knew instantly he'd gone too far. Snape advanced on Ron slowly, and the room held its breath.

"Detention, Weasley," Snape said silkily, his face very close to Ron's. "And if I ever hear you criticize the way I teach a class again, you will be very sorry indeed."

No one made a sound for the rest of the lesson. They sat and made notes about werewolves from the textbook, while Snape prowled up and down the rows of desks, examining the work they had been doing with Professor Lupin.

By the end of the lesson, everyone was seething. Professor Snape had demanded two rolls of parchment on how to recognize and kill werewolves in essay form, taken thirty more points from Gryffindor and twenty-five from Ravenclaw, not that they had even managed to climb out of the negative points yet, and spent half the time discrediting Professor Lupin. At the end of the lesson, he had Ron stay behind to set up their detention.

When Ron caught up with them, he was furious. With several swear words and derisions of Professor Snape, for which Hermione smacked him for every swear, he told them what the detention was. He was to wash the bedpans in the hospital wing… without magic. Every night for the next week! His friends all grimaced in discomfort for Ron. He would have to miss their nightly training in the Room of Requirements for the next week; they had already tried once before as Ron had been late and been unable to join them.

With Ron muttering sulphurously, they headed to Charms for their last period. Fortunately, it was the last class of the day and, seeing Ron's bad mood, Professor Flitwick gave a lesson on mood charms while using Ron as an example with the cheering charm.

FG

The next day was the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch match and the weather was dreadful. Rain and lightning, accompanied by fifty mile per hour winds, promised a hard match. Marcus Flint had tried to have the match rescheduled, but Madam Hooch was having none of it. "The real players of this sport don't let a little rain ground them. The Russian Quidditch circuits boast that their teams train and play during fierce blizzards." Flint sneered at her before marching back to his team.

As Harry suited up, he had a bad feeling about this match. The air felt oppressive and cold. With his new broom, Harry decided to attempt to break his previous record for fastest game. He'd deal with Wood's rants about needing to score goals when they were dry and safe after the match.

As soon as Harry took off, he could feel something different. The rain felt slower as it splattered against his new gear and he felt hyper aware of his surroundings. As soon as the game started, Harry activated his magical sight and was able to track the Snitch and Bludgers with their enchantments giving off flashes of light. The Bludgers flashed every time they changed direction for a new target or got hit by a Beater's bat. The Snitch sparkled with a small portion slightly diming as time went on; that would be the charm to keep invisible until a set time into the game, so no one could end the game immediately.

Harry watched the balls fly around from up high, keeping within twenty feet of the Snitch while appearing to search and avoid the rest of the players. Malfoy could barely see Harry, let alone what he was doing. The moment the timed enchantment to keep the snitch invisible expired, Harry shot towards it. Ending the match 160 Gryffindor to 20 Slytherin. Lee Jordan, the slightly biased announcer for most Quidditch matches since Harry's first year, was shouting, "THAT'S IT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MATCH IS ALREADY OVER. MR. POTTER HAS BROKEN HIS OWN RECORD BY CATCHING THE SNITCH FIVE SECONDS AFTER IT APPEARS. GRYFINDOR WINS 160 TO 20!"

While Professor McGonagall scowled at the student shouting next to her, she couldn't tell him off for it. He announced the truth and wasn't biased in it, and she couldn't help letting out a rare smile as she saw Professor Snape's reaction. It was then she looked up and saw several Dementors approaching with the clouds, heading towards the Gryffindor stands, where Sirius Black was sitting with Harry's friends. These Dementors apparently didn't get the message that the hunt was over, or were rogue as they quickly made their way there. Quickly casting a sonorous charm, she shouted, "TEACHERS, DEMENTORS IN THE PITCH. IF YOU'RE ABLE, CAST YOUR PATRONUS TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN."

She then put action to word and sent her tabby cat Patronus at the Dementors. Several others joined it, including a doe, a badger, and a falcon. Everyone was surprised though when one of the Patronus creatures made contact with a Dementor and set it aflame, causing the pitch to be filled with a soul-chilling shriek before the dementor was no more. This caused the remaining Dementors to reel back before fleeing the pitch. The Patronus creature that had killed the Dementor had dissipated after its attack, so nobody was able to tell who had cast it or what it was.

All the players had quickly returned to the changing rooms and waited for the all clear from the Professors. None of them noticed Harry was slightly slower getting in, despite having the fastest broom. When the Dementor died and the rest fled, nobody noticed that Harry's smile was more predatory. 'It's a good thing I got Professor Lupin to teach me the basics and perfected it with Fawkes.' Harry thought.

fg

The night after Harry's lesson with Professor Lupin, Harry and Fawkes were training in Harry's mindscape. "Now that you know the principle behind conjuring a Patronus creature, I can teach a modified version once you master it. You have already learned that Phoenix Fire can scare away a Dementor better than a Patronus, that is because Phoenix Fire is one of the few things that can kill a Dementor. When you are able to summon your Patronus, you will be able to infuse it with Phoenix Fire, thus allowing you to deal with them at a safe distance rather than close ranged."

Harry spent several 'nights' working it out, but with Fawkes and the Rooms help, he'd managed it. The memory used to power his Patronus was of his time talking to his family's portraits at Potter Manor. Harry's Patronus took the form of a smaller version of Fawkes. When he asked the phoenix about it, Fawkes said, "Not the form I was expecting, but it may have changed due to spending so much time around me." Causing all five of the humans to sweat drop, while Luna glared at him.

After giving a quick squawk, though he would vehemently deny it, Fawkes warbled before continuing, "Given your continued development of your gift, and your desire to use Phoenix Fire to protect those you care for, you may have manipulated your Patronus. The Patronus creature usually stays the same, but does change on occasion when someone goes through a substantial life change. If you had not developed your gift, I'm sure it would be something else. It would certainly been a force for protection, though."

After Harry had managed his own, the rest of the group had been determined to find their own and started practicing for at least an hour a night. Neville, given the learning boost from the Bond of Valor, managed it next; Neville's form took the appearance of a grizzly bear, a powerful protector of its home and family. Luna had no problem producing a hare Patronus; fast and flighty, very creative. Hermione, determined not to be outdone soon revealed her otter Patronus; clever and dexterous while also playful, not to be underestimated if cornered. Ron came last with a Jack Russel terrier; fast and playful, quick to anger in defense of self and loved ones.

fg

Back in the changing rooms, Harry's teammates were congratulating him on the amazing catch. Harry had a perfectly understandable reason to smile. The professors came to get them several minutes later and escorted them to the school. The main topics on everyone's minds were Harry's record setting catch and the Dementor attack ending with a dead Dementor, when everyone thought they were impossible to kill. Harry and his friends never told anyone it was Harry's Patronus that killed the monster.

Sirius stayed at the school for the rest of the day, much to the chagrin of some members of the Hogwarts staff. He spent the most of the day telling everyone who would hear him talk about when Harry's father played Chaser when they were in Hogwarts, while he played Keeper. Needless to say, the Gryffindor Quidditch team gave him plenty of attention; with Oliver Woods and Ron Weasley asking him questions about his time as Keeper, Oliver Wood's current position and Ron Weasley's desired position.

FG

Harry and his friends had already finished their werewolf essays by Friday night, except Ron who was waylaid by Professor Snape's detention, so the rest of the group helped him finish that homework on Sunday. Monday came around, only for them to find out their work wasn't necessary. Professor Lupin was back, even if he still looked a bit sickly, and everyone complained about how Professor Snape acted while he substituted the previous Friday. Professor Lupin told everyone that if they did the essay, they each got five points for the house.

Once everyone in class thanked him, Professor Lupin revealed a Hinkypunk in a glass box. They spent the rest of class talking about them and were assigned twenty inches of parchment on their habits and history. Later that day, Professor Lupin gave Professor Snape an earful in the teacher's lounge while they were alone.

FG

The rest of November followed the flow of October, with Sirius visiting on Saturdays and the group training and getting further ahead of their peers. While their classmates were still near the beginning of their yearly books, Harry's group were nearing the midway point through their books. As much as Hermione would love to have them study the entire 'night', she was out voted by the rest; they all had other interests they enjoyed and were only willing to read for so long. Harry enjoyed working on his dueling with the practice dummies. Neville enjoyed working with his plants and potions; he was getting rather good at them without Professor Snape breathing down his neck. Ron practiced Quidditch and the Room created a chess set that could play Ron without needing someone to play with him. Luna had her painting and drawing; she was quite good. This left Hermione to read what she wished, so she started to read the books about time magic.

The second Quidditch match of the year was between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, taking place on the 27th of November; Ravenclaw flattened Hufflepuff winning by 250 points to 10. The last week of November saw the Scottish weather roll in, with a mix of snow and rain. The groups studies continued undisturbed till the 6th of December.

Professor McGonagall arrived in the Gryffindor common room shortly after dinner. "May I have your attention, please? As you all know, the Yule, or Christmas if you prefer, break will be the last two weeks of the year. Starting on the 19th of December and returning on the 2nd of January. If you plan to return home for the break, please come forward and I'll record your name for the list. If you are unsure at this time, come see me in my office after dinner and before curfew. If you do not inform me of your plans to return home before the 17th of December, your name will be put down as remaining here for your break."

As happened every year, all the first- and second-year students rushed Professor McGonagall while the older students held back. It took nearly an hour before the crowd dispersed, leaving a frazzled and irate Professor McGonagall standing in the middle of the common room. Harry and his group in Gryffindor waited till the rest of the students had dispersed before approaching Professor McGonagall.

When she saw Harry and his friends she internally sighed before nodding and preparing to get back to work. "Mr. Potter, I assume you'll be leaving to spend time with your Godfather. I hope what we talked about is still planned for." She smiled slightly as Harry gave a firm nod before she continued. "Ms. Granger, I assume you'll be returning home again as usual. Mr. Longbottom, your grandmother informed me she expected you to return home for Yule this year. Mr. Weasley, your parents are going to be visiting Charly Weasley in Romania again; you and the other Weasleys are encouraged to stay here for the break."

The group all nodded, with Ron scowling slightly. With nods from them all, Professor McGonagall marked all their names before nodding and leaving the room. They all talked excitedly while they waited for curfew, with the others trying to comfort Ron for having to stay here for the holidays. One thing that caused Ron to smile though; he would be able to play weeks of chess with the Room of Requirements while they were gone or fly for as long as he likes. He was only mildly put off by Hermione reminding him to do his homework while they were gone.

FG

The month of December moved quickly towards Yule break, with decorations going up all around the castle. The spirits of the students were rising as Yule approached, despite the tensions of mid-year exams. Luna had let them know she would be returning home for the Yule break and asked Harry to visit her over the break. Their studies in the Room of Requirements progressed quickly as well; by the morning of the 18th of December, they were more than ¾ of the way through their schoolbooks.

The 18th of December was the day before the train home for Yule ran, along with being a Hogsmeade Saturday. Everyone third year and above wanted to go into town to get their Christmas shopping done for their friends and loved ones. Everyone in Harry's group, minus Luna as a second year, all agreed to travel to down to Hogsmeade together before separating to do individual shopping for gifts before meeting at the three broomsticks for lunch. Luna, while disappointed, understood and saw them all off after breakfast. She had her own plans for Christmas gift collecting.

Once the four third years were on their way, Luna called Dobby and asked him to help her find the Weasley twins. They had learned early on to avoid the breakfast rush to Hogsmeade, and the carriages all-together, so they headed for the third floor after they finished breakfast. When they were nearing their favorite secret passageway, within the humpbacked witch, they found Luna Lovegood waiting there.

"Hello Fred and George Weasley, who-ever is who today. Off for a stroll instead of shopping for gifts today?" Luna asked, a twinkle in her eyes and a grin on her face.

Deciding to play along, they said as one, "And a good morning to you, Miss Lovegood. Something we can help you with?" They remembered her being Ginny's friend and their closest neighbor. They could also see how close she was to Harry, much to the ire of Ginny. The twins, while disappointed for Ginny, would support Harry; he was their team's Seeker, and given what they saw of his homelife the summer before last, they were happy to help Harry any way they could.

"Well, boys, I know you have a certain map of the school that used to belong to the Marauders. I would very much like for you to hand it over, so that I might give it to Harry for his gift this Christmas. While I can certainly understand not wanting to part with it, I'll offer you three things for it. A very good reason, the names of your heroes though I advise not asking them about their fourth member, and a golden opportunity." Luna said, enjoying the looks on the twins faces.

They were shocked when they heard Luna knew about the map. Disbelieving when she asked them to hand it over. Curious with her first offer, it must be a doozy of a reason; though they would have given it to him had Harry needed it. Absolute awe at the second offer, though they didn't know what to think about the venom she had in her voice when mentioning the fourth. And finally, a Golden Opportunity, that was a mystery box, and the twins loved a good mystery, especially if they could profit from it.

"You have our attention, Miss Lovegood. We shall certainly hear you out. Let's hear it," said Fred, then George, before finishing together.

"First of all, the first is part of the second. Harry is the son of James Potter, also known as Prongs." Luna had to pause and stifle a giggle at the twins' reactions to the first bombshell, the very good reason. "The second member of the Marauders was Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather, also known as Padfoot." She couldn't help chuckling now. While the first shock had their eyes nearly bulge out, the second had them slack jawed. "The third member of the Marauders was one Remus Lupin, our current Defense professor. He went by the name of Moony" They fell down at that point, looking between Luna and each other in shock and awe.

"And the last member of Marauders, Wormtail?" Asked Fred with a stutter. He immediately regretted asking as Luna's face took on a murderous glare.

"The last member, and traitor of the Marauders, was Peter Pettigrew. He betrayed Prongs by leading Voldemort right to the Potters that Halloween night, framed Padfoot when he faked his death while killing twelve muggles and went into hiding with his Animagus form of a common brown rat. They were all Animagi except for Moony. He then found a very trusting wizarding family to hide with as their pet rat." Fred and George were shocked by that last revelation, before the last part made sense to them and they turned as green and stiff as jade warriors.

"That's right, boys. Peter Pettigrew, Wormtail, was Scabbers. The same Rat that was the pet and shared the room of Percy and Ronald Weasley. And as I said, better not to mention him to either of the other surviving members or Harry. So, ready to hear the Golden Opportunity?" She asked sweetly, as if she hadn't just shoved their entire collection of dung bombs into a Wormtail shaped cake and lit the fuse.

After several moments, they managed to collect themselves and shove the secret of Wormtail deep behind their mild Occlumency shields they had developed to protect their secrets from their mother. They still looked a bit green, but they looked towards Luna and nodded. "The Golden Opportunity is the foretelling of the ending of the Quidditch World Cup, and a warning. Interested?" Luna asked.

That wasn't just Golden, that Opportunity could be life changing. But how could she know, or know about the Marauders? "We are definitely interested, but how do you know all this?"

"If I tell you, you must swear to keep this secret. The only ones who know are Harry and Neville, and I trust them explicitly. The fewer that know the better." With both twins looked at each other before, much to Luna's surprise took out their wands and made magical vows to keep her secret.

After getting over her shock, Luna revealed that she was a Seer. She told them about how her mother was a Seer as well and was experimenting with getting more control of her visions the day she died. The experiment backfired and cost Luna's mother her life while forcefully activating Luna's gift early and enhancing it.

"Harry needs the Marauders map to help with an event next year, which will both protect him and end a threat to him before that threat can kill hundreds." She said, looking sharply at Fred. With a feeling of someone having just walked over his tomb stone, Fred nodded back. "The match will be Ireland vs Bulgaria; Ireland wins with Bulgaria's Seeker catching the snitch. Careful when betting with Mr. Bagman, he's in a good bit of debt with the Goblins and pays in Leprechaun gold when he thinks he can get away with it."

With stunned looks from both teens, Luna held out her hand. After half a minute, Fred seemed to realize and reached into his back pocket. "Here you go. You know the codes for it already, right?" Fred asked, handing Luna the folded and cleared Marauders Map. Luna just accepted the map and smiled before walking off.

Once Luna was out of sight, both twins looked at each other and said, "Bloody Hell." They then quickly made their way into the secret passageway to Hogsmeade.

Luna walked up to her dorm in Ravenclaw tower and put the map in a secret compartment in her trunk. She had Dobby help her add and secure it before she returned from the summer holiday. The map joined her most treasured possessions; her diary, a moving photo of her mother and a signed copy of Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them. They had run across Newt Scamander on their travels and he was more than happy to sign.

Closing and resecuring the secret compartment, Luna rose and smiled. She knew she'd taken a risk today, revealing her secret to Fred and Gorge, but to have received a magical vow of secrecy was something she hadn't seen coming. Those two really are loyal and deserve their reward. The map will certainly help Harry and Neville. Luna laid on her bed and appeared to go back asleep, while she watched the result of her aid with a smile.

FG

Once the rest of the group arrived at Hogsmeade, they split up to collect the gifts they planned to buy for each other. While they were walking, they couldn't ignore what they had been willfully ignorant of: the chatter of gossip and rumors surrounding the Dementor attack on the Quidditch game between the Lions and the Snakes. Magicals were whimsical, not creative. The rumors ranged from a hidden Unspeakable in the crowds using an experimental spell, up to a hidden magical war between the Dementors and Fire Elementals. Neither side knew how close they actually were; after all, all rumors need a grain of truth at their core to be believable and pick up others as they snowball wildly out of control.

Harry started off by visiting Zonko's for a gift for Sirius. In the famous joke shop, Harry found small dog collars with the sign instructing customers to flip the collar over. Harry did so and the collar transformed into a small white dog that yipped three times as it flipped before transforming back into a dog collar. The sales assistant who saw Harry try the joke item said it was from a muggleborn who got the idea off the muggle tele. Harry loved it and got two for four Sickles. He then made his way to a magical jewelry shop.

The shop sold the usual fair of rings, necklaces and earrings you would expect to see in any jewelry shop across the world. But magicals being magicals, this shop sold enchanted jewelry and the designs were eye-catching to say the least. The rings were designed like the eyes of magical creatures, with advertisements for full head styling available in their mother shop in Diagon Alley. The necklaces had regular gems surrounding magical gems that glowed with power. Earrings were displayed in many different ranging from small loops with twined gold and silver to the 'hook' style with jewels resembling fruits and magical plants. Harry found a set with orange Carnelian stones that resembled what Luna had described to him as Dirigible Plums, the Lovegood's grew them in front of their house. They were enchanted to enhance on the muggle belief that they help fortify emotional comfort with a mild cheering charm and had a mild enhancement charm engraved into them.

Harry also found armbands towards the back of the shop, near a curtained of doorframe with a runic design on the floor. While Harry couldn't understand all the runes carved into the floor, he could deduce it was an age line with '' meaning Old in Elder Futhark and the mild rebuking eye he got from the cashier. Harry decided to get a bracelet with Carnelian stone inlay with the Dirigible Plum design and found a floral design with emeralds he got for Neville. Harry's bracelet was apparently enchanted with a whit enhancement while Neville's had a mild calming effect on aggressive plants, like Devil's Snare or Whomping Willows. That shop cost Harry thirty Galleons, with the shop owner giving him an awkward smile while ringing him up.

Harry then went to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and purchased five ever-full eagle quills and ten jars of ever-changing ink. While there, Harry found a selection of books available for purchase. One of the books available was an introduction to spell craft. He purchased it for Hermione, but would check with Luna before giving it to her. Harry didn't want what happened to Luna's mother to happen to Hermione because of him.

Next was a shop Harry could hardly believe he hadn't visited before or been dragged to by Ron, the Hogsmeade Quidditch supply store. The store was named the Silver Arrow after the traditional broom made before racing brooms became popular. The store stocked a good selection of older model brooms, a few newer model brooms, care kits for brooms, and even toy brooms for toddlers. Sirius had told Harry about the one he had sent for Harry's first birthday and the letter Lily had sent because of it; it had Sirius, Harry, and Professor McGonagall laughing, while in another part of the castle a certain ginger cat with a squashed face sneezed and rolled over.

The store also advertised a mail order service for new brooms and summer match passes for Quidditch teams. After browsing the wares and checking what passes were available, Harry grinned and made two bulk purchases. First was for Ron and his brothers: 4 passes for the Chudley Cannons for the summer for the brothers and 1 for their father. Harry then wrote up an order for 50 new Shooting Star brooms for Madam Hooch's flying class and a Silver Arrow for Madam Hooch herself.

The salesperson scoffed when Harry ordered the passes for the Chudley Cannons but passed out when Harry made the bulk purchase of 51 brooms. The owner of the shop was fortunately there and saw the scene unfold. After ensuring that his salesman was ok, he finished ringing Harry up and offered Harry a ten percent discount for his salesman's actions. Harry thanked the man but counter offered for ten percent of the stores stock, which was still cheaper than the ten percent discount. The asked if he could advertise that Harry owned a part of his store, and after Harry accepted the owner cried with happiness and finished the transaction. The owner got in touch with Goldclaw once Harry left and he'd locked up.

The salesman woke up an hour later when his boss got around to enervating him before reopening the shop. His boss was smiling more than he had the entire time the salesman had worked for him. The store was out of the way, so rarely got foot traffic from the students of Hogwarts; meaning that sales were always rather low for the store. Then his boss turned to him and said, "That was Harry Potter you passed out on. Thank you! He declined my discount for your behavior, which we will be talking about, and bought ten percent of the stores share. We'll be able to keep the store open, and even advertise." The owner said in joy. The young man thought his father hadn't looked happier in years.

Harry's last stop before rejoining the others was in Honeydukes. He had already spent well more than he'd planned, and knew Goldclaw was going to want a word with him over the break, but he still had some friends to get stuff for. Harry walked in and immediately noticed a well-attacked display for boxed chocolates. Deciding he wanted some as well, and that his friends would like them, Harry bought a dozen of the boxed chocolates and a dozen bottles of a potion at the counter that seemed to be ignored by all the other students visiting the shop; a teeth cleaning potion. The cashier was so shocked he'd gotten the potions she actually gave the recipe for the potion free of charge; it wasn't against the rules to reveal the recipe, but it was supposed to be a galleon due to how uncommon it was.

With all Harry's purchase made and his bags handed over to Dobby, Harry made his way to the Three Broomsticks to join his friends and, for the first time, enjoyed the game of 'What did you get me?' with his friends. Some of the teachers were seen visiting the bar and joining the gossip of Harry's secret stunt at the Quidditch pitch. The teachers were on the side of an Unspeakable in the stands argument though tried to quell any rumor spreaders they found. Harry and his friends grinned when they saw and heard this but never revealed it was Harry.

After lunch and several rounds of butterbeer, the friends made their way back to Hogwarts. They were slowed slightly by the fact that Hermione and Ron had their Christmas shopping with them still, Neville had called for Jules to carry his gifts to Longbottom Hall to be wrapped. They had also missed the last carriage up to the castle and had to walk. It took them half an hour to reach the gate, where Luna met them with thermoses of hot chocolate and a smile. They happily accepted and walked with her back to the castle.

They spent the rest of the day in the library until dinner, where Luna once again joined Harry and his friends. Nobody made any comment about her sitting with them anymore. Once dinner was done, they made their way to their common rooms to spend some time with their housemates before leaving the next day. Once the rest of the house went off to bed, they snuck off to the Room of Requirement to join Luna for one more night of training before all but one of their groups would leave for the break.

That's all for this chapter, sorry it took so long; between life and writers block, this chapters coming out months behind schedule. Thank you all for waiting and I hope it was worth the wait. There is plenty planned to happen in the next chapter, so it might be long one.

I know I'm probably going to catch some flames for having Luna reveal her secret to the twins and messing with the time stream, but I wanted to play with a famous plot item that my Harry wouldn't have gotten otherwise. You all will see how it will help when we get there.

No trivia this time, though I will admit I hid a clue or two in this chapter as to why Fawkes is so terrified of Luna. If I get ten people who can pick at least one of them out, I'll send those readers a section of an advanced chapter. If I get twenty-five who see it, I'm clearly not as good at hiding things as I think I am and will post the section of advanced chapter with a spoiler warning for those who haven't worked it out and want to be surprised.

Hope to hear from you all soon and no writers block, please.