Chances - A Drabble by BananaCarrot-five

October 1995

Life was… different for Harry Potter. It was only two months into his fifth year at Hogwarts, but he already felt like his life was crumbling around him. Professor Umbridge had been a thorn in his side ever since his hearing earlier in the summer.

Sirius hadn't been much help either; he sent cryptic messages here and there, and his few words didn't really help Harry calm down. Not even his best friends, Ron and Hermione, could get him out of his funks during the past two months. There was only one person who seemingly, without trying, always got through to him.

"Hello, Harry Potter."

Harry turned and chuckled. Standing near him was Luna Lovegood. Luna had been a constant friend to him ever since the year had started, and her words and conversations always seemed to cheer him up. Well, that and her angelically calm voice.

"Hi Luna, how are you?" Harry politely asked.

"Oh, just splendid. I wanted to take a walk in the cool breeze outside. What are you doing out here?"

"Oh!" Harry was caught off guard but steadied his breath before answering. "I don't know. I'm just lonely, I guess."

"Is it because Professor Umbridge is harassing you because the Prophet had a smear campaign against you this summer? Paired with your awful dementor attack as well as loneliness from your friends and anger from last year after you faced You-Know-Who and watched Cedric die?"

Harry was frozen with his mouth open. How she had almost entirely accurately stated that shocked him. Luna took his silence as processing and looked down at her feet.

"I look a lot, I'm sorry."

Harry shook his head quickly. "No, no. I'm just shocked how accurate you were. That's all."

Luna smiled a bit at that but kept her head down.

Harry continued, "So, is there any advice you can give me? Knowing most of what I'm thinking about."

Luna looked up at the sky and over at the trees, humming a tune before looking back at Harry.

"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!"

Harry was puzzled but Luna started explaining.

"You are too predictable, Harry. You need to do something to break this monotonous cycle of dread and blame. I'm not that smart as to tell you what to do, but I'd hope when the opportunity arises you go for it, even if it might backfire on you later."

Harry smiled and took Luna's hand into his own. "Thanks, Luna. You might have just given me the key to making this year bearable."

Luna smiled and took the opportunity to hug him. "I'm always here if you want to talk. Just ask."

Harry pulled back and smiled. "Thank you, Luna."

Harry got his golden opportunity about two weeks later, when Hermione started coming up with ways to learn Defense as Umbridge was less than willing, when she nervously glanced at him.

"Harry, can you teach Defense?" Hermione asked.

Harry saw the moment and leaped. "Sure. I'll need loads of help, but yeah. I'm on board with this. Secret Defense lessons, I'm game."

Obviously based on Hermione's demeanor she wasn't expecting his forthcoming reaction, but quickly recovered and threw a smile his way. "Great Harry, I'll come up with something and we'll see if we can work it out!

And two weeks later, with help from Dobby, a meeting in Hogsmeade, and one or two uncomfortable moments during setting everything up, Dumbledore's Army was formed, with Harry at the helm, teaching his peers how to defend themselves.

Sometimes, you have to take a chance to try something new. Harry didn't know that the DA would be busted almost eight months later, or that he would be dueling Death Eaters in the Ministry, but one day at a time, Harry would take new chances and try new things. And every once in a while, he would see the brilliant smile of Luna beaming at him

The Houses Competition, Round 4

House: Ravenclaw

Class: Charms

Category: Drabble

Prompt: Magic Schoolbus: [Quote] "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!"

Word Count: 657