Chapter 12: The Train Ride.
Thanks for reading and reviewing.
My muse is going out on walks without me. Just so, you know.
Hphphp
The next day on the train, Harry and Hermione met up with that girl that was the only one who had supported S.P.E.W. Luna Lovegood. Harry had never met her, but she was good friends with Ginny and had met with Hermione many times over the plight of the house elves. She was a slight girl with wispy blonde hair. She had a vague disposition, that bordered on flighty. Though she was quite smart, she was in Ravenclaw for a reason.
"Hello, Luna," Hermione stated, coming into the carriage where only the girl was sitting. Harry, and strangely, Neville followed along behind her. "Is anyone sitting here?" she asked, looking around the compartment for other trunks. Not seeing any, she came in and gestured her companions to follow.
"Hello, Hermione. No, I'm all alone," Luna said, looking up from the magazine she was reading. "Hello, Harry Potter," she said to Harry then looked to the next person and said, "and I'm sorry, I don't know you." She made sure to keep a smile on her face, though there was a faraway look in her eyes.
"I'm nobody," Neville said, taking a seat near Harry. He looked like someone had kicked his crup and told him his toad had died. His robe was in disarray and there was just sadness about him.
"Don't say that, Neville," Hermione said sharply. Then she smiled and said, "You're very much someone to me and others." She laid a hand on his back and then moved to put her trunk on the overhead shelf. She didn't think he'd be comfortable with too much contact with the opposite gender. He was always shy like that. She would stay by his side but keep physical contact to the minimum.
"You're someone to me too, mate," Harry said, clasping the teen on the shoulder. He always liked Neville, but he was one of the blokes that Ron always ran off and Neville was one of the ones that ran far. He wasn't cowardly, per se, but he didn't like to make waves, so to speak. Neville would speak to Harry when Ron wasn't around, but if Ron was there, he would back off. Since Ron was there most of the time… well, Neville would stand to the side. Harry wasn't going to let that happen this year. Ron was persona no grata to him.
"Thanks," Neville said, giving them a small smile. His gran really did a number on him during the summer. She had been in fine form this year. She had berated him over his grades and let him know that he was not measuring up to her standards. He would never be his father, and he fell short of his mother's standards as well. It was a nightmare living in that house. Her siblings were just as bad. He couldn't wait until he was head of the house and could just kick them all out. If he lived that long.
"We're really going to have to build up your self-confidence," Harry said, still clasping his shoulder. "I get it, mate, my relatives aren't all that great either," he commiserated, as he saw something that passed Neville's eyes. Like there was something deeper going on. He was going to have to talk to the lad when there weren't witnesses. Maybe give him the name of his solicitor.
"I don't totally disagree with you there, Harry," Neville stated, not wanting to really say anything bad, but not wanting to defend his family. Not when there were other people about. He had other things on his mind right now at any rate.
"Anyway, my apologies, Luna, my name is Harry Potter," Harry said, taking her hand and bussing the knuckles. She was a cute girl, and she was his age, if a year younger than him.
Luna giggled, and said, "Pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter. I see the nargles have finally left you alone."
"Yes, they have," Harry said without missing a beat. He had learned of this particular creature from Merlin. They are rare and nasty pests that only special people can see and know about. Well, not rare, but only those that are in touch with magic in a certain way can see them. Luna, it seems, is one such person. He liked her.
"What is a nargle?" Hermione asked, looking between the two. She had never heard of these things.
"It's an invisible creature that gets into your brain and muddles it," they said together. They then looked at each other and giggled. They then high-fived each other. Something that wizards didn't do, but for some reason just seemed like the right thing to do.
"Oh, whatever," Hermione said, thinking they were pranking her. Though how they could be since they had never met before, she had no idea. But whoever heard of invisible creatures?
"Are you all excited for the new school year?" Luna asked everyone, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She looked at each person to see what they thought of her question. She could see there were different reactions from each person. Hermione seemed excited, while Harry was lackluster, Neville seemed scared but determined.
"Yes, and no," Hermione replied. "There's always so much to look forward to, but also so much work." She was already pulling out parchment and taking notes on something. She had a book in hand and was reading something. It was the DADA book, like it was important to know that class in particular.
"I'm hoping for a quiet year, though I doubt we'll get one," Harry said, a glint in his eye. He wasn't excited, but he was looking forward to seeing what was in store with Umbridge. He was sure she was going to do something stupid. She was Fudge's lackey, and that man was stupid as fuck. She was bound to screw up and he was going to be there to make sure that she paid for it.
"Oh, why do you say that?" the budding reporter asked, though she really wanted to be a magizoologist. She thought she could be both, reporter during her down times and magizoologist during the right seasons.
"We've got Umbridge coming," Harry said, like that was obvious. To him it was.
Both Luna and Neville groaned. Neville even went so far as to put his head in his hands.
"You know her?" Hermione asked, shocked. She didn't think the woman was that popular. She knew the adults all knew her, if by reputation, but the kids, that was bad.
"Know of her, more like," Neville answered. "Gran talks about her and none of it is nice. She's to be our DADA professor then?" He was still talking with his head in his hands. He wasn't looking forward to this. She was a nightmare. Now he had Snape and Umbridge. He didn't know if he could deal with it. He was going to be spending all his time in the hospital wing for calming draughts, he was sure of it.
"Yes," Harry said, grinning. He was looking forward to it. He was raring for a fight.
"Damn it," Neville cussed.
"Sorry, mate, but that's the way the ministry let the broom fall," Harry said, shrugging his shoulder.
Luna sighed and looked out the window and up at the sky. It was still light out and the scenery was flashing by. "I suppose we'll just have to make the best of it. Maybe she won't be as bad as everyone says." She knew better. That woman had been trying to close down the Quibbler for years. She was a Bitch with a capital B.
Hermione snorted. "You're optimistic, Luna. But I admire that." She had no clue what Luna was thinking.
"Well, someone has to be," Luna replied serenely. She was going to have to be extra diligent this year. She was going to have to hide her special things better. "Otherwise, we'll all just be miserable before we even start. However, the nargles are going to be especially terrifying this year," she predicted, looking to the door of the compartment.
Harry chuckled. "You've got a point there. Let's hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Don't worry about the nargles. I've given the house elves a special spray for them," he said with a wink. He was going to have Dobby and Kreacher keep an eye on things this year. And because Luna said that; a close eye on her.
"Speaking of preparing," Hermione interjected, "we should probably get our supplies in order before her class. I hear Umbridge has some... peculiar requirements for her class." She was just trying to make sure they didn't get into trouble before they had too.
Neville groaned again. "I just hope this year isn't as chaotic as the last. My Gran will have my head if I bring home another set of burnt robes." That had been another thing that she had harped on him about. His potion's mishaps. His fear of Snape was well known, and she was displeased over that fact. She would berate him daily that he should not be afraid of the dungeon bat. That he was just a man and that he was a weak man at that. He needed to get over it and get his grades up. He was really starting to dislike his gran.
"I have to get to the prefect meeting," Hermione said, gathering her things. She put her book and parchment away and gathered up some fresh parchment and quills and ink. She was going to leave her trunk here and just take her bookbag. She was transferring what she needed as she talked. "You lot behave. I'll be back as soon as I'm done with patrolling."
"Alright, Hermione," Harry said, settling in for a long ride. He was hoping for a visit from Draco. He hadn't had a good fight since Molly left and he was itching for one. "I'll be good," he promised mockingly.
Hermione gave Harry the hairy-eyeball and left.
The trio that was left talked about school, bar Umbridge, and what to expect. They went over their summer homework and what had happened during the summer for Luna and Neville. Both asked Harry what had happened when he went missing, but he declined to answer overly much.
"I'd rather not talk about it," he said, winking at them to take the bite out. "It was a very personal experience," he added still smiling at them. It wasn't that he didn't want to tell them, it was that here and now wasn't the time or place. That and he really didn't know them that well. Perhaps later after they were better friends.
"I understand," Luna said, looking like she really did understand. She looked sad and melancholy. "I wish I could see my mum," she mumbled, looking out the window.
"What?" Neville said, wondering where that came from.
"Nothing," she said wistfully.
"Oh," was all he said to that and then changed the subject. "Anyway, Harry, what else did you do over the summer?" If Harry wasn't going to tell where he had been, then perhaps he'd share something else.
"I got my godfather freed, kicked Molly Weasley out of the house, yelled at Dumbledore, got my parents will read, and learned to control my magic," Harry said, laughing at the looks on their faces at his list of things. Neville seemed shocked that he yelled at Dumbledore and freed Sirius. Luna wanted to know about his magic.
"Control how?" Luna asked, leaning forward eagerly. She wanted to know everything. If she could learn it, that would be great. She could control her magic and see more creatures and get help with her visions.
Harry conjured some fire in his hands and started juggling it. He then threw one in the air and made it disappear. He threw the other up and did the same.
"Wicked," the two others said.
Harry extinguished the last of the flames with a casual flick of his fingers and leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful expression playing on his face. "It took a lot of practice, but it's worth it," he said. "You never know when you might need it."
Neville and Luna glanced at each other, excitement and curiosity mirrored in their eyes. This was an opportunity unlike any other, and both were eager to seize it.
"I plan on training a few people; you two are welcome to learn," he offered, then turned to the doorway and said, "You're not."
His words were followed by a tense silence, broken only by the shuffling of feet as Draco Malfoy emerged from the shadows, his usual sneer replaced by a look of genuine curiosity and begrudging admiration. "How are you doing that, Potter?" the blond teen asked, his eyes blown wide.
"None of your business," Harry stated, not going to let the boy know how he learned.
"Why, because I'm Slytherin?" Draco asked. He was alone, his goons weren't with him, which was bizarre to begin with.
"No, it's because you're a prat," Harry stated with a wicked grin. He was just needling the boy. He really didn't hate Malfoy; not like he did Ron. Draco was just a pest that needed to be swatted down every now and then. He was a Daddy's Boy that had a big mouth. "Why don't you go ask you daddy to teach you? I'm sure he knows how," he taunted. He conjured the flames again and started juggling them in the air.
"Bugger off, Potter. You know my father can't do that," Malfoy stated, pointing to the flames in his hands. "Not even Dumbledore can do that. I ask you again, how can you do that?" He emphasized the 'you' in that sentence.
"I'm the Boy-Who-Lived," Harry said with a shit-eating grin, like it was the obvious answer. He threw the flames in the air again and they all disappeared with a flash of light.
"Bullshit," Draco stated, all but spitting the word. "That is just pure bullshit. There is nothing special about that title. I know, I studied it," he said, glaring at the other teen.
"Aw, you studied me. I'm flattered," Harry said, batting his eyelashes. "I don't bat for the same team," he added, looking at Draco like he was a side of meat.
"Eww, Potter," Malfoy said, looking at Lovegood and Longbottom, who were snickering at him. "Tell me how you are doing that, or I'll tell my father," he demanded, all but stomping his foot like a pendulant child.
"Tell your father what? That I can do magic you can't? Go for it," Harry said, not going to hide his magic from anyone. He wasn't going to flaunt it, but he wasn't going to hide it. "Besides, it was Merlin, himself, that taught me," he said, telling the truth.
"Bullshit," Draco repeated himself.
"Not my fault you don't believe me," Harry said, chuckling to himself.
Luna and Neville each had a look of bemusement on their faces.
"Fine, don't tell me. Just teach me," Draco demanded.
"No," was the answer.
"Why?" the other teen whinged.
"Draco, I don't like you. You don't like me. Why would I teach you?" Harry asked, folding his arms over his chest.
"Because I'm Draco Malfoy," was the comeback, like his name was enough to get what he wanted. It usually was.
"Not good enough," Harry said, shaking his head.
"I'll pay you," Draco tried, because if his name didn't work money usually did. He knew Potter wasn't as rich as his family was. They were well to do, but not nearly as well as the Malfoys.
"Nope." He smirked here. He was far better off than the Malfoys now. He was edging out the Blacks. Soon he'd be the richest man in the wizarding world. He'd not flaunt it, but he'd use it, that's for sure. It was his destiny after all.
"Dammit, Potter, what do you want?" Draco asked. He was willing to do anything to use magic like that. He'd give up his left bollock to learn it. Sure, it would hurt, and might impede his having an heir, but he'd be able to gain so much more.
"Well… How about a vow that you will never utter the words mudblood, blood traitor or freak again?" Harry said, thinking the boy would never do that. He was sure the other teen would balk at this type of agreement.
"Done," Draco said, holding out his hand.
"Do you really think you can do that?" Harry asked, warily. He didn't take the hand held out to him. He would have to accept since he was the one who threw it out there. But he wasn't going to do that for everyone. He was also going to make sure there was a vow not to teach it to anyone else, bar immediate family. Like children and spouses. No aunts, uncles and grandparents.
"Yes," Malfoy answered, dropping his hand.
"There will be stipulations," Harry warned, giving him a narrow-eyed look. He looked at the other two in the compartment.
"I understand," the blond boy said, nodding his head emphatically.
"We do too," Luna said, speaking for her and Neville, who was also nodding.
"Alright, first of all, don't show off. If you're going to learn it, don't show or tell anyone. You can practice, and do simple things, like levitation, but don't show off," Harry said, looking sternly at them. "I'll be doing that. But I have a reason for doing so," he stated, glaring at them, not inviting questions.
"Alright," Draco said, leaning on the wall inside the doorway. He didn't take a seat, he knew he was only being tolerated.
"Secondly, you will be taking a vow to only teach your children and spouse. They will take the same vow, and so on," Harry said, looking at each to make sure they agreed.
"Okay," Neville said, eager to learn wandless magic. He wasn't sure on the inclusion of Malfoy, but he didn't question Harry.
"Lastly, have fun," Harry said, smiling at them. "I'll let you know when, Malfoy. You can go now," he told the blond boy. He didn't like the other teen, but he had made a deal.
"Later, Potter," Malfoy said, moving off the wall and leaving.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Neville said, looking at the doorway.
"Probably not, but what's done is done," Harry said with a shrug. Then they heard the announcement that they were fifteen minutes away from Hogwarts. Each greeted that with different emotions. Harry with eager anticipation. Luna with resigned indifference, and Neville with nervousness.
Hermione came rushing in and apologized for not coming back earlier. "My patrol ran late. There are so many people breaking the rules," she said as she clamored to get her things together.
"It's alright, Hermione. Nothing really happened here," Harry said, smiling at her. He was very used to her ways. He knew she would be handing out detentions for every minor infraction.
"He only made a deal with Malfoy," Neville said, smirking at Harry.
This caused Luna to giggle in her hands.
"What kind of a deal?" Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes. It was never a good thing when Harry and Draco were in the same room.
"I just promised to teach him magic if he promised to stop with the derogatory words," Harry mentioned with a shrug.
"Oh, is that all," she said with a rolling of her eyes. "Harry, how could you trust him?" she asked exasperated. She just didn't get him sometimes. He was so, so, frustrating. He had changed so much since he disappeared that she just couldn't keep up.
"Vows, Hermione. I plan to tie him up in vows," he stated, rolling his own eyes. "Don't worry so much. I don't trust him," he promised, easing her concerns, somewhat.
"Alright, Harry, I trust you," she said, settling in her seat to rest for the rest of the way to Hogwarts. It was only a few more minutes, but she was going to take them. Her feet were tired.
"Let's hope the Welcoming Feast goes off without a hitch," Neville said like the naïve boy that he is.
"Oh, I sincerely doubt that it will," Harry said, looking at the boy with some pity in his eyes. "We've got Umbridge, remember?" he reminded him.
"Shite," the other boy said, hanging his head.
"Don't worry, at least it will be memorable," Harry said brightly, making everyone sitting there groan.
