Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter. Who knew.
Author Note – I enjoy writing short stories for my own enjoyment but at a suggestion from a friend, I have decided to start posting some of my stories that I am working on or have completed. All feedback is welcome (hopefully constructive!) Looking forward to what you think!
Harry gently grasped her hand, "I was not joking Hermione. You really have been amazing and I appreciate all that you have done for me over the last couple of years, but with the exception of possibly History of Magic, I will do my best to prepare and be ready for all my classes. Later today I am going to send an owl to Flourish and Blotts to organize delivery of my books for the upcoming year, rather than just wait to pick them up in person later in the summer, and I will start reading them."
Harry gave her a smile and joked, "As for your flying, it's not that you are much worse than Ron and I agreed to give him flying pointers. If you ever want to go flying, in a non-pressure situation, just a pleasantly relaxed environment, just let me know and the two of us can go."
With that, Harry released her hand and started back to the house, missing the slight blush that graced her face as she starred down at her open hand, before glancing up and starring at his retreating figure as if he had suddenly sprouted a second head before mumbling quietly to herself, "Did he just ask me on a date…"
Harry sat in front in front of his open copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, reading about the theory behind the summoning charm. While Harry seemed to have a pretty good grasp of the practical applications of spells and seemed to be able to do a fairly good job when it came to casting spells, he realized he always tended to ignore the theory behind spells. While full understanding of theory was obviously not necessary, he remembered that several times Hermione had mentioned that if he paid more attention as to the theory of spells he would be able to cast more powerful spells, learn new spells quicker, and if he ever had the desire, he would be able to create spells.
Of course, spell creation also was largely dependent on Arithmancy. As such, shortly after Harry had sent his letter to Flourish and Blotts for all the books he would need for the upcoming year (including the current and previous years versions for Arithmancy and Runes); he had also sent a letter via owl to Professor McGonagall stating his desire to enroll in both of those electives, while dropping Divination. Knowing her…personal feelings… towards the subject, Harry did not feel she would object to him dropping Divination, however he was concerned that she might hold his past academic efforts against him when considering his application to the new electives.
In preparation for this, Harry had let her know that he had purchased the textbooks for last year's course material and had enlisted Hermione as a tutor to start grasping the basics of the subject material, and would be willing to take a placement exam administered by the professors for their respective classes, should she consider his request.
Hermione had inexplicably acted a little awkward around him for a day after playing Quidditch with them, however when the package of books arrived she very quickly got over whatever she had been dealing with. When Harry told her of his plans to drop Divination for the other two electives he was positive that she was speechless for the first time since he had her met her on the train. However, that quickly passed and within thirty minutes she had a study plan prepped for him, positive he would have a grasp on the material before the class started. She explicitly stated that she would make it her mission to get him into worthwhile electives 'as he should be rewarded for smartening up and dropping the fluff course'.
Initially Ron had commented on the fact that Harry was acting barmy, studying on their summer break, however after confirming that Harry would not be making him take these courses along with him and would still be available for flying time, he mostly left him alone for the rest of the summer. However, to Harry's great surprise, Ron had joined Hermione and himself a couple of times while they were reading, no doubt remembering his discussion to Harry regarding his studies.
After the first such session, Harry reflected on the fact that possibly, they had been bad influences on each other, of course, Ron had never opted to sit down and do homework before, but it was not as if Harry had been known for his diligence when it came to academics. Harry was hopeful that with his new desire to spend more time learning, Ron would feel the desire to be included with Hermione and himself and would accompany them to the library or spend at least a little more time with his homework, although that being said it is not as if Harry was expecting complete buy-in from his friend.
Over the next week and a bit Harry's life became a bit of a routine; study with Hermione (and sometimes Ron) in the morning after breakfast, go flying with some combination of the Weasleys (and sometimes Hermione) in the afternoon, and then would either be back studying in the evening or playing games with Ron in the evening. Of course he had kept true to the promise to himself and was certainly doing his best to keep up with Ron at meals, although he was never able to match him, much to the pleasure of Mrs. Weasley who took it as a challenge to cook larger and larger meals.
Harry felt quite relaxed and was enjoying being able to spend time with his friends, even though they were not exactly as he remembered them. Harry remembered that during this year he had always noticed that Hermione was more mature than Ron, but looking at them now Harry realized just how much more mature Hermione was than Ron (or he himself had been the first time). He had originally assumed it was just due to an earlier birth date, but the more time he spent with her studying (and even flying) he discounted that and realized that it might be due to her use of the Time Turner in the previous year, causing Harry to wonder for the first time just how much she had needed to use the device. Had she lived an entire extra school year? Or the better part of a year?
In the end it did not matter and Harry found himself enjoying the time he was spending with Hermione at least as much as the time he spent with Ron, and he was fairly certain it was mutual.
At last it was time to head to Hogwarts and after an exciting, memorable cab ride into London, one filled with a scratching cat, a screeching owl, and in vehicle exploding fireworks they made it to Kings Cross. After boarding the Hogwarts Express they had a teaser filled conversation with MRs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie that had Harry struggling to control his smile. After all in reality what was the Ministry really trying to do by preventing some people from hearing about it. After all its not as if it really mattered, as Mrs. Weasley and Bill knew about it and they did not work with the Ministry of Magic and it was very unlikely that Mr. Bagman would actually have been able to keep it a secret.
As the trip got under way, Harry realized they had ended up in the same room as last time as they heard Malfoy and chatting outside the doorway. Harry was about to get up and close the door before realizing the conversation was going in a different direction.
"So ugh…Draco did you enjoy the World Cup?" Crabbe asked, seeming to stumble over words.
There was a pause as if Draco was weighing his answer, "Aye Crabbe, I did. It was a memorable outcome. Krum was truly in a league of his own. It is only too bad I never had the chance to go to Durmstrang. Perhaps I would have received better quality flying instruction…"
In a rare show of backbone Crabbe cut Malfoy off, "That's not what I was talking about Draco, you have been elu..el…vague since the event. Did you enjoy the after party? Our fathers were so disappointed they were not able to attend."
Draco immediately scolded his 'friend' and in a quieter voice that caused Harry, Ron, and Hermione all lean forward to have to listen to, "Shut up you fool, do you really think the corridor is the place to have this conversation so loud? But no, I did not really have the opportunity. I was distracted after having a conversation with…well it does not matter who the conversation was with. But I was a little distracted, and then when my father returned from … celebrating… he was absolutely furious and refused to share any stories of what had happened to him. He immediately made us leave the site, even used a favor he was owed from one of the wizards doing security…an old friend of our fathers."
Harry starred through the wall at the spot as where Draco was likely standing before slightly cocking his head to the side, Draco sounded more…confused than usual. He was certainly missing his arrogant confidence. 'Could it have been our conversation' Harry mumbled under his breath to himself.
Draco continued on, "But I am right this really is not the place for this conversation, do not want to get in trouble on the train this year, after all you know what is happening this year." And with that the conversation trailed off as Draco and his "friends" headed off down the hallway to no doubt find a room to continue their conversation.
Hermione got up and slid the door shut, muting the sounds from the hallway, before turning to Ron and Harry and asking, "You do not think that Dracos's dad was actually involved with those that dressed up as Death Eaters do you?"
Ron scoffed and answered, "Of course we do. He is Draco's dad right. Bound to be bad. And Harry said that it was him who dropped off You-Know-Who's diary into Ginny's things in second year. How else do you think he had access to something like that? Must have been an old follower."
Harry looked once more to the spot where Draco would have been standing on the other side of the wall before turning to his friends, "Oh I definitely agree about Lucius. From the sound of what Draco was saying it sounds like his dad had been embarrassed and ran away from the World Cup grounds, that is at least a little suspicious." Harry smiled at the thought that Lucius had been embarrassed and chose to flee after their confrontation.
After this discussion they all sat down and relaxed, Hermione picking up a textbook and Ron and Harry sitting down for a game of wizarding chess.
About an hour into the journey to school, Dean, Seamus, and Neville came by to discuss the Quidditch match. To no one's surprise Hermione, who had been taking an interest in flying at the end of the summer, quickly lost interest and lost herself in her textbook, practicing the motion that Harry very quickly recognized as the summoning charm. After discussing every moment of the match in staggering detail, Dean and Seamus stood up to leave letting them know they had promised to say hello to Lavender and the Patil twins.
Harry noticed that Neville was looking a little reluctant to get up, so he nodded to the boys and stated, "That is alright, say hello from us, although I am sure we will bump into them soon enough." Before turning to the last boy, "Hey Neville, did you want to hang around for a little while still, had a couple of Herbology questions for the upcoming year?"
Neville looked over at Harry graciously, before turning and promising that he would see Dean and Seamus later.
After they left he turned to Harry, "Thanks so much Harry, sometimes Lavendar and Pavaarti are a little much, I always worry I will end up saying something stupid around them which will end up joining the rumor mill at Hogwarts. I have enough people who talk negatively about me as is." With that he turned and got up to leave.
Harry looked at him and asked, "Where are you going Neville, I was serious about inviting you to stay. It was not just because I saw you were a little uncomfortable about leaving. You are welcome to hang out with us anytime."
Neville spun around and sat down, almost missing the edge of the seat, apparently in shock. " Are you sure? You don't have to pretend to be nice. I am nothing special unlike you three. I'm …I'm just Neville."
Harry managed to keep the pity off his face at his friends lack of confidence, knowing that Neville surely would not appreciate that. His sadness was broken only by the happy memory of meeting Hagrid for the first time and his comment when he heard he was a wizard.
"Well, Just Neville, it's true, you are our friend, a true Gryffindor and you have supported us and even tried to stand up to us to protect us. We would love having you hang out with us…and realistically you are the only one in our year better than Hermione at Herbology so you could always help us out."
Hermione sent a mock glare towards Harry, before smiling at Neville, "He is telling the truth, you really are good at Herbology…", looking between Harry and Neville she reluctantly continued, "Even better than myself…although maybe if I had a magical garden at home I would be better."
Harry chuckled at Hermione's response before looking over to Ron.
He shrugged his shoulders, " I do not mind. And it would be nice to have someone else in our group since Harry and Hermione have suddenly decided they want to spend more time studying this year. It would be…"
Neville looked back over to Harry cutting Ron off, "Ooo that is amazing, would I be able to join you two sometimes? I would definitely appreciate help with some of my courses."
Harry smiled at his friend, "Of course you can but only if you help us with Herbology. With the addition of someone else she needs to help maybe lightening the load on Hermione would be beneficial for her. And now Hermione will not be the sole reason I end up passing this year."
This caused both Hermione and Neville to laugh, before it was interrupted by a slight groan from the corner of their room.
Ron was looking over with an appalled look on his face. "Oh bollocks what is happening What am I in for this year? This is going to be such a boring year."
Harry let out a hollow laugh, "Oh I highly doubt that. We never get a boring year. I am pretty sure something will pop up making this year plenty exciting. Maybe Dumbledore hired a vampire to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts…or Hagrid saved a Manticore from a trap over the summer and they are now inseparable or…
This continued for some time, with everyone (including Neville) throwing out more and more ridiculous ideas, resulting in everyone laughing. Of course, when Ron suggested that his brother Charlie might be coming to set up a dragon on grounds to deter students from skipping classes, Harry's laugh was a little forced.
Eventually they ran out of ideas and settled into a quiet peace for the remainder of the trip with Neville taking over chess against Ron and harry joining Hermione talking about their subject review. Harry was still quite impressed that in just over a week and a half Hermione had somehow managed to fill his head with a basic understanding of both Runes and Arithmancy. While he was surely still significantly far behind Hermione and likely not yet at the level expected of one who had completed a year in those courses, Harry was at least hopeful he would be able to persuade his way into the classes for these two very useful branches of magic.
After the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station, their group piled out without issue and made their way towards the carriages. Upon rounding the bend, Harry promptly froze looking upon the thestrals, in their ethereal beauty. The thestrals immediately reminding him of his own demise and conversation with death.
Not noticing Harry's sudden stop, Ron promptly ran into Harry. "You ok mate?" He asked.
Remembering that Hermione and Ron had not seen death yet and were unable to see the thestrals, Harry shook off the chill that had suddenly fallen upon him, looked at his friend before nodding his head, "I am alright just a long day and looking forward to the feast. I might have been spoiled these last couple weeks with your mums cooking."
Ron smiled remembering the Welcome Feast that awaited them. "Well then we best get there, I do not want to be late!"
Harry started towards the empty carriage in front of them before looking over and seeing that the next carriage was currently occupied by only one individual. One individual with very familiar blond hair. One individual that Harry had no doubt might be reading a magazine upside down. This caused Harry to smile, immediately pivot, and head towards her carriage.
"Hello Luna," he greeted warmly as he climbed into the carriage, followed behind by his friends.
The greeting seemed to have surprised her as she dropped her magazine, clearly not expecting anyone to go out of their way to talk to her.
After a second to compose herself from the surprise greeting Luna replied back in her usual airy tone, "And hello to you Harry Potter…or rather … not-Harry Potter."
Harry froze and looked at Luna confused with her greeting, "What do you mean, I am Harry Potter."
Luna looked at him with a look that surely only she would have been able to produce, a look that was both analytical and yet carefree, before responding, "Well you do appear to be Harry Potter, but yet…perhaps that is not all who you are. Or…maybe you are. But I do not think so, at least not fully."
This caused everyone to pause and stare at her. Ron looked about ready to interject, before Luna continued, "But alas what do I know, we have never met and perhaps you actually are Harry Potter, maybe the Wrackspurts are just responding to you differently because of your brush with death."
Harry felt like someone hit him in the stomach and made him expel all his breathe.
Seeming to know her words had affected Harry, Luna continued in her carefree tone, "I mean of course your brush with death as an infant. No one in recorded history has survived that curse, perhaps the Wrackspurts respond differently to you because of that."
Harry was struggling to find words to respond, but was saved when Hermione interjected, "Wrackspurts? I do not believe we have learned about them in Care of Magical Creatures and do not believe I have heard of them before in my independent readings of the magical world? What are they?"
Luna smiled and looked at Hermione, "Oh a Wrackspurt is a small invisible creature that is extremely mysterious, usually they float around people's heads and make your brain go fuzzy."
Hermione scoffed, "Oh I thought you were being serious. There is no such thing as invisible creatures that affect your brain."
Luna smiled at Hermione, "Oh I was unaware that you knew each and every magical creature that existed or currently exists in our world. I myself have been having trouble identifying the invisible ones, maybe we can meet up and I can learn from you."
Hermione began to stutter, "That …is not what I meant…it's just how can you prove that they are real, something invisible, something that no one has ever noticed or made mention of before."
"Are you able to prove that they are not?"
At this, it was Hermione's turn to freeze, before crossly continuing, "You expect me to prove the absence of something that I can not see? That would be impossible."
Luna smiled and nodded, "Well only some people can see thestrals, while to others they are invisible, and yet obviously they exist." Indicating the space in front of the carriage.
Failing to notice the look of sadness that crossed the faces of Neville and Harry, Hermione continued her argument.
"What do you mean? There is nothing in front of this carriage; they are charmed to move…" Hermione replied before freezing in mid-thought.
Ron who had been enjoying the verbal sparring match looked back and forth between the two of them, "What's up Hermione? Wrackspurt got your thought?" He said with a chuckle.
Ignoring Ron's attempt at a joke, Hermione looked at Luna, and in a quieter, more conciliatory tone she continued, "The carriages are actually being pulled by thestrals? You can see them? I am so sorry. I just always assumed these carriages were charmed, no one said otherwise. Who did you lose? Actually, never mind, that was rude…" Hermione trailed off and looked at the floor embarrassed.
Harry chose to repay the favor and come to her aide, "Well no worries about that. I am sorry about the lack of introductions before. Luna these are my friends: Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom. And this is Luna Lovegood."
Realization dawned upon Ron's face and he began "Ooo you are…"
This was as much as he got out before Harry cut him off by continuing. "I had heard from Ginny over the summer that you are one of the smartest witches in your year and that the two of you are really close aren't you. I heard a rumor that some people call you mean nicknames, but for the life of me I cannot imagine why they would do that to someone who is friends with someone so proficient in the use of the Bat-Bogey Hex." Harry finished looking directly at his friend.
Luckily, Ron seemed to have understood the implied warning and decided not to continue with his original thought. In a much more cordial tone he continued "I mean it is nice to see you again Luna, we have not seen you at the Burrow since...well ….have not seen you in a while."
The ride up to the castle was much more cordial. Eventually Hermione managed to overcome her embarrassment and joined in on the conversation to complement Luna on her butterbeer cork necklace.
After disembarking at the castle, Hermione pulled Harry aside.
"What did Luna mean when she called you not-Harry and said the Wrackspurts were acting different around you?"
Harry froze for a second, not expecting the question, before forcing a smile onto his face and answering, "What do you mean Hermione, I thought you did not believe in Wrackspurts?"
"Well I don't…but that doesn't…That's … not the point of this. All of a sudden, you know someone else and she comments on you being different. Harry you have been acting a little differently his summer. Well since at least the World Cup. Are you ok? I am your friend and you can tell me anything. After all we have gone through; it should be pretty obvious that I am here to help."
Harry had originally planned to just blow off her worry but was touched with how heartfelt it was and could not summon the words to just dismiss the concerns. "I am fine Hermione, you are right, a lot has been going on, and somedays I do not feel like myself or at least I do not feel like the same boy who started the summer. The World Cup was definitely … something else. But it is more than that, I am not sure how to explain it or if I even really can." Seeing Hermione was about to interject, Harry grasped her hand and continued, "I mean at least as of right now, I am unsure. I do want you to know that I would have to be blind to not realize you have always been there for me and realistically I would never have accomplished anything I had tried to and would have died several times over without you."
With that, Harry smiled at her, before letting go of her hand and turning around to head into Hogwarts, failing to see that Hermione was struggling and failing to contain the curious expression on her face as she watched Harry open the door before disappearing into the castle.
Kind Regards,
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