Tales of a Spiritual Warrior

Chapter Four: The Hogwarts Express

After Harry got done packing to go back to school, he took one last walk to the Quibbler office. He found Mr. Lovegood in his office, buried in paperwork.

"Harry!" Mr. Lovegood looked at his watch, surprised. "Is it time to go already?'

"No, it's only nine. I just wanted to have one last look around the office. I've really had fun here."

"I've enjoyed having you," Mr. Lovegood said, gathering some reports into a large stack. Glancing around the room, Harry noticed a framed document on the wall. Since the golden frame was so ornate, Harry expected it to be a diploma, or a journalistic award, or something similar. Walking over to it, he found an old, faded piece of parchment, covered with a childish scrawl. "Oh, Harry! You'll probably like that," Mr. Lovegood said, amused. "That was given to me by one of Luna's primary school teachers. Luna was late to school, and as punishment, the teacher told her to write a letter explaining why."

Harry walked closer and began to read.

I'll tell you why I'm tardy

And I hope my excuse will do.

I stopped to view upon a leaf

A spider and some dew.

She spun a web before my eyes

With a soft and silver hue,

And when she looked, I looked at her

And whispered, "Peekaboo!"

I think I may have startled her

And so I waved goodbye,

But when I turned around to go

I met a butterfly!

I almost caught him in my hand,

To bring to class to you,

But when I tried to peek inside,

Away my treasure flew.

And that is how I'm tardy.

But I had to tell you why.

It's all the fault of a spider's web

And a sneaky butterfly.

Harry laughed. "That is so Luna!"

Mr. Lovegood nodded. "I've always liked it." He hesitated a moment, and then continued. "Luna has been so much happier since she made friends with you, and the people around you."

"I've been happier, too. I had a miserable childhood. I never felt at home until I came to Hogwarts. Then I met the Weasley family, and they made me feel at home. And I feel at home with Remus Lupin. He's had such a hard life, but he's still so gentle. I wish I could be more like him. I feel at home with Luna and with you, too. If I didn't have my friends, I would probably be jumping in the lake right now. I really appreciate everything everyone has done for me. I know there are things coming that I'm going to have to handle by myself, but I try to believe the strength I've gotten from everyone around me will get me through."

Mr. Lovegood sighed. " Harry, do be careful, won't you? Think very carefully before you make any decisions about how you're going to proceed. Listen to everyone around you before you make your choices. I'm glad you and Luna are having fun and helping each other. I truly am."

"Thank you! That means a lot to me!"

Mr. Lovegood and Harry picked up Luna, and got Harry's trunk, and then went to the train. After they had gotten through the barrier at King's Cross, he helped them unload their trunks, then smiled. "I have to get back to the office. Have a good term." He kissed his daughter and shook Harry's hand. "Maybe you can come back and help out at the Quibble over Christmas," Mr. Lovegood said thoughtfully. "My assistant editor will be back by then, and I'm sure he'd love to meet you."

"I'd like that," Harry exclaimed.

"I'll write to Albus when it gets a little closer. I'll see what he thinks. I'm sure he likes to keep track of where you go. You're pretty special, Harry. We've got to take care of you."

Harry blushed, but he was pleased to think that Mr. Lovegood, who hardly knew him, was so concerned about him. It would have been very easy for Luna's father to decide Harry was too dangerous to have around, and Harry would have been miserable if that had been the case.

"We've all got to take care of each other now," Luna said serenely.

Her father gave her an odd look, then shrugged.

They said their final goodbyes, and Harry and Luna watched Mr. Lovegood leave, then looked around the platform. "I wonder where everyone else is? I didn't hear from Neville or Ginny all summer, and when Ron and Hermione wrote, they never had much to say."

"I think they were busy with other things," Luna said simply, pointing through the crowd. Harry finally spotted the Weasley family at the back of the train. Hermione was standing next to Ron, and they had their arms around each other's waists.

Harry laughed. "Well, would you look at that! It's about time!"

"You don't mind?" Luna asked thoughtfully.

"Why would I mind? They're two of my best friends. It's perfect. I've been expecting it, to tell you the truth."

"I used to think that you liked Hermione," Luna said tentatively.

"I love Hermione, but not that way. I never did. I'm getting a little tired of explaining to people that Hermione's not my girlfriend. Maybe now that will finally end. It's better as it is, you know."

Luna looked at Harry carefully, and her last bit of doubt melted. Taking his hand, she said, "Come on. Let's go see them."

At the other end of the platform, Narcissa Malfoy was giving Draco a few last minute instructions. "Your father's friends want you to continue to keep an eye on Potter and his friends this year. If you see anything unusual, let me know so I can pass on the information. Wormtail and Bellatrix check in often. We've had a set back, but we haven't lost the war. Do what you have to do, as we all do. Crabbe and Goyle will be with you as always, but they don't see everything you see. Don't let me down. I'm depending on you to keep our position safe and make your father proud."

"I will. Don't worry. I know what to do," Draco said, and he boarded the train determined.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked rather surprised to see Harry with Luna, but Ron and Hermione grinned sheepishly, and rushed up to greet them both. Ginny looked rather sour, but Hermione got to Harry before he had a chance to wonder about that.

"Looks like you had an interesting summer," Hermione said slyly.

"Looks like you did, too," said Harry, before turning to hug Mrs. Weasley. Luna began to tell Ron, Hermione and Ginny about her trip to Sweden, and Arthur Weasley took the opportunity to draw Harry aside.

"No problems in Diagon Alley, Harry?"

"No problems at all. Did you expect any?'

"No, Diagon Alley is like Hogsmeade...pretty untouchable since You-Know-Who has been exposed. Everyone is watching for signs of him or his Death Eaters. I doubt if he'll show up anywhere like that where he would be recognized"

"What's going on with the Order?"

Mr. Weasley looked strained. "You-Know-Who has been keeping quiet. I think it will be awhile before he regroups. Being outwitted by a group of teenagers couldn't have done his Death Eaters much good, and he lost a lot of his strongest people that night as well. We think may have fled to the continent and that he is trying to reorganize. That worries me, but we're hoping to know more soon. Dumbledore will let you know when we hear something."

They all said goodbye, and the students got on the train. Ron and Hermione headed for the prefects carriage, hand in hand. Ginny followed Harry and Luna, still rather sulky. A familiar face appeared in one of the doorways. It was Neville Longbottom.

"Harry! Come and sit with me! I've left my Mimbulus mimbletonia at home, so no stinksap this year. I promise."

Harry laughed, remembering the day he had met Luna. If anyone had told him then how things were going to turn out, he wouldn't have believed them, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He and Luna sat down opposite Neville, Harry's arm casually resting across Luna's shoulders. Ginny sat beside Neville, and crossing her arms and legs, she began to stare out the window.

"So, how was your summer, Neville?" asked Luna.

"It was fairly quiet. Although after what happened at the Ministry, I needed a bit of quiet."

Harry remembered something, and looked at Neville with concern. "What did your grandmother do about your wand? Was she very angry?"

"No, actually, she was proud of me. I couldn't believe it! I met Bellatrix Lestrange and lived! Thanks to you and the order, of course, but I still faced her. My gran was so pleased that she couldn't be angry about the wand. She took me for a new one right away, and said I could have anything I wanted. I got this. It's beechwood and dragon heartstring. Just look!" Neville pulled out his new wand, and everyone had to admit it looked wonderful. "My great-uncle Algie says I'll probably do much better at school with this one. He said my dad's old wand didn't really suit me."

"Good for you, Neville," said Harry. He turned to Ginny. "How was your summer?"

She glared for a moment, and then sighed. "It was a complete disaster if you want to know the truth. Fred and George are living over their shop now, and I never thought I'd say this, but I missed them. Percy's still being a complete idiot. He admits You-Know-Who is back now, but do you think he would apologize or anything? He's still living in London and he still doesn't talk to dad unless he has to. Hermione came about two weeks ago, and I couldn't go anywhere without catching her and Ron snogging. It was sickening, especially after what happened with Dean!"

"What happened with Dean?" Neville asked, his eyes suddenly alert.

"I was writing to him every damned day! And then about three weeks after we came home, he tells me he's started going with a muggle girl! A muggle girl that lives in his neighborhood! She met him at an exhibit at some muggle university, where she wants to go and study art history. It was utterly humiliating! That rat-tailed son of a flobberworm! I could kill him with my bare hands. I wouldn't even need a wand!"

"Don't bother!" Neville said hotly. "He's not worth it. He doesn't deserve you."

Ginny looked at him intently. "You don't think so?"

"I never did."

Luna and Harry looked at Neville and Ginny looking at each other, and they both smiled.

"I think," Luna said calmly, "that this is going to be a very interesting year."