CH 142

"Thank you. That would be nice," she said.

Harry got her turned around and led her back to their compartment.

Sticking his head in the door, he asked, "Do we have room for what looks like a lost Firstie for the rest of the trip?" The others all looked at each other and Daphne said, "Sure. Why not."

Harry had Luna step in and take the spare seat while he levitated her trunk up into the racks.

Once he had it secured, he closed the door properly and locked it; then took his seat back next to Daphne and recast the Door Sealing Charm on the door.

Daphne handled the introductions while Harry was getting himself comfortable again.

When she reached Hermione, the girl asked in that same dreamy voice, "Hermione. That's a character out of a Shakespearian play, isn't it?"

A little surprised, Hermione said, "Yes. Yes it is. From 'The Winter's Tale'. Very few people ever know that." The introductions continued around to Harry. He was expecting a bit of a shock from the girl. Instead he got nothing. That surprised him. He thought her to be magical raised based on her odd muggle clothing choices.

"I like to dress this way, Harry. I like to be different," she suddenly said, as if knowing what he was thinking. "And where are my manners? I'm Luna. Luna Lovegood."

There were a few hellos from the group while Luna smiled. She then reached around to her back pocket and drew out a magazine. At least, it looked like a magazine until she opened it out and they could see it was a small newspaper.

Harry could see she was holding it upside down and was reading it. Frowning a little, Harry asked, "Luna? Are you aware you're holding your newsmagazine upside down?"

"Oh, yes; thank you, Harry," she replied. "I became used to reading it this way when I was younger and watched my father putting issues together on our kitchen table. I would sit opposite and read it while he was working."

"That - kinda makes sense," he said, a little confused.

It wasn't too long before the rest of the group acted as if she wasn't there and began talking about anything and everything; as they were doing before she arrived. However, by unspoken agreement, they did not specifically discuss the Come and Go Room in front of her.

Hermione complained about how she had to leave her favourite book, 'Hogwarts: A History', behind because the Lockhart books took up too much room.

Harry said, "It's okay, Hermione; you can borrow mine once we get to Hogwarts. I'll bring it with me to breakfast."

"Thank you, Harry," she said, gratefully. "I'll return it when I can."

Harry shrugged and said, "Nah. Hold on to it."

She nodded.

After a couple of hours, Harry decided to try to get the new girl involved. He asked her, "What house are you hoping to get sorted into, Luna?"

"I will be in Ravenclaw, Harry," she calmly replied.

"Don't you mean you hope to be in Ravenclaw?" he gently asked. "No," she replied with a shaking of her head. "I will be in Ravenclaw. The Hat will not disappoint me on this."

"Why do you want to be in Ravenclaw?" asked Daphne.

"Because I have the traits of the Lady Ravenclaw. Those traits she most sought for her House," the girl said.

"Well, I suppose even the Hat cannot argue with that logic," said Harry. "Are you sure you have them, though?"

"Very sure, Harry," she calmly replied with a smile.

"Then apparently I'll be welcoming you into Ravenclaw at the Sorting Feast," said Harry with a smile. "I'll sit on the end of the Second Years and save a place for you."

"I look forward to it," she replied. "Though, I am surprised." "Why is that?" he asked.

"Because you should have been sorted into Slytherin," she said. "I'm surprised you managed to trick the Hat. He must be very cross with you."

"I'm sure he'll survive," laughed Harry. "Very few people know that."

"May I ask why you didn't want to be sorted into Slytherin?" she asked.

"I didn't want to be part of the poisoned relationship between Slytherin and Gryffindor," replied Harry with a shrug.

"I understand," she simply said.

"Harry, you're not supposed to trick the Hat," said Hermione. "Its job is to sort you, fairly!"

"Hermione, think what traits are supposed be present in a Slytherin. Do you think Crabbe and Goyle should be there, knowing that, instead of in Hufflepuff?" asked Harry.

"Now, Malfoy; he goes charging in. Look at his foolishness in challenging me to a duel in front of everyone in the Great Hall. The boy's a Gryffindor.

"And what about Ron Weasley in Gryffindor, where they pride themselves on bravery and derring-do. Doesn't he behave more like a Slytherin?"

"I - guess so," she said.

"If you want it bad enough, the Hat will place you in the House you want," said Harry. "And, clearly, Luna wants and is determined to be in Ravenclaw."

Talk turned to other matters and their door had been attempted to be opened only twice, and no one knocked. When they were about an hour out of Hogsmeade the guys got down the trunks for the girls and stepped outside, closing the door behind them.

When the girls were finished, the boys allowed them out before sending the trunks back up, except for Harry's which again had Daphne's school robes in it. Then they got Neville's down.

The boys quickly changed and sent the trunks back up before letting the girls back in.

As soon as they were comfortable again, talk returned to what they were discussing immediately before Hermione, who was wearing a wind up wristwatch , suggested they change.

On arrival at Hogsmeade, Harry told Luna to leave her trunk on board and why. Then he escorted her off the train and sent her on her way to Hagrid, who was doing his "Firs' Years! Firs' Years!" call.

The Seven turned towards the carriages and boarded them as soon as they managed to snag one for themselves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you enjoy reading? Visit my site on Tiendup! There you will find the advanced chapter in PDF format, ready for your convenience.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

https://fictiontopia.tiendup.com/