A Summoner in the Wizarding World

The summer vacation drew to a close as we finally received our yearly school list and Mr & Mrs Weasley helped us buy all said supplies while they're out. As for myself, except for the incident with Luna and Hermione, it merely granted me a chance to understand magic more and learn some useful household spells.

Of course, we weren't spared the various hints from the graduated Weasleys about an event occurring this school year. Fred and George apparently threatened to jinx Percy's owl in an attempt to blackmail him to talk, but received an typically strict but smug "no".

Hermione, ever the quick-witted one, had an educated guess that was right on the money, but seemed quite hesitant to share it:

"From what I know, it's the Triwizard Tournament - which is hosted by historically 3 schools, Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbaton, lasting a year and was suspended due to 'high mortality rate among participants'", she looked up at us, more so at the twins, "and the prize money last time was 1000 Galleons. I don't think Dumbledore will allow Hogwarts to host such a life-threatening event, though." Hermione concluded, evidently forgetting the painful previous 3 years at the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The day to return to Hogwarts was rather gloomy with a hint of sunlight, peeking out from behind the clouds. After dragging all our luggage to a magically extended car trunk, we all squeezed into the comfortable four-seater heading towards platform 9 3/4. The ride there was rather awkward as I was between Ginny and Hermione, who both seemed to keep their distance from me.

Luckily, dense Ron did not notice anything off and chattered away about Krum and how amazing a Seeker he is and his speculations about the event coming this year. I received probing glances from the twins, however, who seemed to catch on and was just waiting to tease me about the "special treatment" I had elected.

Stepping onto the densely packed King's Cross station, we each took turns to run our carts at the barrier separating the Muggle and wizarding world. It's quite disconcerting, having 3 years worth of memories from Harry Potter along with my own from the movies and books. Shaking off distracting thoughts, I crossed over and found myself in a platform filled with steam and hundreds of bustling students and their family members.

"Ginny, got your luggage? Okay then, have a great year, everyone! We'll see you soon!", Mrs Weasley waved at us as we lugged the trunks onto the train and departed. The twins, Hermione, Ron and Ginny still looked quite miffed at not being told what the big deal this year is but still returned the farewell.

While settling in a compartment, Ginny left to join up with the friends in her year, leaving the twins and the three of myself, Hermione and Ron. Fred and George took their seats on either side of me and gestured to Ron to sit next to Hermione opposite us, much to my silent protests.

"Harry, you look so uninterested whenever the thing came up. Anything you'd like to tell us?", George casually remarked, his arms already on my shoulders to not let me sneak out. "Come on, don't be shy."

"Did Dad tell you anything, Harry?", asked Ron hopefully, "like last year, with Sirius Black?"

"I don't know, Ron," I averted my gaze to a certain girl who is resolutely pretending not to show curiosity by burying her face in a thick book, "if anything, I think Hermione would get this right, don't you think?"

Before the questions could turn to her instead, Hermione lifted her head and denied: "That's rubbish, Harry, I know no more than any of you. Stop distracting me." and returned to perusing those pages.

"Fine, then, if ickle Harry here would not tell us about it, do compensate us by telling exactly who you were sending letters to in the middle of the night, will you? I'm sure Hermione here would love to know.", Fred interjected mischievously, pleased with the astonished face I'm making.

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies, Fred.", I retorted, using the twin's own words against them. Hermione's book shook slightly, though her eyes were not visible from my side - she seems quite disturbed by my refusal to answer.

Ron looks positively puzzled and was about to question me some more, as the snack lady passed by our compartment. I stood up, determined not to continue this conversation and bought as much of her sweets as possible to bribe them and stop this interrogation.

This attempt was largely successful as a certain freckled red-head was stuffing his face with pumpkin pastries, much to the disgust of his companion, when Luna Lovegood noticed me and poked her head in to say hello:

"Hi Harry! Is Ginny not here?", she glanced around to confirm this fact, "oh well, can I sit here then?"

Not minding the two troublemakers who looked like they just smelled juicy prey, Luna cheerfully walked in and sat next to Hermione. Finally putting down the book, Hermione glanced at Luna and then me suspiciously.

"Oh, Harry, Dad's really interested in publishing that "Evil Lord" story of yours. Can you spare some time to write the manuscript for him? Next time I'll treat you to some Gulping Plimpies soup, Dad says it's the best he's had.", Luna casually said, staring at me unblinkingly.

"Wait, how come you're so familiar to each other?", Hermione could not help but interrupt my reply, "Harry, by any chance, were those letters meant for her?"

She looked at me positively scandalously, which I did not manage to muster up a defense before Luna dropped another bombshell:

"My Dad always asked me why you always send letters at midnight, Harry. He says it's not so healthy to stay up so late. What should I tell him?"

This time, even Ron shows an interest and Hermione's steely gaze demands an explanation, lest I might not get off the train in one piece. Feeling imaginary cold sweat on my back, I braced myself and earnestly excused myself, barely making it in time.

Quickly escaping as the Hogwarts Express pulled to a stop, I pulled Luna along and escaped before giving any more evidence for the gossip about me being romantically interested in "Loony" Lovegood. The silver-haired girl looked quite calm, as she always had, even when we passed a dumbstruck Ginny on our way out.