Harry Potter The Final Straw

Looking down at the obviously muggle notebook that she had just been handed reminded her that Mr. Potter had been raised outside of the Wizarding World. Calmly, she said, "Give me a few moments to grade this." Taking the notebook, she returned to her desk and pulled out a quill and some red ink.

Hermione reached out, took Harry's hand in her own, and said, "Don't worry, Harry. I know that you did really well. You haven't even asked me for help with the work in weeks."

Some of his old traits about schoolwork were shining through, shyly, he replied, "I know, but do you think she will let me take a test to join your class?"

Unknown to either teen, Professor Vector could easily hear their entire conversation in the quiet classroom. Judging by his homework, and his final exam in the class he was in, she felt that he would do well in Fifth Year Arithmancy next term.

Professor Vector's kind voice interrupted the teen's quiet conversation, "Mr. Potter, I think you will do very will in class with the fifth years next term. Congratulations." She had walked back over to them while she was talking. Handing the notebook back to him, she continued, "I wrote my notes in the front cover if you have any questions. I will inform Professor McGonagall of your new status."

Smiling down at the blushing boy, she said warmly, "I'm very proud of you, Mr. Potter. Have a nice summer vacation you two."

Once they were outside of the classroom, Hermione pulled Harry into a hug and whispered, "I'm so proud of you too. You did a great job this year."

Leaning back from the embrace, Harry smiled at Hermione before giving her a quick kiss, and whispered, "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without your help."

The rest of their morning was spent traipsing all over the castle to speak with their professors to collect their summer assignments. Harry even did well enough on his Runes exam to be promoted into the fifth year class as well.

Just as they were heading down to the Great Hall for lunch, they were stopped by a lone student from Ravenclaw. Her large blue eyes sparkled with life as she looked up at the two Gryffindors. Her voice had a lilting, almost musical, timbre when she spoke, "Hello, Harry. Hello, Hermione. Do you mind if we talk for a moment before you head down for lunch?"

Harry knew the witch in front of them. She was in his Ancient Runes class but for the life of him, he couldn't remember her name, or recall ever speaking to her. Interested, he said, "Sure, we can chat for a moment."

Once they were inside the empty classroom, she closed the door and turned to them, "My name is Luna Lovegood. Thank you for being willing to talk with me. Most people either mock or ignore me."

Harry scowled at her last comment, he knew what it was like to be ignored and mocked. "I'm sorry that I haven't spoken to you before or after class." He held out his hand to her and said, "I'm Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you."

Hermione and Luna were both shocked but for entirely different reasons. Luna was surprised that he had accepted her so quickly and Hermione was shocked that he had initiated a handshake with a stranger, albeit a cute one, but still a stranger.

Quickly following suit, Hermione held out her hand and said, "I'm Hermione. It's nice to meet you too." She had purposefully left off Granger in her introduction.

Luna picked up the lack of a last name when Hermione introduced herself; it was something for her to ponder later. Deciding to get straight to the point she said, "I heard that you said that Voldemort was back after the completion of the third task. Did that happen while you were missing and everyone was traipsing up to the Headmaster's office?"

Harry and Hermione were surprised by the tiny Ravenclaw's insight into what had happened the other night and the fact that she didn't shy away from saying Voldemort.

Luna noticed the blank mask slip down over Harry's features the moment that she mentioned the events from the third task. 'He must be practicing Occlumency.' She thought to herself idly as she watched the silent interaction between the two teens in front of her.

Carefully, Hermione asked, "How did you know that Harry was missing?"

A ghost of a frown marred her expression for a moment before the calm mask returned, her voice held an undercurrent of sadness as she spoke, "No one notices me; you, Professor Lupin, and an Animagus all walked past me as you left the Headmaster's office and again when you returned."

Harry realized that Luna was also practicing rudimentary Occlumency when her facial expression shifted to the blank mask that he often wore. Impressed with her bravery, and a little dismayed at her situation, he asked in his low melodic tone, "What can we do for you?" He wasn't ready to trust her yet; she knew far too many things for someone that no one talked with regularly.

Luna gazed at the two teens across from her for a few seconds before speaking, "I want to help. I know far too much for my own good and eventually someone will figure that out and do something to make my life more unpleasant than it is already."

Hermione voiced the question that was on Harry's mind when she asked, "Why should we trust you?"

Surprising them, Luna drew her wand and said, "I, Luna Lovegood, swear on my magic that I will not knowingly betray Harry Potter or reveal his secrets."

Gobsmacked, Harry replied, "I, Harry Potter, accept your oath." Looking at the strange girl in front of him, he asked, "Why would you do such a thing? You don't really know me?"

Hermione knew that she wasn't included in that oath and it concerned her greatly.

Luna was watching Hermione, not Harry. Something was going on that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Temporarily ignoring Harry's question, she spoke to Hermione, "You are wondering why I didn't include you in that oath?" When Hermione nodded yes, Luna continued, "I'm not sure what to call you. When you introduced yourself, you didn't use Granger as your last name."

Immediately, Harry caught the gist of what Luna was getting at. He drew his wand and put up a Notice Me Not Charm and a Silencing Spell.

Done with his casting, he let his magical senses expand to their maximum so he could scan the room. Finding nothing out of place, he turned his attention back to the girl in front of him, his voice was low, but full of resolve, when he said, "What I am about to tell you is my greatest secret. If word got out, it could endanger Hermione's life and her parents. Do you understand?"

Luna whispered, "I do." She was still recovering from the feeling of Harry's magic washing through the room. His power reaffirmed her belief that she was doing the right thing.

Harry reached over, took Hermione's petite hand in his, and gave it a tiny squeeze. Looking back at the blonde Ravenclaw, proudly, he said, "Hermione is my wife."

"That was unexpected." Luna said as she stared at them with her doe-like blue eyes. A few seconds later, a smile broke out across her face and she said, "Congratulations!"

Quickly, her demeanor changed to a more business like one and she said seriously, "I, Luna Lovegood, swear on my magic that I will not knowingly betray Hermione Potter or reveal her secrets."

Smiling at the strange witch in front of her in relief, Hermione said, "I, Hermione Potter, accept your oath."

"You still didn't answer my earlier question." Harry stated plainly.

.....

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