Harry nodded. "Thank you. Enjoy your peacock."
Luna seemed to understand what was going on even though she didn't know the words and hugged Harry. "My Lord, the peacock is a fool. Like the old goat, his mind is full of nifflers."
Harry laughed. "I know, little moon. Come on, let's go, I think the rest will have probably sent out a search party by now."
Luna hummed and skipped away. "Bye, Aithusia, have a great Yule and I hope you enjoy the peacock!" Lockhart seemed to realise they were leaving him and tried to stand. "You can't leave!"
Harry turned and sent him a cold look. "Watch me."
The last thing he saw was Aithusia's lunge before he led Luna out of the chamber.
"I still think ginger would have been a great starter for her," Luna said, twirling around next to Harry, not bothered that she had just witnessed a man's murder.
"Perhaps that shall be the summer feast?" Harry said eventually, barely holding back his laughter at her innocent viciousness. ~
By the time they reached the hall dessert was being served.
"And where in Morgana's name have you been?" Draco demanded when they sat down.
Harry and Luna shared a look. "Did you know snakes like peacocks?" Luna asked.
Everybody paused confused looks.
and
sent
her
"What?" Neville eventually asked. Harry just laughed. "Sorry we took so long. It took us slightly longer to get back, but at least we made dessert."
The rest nodded.
still
looked
confused
but
"Well, at least that's something, but pudding isn't a proper meal," Hannah said, showing them two plates with actual food from the feast.
Sending the Hufflepuff a grin, Harry picked one up and tucked in. "You're a star, Hannah Abbott," he said seriously.
"Oi, we helped!" the twins said in mock outrage. Harry smiled and looked at his mismatched group of friends. "You guys are great."
Draco paused in his eating and sent him a look. "You're being surprisingly nice."
Harry smirked. "I'm always nice, Drakie."
Draco looked horrified. "No, not again, please! I've only just gotten Blaise to stop."
Hearing his name, the Italian looked up. "Stop what?"
"Calling our dear friend here Drakie." Harry laughed. After the feast, Harry returned to Ravenclaw tower with his roommates. All of them gathered their things and made sure their trunks were more or less packed; nobody wanted to rush in the morning before the train.
Getting done quickly, Harry pulled out his cloak and the map. He had one final thing he needed to do before going home for Yule.
~
22nd December 1992, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The next day the group all met at the station. All of them were going home for the holidays. "Are you excited for Yule, Harry?" Susan asked as they approached the train.
"Yes," he said, and he was. He was mere days away from the first stage of the ritual that would bring back his soulmate - the thought that he would finally be able to meet Tom properly was nearly overwhelming. He had collected the diadem last night and even though it was locked in his trunk under heavy wards, he could still feel its energy pulsing.
"What about you guys? Are you excited?" he asked.
"Always," Blaise said. "Mother wants to spend the season in Italy with my grandparents, so I won't be around but you will all receive your gifts."
"I can't wait to go home, it feels like forever since September," Pansy said.
"What about you, Drake? Do you have any plans?"
"Other than the annual Malfoy ball, no."
"Ball?" Harry repeated in horror.
"Oh yes, we hold one every year - it's the social event of the season. You'll be there, of course. You're family and I swear mother likes you more than she likes me," Draco joked, not realising he had lost Harry at 'oh yes'. "Morgana save me," Harry said, his reaction making everybody laugh and drawing Draco's attention.
"What's that face for?"
"I hate balls," Harry grumbled. "The dancing and everybody staring at you."
"Well you'll love ours, mother will be devastated if you don't."
"It's okay Harry, I'll be there," Susan said finally, after her laughter stopped.
"And me," Hannah agreed.
"Same here," Pansy said.
•
🚀New updates on my Ko-fi!🚀
Support me and read the novel, now available in PDF, with the advanced chapters.
•
https://ko-fi.com/cmrowling