For the first time since he had arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter did not dread the final day of the school year. Though he would be returning to his Aunt and Uncle's house he knew this time it would be completely different. The main reason of course was that he would be accompanied by his bondmates. Three very beautiful and intelligent women, one of whom was a legal aged witch, would be living with him. Harry was actually looking forward to seeing the faces of his relatives when he arrived. He could already envision the look on his cousin's piggish face as Dudley slowly realized that Harry had not one, but three women in love with him and were already all but married to him.
Harry Potter smiled as he helped each of his bondmates climb into the carriage along with Ginny and Luna. He climbed in after them and sat between Fleur and Gabrielle. As the horseless carriages started moving Hermione was the first to speak as she looked toward the front.
"I wonder what magic they use to propel these carriages?"
"There's no magic," Luna said as her eyes looked toward the front of the carriage as well. "Thestrals."
Hermione looked at the young blonde witch and wondered if the girl knew something she didn't, or if this was another imaginary creature she liked to talk about. Hermione was surprised when Fleur asked a question in a very solemn voice.
"You can see zem?"
"Oh yes," Luna replied.
"I'm sorry. Would eet be impolite to ask 'oo?" Fleur asked further confusing her bondsister.
"My mother. She died when I was nine."
"Thestrals are winged 'orses zat can only be seen by someone 'oo 'as seen someone die," Fleur explained quietly to the rest of the carriage.
"You mean there are animals pulling these carriages?" Hermione asked and quickly looked toward the front of the carriage again. It was only a mental nudge from Fleur that brought her to remember Luna. "Oh I'm sorry Luna," She cried as grabbed one of Luna's hands. "I sometimes let my curiosity override my...well I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. Wrackspruts can do that to you sometimes," Luna replied. "If you wear certain vegetables it can help. Radishes are exceptionally good," she lifted her other hand to point to her radish earring.
"I'm sorry I didn't know about your mother," Harry said.
"Not many do," Luna replied and it hit Harry hard as he realized that she was really admitting that she hadn't had too many friends that she could confide in. Luna shrugged. "As I said, I was nine and my mother was experimenting with a spell. It went rather badly."
"I'm sorry," Harry repeated.
"It was a long time ago, though I still feel bad sometimes, at least I do still have my dad," Luna replied. "It's alright though; I know I'll see her again someday."
Harry remembered his own time with his mother and father and smiled at her. "Yes, I'm sure you will," He agreed. "And I'm sure she's watching you every day."
Silence fell over the carriage for a few seconds before Harry asked if Luna had got her property returned. Though he knew she had since Dobby and Winky had turned up shortly before they had gone to bed the previous night to tell them they were done and to report who had her possessions. Harry had the list of culprits in his pocket, but had decided to not do anything yet. He had been relieved to find Cho's name was not on the list though her friend Marietta Edgecombe's had been. Harry hoped he might be able to convince Cho to help in Ravenclaw House the next year.
"Oh yes. The elves did a wonderful job. They even cleaned and folded my clothes," Luna replied. "Thank you."
When they arrived at the Train Station, Harry led the way onto the train and toward the back he found the person he had hoped to find earlier sitting alone in a compartment staring out a window at the bustle of students on the platform. Harry opened the door and poked his head in. "Neville, do you mind if we sit with you?"
Neville looked stunned. "You...you want to sit with me?" He asked wide-eyed.
"Of course," Harry replied.
"Sure," Neville said with a nervous smile on his face. He sat up straight as Harry along with five beautiful young women came into the compartment and made themselves comfortable.
Harry settled between Gabrielle and Hermione with Fleur sitting beside Hermione. Luna sat down beside Neville while Ginny was on her other side. A bit of red outside the compartment window caught Harry's eyes and he watched Ron wander past. He saw his old friend look in and hesitate, but finally he continued on. Harry sighed as he looked around at the people with him but then Fleur's eyes caught his and he couldn't help but smile. Harry really couldn't say he missed his old friend, he was more like an old pair of shoes that didn't fit anymore but he didn't have the heart to discard.
Soon the train departed the station and started its long journey south out of Scotland. It wasn't long before summer plans became a topic of conversation.
"I usually don't do much in the summer," Neville said. "I work in our gardens; I have a few special plants I'm growing."
"I like to work in my gardens too," Luna said. "I have two flutterby bushes and a whole garden of flowers."
"You...you like plants?" Neville asked with interest.
"Yes, but sometimes they don't get the attention they need because daddy and I go on long trips looking for certain exotic creatures," Luna explained.
"If you want, I'd be glad to take care of them when you're gone," Neville offered. "I...I'm pretty good with plants."
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