Chapter 09

In the days and even weeks that followed the match, everyone was talking about it. No one could figure out or even guess as to how or why things had happened the way they had. The bolt of lightly had been so powerful and hot is had instantly melted the balls into molten metal.

Which was odd as the balls were charmed against such a thing happening. These charms were not so much to guard against lightening but rather the players. It was not uncommon for a beater to use a reinforcement charm on his bat, and Bludgers even though they were made out of iron could begin to deform after a game or two.

Harry, Hermione and Hedwig were, while happy Harry had not been hurt, a little worried. The strike of lighting was very odd for two reasons. First, even though it had been slightly cloudy, nothing had hinted or suggested at a storm. There was also the fact the stadium itself was protected by a magical field which actually blocked lightning from strike the stadium or indeed any play within the field, though going outside the field was another matter.

Then secondly, the area which had been filled with magic before, which hung in the air mostly unused. Was now positively charged. Something or someone had caused the bolt of lightning to strike the two bludgers. Whether that was their intended target, or they had missed hitting Harry was another matter entirely. And of all the people who were talking about the events as November turned into December, only a very few knew the last two details.

"So Harry, shall we see my parents over the holidays?" Hermione asked.

Harry did not answer, she had been wondering what to do herself. If this had been a normal year, and she still a normal human boy, she would have likely stayed at Hogwarts. Not because she disliked the idea of taking up Hermione on her invitation, but rather Hogwarts felt like home to her. Still she was no longer really normal, so the point was rather mute now.

"Sure," Harry said finally, "Are they able to house all three of us?"

They had been able to do so for a few days when they had all visited, but it was cramped for all involved. Hermione nodded as Harry ventured into Hermione's mind and took a glance at her thoughts. Hermione gave Harry a small glare at this, but did not comment. As the bond settled more between them, their views of each other's mind had dimmed a little. Now they were only aware of general emotions and location.

"Ahh okay," Harry said, grinning at Hermione in spite of the glare.

"I do wish you would ask before you do that," Hermione said, but her request was not likely to be listened to.

The viewing was still as easy as breathing for anyone of them. They could glance into the others mind, and only realize what they were doing after they had done it. Hermione, Hedwig and Harry had all tried to not do it too much, but it was not easy when a minor thought could cause it to happen still. Harry nodded and sat back in the chair, her wings were spread slightly to either side currently, as resting on them left them felling stiff later on.

The group fell silence as Ron and Ginny passed them. Ron was still being as obstinate as ever, and disliking the group openly now. How that one-time Harry, Hedwig and Hermione had pushed passed him to get to class on time, had caused all this neither of them were sure. It was as if Ron had decided that the push was more than equal to some capital offence, rather than just Harry and the other two needed to get to class. It made Harry wonder if something more was going on that none of them were seeing.

Ginny on the other hand was looking rather happy, she was bright and rather cheerful. Indeed considering how much her personality had changed since she had started school, Harry would have almost have sworn she was a new person. It seemed that whatever it was that had been bugging her had passed. She was rapidly becoming friends with those in other houses, and even tried to become Hedwig's friend. She did not try too hard, seeming a little embarrassed about something. Likely those dating orders if Harry was to guess.

"It is almost like they switched personalities," Hermione commented once the pair had walked passed, Ginny for her dorm, and Ron for his own.

"I know, it is odd," Harry said.

"What is odd?" Fred said, joining the group a moment later with George.

"Is it the amount at this table?" George asked, "I mean we have five here currently after all."

Hermione chuckled at the joke, while Harry and Hedwig rolled their eyes. Math humor was not their preferred joking material. George and Fred did not seem to worried though as they sat down their own books for studying and pulled out some quills and ink.

"So, what is odd?" Fred asked again once he had placed a paper on the table and began glancing through his books for something.

"Ron and Ginny," Harry answered.

"Oh, Mr. Moody, and Ginny," George commented, "Yeah we noticed it as well. Ginny, we can understand, she is rather outgoing normally. But coming to Hogwarts had her so worried she became rather withdrawn. Now she is almost normal again."

"Ron…" Fred began but stopped, glancing around, before continuing, "He is being a right old git. Though when we asked why he was so mad, he did not brother to answer us. Just pushed by grumbling about something."

"Never seen anything like it before," George commented, "He has a short temper, but he normally burns through his anger in a day or so. I have never seen him angry for this long."

"Never?" Harry asked, a little surprised.

"Nope, it is very odd indeed. But then again, he might have been pushed to this point. Without Hermione by his side classes might be getting to be very hard for him and he is stressing the details," Fred answered looking thoughtful.

"I never thought classes were that difficult," Harry commented, which was the truth, "At least not the homework, just really long."

Fred nodded, "Indeed, but Ron never been one to study to hard. And if he thought he would at least have you by his side, then he might have slacked off too much."

Hermione blinked in surprise, "Me by his side?"

"Oh yeah, though he seemed to find your love of books extra weird, he was very happy you were always helping him study. He said so not long after you both vanished," George explained.

Hermione just shook her head at this and turned back to her papers. The talk soon slowed as they focused on their homework, with Hermione and Harry talking quietly mind to mind about the plans for Christmas. Hedwig listened closely, but did not make an comment.

As the year began to draw to a close, snow began to blow about the school with increasing force. Till finally with only a few days left, all Herbology Classes were canceled. But because of this one student and a ghost was attacked while out of their common room. The student, Justen Finch Fletchly, from what people had said, had left to get a book from the library.

And once again the talked turned to the Chamber of Secrets. This was only the second attack, or so everyone was sure, but it left people rather panicky. After all, the student getting petrified was one thing, the ghost being blasted and left in a similar if still ghost like state was another thing entire. What was so powerful that it could affect someone who was already dead, people would whisper throughout the corridors.

With one thing and another, everyone was relieved when Christmas break came. Most everyone was leaving for the Holidays, and very people indeed were remaining at the school. Whether this was out of fear, wanting to see family or both Harry could only guess.

The ride back to London from Hogwarts was surprisingly short. Harry noticed it only took them a few hours to return back to London whereas the trip up took the entirely of the afternoon to complete. Hermione explained though that the train actually could travel faster than most realized. It just traveled slowly at the beginning and end of the year to always arrive at the set times for greater affect, at least on the trip up. And the speed on the return trip depended on how long it took to get all the students on board.

Finally, they reached Kings Cross Station and began disembarking. Harry waved goodbye to the Weasley Twins, the only two of their family heading home over the Holiday. But as she looked away to the gateway that would take them back into the muggle part of the station, her eyes met another person. It was Luna and her eyes, Harry was sure, were glowing.

Harry stopped in shock, and then around Luna, a ghostly image of a massive white wolf seemed to form. But before Harry could really see what was going on, several students past between them. When Harry was able to see past them again, Luna had vanished from the platform completely. Suppressing a shiver, Harry hurried from the platform, she needed to talk with Maleficent and soon about that girl.