Disclaimer: I own nothing, and I wrote this on a old, barley working computer so suing me is a wast of time

AN: Sorry for the delay I have be very busy and didn't relize this wasnt posted. Thank to everyone for your support.

Dumbledore couldn't remember the last time he had a day this bad; first two of his teachers decided to duel each other in front of the students, then one of them hit the other with a dark curse not seen since the war. Now his Potion Master was in the hospital and his DDA Professor was taken for questioning by the DMLE. And of course the Board of Governors was up in arms about "teachers trying to kill each other" and Malfoy was dancing about as close to accusing Lockhart to being a psycho as he could without actually saying it (worried no doubt that Lockhart would challenge him to a duel). Not to mention the old man's heart broke a little inside when he heard the students gleefully spread the rumor that Snape was going to die, he knew his friend would never be the most popular teacher in Hogwarts but to speak so callously about a man's death? It made him wonder if the world itself wasn't turning a bit dark.

Hermione was having quite a wonderful time. First she got to see a magic duel, (and while she did not care for violence she did enjoy seeing what grownup wizards could do) and now she and Harry had a research project. She was a bit miffed that Ron wouldn't help (in fact he said some suggestive things about her and Harry's sanity) but then she did enjoy spending one on one time with Harry away from Ron. Well one on one wasn't entirely accurate, since that Ravenclaw girl had just walked over and invited herself to their research project. On the one hand Luna (as the girl had introduced herself) had just sat down at their table without asking, but on the other she seemed... lonely.

Hermione had asked around and it would seem that Luna wasn't fitting into Ravenclaw well, and Hermione couldn't bring herself to turn Luna away. Okay to be honest Hermione was not in the position of have an overabundance of friends herself. Unfortunately most of the recommendations Luna made about what kind of egg it was were animals that Hermione neither had heard of or could find any reference to. She rubbed her eyes, "Luna, I am not saying it's not a helipath egg but I cannot agree that it is until you show me a book telling me what a helipath is and what it's egg should look like. And where are we supposed to find an active volcano to hatch it in even if it is?."

Luna tilted her head to the side, "Ok Hermione, for now we will say the Lamia egg is not a helipath egg."

Hermione's eye started to twitch, "And how long did you know that it was a Lamia egg?"

From the look on Luna's face it was obvious she had slipped up. First her already large eyes widened, then she lowered her head and spoke softly. "After about an hour or so, I just was enjoying being with you and didn't want it to end."

At this point Harry interjected, "Luna since you identified the egg, and I'm pretty sure that Hermione and I don't know how to hatch it would you please help us with that part of the project?"

Hermione smiled at her best friend, whether it was the research project or spending less time around Ron, Harry was getting quicker on the uptake.

Luna smiled, brighter than either of them had seen before, "Really you want my help?"

Harry answered, "I think it was clear that you know more about this than Hermione and I, plus I think we are becoming good friends and I need all I can get." Harry was now rendered speechless by a crying Luna slamming into him for a hug. Hermione soon joined in and they just stood like that holding each other in the library for a while.

"And so he says I'm a werewolf? I thought I just had a drinking problem!" Gilderoy Lockhart said, causing much laughter and applause from the Aurors.

"That's a fantastic story, I can see why you started selling them" Madam Bones said wiping a tear away from her eye. "But business must intrude I'm afraid. What can you tell me about the last spell we found on your wand?"

"A spell I picked up on my travels, the fellow who came up with it didn't bother to name it, but was willing to trade it for one of mine." Amelia nodded at this; it was a common practice among travailing adventurers. "There's no incantation and the movement is just a swing like you saw, it is mostly precision and concentration. But it will not only stop but reflect almost any offensive spell back at the attacker."

Bones's eyes lit up at the prospect of such a spell, "I will have to see if we can work out a deal for you teaching it here, but that is a matter for another day. The spell you reflected back was one I have never seen used before but was familiar with the effects. During the last war we had a lot of deaths by that spell and until now no suspects for their murder. Assuming Mr. Snape survives he will have a lot of explaining to do.

"Yes well hopefully I have helped the DMLE close some cases and bring closure to families. As for the spell I think a trade can be arranged."