One Tin Soldier

Chapter 11: Cheat a Friend

A lone figure wearing a long dark cloak and a silvery green scarf stepped onto the Hogwarts Express as crowds of people milled around. He chuckled as he walked down the train's aisle looking for an empty compartment.

Finding a compartment with a single occupant, he slipped in. It was the best that he could find. At least it didn't have Ronald Weasley or Hermione Granger in it!

He really didn't know what to think about his former best friends. He also didn't want to confront them this early in the day.

"Hello," he said, to the blonde haired girl who was reading a magazine upside down. "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course, Harry," the girl said, with the magazine still hiding her face. "I like the new you. You've finally lost the wrackspurts that have been bothering you."

Harry sat down across from her and blinked, lowering his cowl. "Uh...I thought no one would recognize me."

"I'll always know you," the girl said as she lowered her magazine. "I'm Luna Lovegood."

Harry noted once more her blonder hair and pretty silver-gray eyes. She was wearing Ravenclaw robes. "Harry Potter, as you obviously already knew. What are wrackspurts?"

"Naturally," she said with a smile, a she cocked her head to one side as she studied him. "Wrackspurts are tiny creatures that like to hang around people with muddled thinking."

"I see," Harry said with a smile.

"I like the new look, Harry. I didn't know you visited Japan this summer."

Harry blinked. "How...?"

"The kenseikan," she said giving the hair clips their proper name. "Only those of the ancient noble clans wear them. They suit you."

"Arigato, Lovegood-san. Er sorry, still trying to switch back to English after being in Japan for the last month," he said as she giggled. "The head of the Ancient and Noble Kuchiki clan adopted me into his clan a short time ago. So, how was your summer?"

"Daddy and I spent it looking for the crumple horned snorkack in the Falkland Islands."

"Did you find one?" Harry asked with interest as he could feel Muramasa's quiet amusement in the background.

"Not really, but we had a great time looking," she said as she picked up her magazine, only to go back to reading it upside down.

Harry refrained from commenting on this peculiar method. In many ways Luna Lovegood reminded him of Orihime Inoue. It was just plain scary. 'I just hope she doesn't like red bean paste on everything,' he mused with a slight shudder.

Harry closed his eyes and leaned back. He knew he didn't have much time before the others found him, so he wanted to take the time to calm and center himself. Now was a perfect time to perform jinzen that Urahara taught him.

He opened his inner eyes to see the over-sized nursery with its rocker and Muramasa sitting there.

"Move over, please," Harry told him as he hopped up onto the seat.

Muramasa smiled and made room for his wielder. "That girl is fun to listen to. She will be good for you," Muramasa stated with a teasing grin.

"You are good for me. But you are right, she seems fun to be around. She reminds me of Inoue-chan." Harry leaned against his friend and sighed. "I hate this. I want to go back to Japan. I have found a new life there, plus I promised to clear your name."

"I know Harry," the spirit said as he wrapped an arm around the teen's shoulders. "You are clearing my name by bringing me with you to England and with your help, I will restore my honor. We need to find the pieces of that soul, as we have been asked to do."