One Tin Soldier

Chapter 13: Justify, Part 1

Harry came down early for breakfast. He knew he would be spending the first few days of the term dodging everyone who wanted to know where he had been for the month of August. Well he wasn't about to tell them.

Thankfully Dobby was able to help Harry by introducing him to the 'Come and Go Room,' or what he personally like to call it, 'The Room of Requirement.' It was perfect. Of course, it did make him late for curfew the first night of the new term.

With the Room's help, Harry now had a place to work out with Muramasa, along with his skills in Kido and wandless magic.

He knew he had a lot to do this first week of term and would be missing most, if not all, of his classes today. It couldn't be helped. The Ministry had been closed for the weekend or he would've taken care of matters Saturday.

Neville was the only one up when Harry stepped out of the shower and both walked down together quietly to the Great Hall. They were met in the Hall by a disheveled and limping Luna Lovegood. She was walked the cold, stone corridor barefoot. Harry frowned. "Miss Lovegood?"

"The Nargles were very active last night. They took all of my shoes from me," she sighed softly.

"I see," Harry replied, still frowning. "Do you mind if I help you look for them?"

"Oh no, not at all," she chirped cheerfully. "Even though I am sure they will eventually turn up on their own."

Harry wasn't listening as he called for Dobby. He leaned down and spoke in the diminutive elf's ear. "Miss Lovegood seems to be the victim of a shoe thief. Could you go and retrieve them for her?" Just before the eager creature popped away Harry added, "And any other of her items that have been...displaced...by others..."

"Yes, Master Harry Potter sir," the excited elf nodded, bouncing so hard his long ears flopped wildly.

"Miss Loony be a good friend! She come see's us in the kitchens. It be sad he things' missing all'a time. Miss Loony not be asking us elves for help, says her things be coming back when they's ready. If Master Harry sir wishes, Dobby will help her..."

"I do wish it, Dobby and I wish that it didn't happen again so could you place a ward on her things? Let me know if those pesky whatevers steal them again?"

"Dobby will, Harry Potter, sir," the elf squeaked happily, popping out.

Neville chuckled. "That's one crazy house elf."

Harry shrugged as he waved his hand casually. Luna's disheveled appearance was corrected – minus the shoes. When they reached the Great Hall, Harry took two napkins off a table and transfigured them into slippers with another wave of his hand. "I regret that this is the best I can do for you Miss Lovegood, until your shoes are found."

"Harry! Did you just perform wandless magic?!" came Hermione Granger's sharp voice from behind them as he dropped to one knee to help place the slippers on the young Ravenclaw's bare feet.

Harry turned and raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as he offered his arm to escort Luna to her table. Several Ravenclaws had been watching and exchanging whispers as the duo walked over.

"Miss Lovegood, please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you," he said with a slight bow, easing her into a vacant seat. "I hate bullies, as well as thieves," Harry snarled as he swept the silent Ravenclaws with a telling glare.

"They are nothing more than weak cowards who prey on others they see as different, or through jealousy." He gave the Ravenclaw prefect a knowing glare, causing her to blush in embarrassment.

Several of the Ravenclaws huffed at the insult and a couple started to protest, but Harry gave them a cold look and flared his aura slightly. He knew about the Prophet and its slander, so why not use it?