Harry Potter and the Protectors of Hogwarts

xvi. of tantrums overdue

Harry sat back and let the argument happening before him roll over his head. Instead he turned his attention out the window. After they had all been healed and fed yesterday, most had fallen into bed exhausted. Harry managed a few hours sleep before his mind turned back to memories. There was so much going on. So many memories going around in his head. He needed to talk to his friends about it, needed their help before his head exploded.

He continued to stare out the window, watching the scenery fly by without really taking it in. They were all on the way back to Grimmauld Place for Christmas break. He felt a head rest on his shoulder and knew it was Luna, felt her hand slip into his. Harry wondered when his feelings for Luna had crept up on him. Last year, Luna was just an odd friend of Ginny's who had unwaveringly supported him. Harry hadn't known how to take in this girl who didn't seem to care about what others thought of her, and steadfastly clung to the truth whatever it wrought.

He was glad to have her by his side. He felt like she was the perfect balance his own temper. Where he was hot-headed- she was cool. She was the ice to his fire. Around her he felt calm. Things felt in perspective. He had only broken up with Katie only a week ago; a relationship both he and Katie agreed wasn't going anywhere. When Luna had been hurt yesterday; when he heard her scream in pain, something in him had snapped. He was ready to acknowledge that he needed Luna.

Harry didn't like the way they had all been tricked into thinking that they were being attacked by Death Eaters in the Chamber. And thinking back on it he knew he should have felt suspicious at how seemingly half the students were down there for no reason, with only two professors supervising them. Or how the Chamber door seemed to have 'closed' by itself.

Another part of him was impressed by the planning and the magic and sheer numbers and the effort of all who had been involved. They had all been extremely and thoroughly tricked.

Most of their questions had been answered that morning at breakfast before the train journey. Moody had told them that they would be discussing the results and the strategies used after break so that they could further improve. Harry hoped there wasn't going to be another test like that.

The professors had wholeheartedly congratulated them all on their efforts to defend the Chamber, and also the students who had remained in the Great Hall to make sure no one got hurt.

That seemed to be the main topic of discussion between the others. Harry tuned back in to distract himself, smiling at Luna.

"... So you really had no idea?" Ron asked for the umpteenth time to Hermione and Ginny.

"No Ron, we didn't. Professor McGonagall asked me to stay behind. No one was told anything until Professors Lupin, Flitwick and Tonks cam back with the students. By that time the Great Hall was filled with all the other Professors. Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape came in with a few students; they were all carrying cauldrons and cauldrons full of different healing potions. Professors McGonagall, the Flamels and Killian had to constantly maintain the shield to stop anyone from getting seriously hurt. It's true," she insisted at Ron's disbelieving snort. "The 'Death Eaters'" she said using air quotes, "were more in danger from you lot than you were in danger of them."

"Fred and George have been working with Professors Lupin and Gallagher to especially adapt some wands to only shoot certain spells," Ginny piped up. "Like the Killing Curse. The Death Eaters would say the spell and the green light would shoot out, instead it would just knock out the person it was aimed at. The Death Eaters had to be seen to use serious curses otherwise no one fight properly, but of course they couldn't really hurt anyone."