Midnight In Hogwarts | Harry Potter FanFiction

Capitulum Viginti

It was Monday morning before Ron was released from Madam Pomfrey's protective grasp, completely recovered from the severe concussion he received from the Bludger striking his head. All in all, Ron was extremely lucky. If the Bludger had struck a fraction of an inch to the left, Ron would probably be in a coma right now. With that in mind, no one protested to Madam Pomfrey's order of bed rest, much to Ron's annoyance. It was extremely hard make a case when nobody would back you up.

Entering the Great Hall, Harry, Ron and Hermione took their normal spot at the Gryffindor table. It was still early, giving Ron plenty of time to eat three helpings of food like it was his last meal. Harry and Hermione bit back laughs as they ate their own breakfast. Some things would never change and Ron's table etiquette was one of those things. It was actually refreshing, unless you were actually watching him.

"Hello Harry, Hermione, Ron," said the dreamy voice of Luna Lovegood. Harry and Hermione nodded to her. Ron was still too focused on his breakfast to notice. Luna pulled a grubby scroll of parchment and handed it over to Harry "I was told to give you this."

Harry immediately recognized that this was notice of his next lesson with Professor Dumbledore and quickly pocketed the roll of parchment. "Thanks Luna," he said sincerely. "Will you be giving the commentary for the next match?"

Luna smiled vaguely at him. "Oh, I don't think so," she said. "Everyone says I was dreadful. It's not their fault, though. They were all confunded by Gulping Plimpies." Luna reached into her bag and pulled out what appeared to be a large green onion. "That is why I've been telling people they need one of these but they won't listen."

Harry and Hermione eyed the strange object skeptically. "What is it?" asked Hermione.

"It's a Gurdyroot," Luna said as she handed it over to Hermione. "You can take this one. I've got a few of them in my trunk."

Hermione carefully set the Gurdyroot down on the table and discretely pushed it towards Ron. "Thanks Luna," she said as politely as she could. Luna smiled and walked back to the Ravenclaw table. The moment Luna's back was turned Hermione quickly pulled out her wand and banished the Gurdyroot. "Gulping Plimpies," she said with a snort. "There is no such thing."

Harry smiled as he took a sip from his goblet. That was another thing that would never change. Hermione would always rely on logic to explain everything. "Hermione, there's an entire world out there that claims magic doesn't exist," Harry said nonchalantly. "What does that say about us?"

"That's completely different, Harry," Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"Is it?" Harry countered curiously. "If someone had told you they were a witch or wizard before you received your Hogwarts letter, would you have believed them?" Hermione was silent. "I'm not saying Gulping Plimpies do exist but if Luna believes in them who are we to question her?"

Ron and Hermione stared at Harry in a stunned silence before Ron stuffed a piece of bacon in his mouth. "Y'know, he has a poin' 'Mione," he said, spitting out bits of bacon in the process.

"Honestly Ron!" Hermione scolded in disgust as she pushed her plate away. "Some of us are trying to eat!"

"Good luck with that," Ginny said sarcastically as she sat down next to Harry. "Mum's been trying to improve his manners for years." She instantly started putting food on her plate with a little more force that what was necessary. "Personally, I think it's a 'male thing'. None of them bother to think before they do anything."

Every male sitting nearby stopped what they were doing and stare at Ginny. From the waves of anger and frustration rolling off her, Harry figured she really wasn't paying attention to who was around her. "It seems that it's not only a 'male thing'," Harry commented dryly. "Perhaps it's a human trait."