Chapter 68: Exclusive Items!

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Luna suddenly marches imperiously next to me. "'Yes, father, let us fix our hair and sneer at lesser mortals.'"

"You guys aren't really going to go around like that?" Hermione asks.

"'Did you hear something, child? My ears do not always catch the words of beings that do not have such flawless hair as I do."

"'I am sure it was nothing, father," Luna deadpans. "I have so much money I can hear nothing over the clinks of so many galleons in my money pouch.'"

"'Indeed? Clearly, we must remedy that. Come, child, let us go bribe some people.'"

"Do you think we should stop them?" Hermione asks between gritted teeth. I'm pretty sure I can feel her wand already pointed at me for that hair comment.

"Nah, I think we should go find Draco," Harry says with a grin.

Unfortunately, Hermione hits me with a finite distance before we get too far, and we end up just hanging out in the seventh floor corridor, often looking out the window together to watch the sun rise higher among the clouds and try to melt away the freshly fallen snow.

Ron keeps glancing at the corner entrance to the Room of Requirement, and Hermione gives me a nudge and raises a questioning eyebrow. I nod, and Harry does the same.

"Neville, Luna," Hermione says. "We have something to show you."

She takes her position as the official Room Creator, and before long we are in the combination small library, slightly larger sitting room, and practice area.

Wide-eyed, Luna immediately pursues the books. "I recognize several of these as exclusives from the Ravenclaw library!"

"Ravenclaw has exclusive items in its library?" Hermione asks, her shriek dripping with jealousy.

"I was wondering where you guys always went off to," Neville says as he flops onto one of the big comfy chairs and looks around.

"I almost forgot how impressive this is," Ron says, glancing around. I had forgotten he hasn't been in here since before the Goblet of Fire spit out Harry's name.

"Since we're all here, we might as well talk about what we think Harry should do to prepare for the Second Task," Hermione says, taking a seat in her usual spot in the center of the couch.

"Isn't that against the rules?" Neville asks nervously.

"For a normal Champion, maybe, not one who has been forced into it," Hermione says, slightly embarrassed herself. Normally she would be the one harping on about the rules, but I'm glad her and I set that straight right away. "We're not looking for Harry to play fair; we want him to survive."

Luna wanders over and sits on the armrest of the couch next to me, Harry takes his usual chair, and Ron sits on the other side of Hermione.

"But we don't know what the Second Task is," Harry argues.

"We have a clue," Ron says.

"Maybe its something where you need a pair of those earmuffs we used in Herbology when we potted those mandrakes," Neville offers.

"It could be," Hermione says, then fixes her eyes on me.

"What?" I ask, cocking my head back in an attempt to seem innocent.

She presses on. "What does the clue mean?"

At this point I know she's got me again, but I decide it's best to continue playing dumb since it's not just the three of us. "Why ask me?"

"Because you know," she says firmly.

"What do you mean, Hermione?" Ron asks, furrowing his brows.

"I can tell when William is hiding something."

"The bulges around his robe pockets usually gives it away," Luna supplies.

"Luna! I am a gentleman, thank you very much," I say with a gasp. "Of course I try my best to rearrange my hidden items so no bulge is noticeable."

"You are such a pervert, William," Hermione says.

"I'm talking about my Christmas presents, Hermione," I say innocently. "I always have at least one with me so I can work on it if I get a spare moment."

"Of course you are, William," she says with a smirk. "So, the clue?"

"Hermione, you heard that thing," Ron says, "how could he possibly—?"

"Hush, Ronald. William?"

I look around at the new faces, and they're just looking back and forth between Hermione and me. When I glance at Harry and see no help is forthcoming, I sigh. "It's Mermish. Outside of water it's a high-pitched screech, but underwater it will be English."

"H-how?" Luna asks, eyes wide. Neville and Ron look flabbergasted, too.

"William is something of a genius," Hermione says with a smile. "It was him who came up with most of Harry's strategy for dealing with the dragon."

"That's not true, Harry came up with the bird conjuration idea, and he very wisely didn't use my Conjunctivitis idea."

"No wonder you love each other," Luna says melodically.

"What?" Ron chokes.

Hermione blushes, and my face goes red as well.

"It's quite obvious Ronald, just like Harry and Hermione love each other too," Luna continues happily.

That turns Harry pink as well, and leaves both Hermione and I sputtering to come up with an explanation. Note to self: Luna is more perceptive than she appears.

"Uh...but...you just said..." Ron stammers. Neville appears to be looking for an escape route.

"Yes, it is quite curious, isn't it? Harry and William appear to be quite good friends despite the fact that they both love Hermione. And it appears they are both aware of this fact."

"Yes, thank you, Luna," Hermione says, recovering first though her face is still blazing red. "It's complicated. Anyway, Harry, when do you want to try listening to the clue? It sounds like the next task might be in the Black Lake; Hogwarts: A History says that there are merpeople there."

"Why don't I do it now?" Harry says, standing up quickly, happy to have a distraction from the awkwardness.

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