Chapter 112
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5 Jun
"I'll take your word for it. I know enough about the game to get by because Susan, Nym, and my roommates love it. Although Roger Davies has been begging me to try out for the team since he saw me flying for a bit of fun last year." Harry said, chuckling a bit.
"Ooh! Secret Boys meeting!" Luna said, earning a startled gasp from the two boys. "Haha! I got you!"
"You sure did Luna, when did you get here?" Harry asked, taking his youngest girlfriend into a hug. He was still trying to get used to shows of affection like this, but he knew he wouldn't be judged here, and Luna reciprocated the hug with enthusiasm.
"Oh, I just got here, but I saw you two huddled together and wanted to surprise you. Surprise!" Luna said, throwing her hands up. "Happy birthday Harry! Happy late birthday Neville!"
"Thanks Luna." Neville said, shooting a smile at their younger friend. Harry just gave her another tight hug and said his thanks.
"Guess that means the other girls should be arriving soon. Did you invite anyone outside the Sphinx club, Neville?" Harry asked.
"Not really, no. I would have invited Ginny, but she's with her family in Egypt. Astoria may come with Daphne, but both of them I would put firmly in 'honorary club members'." Neville said.
"Yeah, you're right there. Nym couldn't make it today because of Auror training, so I guess it'll just be a Sphinx Club only day." Harry said.
"Really is a shame that Padma and Parvati aren't going to be able to make it, I hope they don't feel left out." Luna said, looking a little downtrodden.
"Yeah, unfortunately with that criminal escaping from Azkaban, the international floo has strict 'no leisure' rules right now. My Gran was upset about it, since she wanted to spend a week in Costa Del Sol during the summer." Neville said. Harry winced a bit at the mention of Sirius, but no one else seemed to notice.
From there the party went without much in the way of notable events. Hermione, Daphne, Susan, Hannah, Tracey, and Lavender made it to the party, alongside their chaperones, and everyone had a wonderful time. A photo was taken of the gathered kids and a copy was sent to Padma and Parvati, who expressed jealousy at being unable to attend, and promises were made to make it up to them.
August came through the next day, and with it the frantic research of what material was needed for next year's studies. Hogwarts sent out its standard list of required texts, which was useful, but not enough for the voracious knowledge seekers of the Sphinx Club. With their supply lists thoroughly padded with books far in excess of what was expected of third year Hogwarts students, the Sphinx Club hit Diagon Alley in a few separate groups.
Harry, Hermione, Susan, Daphne and Luna were sat at a table just outside the Leaky Cauldron while Daphne's mother and Andromeda paid for the lunch they had just eaten. "So, does anyone have anything special they are picking up while we are here? Outside of the stuff that's necessary for school and all." Harry asked, looking at his gathered significant others. The thought was still strange to him, and he briefly wondered if he would ever be used to it.
"Mum said I could get a cat to take with me to school. I'd always wanted one, but just as we were about to do it I got my Hogwarts letter, so we were unsure about getting one while I was going to a boarding school. Now we know how it works, and since Hogwarts allows and often encourages pets, we decided it was a good time." Hermione said. "I guess that'll need to be the last stop today though, since I doubt shopkeepers will like having cats in their stores."
"Ooh! Sounds like fun! I'll make sure you get a nice friendly one." Luna said, doing a little twirl of excitement. "Maybe I can have it help me look for Nargles! I didn't have the chance to last year because we were so busy with the Basilisk."
"Nargles?" Harry asked, looking over everyone. Harry was still relatively new to the wizarding world, and occasionally still had things he didn't know about that were otherwise common knowledge.
"Yeah, I've got no idea either. Luna, what's a Nargle?" Daphne asked, looking to the petite blonde girl.
"Oh! Well, to be honest we aren't really sure! We know that they live in mistletoe and are the origin of the idea that you have to kiss under the mistletoe, because they mess with your head and make you do silly things like think a plant has something to do with love." Luna said. "I haven't seen any, but I've been looking for them! You can only have so much mistletoe around though, so it's hard to track them down."
"Well, I don't know about hunting Nargles, I just hope I can find one who is cuddly. I'd like to have him lay in my lap while I read or knit or whatever. That reminds me that I need to re-measure your heads this year for hats. Mom sent me a bunch of yarn this year with strict instructions that all of us need warm gloves, hats and scarves!" Hermione said.
"Big order, really think you'll have the time for it?" Susan said, counting off everyone. "That's eleven hats and scarves, and 22 gloves if you just do the Club. Even more if you add in Ginny and Astoria."
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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