Harry remembered how she had described his mood after the visit with his godfather as being beset with grumblebums. He wondered if this was her mental way of coping with her mother's death. Far be it from the magical world to offer grief counseling to a young girl who'd witnessed her mother's death. "Nargles?"
"You know, they leave you stuck wanting to think about other things but unable to do so. I've got them too. Ginny isn't herself, she hasn't been since school started. We used to be friends, but now her only friend is that diary. Of course the grumblebums have been bothering me too. I don't think I like school."
"Well, maybe today will see some of the grumblebums leaving you alone. If not let me know and I make sure they get a more pointed lesson. Here we are the infirmary. I'll see you around, Luna."
"Thanks, Harry."
As Harry left the infirmary he pondered Luna's words. Nargles, he snickered. Based on Luna's description he definitely had nargles. Perhaps instead of thinking in circles it was time to move his thoughts into a line. His grumblebums had been blown away by time on his broom. Unfortunately the weather outside the castle wasn't conducive to that solution for his nargle infestation. He really wished he could fly inside but rules were rules and he could see the logic behind this one. He went hunting for Neville but couldn't find him; he ran into Michael Corner first.
"Hey, Harry."
"Michael."
"Could I talk with you?"
"Sure what's up?"
"Have you heard anything from the teachers about the basilisk?"
"No, but I know that somehow Ginny Weasley was the one opening the chamber. After the teachers had declared Myrtle's bathroom off limits she went in anyway."
"That's just crazy. You just don't get a family any more light than the Weasleys."
"Well, there's always the possibility I put forth at the meeting."
"Possession? Well I suppose. It's just that usually for that to take place there's some sort of medium or there's some sort of obvious abnormality. At least that's what my older sister says. Ginny Weasley looked pretty normal as she was escorted out of the school."
"Hmn. Well that's not my problem. I was looking for Nev. Have you seen him?"
"No, but I had a question in Defense. Could you give me a hand?"
"Sure."
As he helped Michael through the problem Harry thought about his friends. Harry knew that Michael was smart. He wasn't top Ravenclaw but he had a solid grasp of Wizarding politics. Boot, who was top Ravenclaw, was one of the Ravenclaws who, while book smart, was stupid in most practical applications. Harry had understood that Michael had initially believed the stories about Harry's reputation and the fears about his placement in Slytherin but after getting to know each other a bit through his parents, Michael had taken a chance and made friends with Harry. Michael was what Harry considered solid. He wasn't very noticeable in looks, intellect or manner but he wasn't a slouch either. When Michael committed to things, he gave the impression he'd have fit in the house of badgers. Harry figured the main reasons why he was a Ravenclaw versus a Hufflepuff was he was a bit too bookish and he was painfully shy. He hadn't said anything the first six study sessions that he had joined them at in the library. It was only Harry carefully drawing him out that had allowed him to make friends with the others.
The girls, well they were interesting overall. Susan and Hannah were easy to read, moderately pretty and since both of them were very easy-going it wasn't hard to work with them. Hermione, Daphne, and Tracy were a little trickier. The first because she was so book smart, but people stupid. The second two, well they were a bit like handling explosives. They were definitely handle with care. Proud and slightly high-strung they came from wealthy, well-connected families and while not in the same power or intelligence class, as himself or Granger, they also were no slouches. They both had the bone structure, striking eyes and complexions to be quite beautiful when they grew up, adding that to their other assets… Well Harry was sure they would grow up to be forces to be reckoned with. Uncle Vernon had always told him and Dudley never underestimate the power of a beautiful woman, and in Daphne and Tracey's case Harry didn't want to make mistakes.
Aaron was older and really only strongly talented in potions. He was ambitious, but also a realist. He knew his physical limitations. Last year they had been allies, but the research Harry had provided him on osteogenesis imperfecta had cemented their alliance into a solid friendship. Aaron often acted as devil's advocate for the group; a trait Harry appreciated. He also helped balance the boy girl ratio, a fact the other boys appreciated.
Blaise was the newcomer to the group. From comments he had let slip while they were roommates, Harry knew that Blaise didn't have a happy home life. His mother was on husband number seven. She had wizard bonded her first two husbands, one of whom was Blaise's father. After his death she had only used civil ceremonies to marry Blaise's line of stepfathers. Blaise had a grandmother in Italy whom he loved and preferred to be with during the school breaks, but his mother was, in his own words a controlling bitch who liked to have the illusion her family was normal, and she did her best to keep them apart. She wanted revenge on the old bag,as she called his Nana, and so he usually only got a little time with his Nana. The only reason he got any was because of the terms of his father's will. His mother, although neutral in the last war, was dark; Blaise wanted to be anything but. That was one motive for his friendship with Harry; it was a way to reinforce his decision that he wouldn't be dark. Harry had no objection to serving such a purpose for his fellow Slytherin.
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