"It is also to my sorrow, that I must say that our Care of Magical Creatures Professor, Silvanus Kettleburn will be leaving after this year. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors, and will be having a going away celebration for him at the end of the school year." Dumbledore said, gesturing to the named professor. Off all of the Hogwarts professors and staff, Kettleburn was somehow the most strange. He was missing his entire left arm and right leg, and only had the upper halves of the opposite appendages. An eyepatch was situated over one of his eyes, and several scars could be seen criss-crossing his face.
With a few final words, Dumbledore started the welcoming feast, and mountains of food began appearing on the various tables in front of the students and staff.
As Harry thought about what this year held for him, he hoped that this year was less exciting, but more fun than his first year, and he was very glad that he would get to spend it with his friends in the Sphinx Society
Harry sat himself down roughly on one of the couches that sat inside the Sphinx Club room, thoroughly exhausted from both the days exercises and his entire first week back at Hogwarts. Padma and Hermione sat on one of the other couches, doing a quick review of the Charms homework that was due on Monday.
"Need me to grab your potions Harry?" Daphne asked from her place near the small box that contained some drinks and snacks the Sphinx Club kept. Harry's nourishment potions were also stored there, and helped rejuvenate him after his long workout sessions.
"If you'd be so kind." Harry said, before collapsing and looking around the room. The club hadn't made any major changes to the club room this year so far, aside from adding in an extra couch and table. The club had agreed to allow Luna, Ginny, and Astoria to join if they wanted, of which Luna was thrilled about, Astoria was neutral but happy, and Ginny was still undecided. With this, they had needed some more sitting space if all of them were going to occupy the space at the same time. Susan brought Harry his nourishment potion, this one a bright orange color, and Harry drank it down greedily.
"So, I heard Lockhart's class with you guys was quite the mess." Daphne said, taking a seat on the couch immediately closest to Harry.
"Tell me about it, he starts the class with a test on stuff about him, and then unleashes some Cornish Pixies. They run rampant, and he just hides in his office. Padma, Hermione and I had to freeze them out before someone got hurt. They'd almost hung Michael up by his shirt collar." Harry said, recounting his nightmarish first class with the new Defense professor.
"Speaking of that, he kept you after class for something today, what was it?" Hermione asked, looking over at her best friend.
"He wanted to talk to me about 'living with fame' and 'how to handle the media'. The way he was talking about it though seemed like he loved every second of it, as opposed to me, who avoids it every chance he can." Harry said, a mild look of disgust on his face.
"You certainly do hate that Mr. Potter." Lavender said, entering the club room with Parvati and Neville. "Mom's still upset at everyone for not letting her get an article out of your birthday party."
"And I once more thank you and everyone for stopping her. I really don't know how to handle this kind of stuff." Harry said, sinking even deeper into his couch.
"As long as I'm around, I can handle it for you. So don't worry! Just make sure to pay me back!" Lavender said, giving Harry a wink that would have sent the boy red if he wasn't already from the exercise.
"Any updates on Ginny wanting to join the club?" Harry asked, looking to the Gryffindor trio.
"As far as we can tell, she's really nervous about it because you're here. Between what Luna and the twins have told us, it seems she's dreamed about meeting you all her life. Now that she can, she's not sure what to do with herself." Parvati said, taking a seat next to her sister.
"Well, hopefully she can get over that. I'd like to make a new friend, not a fan girl." Harry said, finally feeling comfortable on the couch.
"But Harry, we're all fan girls here. You killed that Troll for Hermione after all, we're lovestruck." Lavender said jokingly, batting her eyes at the green-eyed boy.
"Please no." Harry said simply, grabbing a throw pillow and pulling it into his face.
"Harry what are you going to do next year when girls start begging you to take them to Hogsmeade on dates?" Parvati asked, her tone sounding genuine.
"Is hope you girls run them off an answer?" Harry asked hopefully from behind his pillow.
"Not if we're the ones who want it." Parvati said.
"Then probably run and hide." Harry said.
"That'd be Harry. Fight a troll? No problem. A girl wants to go on a date? That's terrifying." Neville said, laughing at his friend's misfortune.
"What about you then Neville? You're probably in the same general boat as Harry." Parvati asked. Harry peaked out from behind his pillow and looked to see what Neville's answer would be.
"Thank them, but say I've already got a date." Neville said nervously. "If they ask who, I'll just say Hannah. She'll cover for me… I hope." Neville was still mostly unaware of Hannah's feelings for him, and the other members of the Sphinx Club were content to see how long it would take for Hannah to tell him.
"And if she asked?" Hermione asked, adding in her two knuts. Hermione was the most frustrated with Neville's lack of awareness about the situation, having originally resolved to simply tell Neville to get the situation over with.
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