"Go with her. We'd have a good time. Don't know why she would though, we'd probably hang out together at Hogsmeade anyway." Neville said, his normal oblivious nature coming through. Harry was glad that he wasn't as blind to girls' feelings as his friend is. None of the girls in the Sphinx Club felt for him in that way anyway, they just like to tease because it makes him turn red.
A noise caught Harry's ears, something low and barely audible, making noises like steam escaping a teapot. As soon as it started though, it ended. Harry closed his eyes and concentrated for a bit, trying to see if he could catch the sound again, but failed to do so.
"Something wrong Harry?" Daphne asked, seeing the look on Harry's face.
"Thought I heard something. Might just be my imagination." Harry said, waving the occurrence off. There were literal ghosts that wandered the halls, random noises where probably par for the course.
"If you say so." Daphne said, giving Harry a strange look, before returning to her studies.
"Back to Professor Lockhart though, I really don't think he's an effective Defense teacher." Harry said, trying to move passed the weird noise. "I spoke with Professor Flitwick over what was meant to be covered in the Year 2 Defense syllabus, and he's not really covering most of it."
"Really? What's lacking?" Padma asked.
"Lockhart's syllabus doesn't actually cover any spells, just creatures, and even then they are only the creatures from his books. Zombies were last year, and while Vampires and Ghouls are on the recommended list, Trolls, Yetis, and Werewolves are higher year curriculum." Harry said, looking over some notes he had taken. "You know me, I don't mind moving ahead, but we're missing a couple creatures that other years aren't expected to cover."
"Maybe it's just because he's meant to be an expert on them?" Hermione chimed in. She hadn't been very happy with Harry's thoughts of Lockhart being inept as a teacher. He had several published books, and surely if they were false someone would have brought it up by now. Plus Dumbledore had hired him, surely he couldn't be that bad if Dumbledore gave the okay.
"Maybe, but something still feels fishy about it. Just can't put my finger on it." Harry said, burrowing down into the couch in thought.
Little else happened in the Sphinx Club for the months of September and October. The group had a celebration for Hermione's birthday, which was unfortunately less exciting than they would have liked due to difficulties in getting supplies. Hermione had sworn that it was the best birthday she had had yet though, since she got to spend it with all of the friends she had made since her last one.
Halloween however had started bizarrely, he had a strange feeling in his stomach that something was going wrong, but couldn't place his finger on it. Not letting it get to him though, he got up and made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Hey Harry." Neville called out as Harry entered, and started waving him over.
"Hey Neville, what's up?" Harry asked.
"You know Nearly-Headless Nick? Gryffindor's house ghost?" Neville asked. "Apprently today is his 500th Deathday, and he wanted Lavender, Parvati, and I to show up. He said you guys could come too if you wanted."
"Huh, well that sounds exciting. I'll see if Hermione and Padma are interested. Have you checked with Susan, Hannah, Tracey, and Daphne?" Harry asked.
"Susan's been acting a bit weird, so Hannah's got her on bedrest. Daphne and Tracey can't come because Snape won't let them out of the feast.
"That's sad for them. We'll have to make sure to have a good time for them. I guess we'll see you then. Where is it anyway?" Harry asked.
"Meet us at the bottom of the staircases and we'll all walk down. Nick showed me the way last night." Neville said. "Now go before Padma and Hermione get mad at me for keeping you from them for too long."
Harry laughed at that and made his way to the Ravenclaw table, where Padma and Hermione were already sitting, leaving the space in between them open for him like always. "Do you guys just not like sitting next to each other? You don't have to leave me this space you know."
"It just… doesn't feel right without you there to take it up." Padma said. "I guess we just got so used to it, not having you there makes it weird."
"Padma is correct. I don't believe I'd feel very comfortable just sitting here without you." Hermione added. "What did Neville want anyway? I saw him call you over."
"The Gryffindor house ghost, Nearly-Headless Nick? Apparently tonight is his 500th Death Day party, whatever that is. He invited us to go. I figure it'll be more exciting than the Halloween Feast at the very least." Harry said, looking between the girls for their reactions.
"I'll admit, I am very curious as to what a Death Day party entails, especially a 500th one." Hermione said, looking to Padma.
"I owe Nick a favor anyway, he helped me find my classes during the first week last year, I'd be happy to go." Padma said, flashing a smile.
"Then it's settled. We meet Neville at the bottom of the staircases tonight before the feast." Harry said, before grabbing a plate and some food.
"Ooh, I wonder if I should tag along. I do like Nicholas, he's rather funny." Luna said from the other side of the table.
"Ah! Luna, when did you get there?" Harry asked, shocked by her sudden appearance.
"I've been here the whole time, although I was under the table when you first arrived. I seem to have lost a shoe." Luna said, glancing around some more. "I'll admit I find it rather impressive that it managed to run off without any feet of its own, but I suppose it must be very experienced."
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