Remus cleared his throat. "Luna, isn't it?"
The young girl turned around, her large silver eyes widening with surprise. "Professor Lupin!" She smiled happily. "It's wonderful to see you again!"
"And you, Luna." Remus said kindly. "This is Harry. Harry, this is Luna Lovegood. I take it you're here with your father, Luna?"
"You're very right, Professor." Luna replied.
"I'm not a Professor anymore, Luna." Remus corrected her gently. "You may call me Remus."
"You will always be a Professor, Professor." Luna answered in the same gentle tone. "Nothing changes what you are and you will always be a Professor no matter what job you may perform." She smiled brightly.
Remus looked gobsmacked and Harry swallowed down a chuckle.
As if she'd heard his thought, Luna's silvery gaze shifted to him. "I see the Lumpy Glumpies have left you, Harry. You look much better."
"Thank you." Harry said politely, wondering what she meant – it was a good description of Vernon and Dudley if that was who she was referring to but how would she know? He recalled the rumour of Luna being a true Seer and shook himself slightly. "You're a Ravenclaw, right?"
"Sometimes," answered Luna vaguely, "and sometimes I'm not. Don't you find being one thing all the time can get a little boring?"
Harry smiled at her. "I guess. I've never really thought about it."
Luna leaned into his space as though to confide something of great importance. "I think being a raven suits you."
"A raven?" Harry asked taken aback. Did she mean he was being more of a Ravenclaw? Well, he was studying more…
"Of course, a raven is both a trickster and a warrior, the one that defends fiercely and brings death, without whom the world would fall…"
Harry shivered as her eyes met his with strange intensity.
"They fly free but they'll play tag with wolves and dogs…"
His eyes widened.
Luna suddenly smiled and broke the tension, "…and are also easily distracted by something shiny…" she head cocked to one side, "like a snitch."
Harry couldn't help the small smile that escaped him. "I like snitches."
"Me too." Luna replied breezily. "But they're not as much fun as Blithering Humdingers."
"I haven't heard of those before." Harry said. He was beginning to realise why her housemates thought her odd and disconcerting. But he liked her – and who wasn't odd at the end of the day?
Luna hummed. "I could tell you about them?" She sounded hesitant.
"I'd like that." Harry replied immediately.
"But right now he has an interview to do." Sirius's voice broke in, rich with amusement.
Harry almost jumped and he shot a glare at Sirius who stood just outside the study with a grin on his face and his eyes sparkling with mirth. Harry blushed knowing that Sirius intended to tease him later about his talking with Luna.
"Don't worry, Harry," Luna advised in a loud whisper, "the fleas will distract him."
Sirius's eyebrow rose up at her words. She smiled serenely back at him. Sirius shook his head and gestured towards the study. "Ready, Harry?"
Harry grimaced. "I guess."
Remus reached over and patted his shoulder. "Rather you than me, Harry."
Harry scowled. "Aren't you supposed to say something cheering like 'good luck' or 'break a leg'?"
"That's Padfoot's job." Remus declared cheerfully.
"Why would he want you to break a leg?" asked Luna.
Sirius snorted and motioned for Harry to get inside the study. Harry straightened his shoulders and made his way over with a muttered goodbye to Luna. He was ushered into the inner sanctum of Sirius's study and briefly registered the occupants. In the cosy seating area, three reporters sat with eager anticipation along with a photographer.
Sirius began the introductions and Harry went through the motions of greeting them while taking in their appearances.
Xeno Lovegood wore a bright yellow set of robes and a manic grin. With his long white hair he reminded Harry of a mad scientist. Rita Skeeter sat next to him on the same stuffed sofa. Her hair was obviously dyed blonde unlike Luna's natural colour and her lipstick was blood red. Her eyes behind her oversize glasses were very calculating. Harry moved on quickly to the final reporter – the representative from the International Press; Kurt Von Toot. The gruff looking wizard with his dark hair and beard reminded Harry of a grizzly bear but he grinned at him warmly and Harry thought smiled back. The photographer was a quiet young woman Sirius had hired for the occasion; Opal Giddy. She had a collection on display at a café near to the Burrow and Sirius had been taken by her work. She'd be taking candid shots while he was questioned rather than a posed picture.
Sirius led Harry to an empty chair opposite the reporters. "Now, to remind you all once again; you will all get to ask Harry three questions – that's nine in total. Harry can refuse to answer any question or I can decide to step in and disallow it, but you can ask an alternative. A clarifying question to Harry's reply is allowed and won't count as one of your three. Is everyone happy to begin?"
Harry noted that Sirius didn't move from his place by Harry's side as the reporters nodded.
"Alright then, as Ms Skeeter won coin toss…she will go first then Kurt then Xeno." Sirius waved a hand at Rita.
Rita smiled and Harry tried not to blanch at the lipstick smeared teeth. "Harry, you were raised in the muggle world for many years before your godfather was cleared of murdering your parents and allowed to have custody of you…"
Her sweet tone contrasted sharply with the nasty phrasing of her words.
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