Look, Harry's life was sort of in shambles at the moment, okay? He was not taking questions or judgment at this time. The whispers of his classmates, the flashing cameras of the press, the casual conversations with Death. It was all a bit overwhelming. So that's why his friends found him deep within the Forbidden Forest, chilling with a horde of Thestrals, escaping it all. The Thestrals liked to munch on his hair. It was cute and calming.
"Blimey those are creepy," Ron complained as the horse-like creatures bounded over to the new humans in intrigue. Luna, who kept hunks of raw meat on her person in case such a scenario arose, happily gave all of them a treat.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Hermione asked with concern when Harry did not get up from his spot on the ground, his head rested on the back of one Thestral and another one draped over his feet.
"Yeah, I just needed a moment."
"Do you want to be alone?" Luna asked.
"Nah, you're fine. It's just been loud at the castle, and there's been so much stuff happening this month that I can't keep track of it all. The bloody tournament is stressing me out, and then I got a note from Dumbledore today asking for another meeting this weekend - and oh shit I forgot to tell mama and Sirius about the last one. I have so much to deal with that it feels like they're aren't enough hours in the day."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Ron plopped on a soft bit of grass, shamelessly rolling his head to rest on Harry's stomach. Harry found himself in a cuddle pile of not just Thestrals, but friends as well.
"I dunno, any tips for fighting a dragon?"
"The first task is dragons!?" Luna said in horror. "But they're protected creatures, oh I hope you don't have to hurt one!"
"I hope it doesn't hurt you," Ron said, aghast. "Charlie's got loads of scars from his job. I could send him an owl, see what he says?"
"It's supposed to be a secret actually, so you'd better not."
"How'd you figure it out then?"
"Ugh. Long story. Necromancy stuff. Can I tell you about it later? I haven't even been able to catch Sirius and mama up with everything and I might as well do it all at once."
"Of course, Harry. Why don't we just do something fun and relaxing today?" Hermione suggested.
"We could practice dueling!" Ron said excitedly. "Eh, but we'd have to get up though. Maybe later." He stretched out his arms in a yawn, smacking Harry in the face. Harry smacked Ron back but before it could devolve into a good old-fashioned tussle, the Thestrals snorted and prodded them to settle down.
"Are you still going to play in the Quidditch tournament?" Luna asked.
"If they let me. I might have to beg off some of the extra practices though. Mama has made it clear that I still have to pass all my classes."
"Well don't overwork yourself," Hermione said in a wise tone. Everyone failed to hold back their laughs. "Yes, okay. I'm one to talk. Hush all of you. But seriously, Harry!"
"Oh, speaking of classes, have you guys noticed Hagrid and the French lady? He keeps showing up to meals in that ugly beaver three-piece and sitting next to her." Ron gossiped.
"Madame Maxime? That sounds adorable. Hagrid deserves someone special." Luna said with a smile.
"And someone his size," Ron laughed.
"Don't be rude, Ronald!"
"Oh, that reminds me, Ron!" Harry hurried to interrupt Ron and Hermione before they could start to bicker again. He giggled with excitement as he remembered what he'd been meaning to tell his friends. "Guess who I had a conversation with? Viktor Krum."
"What! Tell me all about him!" Ron squealed.
"Yeah, him, Fleur, and I had a brief talk after the press stuff the other day. They were nice. Viktor thinks they set up the tournament as a political stunt since both of us are famous or in Fleur's case, the daughter of a French representative."
"That's an interesting theory," Luna said. "The government would never let someone undesirable represent our country. If the whole thing was rigged from the start… oh what a story!"
"Okay, but like what did he say? Is his voice as gravelly as it sounds over the wireless?" Ron inquired. Harry gave his friend a confused look.
"Er… I didn't really pay attention to the sound of his voice, Ron. I noticed his accent. He's not the best at English. Also, he and everyone else in the room was convinced that Sirius is my dad."
"I mean he might as well be?"
"I guess," Harry frowned. "Do you think he'd mind if I thought of him like that?"
.....
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