HP: Bad Intentions

Blake observed the flat-headed creature in his arms as it bared its teeth. He turned to Luna, curiosity etched on his face. "How did you tell it was smiling?"

Luna knelt and gently touched the honey badger's head. "It's in its emotions," she said, her voice as calm as a breeze.

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Emotions?"

"Yes," Luna replied. "I can sense it has no hostility. So, when it bares its teeth like this, I think it's smiling."

Blake paused, considering her explanation. He realized it made sense. Without hostility, the honey badger's behaviour could indeed resemble a smile. "Can you tell whether it feels joy or anger?" he asked.

Luna shook her head lightly, her unkempt silvery hair swaying. "No, I can only sense hostility—or the lack of it. But something tells me you can feel more than I can."

Blake chuckled. "What makes you think that?"

Luna tilted her head and smiled dreamily. "Just a feeling."

He extended his hand. "I'm Blake Green, second year, Hufflepuff. Nice to meet you."

Luna took his hand and shook it gently. "Luna Lovegood, first year. I don't know my house yet, but I think it will be Ravenclaw—both my parents were."

Blake nodded approvingly. "Ravenclaw is a good house. I have two best friends from there. I'm sure by the end of tonight, I'll have one more Ravenclaw friend."

Luna smiled. "Then I can say my first Hogwarts friend is a Hufflepuff."

Blake laughed and tucked the honey badger back into his enchanted suitcase.

Then, as casually as lifting a feather, he carried Luna's suitcase onto the train. Behind them, Bob watched with mild amusement. Blake always managed to make new friends effortlessly—though most of them, Bob noted, were girls.

As the Hogwarts Express started moving, the atmosphere in Blake's compartment grew tense. Cassandra and Hermione sat stiffly on either side of the window, their expressions unreadable but their moods clearly complicated. Meanwhile, Ginny sat quietly, sneaking glances at Luna and Blake.

'He went for a walk and brought back another girl,' Ginny thought, the spark of gossip bright in her eyes. She examined Luna curiously.

Luna's dreamy demeanour and strange accessories—a necklace made of corks and rabbit-shaped earrings—set her apart.

Yet, her quiet confidence made her seem oblivious to the tension in the compartment.

Luna broke the silence. "Hello, I'm Luna Lovegood. You can call me Luna," she said with a serene smile. "I just met Blake. You must all be his friends."

Ginny perked up, grateful for the distraction. "I'm Ginny Weasley. A First year, too. I only just met Blake today—he's friends with my brothers."

The two began chatting, and Luna's open, friendly nature quickly put Ginny at ease.

Meanwhile, Luna's gaze shifted to the older girls by the window. Hermione, always polite, introduced herself first.

"I'm Hermione Granger," she said with a small smile.

Cassandra, ever proud and aloof, hesitated for only a moment before adding, "Cassandra Worley."

Hermione blinked in surprise. Cassandra rarely bothered with introductions, especially with first years.

Blake returned just as Luna, Ginny, Cassandra, and Hermione were talking animatedly. He stopped short, puzzled.

'What happened while I was gone?'

The atmosphere was so different from what he expected. Instead of icy silence, the compartment buzzed with conversation. Hermione and Cassandra were even discussing a book together.

Blake slipped into the seat next to Hermione. Only Luna and Ginny looked up briefly as he entered; the older girls ignored him entirely.

He leaned closer, curious about what had captivated them. Ginny's voice gave him the answer.

"Lockhart is so brave! If I were trapped in a phone booth with a werewolf, I'd be terrified!"

Hermione nodded eagerly. "He's brilliant. The way he handled the situation was ingenious."

Cassandra smirked, her tone laced with mischief. "Indeed, his calm demeanour in such a perilous situation proves his strength."

Blake's face darkened as realization dawned—they were discussing Gilderoy Lockhart. He stared at the book in their hands, Wandering with Werewolves, suppressing a groan.

"Cassandra, you know he's our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year?"

Cassandra's smirk widened. "Yes, and I'm sure we'll learn so much from him," she said, glancing at Blake with mock sincerity.

Blake scowled. He knew the truth about Lockhart—every story in his books was stolen, the original heroes erased with Memory Charms. Yet, seeing Cassandra stir the pot just to rile him up made him bite his tongue.

Meanwhile, Ginny noticed his discomfort and couldn't help but stifle a giggle. "Lockhart must really inspire people," she teased lightly.

Blake sighed and reached for a chocolate bar, only for Hermione to stop him. "I already had a bite of that," she said hesitantly.

Blake shrugged. "Doesn't matter." He bit into the chocolate without hesitation, earning a soft gasp from Cassandra. She crushed another biscuit in her hand, glaring at him.

Ginny's eyes danced with amusement. 'This senior is fascinating.'

Luna, sitting serenely, finally spoke up. "Some students chose to attend Nurmengard this year. I received two acceptance letters—one from Hogwarts, the other from Nurmengard."

"Nurmengard?" Ginny repeated, wide-eyed.

Luna nodded. "Many believe they can learn advanced magic there, though my father says it's risky. He trusts no school more than Hogwarts, especially with Dumbledore here."

Blake raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Grindelwald's reputation might have deterred some, but clearly, the allure of his teachings had drawn many others.

While Blake pondered, Ginny suddenly gasped. "Blake, you said you looked for Harry and Ron outside. Did you find them?"

"No," Blake admitted, shrugging. "They're not on the train."

"What?" Ginny's jaw dropped. "Why not?"

Blake smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. If they missed the train, they'll send an owl or wait for your parents to notice. Either way, they'll get to Hogwarts."

Ginny nodded hesitantly, but her expression turned to shock as she glanced out the window. "Ah! Those two idiots!"

Blake turned to look. Sure enough, a turquoise Ford Anglia soared past the train. Inside, Harry and Ron grinned and waved excitedly.

Blake couldn't help but chuckle. 'Well, that's one way to make an entrance.'

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