HP: I got Transmigrated into the World of Magic [Chapter 71: Chess Game!] (Patreon)

"I'm positive you can, Neville. I bet you have...more Herbology books than Hermione, plus she's busy looking for potential Charms to use." 

I almost say 'have read' but I'm not entirely certain that he actually read them. And betting that anybody has read more books of a certain type than Hermione would not be safe, no matter what the genre. 

Except fanfiction, I mean. I'm quite certain I've got her beat on that front. "It's best if Harry has multiple strategies so he can adapt in case one fails."

Suddenly his eyes widen. "Those books Professor Moody gave me at the beginning of the year! Water Plants of the...something or other! I'll go get them right now!" He jumps out of the recliner and dashes toward the exit.

Hermione's hair nearly lashes me in the face as her head whips around to look at me.

"What?" I ask innocently.

"You knew about those books!"

"Of course I did," I say with a grin. "You might recall a particular length of time early in the year when a certain witch told me to get lost, and I hung out with Neville a lot more often."

Thankfully my Level 3 Guilt Trip feat negates the bonus roll she gets for her Detect Lie ability against Moment Ruiners. Or something like that.

"You told William to get lost?" Luna asks in the most concerned voice I'd ever heard from her.

"She sure did," Ron puts in between mouthfuls. Of course, that's not to say he actually has no food in his mouth right now. "Don't know what she was thinking, really."

"I didn't...I mean, it wasn't...I thought..." Hermione stammers, red with embarrassment. Yeah, her Detect Lie ability never stood a chance against a Three-Pronged Guilt Trip Attack.

"It was a simple misunderstanding, no big deal," I say waving the point away. "I got to hang out with Neville and bring him up to our seventh floor sky gazing sessions, so it worked out well enough."

Luna's face softens while I'm speaking – wait, was she actually angry? Then a smile crosses her face. "I suppose it did. Neville asked me to the Yule Ball."

"That's wonderful, Luna!" Hermione says in a little squeal. She must be pleased for the reprieve.

I whistle. "You guys work fast! Harry completely surprised me by asking Hermione before we even got here."

I take an elbow to the kidney. "I suppose you accidentally put my hand in his, and then accidentally knocked Harry to one knee, did you?" Hermione says with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

"Why, William?" Luna asks, perplexed.

"Oh, I can't go, no dress robes," I say nonchalantly.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Ron mutters, as Luna actually looks sadder than I remember seeing her.

"Because you have them," I point out.

"That can be remedied," he says darkly.

"Oh, come on, Ronald, yours aren't that bad," Hermione says.

Ron puts on a grumpy pout as he crosses his arms. "Compared to what?"

"Er..."

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Neville is so set on helping Harry that Crouch/Moody almost kicks him out of Defense Against the Dark Arts that afternoon. He practically had to be fed at dinner before he missed it entirely by keeping a book on the table in place of his plate. 

The only time I'm actually sure he wasn't reading at least one of his books was double Potions on Friday afternoon, and that's only because he's terrified of Professor Snape.

Despite the coming weekend, Neville does not let up. The six of us can't go to the Gryffindor common room with Luna in tow. Or at least, we can't go unmolested. 

Our Housemates are all firmly entrenched on Team Harry because of the First Task, but bringing a Ravenclaw into the common room – even someone so harmless as Luna by someone as popular as Harry – might be seen as treasonous.

But not wanting to rely too heavily on the Room of Requirement, we remain in the Great Hall well after dinner, where several other inter-House groups of friends hang out. Not wanting to seem unwelcoming, we leave off the privacy charm and chat about inconsequential things. 

Katie Bell and her friend in our year, Leanne something or other, join us, and the former begins unsubtly fishing for information on whether or not Harry has a date for the Ball yet.

I glance up from my wizard's chess game against Ron – which I am losing quite horribly – and take a longer look at Katie. She's pretty short and somewhat stocky for a girl, but she is pretty. 

Unfortunately I'm not nearly as observant as Luna, so I have no idea if Katie's actually into Harry, just wants to go as a friend, or wants to go with a Champion for the prestige. 

I consider telling Ron to ask her or Leanne, but I'm curious to see if he actually does it on his own with the changes I've made.

Well, maybe I'll give him a little push. "So, Katie, Ron here told me you're a hell of a Chaser. I'm bummed I showed up here the only year that there would be no Quidditch; I would have loved cheering on the three Flying Foxes of Gryffindor."

Her head cocks back in surprise at that.

"William, where did you hear that name?" Hermione scolds. "It's barbaric!"

"I heard it from a fan." Fanfiction, that is. I laugh at my own internal joke. 

"I like it, plus I think it might be good promotional material for attracting pro scouts to Gryffindor games next year. Who wouldn't want to see Harry Potter and the Flying Foxes of Gryffindor?" I wonder if there is fanfiction by that name yet. If not, there should be. 

"And the three Weasley brothers, of course," I add belatedly. "We'll have to figure out how to work that in and still make it sound as good."

Katie's eyes are wide and unfocused. Ron's jaw drops so low he'll be drooling in no time.