Title: Just Like a Mountain Troll
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is a trademarked brand owned by J.K Rowling and Warner Brothers. Any material used belongs to the aforementioned parties. This material is only used in recreational purposes and I receive no monetary or material rewards from using it. Please don't sue me.
As with most things, Luna is the one who notices first.
"We're working with Nifflers today class," Professor Grubbly-Plank announces to the assembled Gryffindor and Ravenclaw fourth years. "Partner up please, three to a niffler, hurry up!"
The class is uneven, three groups of three and one group of two, so there's a sudden flurry of movement as everyone scrambles to grab a friend lest they be forced to partner with 'Loony Lovegood'.
The girl in question stands off to the side, playing with one of the butterbeer corks on her necklace, patiently waiting for everyone else to pair up so that she can join the group with the fewest members as she usually does, when she notices two people walking in her direction.
"Hey Luna," Ginny greets her as she approaches, tugging an overly-excited Colin Creevy along by the shirt sleeve. "Help Colin with his wrist-watch, won't you? I'm going to go grab a niffler."
"It's an old watch, so think the clasp is broken," the boy explains sheepishly, holding out his wrist for her to examine, "but I've had it for ages and the last thing I need is to have it removed by force via a niffler."
"Oh," Luna starts dreamily as she fiddles with the timepiece, "does this mean that the three of us working together then?"
Colin looks at her in surprise. "Well, yeah. I mean, we don't have to if you'd rather not, but Ginny and I just figured… Did you not want to?"
Luna smiles and opens her mouth to respond but before she can, a loud voice interrupts her.
"Ginny!" Julianne Hall, a dark-haired Gryffindor girl shouts from some distance away. "Come work with us, we need a third person."
"I can't," Ginny replies, a niffler already tucked under her arm like a quaffle. "I'm already working with Colin and Luna."
"Loony?" Julianne laughs. "Don't be silly Ginny, Alison and I wouldn't abandon you to work with Loony. Gryffindors stick together, remember?"
Ginny's expression darkens. "Her name is Luna, Julianne," she says coldly, "and you aren't abandoning me. I want to work with her."
The other girl's face flushes with embarrassment but Ginny pays her no heed, already marching back towards Luna and Colin, her red hair whipping in the wind. "Now, where were we?" she asks.
"Nifflers," Colin pipes in helpfully as he pockets his watch. "We're supposed to be…"
As Luna listens, a strange feeling bubbles in her chest. She smiles.
So, platonic friendships are one of my favorite things to read and write, and after finishing 'The Call to Arms' I've been itching to write more stuff featuring the DA, and this is the result! There isn't going to be any particular order to this and I'm not sure how long it will be yet, but I do have quite a few ideas. I guess we'll just have to wait and see! :)
Also, just as a heads up, I tend to throw in tidbits from other, previous fics when I write, so I'll make sure to put in an authors note with references if I write something that I know can't be read as a stand-alone.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions because I would love to hear them!
