Drabble Challenge: Luna, sherbet lemon, the Three Broomsticks.

The Red-Furred Woyowir

by Niels van Eekelen

It was, of course, still quite dark, but Luna was positive she had spotted a couple of Red-Furred Woyowir right in the middle of Hogwarts castle. Sadly, when she looked behind the statue of the one-eyed witch where they had gone, they'd vanished. Luna pouted.

After a moment, though, it occurred to her that there might be a secret passage—Hogwarts was as full of secret passageways as invisible chirpers, after all. Soon Luna was running through a tunnel, hoping to catch up with the rare and shy creatures. She'd guessed the password on her first try—it was a bit obvious, but then the Woyowir weren't all that intelligent.

Chiding herself for that uncharitable thought, Luna snuck through what appeared to be the cellar of a sweets shop, of all places, and into a street lit by the first rays of sunlight.

If she didn't spot the Red-Furred Woyowir there, Luna was quite sure that she had lost them. Sadly, all she saw were those nice Weasley boys slinking down the street as if they were up to something, which was how they usually slinked.

Hogsmeade, Luna realised. That tunnel had been longer than it seemed. She spotted the Three Broomsticks and decided to take a look inside. Woyowir of all colors of fur were infamous for their drinking habits, after all.

Luna had barely stepped inside the pub when a hand fell on her shoulder. It was firm yet gentle, and in that reminded her of both her mother and her father. How odd, Luna thought.

"Miss Lovegood, are you quite sure you are supposed to be here?" a familiar voice attached to the hand said.

"Professor Dumbledore!" She really wasn't supposed to be there, she suddenly realized. Well, surely the Headmaster would understand. Quickly Luna explained what had happened.

The Headmaster's eyes twinkled like Peruvian Firefish. "Red-Furred Woyowir, you say?" he said as he steered Luna back outside. "Extraordinary! Still, you had better come back with me to school grounds. Red-Furred Woyowir, right in my castle! You know, Miss Lovegood, when I was a younger man, I spent several months trying to track one down, but I never managed a glimpse. Perhaps I shall go look for them in the North Tower. Woyowir would, after all, be quite interested in dear Sibyll's supply of sherry."

The Headmaster took something from her robes and held the bag out to her. "Sherbet lemon?" he asked.