Chapter One – Take A Gulp
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is familiar to you from the Harry Potter series. Please don't sue me!
A/N: I hope you like it. The second chap will probably be up tomorrow or something. Soon, though.
"Harry Potter, talk to me!"
Harry stared at Hermione dully. What was she asking? Oh, that's right. She and Ron were trying to get him to talk to them. He'd tried. He'd tried so hard that he almost ended up crying. Now, Hermione was in tears (again) and Ron was gritting his teeth, trying not to get frustrated. What was he supposed to do? It was Dumbledore's fault, really. Dumbledore should have known better. Known better than to send Harry into an unloving, uncaring, unknowing environment mere weeks after Harry had lost the closest thing he'd ever had to a father. He wanted to talk to Hermione, wanted to joke with Ron, and have things be the way that they used to. But a lump in Harry's throat wasn't allowing his voice to work.
"Please, Harry," Hermione said. Harry screamed at himself, scolded himself for allowing one of his best friends to be so sad because of him. Hermione's eyes, filled with tears, and her hands, clenching her jeans roughly, hurt Harry in his heart, but on the outside, the blank stare remained.
"Come on, mate," Ron said, eying Hermione. "Just say something! One thing! Then you'll feel free to say more!"
Ron do something! Harry willed himself to think at Ron. Help Hermione. I can't. Please just do something to make it all go away. Help Hermione. Help me…
His eyes met Ron's and he yearned for Ron to know what was in his mind. Surprisingly, it almost worked. Ron put his hand on Hermione's shoulder and forced her to lean back on the cushioned seats of the Hogwarts Express. She broke down into his shoulder. Ron usually would be embarrassed, but for now he just patted her back. Harry looked out the window. After a while, Hermione's sobs ceased, and only silence was left. It was half an hour before the silence was broken. By a very obnoxious individual down the hall.
"Get back you two," an all too familiar voice said. "Don't make me hex you."
"You?" asked a spicy girl. "Hex us? Come on, Malfoy. Don't make me laugh. Even if you did manage to get me by cheating, I know a million people who'd be waiting to kill you."
"Are you referring to Potter and his crew, Weasley?" Malfoy laughed. "Haven't you heard? Potter's a mute now. I hear Granger didn't even finish her summer homework worrying about that stupid boy. Your useless brother could never do anything anyway."
Ron and Hermione stiffened as they listened. Ron made to rise, but Hermione pulled him down. Harry cocked his head to one side. There was an emotion building up in him that wasn't familiar. It wasn't sadness, or misery, or loneliness.
"And look who you have with you, Gin!" Malfoy continued. "I mean, I can understand why they let Potter out of the nuthouse, he's at least sane enough to know the difference between life and death, but honestly, letting Loony out of her cage? They never sentenced the world to a worse fate. I hear there's a rumor that you were sane before your Mum died. Is that right Loony? Could this Looniness be an act trying to hide the truth about your Mum?"
"I- I… that's not very nice," Luna said, though her voice seemed surprised.
"I know," Malfoy said. "You want to know how on earth I know the truth. My Dad, really. He tells me everything about his… missions."
That was enough. The anger had pushed the sadness over the edge. Harry was up, pulling out his wand, breaking through the compartment door, and slamming Malfoy into the wall.
"I will kill you, Draco Malfoy," he said menacingly. "Wait for it. One day, I'm going to rip that soul right out of your pathetic body."
Luna and Ginny stood, amazed, as Harry threatened Malfoy. Moments later, Draco ran off down the corridor. Hermione and Ron hesitatingly peeked out the broken door.
"Harry?" Ginny asked nervously. "Are you okay?"
Harry looked at her oddly.
"I think you should be asking that to Luna. Luna? You alright?" he asked, eying the blonde fifth year who had finally tied her hair back in a ponytail.
She looked at her toes. She'd gotten taller since Harry'd last seen her. Her hair was darker, and her eyes, though still a bright blue, suddenly seemed dark. There was no nicer way to put it, but at that moment, Harry had never seen Luna look more normal. Was Malfoy right? Was Luna's difference from others just an act? It seemed so.
"You don't have to be scared, Lune," Ginny said to her. "How many times do I tell you to just be yourself?"
Luna looked up and nodded.
"I… I'd like to go to the compartment now," she said. In one swift movement, her wand was out, and in another, the door was fixed. She walked inside, not looking at anyone but Harry.
A/N: This is not a Harry/Luna fic. I am a fan of that coupling, but I'm not doing it this time. I don't know if I'm going to put Harry with anyone yet. Hermione and Ron's relationship will be gradual, okay?
A/N: Hoped you liked it, review if you want. I don't wanna force you to. Just be truthful, you don't have to lie if you don't think it's good.