The leafy floor of the Forbidden Forest was cold and harsh on Luna's bare feet. She wriggled her toes amongst the leaves, and then giggled happily as she saw a tiny caterpillar creep across her foot.
She wished she had a friend. Somebody who she could turn to, to show them the wonderfulness of the caterpillar. She wished she could tell them how brilliant it was.
She wished that they would tell her how brilliant she was.
There was Ginny, but Ginny had started to hang out with Connie Bones. Connie was a Gryffindor; she had a pointed chin and jutting out cheek bones. Her face was as spiteful as the rest of her. Luna was sure that Ginny had tried to stop her, but… Connie always managed to embarrass her.
She stuck out her foot in the hallway.
She stole books from her bag.
She made up rumours.
This week it was shoes.
They'd gone missing. All of them.
Of course, Luna didn't care. She was too dreamy and distant to care about what people said.
Luna cared. Nobody else did, and THAT was the problem.
She wished she had a friend. Just like Harry had Ron and Hermione, Ginny had Connie and Amy-
"Luna? Aren't your feet cold?" Luna turned airily, still stroking the caterpillar.
Harry was standing behind her; he had a look of puzzlement on his face.
Luna shrugged. "I don't mind, I guess. I didn't want to ruin my socks." Harry's nose and forehead scrunched up into a small frown, making Luna giggle.
"Why, where are your shoes?" He walked closer to her, making the leaves underfoot crunch and crackle.
Again, Luna shrugged lightly; "They've gone missing. I expect the Nargles are behind it, though" She wished it was Nargles.
Harry pulled his wand from his pocket, then turning round, he picked up two stones.
"Harry, what are yo-"
"COBBELIO!" He said, pointing his wand at the rocks.
As the purplish smoke subsided, Luna saw a pair of pink converses, hanging from the laces in Harry's hand.
He handed them to her, smiling sheepishly. "Wouldn't want you getting a cold now, would we?"
"You didn't have to harry, I…" But she trailed off, a bush forming on her pale cheeks.
"Nonsense." Harry scolded, "What are friends for?"
Friends.
A.N: Please leave a comment. Not the best I've ever written but what the hell?