Part of the Year Long Scavenger Hunt ([E06] Write about a character of your choice [George Weasley] having to choose between two characters of my choice [Luna Lovegood and Katie Bell]) on HPFC.
No Contest
Fred patted him on the back, showing that kind of fake affection he did when he was making a joke at someone else's expense. George inhaled deeply. It wasn't as if he had never made a pass at a girl before. He was just nervous because he played on the same team as Katie, and it might ruin the team's carefree atmosphere. That's what he told Fred, anyway, but Fred knew George too well.
He stood up from his seat, walking down along the lines between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables. Katie was sitting at the far end, down by the professors' table. George steadied himself. He'd been waiting to ask Katie out for a long time.
He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he didn't notice the fifth year that strayed into his path. They collided with such force that they both fell to the ground. A couple people from both houses' tables laughed, and no one came to either of their aid. George stood up quickly, brushing himself off and then offering a hand to the girl. She grabbed it, straightened herself up and smiled shyly at George.
George didn't quite know what it was, but he was mesmerized by her smile. He caught himself staring and quickly shook it off.
"Sorry," he said lamely.
"It's quite alright," she said, fidgeting a little. "I'm used to being knocked over. At least you were kind enough to fall with me."
George smirked. Funny, he thought. She probably doesn't even know she's being funny. "What's your name?"
"Luna," she said, a small smile lighting her lips again. "Lovegood."
"Interesting name," he said. He had heard of her before, last year, when she had gone to the Yule Ball with one Justin Finch-Fletchly and made a fool of him on the dancefloor. He had stormed out in a rage, though he had always been a little fragile since his petrifying incident. They called her Loony Lovegood, because she was rather odd. George didn't see anything particularly odd about her, but then again you couldn't really tell a person was strange until you spoke to them. George had a mad idea that perhaps he would find out how loony Luna Lovegood really was. "Ravenclaw, I see. Must be wicked smart."
"I don't like to make assumptions, even about myself. Being witty can be just as useful as being intelligent, you see. I'm sure you would have made it into Ravenclaw if you cared less about making trouble."
"Making trouble, is it?" George was slightly offended. "Gryffindor is about courage and sacrifice. I didn't get in because I'm a firebrand."
"But it did help, didn't it?" said Luna, a serene expression on her face. She wasn't arguing with him, although he was making an argument. She was just having a simple conversation. She wasn't crazy… she was just vastly different.
"Well, I must be going," she said. "I've got to find my shoes. I fear Nargles have stolen them again. It was nice meeting you, George Weasley."
She began to walk past him. George looked up from her small smile to the end of the Gryffindor table where Katie Bell sat. It took him a moment, maybe a little longer, to realize something profound. Then he turned with Luna toward the other end of the Great Hall. Her eyes opened wide and she look at him, puzzled.
"How's about I help you find your shoes?" said George, smiling down at her.
Luna shot him a nervous glance. "Nargles are quite vicious when provoked."
George caught himself before he could laugh. "I think I can handle them."
As they walked past Fred, Ron and Harry, all three of their eyes were as wide as saucers. George didn't care. Katie Bell might have been pretty and a ferocious Quidditch player, but Luna was funny and unique in every way. What chance did Katie have against a girl like that?