A/N: To be sad, it means you must have been happy to know what sadness is. Harry/Luna friendship. Inspired by Butters from South Park.
Submission for:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments): Herbology Assignment #9 - Write about someone who always bounces back from misfortune or rejection. Do not write about James Potter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Luna let her legs take her where they wanted, away from the laughing and pointing, away from the concerned and pitiful stares, until she had burst through the large doors and gone straight to the lake. Once she reached the water's edge, she took a seat, sticking her bare feet into the water as she stared out at the lake, enjoying the wind that whipped her hair about and caused small ripples on the water's surface. This was always her favourite place to just sit and think.
The soft sound of grass being crushed underfoot met her ears and stopped her thoughts. She had hoped no one would follow her, especially those girls, but then she felt a familiar calm as she recognized the new presence. A soft smile graced her lips as the young wizard came forward and took a seat next to her before pulling off his shoes and socks to join her.
They sat there for a few minutes, just listening to the wind before one of them spoke. "I'm sorry about what those girls did to you," the boy said, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees.
Luna turned towards him and shook her head. "That's alright, Harry. You don't have to be sorry. You didn't do anything to me."
Harry nodded. "I know but I feel like someone should be. It was wrong what they did to you just because they think you're different."
Luna stared down at her toes beneath the water's surface. "I'm used to it, Harry," she said softly. "Eventually, they'll simply get bored and go on with their lives."
Harry looked at her for a moment before he said, "I thought you'd be angry, upset, sad..."
"I am sad," she said. "But at the same time I'm really happy. The fact that something can make me sad, means that I'm still alive and still breathing. For me to feel sad, I must have had something great to be happy about before. That's something they can't take away from me." She paused before she added, "It's a beautiful kind of sadness."
Harry contemplated her words before he chuckled. "That's a very interesting way to think of it, Luna."
"Thanks, Harry," she said, leaning into his side before she added, "Though having friends like you to stand up for me does make things better."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a comforting squeeze. "Anytime, Luna."