Harry sat at the stands of the Quidditch Pitch, feeling awfully depressed. The First Task was in only a few days, and the whole school had decided he was a cheat and a liar. Even Ron. His best friend for four years. His first friend. Hermione too, although she didn't avoid him, no, she sent him sad smiles and disapproving looks.

As if he actually cheated.

He gazed off across the blank field, still not understanding why Quidditch was cancelled. Perhaps they were going to use the field in the future, or something like that. Maybe the Triwizard Tournament was some excuse to slowly take Quidditch out of society... because people flying on brooms gave them too much independence. He mentally rolled his eyes at himself for such a crazy thought.

Harry swore the longer he was left alone the more bonkers he became.

As if to solidify his point, in that moment, he saw a girl? running across the field... chasing something. She had long blonde hair, pulled back with some sort of purple head band, was a lithe sort of figure but still taller than him, and was holding a net in one hand. She was far away from Harry and he couldn't see her very well, but he did wonder what she was doing there, and if she was truly just a figment of his imagination.

He may as well speak to her, since there was no one else speaking to him.

Harry stood up from his seat, trying to stop his sadness from weighing him down too much, and walked out onto the field. There was no real reason why this random girl would speak to him, since the whole school thought he was an attention seeker, but Harry had just enough hope left to try. He walked at a slow pace, she wasn't going anywhere soon it seemed. Harry reached the edge of the Quidditch Pitch, too close to the Forbidden Forest for his liking, and saw her simply continue on running around as if he wasn't there.

"Hello?"

He called out.

She still didn't turn to him.

"Blonde girl, would you mind speaking to me?"

Harry was so very lonely, and now feeling so very stupid. Why would she? What point was there?

Then she turned, and they both stood stock still. He could see her better now. See her eyes, robes, face. She was quite beautiful, in a raw and nature filled kind of way. Her hair was long, a gleaming blonde, and her eyes were a misty blue. He could see the Ravenclaw emblem on her robes, which had a rainbow hem which he didn't know was allowed to get, and there was a cork necklace she wore. It seemed to be made of Butter-beer corks.

She smiled at him, in a distant sort of way, and Harry wondered if she knew who she was smiling at. She wondered over, at a sedate pace, away from the edge of the forest, holding her metal net limply with her hand. Harry could see it better now, it was about the length of a broom, with a metal hoop at the end, and long fabricked net attached. A bit like a butterfly catching net from the muggle world.

At one point, because of how smooth yet controlled her gait was, he could have sworn she was skipping. Only to realise she wasn't. Perhaps floating along, controlled by the elements. Was she a fairy? But no, she wore Hogwarts attire. Perhaps a demon out to ensnare his soul. Should Harry run?

He found he couldn't move.

And then, only a few moments after he had called out to her, she stood right in front of him. Smiling almost bemusedly, but in a airy sort of way. She blinked, her short eyelashes doing nothing to cover her eyes, and Harry noticed she wore no make-up at all, like some of the girls in his year did. Neither did her hair smell of shampoo, simply earth, dirt and nature. Which he couldn't find it in himself to mind.

"Hello Harry Potter, what brings you to the edge of the woods?"

Her voice was melodic, smooth, and Harry stopped himself from being enchanted from her song. He had fought off the imperious curse after just two tries, god dammit, and resisted Veela allure! He wasn't to be swayed by a magical forest nymph.

Harry said,

"Are you from Hogwarts, or are you from the forest, out to steal my soul?"

She chuckled, a soft laugh, and smiled again. Thinking he was oh so funny for saying such a thing. And Harry mentally berated himself, how stupid could he be? Of course she was from Hogwarts, even if she was a bit strange. He was simply glad she wasn't offended and was still speaking to him.

The blonde girl said,

"I am only as much a witch as you are a wizard. And I only belong at Hogwarts as much as you do. Unless you are a Fanged Rootberge, I can not see how you would be able to trick me. If you are one, and are under the guise of Harry Potter, then I must warn you I know spells to deflect your sway."

Harry didn't really understand, but he was glad she wasn't a fairy out for his blood. He waved at her, not realising at first what a stupid thing to do it was, and winced to himself, before saying,

"I'm sorry, I don't know what that is. May I ask what your name is?"

The blonde girl dipped her head, another dreamy smile upon her unblemished face,

"Luna Lovegood. Although, some used to call me just Luna, and now they are mistaken in thinking my name is Loony. But, I am not surprised, given at how the educational standards at Hogwarts have fallen so much."

Harry stifled a laugh. Educational standards have fallen! Too right. A troll and Voldemort in first year. A basilisk and Voldemort in second year. A hippogriff and frame-up in third year. And now the Triwizard Tournament! It was a wonder Harry ever passed any tests with all that was going on in his life.

Luna's eyes softened at him, as if he were worth that. As if he were a friend. Not a cheat. And Harry felt a warm feeling settle in his chest, like the first time Hermione had hugged him. Even though he had flinched, it had still left that feeling which had lingered for a good two days before it disappeared. Harry now felt like most of his life was chasing that feeling.

Luna remarked,

"Ah, you have been stung by an Aqauvirus Maggot. No wonder you seemed so sad before."

Harry stared, a little shocked. He hadn't felt a sting, but perhaps there was some sort of paralytic property to it, like a leech or mosquito. Now he was worried, how many creatures in the magical world had gotten to him. Was that why he had so much bad luck?

He said, a little frightened,

"What's an Aqua-thingo Maggot? What does it do?"

Luna smiled a warm smile again, a light shining in her eyes, and she corrected,

"Aquavirus Maggot. They are floating brain-like creatures which search out those who have already been through hardship, like moths to a flame, to fill them with more sadness and dread. They are awful creatures, and their bites can last many months if one is not happy."

Harry's eyes widened. A brain-like creature! Had it bitten him in his sleep? Oh god! He was infected with sadness. He said, in alarm,

"When did it do this? How long ago? Can you tell?"

Luna said softly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, a comforting gesture that made Harry flinch slightly. He was not used to touch.

"I do not know when, only that it has happened. Have you felt sad recently?"

Harry nodded warily. This wasn't good.

She gave him a sympathetic look and said, in a saddened sort of tone that made her eyes dull more grey than blue,

"It happened to me once. When my mother passed when I was nine. I was already sad, depressed almost, and then it came floating over the field at out garden. The repellents stood no chance against its cruel will. That maggot bit me right on the neck, and my father couldn't stop it. I almost cried for two weeks straight, before through cheering charms and many cuddles the symptoms wore down slightly."

Luna looked into his eyes, which were staring at him intently, and said in a worried sort of voice,

"I fear... that they have bitten you more than once. Do you ever feel that looming presence of despair? It may be that they are specially attracted to you. I see the Nargles too. There are many, vying for your attention, even though they will not receive it."

Harry's eyes widened. Could he truly be a trouble magnet? Even creatures that cause despair clung to him. Luna continued,

"But, I can get you a necklace like mine to repel them, with spells my own mother created. There isn't much to be done for the Aquavirus Maggots, since no spells let them go. But, perhaps a thestral hair bracelet might help. Many things are repelled by the stench of immortality, and thestral are beings made from death itself. I wonder if you can see them."

Harry gulped, more and more frightened of these creatures he had never heard of. Why had no one told him? Did they not know as well? Why did this mysterious girl know and not him? He closed his eyes for a brief moment and strengthened his resolve. No. He would protect himself, his mind, his emotions, from these beasts he could not see.

When he opened his eyes he felt a lot stronger than before, saying in an almost frantic tone,

"Is there a way for me to see them? To stop them?"

Luna pulled her arm from his shoulder, spinning around a few times in thought. She placed a hand to her lips in a thinking gesture. Harry had only just met her, but he already felt a certain trust towards her. She had been kind enough to warn him, even when the whole school thought he was a liar.

In a flash she turned back to him, an unknown glint in her eyes,

"Have you ever kissed anyone? Anyone at all? Even a kiss on the cheek? An air kiss?"

Harry shook his head, blushing slightly, bowing his head the tiniest fraction. Luna circled him, and if it were anyone else Harry would describe it as a vulture circling their prey, but this girl had such an innocent air that he couldn't consider her as such. She looked him up and down, still thinking, humming to herself lightly.

Then she stopped back in front of him again, placing her metal net on the ground, and said,

"There is something I can do. A gift I can only pass on in very specific circumstances for a very specific promise. I must ask now, have you promised your hand to anyone, even a child's promise of love."

Harry shook his head, the blush gone, starting to realise the seriousness of what Luna was saying. Marriage? Hand? Why was she discussing this? Harry had always wondered what it would be like to fall in love, and still wondered who he might marry and have kids with, if he ever did such a thing. Was he even straight? Not that he considered himself as gay, but he had never kissed or thought of someone like that. He couldn't know.

Luna nodded to herself, deciding something,

"What would you say was your greatest accomplishment?"

Harry was stumped.

Normally he might lie, or say his friends. But, now he had no friends. He would never say any of his defeats of others, as they always felt like a chore to do, and relied heavily on luck for every encounter, and couldn't honestly say they were his defeats. Others always helped him. He had no family, other than Sirius, and he still didn't trust the man. He had done nothing truly special in his life, other than simply surviving.

So that is what he said.

"Living."

And Luna's smile... it could light up the whole world. Those upturned lips made something in Harry desperately urge for him to do it again. Something. So that she would smile again. The gleam in her dull eyes returned, dreamy but still gleaming, and Harry had a small smile himself. Perhaps he was battling off the poison of the Aquavirus Maggots?

Luna said,

"I am prepared to give you the sight, but there is a great cost for it. A large cost. That can never be taken back."

Harry's breath caught a little. Cost? Was it dangerous? A finger? Arm? Leg? His magic? An emotion? What would it cost?

Luna stepped closer, and Harry almost flinched again, but she simply took one of his hands, which was clenched into a fist, into hers. Holding it soothingly. Harry let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding, and felt his shoulders relax. What had happened?

She smiled knowingly, giving him a soft poke on the nose, that made him suppress the urge to giggle,

"Harry Potter, there was a Blibbering Humdinger humming near your ear, causing you doubts. My necklace is enchanted to keep away both Nargles and Blibbering Humdingers. You should feel better when you stick to me, unless I make you a necklace of your own."

Harry smiled at her in relief. Suddenly he wasn't feeling as agitated as before, and he could analyse the deal properly. He said, slightly cautious,

"What cost?"

Luna tilted her head the the side, still holding his hand, and pulled back a little, as if giving herself room to think. She said in a melodic voice, that squashed some of his doubts,

"It is a high cost to some and a low cost to others. The cost of sharing such sights as mine, which peel away a layer of magical film, or some say lining, is neigh costly but neigh cheap."

Harry urged her,

"What cost?"

Luna sighed,

"Do not think I'm lying when I say this, for I will hold nothing against you if you refuse and want nothing of you truly, but this is simply the way the magic can accept such a request. The cost of helping you see is a first kiss, shared with another first kiss. A small bonding of two souls, that have never been touched like that by another. Have never loved another in that fashion, or in any romantic way. And have never made promised love for the future."

Harry stared. His breath successfully taken. Suddenly feeling like Luna's hand in his was as hot as fire.

Luna kept talking,

"I could already see you had never loved another. Like I have never done so. Since I wanted to share this gift with a kind soul, and did not feel the need to break my heart in a cruel manner like love if they could never see the truth. I have never even kissed my father on the cheek, as I thought it deadly important to share this with another who is not my own children like my mother did. Even my own father cannot look past the film. But, Harry Potter, feel no obligation to me after this. It is a gift with a cost, for both of us, and when it is paid you can go your own way if you want. Feel no need to love me, kiss me again, or start a friendship of any type. I don't wish to buy that from you. I simply think you are a kind enough soul that this gift would do you well. But once you have it, do be warned that not many, if any, will believe you at all."

Harry tried to blink away the tears that wanted to fall. Perhaps it was still the Aquavirus Maggots making him sad, or the thoughts that his only friend was a girl who held no faith in him, but he felt simply overwhelmed that someone could think he was a kind soul. Someone who had killed a grown man, a basilisk, and would probably have to kill again.

Luna became quiet, leaving Harry to his deep thought.

He did not think a first kiss was a large price to pay, especially to someone who was so sweet. Maybe, if he'd have known her, Harry would have kissed her anyway. Perhaps after, if he did like her, he could kiss her again. Find out more about her. Because goodness knows she was the only one in the whole school that did not condemn him for something he didn't do.

Harry had never kissed anyone. Not ever. And didn't even know if he would like the sensation. But, he wanted to be protected in some way from things that could change him so drastically. After weeks, hell almost years, of feeling clouded or sad with Luna's hand in his he didn't feel so. Harry felt as if he was a mere child again, with a clear mind, but not threatened by the actions of his relatives.

He turned to Luna, seeing her eyes going up and down as if watching a fly, and said,

"Luna, may I call you Luna?"

She nodded.

"Luna, I don't know fully why you would want to share such a thing with me, but I think I would like to with you. Not only because of this sight which could help me, but because... of how kind I think your soul is as well."

Harry tried to smile reassuringly as Luna rubbed her eyes with her only free left hand in a conspicuous sort of manner.

"Harry, may I call you Harry?"

Harry nodded.

"If you do accept, then I suppose now the only thing left to do is kiss. But, before we do, I must say the magic words."

He nodded again, noting once more just how pretty she was. Luna took her hand out of his, making a pang go out in his heart as he felt slightly fuzzy again, and pulled out her wand.

Which she then dropped on the floor by her net.

Harry asked,

"Don't you need your wand for this?"

She shook her head, making hair swing into her eyes which didn't seem to bother her at all,

"It would only get in the way. Now, hold still until I kiss you, and when I do kiss me back."

Harry nodded again, blushing to the tips of his roots. He'd never thought his first kiss would be like this.

Luna closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then said, while circling him,

"Of pure of heart of blind of sight. Let ambitions fall away, let morals be tied to right and wrong, not black and white, or light and dark. I call to them, and they know of who I speak. Four words today, and they'll hear me as the moonshine falls on the shadowed meadows. To kiss and bind. To kiss and bind. No other can take what will be taken, as once it is given, it can not be replaced. To kiss and bind. To kiss and bind. The will to share, so that the heart may see. Break the wall. Break the wall. To kiss and bind. To kiss and bind."

Then Luna lunged at him, darted like a snake, and their lips were placed together. Harry closed his eyes in shock, motionless for a moment, before he felt the hands on either side of his head. Her lips were warm and soft, a little damp, and tasted like strawberries. Harry pressed his own hesitantly against hers, blushing in heat and embarrassment, and Luna pressed her lips back. They didn't slip in any tongues, spit, or kiss too roughly. No, it was as sweet kiss. Soft. Hesitant. Dry. Chaste. And connecting.

Harry slowly brought his hand forwards to her. Opening his eyes slowly so he didn't accidentally poke her or something, and found himself looking into wide blue eyes, a flushed face. But Harry didn't stop kissing her softly, tilting his head slightly, and he brought his hands onto her shoulders gently, anchoring him to her. He hoped he wasn't doing too terrible at this, as he didn't want to ruin her first kiss. All the same, as he thought this, he thought she was doing terrifically well.

Even though it was soft it still felt incredibly warm. Not electrifying, or even too passionate, but it left his heart feeling very full and heavy, like a large glass of squash on a summer's day. Harry could almost hear the tinkling of bells, like ice cubes, inside himself, as his drink sloshed about, happy. He breathed deeply, noticing her wild scent more, and after a moment more they both pulled apart.

Luna sent him a kind smile, and they walked over back towards the Quidditch Pitch stands. She held a hand out for him to take hesitantly, as if she expected him to run away now that he had gotten his special sight, but he took it anyway, trying to reassure her. Luna seemed fragile and tough to him, and reminded him of how when he had first found out about magic he hadn't brought his hopes up too much in case it was simply a joke.

They sat down together, in the empty stands, sitting in an awkward or comfortable quiet, Harry wasn't sure which. They still held hands, for a reason neither of them knew, and Luna eventually spoke,

"Can you see them yet?"

Harry shook his head, and she looked slightly saddened.

Harry tried to focus. He didn't want his newest friend to be sad. Even if she didn't want to be his friend at all, once she found out what everyone else thought of him, since she had done him such a service. Even if she didn't give him her special sight or break the magical lining, Luna had still been his first kiss.

After a few minutes when nothing happened he asked her,

"What does it look like, or feel like? Then I might be able to concentrate on it."

Luna smiled at the fact he wasn't giving up. Harry imagined that many people might not be as believing as him. But, he didn't see why. Magic was real. Dragons, unicorns, goblins and vampires were real. Spells and rituals and dark lords were real. Why couldn't Nargles, Blibbering Humdingers and Aquavirus Maggots be real too? He already had a sort of proof when he felt better within close range of Luna's Nargle/Blibbering Humdinger repellent. What more did he need?

"Well, I've been able to see it all ever since I was born, since my mother could see it also and she passed it on to me. I suppose you could say it was like your magic. When you cast a spell, how the magic zips up your arm and out of the wand or your hand. Its like a gentle clarity behind my eyes, a small warmness in the bottom of my abdomen. I don't know how to explain it more, Harry."

Harry closed his eyes, letting go of her hand. He wanted this. Desperately. He couldn't allow these creatures to decided his emotions. He couldn't let them make him sad when he had to survive this tournament. Harry... wanted to see what Luna saw.

So he placed his hands on his spindly thighs, focusing on his breathing, and tried to search for something inside himself. A magic or... or... shield or something. But, one could not just search themselves, unless they were some experienced Occlumens or meditator, it took time, so instead Harry searched for a warmness in his abdomen, and a clarity behind his eyes. A feeling. He tried to let it free inside himself. He tried to unlock what was locked within.

When he opened his eyes it was to an amazing sight.

Harry's green eyes could see... See. There was Luna, beside him, wrapped in a calm blue magic. It pulsed around her gently. But also had a natural type of calm, which reminded him of how she smelled.

Off flying just outside of them, balanced of the teetering edge of this repellent shield, was a buzzing pixie looking thing. It was about the length of his thumb, had goblin green skin, large pink wings, and was looking at him and Luna as if they were dinner.

Harry gasped, turning to Luna beside him, who was smiling at him. And in her hair, in her hair were shiny little creatures. Buzzing just about her scalp. She had five of them, all gently flying around her, they were only the size of his fingernails, and looked like balls of glittered fluff floating about. Like bits of rainbow candy-floss... with little eyes.

Harry turned to Hogwarts castle, which felt so different to normal. It was mesmerising to look at. A swirling pink mist settled on all the walls, with sparkles of grey, green and yellow. It was so large and warm and fluffy, like a comfy bed, but there was also something constricting about it which made it hard for him to breathe. Which made him look over to the gentler, spicier, freer magic of the forest. It was dangerous and enticing, jumping up in daring spikes, as if tasting him like he was tasting it. It felt darker, but more balanced, and has spots of light, grey and something else within it.

Harry looked back at Luna with wide eyes, whispering,

"You see this all the time?"

She simply smiled back at him, giving his hand a squeeze,

"Every moment, and it is beautiful. Would you like a necklace to repel the Nargles?"

Harry asked,

"What are they?"

Luna pointed to the pixie like creature that was still trying to get to them, and Harry gulped in fear. She squeezed his hand gently, bringing his attention back to her,

"They look scary, but really they're only little menaces. Like real pixies. The worst they can do is bite you, which doesn't leave a mark or hurt much, and if they feel really vindictive they can muddle your thoughts. I've often seen them buzzing around you. And, the Whackspurts in your hair, the little floaty things, are in everyone's hair. There is no way to get rid of them, and it wouldn't matter much if we did. It simply makes us more moody, or at least more moody than muggles since they don't have any. They can be sweet at times, but mostly annoying. Since with too many you'll find everything too hard to control. The only way to get rid of Whackspurts is to keep your hair tidy, since they are attracted to messy hair, and keep your shoes clean, since they like smelly shoes."

Harry nodded, still a bit shell-shocked from all this new information he never knew existed.

Luna stood up, let go of his hand, and said, just before she left,

"I'm going to continue my hunt of an Exploding Snabberwitch, which is a devilish little thing, a bit like a miniature dragon-lizard, because I thought I felt one near the forest. I don't dare go inside at this time of year, September or October is always dangerous then, but if its outside then it should be fine. See you soon, Harry!"

Then the girl he had kissed just that morning, skipped down to the pitch, and started to run around. Perhaps she was trying to entice it out.

Harry sat there, trying to understand what was happening, as the nasty Nargle was looking at him speculatively.

When he went to sleep that night, watching the different numbers of Whackspurts in all his room-mates hairs, as they ignored him, he realised he hadn't worried about the tournament once since his meeting with Luna.

And he thought, that perhaps that day had been the best day he had experienced in a long long time, bringing a smile to his face as he thought of the mesmerising blonde.

Harry would have to see her tomorrow.

-oo-