Suddenly I See
Written by: Snow Illusion
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Summary: When Luna sees Harry with Ginny, she transforms herself in order to win his affections.
Author's Note: I am not exactly sure when this takes place. It could be an AU Seventh Year where Harry decided to stay at Hogwarts...it could be sixth year and Harry and Ginny got together earlier, I just don't know. Just go with the flow, 'kay? Love ya!
-
Luna Lovegood fiddled with the tube of lipstick within her jumpy fingers and giggled. She twisted the bottom portion of the shiny container and the dark red lipstick emerged with a curved point. Luna Lovegood blinked her overly large blue eyes and stared deeply into the elongated vanity mirror in front of her before pushing her mother's make-up hard onto her chapped lips. It exploded serenely but Luna forced it to go on. The lipstick left a wet and smudgy trail across her entire face. Luna thought she looked beautiful.
She heard the door creak open.
"Honey, what are you doing?"
The voice of her father was the voice of reason.
Luna turned around to face him. She revealed to him her heavily made-up face with bright sparkly purple eye-shadow, enough blush to put a french whore to shame, and the last added touch of her mother's four year old lipstick. It seemed she had also foraged for fake eyelashes and had amateurishly applied them, with pointy lashes falling from the corners of her eyes, and the sticky glue dotting her upperlids. She was wearing a gaudy turquoise dress two sizes too big for her. It made a puddle of sequin material around her feet and flashed in the dim light every time Luna made even the slightest move. Luna's look was finally finished off with a pair of straggly evening gloves and a hat with what appeared to be a large dead peacock perched on top. She smiled toothily.
"Hi daddy!" She went to jump into his arms but instead lost her footing on her three inch heels, which she had also found in her rummaging, and ended up face floor on the carpet instead. She began to sob lightly and her father made his way over to her. When he managed to pick her up carefully, streaks of her eyeliner were trailing down in her cheeks in black lines. A snot bubble had grown and grew and deflated with each gurgling breath the tiny Luna took. Her father laughed and hugged her tightly until the sobbing eased.
"I just..." Luna mumbled into her father's strong shoulder and her father stroked her hair. She hiccuped again. "I just wanted to look like mommy."
Her father gulped. He pulled his daughter back so they could be eye to eye. He brushed away her dishwater blonde hair - so, so much like his beloved wife's - and smiled sadly. "I know you do, sweetheart," he comforted before removing the pair of gloves. Luna made no move to stop him. She sniffled.
"But," her father continued, kissing the back of his daughter's hands gently. "You know you can never look exactly like mommy, right?"
Luna nodded. "I know daddy. I just miss her...I thought maybe if I looked like her...and saw her in the mirror...I wouldn't miss her as much..." Her lower chin trembled and she broke down again. Her father's thumb rested lightly below her lips as a sign of comfort.
"Chin up," he said and lifted her head slightly. There was a slight pause as the young Luna regained her composure. "I wish I knew about this stuff," her father admitted, motioning towards the large amount of make-up splayed out on the vanity. "If your mother was here, she would teach you everything. But I don't know. I'm sorry."
Tears suddenly stung the corner of his eyes and he thrusted the palm of one hand towards his face. It was just so hard. How was he supposed to raise a child on his own? A girl? Without his wife? His wife who would be able to teach her the right make-up tricks and shave her legs and inform her about menstruation? How could he do this?
Luna nodded vigorously and placed her hands on her father's shoulders as if she was the one going to comfort him. "Don't worry, daddy," she said, lifting the corner of her lips in a smile. "I don't need any of this stuff. I don't want to look like mommy any more, I want to look like me. And you don't have to show me how to use lipstick or eyeshadow or bluff - "
" - blush, darling."
" - or blush. Don't need it. Not no more."
Her father could not believe what a smart little girl he had. He stood to his feet and clasped his darling's tiny hand in his own. He would cross those other bridges when they came to it, and he knew his strong, darling Luna would make it through on top. She had survived losing her mother, she could survive anything. "Come on Luna, let's go study the hibernation pattern of snorcack's."
Luna squeaked and left the room with the father. She left any idea of make-up or beauty or fashion along with it...or so she thought.
-
Mooore Author's Note: So. Yeah. This took place, obviously, when Luna was younger. The next chapter will take place present day, I guess. Just wanted to give a little background. Thanks so much for reading! Next chapter out soon.