I remember reading this book lent to me by a dormmate—a Muggle story about a beautiful young woman who meets a hideous beast. Such things aren't normal in the Muggle world, she explained, but I couldn't imagine living such a life. In the end, they fall in love, and the beast transforms into a handsome prince. That was her favorite part. For me, it was a tragedy.

What if the beast was simply a misunderstood soul trying to find himself, looking for a place he belonged? What if the beauty just wanted someone to see the real her, beyond first appearances? What if, in the end, they both remained true to who they were while, at the same time, still managing to change each other for the better?

Now that would be quite the story...

...o0o...

The sun drew little designs on the leaves, and Luna paused to watch. So many of them, yet no two exactly the same—just like humans. Unlike humans, they were dying, paving the path to winter, while everyone in the castle was very much alive, more so now than ever.

Luna tore her gaze away and continued deeper into the Forbidden Forest, pausing at every flower bush to examine it. Thus far, her search had turned up nothing, but she was determined. The dead leaves crackled under foot, underpinned by the occasional snapping twig. It formed a melody that she found herself humming to. It had no words as of yet, but maybe one day...

Oh! Another flowering bush on the left. Luna left the music behind as she approached it and rifled through the branches. Nothing. Perhaps deeper in the bush? She parted the branches the rest of the way, only to gasp as she let them snap back together. She found something all right: a pair of china-blue eyes.

"Forgive me if I startled you," the owner of the eyes said as he stepped into view.

His voice was like a siren's song. For a moment, she understood what it was that drew men to their deaths upon the rocks—the mystery and the magic. They were simple words, but Luna relaxed, daring even to smile.

"I wasn't expecting to run into anyone. Guess that's silly of me, with all the things that live in these woods."

"It's Ms. Lovegood, yes?"

"You can call me Luna, Professor."

"I am not your professor anymore. Here, I am just Firenze."

"Firenze." She tried it out, rolling the word around her tongue like it was some forbidden delicacy. It was weird, after studying under him for a year, but it felt natural, too. "I'm sorry to disturb you."

"It's no bother, but the forest is no place for a young witch. Surely you know it is forbidden?"

"Well yes, of course. It's right in the name, isn't it? But, you see, I'm looking for something, and this is the only place to find it."

Luna glanced around, tracing the path of sunlight through the trees, the way it illuminated the particles in the air. It had to be here. Somewhere.

"You know," Firenze crossed his arms and looked up to the heavens as he spoke, "the stars foretold that I would meet someone important today. Perhaps I am intended to help you. What is it you seek?"

"They're called Petalpuffs."

"A Petalpuff, you say?" Firenze scratched at the tuft of fur on his chin as he thought. Every now and then, he shifted his weight from one hind leg to the other, though he didn't seem to notice. "I've never heard of it."

"They're really quite rare. They live in flower bushes, and they're made to look just like flowers, but they're actually quite similar to birds. If you find one, they're supposed to bring good luck. I thought Hogwarts could use a bit of luck."

Recovering from the war had been difficult, and when students had returned this year, it was hard to fall back into the routine. But if she could find a Petalpuff—or maybe two or three—then that would change. They could build nests all over the castle, and pretty soon everyone would have an abundance of good fortune. That was what the Wizarding World needed most of all: something to smile about.

Luna waited, staring up, way up—was he that tall or was she just that short—into his blank face. There was no way to read his emotions, so she prepared herself for the inevitable scoff or laugh that would come. Plenty of people did it, and that was just fine with her. Everyone had to find their own path in life, and no two would be the same.

But the judgment never came. Instead, he smiled—just the smallest and briefest of smiles, really—and a light turned on in his eyes.

"I know a clearing not far from here filled with flowering bushes. Shall I lead you there?"

"That would be lovely, please, if it's no trouble."

Firenze bowed his head and shoulders ever so slightly before turning tail and leading the way.

Leaves rustled as they walked, the occasional twig snapped, and every now and then a hoof would clop on a rock. Now that was a melody that required no words.

...o0o...

We searched for the better part of the afternoon, but we never did find that Petalpuff. Instead, we discovered something even rarer. Something akin to an enchanted rose, one could say, waiting for just the right moment to bloom.

Author's Note: Three-part drabble collection (~800-ish words each) for the Valentine's Day Odd Couple Speed Dating challenge at Diagon Alley II. I tried to think of one of the oddest non-crack pairs I could think of, and Luna/Firenze popped up. They're really, really difficult to write sooo...this may not be the greatest thing ever. xD I apologize ahead of time.