Disclaimer: Characters and universe all belongs to JKR

OUT OF REACH

Drips of water are still tickling from the edge of the desk. The carpet is crinkled from where they lifted her. From outside the window, the sound of branches and leaves being rustled by the wind. It all looks normal. But it's a different world. Not the one I'm used to. Not the one I'm part of.

"Miss Lovegood? Luna?"
He's sitting down beside me, the stranger. Hesitance in his voice and movement.
"Are you all right?"
His hand seems to be on my shoulder. But I don't feel it. It's part of the other world. The one I no longer belong to.

Lots of people going in and out of the study. Taking notes, taking things out, speaking in shushed voices. There's a heavy sigh.
"I'm afraid I have to ask you some questions."
I know he speaks right next to me, but it seems like further away. Like it's not me he's talking to. Like his words are clear, but they don't get through. They reach my hearing, but not my ears. For my ears are part of the other world. The world that's beyond my reach.

"The Delusionado spell."
It's my voice, but it can't be me, doing the talking. I don't sense my lips moving, the words are not mine.
"The What?"
None of this matters. It's only a name. A name is only a sound. What does that have to do with me? All the people in here, why should I care about anything they have to bring, anything they have to say? They don't affect me; they can't; not anymore. Because it's their world and not mine.
"It was an experiment."
I may speak, but I'm not here, I'll never be. Not anymore.

"Come on, Luna."
Familiar, yet foreign, Daddy's voice behind me. Here, but not here. Present, but distant.
"Time to go."
And he stands before me. His eyes swollen and weary. His shoulders slumped. His voice trembling. I've never seen Daddy cry. I didn't know he could. I didn't know either of my parents could. He looks small now, almost defeated. He doesn't bend down to hug me. Like he doesn't have the strength to. So I stand up and hug him. And he embraces me, crying openly now. And I realise, it makes no difference. I may not be part of this world, but he is. And he's within reach.