Chapter 2: Luna
After parting from Neville and Hermione outside the Ravenclaw dormitory, Luna crept silently in to the common room. She was relieved that that nobody else was there. She climbed up to her bedroom, changed as quietly as she could in the dark and eased herself into bed. At first, she could not get herself to sleep. She started at any slight sound, in case it was one of her 'friends'. She eventually succumbed to an uneasy slumber once she realised the sounds were merely other sleepers fidgeting or turning over.
At about half past four the next morning, the peace of the Ravenclaw girls' dormitory was shattered by a piercing scream, which appeared to come from Luna's bed. It was followed by another. And then – silence. Cho Chang went to investigate. It seemed that everyone was now awake, except Luna. She was still asleep, completely oblivious to the blood curdling sound she had just emitted. Not many of the Ravenclaws were able to get back to sleep after this incident.
At breakfast, Padma Patil and Cho Chang sat on either side of Luna at the Ravenclaw table. Latisha Randle and Felicity Eastchurch sat some distance up the table. Neville, observing them from the Gryffindor table, was secretly pleased.
"Luna," said Padma Patil, gently, "What happened to you last night?"
"Oh, nothing much." said Luna, in the forlorn hope that this would fend off further enquiries.
"It must have been more than 'nothing much'," said Padma, "You weren't at dinner last night. You hadn't returned to the dorm when we all went to bed. Then, very early this morning, you screamed your head off – twice, in your sleep and woke all of us up. Someone, or something must have really upset you. I've never known you to miss a meal."
"Oh, it wasn't anything." said Luna. "And I certainly don't remember screaming, although my throat was rather sore this morning."
"Look, Luna." said Cho Chang, "We're your friends. We care about you. We're here for you. What really happened? Where did you go?"
"I went to the Astronomy Tower to think." said Luna, "I wanted to be somewhere I wouldn't be disturbed."
"You missed a date with Neville." said Padma, "I saw him just before curfew. He was looking for you. He was really worried."
"Oh, I'm sorry about that." said Luna, "I was so screwed up, I forgot."
"That's not like you either." said Cho, "Who upset you?"
Luna looked nervously up the table towards Latisha and Felicity before answering. She was frightened that they would be eavesdropping on her conversation with Cho and Padma.
"If I told you, they'd find out and make it even worse for me." said a clearly terrified Luna.
"Oh, Luna," said Padma, "This has been going on for a while, hasn't it, but it's never seemed to affect you before. What's different this time?"
"They – they insulted my mother." said Luna, who was near to tears, "I can take most of their comments, but that was too much."
"That was totally out of order." said Cho, sounding shocked.
Padma put her arm across Luna's shoulders in a gesture of friendship and cuddled her. Luna did feel better for this gentle human contact.
"But what can we do without making it worse?" asked Luna.
"What's your first lesson this morning?" asked Padma.
"Double charms with the Gryffindors." said Luna, "Then herbology and divination, also with Gryffindor."
"That's perfect." said Padma, "Who do you usually sit with?"
"Ginny Weasley." said Luna.
"Even better." said Padma, "You'll be spending the whole morning with a good friend."
"I get the impression you know more than you're saying." said Luna.
"Your intuition is still working." said Padma, "I met Parvati on the way down here. She told me that Neville brought you into the Gryffindor common room yesterday evening."
"Yes, he did take me there, because I was hungry." said Luna, "Hermione took us down to the kitchens, so I could have some dinner."
"That was so kind of her." said Padma, "Anyway, Parvati said she thought you'd been crying."
"I was so upset," said Luna, "I just had to hide away somewhere. I couldn't stop crying. The Astronomy Tower seemed the best place. I don't like crying if there are other people around."
"I guess that's where Neville found you." said Padma.
"Yes," said Luna, "I suppose I wasn't all that silent. He must have heard me crying."
"It's not in your nature to cry," said Cho, "Your mother's memory means a lot to you doesn't it."
"Yes, it does." said Luna, "I was only nine when she died, but I knew even then that she had been a wonderful person."
"Like you." said Padma, "You're a wonderful person as well. Anyway, try not to dwell on what happened last night. I'm beginning to think of a plan."
"We'd better be moving." said Cho, "Professor Snape doesn't like latecomers. And, Luna, try to cheer up. I'm sure this will all blow over fairly soon. Bye!"
"I hope so." said Luna, "Bye, see you soon."
The Great Hall gradually emptied as the students made their way to their various classes. Ginny and Neville came over to Luna, who had not yet left her seat. They persuaded her to join them and left the hall together. Once they were clear of the hordes of students, Neville left the other two to go to his potions class, giving Luna a tender, reassuring hug as they parted. Ginny accompanied Luna to their charms class. Luna was more cheerful, but she was a long way from being her usual bright optimistic self.
"How are you feeling this morning?" asked Ginny.
"Better than last night." said Luna, "Thank you all so much for looking after me when Neville rescued me."
"Oh, that's OK." said Ginny, "We'd do that for anyone. I saw you with Cho and Padma at breakfast. It seems you do have some real friends in Ravenclaw."
"Yes," said Luna, "They were trying to find out what was wrong. Apparently, I screamed in the early hours and woke everybody up. They were worried."
"I'm not surprised they were worried." said Ginny, "Do you remember anything about it."
"No." said Luna, "I don't remember screaming, but I do half remember a vivid vision of my mother's death. It was horrible. I can't get it out of my mind. I just feel really on edge."
"This is serious." said Ginny, "It looks as if your so called 'friends' have awakened memories that should have been left undisturbed. Leave this one with us, Luna. We all love you. I think Parvati and Padma have some ideas, and try not to be too gloomy."
"I will try," said Luna, "But it is hard when I'm haunted by the vision of my mother's death. Anyway, we're here."
Luna and Ginny found a double desk just as professor Flitwick was taking up his position in front of the class. That class and the rest of the morning's lessons passed without incident. Since both the lessons after break time; herbology and divination, were joint Gryffindor and Ravenclaw classes, Ginny could stay with Luna and took the opportunity to boost her morale whenever she could. Both professor Sprout and professor Trawlawney noted Luna's unusually gloomy expression. For what it's worth, professor Trelawney assured Luna that she would be happy again in about three days. Luna's reaction was a wan smile. Lunchtime came at last.
"Would you like to sit with us today?" asked Ginny, "We don't bite."
"I'd love to." said Luna.
So Luna joined Ginny, Harry, Ron, Parvati and Hermione for lunch at the Gryffindor table. They were also joined by Padma Patil, who sat next to her twin sister. They made sure they were well out of earshot of Seamus Finnegan.
"How do you think we're going to deal with Latisha and Felicity?" asked Parvati.
"We'll have to be subtle." said Harry.
"That rules me out." admitted Ron. "Subtlety isn't one of my qualities."
"I had noticed." said Hermione, smirking.
"Gryffindor are playing Ravenclaw at Quidditch on Saturday morning." said Hermione.
"What's that got to do with anything." said Ron.
"We've got until then to think of a way to either humiliate or frighten your tormentors." said Hermione, addressing Luna, "You'll have to keep a low profile until then, Luna."
"I've got the beginnings of a plan," said Padma, "But it will be best if as few people as possible know about it."
"What kind of plan?" asked Hermione.
"It will involve the Quidditch match." said Padma, "And it will need someone who is really brilliant at charms and spells."
"That sounds like a job for you, Hermione." said Ron.
"I may be wrong," said Hermione, "But I think I might have an idea about what you're thinking. Does it concern bludgers?"
"Yes, it does." said Padma, "That's why we'll have to keep it secret until we carry it out."
"We will have to discuss it." said Neville, "Somewhere where we won't be overheard."
The little group of Luna's friends decided to defer further discussion about their plan until the evening. The Gryffindors would initially meet in their common room and agree on a location. They would meet the two Ravenclaws at an agreed place, then split up and then all head individually by different routes to the location for the planning meeting.
Luna was not to be involved as it was thought that Latisha or Felicity might just try to get at her for information. Neville would look after her.
"Do you trust us, Luna?" asked Hermione.
"I suppose I'll have to." said Luna, "As long as no-one actually gets hurt."
"Nobody will be hurt," said Hermione, "But I'm hoping a certain pair of Ravenclaws will feel less safe. Incidentally, if anyone asks you what we were talking about, we were discussing Saturday's quidditch match, which I suppose we were."
After lunch the little group of friends gathered in one of the many courtyards in Hogwarts. They agreed that they would meet again in the same place after dinner. At dinner, everyone would sit in their normal places.
The three afternoon classes passed without further incident. Felicity and Latisha did not persue their persecution of Luna. It seemed that even they realised they had gone too far the previous evening. Either that or they were keeping a low profile in order to avert any immediate consequences of their actions.
At dinner, the group ate at their house tables. Padma and Cho sat either side of Luna as at breakfast. The discussions on the Gryffindor table revolved around the day's classes and the resulting coursework. There was no mention of Luna's plight or Quidditch. Padma and Cho did their best to keep Luna smiling. After dinner, the group of friends assembled in the same courtyard they had used at lunchtime. It was agreed that they would use the room of requirement, but they would go there as individuals. The group dispersed. The Patil twins stayed together and headed initially for the lake before doubling back to the castle. Harry and Ginny paid a brief visit to Hagrid before returning. Hermione went straight to the room of requirement to prepare it for the meeting, Ron and Cho each found circuitous routes to the venue. Neville was asked to look after the still emotionally fragile Luna, a task which he anticipated with pleasure. He decided to take her up to the Astronomy Tower and spend some pleasant time with her there.
"Why are you bringing me up here?" asked Luna, when they entered the Astronomy Tower, "This is where I was crying last night."
"I want to spend time with you here and make it a happy place again." said Neville, "After all, it is your most favourite place in the whole castle."
"I suppose it is." said Luna, "Thank you. What should we do first?"
"This!" said Neville, as he held Luna and kissed her, "Now we can watch the sunset "
"You're in a romantic mood this evening." said Luna.
"Why shouldn't I be?" said Neville, "I'm with my favourite girl in the quietest part of the castle and we're going to watch nature's best lightshow."
"Then we can watch the stars come out." said Luna, "I don't think there's a moon tonight."
"That's good." said Neville, "we can really enjoy the starlight, but it won't match the stars in your eyes."
"Oh Neville!" said Luna, "You're starting the flattery early."
Neville and Luna spent the next half hour or so watching the sun go down, and the colours of what few clouds there were change from yellow to orange to red, then to grey as the Sun sunk far below the horizon. All the time this was happening, Luna stood in front of Neville, his arms around her, gently holding her. She felt safe and secure with him. After the emotional turmoil of the previous evening, the Astronomy Tower was indeed turning back into a happy place, where Luna could feel contented.
"Thank you, Neville." said Luna, "I feel so secure when you're with me. Anyway, let's see who spots the first star."
The couple scanned the sky until the first stars appeared.
"There's one!" said Luna as a point of light revealed itself in the Eastern sky.
As the sky darkened, more and more stars appeared. Finally, when the last traces of dusk had faded, the Milky Way became visible. The tranquillity of the night sky was interrupted occasionally by a shooting star. Neville was sitting on one of the chairs with Luna sitting on his lap, enfolded in his loving arms. The few clouds present in the sunset had cleared and the air was crystal clear. The couple spent the next hour lost in their thoughts, the sheer beauty of the night sky and the enjoyment of each other's presence.
"It's beautiful isn't it." said Luna, breaking the silence, "Look how bright the Milky Way is over there."
"It is." said Neville, "That's the first thing you've said for about an hour."
"You don't have to talk to love the stars." said Luna, "Silence is wonderful up here. That's why I come up here when I want some peace and quiet."
Neville could sense the calm in Luna's sweet voice. He knew that, for the time being, she had overcome the trauma of the previous evening and was back in her own world. He felt contented. Luna spent the next hour or so explaining the constellations to Neville and how muggle scientists had measured the distances of the stars. Such was her passion for Astronomy, that Neville was spellbound by her descriptions.
At nearly midnight, Neville and Luna came down from the Astronomy Tower. It was well after curfew time, but they were not worried as visiting the tower was one of the few activities permitted during the curfew. After all, nobody watches the stars in daytime. Neville, as on the previous evening delivered Luna safely back to the Ravenclaw dormitory. She again went to bed silently. Fortunately, there was no repetition of the early morning screaming.
After returning Luna to the Ravenclaw dormitory, Neville made his way back to the Gryffindor tower. On the way there, he encountered Minerva Mcgonagall, who was patrolling that night. Fortunately, she believed his explanation that he had been watching shooting stars, which, in a way, he was.
When he returned to the Gryffindor dormitory, Hermione and Ron were still in the common room discussing Luna's problems.
"Everything OK?" asked Ron, "How's Luna this evening?"
"She's remarkably calm." said Neville, "We spent a whole hour just looking up at the stars in complete silence. During that time, I could sense that she was becoming less agitated. Then she seemed to come to life and started to explain the night sky. It was so wonderful to see and feel her returning to her normal self."
"That's good." said Hermione, "I'll tell you what we've planned for her so called 'friends' tomorrow. Anyway, it's late and we'd better get some sleep. We stayed up until you returned to make sure Luna was OK."
Neville, Ron and Hermione made their way to bed feeling satisfied with their activities that evening.