1 September 1992
Dear Diary;
It's here! September first! Squeee! I'm so happy, excited and nervous all rolled up into one! I'm finally getting to go to Hogwarts! I think I'll get there early so I can get a good seat. I'm worried that the Weasleys will be making their usual mad dash at the last moment and that's not the way a first time traveler should make on their beginning of a new education.
I wonder if I'll get to meet Harry Potter? I've read a couple of articles he wrote and picked up my own Potioneer's Assistant. I'm impressed by the work that went into creating this. I can only hope that my own project does as well. I think I ought to start a new journal laying out my plans to create the creature version of the Chocolate Frog cards. What to call them though is a toughie… Oooh! How about a Chocolate Snorkack card?
September first finally arrived and Luna arrived at King's Cross; about an hour before the scheduled departure time. After stowing her trunk, she sat down on the bench and observed the Strings and listened to the approaching Songs. One in particular was interesting. She watched the entrance portal and spotted Harry Potter walking onto the platform with his girlfriend, Hermione Granger and Sirius Black… or was it Stubby Boardman?
She exited the carriage and waved him over.
"Hello Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Mr. Boardman."
"Hello? Who are you?" Harry asked politely.
"My name is Luna Lovegood. I would like it if you were both to join me."
Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. Sirius was perplexed at being called 'Mr. Boardman.'
"Miss Lovegood? Why did you refer to me as Mr. Boardman?" inquired Sirius.
"You are Stubby Boardman of the Hobgoblins? My father was quite distressed when you broke up the band," she replied as Sirius laughed.
"Sorry to tell you this but I'm not Stubby Boardman. I've seen him and while we do share some similarities, we're not the same person."
"You're sure? That's a shame. My father was hoping you'd get the band back together and put out some new songs," pouted Luna while Harry and Hermione chuckled at Sirius' embarrassment.
Sirius gave his charges some well wishes and a bunch of hugs before leaving for his new job. Harry's eyes glistened as he finally got the treatment that he'd seen other children getting before setting off on a journey before he climbed on board with Hermione following behind. Once they were settled, Hermione turned to Luna and asked her why she sought them out.
"I saw your Strings and heard your Songs. I figured you'd need a quiet place to stay for the moment. Your fame was attracting the attention of the wrong people."
"Oh? What strings and songs?"
"I am capable of Seeing and Hearing magic. To me, magic looks like brightly colored strings and the Songs are what resonate from those strings. Everyone has them. For example, Harry's is a genre known as 'hip-hop, Reggaeton, Pop music' and the Song called 'Fireball' by the muggle songwriter 'Pitbull.' Yours covers two different genres. It is a sweet love song called, 'The Game of Love' performed by a duet named Santana and Michelle Branch. Miss Branch's genre is 'Pop music, Rock, pop rock, country, and acoustic music' while Mr. Santana's genre is 'Latin rock, blues rock, psychedelic rock, acid rock and Chicano rock.' I have their records with me as well as a record player."
Hermione was skeptical, "It sounds rather like Divination."
Luna just smiled mysteriously, "Before last year dragons, magic and witchcraft would've been considered fantastical, wouldn't you agree?"
Hermione tilted her head thoughtfully, "I guess so."
"You have a wonderful gift Luna. To be able to hear so many different types of music," mused Harry.
"Sometimes though at other times it can be a curse. Those people I mentioned earlier have a rough, angry song. It sounds like stones hitting sheet metal. It's the sort of thing I'd expect to Hear from Ronald Weasley."
"Ouch. That does sound terrible. I take it that you live near the Weasleys? Do you know what it is about me that they're after?" asked Harry.
"Your latest article. It has angered them and yes, I live on the other side of the valley that the Weasleys live."
Harry just rolled his eyes, "Twits. Okay, I'll contact Sirius and let him deal with it." With that he pulled out a mirror and called his godfather to let him know about the incident.
"You should also tell him that his Song is also quite… motivating."
Harry turned back, "What's his song?"
"AC/DC 'Back in Black.'"
Harry grinned; he knew that song, "Yup, that sounds like Sirius."
Once the train began its journey, Luna pulled out her record player and a set of headphones the salesclerk had recommended so as to not disturb others around her. One of the things that Luna had her father do when she got home was to enchant the player to be more stable while traveling over rough roads and not skip tracks. Hermione was watching with a curious mien on her face as Luna perused her collection of records.
"What records do you have there?" asked Hermione.
"All sorts ranging from children's tunes to symphonies. I'm trying to decide which one suits the mood of going to Hogwarts for the first time. Would you like to help? I can also put on the song that fits you."
Hermione nodded and switched sides of the compartment to sit next to Luna. She listened to the Song that Luna said was fitting to her style of magic and was impressed. It did seem to match her temperament. While they were rifling through the case, Hermione asked Luna a question.
"What House do you hope to get into?"
"Well, I was talking with my familiar, Fawkes, and he thought I'd do good in Gryffindor because of my sense of adventure and desire to learn in… non-conventional ways. I had originally thought to hope for Ravenclaw but Fawkes informed me the Claws don't like it if someone has an oddball methodology. No offense, Hermione."
"None taken. I'm guilty of the same thing sometimes. I have an ability to understand animals and non-traditional languages like Cornish Pixies, owls and the like. I published an article in Magizoology Monthly that outlined that ability and also spoke in depth of the Late Neolithic Period for the Sunshine Daisy Pixie clan that live in the Forbidden Forest. While I was doing the initial research, the others in my House thought I was being stupid and strange."
The record for Chopin's 'Piano Concerto Number Two' was eventually chosen and played softly in the background while Hermione and Luna slid into an in-depth discussion about magical creatures. Luna brought up some of the creatures that she and her father sought out every summer. Hermione's eyes lit up at the thought of learning something new. Creatures like Wrackspurts, Nargles and Crumple-horned Snorkacks were discussed and plans made.
"One of my goals in life is to create a collection of trading cards similar to the Chocolate Frogs Cards but instead of famous people use the creatures that my father and I search for," commented Luna at one point.
Harry watched amused at the whole thing. It was nice that Hermione made a new friend and Luna seemed like a nice person. He quietly opened up a trade journal and settled in to read.
The train pulled into the station and Hagrid collected the First Years. As they were traveling over the lake, Fawkes' Song echoed in her mind.
'I thought this was appropriate, Luna.'
"Silly bird. Thank you, it does seem appropriate as we do appear to be making an assault on to the shores of the castle."
When she arrived with the others in the Great Hall, the Sorting went as Fawkes had suggested it would. When she settled in her seat amongst her new House, a sandy-haired Second Year waved and greeted her.
"Hi, I'm Neville Longbottom. I'm a friend of Harry and Hermione. Let me be the first to welcome you to Gryffindor House."
"Thank you. I'm looking to being the best in my chosen field of study." It was too noisy to really hear his song but what she did Hear was thumpy.
"Oh? What would that be?"
"I want to be an explorer and discover all sorts of creatures and animals that most think are non-existent or mythological. I want to be the new version of Newt Scamander. Eventually I'd like to create a collection of trading cards similar to the Chocolate Frogs Cards but instead of famous people use the creatures that my father and I search for."
"Wow! That sounds like an ambitious and interesting goal, Miss Lovegood. I wish you luck."
After the Feast, Headmistress McGonagall gave the announcements and the students were released to head off to their respective Houses. Moving portraits, staircases and roving ghosts were seen throughout. The Strings and Songs were heard throughout like a chaotic symphony yet despite that Luna was in paradise.
Smiling, she entered the Gryffindor Common Room. The Sixth year Prefect, Percy Weasley, gave a brief description of the general layout of the Gryffindor Tower, where things were located and what was expected of them. The girls were led up to their dorm room where Luna found her trunk waiting for her. She pulled out her nightclothes and toiletries then headed to the bathroom. Once she was done, she climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep.
2 September 1992
Dear Diary;
I made it into Gryffindor! I even got to make friends with Harry Potter and his girlfriend Hermione Granger! There's a nice boy who introduced himself as Neville Longbottom. I'm sort of familiar with the background of that family. It's sad that he will never get to know his parents…
Is it possible to know when you've found the right person to spend the rest of your life with 'right off the bat,' as that American artist I met during the summer once said? Neville is rather cute. His song is upbeat and blends nicely with mine… time will tell, I guess.
The next morning when she entered the Common Room, she found Neville waiting for her.
"An escort to the Great Hall, Mr. Longbottom?"
"Can't fault me for being gallant, Miss Lovegood. Besides, your ability of hearing a person's Song has intrigued me."
"You know? How'd you find out?"
"Harry and Hermione are my friends. Hermione was jabbering like crazy about your gift on the carriage ride to the castle."
The two of them left the Common Room and descended the stairs; Neville continued the discussion.
"So what do you hear from me?"
"Well…"
"Aw, come on…"
"Have you ever heard of any muggle songwriters? The one in particular for you is called 'Katy Perry.' Her song is titled, 'Firework.'"
Neville shook his head no. Luna just patted him on the shoulder then bounced off to sit with her friend Ginny Weasley. Neville stood there with a mesmerized look on his face before wandering over to where Harry and Hermione were sitting at the Hufflepuff table.
He sat down still sporting that dazed look. Harry smirked at him.
"Neville? Problem?"
Neville just looked up at him, "I think I'm in love. I just met the girl and I think I'm in love."
Hermione grinned at him, "I told you. So what song does she hear from you?"
"Hmm? Someone by the name of 'Katy Perry who sung 'Firework;' I have no idea what it sounds like."
"It's aptly named and a very fitting piece. It's about standing up for what you believe in no matter what anyone else tells you."
"So how is it fitting to me?"
"Well, at the start of our first year, I'd sworn that you were just a shy and quiet person desperate to blend into the background. Now though, you've grown and blossomed. Totally unrecognizable from that other personality," she commented.
"Huh… I guess so," he replied thoughtfully.
Luna was sitting in her Herbology class taking notes but her mind was on Neville. She was amazed at herself. She was eleven years old for Merlin's sake! To fall head over heels this early in life was incredible! Well, Neville's is kind of cute…
Later, she entered the Library in order to search for a Transfiguration book to help with her homework assignment when she spotted Neville haunting the Herbology stacks.
"Neville Longbottom, are you stalking me?" she asked in a teasing tone.
"Um… no?"
Luna just shyly smiled at him and moved a lock of hair behind her ear, "So what are you looking for?"
"Um…. Pl- plant stuff…"
"Neville! There you are!" Harry came up from behind and slapped his hand on Neville's shoulder, "Oh, hi Luna! Neville, you find that book on Magical Water Plants of the Mediterranean?"
"Harry James Potter, get away from them!" hissed an indignant Hermione as she dragged him away from the scene.
Neville turned back to Luna, his face a brilliant red blush. She on the other hand, was calm and serene, looking at him with mirthful silvery eyes.
"I think Harry Potter was trying to distract the Dinglehopper Flies. They tend to get attracted to people who are nervous about being around pretty people. Do you consider me to be pretty?" she asked with a slight twitch of a grin.
"I… we… Oh, Merlin…" stammered Neville as he tried to come up with a useful escape. Finally summoning his Gryffindor Courage, he took a deep breath and faced Luna head-on.
"Luna, you and I have only just met and yet I find myself intrigued by you. You see and hear things in a way that harkens back to a more carefree age of innocence. It's refreshing, original and I find myself wanting more. I'm trying not to come off as creepy but there it is…" he trailed off into silence waiting for her response.
A small playful smile grew on her face, "Are you asking me to be your friend, Neville Longbottom?" He nodded in response, "then I would be happy to be yours."
Luna brought out her record player at the end of the day and set it up in the Gryffindor Common Room. The others gathered around her and were obviously curious about the selection of music. She had a wide selection from 'Alternative Rock' to 'Smooth Jazz.' She glanced around the room and asked if they minded if she were to choose a song at random. She explained her Gift of Magesight and Songs then picked out a record that would be fun to listen to. The song she picked was Jerry Lee Lewis' Pop song, 'Great Balls of Fire.'
Everyone was snapping their fingers or tapping their feet to the beat of the song and a few of the more adventurous ones were dancing to the music. When it was over, one of the upper year girls, Angelina Johnson, asked her what was so special about that song.
"Oh, it's the Song for the Twins. Remember how I said that each person has their own Song according to the String of magic I can see?" Angelina nodded and grinned at the Twins who broke out in gales of laughter.
"You're right, 'Great Balls of Fire' is perfect for those two."
Luna picked out a few other records and played them for the others amusement. She was tickled pink when she was approached by Neville who had screwed up his courage to ask her to dance with him to one of the slower songs.
5 September 1992
Dear Diary;
I never realized just how starved for music the magical world is! If it's not Celestina Warbeck or The Weird Sisters, there's really nothing available to the general population. I've gotten compliments and requests from just about every House. I was surprised that there were Slytherins asking as well; I thought they'd be the last group with an interest in muggle music.
I wonder if I'm at the forefront of a revolution here? Wait, there was a group that had a song that asks that very question… who was it? Oh, yeah… The Beatles.
By the end of the first week, the Hogwarts Rumor Mill was in full swing about Luna's collection of songs that reportedly were matched to a person's temperament. It even had it's own name which amused Luna and Fawkes to no end; Luna Lovegood's 'Magical Music Mystery Medley.' People were approaching her, asking what their song was and/or if they could hear the songs on her record player.
It finally got to the point that on Saturday, Headmistress Minerva McGonagall had requested that she bring down her record player and collection to allow everyone to hear their song.
"Headmistress, I don't think that's possible as I don't have everyone's song. I couldn't carry that many in my trunk," Luna replied quietly.
"Would you have the songs at home? I could have a house-elf go and retrieve them for you," asked the Headmistress.
Luna pondered that for a moment and took the time to look at the Strings to determine which would be the right path. She emerged out of the trance and agreed that sending a house-elf would be a good idea.
"Neenie?" called McGonagall. There was a small pop and Neenie the house-elf appeared.
"Yes Headmistress Kitty?" answered Neenie. Luna quietly giggled at the name the Headmistress was given while Minerva just rolled her eyes.
"I need you to go to Miss Lovegood's home to retrieve her collection of music records. She will give you the address and the location of the records. When you have retrieved them, please put them in the Great Hall."
So Luna gave out her address, the location of the records and Neenie popped out a moment later. She popped back in ten minutes later saying that the mission was accomplished then popped away again. Minerva escorted Luna down to the Great Hall and slowed to a halt when she saw just how many records Luna had amassed. Each of the four House tables was completely filled and organized according to genre. Minerva glanced at Luna who just smiled serenely back then gazed dreamily off in the distance.
"I- I'm impressed, Miss Lovegood. So…which one would be mine?"
Luna looked at Minerva for a moment before walking over to the 'Rock' section and pulling out a record from the boxes. She placed the record on the player and started playing The Beatles "It's Been A Hard Day's Night." Minerva closed her eyes and listened to the song and the words and smiled to herself. It was perfectly matched. Luna slid back into another trance as she listened to someone's Song while waiting for Minerva to finish listening to hers.
"Mmm… Yes, we're definitely going to have to get more of these record players if everyone is going to want to hear their Song. Where did you acquire this one?"
Luna was still in her trance so Minerva waited a moment before tapping the girl on the shoulder. Luna took a deep breath and gave a minute shudder then blinked owlishly.
"I'm sorry Headmistress. What were you saying?"
"Two things; One, where did you acquire this record player and two, where were you just now?"
"Oh, I acquired the player at the music shop that's located across from the London Royal Conservatory Hall. As for where I was, I was just listening to a playful Song called "Baby Elephant Walk" by a muggle named Henri Mancini."
"Who was that Song destined for?" asked the Headmistress.
"Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle."
"Could you find it here in the collection? I'd like to hear it."
Luna began moving through the collection in search of the record. Once she found it and started playing it, Minerva let out a chuckle.
"Yes, I can see how this would be a good match for them, appropriate. Ok, I want to give you a little test. I'm going to give you a few names and I'd like to hear what you've selected for them. First, Remus Lupin; Second, Severus Snape; Third, Filius Flitwick; and Fourth, Poppy Pomfrey. Minerva then sent out a request for the chosen teachers to join her in the Great Hall.
It took Luna a few moments before she had collected the four songs and loaded the first one onto the player. When she was ready, she turned to find the four selected teachers entering the Hall.
"Minerva? What's going on? Why did you need us?" inquired Poppy rather worriedly.
"I'm sure that you've heard the rumors that Miss Lovegood here has the ability to match a Song to just about everyone here in the castle. I had a house-elf retrieve her entire collection from home and requested her to prepare the Songs that matched you four. I wanted to see if her talents were all that were reported. We were just about ready to play them. Take a seat and join us; I want your input."
First up was Remus Lupin's Song by Duran Duran and was titled, "Hungry Like The Wolf." As they were listening, there were nods of agreement from the assembled group as to just how perfectly matched it was, Severus was chuckling which surprised everyone.
Next up was Severus' Song; it was by a muggle songwriter known as Elvis Presley and called, 'A Little Less Conversation.' Filius laughed uproariously at his Song by Lou Bega titled, "Mambo No. 5." It was the genre of 'Pop, Latin and Mambo' a tune he knew he'd be humming all day long. The last song was actually a parody song of Walt Disney's Frozen 'Let it go.' This one was titled, 'I don't know' and got Poppy to fall out of her seat from laughing so much while nodding her head in total agreement and giving a thumbs up!
"Oh, wow! Miss Lovegood that was incredible!" gushed Remus who was still wheezing from Poppy's Song, "Do you have some sort of play list that covers everyone or is it just done on the fly?"
"It's just whatever I happen to See and Hear at the moment. I can't control it; some people have funny Songs, some have sad ones, others give me the creeps," Luna replied while shrugging her shoulders.
Filius finally got control of his breathing and laughter, "Ok! I want to hear what everyone else's is. I think we should have everyone assemble here in the Hall and spend the day just listening to these records."
"That was my original intention, Filius, but I think we should get more of these record players as we don't want to wear out this one. It belongs to Miss Lovegood here," commented Minerva.
"Where do we get more of these players, then? Asked Poppy.
"According to Miss Lovegood, she acquired hers from a music store across the way from the Royal Conservatory Hall in muggle London," answered Minerva.
Filius nodded, "Ok, then I shall contact a few former muggleborn students of mine and ask them to head over to this music shop. Oh, I can't wait to hear some of the others!"
12 September 1992
Dear Diary;
Headmistress McGonagall told me that she contacted some former muggleborn students of hers and asked them to go into London to pick up a few more record players. I hope we'll have enough, my collection is so popular! I'm so excited that there will be a school-wide exhibition of music! I'm still shocked by the general reaction from everyone. It makes me wonder why no one has ever tried this before?
It took the better part of three days before the record players were delivered via house-elves. They were unboxed, assembled and in place in the Great Hall on the Teacher's table. The 'Magical Music Mystery Medley' had been placed in temporary storage by the elves and retrieved as soon as the Great Hall was prepped and readied.
The students were curious as to why they were called into the Great Hall just before lunchtime for an important announcement. Once they arrived and spotted the musical collection, the chatter and sounds of excitement sprang up. The students quickly found their seats and tried to take the records from their boxes only to find they couldn't actually touch them. Disappointed, they settled in and waited for the Headmistress to start the announcements.
"Students of Hogwarts, may I have you attention please! Thanks to the generosity of Miss Luna Lovegood and her 'Magical Music Mystery Medley,' we will be taking the morning to listen to five songs, a teacher and one student from each of the four Houses. After that, if anyone has a request, I ask that you come to see me. Do not bother Miss Lovegood or you will face point loss or detention."
That got the assembled students to start up with the excited chatter again.
"So without further ado, we will start off with a teacher's then move onto the four students. When it is time for lunch, there will be a table set up in the back with sandwiches and drinks."
Minerva held up a list and read off the names of the teachers and students whose Songs were to be played.
Teachers:
Minerva McGonagall – The Beatles, 'It's Been A Hard Day's Night'
Students:
Luna Lovegood – Weezer, 'An Island In The Sun'
Hermione Granger – Santana/Michelle Branch, 'A Game of Love'
Hannah Abbott – Ok Go, 'Upside Down & Inside Out'
Pansy Parkinson – Ray Charles, 'Shake Your Tail Feathers'
The corresponding records were chosen then one at a time, the songs were played. Everyone was having a blast listening to the music and notes were being taken as to what moods and feelings were conjured as the result of hearing them. Parchment and quills were pulled out and lists of requests were being made by the muggleborn students and even by some of the magically raised who knew some of the classical artists. Some good-natured teasing was sent at the students and the Headmistress for their personal songs.
Pansy turned bright red at the thought of someone coming up to her later and asking her to 'shake her tail feathers.' She brought this up to her Head of House, so Severus gave the assembled students the admonishment that any teasing that resulted from hearing these songs would result in point loss, detention and loss of privilege from hearing any more songs.
Later that evening in the Headmistress' office…
Minerva was sitting in her chair and going over the end of day reports from the portraits and whatever parchment that made its way onto her desk. There was only one dissenter amongst the paintings of previous leaders, Phineas Black. He didn't like the fact that there were so many students singing and dancing in the halls. Truth was, he didn't like very much of anything so Minerva tended to ignore him.
"I must say Minerva, this new idea of playing these musical records to the students is wonderful!" commented Armando Dippet, the Headmaster from Dumbledore's time, "It's been absolutely amazing at how joyous the students seem. They're more lively and appear to look forward to the next performance."
Minerva let out a happy smile, "I'm glad to hear that Armando. It certainly does this old heart some good to hear laughter and random singing break out in the halls."
Meanwhile, Phineas was sitting in his frame stewing over not being listened to and made a decision. He had frames at other magical locations, so he got up and went in search of someone with the power to do something about this travesty. Muggle music in the hallowed halls of Hogwarts? Not on his watch!
14 September 1992
Dear Diary;
I was so looking forward to my classes. I really was but I've heard that a ghost teaches History of Magic. That's not good; ghosts tend to stick to one thing for eternity.
My other classes are fun though; I'm particularly interested in Herbology. I think if things go well with this one, it could help me with my Chocolate Snorkack card series.
I wonder what Fawkes is up to?
Luna was sitting in her History of Magic class after lunch and wishing that she could be anywhere else but here. The ghost teacher, Cuthbert Binns, was monotonously boring! Droning on about nothing but Goblin Wars from so long ago was causing her to fall asleep. With her ability to See, History was something that was in reality exciting and fun! Not this class though, this was a travesty! If it weren't against her nature to not make waves, she'd be spearheading a campaign to get the ghost exorcised and a new teacher brought in. Finally the bell rang and she dashed out of the class the moment she gathered up her belongings. She spotted Ginny Weasley in the crowd and caught up to her childhood friend.
"Hello Ginny. Did you have a nice nap in History class as well?"
Ginny gave a brief snort of amusement, "Yeah I did. I'm surprised that something hasn't been done about that ghost. Of all the possible History teachers ever to come out of Hogwarts or even all of Britain, why are we still stuck with that bore?"
"I cannot answer that. Even the Strings of magic are failing to tell me why the ghost has to remain. I would've thought that with the new administration they'd have gotten rid of the bad teachers that Dumbledore was so fond of," groused Luna.
"Oooh, you mentioning the Strings reminded me. I was wondering if you could give me a sneak peek as to what my Song is?" Ginny quietly asked.
Luna thought for a moment then replied, "Arthur de Lulli, Classical composer for the Song called 'Chopsticks'."
"Would you allow me to listen to it on your record player tonight?" Ginny inquired but Luna shook her head.
"I promised Headmistress McGonagall that I wouldn't. She wants everyone to hear the Songs together. Sorry Ginny."
Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "It was worth a try. Thanks anyway, Luna. So? Next class?"
"Herbology. We should hurry," answered Luna.
In addition to all of Luna's classes, she was also trying to organize her notes about creating a Magizoology version of the Chocolate Frog Cards. She had each creature categorized by type and was now trying to decide how much information should be written on the cards. She spotted Neville Longbottom entering the Gryffindor Common Room and waved him over.
"Hello Neville. Have you been having a good day?"
"Yeah, so far. I was just in the greenhouses where we were repotting Mandrakes. I got to teach the class, as it's my method that is the now approved and official way to repot them without needing ear protection. Heh, it's kind of odd to be standing up at the teacher's end and instructing everyone how to gently remove the plants from the old pots and put them in the new ones. It's really nice when others listen to what you have to teach."
"I'm glad for you Neville though I do have one thing to say about that," she commented then paused. He raised an eyebrow in quiet question.
"You stink! I wanted to ask you a question about one of my projects but now I think I'll wait until you've had a shower," she teased him gently.
Neville gave her a small smirk and amused grunt, patted her on the arm and headed off to his dorm room.
When Neville returned, she showed him her work in regards to the Magizoology Chocolate Frog Card arrangement she had set up on one of the study tables. He looked them over while she fretted nervously. This was way out of her comfort zone! Normally, she'd just work on a project then put it away where no one would ever see it.
Neville had asked about what sort of environment some of the animals were reported to live in and suggested that a general notation of said environment should be included in the description box.
"So to recap, you have cards for flying creatures, ground based creatures, I think I saw a couple for aquatic creatures. What about the 'normal' creatures like kneazles, hippogriffs, dragons and the like?"
"Why should I put those in? They're everyday type of creatures," Luna questioned.
"Right, they should be the cards that a person should expect to get as a part of a pack. Think of how the current Frog cards are. You have the Common, Rare, Very Rare, Exclusive and One of a Kind card. If you want others to keep buying your cards and adding to their collection, you need to have a similar setup to keep people coming back for more. I'm also going to assume that the images will be moving?"
Luna nodded at the last question while writing down all of the information on a notepad.
"I would recommend that you work with Hermione when you get to the point of getting pictures of the Common creatures like pixies, fairies, merfolk, et cetera. She's able to understand their speech without having to know or speak the language. Comes in really handy sometimes," he said.
"Thank you Neville. I appreciate your help in this. I never would've thought to come up with these ideas."
"Bloody Hell, is Loony still going on about her stupid card collection idea?" interrupted Ron Weasley.
"What do you want, Weasley?" groaned Neville, "Can't you see that we're having a private conversation?"
"Wanted to know if you wanted to play chess with me? Seamus is too busy doing something stupid with Dean."
Neville gave Luna an exasperated sigh and a look, "No, Ron. Go away. Go ask one of your brothers. I will tell you this, if you ever call her Loony again, I'll sic the Twins after you."
Once Ron had grumbled about no one wanted to play with him and wandered away, Luna leaned over to Neville and whispered, "He actually has two Songs available for him. One speaks of his greedy soul and the other speaks of his low intelligence. You want to hear it next time we have the assembly? I could speak with the Headmistress."
"Hehe, yeah I think I'd like that. Which one though? McGonagall said we only get one." Neville asked.
"I think the one about his intelligence. It's sillier. Guaranteed to make you laugh," she replied knowingly.
"I look forward to it then. Well…was there anything else? Do you need any help with homework?"
Luna shook her head negatively. Her classes were coming along smoothly.
Harry Potter had approached her two days before September nineteenth and asked her if she had anything in the Medley that he could borrow to play for Hermione's birthday. She replied that yes, he could borrow Hermione's Song and that she also had a few other love songs if that was what he was interested. She recommended any of the love songs sung by Elvis Presley or one by Frank Sinatra called 'Fly Me To The Moon.'
She let Harry listen to those particular records and eventually he chose the Sinatra Song. Luna asked Harry to keep the fact that he borrowed the record from her quiet, as she didn't want to get bombarded by the others or for them to think that she was playing favoritism. He assured her that on Hermione's birthday, the two of them would be in one of the nicely furnished conference rooms that were located on the fifth floor.
That Sunday found Luna relaxing out by the Black Lake, soaking up the last rays of sunshine for the day and the last bit of warmth for the season when Fawkes flamed in.
'Good afternoon, Luna. How have you been today?'
"Oh, everything has been fine Fawkes. How have you been? I don't get to see very much of you lately."
'I apologize for that Luna. I'm a Nest Leader amongst my kind and sometimes my duties there require my presence for extended periods.'
"Is there anything I could do to help? Could I help keep the chicks in line?"
Fawkes just gave an amused chuckle, 'I don't think that would be possible Luna. My kind likes to nest in the face of cliffs and it would be very precarious for you to be there.'
"Oh, pooh. I was hoping to see some baby phoenixes," she pouted.
'I've been told that our young ones are not exactly the cutest creatures on the planet. They're featherless and kind of screechy.'
"That wouldn't bother me. The Humperdink Hornswogglers are rumored to be so hideous in their juvenile stage as to cause those who look upon them to go insane."
Fawkes just slowly shook his head in amusement. He wondered if there could even be such a creature but eventually decided that it wasn't important enough to investigate.
'Are you settling into the school all right? No one there is giving you any troubles?'
"Nothing I can't handle. Ronald Weasley tried to insult me about a week ago but Neville Longbottom shot him down."
'Is this something that should be reported to your Head of House?'
"I don't believe so at this point but if it does happen again, Neville has suggested that I do take it up before it gets worse. I just don't want to make waves, it's just not my way," she hung her head sadly at the end of her response.
As a need to change the subject to something happier was desired, Fawkes asked her what else had been happening in the school. She told him about the naming of her Song collection by some of the other Gryffindors and how it spread to the other Houses. She then told him about the once a month gatherings to hear five Songs dedicated to a particular teacher and four students. She described the reactions to the Songs that were played as being hilarious. Professor Flitwick's Song was particularly well received by the diminutive man. Fawkes chuckled at her story and promised to be there for the next gathering.
"Oh, one other thing Fawkes. I was wondering if you would be willing to be the representative for one of my new avian-related Magizoology cards that I've been working on. I just need a bit of general information like environment your kind normally lives in, types of foods that phoenixes usually eat, how many eggs in a clutch, that sort of thing."
'Interesting…Yes, I believe that I can help you on this Luna. It should prove to be entertaining to say the least. I can see that you have a special classification for the cards, where would I fit in those categories?'
"I was thinking of either 'Rare' or 'Very Rare.' That would put your card as one that would be included in every one hundredth or five hundredth packs as opposed to the Common, which would be every pack.
'Very well then. You let me know when you're ready to collect the information and to take my picture. Do you have someone in mind to take such photographs?'
"Yes, there's a boy in my House that is a self-proclaimed 'camera nut' as he likes to put it. I've seen his work and they're very professional."
Eventually, it was time for her to go inside and get ready for the evening meal then to do a bit of reading for an upcoming Transfiguration test before heading to bed.
The next morning Luna cornered Colin Creevey and asked him if he would be willing to help her with taking photographs of various creatures for her new card collection. She didn't even get halfway through her description of her project before Colin was agreeing to help. She informed him that they would work out a contract for services when she got closer to the point where his talents would be needed. She told him that she was planning on gathering the first set of creatures closer to around the beginning of November.
When Colin asked her which creatures she was going to be starting with, she said that she'd start with something simple like cats or kneazles, dogs, a snake, owls, elves and she was in negotiations with a centaur. She was thinking or at least hoping that Hermione Granger of Ravenclaw House would assist her in getting the local Pixie clan from the Forbidden Forest to take part in the project.