Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

A Chance Happening

"Might I ask you a question?" Luna inquired.

"You just did," said the boy from another time.

Luna hadn't expected finding a boy in the Room of Requirements. She had almost forgotten how to find the room in the first place. So finding someone actually in it was quite a twist.

She had requested a conversation partner. Just because she was a little bored and slightly lonely that all her friends had gone away to fight without her. And there, just as plain as the night, was a boy waiting for her.

"Go ahead," the boy amended, leaning against the wall lazily. She peered at him in wonder. He was very tall for starters, and there was something very magnetic about his presence. Despite her surprise at his appearance, he was not surprised to see her. Rather, his posture was completely confident and that put her at ease.

"Do you come here often?"

"Whenever I can get away. You see, sometimes I need materials for my experiments that aren't easily obtainable. This room provides an adequate solution."

"Experiments?" Luna asked, her eyes widening. "Can I help?"

"Oh…I usually work alone," he said but smiled charmingly. "But since you seem like a pleasant sort of girl, I'll make an exception."

Luna noticed his hands were like pale birds, and she wondered if he was an artist. For some reason, she thought he was. She played with her necklace somewhat nervously.

"What will we being doing?"

"I've run into an impasse in my research. Souls. What's your opinion on the subject of souls?"

She blinked. "They are rather vital. I suppose they can travel anywhere, though."

"You're speaking of astral projection. And even then, that is not fully your soul," he said, moving closer with such familiarity she didn't think to step back. "Think about it."

"What's your name?" she asked, looking at her mismatched shoes and his straight-laced boots.

"You can call me Tom. And yours?"

"Luna," she answered.

"Enchanting. Now, what time do you come from?"

"I don't suppose I should say. Not to be rude. But that seems like a bad idea."

"You're right," he said, shaking his head. "How thoughtless of me. I've gotten carried away. I always do when people interest me."

"Why do I interest you?" she asked bluntly.

"Why do I interest you?" he asked back. Something in her stomach tingled and she wondered if she had had butterflies for breakfast this morning.

"Because you seem like you have…you have stories. And you seem pleasant, too."

"It's like you've read my mind. How strange, for us to have the same impressions of each other. Now, souls?"

"Well, I think it's a matter of personality. Character. Your soul gives you character. I suspect it's a many colored thing, to be sure."

Speaking of character, this room had an immense amount of character. She had walked into orbs and vials and black books. Piles of them. In the orbs were lights. They looked like fluttering moths and mermaids' pearls.

"Hah, colored coded souls. I have to disagree. For when I see them, they are pale and white. For the most part."

"You've seen that?" Luna asked. "Wow. What is it in the sea shells that you saw them?"

"…Sea shells don't have souls."

"Oh, I disagree," Luna said, sitting up from her position on the window ledge. "I think everything has a soul."

"The stones you're sitting on lack life," Tom pointed out."That puts a hole in your theory, you know."

"Perhaps their souls are elsewhere. That can happen, you know. Sometimes I do think there's a place where all the souls go. I'm not sure of it, though, but I believe that it is there."

"I've heard the theory before," Tom said, shifting against the background in such a way it made him very hard to see. "Many times. And I don't believe in it. It's the stuff of fairytales and fear."

"Well, first, you have to open your mind. If your mind is closed, you will miss so many things. We're told to only look at what is in front of us. Merely look around and you will be surprised at what jumps out at you."

"You're a funny sort of girl, aren't you?" he asked. He looked otherworldly in many ways, she noticed. Too pale as if he hadn't gone out into the sun for a very long time. Too tall. Too handsome. Something was amiss here.

"Some people say I am. Do you mean that in a good way or bad way?"

"Good or bad? Hah, you limit yourself. The open-minded would never use such terms."

"Let's pretend I'm close-minded for a moment," Luna answered, not about to be cheated.

"I would say in a good way. Tell me about yourself. You don't have to tell me specifics. Just so I can get a picture."

"I like to sing," Luna said, smiling at him.The day swirled into twilight behind her, and her happiness was illuminated across the darkened room.

"…Anything else?"

"Oh, I think I've found the answer to your riddle, good sir," she mused. "Did you know that music is the key to the soul? It has been used to lure many a good person into a tight spot and at the same time, change the world. Then there is the mirror that can take souls. I've definitely heard of that. And I think there is something about the eyes. What do all these things have in common?"

"Reflection," he answered, and she blinked. Usually, she had to be a little clearer with people.

"Yes," she said happily. "You're right. What about you? Tell me about yourself. I'm very curious."

"I'm not very interesting, I'm afraid. Actually, I confess I'm rather boring."

"No one is boring," Luna said, tilting her head.

"Why do you wear corks around your neck, Luna?" he asked. She was startled as he moved closer to her position by the window. She discovered it had turned to twilight at some point, and the window was very chilly. She shivered.

"My mother made me this necklace," she answered, wrapping her arms around her shoulders.

"You're sad," he noticed.

She looked up quickly. "No, not at all. What makes you think that, Tom?"

"Just a change in your voice. I'm good at reading people. It's a talent of mine."

"Well, that's not boring," Luna said. "There you go, Tom. You see."

"I'm not afraid to tell you about myself. Or show you things about myself, rather. Since you're curious, would you like to see my time?"

Luna let go of her necklace. "What?"

"I think if we both leave this room at the same moment, the room would have to be in one static time. So, either I would come into your time, or you would come into mine."

"Could I get back?" Luna asked. "And I still don't know you very well at all."

"Ask me anything. Anything at all," he said generously, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.

"Um…why are you researching souls? Are you curious?"

"Ah, curiosity. I admit I have an agenda. I'm not a curious person as much as I am a driven person."

She noticed his tie for the first time and reached out to touch it. He allowed to do so and took the opportunity to remove most of the distance between them.

"You're a Slytherin," she muttered. "Hmm…"

"Come on, you're not biased, are you?" He laughed. "I'm rather fond of Ravenclaws. Always full of ideas, you know. A bit impractical at times but still, it's charming."

"Well, I've never met a nice Slytherin," she admitted. "Occasionally, one will trip me in the halls. I'm sure there are pleasant Slytherins though, but I haven't met them. They aren't hiding behind the stairs waiting for me, so I haven't made their acquaintance. And I think the whole lot of them are a bit more open to Loser's Lurgy than Hufflepuffs, truth be told."

"…Really? I'm sorry to hear that. Then it's a very good thing that you met me."

Luna considered this. "You seem nice."

"Only seem?" he muttered, leaning forward. "Can I make a bid for an 'are'?"

"If you want. What do you like to do? Do you sing?"

"Um, no. I do like to play games."

She beamed at him. "What kind of games?"

He raised an eyebrow at her reaction. "I see we have a common interest," he said, and suddenly pulled her off the window seat. She gasped. "I'm fond of sorting out the truth from the lies."

"I am too!" Luna exclaimed. "But what kind of games? Do you fancy crossword puzzles?"

"Yes, and name games. Anagrams in particular. I used to rearrange the letters in my name for hours when I was younger. It's just how my mind works."

"I know. Well, no I don't. But wait—you never answered my first question? Why are you researching souls?"

"Perceptive, aren't you?" he asked, smiling, and she sensed that something was even more amiss. From his body language, from his stature and the way his hands moved—she thought he was powerful. In some way. But not in another. Very weak in another way, and it showed in his smile. "I wish to…I want to try and store a soul."

"Store it?" Luna asked, puzzled. "I've never heard of that before. That's—out of the box."

"Or rather in the box, as it is," he said. "Actually, a soul has been stored before. But I'm trying something a little bit different with the idea."

"Oh. To what end?"

"Time. Time itself. It's rather complicated. I think that time is just a thing humans invented to stop themselves. Magic is timeless. If you just work your way around it, a whole new world will fall at your feet," he said, his expression growing more and more passionate. Almost feverish.

"I-I suspect that time is more cyclic than anything. You know, like the seasons."

"Yes, yes, death and rebirth. Again and again. For the greater end."

"You feel very strongly about this subject," Luna observed, watching him. He was turning out to be quite fascinating. "I would love to help."

"Then come with me to my time. Just for a moment," he said, laughing. She hesitated, and wondered what her mother would do in this situation.

"We could get to know each other here instead. In-between time. After a while, we can visit each other."

"I don't know if we will have this opportunity again," Tom insisted, looking sincere. "What did you require when you entered this room, Luna?"

"A conversation partner."

"And I just happened to be in the room at the exact time you entered it. Our times overlapped. Don't you see that this was a chance happening? Perhaps fated. But in essence, a fluke."

"Couldn't I just require you?" she asked.

"While I'm not actually in the room at the time…" He paused, considering it, then shook his head. "Think of the paradox. And you might get…something other than you expect. I wouldn't advise it."

"What if we chose a certain time to enter the room?" she insisted. "And there's only a certain you, isn't there?"

"Ah, you see, I'm in the past. The past to your present. You could summon me from any time in my future. Do you understand? And if I were to summon you, I could inadvertently summon a younger you."

"Oh…this truly is our only chance," Luna mused. "I'm rather worried. If there are so many paradoxes, how can I get back?"

"Simple. I would let you into this room, and you would require your time again. And I would imagine not a day, minute, or second would have passed in your absence. No one would be the wiser."

"So I could stay in your time for years and years," Luna said, wide-eyed. "And not a day would pass in my time. Daddy wouldn't know I'm gone. He wouldn't worry one wit."

"Yes, exactly," Tom assured her. "And you'll like my time. I have many things I wish to show you."

"Do you really? Sometimes people don't care for me that much."

"I don't see why not. But there is one favor I have to ask you. I'll have to keep you away from Hogwarts."

"Why?" Luna asked.

"A sudden student appearing upon the masses. Might be a bit suspicious, don't you think?"

"Where will you keep me?"

Somehow this was starting to go amiss again, and she frowned.

"Well, I have a place in mind. Several places, in fact. One location is right near Hogsmeade and the other place is a family heirloom. And I've actually stumbled upon a recent inheritance. I will see to your comfort, and you will have all the time in the world to help me with my research."

"Are you very sure my time won't continue in my absence?"

"Don't you trust me? I've tried to be very open with you, you know. You interest me, like I've said."

"Do we have to leave now? I'd rather stay for a spell and talk some more with you."

"Of course not," Tom said, but she could tell he was rather impatient. "Pull up a chair."

Suddenly a chair appeared and literally swept her off her feet. She slid towards the table and the chair stopped just in time. "What else do you have on your mind?"

"Nothing, really. But…I still don't see why you believe I can help you."

"I trust my instincts about people. I can tell you have potential. And I've never met anyone like you. It's new. I'm thinking of it as a challenge."

She paused. "To get to know you, of course. That's all I meant."

"That's nice. That really is. I did wonder who my conversation partner would be. I'm very excited, actually. But I have a feeling…I have a feeling you're a bit sad too."

"…What makes you say that?" Tom asked, looking at her carefully.

"I'm not positive. How long have you been researching? Do you forget to go outside since you're so pale?"

"…Did I fo-yes, I go outside."

Somehow, she doubted that. "No one else was in here with you. If you wanted helped, why didn't you ask someone from your time?"

"…Ravenclaws. They always have a question for everything. I'm a rather private person. I like keeping to myself."

"Then-," she began, counting the number of queries and inquires she had in her mind on her fingers. She would run off fingers soon, sadly.

"How about you sing for me?" he asked quickly. "I'm in the mood for a diversion."

She blinked. "I don't sing for people."

"You said a moment ago that you liked to sing. Was that a lie?"

"No, I sing to myself. And by myself, too."

"…So you are admitting that you talk to yourself?"

"Well, that too. I've been in this room once and required someone who would talk about all the things that I like to talk about. It gave me another me, and I don't know if the room was trying to be funny. This time I left a little variety in my request."

"That had to be…two of you in a room," he mused. "I've never thought of that method of duplication."

"Really?" Luna asked. "It was a little unsettling, I suppose. I don't like talking to myself. I already know what I'm going to say."

She didn't add that she had let her other self out of the room on that occasion. Think how sad it was— to exist just for a brief moment of chit-chat. Well, she was sure her other self was out and about and having a high time of it. Living a double life was a little trying though.

"But in efficiency, think of it. There would be two of me, unaltered, working together towards the same goal."

"Or against each other," Luna pointed out. "I'm very serious. I had a bit of an argument with myself, actually."

"Oh." He looked amused. "Do you mind if I ask what about?"

"A little. Things got heated, and I'd rather put it behind me. But I wouldn't do duplicate myself, if I were you. What's that?"

He looked at the flower in the bell jar. "It's a lotus flower. Apparently, there are those types of lotuses that do have jewels in the center. You just have to keep a sharp eye to disguise between the different breeds."

"Oh, it doesn't have to be bejeweled to be beautiful," Luna said, reaching across the table and drawing the jar closer. "It's speckled and freckled, you know. You'll miss all the undiscovered colors while only looking for a rare gem."

He took the jar away from her, and she was about to demand it back. She wasn't though looking at it by any measure.

"…What do you consider to be a good conversation partner, Luna?" he began lightly, his voice like a caress.

"Why, someone who is fascinating to speak with."

"Did you know there are ways of conversing without saying a word?"

She stared at him and shook her head.

"Do you want me to show you?" he muttered, smiling.

"All right," Luna agreed. "Show me, then."

She had no idea what to do when he moved even closer. She had no idea what to do when he placed one of his hands in the small of her back, either.

"Um—."

"Shh," he said, and she was starting to think his smile wasn't a good thing at all. "Be quiet. Silence is the point of this exercise. Try and relax."

He pulled her against him, and she felt his breath play around her forehead. She soon felt his lips on her forehead. Not kissing. There was no kissing. He was just…very close. She felt him smile and run his hands along her arms, barely touching her.

She gasped a bit. "I-."

He placed a finger on her lips. "Do not utter a word. Not until I say so. It's part of the game, you see."

Luna had not remembered starting a game or knowing the rules. This was certainly a game she had never played before. It was like…trying to outlast each other. That was the only idea she had on this matter. She had also never had anyone particularly this close to her. It felt like a million of small, little wings were running against her skin, and to her surprise, she trembled.

And why did he still get to speak?

"What do you think this means?" he inquired and touched his lips to her collar bone. His hand was touching her skin now, just above her hip bone. She hadn't realized how sensitive those areas truly were.

"That—."

She received a sharp pinch from those same fingers that minutes ago were being ever so gentle. So she would have to speak without talking, then. She reached out to touch him, but he maneuvered himself where her hands were against her sides.

The way he moved was quite unnatural. The way he only seemed to be playing with the idea of sensations was quite unnatural. But though unnatural, he was quite talented at it. Luna became curiously aware of every part of her body. It was dangerous, to be sure, and she tasted and wondered at his touch.

She leaned forward to touch his mouth with her lips. He merely moved his head to the side, not bothering to hide his dagger of a smile.

Then, Luna reasoned, thinking in terms of the game, there are surely other ways to touch someone. She touched her cheek to his, and waited. Then some inspiration struck her, and she hummed. It wasn't singing by any measure but for something so new, something old should come out of it, right?

He moved away to look at her. She must have done something wrong. But she still didn't know if the game was over.

"Well…usually, I get a different reaction for my efforts."

She blinked. "Was I wrong?"

"…No. By all means, I look forward to a little variety," he said, crossing his arms. "I have a feeling you won't refuse my invitation. Shall we go? I can sneak you out of Hogwarts much easier at night."

Luna stopped and glanced at his hands, still in their previouis positions. He moved them away slowly as if not to frighten her. As if he could frighten her very easily if he wanted to.

"Maybe we were just meant to meet this one time," she said in a whisper.

He laughed. "Afraid?"

"No," she answered. My mother would go with him, she thought. It's an adventure. "I suppose it doesn't hurt to try."

"Is that a yes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded, and he took a piece of her hair in his fingers gingerly. "You do realize you have words in your hair."

Luna thought he was referring to her hair beads but she could never be quite sure. "I have words everywhere," she confided.

"I have all the time in the world to read them, then. After you, my dear."

He motioned to the door and linked his arm through hers. This was ever so dangerous. She was secretly thrilled. In such danger and potential for darkness, sometimes beautiful things were born.

Something truly magical. This will be a most marvelous adventure, she thought as they stepped through the door together.

Come what may, this will be a rare gem indeed.

&&&

Thanks for reading! The next drabble is a Ginny and Luna friendship ficlet.