Chapter 2: Luminosity.
Luna strolled through the school grounds, her dirty-blonde hair waving in the cold breeze. Wearing her school uniform as usual, the girl looked around for a good place to rest, a place where she could enjoy the day in serenity, away from noise of the masses.
'That's perfect' thought Luna, spotting a tree near the Black Lake. Twirling her hair with her wand, Luna made her way through the fields of Hogwarts, the conversation with Ginevra Weasley fresh in her mind.
It happened very early in the day, before breakfast time. Luna loves to wander around the castle at that hour; there weren't many students awake, and the gentle rays of the sun made the whole place looks taken out a fairy tale.
Luna had found Ginevra standing alone in front of the Greenhouse with a flushed face. In curiosity, Luna looked behind the girl: The door was closed and the lights were off, the building looked empty from outside, still, Luna could have sworn she had heard a racket going inside. Shrugging, she greeted Ginevra like she always did, as if a year of not talking to each other was normal among friends. Luna never judged Ginny for not being there for her. Since they were in different houses, she accepted they would drift apart at some point. Even so, a small part of her still felt sad, knowing that Ginny never tried to reach her.
Reaching her destination, Luna sat cross-legged with her back against the tree, and one by one she removed her shoes and socks, not really caring about the cold weather.
"Ahhhh…Much better," Luna murmured in delight. Stretching her legs, she curled her toes in pleasure, the wind gentility tickling her feet.
Honestly, Luna hated using shoes. Sometimes they felt too tight, and fairly often they itched. Luna remembered something her mum told her once. She had said that walking barefoot was much better and healthier than using shoes, especially for wizards, since the magical energy provided from nature was easier to gather if your feet were in contact with the soil. Plus, Luna always thought the feeling of her sole against the cold dirt was the most satisfying sensation. Luna never doubted her mum's words since then.
The Ravenclaw brought her knees to her chest, and wrapping her arms around her legs, she rested her head against the trunk of the tree, getting ready to rest for a moment. As Luna accommodated herself under the tree, a pair of green eyes observed her movements from afar.
Luna was about to close her eyes when she heard the soft rustle of the grass behind her.
"Hi, Luna."
Her eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipped a beat at the voice.
"Hello, Harry Potter. What brings you here?" asked the girl pretending to not notice the quickening of her pulse.
Luna looked back over her shoulders, her eyes softening at his appearance.
Harry looked absolutely terrible.
He had bags under his eyes, his hair was all ruffled and there were wrinkles on his clothes. The hunched shoulders and the exhausted expression on his face were too much for Luna to bear.
"Oh, you know…Just wanted to hello and all that," said Harry stifling a yawn, his eyes fighting to stay open.
His words would have brought joy to the girl if it wasn't for his awful look.
"Why don't you take a seat? You look tired," said Luna patting the ground beside her.
Harry blushed a bit, "Now? But classes are starting in ten minutes."
"So? Let's talk for a moment. Just a few minutes," said Luna with pleading eyes.
Harry remained silent.
"…Just for a few minutes?"
Luna nodded eagerly.
Harry passed a hand through his hair and let out a heavy sighed.
"Alright…"
Luna shifted in her place, making some room for Harry. She looked at the boy with a big smile and patted the ground beside her. Harry looked around, probably worried to be seen with her. Seeing no one around, Harry dropped his belongings unceremoniously on the ground and sat beside Luna, resting with his back against the tree just like her.
"So, Uhm…What do you want to talk about?" asked Harry awkwardly, looking at everywhere but her.
Luna looked at him innocently, "There's nothing to talk about, Harry. Just relax and enjoy the winter's breeze."
The boy flinched at her words.
"W-What? Ohhh, no no…Sorry, but I don't want to waste my time," said Harry starting to get up.
"Why would you be wasting your time?" asked Luna in genuine confusion.
"Because we're doing nothing, maybe?" explained Harry not bothering to look at her.
"Oh? And since when doing nothing is wasting one's time?" asked Luna cocking her head to the side. She really didn't understand this boy.
"Because classes are starting soon, and there are more important things to do!" finally snapped Harry.
Luna shrugged, untroubled by his bad mood, "I believe that everybody should rest every once in a while."
Harry rolled his eyes at her reasoning, "Look, if we are going to sit and do nothing, then I'm leaving."
Luna's face brightened at this, "Really? Then you wouldn't leave if I talk about Nargles? Or Wrackspurts? Or Crumple-Horned Snorkacks?"
Harry slapped himself in the forehead, probably regretting his words. He looked at her with an obstinate glare; meanwhile Luna began to hum softly to herself, waiting for him to decide.
Luna began to twirl her hair with her wand when Harry's voice made her stop humming.
"Alright, you win..."
Luna grinned triumphant.
"…As long as we talk about something, it's okay."
Luna smiled innocently as Harry sat by her side again; suppressing a giggle at Harry's reddened face.
"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."
Harry looked at her in confusion, "Did you say something?"
"Nu uh, you imagined it."
Harry rested his head against the tree. "So…tell me, Luna. What is this Wrespirts you talk about?"
"Wrackspurt, Harry." laughed the girl, "They're called Wrackspurts. They're invisible creatures that float around your head, making your brain go all foggy and fuzzy….Nasty little things they are!" said Luna dramatically, raising her hands in the form of claws.
"Huh…" Harry nodded, not really paying attention.
"And tell me…How do you kill them?"
"Kill them? Oh no! You just need to scare them away. All you have to do is think about something positive and they will go away. Poof!" explained Luna moving her fingers as if to dispel them in the air.
Harry couldn't contain himself anymore and yawned loudly, "Hmmm…interesting…How about you…Mmmm...tell me about…Mmmmm…those Grumpy-horny Snorkels…"
Luna closed her eyes, "Ohhh, you don't want to know about them! Once you learn about their existence you will never be the same until you find one yourself!" said Luna with fervor.
"Hmmm…"
"They are very elusive creatures, nobody really has seen one. Oh! But daddy had heard of sightings in Sweden, isn't that wonderful?"
"Hmmm…."
Luna smiled gently as she looked at the sleeping boy at her side, his glasses barely hanging from his nose.
"Sweet dreams, Harry Potter." said Luna in a tender tone, her finger barely touching his skin as she pushed his glasses back to where they belong. The boy didn't respond, with his eyes closed and mouth slightly agape the boy barely moved a muscle as he sleep soundly.
"You always look so tired…" whispered the girl to no one, "…As if you were carrying weight of the world on your shoulders."
Luna looked at his scar with a sad smile, her fingers not daring to touch it.
"It's must be tough…being you…"
Something inside Luna snapped, and her hand recoiled at the thought of taking advantage of a sleeping Harry. She couldn't believe herself. This must have been a deed of the Wrackspurts. They made her head go all fuzzy and tried to make her to mess with poor, poor Harry.
'Bad Luna!' she reprimanded herself, vowing to be more careful from now and on.
That is, she felt a bit stiff and Harry's clothes suddenly looked very comfortable.
'Harry wouldn't mind if I use him as a pillow, right?'
Luna moved a bit closer to Harry, and mustering all her courage, she rested her head on his shoulder.
'It feels…nice.'
Luna didn't dare to close her eyes, opting for looking up at the sky and watch as the clouds slowly drifted away.
Luna didn't know how much time passed, only that the sky has changed from blue to red, half the sun was hiding behind the Black Lake and that the atmosphere had gotten a lot colder.
"Hmm?"
A muffled voice made Luna regain her senses.
"Harry…" said the girl with a serene smile. She didn't jump away, not bothering to change her position. It was too pleasant.
The boy blinked a few times, not fully awaken yet.
"Why are so close?"
"It was cold."
"Huh…"
Luna snuggled a bit closer.
"…And what time is?"
"Let's see…" Luna took out her wand behind her ear and casted the Time Spell, "…It's eight and a half." said Luna putting her wand behind her ear again.
"Tell me, Harry. How do you feel?"
The boy in blinked at the question. He seems lost for a moment, as if not believing what was happening. Then, he looked at Luna straight in the eye with a confused glance.
"Good…" said Harry in amazement. He felt like he has regained something lost, something he has lost in the way.
"I feel…really good."
Luna smiled warmly at him, and separating herself from him, she began to look around for her footwear.
"What was the last time truly slept?" asked Luna while putting a sock.
Harry frowned.
"I honestly…don't remember."
"See? We were never wasting time, Harry. You needed this," said Luna tying her shoelace.
Harry pointed his finger at Luna.
"You…You tricked me!"
The girl stood up and smothered her skirt, "Oh, Harry. You looked so worn out. I knew if I started talking about my creatures you would fall asleep."
"Really? How?"
"Everybody else does," said Luna unconcerned, "Cho once said my voice was the most boring thing she had ever heard, and that I should never do a speech in my life."
For some reason, Harry looked away at her words.
'Did I say something wrong?' wondered Luna at Harry's reaction. Then she remembered his infatuation with the Ravenclaw.
"Oh, Sorry…"
"It's okay," said Harry waving off her concern, "She's going out with Cedric now, so…Whatever, don't worry."
That made Luna pause for a moment.
"So...It looks like we were here for more than ten minutes," said Harry pointing at the darkened sky. Luna prepared herself, for she knew what was coming.
"Yup," answered Luna throwing her hair back with her hands, "Aren't you angry? I made you miss a few classes."
"Eh...No?"
Then, Luna began to laugh openly at him.
"Hey! What are you laughing about?"
"Oh, Harry. You're such a bad liar," giggled the girl.
Harry was about to say something but she stopped him, "I'm not trying to insult you, Harry. It's just that you wear your heart on your sleeve."
"Oh…"
Luna covered her mouth as she giggled at his stunned expression. Then, she pulled a friendly smile, "Are you angry, Harry Potter?"
Harry didn't blink, his eyes looking directly into hers.
"Yes…I feel angry. I don't like when people manipulate me."
Luna sat by his side once again, this time she looked at him with a serious expression.
"I was not trying to manipulate you."
"I know, I know. It's just that…"
Luna put her hands on his arm, "I only wanted you to rest for a moment. Everybody should rest every once in a while."
Harry brought his eyebrows together, "You already told me that."
Luna's eyes widened, "You were listening to me?"
"Of course!" exclaimed Harry feeling insulted, "I told you, we are…friends." he finished looking away.
Friends.
Luna felt her heart soar at his words, the strange feeling she hadn't feel since that day at the Owlery was back. But she needed to be strong, and so, she accepted his words with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Harry."
"Uh…For what?" asked Harry a bit lost.
Luna shook her head, "It's nothing, just…Thank you."
Neither said a word, both lost in their own thoughts. Realizing their closeness, Luna avoided looking at him. Then, as she searched for something to distract herself, Luna noticed a few green lights coming out of the Forbidden Forest.
"Harry, look!"
Luna detached herself from Harry, smothered her clothes and darted in direction to the forest.
"Luna, wait!"
The girl looked behind her back as she ran, "Fireflies, Harry!" she yelled in happiness, pointing at the green lights floating in the air.
Not being able to contain herself, Luna made her way through the dense forest with a big smile on her face. She loved fireflies. Her mum once transfigured a small firefly for her, so she could explore the forest near the Lovegood's residence with a guiding light. Since then, fireflies were her favorite insects as a child.
"H-Hey! W-Wait for me!" screamed Harry running behind her.
Luna waited for Harry to arrived at her side with the biggest smile on her face.
"Ahh...Ahh…Luna, I…Wow..." was all the boy could say once he got there.
"Is beautiful, isn't it?" stated Luna in awe as she looked at the hundreds, if not thousands, of fireflies that illuminated the forest. They were everywhere: on the plants, on the trees, resting on the ground or floating in the air, they made the forest look like a lighthouse.
"Do you think we could catch one?" asked Harry.
Luna took her eyes away from the fireflies for the first time.
"I…Is that alright?" asked Luna, her voice a mix of concern and excitement.
"Of course!" laughed Harry, "We are not going to take the whole thing, just one will do. This is yours…" said Harry handing Luna her belongings.
"Oh, thanks," said Luna taking her things backs. She had completely forgot about them.
Harry pulled out a jar from his schoolbag and searched for a nearby firefly.
"Aaaaand…There you go!" he exclaimed catching a firefly in a swift motion.
Luna looked at Harry in amazement, "Woah! How did you do that?" She barely saw him move.
Harry's cheek turned red, "Oh, you know…Quidditch reflexes."
Luna looked at Harry with wonder, "What are you going to do with it?"
At her question, Harry's cheeks reddened even more.
"Uhm…This is for you!" mumbled Harry extending his arms and looking away in embarrassment.
Luna took the jar from Harry with shaking hands, "T-Thank you…" She couldn't cry, not now, "I…nobody had gift me anything, well, expect for my daddy." Luna laughed weakly as she rubbed her eyes with her arms.
Harry looked again at the girl, "It's a thank you gift…You know, for earlier." said Harry thinking about their meeting under the tree. Luna had really thought about him as a friend and helped him to rest, even if it was just for a while. The last thing he could do was returning the favor.
Luna beamed at him, "Friends?" Asked the girl extending her hand, her face glowing a bit from the fireflies in the air.
Harry grinned as he shook her hand, "Friends."
But Luna didn't let go of his hand. In a whim, she intertwined fingers with him, just wishing to be close to him for a little longer. Harry was about to say something but the look on her eyes silenced him.
"Just for tonight…" Luna whispered softly amidst the thousands of lights.
Harry looked taken aback by her words. Biting his lip, he pondered about it for a moment.
As the time passed, Luna began to think she had screwed her friendship with Harry, and then, as Luna began to pull her hand back…
Harry gripped her hand a bit tighter, whispering a single word.
"Okay..."
And the forest brightened just a bit more after that.