Disclaimer: Characters, places, stuffs, and other whatnots that has something to do with the Harry Potter series mentioned in this story does not belong to me, but rather to J.K. Rowling.

Yay for the tenth! :) Reviews please?

An hour earlier

The blonde Ravenclaw woke up early as usual. She had a quick bath and headed out to help feeding and maintaining the creatures around Hogwarts. It was one of her joyous moments in attending the school –she get to see them and interact with them. Today she had promised to help Hagrid with the not-really-invisible creatures, pulling the carriages from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts –the Threstrals.

Only few witch and wizards were aware of their existence. After the Battle of Hogwarts, however, their number increased. Everyone who witnessed the deaths, which in that time was loads, and truly understand its concept had gained the ability to see the winged horses.

The herd of Threstrals in Hogwarts was well trained by the school's gamekeeper and professor, Hagrid. Each of them was trained not to attack owls, and humans. They were loyal to him, and due to some circumstances, to Luna as well. Although domesticated, those creatures would forcefully attack anyone that's an enemy of their owners and anything that would seem to be a threat.

Luna headed out to the Forbidden forest to feed the creatures who were believed to be omens of evil. The fifth years were about to have a lesson about them in the Care of Magical Creatures course.

The blonde hummed as she skipped towards the forest. The winged horses' breakfast lies inside Luna's messenger bag. The morning sun appeared to be nice and warm.

Out of nowhere, a house elf appeared before her, interrupting her blissful journey.

"Good morning, madam." A house elf that age between Dobby and Kreacher happily greeted her.

"Oh, hello sir. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

The house elf almost jumped in delight upon hearing the Ravenclaw's words. He stretched out his left hand, and hovered his right hand above it. After a loud snap, a small plate of porridge and a glass of pumpkin juice emerged on his hand.

"Breakfast." The elf's screechy voice said. "It's not too nice for Madam Luna to enter the forest without breakfast. For all Piers know, there are far too horrid creatures running around its darkest depths. It is a must that one had a fulfilled stomach to have fulfilled casting of spells."

The house elf handed out the small tray to Luna. Gratefully, she took the porridge and the pumpkin juice.

"Thank you, Piers. But I'm afraid it is not necessary to attack the creatures I am about to meet today." She had a mouthful of rice pudding and continued. The elf smiled at her and spoke.

"Whisper to Pier when you're done madam. Later!" And the house elf disappeared.

House elves heard of Luna's kindness to their departed fellow elf, Dobby. Since they knew the Ravenclaw wanders around the castle every minute of every day, most of the times with an empty stomach, they cared to offer her meals whenever they could find her alone in certain place around Hogwarts.

It was not in their orders, but the house elves do it whenever they can. If Harry of Hermione needed that same treatment during their times in Hogwarts, they would've done it as well. Although now, Harry wasn't in Hogwarts anymore, and Hermione's wouldn't want them to offer any more help, thinking that it would be an abuse to them.

Luna sat down under a tree and had a quick breakfast. Today she has Divination and double charms, plus potions. But she was more enthusiastic in meeting the Threstrals above all else.

After the hearty meal, she whispered to the house elf that appeared earlier.

"Thanks a lot Mr. Piers. I'm afraid you wouldn't have to do that. Threstrals are pretty harmless."

"If you don't pose any threat, that is. Anyway, I had to return back to the kitchen. So long, Madam Lovegood." With another snap, the house elf disappeared

Luna continued on her way to the forest, joining Hagrid along the way.

"Good mornin' miss Lovegood." He greeted.

"Hello there, professor." She responded with full excitement.

"Ready, are ya? Sorry you had to come down in 'ere early for this."

Luna smiled at him, wiggling. "Apologize wasn't necessary professor, especially if one enjoys doing the task –and I love this, I love being with these creatures."

The half giant smiled down at her with a huge grin. "Right, thanks. Well then I'll leave 'em to you. Good day!" He made a turn, towards the skrewts and she headed for the herd of Threstrals.

Two fifth year Slytherins stalked the blonde Ravenclaw on her way to the herd of winged-horses. They found her right after the Care of Magical Creatures professor separated ways with her. They were stealthy walking few meters behind her.

"Are you sure we should do this?" The shorter boy hissed behind the taller one and bigger one.

"Shut it. Just walk faster okay?"

"W-what if we get caught? You know, we c-could get-" The bigger one stopped walking and turned to the smaller one with a furious face.

"You'll get us caught if you don't shut the hell up."

"Okay, okay. I-I'm just nervous."

The two of them hid behind the bush, around twenty five meters away from the blonde. They sat there, sternly watching her every move without a word, although the shorter one's trembling body made quite a sound.

Luna took a cut of meat and handed it out to the young threstral. She took another and threw it out towards the bigger one. She happily fulfilled the task, humming in every way.

"There you go. Have a hearty meal."

She took out everything and fed every threstral there was. Hagrid's class would be dealing with those creatures for that morning so she had to make sure they're all well fed. He was confident that none of it would attack the students because he trained them well, especially those that will be used for today's class and that it had never happened in the entire history of Hogwarts.

The blonde stopped and turned to feet. Her shoes were untied –perhaps after all those merry skipping she did.

"Look at that div, talking to herself again. And look, she's pulling something out of that grotty bag of hers!" The bigger Slytherin whispered. They couldn't see the threstrals the blonde was feeding.

"W-what was that? Looks real disgusting to me!" The other one said, with a louder voice. The bigger one poked him and motioned for him to stay quiet.

The bigger Slytherin glanced at his companion. He had an evil look on his face. Drawing out his wand, he moved sideward to get a better view on the blonde.

"Now's our chance. Do the honour, I'll back you up." He said with a smirk on his face.

"I-I what?" The shorter one's face went off colour. He looked on all directions, trembling. "B-but…"

There was no one else around besides the three of them and the winged creatures.

"Haven't got the nerve for it, eh? Bloody coward." He spat on the ground and aimed at the Ravenclaw before them. "Guess it'll have to be me. What was the spell again?"

"U-uhm… well, h-here I listed everything he said we could use."

The shorter one took a piece of parchment out of his pocket and read it.

"Calvorio, hair loss curse; colloshoo, to glue her feet to the ground; followed by expelliarmus; and then expellimelius, has an effect to the clothes, probably to rip it off; incarcerous." He turned to the bigger one with a quizzical look. "W-which one?"

"That all? I thought I heard just one. I think that's the last. Incarcerous."

"No, he said we could choose. And besides, w-we don't know what that spell can do. There's no description."

"Go and shite. I could handle this me self." Again he pointed his wand to the unaware Ravenclaw. He swished it, almost flicked it when the shorter one pushed him aside.

"Stop!"

The other one managed to cast the spell, only to have it turned to other direction as his companion shoved him aside. A green spark of light flew directly to the empty spot close to the blonde. A meat fell down to the ground. A loud shriek burst out.

The young threstral Luna had just fed was screeching as a rope strangled it to death. The Ravenclaw was stunned at the view. Not looking from where the spell came from she tried to cast finite to the unfortunate creature. But even before she could do it, another threstral –a bigger one, flew towards the origin of the spell and attacked the bigger Slytherin standing from behind the bush.

"Away, you vicious creature!" Hagrid yelled as he ran towards the two Slytherins. It was only then when Luna realized she wasn't alone in that part of the forest.

After the threstral's sudden assault, the bigger Slytherin was left lying bloody on the ground. His pal ran back to the castle after the very incident. More spectators were coming.

"M-my, what happened?" Hagrid helped the almost lifeless student to get up. Although covered in blood, the Slytherin was able to point at Luna's direction before he fainted.

"Merlin's beard, Luna!" Hagrid shot her a mixture of angry and confused look.

More students came in the scene, some of them were prefects. Hagrid handed out the unconscious boy to the other students and ordered them to take him to Madam Pomfrey. He then ran in the direction of the innocent Ravenclaw, who was still petting the young threstral that was attacked.

"What happened? What did yo do?" Hagrid exclaimed.

"I didn't know, I wasn't looking." She stared at the small winged horse beside her. "He was attacked out of nowhere, so I came to aid him. And before I knew it, his mother flew elsewhere for whatever reason."

Hagrid let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "'Tis a scandal! Threstrals don't simply attack students!"

"I know, professor. But it wasn't a surprise for me, knowing that this one was strangled to death seconds before."Luna said, calmly. She stood up and ended the petting part. Whispers were everywhere.

"…wasn't a surprise for you, Lovegood? Why is that?" A low, familiar voice spoke from behind Hagrid. It was the unpleasant Ravenclaw Head boy.

"Weren't you listening, boy? She- What are you doin' 'ere anyway?" Hagrid said, quite disgusted. Ambert crossed his arm as he tried to hide a smile on his face.

"Well, I happen to be patrolling around the grounds and partly witness the scene."

Hagrid shot him a suspicious look. "Witness? How could I have not seen yer around when I came in runnin'?"

"Oh, I don't know professor. I kinda don't care. What I care about here is the reason why miss Lovegood, here, instructed that beast to attack one of the Slytherins who were getting ready for your class, professor."

He looked sternly stared at the blonde. Luna, despite the accusation posed at her, stood calmly, her face as pale as ever.

"She what?" Hagrid shouted in disbelief. She shook his head rapidly. "But that's impossible!"

Moments later, Professor Flitwick arrived with a serious face. The students watching the scene gave way for him.

"Rubeus, miss Lovegood, the headmistress would like to see both of you." The three of them looked at the head of the Ravenclaw house.

"Those who have Care of Magical Creatures' class today may return to the castle along with the other students. Your class for that course is suspended today."

Luna and Hagrid, along with the other students obeyed the tiny little professor and made their way back to the castle. Ambert glared at him.

"What about me, professor? I'm a witness! I saw everything!" He protested.

Professor Flitwick eyed him from head to toe. He sighed at gestured for him to follow. "Well then I guess you could come with us."

The Charms professor caught up with Luna and Hagrid. They were all headed for the headmistress' office. The Ravenclaw head boy quietly walked behind them.

Luna still had a straight and calm face on. She didn't feel any guilt at all. She had sympathy for the student that was attacked, though inside she knew something was terribly wrong.

Who could've sent the curse to that poor creature?

It was sad that she didn't make a glance elsewhere at that moment. If she only did so she could've seen the culprit. There was sadness in her eyes.

If only I…

She was lost in her thoughts. But something –or someone, from the castle grabbed her attention. Slowly she turned her eyes to the entry in the castle and caught a rather wonderful sight.

It was Hermione, looking worried at her.

Her every inside of her jumped in delight. There were tears in the brunette's eyes, on the verge of falling, her mouth slightly hanging open out of words.

There was a mixture of sweet and sour flavor to her stomach. It was indeed blissful to see someone she admire looked worried for her, but just the same it was distressing to know that she was sad to some degree.

The brunette stood firmly on her ground and waited for them. As they drew closer, she only managed to utter the word:

"Luna…"