A Knight in Shining Armor

Luna Lovegood had never been one for frills or fantasies, at least when it came to boys. She hadn't the time, and most of them had Nargles between their ears anyways. The only ones who didn't were older and likely wouldn't pay her much mind anyway.

Not that she minded, of course. Having a boyfriend was unnecessary, and she was perfectly happy just being friends with boys in her classes and from the D.A. two years prior.

But that year was different.

For the first time, a boy truly caught her interest. Brave, smart, loyal, a leader to look up to; how could she not find herself falling for him? Of course I'd learn what it was to fancy a boy while surrounded by suffering at the hands of the Death Eaters, she'd thought on several occasions. The terror they induced brought out a new side of him that no one had yet seen.

Of all boys, Neville Longbottom was the one who she fell for. She supposed that it could be far worse. He was known for his kindness, and while he had once been timid, he'd proven early in that year that he wasn't to be scared away as easily. Luna admired him deeply, though in her own way, and mostly in secret.

It was excruciating the first time that the new teachers, the Carrows, decided to make known their means of discipline. Neville took the fall for a first-year student who had thrown a paper airplane toward the Head Table. The beating they gave him gave even the Slytherins cringed at.

They didn't stop there, either. Every punishment got worse for students, and Neville always had to help. Despite the attempted enforcement of House segregation, Luna always found him. She cared for him, as even Madame Pomfrey was under strict lock and key as to who would be allowed medical treatment. The woman tried to protest however she could, but Neville was quickly banned from the wing on pain of whips to himself and the elderly nurse.

The worst time was when he stepped in to protect not just any student, but Luna herself. It hurt her to watch as he took blow after blow for her mistake of receiving a copy of her father's magazine in the Great Hall. The Quibbler was considered banned material, and it pained her afterward to stop receiving it, but she knew that Neville wouldn't let her take the fall for her own actions. He'd suffered a broken nose and collarbone for her. She did everything she could to not let it happen again.

They grew closer, her feeling grew, and he never stopped making her admire him.

When he and Ginny had asked her to help them steal the Sword of Gryffindor from the Headmaster's office, she couldn't refuse. Obviously she would do anything to help Harry and bring around the downfall of the Death Eaters. But, with the way he looked at her, like she could do anything, so determined, well, she was putty in his hands. She would have said yes if Ginny had asked alone as well, but Neville's face made it even more worth it to her.

Getting caught wasn't even so bad. Luna wasn't convinced that Snape was all bad, since their "punishment" was to help Hagrid in the Forbidden Forest. She always enjoyed spending time with a fellow supporter of rights for magical beasts and the search for more of them. Additionally, it meant she got to spend more time with Neville.

The whole beginning of the school year was made tolerable for Luna by running the D.A. with Neville and Ginny. The three grew closer, becoming like Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the eyes of their peers. An inseparable group. By the time Christmas holidays rolled around, the three were the face of the Hogwarts resistance.

Before they boarded the train, Neville stopped her, grabbing her hand since they were out from under the watchful eye of the school's administration.

"Be safe this holiday," he told her.

Luna's heart soared and she smiled calmly at him. "I doubt anything will happen to me. I'll be at home," she replied.

Neville shook his head at her unconcerned demeanor. "Just… promise me. I can't protect you when you're away."

Luna's outer emotions remained the same, while inside her heart was singing. "I promise."

"Good," he said, before leaning down and capturing her lips with his. Luna was startled at first, but quickly melted into the kiss. It was everything she'd dreamed it would be and more. They eventually pulled apart when they heard the jeers of Ginny and Seamus coming from the train window. Carefree. Like they hadn't been in ages. They were going home, away from the Hell that Hogwarts had become, even if only for a little while.

The two sat with their friends, chatting amicably as the train made its way out and holding hands the whole way. Far too soon, the train stopped abruptly.

"This isn't Kings Cross," Ginny said hesitantly, looking out the window at the barren countryside. The four friends pulled out their wands, prepared for anything, as their compartment door was opened and two masked Death Eaters pushed inside. One started firing stunners faster than the kids could react, while the other grabbed for Luna.

Neville grabbed for her a moment too late. He yelled her name and ran after the quickly retreating Death Eaters. Luna's wand had fallen to the ground in the hallway. She was defenseless.

"Keep them safe!" she shouted to him, locking eyes before she was pulled fully off the train. "Be a hero," she mumbled as her head was tipped back and a foul liquid was poured down her throat. Things began to go fuzzy around her.

When she would wake again, it would be in a dungeon-like basement alone. But just then, drifting off into a dreamless sleep, her thoughts were only filled with determination to get back to Neville. She vowed she would fight by his side whenever it came to that, and she would not let the Death Eaters take him away from her. Then, everything faded to blackness.

A/N: Written for Ravenclaw of the Houses Competition, a themed piece, using the prompt: interhouse relationship

Words: 1029