Chapter 30: Luna's Story

Two days passed with no information that dealt with Luna's condition. With Cho and her

reckless friends gone, Harry would have thought that things would had gotten a little

better. Wrong. Harry felt a burning pain pulsate in his chest whenever Luna came to

mind, which was almost all the time. He pressed everyone, Mcgonagall, Flitwick,

Hagrid, but no one would spill.

"She's doin' the same as she was 'esterday." Hagrid would snap before changing the

subject.

Frances and Lissa were no use either. As Harry would courteously ask, they only turned

their heads, ask, "And exactly why do you want to know?", before continuing down the

hall. Harry knew that there was a very excellent reason for this, as he had been relatively

foul to them in the past.

Hermione had no such luck either. Her first option was to Apparate, the movement from

one place to another without transportation, but she had forgotten (Ron reminded her of

this) that one could not Apparate in the school or grounds. She also tried to get any word

of Luna out of anybody, but she was unfortunate like Harry.

School was coming to an end for the summer and the commencement celebration for the

seventh years was hastily approaching. Harry and Ron had sent in applications for the

Auror trainee careers and were delighted to receive a response back, telling them to turn

up at the Auror Office at 8 a.m sharp on July 11. As trainees, they were to work 5 days a

week, 9 hours per day. Hermione, on the other hand, was to continue her studies as a

teacher's P.A for about 3 years before she could become a professor at

Hogwarts.

So now, a week had fled by and Harry's apprehension for Luna had swelled. He coveted

to visit her in the hospital, but he feared that his desire would quickly be rejected.

Meanwhile:

"Luna, please wake up. Please. Cho and her friends are gone. They won't hurt you

anymore. Please wake up Luna! Please wake up!!"

"It's not going to work." Tears bit at Frances's eyes at she consoled a pleading Lissa.

"She's gone. Nothing is going to help her."

"No!" Lissa shrieked. "She can't be dead, she just can't!" Lissa grabbed Luna's

shoulders wildly and shook her, trying desperately to rouse her.

"Lissa stop it!" Frances grabbed Lissa's arm. "You can't go around shaking people as if

they were some rag doll. Get some sense in you!"

"No," Lissa clutched her face, tears gushing into the palms of her hands. "She's dead,

she's really, really dead."

"Yea I know." Frances watched Luna. She may had been in a coma, but it wouldn't be

long before what was left of her life departed from her.

"Cmon, let's go." Frances caught the Healer's eye. It was plain that visiting time was

over. "We better leave."

It took some reassuring and convincing, but Frances was capable of pulling Lissa away

from Luna's bedside.

Back at Hogwarts:

"Miss Granger says that you have been having trouble lately. Anything that you would

like to reveal to me?"

Harry reminded himself to yell at Hermione later. She had gotten fed up with his attitude

and had gone to Professor Dumbledore for help.

"Well?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry shrugged flaccidly. Nothing he would say would help him get rid of that lingering

feeling contained in him.

"I don't know. It's just –" Harry stopped for a second. "It's just that, after Luna was

found, I have been having this unpleasant sensation inside myself."

"Really?" Dumbledore looked interested. "Do you have any idea why?"

"No." Harry responded quickly, maybe a little too quickly. "Well, I don't know. Luna's

been having this reaction on me since, well since the Majestic Christmas Ball."

"Harry," Dumbledore sighed sorrowfully. "What you are about to hear, you mustn't

speak of to anyone else. Sometimes I wonder if you have had a better life than Luna."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "I have had to live with the Dursleys for sixteen

years. That has to be the worst life anyone could have."

"No Harry." Dumbledore's eyes had lost their usual sparkle. They now contained a deep

pity. Misery would be a better word to put it. "Ever since Luna's mother died when Luna

was not a day older or younger than the age of nine, her father, Mr. Lovegood, had been

going out and drinking frequently. He would get into fights at bars and when he would

come home, his rage would be spilled out on humble Luna. Yes, he would beat her, tell

her things that never existed, made sure she made a fool of herself in front of other

people. She became anorexic at an early age Harry. Her father took away anything she

attempted to eat and locked her in the shed for many days at a time. Did you know her

father use to work at the Daily Prophet? Indeed he did, but since he started drinking, he

started coming to work later and later. And when he did show up, he would often bellow

at his fellow workers and write revolting and ugly articles. His boss had had it, so her

father was dismissed from the Daily Prophet. Of course, one cannot live on life alone.

So Mr. Lovegood started looking for another job. It took him awhile, but he was able to

find a position at the Quibbler. Now, that didn't stop his abuse on Luna. In fact, there

were times when it increased due to the stress his job placed on his shoulders."

Harry asked, "What kind of abuse did he do to Luna?" Harry at once regretted his

question as Dumbledore answered it.

Every one that you can think of. Verbal, physical, and yes Harry, sexual abuse. I

sometimes wonder how Luna can trust men after her life with her father, and for that, I

am astounded. Anyway, I was visiting a dear friend of mine who also happened to be the

Lovegood's neighbor. I was just leaving when I heard something, or someone weeping.

I looked into the window and saw Luna's face slapped hard by her sadistic father. Like a

normal person, I was concerned for her benefits. It was only about six months before the

new term at Hogwarts. So I returned to Hogwarts and studied Luna's life. I knew I had

to do something. So I sent her a Hogwarts letter. Like I had hoped, she had arrived that

night on the Hogwarts Express. Turns out that Luna had to use the money that she earned

to buy her school objects. And even the money she had didn't support all of her things.

So I pitched in and bought her only the best materials. Anyway, the year went on and

soon it was time for Luna to return to her father."

"Wait a minute." Harry interrupted, "If you knew she was being treated so harsh by Mr.

Lovegood, why didn't you let her stay with someone else?"

"Because," Dumble said gently. "A wizard or witch must live with someone of their

blood during their childhood life. Or their magic will fade."

"But I lived with my aunt and uncle." Harry protested. "And I haven't lost my magical

powers!"

"Yes," Dumbledore nodded. "But your aunt carries your mother's blood. So therefore,

your magic has not weakened in any way. But back to Luna. As she went through the

years I noticed that her life was turning to the worst. Cho, like the stepsister in that

muggle fairy tale, had started demanding of Luna's labor in her third year. Luna has had

not one bit of enjoyment since her mother's death. But thanks to Miss Granger, she has

recently been able to return to the pleasure of her fantasies. At the Majestic Christmas

Ball, I was ecstatic to note that Luna was attending the ball. So, there ends my tale as

you probably know the rest. As you can see Harry, Luna has had a ghastly period in her

life. Even worse than yours."

Harry stared at his feet, dumbfounded. He had always thought that his life was the worst

one anyone could ever experience, but after hearing Luna's tale, he knew he was wrong.

Harry grimaced as the pain in his chest inflated once again.

"But Professor," Harry whispered. "What does that story have anything to do with the

way I have been feeling?"

Dumbledore beamed at Harry.

"Because," he said warmly, "you love her. And that in itself, is the best gift Luna could

ever receive. Love is a connection. Like a tie, it pulls us together. Love can be both

weak and strong. At its weakest point, love can rip; break apart like a fragile link. But

only the strongest links can unite two individuals together. Now it is time."

Harry gazed as Dumbledore stood up and walked to his fireplace.

"Time for what?" Harry wondered.

Dumbledore smiled at Harry.

"It is time," he said, "for us to pay a visit to one of our most dearly cherished: Luna

Lovegood."

A/N: Okay, I was going to have IT happen in this chapter, but Luna's life story got WAY too long so I decided to put IT in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed it!!!!