Soon enough it was September first, and Harry was accompaning Luna to the train station to see her off. They held hands and stared at the loading train.
"You promise to write everyday?" Luna asked, tears blinding her vision. Ever since her and Harry had gotten together, she was much more willing to show her emotions to the world.
"I promise," Harry replied. He pushed a strand of Luna's dirty blonde hair from her face and looked down into her gray eyes.
"And you promise to visit me every week?" Luna continued, she needed Harry to swear not to leave her alone. She needed to know he friends would still be there.
"I promise," Harry repeated.
"I won't be alone?" Luna pressed on.
"Lupin and Hestia are both going to be there, Hermione will visit when she can. Neville's apprenticing there with Sprout," Harry gazed down into her eyes, "Lu, you won't be alone. I promise you won't ever be alone again."
The train gave it's warning whistle and Luna turned to walk away. Right before she got on the train, Harry called out to her, "Lu?"
"Yes Harry?" Luna called back.
"I love you," Harry stated.
"I love you too," Luna confirmed, and then she walked on to the train, knowing damn well that Harry was wrong. She was now completely alone.
The ride to Hogwarts had been an extremely long one if you were to ask Luna. She had sat in the back of the train with Neville, and although they were still close friends, Neville seemed a bit more distant, and Luna didn't want to press the matter. She was also still grieving the loss of Ginny. She knew that if either of them talked about it, they would both end up in tears, and Luna didn't want to cry at the moment. So instead, they had talked about shallow topics such as Quidditch, Neville's apprentiship, and Harry and Ron's Auror Training.
Luna walked up the large front steps quietly and alone. She smiled as she passed Hagrid leading the first years into the Great Hall. Then she made her way to the Ravenclaw table and sat down. She was greeted by smiles and "Hey Luna," which was strange for her. However, after you help defeat the most evil wizard of your time, get Harry Potter to fall in love with you, and loose your best friend, all in two years, you get a major social boast.
"Luna," a girl called from down the table. She was also a seventh year. Her name was Heather Fredriks, and she was one of the few people who were actually half way decent to Luna in years one through four, before her relationship with Harry had evolved. "Come sit with us, Luna."
Luna smiled back and walked over to where they were. "I like your necklace," Heather stated. Luna was wearing a silver moon necklace that Harry had given her for her birthday the previous year. It had a white lace string and the moon was engraved with minisculer runes. One for knowledge, one for protection, and one for balance.
"Thanks, Harry gave it to me," was Luna's response. I won't be alone, Luna thought silently, I'll always have Harry with me.
The sorting was longer than it had been the last two years, and there were many people being sorted into first year when they should have been in second or third. Luna guessed theur parents might have been reluctent to let them come, which was completely pointless in Luna's mind because Hogwarts was the safest place on earth. Next to Dumbledore's private quarters, and, of course, the house Harry swore he would build one day.
Luna soon found herself walking up the syeps with Heather and her friend Paulina in tow. Heather and Luna were talking about the latest Quibbler edition, seeing as Heather secretly read the newspaper in her spare time. They were now in a deep conversation about how evil Nargles are when Paulina just about had enough, "Oh will you two shut up! If you want to talk about these wonderful nargles please do so when I am not around, or dead, which ever comes first."
Heather laughed at her best friends remark and smiled at Luna, "Paulina's very logical, a bit like your friend Hermione, only Lina tolerates me." Luna smiled back. It was good to be making new friends, but she still missed Harry, Hermione, and the rest of the crew.
Meanwhile, Harry was pacing back and forth on the balcony of 12 Grimmauld Place. He was, in fact, alone in the house. Seeing as Remus and Hestia were at the school. Ron had muttered something about dropping Hermione off for class, so Harry had contented himself with reading the Daily Prophet. Of course, this amused him for all of three minutes, so he owled Mr. Lovegood and asked if he needed any help. As it would turn out, Richard Lovegood was on a well deserved vacation up in the Alps looking for Hiroliks, whatever those were. Harry sat down and allowed his mind to wander, and, of course, his thoughts turned to a certain gray-eyed Ravenclaw.
And that, my friends, was why Harry Potter was pacing the balcony of 12 Grimmauld Place. His current thoughts being, She better be okay. Neville best be looking out for her. Those other Ravenclaws better hope to high hevean that I don't hear about them torturing my Moon Princess! These thoughts were followed almost simutaneously by him thinking, Wait, this is my Luna. She'll be fine, she's always fine.
Luna woke up the following morning and pulled on her school clothes, which currently consisted of knee high blue socks, a black skirt, a blue sweater, and her Ravenclaw cloak. She tied her hair back with two blue ribbons and slipped on her butterbeer and moon necklaces. She then walked down the staircase into the Common Room, slipped out the door, and walked down to the Great Hall. She sat down at the Ravenclaw table, which was mostly empty due to the fact that it was barely seven yet. Luna poured some of her cereal into the bowl and began to eat.
At eight thirty, Luna made her way to her first class, Transfiguration. McGonagall was no longer teaching it, seeing as she was now the Headmisstress. The man who had taken over as the Transfiguration teacher and the Head of Slytherin House, was none other than Bletchley. An ex-beater for the Slytherin team. Luna highly expected him of being connected to Voldemort, but she couldn't do anything about it. Not yet atleast.
Luna sat down in the back of the classroom, she wanted to observe this guy before she sat up front, where he could see her and she could see him. The rest of the class slowly came in, and by nine o' clock, everyone was there. The professor looked around the class before he began. His gaze, of course, landed on Luna.
"Ah, Miss. Lovegood," Bletchley began, "Or, should I say, Mrs. Potter."
Luna looked up at him and shot him one of her trademark dreamy smiles, "You may call me whatever you wish, Professor."
"Oh, well I see we are not as insolent and disrespectful as our boyfriend," Bletchley commented, much like Snape would have.
This comment changed Luna's appearance almost immediatly. Her eyes went from calm silver to stormy grey in five second flat. Her face remained neutral, but the anger was evident upon it. "Don't you ever, Luna warned, "Ever insult Harry Potter in front of me. He is ten times the man you'll ever be. So leave him alone!"
"I seem to have hit a nerve," Bletchley observed, a sneer that almost reminded Luna of Draco's was firm on Bletchley's face, "Should I not talk about your precious Potter?"
"No," a voice came from the back of the room. Luna smiled, it was Neville. Although Neville was still very shy, he was more willing for what he knew to be right, "You shouldn't be talking about Harry. In fact, if you say one more word about the man who saved the wizarding world, I will be forced to hurt you. Do I make myself clear, Bletchley?"
"Mr. Longbottom, if you do not exit my classroom immediatly, I will be forced to take you out by force. Just because a student and I are having a conversation and you happen to over hear it does not mean that you have the right to barge in here and defend the said student," Bletchley stated.
"You're right, Mr. Bletchley," McGonagall's voice echoed through the room. Luna swore that Dumbledore had taught the Headmistress a few spying tricks before he passed on.
"Thankyou Headmistress, now do you think-" Bletchley began, but McGonagall cut him off.
"Mr. Longbottom had no right to interfere. However," McGonagall continued, her glasses slipping to the bridge of her nose, "You are talking about someone very dear to Miss. Lovegood, and to myself, so I suggest you Shut-Up."
Luna looked at the Headmistress and smiled, she could swear McGonagall's eyes were gleaming. Yes, Luna thought, this would be a very interesting year.
