So this idea popped into my head, and I wrote it. It actually started out very different from what you see here, but I kinda like the way this came out...
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Warnings: ...None. No, really.
Names-----
Once upon a time, Luna's father remembered to a minute out of his busy schedule to impart some fatherly wisdom upon her.
Looking back, she couldn't remember how his speech started. It all boiled down to one basic idea, anyway. Be yourself; never let anyone else define you. She listened, wide-eyed and attentive, as her father turned that one sentence into dozens. She nodded in all the right places and never let her gaze slip from his face as he spoke, but after she realized the topic of his lecture, she stopped listening.
Luna Lovegood had never cared what anyone else thought. Why should she? They were all boring. There was not an ounce of belief in the unnatural in a single one of them, in spite of the magic that flowed in their veins. That in itself was stranger than believing in Crumple-Horned Snorkacks or wearing necklaces of butterbeer caps.
No one else seemed to understand her logic.
She knew what they called her behind her back. She knew because many of them said it to her face. They said her head was stuck in the clouds. Crazy, they called her.
Loony Lovegood.
It had never bothered her. If being herself made her crazy, then she hoped that her insanity would only get worse.
And so it meant nothing to her when Neville Longbottom poked his head into her compartment on the Hogwarts Express and immediately withdrew, sputtering apologies. She heard his voice in the corridor, explaining that the carriage was occupied. The door opened once more.
Ginny Weasley leaned in the door, and then turned to address the people behind her.
"Don't be silly, it's only Loony Lovegood."
For the first time, the name stung.
fin--
Well, there it is. I hope you liked it.
Ambika-san