Some time passed and Halloween morning I took a little detour into the library before breakfast. I had heard of an interesting book about different magical creatures and beings, Tails, and I wanted to see if it was there. If it wasn't then I could just buy it while at Hogsmeade today. I walked straight towards Madam Pince and asked her if she had it. To my relief she said yes and helped me look for it. However after a few minutes Madam Pince gave me a frustrated sigh
"Someone else must have it" she mumbled to herself. "These children should at least have the decency of announcing the books they take off my shelves. No one has any manners these days!"
"It's okay. Thank you anyway Madam Pince." I was a little sad about it but what could I do. She nodded once then went on her way to scold some students who were obviously not here to study. Since I still had some time before breakfast, and I was sure Draco wasn't even awake yet, I sat down on one of the tables set up around the library. I stretched still not completely awake and looked around the room at the other students here.
By the look of their robes the only other people in the library seemed to be Ravenclaws. Most of them had notes out around them like they were either studying or doing work for fun. As much as I liked reading I couldn't imagine spending my extra time studying. None of them looked up from their books or paid any attention to the constantly scolding librarian. My guess was they were used to it. Among the sea of books I saw one that caught my eye and stood up.
A girl with long blonde hair was sitting at the edge of the library reading my book. Okay it wasn't my book but I wanted to read it too… When I reached her I sat on the seat adjacent to hers but she didn't even glance in my direction. Her big grey eyes stayed on the pages of my book as she flipped through the pages faster than I knew she could read them. I would've said something to her but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was… off about her. She was pretty and didn't look dangerous but there was just something… different?
"Oh hello" she spoke when she finally noticed me. Her voice was dreamy but I had a feeling it had nothing to do with how early it was. Her smile seemed innocent enough too but I couldn't shake the feeling something was not right about her. "May I help you?"
"Um, yeah, actually. I was wondering when you were going to finish that" I said warmly, pointing to the book. She looked down at it as if she didn't understand my words. The book closed suddenly and she frowned at me. It wasn't an angry expression but it still caught me off guard
"Finish it how exactly?" she asked tilting her head. I mirrored her expression unintentionally. Was she serious or was she purposely trying to confuse me
"Are you finished reading the book…" I asked carefully
"Well I never really started so your question is irrelevant." I blinked a few times surprised again. Not so much at her words but at the tone she said them in. It was so calm and gentle… Well let's just say I wasn't used to people behaving in such a way. She slid the book towards me either disregarding my expression or not noticing it. Obviously she was different but something about her robes kept bothering me…
"Are you not wearing shoes?" I said finally realizing what was missing. I looked under the table to confirm that she in fact wasn't wearing any. That wasn't the only thing that was strange. Her whole look was so different from that of everyone else here that I was surprised I hadn't noticed sooner. My mother would've had a fit if she had seen her
"Oh, yes. I seemed to have misplaced them" she smiled and I couldn't help but laugh a little. She didn't take any offence to it and simply kept on smiling. I liked her
"I'm Katerina, by the way" I said extending my hand. She shook it and nodded
"I'm Luna" she answered as I took the book from the table.
"Well it was nice meeting you" I told her and stood from the table. Luna nodded and smiled at me as I began to walk away.
"Wait" she called. I turned back to her still sitting on the chair. For a second I thought I had imagined her voice but she spoke again. "Do all Slytherin read?" I snickered at her words. Her face stayed dreamy as she patiently waited for my reply. This girl had to be the strangest person I had ever met.
"No" I answered honestly. "Not all of them do." Luna nodded to herself before turning to look around the library. I smiled to myself as I walked to find Madam Pince. She let me take the book but not before reminding me several times that books were not toys. I gave her a smile before taking the book down to my room.
I thought about Luna as I walked to the Great Hall for breakfast. There were so many odd things about her. Quirky. That was the word I had been looking for. She was quirky. I sat with my usual group as everyone chatted about Hogsmeade excitedly. It sort of overshadowed any other possible conversation that might have come up. Pansy looked annoyed and I could only guess it was because Draco had told her he wouldn't be spending time with her today. After we finished eating everyone lined up by the Entrance Hall.
Draco stood by my side as Filch signed off everyone's names. He looked suspicious of everyone who walked past. He wasn't a very trusting person. Crabbe and Goyle were behind us as usual. All they had been able to talk about for days was Honeydukes and everything they would be getting. Farther ahead in line I saw Daphne with Lev and Theodore. My pup had wanted to come along so I let Daphne take him. Since I was spending the day with Draco it didn't seem like a very fun idea to have Lev barking at him the whole day
"Staying here, Potter?" Draco shouted at Harry. He was standing alone, watching everyone else leave. Hermione had told me that he hadn't had time to get his papers signed by the Muggles he lived with. "Scared of passing the Dementors?"
Harry ignored the little blondie and went to the stairs. Draco looked satisfied with himself as we walked to the bridge. Crabbe and Goyle were persuaded to go on ahead and Draco and I stayed back. We were the last people in line, only Filch behind us. He made a face at all the students and closed the main doors behind him. Further ahead the closest person to us was still several feet away. It was slightly windy but besides that it was nice weather. For no reason at all I had an urge to get up on the ledge and walk on it. So I did
"What are you doing?" Draco screamed as I pushed myself onto the ledge. It took a second for me to find my balance but I managed.
"Don't be such a Debbie Downer, Deedee" I laughed and started walking away, still on the ledge. I heard his footsteps as he walked after me
"Stubborn brat" he grumbled as he chased after me. "Get down"
"No!" I whined and stick out my tongue at him. He kept towards me but I stopped, making him speed a few feet ahead before he noticed I wasn't there anymore. I stopped so suddenly that I almost fell. I caught my balance in time and started laughing at myself when I saw his face.
"Get down" he yelled at me.
"If you're so scared I'm going to fall then hold my hand" I teased holding it out for him. I wiggled my fingers and he frowned at them. When he didn't take it I grinned and walked away. He caught up to me though and walked right beside me. Then he did something that surprised me; he took hold of my hand. I looked down at him wide eyed.
"Shut up!" Draco stared ahead and I could see the blush start to form on his cheeks. I grinned and looked ahead too. On the way I saw Daphne look back at us then turn to frown at Theodore.
It didn't take long before we got to Hogsmeade. It was a lovely place with lots of little shops and nice places to visit. We spent the day buying lots of things we didn't need and had a good time doing it. At Honeydukes I made sure to get plenty of sweets for my puppy. I probably shouldn't give him so many but I couldn't help but spoil him. After a little while Draco bought us some butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks. Daphne and Theodore found us there and we sat together for a while. They had bought plenty of things themselves while on the trip. My puppy looked happy to be back at my side and quickly jumped out of Daphne's arms and onto my lap much to Theodore's relief and Draco's annoyance.
"So what did you get?" I asked Daphne between sips. In her arms she had several small bags from different shops in Hogsmeade. She smiled at me and got out her things. Daphne had bought some sweets and a jumper from a clothing shop nearby
"Oh and these" she grinned pulling out broaches and other unnecessary hair accessories. "I got them from this little hairdressing salon in front of Honeydukes."
"What about you, Theo?" I said to the very serious boy next to her. He really wasn't much of a talker and I knew he wouldn't have said anything unless asked
"Well I – wait what?" he said looking up from his drink suddenly
"Can I call you Theo?" I asked guessing that was what had surprised him
"You're going to anyway aren't you" he sighed. I smiled at him and he rolled his eyes. "Go ahead then"
"Can I call you that too?" Daphne asked batting her eyelashes at him. Theo frowned at her making us laugh. He probably hated the idea and rather she didn't. But since he knew I would call him whatever I wanted either way he agreed.
"Let's go" Draco asked me more than said. I nodded and took my last sip of the butterbeer. Once outside we met up with Crabbe and Goyle who had only just now exited Honeydukes. Each had with them bags that looked like they weighed about as much as I did. However heavy they did look quite content with their find and happily walked back to Hogwarts with the rest of us.