A Lovegood-Zambini Disappearing Act

Hermione sat down at breakfast and got herself some poached eggs on toast while reading, again, Hogwarts, A History. She left early without "the hero and his side-kick" mainly because of their, well, extremely personal displays of affection towards their "girlfriends". It was disgusting, and Hermione felt like she could never keep a meal down if they were there.

"Hey, look at the Daily Prophet it says-," exclaimed Harry, while he and Ginny took seats next to Hermione, holding each other's hands.

"Ssh, hold on... it says here '... the gargoyle in the left corner of the Potions classroom that shoots water from it's mouth into a basin was bought and placed there by Phineas Nigelles Black.' They spelled 'Nigellus' wrong! I always new there was something off about pg. 52!"

"...yeah... but Hermione, look it says that Luna has been missing from school, and she can't be found!"

"What! That's impossible! Just last week I caught her selling "anti-werewolf" plants that are banned in all of the Northern Hemisphere!" The-knew-she-knows-its-all shrugged of Harry's strange idea. "You can never tell with the Daily Prophet, there always going on about something Harry, and if Luna was gone missing, don't you think Dumbledore would have told-;"

"Silence!"

She stopped mid-sentence with toast hanging from her mouth. Albus Dumbledore stood on the podium, and commanded respect from all the students. And whenever the headmaster spoke the hall would turn quiet within a second. This was not done out of fear, but out of respect.

"I have very grave news for all of you today. A student has been missing," Gasps of shock flew throughout the room and chatter spread like wildfire. The headmaster's bluntness never seemed so brilliant. A student...was missing? It was unimaginable.

"Luna Lovegood has been unaccounted for since yesterday, and I'm afraid that her whereabouts remain a mystery to the ministry and I-;"

"Damn the Ministry, the bloody chickens!" yelled a voice in the crowd of students.

"Yes, yes Mr. Warrington, I shall ask you to please wait until I am done to voice your political opinions. Where was I? Ah yes, I can assure you that the minister and myself will not press charges on any student who knows anything about the location of Ms. Lovegood. All though the recent events have been a scare to us all, I assure you that Hogsmeade trips are still on. Go on with your breakfast, to tame your powers, you must nourish it!" Chatter rose up in an instant. Words of fear sprang in some mouths, while words of laughter rang in others. People were torn between thinking this was some crazy Deatheater plan or if "Loony" Lovegood finally had gone completely insane and found some way out of the castle.

"I always new she was strange. That Luna was starting to grow on me... really a shame she got herself lost. Kind of like Bertha Jorkins-" grinned Ron who had finally decided to roll out of bed.

"Ron! Bertha Jorkins was killed by You-Know-Who!"

"Well you know what I meant... hey look Mum's sent me some sweets!"

"There not for you Ronald, there for me!" interjected Ginny as she grabbed Ron's parcel. She flew out the door before Ron could question her.

"That girl is way to into candy..."

Hermione scanned the Great Hall. Parvati wasn't in sight. She had to tell her before tomorrow, the Hogsmeade trip, or else Seamus would think he had been stood up, since Hermione did not plan to go to Hogsmeade at all. She looked the Gryffindor table up and down until she caught Seamus's eyeing her rather disturbingly, then quickly looked down at her book till she left for class.

"Hey Seamus! Want to join me and Neville in the Shrieking Shack this Saturday?" asked Dean, not knowing of Seamus's plans. "Were seeing how long we can stay without running out screaming." Seamus looked over at Neville who gave a weak smile indicating that he would rather shave his head, get a flobberworm and move to Scandinavia.

"Boys, boys, boys... when will you ever learn? We are sixth years now. Do you understand what that means?"

"Lots of studying?"

"Neville, you innocent, innocent child, no. It means girls. And I got me self a hot date in Hogsmeade."

"Who?" The two boys questioned in unison.

"Hermione"

"Hermione?" Neville and Dean looked at each other with raised eyebrows, each wondering how Seamus could consider that book of girl a "hot date".

"Yes Hermione. I bet under those loads of textbooks, piles of quills and stacks of parchment, Hermione is a naughty caterpillar waiting to burst from the cocoon. I just have to open it for her... Later losers." Seamus licked his fingers and smoothed his eyebrows as he strutted off to Charms class. Dean and Neville followed closely, still wondering how Seamus could be so daft when it came to girls.

Neville tripped over his shoelaces and fell right on top of Blaise Zambini, sitting on the floor in a corner, who was staring at a cauldron, wand pointed and muttering incantations. He finally noticed Neville, who was looking at him suspiciously.

"Boo!" Blaise shouted.

"Don't cry." Neville answered sarcastically. He had picked up a few things from Dean and Seamus and was not afraid to use them.

"Can-, can you see me?" he stuttered, apparently surprised.

"Why wouldn't I be able to? If your planning on becoming a ghost, I suggest you kill yourself first. Preferably with a blunt ax to your throat, like Sir Nicholas over there." Score one for Longbottom. The Gryffindor walked away, proud of what he had just accomplished, until he realized he was shoeless on one foot, and went back to were he tripped to try and find his shoe before class started. He found it all right, but when he went back, Zambini had disappeared along with his cauldron.

Now that was odd, he thought, since they were the only ones in the Great Hall, I would've noticed him walk out.

He walked towards the Charms corridor, hoping that Blaise had really followed his suggestion about the blunt-axe...

A/N: Thanks to reviewers! So… what do you think will happen next? What do you want to happen next? Do review… maybe I'll use your ideas! Criticism is always welcomed! Next chappie is titled The First Of Many Lessons To Come. PS: I'm sorry there isn't that much DHr yet, but I kind of want to take this slow…