Chapter 8: Cursed

Penelope Clearwater and Hermione Granger were attacked on Saturday morning, and the school went on lockdown. It took over an hour to get all the students into their common rooms. When Professor Flitwick arrived in Ravenclaw, there were still two students missing: Penelope Clearwater – for obvious reasons – and Luna Lovegood. Panic ensued in the Ravenclaw common room. Professor Flitwick left the prefects to keep order and quickly began a search of the castle. It would take hours to find the missing student.

Luna herself was unaware of the panic she caused the faculty. At least, until Professor Dumbledore appeared in the doorway of her room and said, "Good afternoon Ms. Lovegood. Would you be willing to tell me why you are here?"

"Sir?"

"All students were required to report to their house common rooms almost four hours ago."

"I didn't know, sir."

"Come. Let us go inform Professor Flitwick that his missing student has been found," the headmaster said with a soft smile. Luna looked around her belongings scattered around the room, but Professor Dumbledore, anticipated her question. "You can return later to collect your possessions."

Luna nodded and followed him out into the hallway.

"I take it that you have been living in this classroom," Professor Dumbledore said. Taking her silence for accent, he continued. "If you would pardon my curiosity, how long have you been staying outside your dorm room?"

"Since the end of October," Luna replied. "Please don't expel me. I looked it up in the school rules and there is nothing forbidding students from moving to a new residence in the castle. If I consider this my room, then I never even violated curfew…"

"I'm not going to expel you, Ms. Lovegood. Although I would greatly appreciate having a conversation with you later about your interpretation of the school charter, particularly article seven. But sadly, that is a conversation for another day. Today, I am happy that you are unharmed."

"Sir?"

"There have been another two attacks. Ms. Hermione Granger and Ms. Penelope Clearwater were both petrified."

"Oh no."

The headmaster tapped her on the shoulder comfortingly. "They will be alright. The mandrakes will be ready soon, and in the meantime, we will be taking additional security precautions. However, I would like to return to our earlier topic of conversation. Would you be willing to tell me why you felt it necessary to move out of your dorm room?"

Luna paused. She did not want to talk about her dreams, the accident with Chloe, Pumpernickel's death, or any of the subsequent bullying. Mentioning the dreams was not a possibility and getting the bullies in trouble would just make it all worse. "I guess I just needed some space."

Professor Dumbledore nodded, "Living with others is always a challenge. Arguments are so often compounded by spending so much time in such close quarters. I have always found that honesty and a little time are the best solutions. True friends can be incredibly understanding and are too precious to lose. With time, you will have a hard time recalling what you were even fighting about."

"But what about if it isn't something small? What if I really messed up?"

"Accidents do happen, Ms. Lovegood. People say things when scared that they later regret. Hurtful things they never meant, but now are too afraid to try to take back. If left unchecked, they will just fester."

"But what if it isn't just words?"

"The truth is a powerful thing. It may be painful, but it can clean even the deepest wounds."

But only if the truth could come out. She had made a promise. "I'll keep that in mind, sir."

"Is there anything else you wish to tell me, Ms. Lovegood?"

"Not really."

"In that case, I want to let you know that my door is always open if you would like to talk," the headmaster said. They rounded a corner, and he opened the door to what appeared to be Professor Flitwick's office. "Ah. Filius. I have found your misplaced student. If you will pardon me, I need to go brief some visitors on the recent developments. Filius. Ms. Lovegood." Professor Dumbledore nodded his head before walking away.

"Ms. Lovegood, I spoke with your roommates and was surprised to find you haven't been to the dorm room since before the winter holidays. Where have you been staying?"

"In an abandoned classroom."

"For over five months?"

"Yes, sir. I was able to make it rather cozy. I had some help from the house elves."

"I don't doubt that. But if you were having trouble with your roommates, why didn't you come and talk to me?"

"I thought it was best if I just left."

Professor Flitwick shook his head in disappointment. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"There really is nothing to tell, sir. We just don't get along too well."

"I can't let you stay in the classroom, especially with the recent attacks," Professor Flitwick held up his hand, cutting off Luna's objection. "I realize you are a pureblood, Ms. Lovegood, and the attacks seem be motivated by blood purity. However, I am not comfortable trusting that assumption. Are you?"

"Not really, sir. Does this mean that I need to move back into Ravenclaw tower?"

"Yes. Will that be a problem? Please be honest with me Ms. Lovegood. If you have any concerns whatsoever, I can move you to another year's dorm room in Ravenclaw or even to a dorm room in a different house with some of your other friends."

Luna hesitated. Moving to another house wouldn't be a good option. By now, they all thought she was loony. Gryffindor might have been an option, but not with Ginny hating her. Moving to an older year's room would make it seem like she was hiding, like a coward. It would only give the others permission to torment her more. There was really only one option. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I will be okay moving back into the dorm room."

"Your fellow year mates said they were alright with you moving back in as well. If there are any problems, please come and tell me or even a prefect. We are here to help you, Ms. Lovegood, but we can't do anything if you don't tell us there is a problem. I want to see you in a couple days to see how things are going."

"Yes sir."

"In that case, let's retrieve your belongings and return to the common room."


The remaining months of the term were… eventful. In fact, the whole castle had gone a bit mad. The day after Luna returned to the dorm room, the castle was rocked by the news that Hagrid had been taken away by the Ministry, and Professor Dumbledore had been suspended by the board of governors. The teachers started escorting students between classes, and all students were required to remain in their dorm rooms at other times. Most clubs were suspended as well.

Luna was mostly left alone after moving back into the dorm room – probably because of the tension in the castle and Professor Flitwick's warning that he would be monitoring the situation. However, as the weeks went by, his check-ins became more infrequent and the bullying resumed. At first, Luna thought she was simply misplacing things, but she quickly realized that her possessions were being taken. She took to locking away all of her belongings whenever she needed to leave and spent as much time as she could in the common room, the only public space she could access. Anne tried to talk to Luna a dozen times but eventually gave up when Luna refused to respond. Silence seemed to be the best response to the teasing and name calling from her other classmates as well.

Three weeks later, with exams around the corner, Luna was settled in a secluded corner of the common room, shielded from the noisier groups by the fireplace by a series of tall bookcases. Her Transfiguration textbook lay open in front of her next to a small pile of matches, needles, and failed transfigurations that were somewhere in between. The Transfiguration practical had never been her strongest subject.

"Can I have everyone's attention please," Professor Flitwick announced over the din "Ms. Clearwater and Mr. Talbot, please call everyone down from the tower."

The common room erupted into murmurs. "What is going on, Professor? Has there been another attack?"

"A student has been taken by the monster. The faculty feel that it is no longer safe for students to remain in the castle. You will all be sent home tomorrow morning," Professor Flitwick held up his hand, silencing all objections. "This is not up for debate. I insist that everyone must remain in the tower tonight. I know that some of the older students have been sneaking out at night. That can no longer happen. The prefects will ensure these rules are followed. In the meantime, I recommend everyone proceed up to your dorm rooms to get some sleep or to start packing."

"Why is it dangerous now? There have been attacks all year!"

"This is not up for discussion, Mr. Boot."

"Will the castle reopen?" Another voice called out.

"It is uncertain if or when Hogwarts will reopen. Once you are all safely away, the castle and grounds will be searched until the monster is found and dealt with."

"Professor, who was taken?"

"A first year named Ginny Weasley."

Professor Flitwick's words hit Luna like a train. The world spun. Her legs felt weak. Ginny? How could it be Ginny? Why Ginny? She sank into her chair as the surrounding world blurred. It couldn't be Ginny. It didn't make sense. All of the attacks on students had targeted muggle-borns. All of the attacks had been petrifications. This didn't match the pattern. It didn't feel right.

Ginny. Why did it have to be Ginny? She was her oldest friend, sudden animosity notwithstanding. Now there would be no reconciliation. No possibility of one day rebuilding their friendship. There would be no more pranks. No more laughter. No more fun. No more hope.

Ginny was gone.

Everyone she ever cared about just got hurt. Her mum died. Her dad was never really the same after. Her classmates were sent to the hospital. Anne's kitten died. Now Ginny was gone.

She was cursed twice. First for everyone she ever cared about to suffer. Second, to know it was coming and be able to do nothing about it. Each time, she had dreamed about something bad was going to happen. She knew and nothing changed. It was her fault. She was a curse on anyone she became close to.

It was so obvious now.


Ginny was alive.

The news that Harry Potter had entered the Chamber of Secrets with Ron Weasley, killed the basilisk within, and rescued Ginny raced through the castle. Within a day, Professor Dumbledore returned, Hagrid was released from Azkaban, the victims had been unpetrified, a massive feast was held, and exams were canceled. The restrictions were gone. The culprit had been – allegedly – dealt with. Hogwarts was safe again.

Luna almost visited Ginny in the hospital. She left her room several times, but always changed her mind. She even reached the doors of the hospital wing before slowly backing away. The voice of not-Ginny's cruel laughter ringing in her ears. There was no way of knowing if it would be Ginny behind that door, and it was Ginny she needed to find. It was Ginny that Luna needed to apologize to for the curse their friendship had brought. It was Ginny she wanted to see one last time as one thing had become obvious to Luna. Some people were not meant to have friends.

The return to normalcy had one major advantage: no longer being trapped with people she would much rather avoid. She was finally free to explore the grounds again and to just be alone. She was free to read whatever she wanted without fear that someone would start laughing. That was how Luna found herself settled comfortably in the library, reading one of Hogwart's few books on Thestrals.

Of course, nothing could ever be as simple as enjoying a pleasant afternoon in the library. One minute Luna was reading about equestrian dental hygiene and the next there was a flash of orange light, a sharp ringing sound, and a distinctly uncomfortable feeling on the side of her head. Luna turned to see Liam, Evan, Chloe, and Becca doubled over laughing.

"That was simply brilliant!" Evan managed to choke out. "Brilliant!"

Luna reached up and touched the side of her head. Instead of meeting soft flesh, her hands felt something hard.

"Look at her face. She has no idea!" Liam laughed with glee.

She traced down until the shape reached a point. Her hands made contact with the metal clasps of her carrot earrings. At least they were still attached. It would be a shame to lose them. She had made them with her mother years ago.

"You're sure Loony can't hear us?" Becca asked.

She followed the strange shapes up until they ended in tufts of leafy greens.

"Positive," Chloe replied. "Our little resident sociopath can't hear anything with carrots for ears."

So… her ears were carrots now? She could still hear, so that was good. Maybe the spell didn't work exactly right?

"What is going on here?"

On the bright side, at least her ears matched her earrings now.

The four Ravenclaws moved closer together, blocking Luna from the approaching girl. "Nothing," Chloe responded. "What are you doing here, Anne?"

What was Anne doing here?

"Becca, move out of my way now." The girl moved aside and Anne could finally see Luna. Anne rounded on Chloe. "What is this?"

"What does it look like? It's a joke."

"This isn't a joke. A joke is funny. This is cruel, plain and simple."

"Oh, come on," Liam responded. "We're not hurting anyone."

"How would you like it if someone turned your head into a pumpkin? At least that way you would have something inside instead of your sorry excuse for brains."

"Why do you care what happens to our resident sociopath, anyways?" Chloe asked.

"You might not like her, Chloe, but do you really think this is right? Also, she isn't a sociopath."

"Isn't she? She blew up my cauldron. She tried to kill me! She even murdered your cat!"

"Don't. You. Dare."

"Fine. How about schizophrenia. Claiming she sees all those things no one else ever does."

"Luna isn't crazy."

"Agree to disagree. How did you find us anyways?"

"Olivia."

"That bitch!" Liam murmured.

"Olivia is the only reason I didn't go straight to a prefect. She practically begged me not to let this escalate further. Whatever the heck this even is. I thought you had more sense, Becca."

The girl had the grace to look abashed.

"Turn her ears back now."

"Don't know how."

"You really expect me to buy that?"

Chloe shrugged. "Not really, but it's the truth."

"What kind of person uses a jinx without knowing the counter curse?"

"Someone who is cursing a thing that deserves it."

"Do you not realize that Luna is a person!"

Chloe just shrugged again.

"I've looked past a lot of things you all have been doing over the past year. I've ignored the names and jokes, because it wasn't my business helping someone who didn't want my help, but you all just crossed a line. This isn't just words anymore. You actually hurt her. The next time I see anything like this, I am going to the prefects, and Professor Flitwick, and even Professor Dumbledore himself. I might not know who else is picking on her, but I can stop you."

"Yeah right." Liam scoffed.

"Just watch me." Anne grabbed Luna's hand and dragged her out of the library.

Luna's head was spinning. What did Anne think she was doing? What did she hope to accomplish by baiting them like that? Even if Anne went to the faculty, the worst they could get was a detention. A detention wouldn't discourage them. It would only anger them more! There was no help coming. The best way to deal with a bully was avoidance. Like a force of nature, you just focus on damage mitigation. Why didn't Anne understand that?

Anne pulled Luna into the now empty Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey looked up from her desk as they entered. She needed a way out of this. She needed one fast. "What happened here?"

"Well, we were in the library and…"

"It was an accident," Luna cut in before Anne could finish. "I… was trying to turn my ears into carrots to match my earrings."

Anne started incredulously at Luna. "That isn't what happened."

"Yes, it is. You don't need to try to come up with an excuse for my own foolishness. I never should have tried that spell without knowing the counter curse."

"What spell did you use," Madam Pomfrey said with a sigh.

She bought it. "I don't really remember…"

"Alright. Sit down here. I'll be back in a minute."

When Madam Pomfrey was out of earshot, Anne turned to Luna. "You can hear?"

"Yup."

"Why won't you let me tell her what happened?"

"Because it will only make things worse."

"No, it will hold them accountable for what they did."

"Which will only make things worse. Leave it alone."

"I'm just trying to help you. Why won't you let me?"

Because I still consider you my friend, and I don't want you to get hurt again. "Because I don't want your help."

"That's not a reason, Luna. Is this all some stupid misplaced guilt? You are not responsible for Pumpernickel! You are not responsible for Chloe's accident. You don't deserve to be treated like that."

"It's not that bad."

"Don't lie to me, Luna. You don't deserve it."

"It's none of your business."

"Yes. It. Is. I was your friend. I am your friend. I know you think you are responsible. I know you think you can't tell me. I don't care anymore. I miss you."

If Anne had said that even a month ago, Luna would have leapt at the opportunity to repair things, to start again, but she couldn't do that anymore. Not with what she knew. If she became friends with Anne again, Anne would get hurt. Luna knew that now.

"Say something… Please."

"I don't have anything to say."

"Okay… fine. I guess I'll see you around." Anne sighed and left the room.

Madam Pomfrey returned few minutes later and administered a potion to both of Luna's carrots/ears. "Where did your friend go?"

"Oh… she had to go get her things back from the library. She left once I was settled."


It was late at night and Max was waiting impatiently in the corner of the common room. As OWLs and NEWTs were over and regular exams were canceled by Professor Dumbledore, the common room was mostly empty. Only a few upper years were sitting together around the fire, but they were completely oblivious to his presence. He looked over and saw Anne climbing down the staircase from her dormitory, and he raised his hand in greeting.

"Is everyone in your dorm asleep?" Max asked as she settled into the chair opposite him.

"Yes… What did you want to talk to me about? Why so much secrecy?" Anne replied. She was surprised then Max tapped her on the shoulder at dinner earlier this night and asked her to meet him in the common room after her dorm mates went to sleep. She initially wanted to dismiss his request, but her curiosity won out.

"I know you used to be friends with Lovegood, but you had a falling out of some kind. Would you be willing to help her?" Max asked, ignoring her questions.

"I guess… Why? Is she in trouble?"

"No. It's just…" Max paused trying to come up with the right words to say. Mentally he scolded himself. This is exactly why he practiced. "… You know how over the year a lot of her things have been going missing?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I have been trying to keep track of who took them and where they are being kept, since I don't like the way she has been treated. She also put up this sheet with a list of all her missing items and asked for them to be returned. I found almost all of them. I'm not going to tell you where they were or who took them, but could you make sure they get back to her anonymously?" Max asked, pulling out a large bundle from under the table with a piece of paper in Luna's handwriting.

Anne took Luna's list from him and looked over it. Max had crossed out most of the items, but Anne was reasonably confident that Chloe had taken the last few items, and they were hidden in her dorm somewhere. Looking back to Max, she nodded. "I'll get them back to her. Thank you."

"I'm glad I talked to the right person. Just, please make sure no one finds out."

"You have my word," Anne replied. She gathered the bundle but paused before the stairs. "Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you helping her?"

"I could ask you the same question."

Anne nodded and climbed the stairs back to her dormitory.


A/N: This chapter concludes part 1. The next chapter will focus on Ginny's reaction post-Tom. Reviews are greatly appreciated!