For Sophie

Word Count: 549

It's hard to control his fury. Why does it have to be like this? In the final battle, he had spared the girl. In a moment of weakness, Barty had taken pity on her. He could have easily dealt the killing blow. Instead, he scooped Luna Lovegood into his arms and ran.

It's been three years since that day. The Dark Lord is victorious, but Barty can not enjoy it. Though his former master had spared Barty from the Dementor's kiss, Barty would no longer be welcome in his ranks. Because of his moment of kindness, he is an outcast now.

And it's all for nothing! Luna has run away in the middle of the night.

With a growl, Barty points his wand at a canvas. With a quick incantation, Luna's painting ignites. It is reduced to ash within seconds.

He doesn't really make a conscious decision to leave the little cabin. His feet seem to move on their own, carrying him outside. The cool mountain air does nothing to calm his nerves, but the change of scenery is nice.

"Don't worry, little friend. I won't hurt you."

His heart flutters at that soft, dreamy voice. Shame and guilt twist his insides as he realizes Luna hadn't run off. Once again, he had lost control; he isn't sure how to fix this mess now. That painting had been very dear to Luna.

Swallowing down the dark feelings, he follows the noise. Maybe he shouldn't be surprised to find Luna on the mountain path. She is like a wild bird who cannot be caged; her heart belongs to nature.

As he gets closer, he sees that she's talking to a snake. An amused grin pulls at his lips, and he shakes his head. She seems so fond of fearsome creatures. The fact that she fell in love with him is proof enough.

"I think it's time to go," he says.

She looks up and smiles. There's a simple in her left cheek that is noticable when she smiles like this. It makes him love her a little more. "Go?"

"Home with me," he says with a soft laugh. "Where you belong."

"Home," she echoes, nodding and climbing to her feet. The snake slithers away. "Are you okay, Barty?" She moves closer, reaching for him.

He never meant to fall in love with her. An act of mercy wasn't supposed to lead to this. Likewise, she wasn't supposed to love him back. The fact that she's stayed is a miracle.

"I'm fine," he tells her, taking her hand in his.

She purses her lips and tilts her head to the side. Her wide eyes move over him, studying him intently. Barty hates it when she looks at him like that. It makes him think she's looking into his soul.

"There are Wrackspurts around your head," she says simply. "They only do that when you're upset."

He still doesn't know what to make of her Wrackspurts. While Barty doesn't believe in them and never will, Luna only ever claims to see them when he has a lot on his mind. Maybe it's a coincidence; maybe it's something else entirely.

All he knows is that she is here, and relief floods his body as he pulls her closer. "Doesn't matter. Let's go home."