Most days, Luna's cheerful nature was entirely genuine. She really did believe that most people were kind when it came down to it. When the other students laughed at her, she knew most of them just wanted to get along with the others. She hated that she was the fodder that allowed them to do that, but she was able to forgive them for it.
Most of the time.
Sometimes it became too much, especially when their taunts were about things she didn't like about herself. Or when they stole something she cared about more than they realized.
Her mother's favourite necklace was gone, and they'd laughed when she'd asked for it back. They didn't know it had been her mother's. They didn't even know her mother was dead. She didn't dare tell them, not when they were laughing at her, but she thought that, if she'd had the courage to say that much, they would have regretted their actions.
Sobbing, she leaned against one of the windows that lined the corridor, her hand pressed against her aching heart. The necklace was somewhere in the castle. She knew that much, and as long as that was true, she had hope of finding it. That was what prevented her from collapsing to the ground in despair.
"Is that necklace special?"
Luna jumped, not having heard footsteps. Her eyes widened when she turned to see the Grey Lady hovering in front of her, lips turned down in a frown. Despite the Grey Lady being the Ravenclaw ghost, Luna had never spoken to her. No one she knew of had gotten the Grey Lady to speak, though it was common for first years to try. The other houses had far chattier ghosts.
"Pardon?" Luna asked, not able to remember what question she'd been asked.
"I saw the other students take your necklace," the Grey Lady said. "The design hinted that it was older than you are, and now you're crying. Was it important?"
"Yes," Luna replied, voice trembling. "It belonged to my mother."
The Grey Lady's frown deepened at her words, and there was a split second where Luna thought she might have offended the ghost without knowing how. After a moment, however, the Grey Lady gave a short nod.
"Fortunately, I saw where they took it. Follow me."
She floated away before Luna could process what had happened. She scrambled after the ghost, wiping hastily at her eyes as she went. Her heart hammered in her chest at the thought of having the necklace back safe and sound.
"What's your name?" Luna asked as they went. "Surely you weren't born as the Grey Lady."
The ghost almost appeared amused as she glanced at Luna over her shoulder.
"No, but that's what I am now."
Luna knew better than to push farther. Still, she'd wanted to speak to the Grey Lady since her first day at Hogwarts. Now that the woman was actually helping her, Luna's curiosity couldn't help but get the better of her.
"Do you know about Crumple Horned Snorkacks?"
The Grey Lady gave her a confused look.
"No," she said slowly. "Is that one of those bands that I sometimes hear students listening to?"
Luna giggled.
"No, but it would make a wonderful band name."
The Grey Lady gave her a small, if confused smile before coming to a stop in front of an abandoned classroom.
"It's in here," she said. "They placed it inside one of the desks. I trust that you can find it."
She made to float away, but Luna stopped her.
"Wait. Can we talk again someday soon?"
The Grey Lady raised one eyebrow, bobbing up and down as she hovered. It took her a long time to answer the question.
"We'll see," she said, floating through a wall before Luna could question her further.
Luna smiled to herself as she went to retrieve her necklace. She thought she might have just made a friend.
Prompts:
Hogwarts Challenges and Assignments
Seasonal Challenges - Audrey's Dessert Challenge: vanilla - Luna Lovegood
Fortnightly Challenge - Halloween at Hogwarts: write about a friendship being formed under unusual circumstances
Seasonal Challenges - Ravenclaw prompts: Helena Ravenclaw
Word count: 659