A/N- Sorry for not updating in a while! I've just been doing my exams so in an attempt to actually **revise** I blocked ao3, fanfiction, youtube and Tumblr. Yeah. Anyways, I just did my last exam today so here is the next chapter! Enjoy! There should be another one out by the end of the month :D

The Avengers don't actually go into Kings Cross Station. It's too risky. Instead they hug goodbye inside the quinjet, Wanda tells Luna to write and Tony tells Luna that by Christmas he'll have a phone for her that'll work with magic so they won't have to be so "old fashioned", so only Natasha follows Luna to the wall in between nine and ten, if only for safety precautions.

Amongst the bustling crowd, Natasha gives her a brief but very warm hug. "Be careful." she says unnecessarily, because to girls like them it's second nature anyways. "And don't let up on training," she teases, "otherwise you'll get your ass hand handed to you by Tony without his suit on."

"I won't." Promises Luna.

"I know." says Natasha.

Perhaps, in another universe this would have been the elusive Mr Lovegood(elusive because Luna doesn't know Mr Lovegood) wiping his cheeks with a dirty techno-coloured handkerchief and telling Luna Lovegood to watch for nargles and asking if she really wanted to go. Or maybe it would have been Mrs Lovegood telling her to make good friends and that she'd a bet with father about what house Luna'd end up in. But it's not. Natasha gives her a tiny peck on the cheek and tells her to stay out of trouble and send for them if there is, and Steve already told her to make friends back on the quinjet, and Tony - whose read up on all the houses - reckons she'll be a Ravenclaw(Wanda agrees with him but Natasha's put her money on Slytherin).

Luna boards the Hogwarts Express, skipping past the occasional empty compartments and ones with older years and does as Steve told her to, looking for first years that could be her friends. Luna doesn't need friends per say, but she'd like them. And she's always been quite good at getting what she wants.

The Hogwarts Express itself looks just like out of a story book- sleek polished red with black and gold linings- and the inside is no different with its walnut, varnish and brass interior. Despite the fact she arrived early, there's only a few minutes or so left until they depart. The train is quickly beginning to fill up and after her third wonder round she finds a compartment with one other person in it.

"Hello." She says peeking into a compartment. "I'm Luna. Can I sit here?" she doesn't wait for a reply and promptly shoves her suitcase up onto the hatch compartment and sits herself down next to the red-headed girl.

"Ginny Weasley." replies the girl, offering her hand which Luna shakes. "I used to have a friend with your name. I don't remember her much but mum said we were good friends. Are you a first year too?"

….

To say she's excited would be a gross understatement. Ginny's pretty sure she's actually been waiting for this day since she was born. It feels like it. Annoyingly, Ron said she can't sit with Harry, Hermione and he, which makes him kind of a jerk, though she hasn't seen him since they crossed to the platform. Fred and George said she could sit with them and Lee which is… well better than sitting by herself (Harry Potter's in Ron's compartment so it's a tad hard to beat). Not that this has made any difference. The twins and Lee Jordan have effectively abandoned her. Something about being a girl and too young to go with them.

But whatever. Nothing's going to ruin this day for her. Boys are stupid beings anyways.

She's just about to take out a snack when the compartment door opens which means the boys are back, she's rolls her eyes about to make sly remark when she notices it's not the boys at all. Instead there's a girl standing there. She's quite small and strangely pretty, with pale hair and skin and unnaturally big eyes, but she carries herself well.

"Hello," She says, "I'm Luna. Can I sit here?"

Ginny nods, holding it her hand. "Ginny Weasley." And they shake. "I used to have a friend with your name," she continues conversationally, "I don't remember her much but mum said we were good friends. Are you a first year too?"

Luna nods, smiling widely, eyes shining. "Yes. I was quite excited when I got my letter though I feel bad for the poor owl having to fly such a distance." She adds. To be honest Ginny's never thought about it before. Perhaps she should treat Errol with a bit more respect, even if he is utterly terrible at his job.

"I know. I was literally dying when I got mine. I think it was the happiest, most anticipated moment of my life." She gushes. It's a tad embarrassing but for most wizards and witches she figures it's true so suppose this girl can relate.

"Metaphorically."

Ginny blinks. "Huh?"

To her credit, she at least blushes. "Sorry! I know what you meant, of course. It's just, you aren't literally dead, you know? So - metaphorically. Or figuratively if you like." She apologises sheepishly. "I really am sorry. Sam always says I correct him too much as well."

Ginny just smiles, a little embarrassed too. "It's fine." she replies, flushing.

The girl, Luna, has quite a strange accent. Well, not strange per say, but just not from here. Ginny can't quite place it but it's hardly surprising since she's really not that well-travelled herself. But she knows the girl isn't native, she can tell at least that much.

"So…" Begins Ginny awkwardly, "Where are you from? I can tell from you accent that you aren't from here."

A thoughtful look makes its way across Luna's face and after a second she speaks. "Well, I am actually from here originally. But I've lived abroad for most of my life until now." she finishes, looking satisfied with her answer.

"Abroad? Where? My brother Bill lives in Egypt at the moment. He's a curse breaker. Ah- and Charlie, one of my other brothers, lives in Romania. He works with dragons." Ginny isn't sure why she mentions her brothers, to be honest. After all, their achievements aren't hers. Nonetheless, Luna seems impressed which is what she was aiming for, probably.

Once again, the compartment door slides open and two of Ginny's brothers step through, shortly followed by Lee Jordan. She can't help but scowl a bit. It's not like she doesn't love or appreciate her brothers but it's just, she liked talking to her new friend and whenever Fred and George are around the conversation is just between those two and everyone else just kind of watches. How and why Lee willingly puts up with it is a mystery to Ginny.

She sees them smirk to each other as they take their seats so it's them opposite her and Luna.

"And who might this be?" Begins one of them, grinning from ear to ear.

"This is Luna," she introduces loudly and deliberately. "she's from overseas." Beside her, Luna gives them a cheery little wave.

"Hello." she says, though to be honest she looks more interested in the gizmo's the boys have got in their hands then the conversation. "Are you Ginny's brothers?" asks Luna.

"What makes you think that?" begins George (probably).

"Could it be our…"

"Incredibly good-looks that Ginny's told you about?"

Luna giggles politely. "Something like that."

"And Lee's adopted by the way." they add together. Internally, Ginny rolls her eyes, albeit fondly.

"This is Fred and George, my brothers." Says Ginny a little dismissively. "I've got six of them. I'm the youngest."

The conversation in the compartment is a nice, jittery banter which flows well and stops and starts at all the right moments; and suits Ginny perfectly. Her Hogwarts experience is getting off to a great start. She's already made a friend in Luna too, she thinks. Sure she's a bit odd but she's kind and nice and Ginny can tell she's going to be very interesting too, which is perfect.

And she's finally on the Hogwarts Express! On her way to Hogwarts!

"What house would you like to be in, Ginny?" Asks Luna, after they've finished asking the boys about all the Professors - Luna's already met Professor McGonagall apparently.

Ginny smirks proudly and the four of them say "Gryffindor!" at the same time. Because, how could she not be a lion? It's practically in her blood!

"Really?" Luna giggles at their joint response but she's nodding her head as though she sees it too. "Why?"

"Because… Well, all my family's been Gryffindor. Every Weasley bar that one uncle who's a squib." She shrugs simply, like it's common sense. "We don't really talk about him, though."

"I think you'll make a great Gryffindor." Luna agrees. "But not because you're a Weasley."

She feels her face beam happily, "Thanks, I think. What about you?"

Luna tilts her head thoughtfully, "Hmm… Probably Ravenclaw or Slytherin." She says.

At this, Ginny snorts automatically and she sees the boys begin to look at Luna weirdly.

"What is it?" Frowns Luna questioningly.

They all exchange glances. It's fine though. Luna seems like a nice enough person so Ginny's pretty sure she's not looking towards Slytherin with its dark history in mind. She's probably a muggleborn if she doesn't know about Slytherin - or rather their reputation. Probably, it's because the textbooks and history books mostly just ignore the bad traits of the houses - not that Gryffindor has any.

"Well, Ravenclaws all right, I guess." Mumbles Lee after a moment.

"Got a bunch of sticks up their arses though, mind you." continues the twins.

"Yeah, a bit boring."

Ginny just glares at them and turns to Luna. "Why do you think you'll be in those two?" she asks, trying to ignore the boys. After all, if Luna's new to the wizarding world it's only right Ginny shows her the ropes.

Luna shrugs again. "Well Tony and Wanda think I'll be in Ravenclaw. Natasha thinks I'll be in Slytherin. They're my friends from… home, by the way." she nods, still frowning confused. "What's wrong with Slytherin then?"

Dramatically as ever, the boys shudder in unison.

"Slytherin's churned out the most dark wizards in history. You can't trust 'em."

"And they're all a bunch of blood elitists meaning they think pure-blooded folks are better than muggleborns and halfbloods." They finish grimly. "Besides, who'd wanna be in the house of slimy Snape?"

Luna nods thoughtfully for a moment though she looks like she wants to argue. There's a pause and she looks at the door. "Is there anyone else joining us?"

Confused, she shakes her head, no.

But about five seconds later the door slides open to reveal a slightly frazzled Hermione, shortly followed by someone Ginny recognises to be Neville Longbottom.

"Have any of you seen Ron and Harry?" she breathes, looking panicked. " I haven't seen either of them on the train yet and I arrived early! Neville's helping me find them, by the way."

Very slowly, they all shake their heads.

"Ron's my brother and Harry's Harry Potter." Ginny fills in helpfully for Luna.

"Well the trains been moving for almost an hour already so they couldn't have gotten off. " says Luna beside her. "Are you sure they got on?"

Hermione nods. "Well if you guys are here then they must be here somewhere too." she reasons. "I'm Hermione Granger by the way. Second year."

"I'm Luna, first year." smiles Luna, leaning forward to shake her hand.

"Neville Longbottom." waves Neville shyly from behind Hermione.

Sighing frustrated, Hermione plops herself down in the spare space next to Ginny, and Luna budges herself along a bit to make room for Neville.

"Whatever," pouts Hermione. "We were gonna sit together but it doesn't really matter, I guess. I'll just yell at them when we get to Hogwarts." she says forlornly. It isn't really a big deal, to be honest, but Ginny can tell she's disappointed by it.

….

Luna's quite perceptive at these sorts of things. She's always been told that before too. Madame Yelena always told her it was one of her assets; a weapon she could use to bring down other people. But Luna doesn't want to bring down other people anymore. Someone who's going to be her friend (Luna's already decided on this) is feeling unhappy. Which is bad.

"Maybe you haven't found them yet because they're going through the train looking for you and you keep missing each other." She suggests cheerfully as she can. "They probably seem like the sort that will look around but not actually ask anyone, which might be why nobody's given you an answer."

The girl, Hermione, thinks on this for a second, frowning. "They are actually. How'd you know?"

Luna shrugs. "Well I think you're quite a headstrong girl, Hermione, and you're probably good at taking initiative, right?" She nods. "So usually, though not always, friends that are both like that will clash so it's a rather safe bet to assume your friends are different."

"That..." Says Hermione, eyes bright. "Actually makes a lot of sense."

Luna nods, "I know. Would you like some Skittles? I have some in my bag." She offers, putting her backpack on her lap and beginning to rummage through it.

"Yes please." Hermione says gratefully, relaxing a bit.

"What's Skittles?" Ask Fred and George. "Are they muggle things?"

"They're muggle sweets." Answers Hermione, reaching for the packet. "My favourites are the red ones."

They pass the sweets along and everyone seems relatively happy, even the timid boy called Neville Longbottom who sits beside her.

Luna sits there contentedly listening to the loud conversations of the Weasleys, Hermione and Lee, and thinks back to their earlier conversation.

Surely, Luna thinks, being in Slytherin can't automatically denote her to being a bad person. It's probably just some stereotype stemming from a few cases, as is most often with these things. And Ravenclaw is the house of wisdom. How could a house which focuses on intelligence possibly be boring? Luna frowns.

She wishes it was still another sleep before Hogwarts so she could still consult with Mr Loki for a bit. Not that her house will make that much if a difference to her but she wonders, given her new friends' receptions to her Houses of choosing, if they'd still be friends. Maybe in Ravenclaw, but Slytherin seems a whole different matter, almost like mentioning the name will start a war or something.

To be honest, she doesn't really mind what house she's in that much, just as long as she's happy there. And not too bored. But this shouldn't be a problem at a magical school. She supposes it would be better to just not think about it. After all, the decision doesn't lie with her, and she's always stuck to the general rule that 'worrying means you suffer twice', and it's probably a good rule to apply in this situation.

Luna pops an orange Skittle into her mouth and chews it thoughtfully. She wonders what her Avengers are doing at the moment, if they're worrying about her or missing her. And, after several months of their constant presence suddenly gone, she can truthfully say she misses them.

Outside, Scottish moors and heather capped mountains surround them and it's beautiful, it reminds her of that mission she took when she was eight and she had to accompany Madame Yelena and this old man to deliver a package. The scenery was a little different, it had been winter so there'd been snow, but the feeling she gets from it is the same, the same escapism and breath-taking awe.

The sun is beginning to set now and there's just about another hour and a half to go.

A/N- WAIT! Before you leave this page pls leave a comment on what you think Luna's house should be with reasons why! I'm at a bit of an impasse. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it :D

-Mercia.