I do get lost. I round another corner and sigh in frustration. It feels like it's been hours since Neville left me at the doors of the Great Hall, and all I've seen since are walls, windows, stairs and cupboard doors.
I pause at one of the many windows overlooking the grounds around Hogwarts and try to remember everything I read about Hogwarts and try to map it in my head. Unfortunately I was always so busy reading about the characters that I didn't pay much attention to mapping. Still, it really was beautiful here, stunning actually.
Still in awe I continue my search for something familiar. I started mumbling to myself: ''Let's see, I went right up the stairs when I left the Great Hall, which might not have been the brightest idea, bloody stairs, and then I went left? I think it was left, or was it righ-''
It all went so fast that I didn't have time to protect myself from the blow, which resulted in me scraping my right knee and twisting my right wrist. It hurt like hell.
''You idiot! Mumbling fool. Are you blind?''
Wrapping my left hand around my hurt wrist I look up. A blond, pale man looked down on me with a look as if I was something dirty that just soiled his shoe.
''Oh, It's you. I heard you were somewhere in the castle, I just hoped I wouldn't bump into you.'' The man smirked at his own pathetic joke. Suddenly I realized who was standing in front of me.
''You're Draco Malfoy!'' I exclaimed. Draco raised an eyebrow. ''Yes, I see, they were right as well when they said you were daft as a duck.'' He brushed of some invisible dust of his jacket and stepped past me.
''Oh well, don't get up for me. Lovely chat.'' He gave me a curt nod and continued his way as if he didn't just leave someone injured on the ground. I turned so I could watch him walk away.
Was this the Draco Malfoy I fantasized about? He looked exactly like I expected him to look, amazing body, bright eyes, but he also turned out to be a giant prat. As if hearing my last thought and wanting to emphasize it even more Draco stopped and turned just before rounding the corner and yelled out to me.
''Next time you should look out, you might just put someone in St. Mungo's with that gigantic arse of yours.'' I tried to get up while thinking of a hex to throw his way, but put my weight on my hurt wrist and fell over again ''Luckily,'' I thought, ''I have a gigantic arse to soften my landing. I cursed inwardly a few times; ''Bloody Malfoy, bloody wrist, bloody everything!''
''What are you doing on the ground?'' A melodious voice came from behind me. I turned to see who I had the pleasure of meeting this time, and my face instantly brightened at the sight of her. No one other than-
''Luna! Luna Lovegood!'' I struggled again to get up, and with some help of Luna I finally managed to stand on my own feet again. ''Oh, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you.'' I said with relief clear in my voice.
Luna stared at me thoughtfully and after a while opened her mouth. ''But how do you know who I am if I have never met you?'' I blushed a little at this and couldn't tell her that it was due to the kiwi's hanging from her ears and het dreamy expression. Until I realized I wasn't me, I was the girl who had followed classes with her all through her years at Hogwarts, she should recognize me.
''Don't be silly Luna, it's me: Charlotte! We were at Hogwarts together.'' I saw this still didn't ring a bell. ''We followed the same classes for seven years.'' I added.
Luna shook her head. ''No, yes, but no. You are Charlotte, I can see that, but you're not the same Charlotte. You have a different vibe around you.'' Luna explained and though it was true I couldn't bring myself to tell her how it was; the last two people I told declared me mad.
''It's a long story.'' I said as I brushed of the dust of my clothes. Luna made a noise as if agreeing and said: ''I feel like we need cake.'' I look up and see she's dead serious.
''What?'' ''Cake, chocolate cake. Let's go and see if the elves have cake.'' Luna started walking at a quick pace leaving me behind. She was already close to the corned I watched Draco turn when I realized I was watching my personal guide and only way out of this maze disappear and I quickly limped after her.
I entered the kitchen and for the third time this day I was stunned into silence. I have dreamt about this kitchen so often. My fingers were starting to itch, this kitchen called to me, begging me to use it's ovens and bake something.
''Are you coming?'' Luna had already sat down at one of the long tabled and was conversing with one of the elves. ''You don't have chocolate cake?'' Luna asked the elf disappointed. The house elf shook his abnormally large head. I was intrigued, here was a creature standing in front of me that I had never seen before, and yet, it seemed so familiar.
''How about chocolate cookies?'' The elf shook his head even harder, causing his ears to flop against his forehead.
''What if I bake you something?'' I offered. ''You did help me to my feet, and you can probably show me the way back to Neville's rooms late.'' Luna looked at me thoughtfully. ''Plus,'' I added, looking around the kitchen, ''I would love to bake in this kitchen, it's so big!'' I couldn't help it.
I was in the kitchen of Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Where Hermione worked hard for her believes in equality for all creatures, Harry and Ron had snuck in to get treats and where Fred and George had gathered food for legendary Gryffindor Common room parties. I needed to bake in here. I looked at the house elf. ''May I?'' The elf nodded eagerly, happy to be of any help. I smiled. ''Can you help me find the ingredients for plain chocolate muffins?'' The elf shot of at once.
''Won't you mind waiting? I promise it'll be great, worth your wait.'' Luna shrugged. ''I really, really want some chocolate, and this way I get chocolate and you have the time to tell me who you really are. I blushed.
''Honestly Luna, what are you talking about.'' I nervously run my hand through my hair and wince. ''Ouch!'' I cry out in pain, for a second I had forgotten the throbbing pain in my wrist. Luna got up and took my hand in hers, examining it.
''It looks like it's just bruised. Do you want me to fix this?'' I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. Luna whipped out her wand and tapped my wrist softly. As soon as the wand touched my wrist the pain was replaced with a warm, glowing feeling, a little annoying, but much better.
''There, better now?'' Luna asked, as she put her wand away. I nodded again and let a sob escape my mouth.
''Oh Luna, it was awful. He was nothing like I expected him to be.'' I sat down on the nearest surface, which happened to be a foot stool.
''Who was?'' Luna asked kindly. ''Draco.'' I sniffed. ''Malfoy.'' I added bitterly. Luna patted my back sympathetically. ''Yes, he's not very nice, is he?'' I shook my head. ''And I always thought he was just misunderstood. I am such a fool!'' Hot, angry tears spilled over my cheeks now. I quickly wiped them away with the sleeves of my sweater. I growled.
''Argh, Charlotte, stop this.'' I said aloud. ''Stop crying over a pathetic bully who doesn't mean anything to you and get yourself back together. I got up, sniffed a few more times and turned to Luna.
''Let's bake.''
A/N: I'm a terrible updater, I know. I lost my laptop last summer and it had the beginning of this chapter on it and I just lost the courage to continue. But recently I've started doing things I really enjoy again, and one of them is writing. I hope you like this chapter! I think I have an idea about where this is going exactly. If you see anything that doesn't add up, let me know! It's been a while since I've written. Enjoy!