Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, places, spells etc... they belong to JKR! - And also I do not own the 'Blibbering Hummdinger'

Quick Note: Thanks once again to my brilliant beta-reader je suis l.m!

Oh and 'sedodamnums' roughly translates from the Latin phrase 'Calm loss'. I'm not sure if they are real (well to Luna they will be).

The chapter title refers to Luna's litteral hunger, but also her desire for something else. (The latter will remain ambiguous for now I think =)

Anyway, on with the story. I hope you enjoy this chapter!


Luna summoned what courage she could, and attempted to apparate—on her own, since Neville's helping hand was no longer available.

She could feel herself trying to squeeze through the dimensions of space as her magic helped her along; it held her up, like a walking stick. She felt it pull her through the loop of the continuum, the sensation was strong and headmost to Luna's strength. But, despite its power, it felt more like guidance than force. She opened her eyes and braced herself to feel that lovely sense of relief upon arriving back home: the one in which she would vow never to take danger for granted again. That feeling never seemed to last for very long. Like a New Year's resolution, Luna herself never made them. She did not need to make changes at the start of the year: why wait all year when something was within your control to change already? If she wanted to try something, she would not wait for the first of January.

Of course, she had not gone anywhere when she opened her eyes. But she had definitely felt the pulling sensation in her stomach. She waited for a second, and the feeling came again, but she was puzzled as, this time, it occurred without her attempt at wandless magic.

It was indeed her stomach, but it was only rumbling. She lowered her head to her knees, where it stayed for a while, and waited for the hunger pangs to take their leave. Perhaps someone had left a 'do not feed the prisoner' sign on her door. The last thing she had eaten had been her cereal the other morning, and even that had wound up as enchanted breakfast-bowl art. She remembered swirling the wheat hoops around with her finger—some had disappeared beneath the surface and some bobbed like spherical boats. The remains made up a canvas, open for Luna's imagination to see what it would. She had seen a pack of wolves, a snowman, rows of doors and a strange set of moon earrings. It had not meant anything at all, and just been frivolous fun. Molly had watched Luna's barely eaten breakfast disappear down the drain with worry.

It was one thing about working for the order: Luna was often so busy, worried or tired that barely one meal a day made it to her stomach. Not that it had bothered Luna much; she remembered thinking she would just put any weight she had lost back on again as soon as her father arrived for Christmas—one of his more recent letters included a full account of a new recipe he had been trying: blueberry and elderflower teacakes.

It had sounded so wonderful that Luna's stomach had made itself known as she read, and reread, the letter. According to her father, the two flavours worked together to promote good justice. Luna, in general, was a good judge already, so she had doubted she would need to eat many.

Luna would see her father again. She would make it out of this horrible place soon. She had to keep telling herself so; otherwise she was not sure what she would do. Go mad?

Harry and Ron would laugh if they were here: whether they liked Luna or not, they did not hide the fact that most people thought Luna to be bonkers already.

'One more time...' Luna muttered, deciding to give escape another go.

Once again, her way was blocked by some sort of charm; she could not push past it to use her wandless magic. She wondered, for a moment, where her wand was now.

Probably, she thought, in the hand of Pansy, being swirled around in the air as though it truly belonged to her. It didn't though, and it never would. If only a dementor would appear in the burrow! Then Pansy's patronus would prove who she was. For Pansy, Luna saw an ethereal, silver sloth. They tended to hug trees as they slept, and it would not look too different from when Pansy had stalked around the castle holding Draco Malfoy's arm close to her, as though it was a baby in need of nurturing. Luna never really got the impression he held Pansy in any kind of light. He probably just saw her as a fan girl, following his every move and hanging on his every word. It was easily possible, thought Luna, that that was what Draco imagined Harry's life to be like.

Under all those spiteful looks and nasty comments, Luna could see the only thing he really disliked about Harry was the fact that he could make Draco jealous, where no one else could.

Jealousy was such a foreign thing to Luna, like a word in a different language one can never quite grasp.

Luna lost herself inside; she no longer noticed as she withdrew into her mind. It just happened naturally, like breathing or something.

She held onto her precious thoughts with small ribbons in her head, keeping them grounded and close to her, for she knew all things made within the mind were valuable.

What would her brain look like? Luna thought of a large headdress with crazy spirals jumping away from it in strange directions. They would appear pink to the eye but, to a trained one, would have no colour of their own. Each thought would form a different pattern and then, as a whole, all thoughts would bind into a strange sort of cloud.

Her eyes followed the greying bricks around the walls, counting as she went. So far she had three hundred and ninety one. Luna hoped there would be enough to make a multiple of eighteen. In Hebrew, eighteen meant chai, or 'life', and the number was often considered a good omen of life and luck: Luna knew the unfailing magic in both would help.

Luna's pupils dilated wide, making her eyes, for a second, appear black. She was beyond reach of the average world, letting herself fly back home on an invisible broomstick. In fact, it almost felt like running. Two or four (she couldn't be sure) strong legs let her gallop back to her friends and her father. The wind did not blow her hair behind her; it sort of rippled around her face instead. A few spare strands obscured her eyes, but she kept running. Her mind uncontrollable with the need for freedom, and her eyes lost in a vision none but Luna could see; she did not hear the cough at first.

Neither did she hear the grunt nor feel the haste with which she was pulled to her feet. But she was soon enough thrust inside a room by a cloaked figure whom, until then, might have been but a mark on her spectrespecs. Had she been walking? It was hard to tell.

Some people say that they often lost themselves in their head, their thoughts up there in the clouds. In Luna's case, it was pretty much literal.

She stood before Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, and suddenly had the urge to greet them like old friends; it had been more than three days since Luna had last seen anyone (a rarity, even for someone so used to being alone.)

'Your Father has written,' said Narcissa, her voice cold.

'Oh yes, I expected he would. He writes every week, you know, since he's been away in Australia.' Luna couldn't help feeling proud.

'Yes, but Pansy's gotten herself stuck writing a reply.'

'Oh,' Luna said, not really interested. She looked around the room, taking things in for the first time. This was not the room she had been led to three days ago, the room in which her body had suffered torture beyond anything she had ever known. No, this room looked like it had been pulled straight out of some enchanted, though undeniably dark, castle. There were no coffins, or skulls, or even many things black. But every ornament seemed to tell Luna that she did not belong there, that this was not a place for innocent 'little girls'.

'Luna, you are to—' Narcissa began, but Luna cut her off.

'—to write the reply for her so as not to arise suspicion?' Luna said.

Ignoring the interruption, Narcissa nodded. She pointed to a seat, which Luna took—glad to have suitable place to sit again.

A quill and parchment were already set down before her, on a wooden desk. Next to them lay a letter that Luna grabbed for instantly.

She knew her heart would leap upon seeing her father's writing. It always did, but this time it would be with a greater bound than normal. Here would be something that proved she was missed and loved.

Narcissa knelt next to Luna and stared into her eyes.

'Luna, are you eating enough?' she said with a kind of concern.

'Normally I do.'

'Normally?'

'I've had nothing while I've been here.' she replied honestly. The only thing she'd had was a phial of water, and even that probably went straight to work hydrating her mouth after a taste of the cruciatus curse.

'I gave the elf the order.' Narcsissa seemed offended, as though she were suggesting Luna had made a mistake. Had she eaten? Luna thought not. Her already tiny wrists had shrunken to doll-sized.

Although it was probably self-destructive thinking, Luna wished they would shrink more. She had never been too worried about her looks; no, it wasn't that. But if they could only get a little smaller, she might be able to slip them through her handcuffs which, after three consecutive days on her wrists, were beginning to leave red-ringed marks.

She looked at them with a sort of smile. The wounds hurt but looked a little pretty.Cherry bangles

Narcissa had moved closer and was examining the marks herself. Luna noted her hands, although not as bad as her own, were thin too.

What a lovely shadow puppet show they could make. Twenty thin fingers bending into wonderful shapes under a yellow glow light.

'I don't think you need those back on when you return to your cell.'

Draco seemed as though he wanted to protest. Apparently the idea of an unshackled enemy disturbed him.

Sensing her son's forthcoming objections, Narcissa spoke coldly to Luna. 'It's not like you'll go anywhere, anyway.'

Draco returned to his quiet state.

'Draco, dear, I really need to be going now. Make sure Bella gives Pansy my love.' She kissed her son on the forehead which, in the presence of Luna, clearly made him uncomfortable. Luna did not understand why and doubted she ever would—she loved her father far too much to care what people thought of them.

Luna watched Narcissa go, hearing her hushed whisper to her son as she went: 'Watch her, Draco, and, for goodness sake, make sure the elves get her food to her room. Don't worry, I'll be having words with your dear Aunt.'

This caught Luna's attention. Had Bellatrix really been so cruel as to prevent Luna from eating? Perhaps she did want Luna to die eventually. But instead of from a quick and, relatively, painless incantation, she would simply let her waste away. Luna thought about it, then quickly dismissed such a silly observation: Bellatrix was far too insane to take pleasure in killing anything if it did not include a curse sent by her own wand.

Draco stood close behind her after the far door had shut. Luna felt an uneasiness sweep over her, and, for once, it had nothing to do with the sedodamnums that flickered through auras, taking all calmness with them so that their victims were left feeling oddly nervous about something, though they did not know what. When people said they had a feeling they had forgotten something, Luna knew the real cause was a nearby gathering of the spiky winged creatures. They were invisible, though, so they did not have a large number of believers.

Luna thought it strange when people did not believe in things just because they were invisible. At times like that, she would point out that the wind and the coldness of winter had no physical form. People could act very oddly sometimes.

She felt her hand grip a quill and looked up to see Draco closing her fingers around it.

'Do what you're told!' he commanded. His temper did not frighten her.

She began to write before remembering she did not yet know what to reply to. Luna picked up her father's letter.

Holding it in her hand, she took her time to read it, not sure if they would let her keep this precious gift after she'd finished assisting them.

My Dearest Luna,

The locals here are continually friendly. I really did not expect to feel so welcome! I think we should make this next year's Holiday, what do you reckon?

Charlie and Wilhelmina's daughter has been asking after you. She says she would love to see your necklace, you know the one with your patronus leaping around the pendant? Apparently hers is a bunny. Not a hare I know, but it seemed close, so I was wondering if you'd mind making her one like yours?We saw the strangest group of Muggles yesterday too; you know I think they're starting to impersonate vampires! All that dark hair and clothes and stark white skin (and in Australia too! Can you believe it?)

It was awful news to hear about poor Astoria. I was starting to think there might be hope for Slytherin, and then they go and kill one of their own? And we always thought Voldemort tended to show mercy to purebloods! Starting a Muggleborn charity though...a very brave and gallant last act if ever there was one. I really hope you're enjoying your stay at the burrow. I expect you've finally managed to put on a bit—with Molly's cooking, I'll be surprise if you haven't!

I'd better leave it there tonight darling, for the man I'm staying with is hosting a party later and I'm learning to decorate in their style. Wish me luck!Love Daddy

xxx-xxx-xxx

(Luna's Father always gave her nine kisses. It was half of eighteen after all.)

Turning it over, Luna saw her Father's newest attempt at the Blueberry/Elderflower experiment. He probably expected her to try it out with Molly Weasley. Luna hoped Pansy would do that for her; Molly would be quite pleased if she offered to share a secret recipe, especially one that was still in the making.

Luna's reply was short and sweet, commenting on things he'd said—she agreed with what he'd said about Astoria. When she was almost finished, inspiration struck. Her muse (an imaginary fairy she had named Elvina, which meant 'noble friend') blew an idea through her ears, it was a quiet noise, so Draco did not hear; he would not see her muse either, since she had no form. Luna had heard somewhere that prisoners often used purposeful mistakes in letters to reveal hidden messages. Had a muggle queen not done so once as she awaited her death in a high London tower?

And so it was: Luna dropped her 'h' from father, her 'e' from lovely, her 'l' from Molly, and Percy Weasley became Ercy. When she was done, she held the finished letter out to Draco. She had also added an extra four kisses, just for 'luck'. There was irony in that which, although not being a huge fan of the stuff, Luna delighted in.

Draco read, reread and re-reread the letter until Luna was pretty sure his eyes would keep flicking from left to right without him any the wiser.

He frowned a few times, and then his face turned cold, accusing, and somewhat amused at the same time. This only entertained Luna and, had she not realised she had been found out, she might have laughed.

'Think I'm stupid do you, Lovegood?'

Luna's eyes widened: the single most innocent gesture them human face could manage. 'Pardon?' she asked

'You really didn't think I'd miss your bad 'spelling' did you?' He threw the letter at her and Luna caught it with a shaking hand. She was always shaking lately.

'Write it again.' She did. She knew if she had more energy she might have attempted a different code but, as it was, she had nothing left to fuel her brain. It felt like it was just flopping around idly in her head while she tried, still, to draw things out of it.

Luna did not know why but at that moment she felt the urge to ask something that had been puzzling her for a while now.

'Draco, what is it the dark lord has that you want?' she asked, still writing.

'What did you say?'

'What does he have that you want?'

'It's none of your business, so stay out.' He sounded angry, but Luna needed to ask.

'It's just that, well, he has so many followers, but what is he promising all of them? I mean, they won't all want the same thing, so how is he going to make all of them happy? On top of killing Harry, the order and muggleborns. And then he's got that body to see to.' She trailed off, upon seeing something arise in Draco's eyes that she had never seen before.

'You're smart, Luna,' Draco mused

His hand had reached her before she knew it. His hit was hard, and Luna felt her face thud with the furious blood pumping erratically through her cheek.

'But—' he pulled her upwards so that she slammed into the back of her chair, his arm crossed over her shoulders. His voice chilled her burning cheek when he spoke: '—not good enough!'

He let her go and stood behind her once again, but not before Luna saw how his hands trembled, and from this she understood: her words had held the truth and had frightened him—whatever his motives were for aiding Voldemort, they obviously made him rather vulnerable.

'Question me like that again and I'll—' he started.

'You won't do anything.' In a fact-like tone Luna spoke. She knew he wouldn't properly hurt her; she could imagine it written in his guilty eyes.

Draco Malfoy had a loud, aggressive bark, but he was nothing to be feared. Luna could sense a coward when she met one.

'Don't flatter yourself, Lovegood. You annoy me, and you'll pay.' Luna was still not scared. His words were threatening, but they didn't actually threaten. Empty words, in Luna's ears.

When the letter was finished she handed him it. He smirked and set it down by Luna's discarded quill, which she had arranged so that the feathers pointed where she felt a southern pull. Like all your fellow feathered friends, she thought happily.

Draco walked her to the door, where she was met by the same cloaked figure as before, or at least his feet seemed the same. (It was the only part of him she could distinguish.) They stuck out at strange angles and what with that and his jet robes, he gave Luna the somewhat comical impression of a depressed penguin. She did not share this observation with him for fear of offending the man. It had never been common knowledge what wonderful creatures penguins were, and Luna was sure a death eater would not appreciate the compliment.

Then, it was on her way back to the dungeons that Elvina made herself known, brewing a plan in her mind. Up ahead was a large fork, a left corridor and a right. Luna felt the death eater close to her. He must be an inch away. He had his wand out too; she'd seen it when Draco had opened the door.

This much she was sure of: haste would be a must.

The death eater seemed a little out of it for a second when Luna turned to face him. She pointed to the ceiling and screamed in a shrill voice: 'Watch out! It's a Blibbering Hummdinger!'

The cloaked man promptly checked behind him. Luna supposed her screech had done the trick.

Catch them off guard, she thought. Those had become four of Harry's favourite words

She would have only a second, but that was enough. Her hair flew around her in a swirling concoction of yellow hues, and her earrings bounced happily with their red beads tinkling like bells.

Too desperate to think twice, Luna ran.