Two years later
"Loony Lovegood! Where's your hat?"
"Useless asking, Terry. She probably doesn't know what that is! Or a Nargle got her. If such a thing existed….
"Nargles exist," was all Luna could say. "But they only live in mistletoe."
"Oh, of course! We should have known!"
"Doesn't your father teach you anything? Or is he too busy writing up reports about the Triple-Horned Snorkack and all the rubbish in that paper of his?"
"That isn't what it's called," she cried," and DO NOT INSULT MY FATHER!"
The classroom door swung open, revealing, as Luna realized hopefully, a mane of burnt orange.
"What," said Ginny," do you think you are doing?"
Terry, Ernie and Justin stared at her coolly. "This isn't your business, Weasley,"Ernie said. "Move out."
"This is my business," said Ginny, her eyes flaring. "She's my friend, which makes it my business. Leave her alone."
"Or what?" Ernie challenged.
"Or," said Ginny, "Tarantegrella!"
As Ernie started dancing, Ginny led Luna out and closed the door. " What happened?"
Luna shook her head.
"Don't worry. You can trust me."
She felt the warm pressure of a comforting embrace on her shoulders, a sensation she had not experienced since her mother was alive. All the pain and hurt and anger came rushing back, demanding to be felt.
Then and there, the tears began to flow.
Ginny led her to the girls' bathroom, then let her cry, her head on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Luna said, breaking away shyly.
Ginny looked at her, trusting, reassuring, protecting. Her eyes were the same colour as her hair, but not the same shade; they were embers, ready to spark.
She told her.
Her entire life, poured out to an almost-stranger.
Her mother death. Her father's ways. Her ways.
Ginny understood her like her mother did. Not pushing, not prying; just being there, supporting, loving. And, when the two of them walked into the Great Hall for dinner, Luna felt the magic of friendship.