She felt like it was a joke or a prank which was being played on her...as if Lavender will call her back any minute and ask her to not worry, because it was all a joke.

But time passed by...hours...and days. She never called and never responded to Luna's calls either.

She got called wierd names and all the girls from her class would simply just avoid her. Lavender dropped a detonator in her life, for which, she felt she didn't do anything to deserve it.

If anything, she had always been kind and nice to Lavender and always thought of her prior to herself.

Why would she do this? Why would anyone do this?

She was confused but more than that, she felt so weak because she couldn't handle any of it any further. The constant ignoring and people laughing mockingly at her from the corner was also becoming a walking nightmare which was sure to knock her in her tracks and drop her to the knees any minute now.

She wanted someone to fight for her, on her behalf...to say the truth.

All the people she had told about this incident were either cowards to not admit that Lavender was entirely wrong or were probably saying things from their own motives, which were hidden and unsure.

And one day, she decided to not ask anyone anymore. Because she was tired of explaining to people and her spirits had given up at this point too.

Seemed like...she was falling and nobody was there to catch her.

Even Harry, who she thought was going to stay by her side and protect her endlessly had a biased opinion. She felt like she didn't know anyone and she could trust anyone anymore.

It all got to a point where she started to believe that either she was wrong or everybody else was.

Her cheeks were marked with stains of tears which had been streaming out of her eyes all afternoon, but now, she got up from her couch and went straight in the shower.

She didn't remember the last time she ate a proper meal after this horrific incident.

Tuning on the shower, she stood beneath the water, closing her eyes, wanting to punish herself for something she didn't herself know what.

Her brain wouldn't leave her alone for even a split second, not even in the shower. She kept going through the list of people in her head... And if there was someone who could hear her out and be honest to her.

She picked up her mint green bathrobe which was gifted to her by one of her friends, Polly.

And that's when she remembered, Polly, who was a psychic medium and maybe...she could help her.

But they haven't talked in three year. Luna didn't even know where Polly was and did she still do these readings.

But Polly felt like her last shot.

She got out immediately, dripping half wet and phoned her.

"Who's this?" A mature and stiff voice of a female from the other end.

"I ...um." Luna cleared her throat before speaking "Polly, this is Luna. I, actually, want to meet. It's something urgent."

There was a silence for a couple seconds as if Polly was trying to remember.

"Oh ... Luna. I actually am not in town. However, I'll be coming tonight. But it might be late for you..."

Luna cut her off midway, "I'm up for it. When and where would you be?"

"Around 10 pm, I'll get home but it might take slightly longer."

"Thanks Polly. If you're okay, I'll stop by at 10:20."

She was munching on some crisps and watching something on TV. But she wasn't even looking at the Television, her eyes were fixated upon the clock and she was waiting for the clock to strike 9 because that would be when she would start getting ready.

Although, it didn't take her this long to get ready however, she'd do anything to avoid the dark pit she was falling into.

It was about time and she sat in front of the mirror, examining herself, before the rumors and after. Was there any difference?

She turned away when she felt her eyes prickle with tears and that was the last thing she wanted to do now because she had cried a lot...enough, at least today.

She threw on a regular pair of denim and a beige floral shirt and kept some bills in her handbag, just in case.

It was dark outside when she pulled in front of Polly's residence. It looked normal, like a normal house, she thought. She herself didn't know why was she expecting something different.

Polly opened the door, her eyebags were the first things Luna noticed. Polly seemed exceptionally tired and Luna felt regret for coming instantly.

"Hey...are you okay? You seem tired." Luna looked at her intently with concern.

"Oh don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. I would have stayed up even if you hadn't showed up." Polly closed the door behind them.

She guided Luna to her drawing room which had a muted brown theme going on. Luna felt comfortable already, slightly better.

Maybe it was a good decision to come to Polly.

Polly had prepared matcha tea for Luna and they both sipped their teas during the time Luna explained everything that came down recently in her life.

"Polly, I was in the shower and somehow, you struck me and I had no other option but to come to you because I remembered that you're a psychic. But I swear, I don't wanna ask you if anything. Your hospitality has been more than anything I could ask for."

Polly sat like a statue in front of her, absorbing everything that Luna said without interrupting.

"Initially, I thought a lot and I needed help. That's why I came to you. But I feel that your company is quite therapeutic." Luna said feeling her tensed expressions softening and a relaxation settling in.

"Oh dear" Polly was Luna's age, maybe an year or two older but she had this caring, motherly energy which was so warm. "I will be transparent. That's what I can promise. You don't deserve this Luna."

"Yes Polly..." Luna's voice cracking, she felt her tears coming.

"These people shouldn't have treated you this way. They don't deserve you." She spoke staring in silence with a cold, unwavering voice.

Luna wasn't so close to Polly but somehow, her words felt like a shield, reassuring. She felt a confidence in her air.

"Come on... let's go." Polly said

"Where?" Luna looked at Polly who was standing now.

"To see what's going on with you and with them."

Polly said and moved out of the room, Luna following her and they went upstairs and inside a chamber, vintage but clean.

Luna saw a skull, a hand, cards, runes, a ball, crystals adorning a mahogany table and many many things which she didn't even recognise. There was a smoky scent lingering in the air which felt inviting just like Polly's presence.