Chapter 21
The whole day Jack was just walking around without really knowing where he was. If it weren't for his friends he would most likely had come late to every single lesson. After lunch they had a free class so Jack decided he needed some air. The others didn't seem to like that idea.
"Are you sure you want to be alone? You seem kind of strange today." Asked Harry.
"You look a bit sick, maybe you should go to the Hospital wing." Told him Hermione. Jack just wanted to get out. He just mumbled something about not sick and went out before someone could hinder him.
He was walking over the school grounds deeply sunken in his thoughts. He didn't even notice that he had come to the rand of the Forbidden Forest.
He looked around, there was no one to be so found so he decided it would be safe to enter. He wasn't scared of some magical creatures. He himself was, kind of, one too.
After a while of walking around he was a bit disturbed that the forest was so quiet. He would like it more when the animals in there would make some noises. This unnatural quiet was like a nightmare, as if it only purpose was to scare someone and drive them insane.
And then he heard it. It was the sound of footsteps and leathery wings. He started to walk toward the sound. His bare feet hardly touching the icy ground.
When he emerged at a clearing he could see it.
It was Luna. She was standing in the middle of the clearing feeding those fearling like creatures.
"Hello Jack." Said Luna without even looking in his direction.
"Hey Luna. What are you doing here?"
"The same as you. I needed some time to think."
"I', sorry if I bother you. I can go again if..."
"It's all right. You don't bother me. It's nice to speak to someone who doesn't stare at you from time to time." She said with a small smile on her lips.
"Yeah I know what you mean." Jack said. The girls in school were starting to freak him out. They were outright creepy with their stares, the giggles and the little wolf like packs.
"So what are those things?" He asked.
"They are Thestrals. Some think they are death omens."
"And are they... I mean...?"
"No they are not. But people tend to associate them with death because just those who have seen death can see them."
"So you saw someone die?"
"My mom. But we should probably head back before someone misses you."
"You mean before someone misses us?"
"No. Nobody really notices when I'm gone. I think they are glad when I'm not there so they don't have to think about how to act around me."
"That seems really wrong. You know what. Why don't you sit with us for dinner?"
"I would like that." She said with her dreamy voice.
Jack started to like her more and more. She seemed really nice with that dreamy look in her ice blue eyes and that soft long hair,... whoa Jack stop there. You won't fall in love here. She probably doesn't even like you like that.
Jack was starting to get a bit confused. Did he like Luna more than a friend and if yes what did that mean?
Jack only got out of his thoughts when they entered the Great Hall and he saw Dumbledore. He remembered the meeting they had after dinner.
"Still want me to join you?" Asked Luna seemingly taking his pausing as a wish for her to go away.
"Of course. I just remembered something I have to do after dinner." He answered hastily. She smiled at that.
"Come on let's find the others."
At first it seemed like the others were a bit awkward around Luna but Jack wouldn't be the Guardian of fun if he didn't know how to make such awkward moments fun. To the end of the dinner they had all cramps from laughing. The loudest was Luna. Jack couldn't but notice that he really liked her laughter.