Disclaimer: I own nothing. All hail the Queen!
Luna meandered down a deserted corridor during her free period. She usually took this time to wander the castle and find new secrets it beheld. She hummed softly as she perused through the latest issue of The Quibbler.
"Pardon me, young lady!"
Luna's head popped up quickly, looking to see the person that matched the voice which had called out. The corridor was empty however. Luna shrugged and continued to hum to herself as she flipped through her magazine.
"I say! Miss!"
Luna turned again. "Hello?" she called airily.
"Over here. To your left."
Luna turned to the indicated side and saw a man in the portrait waving to her. Luna thought something seemed familiar about his long white goatee, pointed face, and sunken eyes.
"Good day, sir," Luna greeted.
"Good day, young lady. What, pray tell, is that which you are reading?"
Luna held up the magazine. "This is The Quibbler. My Daddy is the editor and owner."
"A learned man he must be, no?"
"Indeed he is," she beamed. "But what makes you say so?"
"I couldn't help but notice as you passed. There is mention on the front of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack."
"You know of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack?" she gushed excitedly.
"Of course, my dear. I used to hunt them back in my day."
Luna gasped. "For sport?"
The portrait waved its hands. "Not in that way, miss. I meant that I would track them and study them. Fearfully fascinating creatures they were. But elusive and rare."
"Daddy has been searching for clues about them for ages. However did you find them?"
"With much patience, my dear. Yes, much patience."
"Please do tell me about them."
A bell tolled signaling the end of the period.
"Oh, no!" Luna cried. "I have a class in ten minutes. Oh, but I'd much rather hear about the Snorkack."
"I won't hear of it. You must to class."
"Can I visit you later? Please, I would love to hear your stories."
"Visit anytime you like, miss."
"Oh, thank you, Mister… Erm."
"You may call me Salazar."
"Lovely to meet you. I'm Luna. Luna Lovegood."
"A pleasure. Now to class with you."
Luna waved to the portrait of Salazar as she hurried down the corridor to her next class.
Luna returned to Salazar's portrait every day over the next fortnight. He regaled her with stories of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack and other manner of rare beasts he had encountered. Luna was a great listener, enthralled by his adventures and hanging on every word.
"Oh, Salazar," she breathed one evening. "How I wish you weren't just a portrait. You are the only one who seems to understand me. Well, besides Daddy. You've never once called me Loony."
"I never think of you as loony, my dear. I have rather enjoyed our talks of late. It seems everyone is too busy to spend time with a mere painting."
Luna sighed. "I'll be leaving in a few hours. It's Christmas holiday and I'm going home to see Daddy. I'm worried about him. Things aren't going so well in the world anymore."
"I'm very sorry to hear that, Luna. Do take care of yourself. I look forward to your return."
"Happy Christmas, Salazar." Luna waved and then turned to make her way back to her dormitory to prepare to head home.
Salazar waited for two weeks in the nearly empty castle. He went to visit some of his other portrait friends but none brought him as much joy as his time with Luna. Finally students returned from their homes for the holidays. Salazar brimmed with excitement, eagerly waiting for his friend's return, but she never came.
A/N: I've never written Salazar/Luna before. In fact I've never written any crossgen before and only once have attempted anything with Salazar. I hope this turned out ok.
Written for gunner brat for second place in The Charlie Weasley Competition. Enjoy