It's been a while, huh? Cx Well, we've got three POVs in this chapter, not just Luna. Mostly her, but there is also Simon and Jack. :D

"I should probably go back to the castle, huh, Cassandra?" Simon asked the lizard, glancing up at the sunset. "I wouldn't want to get in trouble."

He set his pet lizard down, watched it scurry into its home, and headed back to the castle. He'd been having a good day so far. Sure, a few nights ago Colin Creevey of Gryffindor house had been petrified, but he would probably be fine.

It was rather ominous-looking in the school. Nobody was around, not even a few seventh years scurrying back from the library or Slytherins looking for a first year to pester. The sun shining through the windows made odd shadows on the floor, and Simon spent a good amount of time looking at his reflection in a suit of armor.

Hold on, was that something moving behind him? He looked closer at the armor. Yes, it was-

Daddy-

Simon has gotten petrified.

Luna

Luna finished the letter hastily and sent it on its way, biting her lip. She really was worried. She'd gone to see Simon, and he'd just been so… lifeless. Lifeless and dead. But he wasn't dead. No… he'd be fine with the mandrakes, she'd been told.

But it would be… it would be hard.

[linelineline]

"Luna! You should come to the dueling club with me!" Piggy said. Luna heard Bill snicker and glanced around, forgetting that Simon had been petrified for a moment. "Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Nobody could have fun with you around, Fatty," Bill said, smirking and walking out the door. Michael Corner and a reluctant-looking Terry Boot followed him, Michael Corner throwing something at them on the way out.

It was a crudely drawn picture of Luna, Piggy, and Simon labeled 'The Losers Club.' Luna's hair was all over the place, and she looked insane. Piggy's bulk took up half of the entire page. Simon was dead.

"They shouldn't do that," Piggy said, pushing up his glasses, and glaring. Luna crumpled the paper and threw it in the fire, watching the flames engulf it. "Let's go, okay?"

The Great Hall was packed. Luna looked for Roger and saw him by Maurice, who seemed to be reenacting the Quidditch game that Harry Potter had broken his arm in. He stopped halfway through to send a grin Luna's way and nudge and wink at Roger. Roger glanced at her and turned red. Luna felt her face heat up as well and she looked away.

She was crushed between Piggy and a Gryffindor first year – the one with the twin. He grinned at her and turned back to his twin. The two were bothering a handsome blond who was glaring at the redheaded Slytherin.

People were interesting.

Professors Lockhart and Snape wandered onstage. Luna admired Professor Lockhart's robes; they were a rather nice shade of purple.

Professor Lockhart said an introduction but Luna wasn't paying much attention, she was busy watching Roger Greyback try to get out of Maurice's hug. Luna wasn't quite sure why Maurice was giving him a hug, but she wasn't bothered by it. It was a little weird, sure, but she wasn't judging them.

Oh, Snape and Lockhart were doing something! Luna watched, not even caring that the twin she was closest to was pressed uncomfortably close to her.

"As you see, we are holding our wands in the expected combatant position. On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."

"I hope they both die," the handsome blond Gryffindor said. The twins laughed.

"One – two – three –"

Snape was faster with an 'expelliarmus', sending Lockhart flying into a wall. Luna saw Roger and the rest of his group of Slytherins cheer. Maurice was grinning widely, one arm still slung across Roger's shoulders. Luna looked away.

Lockhart got up, sputtering excuses. Snape looked like he wanted to kill someone.

"Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me –"

Piggy reached for Luna, but she shrugged him off and went for Roger, who had been left partnerless as Maurice was paired off with Jack. "Miss…?"

"Lovegood."

"You partner up with Mister Greyback for this exercise, I believe," Professor Snape said. Luna nodded and smiled at Roger, who looked extremely uncomfortable. Luna glanced around. They were among some of the only boy-girl partners in the room. Piggy was trying and failing to get the attention of his partner, the handsome blond Gryffindor. The twins were grinning brightly at each other.

"Face your partners and bow!"

Luna bowed, noticing that Roger didn't. She didn't mention it.

"Wands at the ready! When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent – only to disarm them – we don't want any accidents – one… two… three…"

Luna had barely enough time to react before Roger hit her with the disarming spell. It was powerful, enough to send her wand flying out of her hand. She went to find it while Roger, obviously bored, took out other people.

Jack watched with wonder as Maurice's wand flew out of his hand. He hadn't even attacked him yet! Well, if Maurice was out of the picture, then he could go get Ralph – no, no, his wand was gone, too. Well, the fat kid would do.

"Expelliarmus!" Jack yelled, and the fat kid's wand flew away, hitting Ralph on the top of the head. Ralph got up and glared at Jack, who glared back.

Eventually, one thing led to another and they were rolling on the floor, punching and scratching and, in one case, biting each other. Before Professor Snape pulled them apart, Jack saw Roger's smirk.

I should be updating regularly from now on.