I can't believe it, three chapters in one day. That must be a record. This one isn't quite as long as the first two, but it doesn't need to be. I do hope you all are enjoying this story. Review, if you don't mind.


Moonchild

Chapter 3

Luna

Luna made her way through the castle the next morning in a more dazed fashion than usual. She was still thinking of that dark-haired stranger sitting in Ravenclaw Tower. Who was he? How had he gotten in? Did he know how to get in? If so, how did he find out? Her mind raced with questions until finally she was at classroom 3C for Defense Against the Dark Arts before she knew it. She found a seat near the middle of the room and waited. Finally, the door to the office at the end of the classroom opened and Hestia Jones emerged from it.

"Alright, folks," she said, "I'll take attendance and then we'll get started." After what seemed like no time, they were packing their books away and copying down instructions for the essay that Professor Jones had assigned. Luna hadn't absorbed anything the whole class, which was very unlike her, because she was still so caught up on wondering who that stranger in the Ravenclaw common room was. She floated through the first half of the day, hardly aware of anything, until finally she arrived at the Great Hall for lunch. There was that dark-haired boy again, but this time he wasn't at the staff table, rather he was seated at the end of the Ravenclaw table. That's it, she thought, I'll just go up to him and find out who he is. Just as the thought crossed her mind, he got up from the table and headed right in her direction towards the Entrance Hall. For a split second, the pair locked eyes, but he quickly turned his eyes to the floor and hurried past. Luna then went and took a seat with some of her old D.A. friends.

"Do you know who that boy is who just got up from the table?" she asked Michael Corner.

"Haven't got a clue," he answered. "I was here the whole time he did, and he never said a word to anyone. I wonder if maybe he doesn't speak English."

"Oh surely he does," chimed in Padma Patil, "otherwise, how could he have gotten into Hogwarts in the first place?"

This banter carried on for a while until finally Luna couldn't spare any more time. She hurried off to classroom 2E for Charms. Their lesson with Professor Flitwick consisted of the Aguamenti spell, and an essay to follow. After class was over, Luna hung back.

"Professor," she said hesitantly, "I was hoping you could answer something that's been bothering me."

"Well I certainly hope so," Flitwick squeaked. "What is it, my dear?"

"There was a dark-haired boy at the staff table next to you at the Welcoming Feast, and I saw him again in the common room last night. Who is he? Why is he here?"

"Well, Miss Lovegood," said Professor Flitwick, "why don't you ask him yourself? He's really a nice boy; you just have to let him get used to you. He still hasn't settled in yet."

"Alright, then," she said, a bit disappointed but still hopeful at the same time. "Thanks, Professor."


That evening at dinner, Luna found a seat at the Ravenclaw table near the dark-haired stranger. She didn't say anything, but stole glances at him every few minutes, and she could tell he was doing the same. He didn't seem quite as on edge around her as he had earlier in the day. She did as Professor Flitwick had said; she didn't force herself on him, but rather just let him get used to her presence. After dinner, they all headed back to their respective common rooms. Luna found a seat near the fireplace, in an armchair with a table where she could work on her essays, until around nine o'clock when the stranger entered the common room. Although he still didn't speak, he did seem much more at ease in Ravenclaw Tower. Luna waited until he sat down, and then went over to him.

"Hello," she said sweetly and dreamily. The stranger didn't reply, but did give an awkward sort of smile as he glanced up at her before turning back to his work.

"My name's Luna Lovegood," she said hesitantly, not entirely sure how to talk to this boy. "What's yours?" She waited, and for a moment thought that he was ignoring her, until she noticed he was holding out a bit of parchment to her. She took it, and saw that it bore the name Seleneo Moonchild.

"Well, Seleneo, I know you aren't entirely comfortable here yet, and I just thought if you wanted to, I could show you around this Saturday." She waited a moment as he wrote another note, and she took it when he'd finished. I can't Saturday, I have classes. Sunday is fine though.

"Class on Saturday…" she said. "Well, alright then. Can I ask you just one more thing, and then I'll leave you alone?" He nodded, and she asked, "You obviously understand English. Why won't you talk?" She took the last note he wrote and read it. I don't want you to hear my accent.

"Fair enough," she said. "I'll let you tell me whatever you want at your own pace. So, I guess I'll see you Sunday, then?" He nodded, and she turned towards the stairs to the dormitories. Then she stopped and turned back to Seleneo. "Will you talk Sunday?" He gave her a shifty look, and then she added, "It'll just be us, no one else will be around, and I won't laugh, I promise." The he nodded in agreement. She smiled and turned once again towards the dormitories. Finally she was going to get some answers, and at least now she had a name: Seleneo Moonchild.