Chapter 3: Crazy Train

Harry didn't see much of Luna after that or anyone really.

The next 3 weeks had gone by relatively quickly and Harry spent the whole time moving to Hogwarts and preparing for the new school year. Today Hogwarts was officially reopening for the first time since the end of the war and since the school was the site of Voldemort's death, everyone was enlisting at Hogwarts.

Harry looked around at his unpacked office. The room was full of artifacts he had collected on his travels including the remains of the Horcrux's he had destroyed and Gryffindor's sword. It was also full of gifts he had been sent. It felt strange having wizards he never even met wanting to thank him for beating Voldemort, but now and then he was given something he couldn't resist. One time he was given a Basilisk egg...which was just a chicken egg.

Harry was in his new office preparing for what tomorrow would bring when he heard a knock on his door. He waved the door open to see The Headmistress standing there, she was looking disheveled.

"Mr. Potter we require your assistance."

"Already? What is it? None of the students are even here yet" Harry asked curiously.

The Headmistress gave an almost bewildered look "The problem is not here...but on the Hogwarts Express."

Harry sighed rubbing his forehead where his scar used to hurt. He had a feeling he knew why McGonagall was coming to him for help.

"It's Luna, isn't it…what happened?"

Earlier that day everything was going as normal. Of course, things were never normal for the dreamy girl at the back of the train. It was a quiet, boring trip with most of her fellow DA members not returning to Hogwarts. Luna found herself missing Harry, which was strange since she never missed anyone...except for her mother of course. That said, she never had a real friend before, and she now felt closer to Harry than she had to anyone, besides her parents.

Luna was usually content reading the latest edition of the Quibbler, but she even found that boring. So she turned the book upside down for the challenge. It wasn't easy to read upside down but she had developed a knack for it.

"Why do you read upside down?" Luna didn't even need to look up to see the snotty Pansy Parkinson.

"Why don't you?" Luna answered without much thought. Pansy sat in the seat facing Luna who ignored her completely.

"You'd think a Loony such as yourself would like some company," Pansy sneered.

"What do you know about what I think," Luna asked curiously not looking up from her paper.

"I know a lot about what you think. It's the same thing a chicken thinks when you cut its head off." Pansy snorted laughing as a pig would.

"Have you ever been transfigured into a chicken and had your head cut off," Luna asked.

"WHAT? NO! What's wrong with you," Pansy asked with a repulsed look on her face.

"Then you have no more of an idea for what a decapitated chicken thinks than what I think," Luna answered factually.

"You're even worse than Hermione," Pansy snarled

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"Do you not know Hermione?" Luna asked more confused.

"I know she's a stuck up, know it all, bitch! But at least she's not a psycho who puts people in the hospital wing just for making fun of your mommy." Pansy was now getting infuriated. She had come here to pick on Luna but it felt like she was the one being made to look foolish.

Luna, who had not taken her eyes off the quibbler the whole time looked up at Pansy thoughtfully. "I never meant to hurt anyone. I don't know what happened to those kids. I just want to help people."

"That's funny since you put my friend Millicent Bulstrode in St. Mungo's for a month in our second year," Pansy hissed.

"I still feel bad about that. I've visited St. Mungo's and it's not that bad. It's not the worst thing that could have happened," Luna thought out loud.

"Then what is the worst thing that could have happened," Pansy practically shouted.

"Well, I could have killed her," Luna replied, off in thought. Oblivious to the fact that her reply had sent Pansy reaching for her wand. Luna blinked when she realized it was now pointed at her face.

Luna looked confused "You asked what the worst that could have happened was. I was just answering your question. I don't want to hurt anyone."

"I knew you were dangerous, you're a psycho freak," Pansy screamed at the startled girl.

Luna was now feeling threatened and found herself speaking more seriously. "Please put away your wand."

Luna blinked and Pansy's wand was gone.

"How...How are you doing that?" Pansy asked in amazement.

"I...I don't know. It must be the Nargles," Luna mused.

Pansy's wand was floating above their heads. As Luna moved her eyes the wand seemed to follow. Other students were now coming into the compartment to see Luna's amazing wand-less magic. Luna noticed them and blinked again causing the wand to fall to the floor.

"How did you do that?"

"So weird."

"That was amazing!"

"Loony that one, I'm telling you."

Luna found herself being pushed to the back as students forced their way in the compartment and barraged her with questions.

Luna felt herself getting crushed and blinked her eyes again...

The students were suddenly forced back in a moment that stunned Luna as much as anyone. However, she decided to take advantage of this opportunity and make her escape.

Harry walked out of the furnace of the train followed by McGonagall. He still hated floo powder but it was the only way to get aboard the moving train. McGonagall led him into the empty room normally reserved for the Prefects.

"I'm sorry to call you here. I know you are very busy getting ready for your first class tomorrow but no one else can get through to her," McGonagall explained as she rubbed her eyes.

"What did she do?" Harry asked worriedly.

"I have gotten so many different stories from the students I don't know what the truth is. The stories range from her setting off fireworks, to running naked through the halls. Whatever she did lead to some pandemonium among the other students. They are all acting like they have gone mad. It's not surprising that she decided to escape from them."

"Where is she?" Harry asked, seeing the look in McGonagall's eyes.

"She climbed out a window and..."The headmistress said no more and just looked up at the ceiling. "We can't get her back down."

Harry was levitated onto the roof of the train where he saw Luna in the distance. To his horror, she was doing cartwheels and backflips. Of course, she is, Harry thought, frustrated, of all the places to do backflips.

Luna spotted him and stopped, giving him a wave before skipping over.

"Hi Harry," Luna hummed in her typical dreamy voice

"What are you doing up here? You've got half the Hogwarts staff trying to get you back in the train." Harry panted. The wind was viciously strong and Harry was surprised Luna hadn't been blown off the train.

"The view is wonderful from up here," Luna sang before looking at her bare feet. "My shoes must have fallen off while I was doing cartwheels...do you want to help me find them."

"Umm...I don't think we will find them this time." Harry said looking over the edge of the train. "Listen to me we have to get back into the train before you get hurt or in trouble."

"I'm already in trouble," Luna said before running to the back of the train and sitting on the ledge. Harry slowly sat beside her. "What do you mean?"

"The magic giveth and the magic taketh away," Luna sung sadly.

"Let's start from the beginning, tell me what happened?" Harry said in his most comforting voice.

Luna told Harry how Pansy was antagonizing her and how Luna levitated the wand with her eyes. Harry's eyes widened at this.

"I think it's a sign that the Nargles are coming back for me. After I levitated her wand everyone started to attack me. So I climbed up here, it's beautiful, isn't it, almost like flying?"

Luna drifted off as she looked at the amazing sights. Harry had to admit it was beautiful but he continued to focus on Luna.

"What do you mean the Nargles are coming for you?" Harry asked.

Luna's face darkened, something Harry had never seen from her before.

"People don't believe in a lot of the things I believe in. I don't mind, it's not personal. I know you don't believe in Crumple-Horned Snorkacks or Wrackspurts and it doesn't bother me."

"Whether you believe in them or not Nargles ARE real and will hurt you whether you believe in them or not. I have something of theirs and they want it back..." Luna drifted off again.

"What do you have?" Harry asked the strange girl who now seemed to be ignoring him. Harry realized that she wasn't going to say any more on the subject.

Luna then looked at Harry. "I'm sorry Harry but I'm not going back inside the train."

Something about the way Luna had phrased this statement gave Harry an idea.

"Then we won't go back in the train," Harry said with a smile. "How about we apparate to The Three Broomsticks and get some butterbeer while we wait for the train."

Luna thought about this before nodding. Harry sent a Patronus to inform McGonagall before taking Luna's hand. He saw she looked nervous and a thought occurred.

"Have you ever apparated with anyone before?" Harry asked and Luna shook her head.

Harry squeezed her hand tighter. "Well it's not pleasant but it only lasts a second. Hold on tight and...Try not to throw up."

They arrived in The Three Broomsticks a few seconds later. Luna immediately dropped to her knees and threw up. She then stood up smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Are you OK?" Harry asked concerned.

"Why wouldn't I be," Luna wondered aloud. "It's in the past and I'm never doing it again. So I have nothing to worry about."

Harry smiled as they went inside and silently shared a drink.

"Thanks, Harry for helping me out today. I missed you over the last few weeks but I know you're busy with school." Luna said calmly.

"You have no idea" Harry laughed taking another sip from his drink. He then looked up at Luna seriously. Of course, he didn't believe in Nargles but if Luna felt she was in danger he needed to make sure she was safe.

"The Nargles, they aren't going to hurt you are they?" Harry asked. Luna looked up surprised, before looking out the window.

"No they won't hurt me, they will just take back what's theirs...look! is that a moon frog?" Luna asked conveniently changing the subject. Something that did not go unnoticed by Harry.

Luna was hiding something there was no doubt about it. The only problem was, with a girl like Luna Lovegood. She could be hiding anything.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The sorting ceremony went by smoothly with the exception that instead of the new students staring at Dumbledore, they were staring at the young man sitting at the corner of the staff table.

Harry gave a wave when Ron and Hermione came into the great hall with the rest of the students and they smiled back waving. It was surreal for Harry to be on the other side of the staff table and he could see the surprise on all the students' faces when they saw him up there.

"I would like to make a few announcements before the feast," McGonagall announced.

"First, some new rules. Due to the ongoing repairs, Hogwarts is going under, certain areas must not be entered by students. You will not only disrupt the rebuilding process but it could cause you serious injury or worse. Because of this, certain classes will be moved to different rooms. Potions will no longer be held in the dungeons, and Divination will also be moved the Astrology tower."

"Also once again it is time for our annual announcement of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor and hopefully this one will be around for years to come, Mr. Harry Potter I..." She was cut off by the thunderous cheers from the students. Hermione and Ron were hollering, making Harry chuckled, embarrassed.

McGonagall whistled and the room grew silent. "As I was saying, I understand that Harry is friends with some of you and enemies with others," Harry swore she looked over at the Slytherin table. "I am also aware that he is a hero to many more of you and roughly the same age as half the students here. HOWEVER, despite all these things Mr. Potter is first and foremost a Professor of Hogwarts. You will treat him as such. He is not a student nor will he be treated like one. An easy way to avoid confusion is to not do anything with or to Potter you would not do to me."

Harry knew what she was saying as her message was meant for him as well. Harry was used to being insulted and getting into fights during his time at Hogwarts. The image of Malfoy getting into a fight with McGonagall had Harry holding back a laugh. He also looked around the Slytherin table and breathed a sigh of relief to see Malfoy wasn't there.

"I would also like to announce the Head Boy and Girl this year. The Head Girl is one of the brightest witches in the history of Hogwarts, Hermione Granger." The room applauded and Hermione blushed. She had already found out during the summer and the three of them had celebrated with fire whiskey.

The Head boy has shown himself to be one of the most talented and bravest wizards we have ever seen at Hogwarts, Michael Corner."

The room applauded for the Ravenclaw who to Harry's surprise had a look of loathing in his eyes. In fact, he was glaring daggers at the Gryffindor table.

"Now let the feast begin," McGonagall announced, and everyone was elbows deep in food. McGonagall walked over to where Harry was sitting.

"You are a Professor now and you must behave and act like one. However there is no actual rule stating that you have to sit with us Teachers," She winked as she walked away.

Ron and Hermione were thrilled when Harry suddenly joined them across the Gryffindor table.

"So you're allowed to sit with us students now Mr. Potter," Ron teased as Harry took a seat.

"Most teachers don't like to get too chummy with their students since they are supposed to be authority figures...but I think that ship has sailed for me," Harry explained as he started to eat.

Hermione spoke quietly so only Harry and Ron could hear. "Harry, where is Luna? I heard something happened with her on the train. Ron and I spent the whole train ride trying to calm the students with the other prefects."

Harry looked around so none of the other students could hear them and leaned in. "I can't tell you exactly what Luna did to get the students riled up but Luna climbed on top of the train to escape the other students. They swarmed her like a mob and I think she is a little freaked out right now. So she currently is enjoying the feast from the comfort of my office. McGonagall wanted me here for the feast so I'm having Kreature watch over her while I'm gone."

"She climbed on the ROOF OF THE TRAIN? Bloody Hell, Luna's always been a little nuts but she seems to have finally gone over the deep end." Ron said with his mouth full of chicken. As if to confirm Ron's statement Kreature appeared behind Harry.

"Kreature has come to inform Master Potter that the Loony girl is using her food to paint pictures on your office wall."

Harry sighed, "Just make sure she doesn't damage anything and I can clean it up later. It only takes a couple of spells. Please don't call her 'Loony', Kreature."

"She told me I could Master, but if that is your wish," with a crack the elf was gone.

"Yes, definitely off the deep end." Ron laughed before stuffing more food into his mouth. Harry couldn't help but wonder if he might be right.

Hermione glared at Harry, "Do you really have to own a house-elf Harry's it's..."

"Why is he staring at you, Hermione?" Ron suddenly interrupted.

Harry turned to see Michael Corner's cold eyes glaring at Hermione. "What's his problem with you, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"I honestly don't know," Hermione whispered surprised. "I mean, we've never been friends, but we were both in DA together and he was even part of the second DA last year."

Harry decided at that moment to keep an eye on the new Head Boy.

"Luna has always had quirks but they have been relatively easy to manage for the most part, if they needed any managing at all. Today however she has already proved to be harder to manage than when she was hexing people." McGonagall stated during Harry's first staff meeting later that night.

"Harry has also told me what she did to cause the students to go into an uproar, and Miss Parkinson has confirmed it. Luna levitated Miss Parkinson's wand without using her wand...Just her eyes."

The entire staff started gasping, muttering and blurting out statements.

"I've been saying for years she's gifted."

"Gifted? She's dangerous, she should be locked up in St Mungo's hospital."

"How the hell does one do that?"

"Get her in here right now. We've got to find out how she did it."

"The loony won't answer our questions, she'll just hum and speak of moon frogs."

"Then we'll make her do it again."

Harry grimaced, if this news had caused such commotion with the teachers then students must have gone ballistic. Thinking about it made him feel sick.

"If the students acted half as crazy as you are all acting now, then no wonder Luna climbed to the roof, I know I would have!"

The teachers were frozen in silence. They had expected to be silenced by McGonagall, not Harry Potter.

"You do realize this is a person we are talking about. A student of Hogwarts, not an experiment. I know Luna is weird and quirky, but should she really be blamed for her actions today. You make me want to climb to the roof as we speak." Many of the teachers looked down in shame, and Harry felt the same himself, for even doubting Luna's sanity earlier.

"I think the only concern right now should be on her wandless magic. I don't know as much about magic as the rest of you but I think it's safe to assume that what Luna did was very rare."

"That is a huge understatement," Professor Slughorn said. "In fact with the exception of accidental magic, it has never been done. What's more curious is that she had control over her magic, so intentional or not, it was no accident."

"I find it more curious that this feat was pulled by Pandora's daughter," said Professor Flitwick.

Harry then remembered something. "I think it's a sign the Nargles are coming back for me. I have something of theirs and they want it back". Those were the exact words Luna told me. She seemed almost afraid of them, saying she flat out wouldn't go back in the train."

Flitwick sighed. "Nargles were what Pandora was studying when she died."

Harry stared at the small wizard. "Do you know what she was talking about? Do you know what she supposedly has of the Nargles?"

Flitwick rubbed the bridge of his nose between his eyes. "The events of that day are largely confidential. Only Unspeakables know of it. Even retired, I have to keep their secrets, Harry. Luna knows more about it than she will let on. Even if I could tell you I would prefer it to come from her...and only when she is ready."

McGonagall spoke. "I think that we should approach this slowly and with caution. Unless Luna's miraculous feat proves to be a fluke she has powers that we are unable to comprehend. She must learn to control this power even if she is forbidden to use it while at Hogwarts. I feel it is possible however that like her mother before her, Luna may have stumbled on something that could change the very nature of magic."

The room grew quiet at this. They seemed more concerned than excited at the possibility for change, Harry remembered the fact that the school was lit by candlelight and used quills instead of pens. A thought then occurred to him... maybe wizards didn't like change...

Luna had returned to her dormitories before Harry's meeting had ended, but she found sleep impossible. In fact, she had never slept for a single second in over 8 years. So she decided to read one of her books while humming a song in her head, much to the chagrin of her roommates.

"Oh Merlin she's back."

"I didn't see her at the sorting ceremony. I thought she was expelled."

"Why doesn't she use the silencing charm?"

"SHUT UP LOONY SOME OF US ACTUALLY SLEEP!"

Luna had no intentions on stopping her humming but did have the presence of mind to leave the sleeping quarters and go to the main room. She stopped in the common room however when she heard whispers from the corner of the room. Ever the curious one, Luna decided to sit behind the couch and eavesdrop.

"I can't believe it. A Mudblood as Head Girl It's sickening this war has turned everyone into a bunch of Bloody Muggle Lovers."

"I'm with you and all but I thought you liked Mud Bloods. I mean for pity's sake you fought for them during the war."

"Exactly, for pity's sake. Just because a people are inferior doesn't mean you should step on them and wipe them out. That doesn't mean they should be treated as Bloody equals. I did not work my ass off for 6 years in Hogwarts and spent another year getting tortured by the Carrow's just to be put on equal footing with a FUCKING MUDBLOOD!"

"What can you do about it, Michael? There is no way they're going to demote her before you, she's a bloody hero, a member of "THE GOLDEN TRIO" and a genius!"

"She takes the credit of pureblood wizards. Don't worry I will think of something. I mean hell, I will resign under protest if I have to. I don't like the way things have been going and I feel we need to remind the Wizarding world that Mud Bloods are not are equals...OW! WHAT JUST HIT ME?"

"A book. Someone threw a book at you."

"Who throws a book honestly?"

Michael and his friends looked around the room but found it empty. The culprit had already left the Ravenclaw dormitories and was wandering by the lake trying to come to terms with a most unusual feeling in her gut...Anger.

Harry returned to his office to find Luna had already left. Harry grabbed his marauders map and saw Luna was wandering the Hogwarts ground. Harry had been told this was usual behavior for her, and to leave her be, as long as she stayed out of trouble.

Harry was about to turn in for the day when he noticed the wall had food frozen on to it with a charm. Kreature wasn't lying. Luna had painted the wall with food, but it was an actual picture!

It was a beautiful life-like picture of Harry and Luna holding hands, underneath it she had written 2 words with spaghetti sauce.

"Best Friends"

Harry put his wand away He had a hard time defining what he was feeling at that moment but he did feel very warm in his heart.

Being Luna's friend wasn't going to be easy, but seeing the picture and knowing how much he meant to her (and for that matter how much she meant to him) he knew it was all worth it.