The Witness

Loki leaned against one of the tall stone walls of Hogwarts with his arms crossed and tucked away, waiting for the headmaster. Some students passed by a perpendicular corridor connected to his empty one. Dumbledore was supposed to show him where the murder took place and eventually introduce him to the witness. He stood there staring at the smooth cobblestone floor lost in thought and somewhat bored. Professor McGonagall rounded the corner, her long draping sleeves and wizarding robes flowing effortless behind her. She paused before she made her way to the black haired figure from the hospital. She nearly mistook him for Severus if not for his muggle clothes, bright eyes, and expressive posture. She still found it hard to believe that he was fully recovered and wondered where on earth Albus found such a person. Minerva hoped he was the solution to their problem. Curious and cautious as a cat, but assertive as head of Gryffindor House, she walked towards Loki.

"Mr. Laufeyson … Professor Dumbledore has asked me to escort you," she said firmly yet quietly. Loki straightened his posture and put his hands in his pockets. He recognized her as the authoritative old woman with the ridiculous name and elegant hat.

"And, where is the headmaster?" Loki asked curiously, yet slightly offended. She noticed he had an odd sense of charm and politeness despite his crass first impression.

"He apologizes for not being able to attend, but he is currently engaged. If you will follow me please," she said, gesturing forward towards their intended destination. He followed her lead reluctantly, recalling the first time he had to trail behind Mobius when he arrived at the TVA. They never gave him straight forward answers either. She was tall for a woman and carried herself with ease. Minerva guided him down candlelit corridors with curved archways, and talking portraits, far away from most of the students. The atmosphere possessed less and less natural light the further she took him. He suspected the school had its secrets but he certainly did not want to become one of them.

"Ah, I believe we got off on the wrong foot. Where exactly are we going?" he asked nervously walking next to her instead of behind. "I thought I was supposed to be introduced to the witness and the scene of the crim-" The word vomit ceased pouring from his mouth when she stopped at a cobblestone wall.

"What is this?" he demanded, fully alert, half expecting to be double crossed.

"The Room of Requirement," said a whimsical, high pitched voice. Loki quickly whipped his head to the side to find a short young girl with extremely long, curly blonde hair, and swimmingly bright blue eyes. A bird emblem of blue and silver sported her school uniform. He could hear his mother's Lyre play again. It was the first time he had seen someone with actual blonde and blue eyes since … well since New York. His brother always did have a fascination with birds ...

"The … what?" he asked, completely caught off guard by her sudden appearance, his face frowned.

"Mr. Laufeyson, This is Ms. Luna Lovegood … our witness," Professor McGonagall interjected with a hint of sadness.

"Hello, Sir," she said in a calm, breathy tone, void of any meanness.

"Hello … " he responded. Loki kept a close eye on her, skeptical of her carefree nature.

"Mr. Laufeyson is here investigating Mr. Diggory's case, Ms. Lovegood. Would you care to tell him what you saw?" Professor McGonagall asked with utmost care. Luna nodded.

"It was very late … I think, I sleep walk you see, that's why I wear shoes to bed," She began. The Trickster raised both of his eyebrows.

"Uh huh," he said, bracing himself for whatever else she might say, his mouth partly ajar as he looked down at her.

"That's when a loud sound woke me, just there," she said pointing to an adjacent wall. Loki slowly took his gaze off her to look at the stone barrier. He could see just how dense and strong the walls of the school were with parts that had been cracked and blown away. The damage didn't get very far and it disturbed him.

"Uh huh," he said, still not convinced. Anxiously he thought something bad was about to happen, he was sure of it. "Forgive me … but there's nothing here," he said, gesturing to the dead end of the corridor.

"It's the Room of Requirement," Luna said in her carefree tone.

"Yes, haha … you've already said that," he said animatedly with a forced smile to hide his concern for her mental well being.

"It's also known as the Come and Go Room. It only appears when someone is in great need of it, and contains what that person needs at that time," she responded quite calmly and clearly. Loki's sarcasm didn't affect her whimsical aura. Luna turned towards the stone wall. "I don't know why Cedric was in need of it … " she continued, losing herself to her sad memory. Loki relaxed his fake smile while listening to her. "I thought he was practicing spells, he blew a hole in the wall you see … but then, there was another person, in black and green …" Luna continued. Professor McGonagall blinked with worry. All expressions faded from the Trickster. "I never saw their face … just an orange light, and then they were gone," she finished, a haunted thought swam in her eyes. Luna covered herself with her arms as if she was cold.

"Very, well. Thank you Ms. Lovegood! You may go," Professor McGonagall said quickly, freeing her. Luna nodded without looking at them and turned to walk away.

"Oh, and Luna … if you need to talk to someone," Professor McGonagall added kindly. Luna nodded again. Loki watched the long blonde haired girl leave down the corridor, making sure she was real. Minerva exhaled sharply once she was completely gone.

"What do you suppose this means, Mr. Laufeyson?" she asked. The corners of her eyes drooped in great concern. Loki returned to the mysterious stone wall.

"I think … I need to get into the Room of Requirement."