The Houses Competition, Hufflepuff, writing for Year 3 stand in.

Bonus story, Disney Classics/Princess (The Little Mermaid). Prompt: Boomerang.

Amazing beta: Aya.

Word count: 1004.

Luna walked by the beach, watching the angry clouds roll over each other slowly as they drew closer. It was going to be stormy tonight. A smile crossed her lips, it would be good to have the rain. She had thrown her boomerang half an hour ago, but it hadn't come back to her, so she decided to go for a walk to see if she could locate it.

It was easier to smile now that the war was over. Everyone seemed happier in general, and happiness radiated off them. Yet dealing with the loss of the fallen was a huge burden, sometimes it took over their smiles. Even Luna couldn't find her own smile during the mass funeral.

Her feet became wet as she walked into the water, the icy temperature making her thankful she was still here to experience the amazing view and feel the waves hitting her ankles. She had elected to leave her shoes and socks on the coast. If there was one thing she didn't like, it was sand in her shoes; she got that from her mother.

A flash of red caught her eye over by a collection of large rocks, and the 18-year-old couldn't help but be drawn to it in curiosity. As far as she knew, there wasn't anything like that on this beach. Maybe it was one of the creatures her father had spoken fondly about, or perhaps it was one she had yet to encounter. Either way, the possibilities enticed her.

As Luna got closer, the figure of a person was getting more clear. It wasn't long until she realised it wasn't a human, but a mermaid. This was the first time she had seen any at this particular beachside. "Hello!"

The mermaid turned suddenly, her red hair moving softly in the wind to reveal bright blue, startled, eyes.

Luna smiled nevertheless and continued her route towards her. "I'm Luna," she greeted in a friendly voice. The airy tone spoke louder than usual in order to be heard about the waves.

"I'm Ariel," the mermaid replied with a childish smile of curiosity mixed with hesitance.

"What brings you to this beach? I haven't seen you here before. In fact, I've only seen mermaids in the Black Lake."

Ariel's eyes widened, this time in excitement. "You've met other mermaids?"

Luna nodded before reaching her and sitting on the rock next to her. "Yes. You seem quite different from them."

"In what way?"

"Well… The mermaids I know try to drown you. And so far, you haven't done that," Luna replied with all of the explanation she needed.

Luna had been told she was too trusting in the past, but if you didn't trust somebody, especially when you first met them, then you are automatically closing the opportunity for friendship, knowledge, and understanding.

Ariel's mouth dropped open. "I would never do that! I don't know any mermaids who would act that violently! It's the humans-" she suddenly stopped talking and looked at Luna, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I was always taught it was humans who hunted and killed mermaids, not the other way around."

Luna contemplated this piece of information. "That would make sense as to why mermaids in the Black Lake don't like us. It is something humans would do."

There was a long awkward silence after that statement. One which Luna wasn't completely aware of.

"What brought you to this beach?" Luna asked, still curious as to the sudden appearance of her.

"Oh! I was looking for my friend Flounder, he swam off when a shark came in this direction. But I couldn't locate him," Ariel explained looking down. It was then that Luna saw how young she looked. She couldn't have been older than 14 or 15. "I hope I haven't lost him, he's my best friend."

Luna couldn't help but instantly want to help and mentally filed through every spell she knew, there must be one she could use in order to assist her new friend out. "Can I help?"

Ariel looked up with a smile. "You would do that?"

Luna nodded. "Of course! Anything for a friend."

The smile of the young girl's face was inspiring. "Thank you! But.. how?"

Luna hummed in thought before smiling. "There's a bubble charm I can use, which will let me breathe underwater. It would take me a few minutes to remember how to cast it, though."

"Humans can do that?"

"Not all of them. I'm a witch," Luna revealed. There was nothing against telling a mermaid that.

Ariel waited a few moments before picking up an object. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What is this?" Ariel asked, holding a curved object.

She grinned. It was her boomerang, she'd finally found it. Or rather Arial had. "It's a boomerang. If you throw it, it's supposed to come back to you." When Ariel looked at it in amazement, Luna added, "It's a fun game to play. Why don't you throw it and see if it comes back."

After a second of deep interest, the young mermaid did as she was told and threw it as hard as she could. They both watched in awe as it made a large oval before flying back towards them with force. Ariel ducked with wide eyes as it hit a rock and splashed in the water. "That's a bit violent."

Luna laughed. "You're supposed to catch it. It's a muggle invention."

"What's a muggle?"

"I feel like you have a lot of questions?" Ariel nodded. Luna smiled fondly, she loved answering questions and cast the bubblehead charm. "How about we talk whilst we look for Flounder?"

Ariel nodded. "Okay!"

"Lead the way?"

Once again, the younger girl nodded before jumping into the ocean, with Luna following her. Not once did Luna consider not swimming in her clothes or if she should follow a mermaid into the ocean. To her, there was no decision to make. Friends were important to have, and Arial needed to find hers.