Lonely in a Crowd - A Drabble by BananaCarrot5
Thanks Charlotte for the title!
Harry Potter, world famous Quidditch player just behind Viktor Krum, always had a specific request whenever the team travelled: let him stay in a Muggle hotel. Whether it be a five-star resort or a family-run B&B, Harry always preferred the Muggle variant.
Or, it was because he was best friends with Hermione Granger, and she always made a point to scold him for spending too much time in the Wizarding world. Sixteen years of friendship would do that to him.
Currently, he was with his team, Manchester United, in the States. They were going up against a team from New York, and Harry was able to book a spot in the middle of the state. Thanks to Oliver, he was able to use a motorcycle to travel, since apparating would be illegal and it would be weird if someone saw him walk up to the office with no vehicle or luggage.
It was a motel, and the small place looked quiet and peaceful. Harry grabbed his items from his bag, which Hermione had gifted him as a "congrats on making the team" present. The room was small; it had a bathroom, a TV, a single bed and a pull-out sofa.
As Harry settled in he heard a small knock on his door. He looked at the clock, it was half past ten. He shrugged and walked over to the door, and was surprised to see the bubbly Luna Lovegood at the door.
"Luna!? What are you doing here?" Harry asked with surprise. "How'd you find me?"
Luna looked shy. "I followed you, it was funny seeing you try to be sneaky with your bike. Can I have a ride on it someday?"
Harry took a second to process what she said before grabbing her hand and pulling her inside.
Luna let herself get carried in before sitting down. "So, are you excited Harry?"
Harry nodded. "I am."
Luna frowned. "Are you ok?"
Harry glanced over. "Why'd you follow me?"
Luna stood up and walked over to him. He was about a head taller than her. "You're lonely."
It wasn't a question. Luna's blue eyes bored into Harry's. Harry shrugged. "Quidditch is fun, and the team are all my friends, I don't know what you mean, Luna."
Luna gave him a look. Harry challenged her. Luna sighed. "You're lonely. Answer me this: why do you insist on staying at a hotel for every game? And don't tell me Hermione told you to do this, because I know it isn't why you do this."
Harry deflated a bit. Luna closed the distance and hugged her friend. "You're good at what you do Harry, but you can't keep hiding from everything."
Luna looked around. "Ooh! A pull-out sofa! I'll stay with you to keep you company, Harry."
Harry shook his head. "What? No, Luna, you can't stay here!"
"And why not, Harry? You are lonely, and I'm here to help ease your loneliness! Plus, you need someone to be with you. So, I'll take the pull-out sofa."
Harry looked at the clock. It was now past eleven. He scratched his neck before looking at Luna. "I'll sleep on the pull out–"
"No, Harry. No. You get ready for bed. You have a game tomorrow."
Harry sighed and nodded. After changing, he went back into the room and saw Luna making up her bed. Harry hopped into his bed and turned off his light. A minute later, Luna followed suit.
"Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Luna."
The next morning, Harry awoke to Luna packing away the bed and smiling at him.
"Now you can't say you are lonely. If you want a friend to be wIth, you know how to find me."
Luna went to leave when Harry yelled, "Wait!"
Luna stopped and turned, a questioning look on her face.
"Want to have some Muggle breakfast with me?"
Luna chuckled. "Sure. I hear waffles and sausages are a favourite here."
That evening, Harry and the team played a hard-fought game of Quidditch. Every so often, he saw Luna in the stands. It gave Harry a few things to think about. Next time he had an away game, he would invite his friend to join him, to give him company in whatever hotel or motel he would stay at.
The Houses Competition
Round 1
House: Ravenclaw
Class: Charms
Category: Drabble
Prompts chosen: [Location:] Hotel
Word Count: 713
Warnings/Trigger warnings: None.