Later that night, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny were eating a dinner of spicy chicken sandwiches with pickles and lettuce, onion rings, and washing it down with Coca Cola Classic.
As they were eating Colin Creevey passed them and said loudly, "Hey Weasley petrified anyone recently? Harry, Hermione, you two should get away from her before you become stone-"
"Mr. Creevey, that's quite enough, "said McGonagall sharply as she had overheard what Colin was saying and came to defuse the situation, "Creevey, detention with me tomorrow night, and if something like this happens again, it will be a week's worth!"
Colin fell silent and walked away.
"It's okay, Ginny, "said Harry reassuringly, "We don't care what Creevey says. We know it wasn't your fault."
"Still has to be hard on Ginny that Colin's attitude has cost her her best friend, "said Hermione sadly.
Ginny, however, was looking sadly over at the Ravenclaw table where a girl with dirty blonde hair was eating alone.
"Hey, Harry, Hermione?" asked Ginny, "Is it okay if I invite Luna to come and sit with us. She just looks so lonely."
"Go for it, " chorused Harry and Hermione.
A few minutes and a few nanoseconds later, Ginny had returned and offered Luna an empty seat at the Gryffindor table.
"Hello, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, " said Luna in a dreamy voice, "It's nice to feel accepted somewhere. I don't have any friends other than Ginny so-"
"We are your friends now, " said Harry fiercely, indicating himself and Hermione, "I don't know if it's legal for students to sit at house tables other than their own and I don't care."
"I'm not accepted in Ravenclaw at all because of my father's and my beliefs in uncommon creatures and some of my weird accessories. But I don't care. I'm comfortable in my own skin, " explained Luna.
"The Ravenclaws all call her Looney, " said Ginny disapprovingly.
"That's really rude, "said Hermione.
"It's not even the worst of it, "said Ginny in a calm but clearly pissed voice, "They steal and hide her possessions. I actually came across her barefoot one day this past winter because her roommates had stolen and hidden her all of her shoes."
"Why would anyone treat their own classmate like that?" asked Harry, "I don't see any evidence that Luna has done anything to deserve dislike or poor treatment."
"SHE HASN'T! yelled Ginny, louder than she had intended, "She is shunned and mistreated just for being different."
"Luna, " said Harry fiercely, "Tell you what, you are always welcome to sit with Hermione, Ginny, and myself at the Gryffindor table during mealtimes from here on out."
Luna didn't utter a syllable. But the looks on her face were worth nine hundred octillion to the nine hundred octillionth power words.
Her eyes were glowing, and her mouth had curved into a wide smile. Luna clearly was happy to receive acceptance.
Harry and Hermione were happy too. Ginny had spoken positively about Luna and Harry and Hermione could see the truth in this now that they saw Luna up close. They were glad to make a new and genuine friend.