Looking for...
Elsewhere in the castle, Luna was leaving Professor McGonagall's office, delighted that she had managed to turn in her assignment on time and even had it graded right there. She had passed with an "E" (Exceeds Expectations) and was now heading to the seventh floor for the D.A. class. Along the way, she bumped into Ginny.
"Hi, Luna."
"Hi, Ginny. Don't you think it's a lovely day?"
"Yeah, it would be perfect for a shopping trip to Hogsmeade, an ideal Saturday… Too bad today's visit got canceled. Are you heading to the seventh floor?"
"Yes."
"Hey, I wanted to ask you a favor."
"Of course, what is it?"
"Well, could I borrow your History of Magic notes? I'll give them back tomorrow. I just realized I'm missing half of one topic and need to double-check before the exam."
"Sure," replied the blonde as she rummaged through her large bag. "Oh no…" she murmured, her hands sifting through the clutter and failing to find what she needed. "Oh no!"
"What's wrong?"
"My diary—it's gone!"
"Your diary? Like an agenda?"
"No, my secret diary. I remember having it this morning. I must have left it in the library!"
"Okay, calm down. I'll help you look for it," Ginny reassured her. It was the first time she had seen the usually serene Ravenclaw so alarmed. "Let's head to the library; there's still plenty of time before the D.A. class."
At that same time, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were barely avoiding a duel in the library, thanks to Madam Pince quickly throwing Crabbe and Goyle out for making too much noise. Harry decided it was best to leave and ignore the chaos.
"Those two idiot ogres..." Ron grumbled, clearly annoyed.
Upon arriving at the Room of Requirement, Harry was preparing to hand out copies of a book he had found in the library on Defensive Magic—a rare gem that Umbridge had apparently missed in her quest to confiscate "dangerous" texts. That's when he realized something was missing.
"Hermione, you kept Luna's diary, right?"
"Luna's diary? No, I saw you put it in your bag."
"It's not here."
"Ron, you didn't take it, did you?" Hermione asked, suspicion dripping from her tone.
"Why does everyone look at me?" Ron retorted, his frown deepening.
"You were the only one itching to read it," she reminded him, crossing her arms.
"I don't have it! I swear I'm innocent!"
"Fantastic," Hermione said, clearly distressed. "And now how do we explain to Luna that we've lost something so personal?"
"Let's search the library," Harry suggested. "It might have fallen during all that chaos with Crabbe and Goyle."
"Fine," Ron agreed. "Come on, Hermione, calm down."
"And how exactly do we face Luna and tell her we lost her diary?" Hermione fretted, growing more anxious.
"Didn't you hear? We're going to look for it!" Ron said, patting her shoulder. "Besides, if you think about it, it's her fault for losing it first."
"Shut up!"
"Both of you, quiet," Harry ordered, his tone calm but firm. "Let's go before someone else finds it."
Ginny and Luna arrived at the library, which was nearly empty by then.
"Thanks for helping me search, Ginny."
"It's nothing," Ginny shrugged. "Let's start with where you were sitting."
"In the corner table," Luna pointed.
The two began searching every nook and cranny. A short while later, the trio of Gryffindors arrived.
"Hi, guys," greeted Luna, slightly relieved to see them. "You didn't happen to see a small brown and gold book after I left, did you? It's my diary."
"Yes, Luna, we found it," Harry admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "We were going to return it to you in class, but we lost it again during a scuffle with Crabbe and Goyle."
"Oh, I see," Luna murmured. She took a deep breath. "It's okay."
"We'll help you look for it," Hermione offered firmly.
"Thank you," Luna said, genuinely surprised. Hermione rarely paid her much attention, and when she did, it was usually tinged with nervousness, indifference, or mild annoyance.
The five of them spent a long while searching, questioning the few remaining people in the library about a small brown and gold book labeled "Diary L.L." No one had seen it, not even Madam Pince, who rarely let anything escape her notice. By now, Luna wasn't as panicked as before but had slipped into a quiet sadness she masked well.
"I suspect the Nargles are upset with me for trying to ward them off with my charms," she said thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "That must be why they took my diary."
"Of course," Ron muttered sarcastically, earning a sharp elbow to the stomach from his sister.
"Well, we have to go," Harry said. "The others are probably waiting for us."
"Don't worry; I'll join you later."
"Alright, see you then," Ginny said, waving.
"Good luck finding it, Luna," Harry added sincerely.
"Thanks for everything, guys."
The Ravenclaw remained seated at the same table where she had been just an hour before, her expression clouded. She toyed with the idea of seeking out a Nargle and pleading for her diary's return.
"Sorry, Mum, but don't worry… I'll find it."
To be continued...