Luna's sixth year at Hogwarts was just as one would expect with a known Death Eater as Headmaster. While she always put on a brave face, most days she coped by daydreaming of different ways to fend off nargles and sketching Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. One of the few things that brought her comfort was the Christmas holiday that was just around the corner. Her father had written to tell her he had a special surprise waiting for her when she returned home. The excitement and anticipation got her through the final weeks of school before the break.
As the Hogwarts Express billowed steam in the distance, Luna felt a sense of relief wash over her, as if the train itself was a warm, welcoming friend offering her an escape from the miserable atmosphere of the school.
"Hello there, Hogwarts Express," she beamed, her voice bright. "You couldn't have come soon enough, my friend."
A few students snickered behind her as they overheard her talking to the train, but Luna was too elated at the thought of leaving Hogwarts to care. Once the train finally came to a full stop and the doors opened, Luna was one of the first students to board. She found an empty seat and settled in. Neville and Ginny soon joined her, and without needing to say much, their shared glances told Luna they, too, were relieved to be escaping the sad, hollow shell Hogwarts had become under the new regime.
"The holidays aren't going to be the same without Ron," Ginny said with a quiet sigh. "I never thought I'd say that, but it's true."
"I'm sorry," Neville said, his voice heavy with sympathy. "I wish there was something I could say to comfort you."
"I don't think there are any right words for times like these," Luna murmured, flipping open the latest copy of The Quibbler. "Sometimes, all we can do is keep faith."
She was content to immerse herself in the magazine, the words offering her a much-needed distraction. But halfway through the ride, a sudden gust of wind—or maybe it was something else—sent the magazine flying from her hands, sliding under the compartment door.
"It's those nargles, I bet," Luna sighed, smiling to herself as she stood up. She motioned to Neville and Ginny, who were deep in their own conversation. "I'll be back in a moment. I'll just fetch my magazine."
She left the compartment, chasing the runaway issue down the aisle. The pursuit took her to a quiet, empty compartment at the back of the train. There, the magazine lay innocently on the floor, as though it had always been there. Luna bent to retrieve it, but as her fingers brushed the cover, she heard the compartment door slide shut and lock behind her.
She froze. Spinning around, she found herself face to face with Draco Malfoy, his pale face looming over her like a shadow. His wand was pointed directly at her head, and his black suit—complete with a buttoned-down shirt and tie—gave him an unsettling air of authority, making him look more intimidating than she had ever imagined.
"You really are as naive as they say, aren't you?" Draco's voice was low, mocking. Luna's breath hitched as she slowly stood up, clutching her magazine to her chest. She felt lightheaded under his unblinking stare.
"I heard you weren't coming back to Hogwarts," Luna said, her voice steady but wary. "So what are you doing here? I don't imagine you lured me in here just for my copy of The Quibbler."
Draco smirked. "Well, you'd be right on that last part."
Before Luna could react, he was upon her, grabbing her arm with a tight grip. His cold fingers dug into her skin, and she gasped, trying to pull away. But it was no use—within seconds, they were both gone, the world spinning away in a dizzying blur as Draco apparated them both off the train.