章節 7: 7
Sorting ceremony, September 1992
"Ravenclaw!"
Luna Lovegood almost walked away from the stool with the Sorting Hat still upon her head. Most students chuckled at the innocent display of klutziness from the newly sorted little eagle. The small freshly baked blonde witch didn't seem to care as she approached the Ravenclaw table. She looked around, searching for a seat.
'So many Nargles and Wrackspurts.' She hummed to herself.
Her attention was eventually caught by a lonely figure sitting at the end of the row. He seemed disinterested with the whole ceremony. But that wasn't what made her look in his direction. With a skip in her step she walked towards the boy and sat down next to him.
"Do you like me?" The sudden foward question shocked the surrounding students.
The dirty blond older boy glanced at the new arrival.
"You're Ms. Lovegood if I heard McGonagall's introduction correctly."
"Yes." Her gaze was focused on something above the wizard's head.
"Is there something the matter?"
"This is the first time we've met, but you like me. The fairies told me so."
"Fairies, huh?" The boy smiled.
"Yes, they're pointing at me." She said as if was the most obvious thing in the world. "Do you believe me?"
Luna felt as the boy's hand gently patted her on the head. A smile lit his previously stoic face.
"You're a cute little freshmen." He grinned. "But I'd ease on the honesty when talking with others. Especially the girls."
"Why?" She blinked, having a small blush after the stranger told her she was cute.
"Because as much as our house desperately pursues knowledge, it'll reject everything that can't be understood or studied." He looked at her with sympathy.
"And what about you... I've never asked your name."
"Benedict Everest." He shook her hand.
"Why are you different?"
"I think it's quite obvious. In the world of magic nothing is impossible. Well maybe not everything, but you know what I meant to say."
"Mmm." She nodded.
"Anyway, I'd like to welcome you into our house. If there's anything you'll need help with you can come to me."
"I will."
-------
November 1st 1992, Ravenclaw Common Room
"So tell us Looney, why did you do that?" Marietta Edgecombe towered over the sitting on the rug blonde.
"You'll have to specify what's that you're asking." Luna was reading her copy of Fantastic Beasts and where to find them.
"Don't be daft." Cho Chang said. "Why did you go through all that trouble to kill that cat?"
"Yeah. You think we haven't noticed you following that blasted creature."Daisy Tonkin scoffed.
"Mrs. Norris is a good source of hidden information. I found a whole room of catnip and yarn during our adventures." She showed a small ball of blue yarn.
"Hmph." Marietta smacked away the ball straight into the fire place.
"That wasn't nice. I quite liked that color." Luna said in her dreamy voice.
"Why aren't you angry?" The witch fumed.
"There's no need to be sad. I can always get another one."
"Is that so?" Marietta with a wicked grin took the younger witch's book. "Then you'll also won't mind if I throw this."
She threw the tome towards the fireplace. However, before it could be devoured by flames it flew backwards. The girls turned and saw a very pissed off older then them wizard.
"Is this how you treat your fellow students, Ms. Edgecombe?" Benedict Everest icy voice sent chills down their spines.
"What do you want, Everest?" Cho stuttered.
"Yeah, we're just having some fun." Daisy remarked.
"Fun you say?"
The teenage boy walked closer.
"Does throwing accusations and other people's belongings constitute fun nowadays?"
The group of younger witches felt unnerved by his smile.
"Then maybe I should join in on the 'fun'. I feel playful today."
"What, what are you going on about?" Daisy stuttered.
"Well, I see you have some combustible things on yourselves. What would you like to part with first?"
"You must be joking?" Marietta cowered under his gaze.
"I'll tell on you to McGonagall." Daisy shrieked.
Two weeks ago the Transfiguration Professor announced that she would be taking Benedict Everest as her personal student. The boy had very good insight into her subject, almost as good as herself when she was his age.
"Oh, I can't wait when you'll do that." Benedict scoffed. "At least she'll do something about the bullying you three tend to do be a part of in this house. She'll definitely be less forgiving then Flitwick."
"Is there a problem?" An sixth year prefect came up to them after seeing something fishy going on.
"No, but thank you for your concern, Ms. Harris. We're just coming up with an agreement of some sorts. Weren't we, girls?"
The witches gulped. His stare didn't allow 'no' as an answer.
"Yes, yes we did." Cho said hurriedly.
"We're glad for talking with you." Daisy fumbled her words.
"We'll be going."
Marietta seemed to be trying to beat the record for running in heels as she quickly got away; her friends following closely behind her.
"Try not threaten people, Everest." The prefect sighed. "We don't need a repeat from last year."
"Of course, Ms. Harris. I'll be on my best behavior from now on."
The witch didn't believe he'd go through with his promise. She left muttering something under her nose.
"Thank you, Benny."
"Benny?" He repeated. "I believe this is the second time we've ever been next to each other."
"But you look in my general direction all the time." Luna turned her head to the side. "Are you a stalker?"
"Yes." He said with a serious expression.
"I see." She nodded. "Mommy told me to stay away from those. She said I'm kidnapping material."
"Because of your looks?"
"Because, I'm too small to kick where it hurts, she said."
Benedict couldn't help but chuckle. The oblivious expression on Luna's face combined with her cuteness was too much for him to handle.
"If it bothers you then I'll stop. I was just worried that you'd suffer from uncouth behavior from some of our less then pristine residents."
"I don't mind." She blinked. "I like the small creatures floating around you."
"Oh, and why's that?" He accidentally brushed with her fingers as he was giving her back her book.
"I like the warmth." She touched where she made contact with the boy.
"Hmm, as long as you're happy."
-------
May 30th 1993, Hospital Ward
"Thank you Madam Pomfrey for letting us in."
"Just don't work up the patient. She's been through enough as it is." The medwitch left.
"Let's go inside, Luna." Benedict said to the dainty blonde carrying a basket.
The pair passed on their way mamy closed off wards. Apparently Harry Potter and even Goldenrod Lockhart were currently sleeping behind those curtains.
"This should be it." Benedict stopped. "Ms. Weasley, I'm here with Luna Lovegood to see how you're doing."
A groan could be hear from behind the veil.
"You can enter." A soft tired female voice replied.
The boy pulled the curtain to the side, revealing a pale redheaded girl laying on the bed in her pajamas.
"I'll leave you two alone. Are you okay with that?" He asked Luna.
"Yes. Thank you for coming with me."
The wizard pulled back the curtains to give some privacy to them.
"Luna." Ginny sadly smiled. "It's been a long and dreadful year since we could talk like this."
"You don't have to speak if it's too much trouble, Ginny."
Luna placed the basket with her friend's favorite sweets and fruit. She then sat down next to the Griffindor girl.
"You've had your problems, I shouldn't have listened when you told me to stay away." She hugged the now crying Ginny.
"I was so afraid, Luna." She hugged back. "He told me to do so many bad things."
The blonde gently rubbed her friend's back. Luna hummed a soothing melody they both loved from when they were children. They sat like this for some time, one was seeking comfort while the other was giving it out in spades.
"Will you still be my friend, Luna?" Ginny's light brown eyes looked into the silvery orbs of her friend, seeking forgiveness.
"We've never stopped being friends." The blonde replied, smiling.
"Thank you." Ginny hiccupped.
The two spoke for a while before Madam Pomfrey had said that the visits were over. Luna said goodbye and promised to meet with Ginny at the Burrow later this summer so they could catch up. As she left the Hospital Ward she could see Benedict standing by the window, silently enjoying the late spring afternoon breeze. Luna crept slowly towards the unexpecting wizard before engulfing him in a hug. To the outside world it looked very comical as she was tiny compared to him.
"What's with the hug, Ms. Lovegood." He couldn't help but smile.
"I wanted to reward you for your service." She said with seriousness in her tone.
"I've done nothing, Luna." He patted her on the head, making her let out a small pleasant humming sound.
"You were there for me, when I've was lonely. And now I've regained my lost friend."
"The last part was your own merit." They've separated from the embrace.
"You don't want more?"
"Any more and I'll have to kidnap you." He flicked her small nose. "Are you hungry? If so then I have the perfect place for you."
"There's a room full with pudding all year around." She bloomed with anticipation for her favorite dessert.
"Close enough." He chuckled. "Let's give a visit to those that make our waiting for food worthwhile shall we?"
The girl didn't hear the last question as she was already far gone in her dream about a big pudding surrounded by smaller ones.
'Yeah, this is Luna.' He smiled.
--------
Saturday 14th of September 1995, Black Lake
"They've found a new replacement for the position."
"Mmm."
"Apparently it's some pencil pusher from Umbridge's department."
"Mmm."
"Are they biting?"
"No. They still elude me."
Luna was trying to catch a Grindylow with a fishing pole. Benedict tried to explain that they don't live that close to the shore of the lake but she didn't listen. The witch was currently sitting in the wizard's lap, or her 'personal bean bag chair' as she had coined it. One time the witches in the common room overheard her saying this, making them giggle and Benedict hid his head in embarrassment.
"Well as much fun as it was to teach years 1 to 4 the basics of the trade and to see the toad steaming from anger, I'll still take the vacant hours with warm welcome."
"I really liked your lessons." She leaned against his chest, her head underneath his chin.
"Especially when you asked me to correct your posture and wand movement at every possible second. Were you perhaps getting jealous that I was helping others?" He smirked.
"Yes." She nodded.
"How cute." He pinched her slightly cold cheeks. "I think it's getting too cold for us to just sit around here in the open."
"I'm warm." She wiggled in his lap.
"That maybe so, but we've been at it for three hours." He shook his head. "Let's get some hot chocolate, okay?"
"Will there be smores?"
"You'll have to ask Missy."
"Okay."
Luna packed her fishing equipment into her bag. Not needing the bait anymore she left the wet Bertie Botts beans next to the shore.
"Maybe the Highland Pixies with enjoy it more." She said wistfully.
'I certainly doubt that.' He couldn't help but shiver at the taste of the little candies. 'How did she pick up every sickening flavor out from the box without even trying them? Is that even possible?'
Benedict couldn't help but shake his head as the girl danced in the grass, skipping and turning around.
'She can be dangerous when she wants to.' He ran after her, chuckling.
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