Luna's problem

// THIS IS AN OLD CHAPTER. THE NEW CHAPTERS ARE IN VOLUME 2. YOU CAN READ THESE CHAPTERS IF YOU WANT SOME INSIGHT ON WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN LATER BUT SOME EVENTS CAN BE DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW CHAPTERS.

Today is finally the day of the trip to Hogsmeade that we were all impatiently waiting for. Me even more than the others thanks to the arrival of fire-breathing reptiles. Daphne has already left with the others, but I took a little longer because I was too absorbed by this flying skateboard project.

I also spent a lot of time thinking about what Dumbledore said to me in his office but I'm not sure I can trust him. I think I'm going to go to Ilvermorny anyway. In the worst case, I still have the vanishing cabinet to come back if there is a problem.

I arrive at the entrance of the school, but all the carriages already left, however, I see a single shape in the distance on the path. I run closer to find Luna alone walking towards Hogsmeade. I don't speak much to Luna other than in the library when she comes with Rose and Ginny to help them study.

"Luna? What are you doing on your own? Didn't you get into one of the carriages?"

"Oh no, my friends told me there was no more room and that I should walk to Hogsmeade instead to spend the day with them."

"Why didn't you get into another carriage?"

"People don't like me too much I think but that's okay I like walking in the forest, there are lots of nargols hiding"

"I missed the carriage too. If you want, we can walk together to the village, and then you can join me and Daphne in having a nice cup of tea and buying some candy." Luna looks at me with the same rather impassive air with which she looks at everyone.

"Um yeah, I think I would like it."

We continue to walk quietly towards the village. I have to force myself to walk more slowly to move at the same speed as Luna, but during the journey, she started to open up to me little by little. She told me about the crazy searches for imaginary creatures she was leading with her father, about her desire to become a Magizoologist, about the latest props she created for Quidditch matches while apologizing for supporting Gryffindor instead of Slytherin when she was in her first year. Then she spoke about her mother, she didn't cry but I could feel the deep sadness behind her indifference.

"And you, how are your parents?"

"They're normal in a way. My dad is an Auror but he took over my aunt's lordship when we got back to London. My mom discovered a passion for business, and she spends most of her time. time to invest, buy and resell stores. "

"I'm glad they're doing well. A lot of people lost a relative in the last war."

"Yes, I know, I'm lucky my parents went to America to escape the hell that England was back then."

We finally arrive at Hogsmeade, I find Daphne waiting for me in front of the door of Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. She looks angry when she sees me arriving with Luna.

"Sean, you took so long to arrive!" She turns to Luna and smiles shyly at her. "I didn't know you were coming with us. Aren't you with your Ravenclaw friends?"

"No, but they can't be very far. I can go get them if you want."

"No, don't worry Luna. Can you get us a table inside? There is something I would like to discuss with Daphne." I give her my most reassuring smile and she walks into the tea shop. Once she has passed the door, I turn to Daphne. "We have a problem with Luna, I believe she is being persecuted by some Ravenclaws."

"What? But why isn't anyone doing anything? Do you think we should tell the teachers?" I would like to believe that Dumbledore will react appropriately if the situation does not concern Potter but my level of confidence in our Headmaster is plummeting these days.

"Not at the moment, let's find out what exactly is going on, and then we can try to find some Ravenclaw students who can possibly help her."

In the tearoom, I spot Cho Chang sitting at a table with Cedric Diggory, and at another table, Hermione laughing at a joke from Viktor Krum.

"Can you go sit with her? I think I have found the helping hand we need."

I approach Cedric and Cho's table. They look a little annoyed when they see me arrive.

"I'm sorry to bother you but I need your help, Cho. Can you tell me who is persecuting Luna?"

She looks at me shocked "No one, I think? There are a lot of people who call her Loufoca but that doesn't seem to bother her."

"And are you sure there's nothing special, like her stuff that always disappears, or teasing, or complaining about falling down a lot?"

"Now that you say it, she always complains that her things disappear. But each time, she says it was nargols that stole from her, after a while, you don't pay attention. "

"And nobody thought that nargols don't exist while thieves do?" I feel a ball of anger rising in me, but Cedric places a hand on my shoulder.

"Calm down, she didn't do anything to you."

"I know, sorry Cho. I know you have nothing to do with this, but can I ask to keep an eye on Luna?"

"I'll see what I can do." At the same time, the tearoom door opened to reveal two Ravenclaw students, a boy, and a girl.

"Ah Loufoca, this is where you were hiding. We've been looking for you everywhere since a while ago." Luna waves to them and they walk over to the table where Daphne is.

I intercept the boy and look him straight in the eye and start to hypnotize him.

"You are going to pick up your friend and you will go straight back to the castle. From now on you will not bother Luna anymore and you will stop calling her Loufoca. If someone tries to persecute her you will intervene no matter what. Is that clear? " The boy nods and takes his friend by the arm.

"Come on Sylvia, we're going back to the castle."

"What?! But we are not going to let this guy tell us what to do. Hey, let go of me!" The girl screams louder and louder as the guy forces her back to the castle.

I hope that will be enough to stop what they are doing to Luna, otherwise, I will make some arrangements to have them kicked out of school. Luna watches them go with incomprehension.

"Luna, if one day your stuff goes missing again you should come to find me or Cho Chang. We will help you find your stuff even though I think the nargols will stop stealing them from you now."

"Seriously! Thanks, Sean!"