[Luna] I need you here with me now

[NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM]

SOMETHINGS GOT TO GIVE NOW, BECAUSE I'M DYING JUST TO KNOW YOUR NAME...

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The clouded skies overhead distinctly designated the mood within many of the Hogwarts students with their newfound fear of the war at hand. A year prior, they’d been made to believe that Lord Voldemort was gone, never to return. The majority of them believed it, potentially out of relief, fear, or other circumstances of being too trusting of their governing bodies. Now the truth was out, now they knew that their worst fears were to be faced. Lord Voldemort had returned. Their placid nature had become a fitful turmoil, the skies seeming to show the Dark Lord’s beacon more often than not. Thankfully Hogwarts was under a fair bit better protection than the rest of the wizarding world, probably most likely due to the fact that Harry was amongst them. As per usual Neville had yet to really converse with any of the famous trio, or his two other best friends, Ginny and Luna. His feet scuffed the dirt pathway he trod, glancing to the skies once more, accustomed to the doom they presented metaphorically. It didn’t scare him, instead peaking his adrenaline, sparking his desire to be the change he wished to see in the world. He’d been cooped up in the common room all day, finishing the first days homework assignments. Only first years were given a week or so to settle in. By sixth year, the teachers assumed the routine of school was comprehended well enough that classes generally began right away. It seemed torturous at first, however it sometimes allowed a few days of freedom in the better weather, for their teachers would become just as tired of school as they were, giving them a free period off to simply relax or work on projects of any sort. The joys of growing older. Unfortunately today had not been such a luxury, Neville finding himself caught up in essay after essay, his mind now a blur of numbed intelligence. What he’d needed was some fresh air, maybe a good walk, to clear his head.

Neville strode down the likes of the long bridge-like contraption, it’s rickety wood looking anything but safe to cross. However after years within the school, he was aware the creaking floorboards would never give beneath his weight, for they were secure enough for Hagrid to travel on, along with any of his famously dangerous beasts he might decide to bring to class. It was not too chilly in the atmosphere, not yet at least. Even with the clouds above them, Neville was comfortably suited in his long sleeve shirt, the plaid pattern it held anything but within the dress code. Whenever possible he rid himself of the attire to something a bit more comfortable, his worn jeans far less neat and tidy than his robes. However he was known to adorn the school’s sweater vest more often in the Fall season, and he did quite fancy how he took to the white buttoned shirts, untucked from his pants. They made him look slightly more sophisticated, and he’d learned over the years that only Hermione fancied the Weasley jumper look. She was truly one in a million.

A smile crept over his features at the thought of his best friend, memories of her gentle laugh and the times that they had spent together as a group playing scenarios through his head. He missed the moments that their group had found within Dumbledore’s Army. To simply enjoy each other’s presence in that instant and forget the troubles brewing just outside their classroom walls. Their escapades at the Ministry had made them all somewhat memorable, especially thanks to bringing light to Fudge’s mistakes. They’d made the world realize that danger was right on their doorstep, and that avoiding it would not conquer it. Harry had been lucky to get away so easily with his life, for Voldemort had been startled off by the boy’s strength, something he hadn’t intended to encounter. Neville however had admittedly been distracted that night, his hatred for the dark arts directed to a different source- Bellatrix Lestrange. Her vile laughter still rang within his ears, his gaze furrowing to a glare as he walked, now free of the bridge amongst the grassy hills. Neville Longbottom? How’s mom and dad? Had it not been for Harry in that moment Neville would have fought her to the death, attempt to avenge his parents in that moment. He loathed the woman with every bone in his body, wishing to rip her heart straight from her body, make her suffer just as she had made his parents. They didn’t even recognize him, let alone know his name. Sometimes they thought him to be a delivery man to their “home”, or the chef that might bring them food. Never was he their son, never their family in their eyes. It stung, everyday to walk in there and be of so little importance to them. Worse was when they became violent, cursing him, blaming him for their misfortune, attacking himself and their caregivers. There was a slight cut beneath his left eye, a bruise surrounding the edges of his gaze. A flying chair had been the culprit of his injuries, having been preoccupied with a lamp being tossed his way. He’d not seen it until the very last second and had unfortunately taken quite the blow to his head. Thankfully he’d only suffered the minor wounds, but it was the emotional scar left behind from the incident that hurt far worse.

Form moved amongst the grass, heading to the Black Lake, wishing to find serenity in the usually calm waters. The only turmoil he might face was if the Giant Squid decided to come over for a visit, usually only churning the waters nearby slightly before becoming bored with its visitor. The figure of another caught his attention, raising an eyebrow at first only to have a small smile creep over his lips. Luna Lovegood, potentially the most gentle of human beings alive, was seated somewhere amongst the edge of the Black Lake. Perhaps she too had needed a break from the likes of Hogwarts’ interior? Neville picked up his pace slightly, making his way over to where she was, gaze watching her movements or lack there of to determine whether interrupting her was plausible or simply rude. ’Lo there Luna vocals were as gentle as the girl he wished to greet, his trademark half-smirk dawning the edges of his lips. Mind if I join you? He hoped she wouldn’t, he’d missed her lovely voice and presence over the summer. With all the turmoil of their lives, he’d quite forgotten how much he enjoyed their presence. Especially that of Luna Lovegood, the Ravenclaw amongst a mountain of Gryffindors.

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Word count: 1148
Tag:Luna
OOC: still trying to find m’groove mate[/center]

[Luna Lovegood]

clouds had darkened the sky overhead, bringing with them the dull, wet feeling of the oncoming season, though they had yet to produce rain. An autumn wind blew lightly, still not cold enough to drive people inside, but carrying the scent of leaves just starting to decay. Most students were inside, miserably working on the sudden work load that had been thrust upon them by professors eager to show them it really wasn’t summer break anymore. The time for learning had come, much to the annoyance of many of the students. The grey clouds seemed to fit their collective mood perfectly, with a few exceptions. Luna had always been an exception to nearly everything. Most people kept thoughts to themselves, but Luna let them out, spoke her opinions aloud and let them be known. Most people dismissed theories they considered crazy, but Luna listened and accepted many of them as truth. Most people hid from the rain, but Luna would walk through it as though it didn’t exist at all, as though she were perfectly dry and the sky was clear as a summer’s day. It was because of all these exceptions that people found the blonde to be an oddball, strange, different. But Luna took no note of it. She truly wasn’t odd; just comfortable with herself.

comfortable as others were not. Strong. It was strength that the wizarding world needed now, what with Voldemort’s resurrection…or return? It was all so confusing, really. Luna had heard stories of Harry and his friends and their adventures involving the mysteries of Hogwarts through the school grapevine and from the papers, but hadn’t truly been a part of the adventures until the year before, when she’d been invited into Dumbledore’s Army. That was when everything had truly changed, for the worse when it came to the world outside Luna’s head. But quite the opposite inside. Very much the opposite. Luna had had precious few close friends before Dumbledore’s Army; she’d met Ginny before the secret group had come together and they’d been close enough, but the previous state of their friendship didn’t compare to what it was now. It was after joining the student rebellion of sorts that Luna had found how much stronger the students were together, and how much the people she’d met in Dumbledore’s Army mattered to her. Their faces now graced her ceiling where she’d lovingly painted them so she could lie back on her bed, staring up at the faces of those she so admired. Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Neville…

s

[/font][/i][/b][/size]peaking of Neville, it was his voice that broke through her thoughts, and she blinked a few times, coming fully back—or as far as she ever got—into the real world where she sat beneath a tree on the edge of the lake. She turned to him, a dreamy smile lighting her lips, and she raised her gentle, airy voice, “Oh, hello, Neville. You’re always welcome to join me.” Luna enjoyed his presence, more so than the presence of anyone else. He was so steady and sweet, stronger and braver than he thought. Sometimes, when she found herself drifting, she would see him, so grounded, and found herself tethered to the earth once more. Not trapped, for that could imply that she was unhappy with this, but, in fact, things were quite the opposite. She, lighter than air, a helium balloon drifting above everyone in the open sky, needed someone to keep her from floating away altogether, and Neville was that someone, holding her balloon string, even if he wasn’t aware of it. “What brings you out here?” she asked looking up to him. “I haven’t seen a lot of people out today. Most of them are indoors sleeping on their books. But you seem to have something on your mind.” Focusing her large, doe-like silver eyes on him, Luna sent Neville an encouraging smile and patted the ground beside her, hoping he’d decide to stick around a while.

(( Terribly sorry for the delay. I was busy, then I couldn’t find my muse. Finally located it and I’m back on track! (: ))

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