chapters six and seven
here's chapters six and seven of clueless clumsiness.
(sorry, I couldn't put them all in one entry because there was too much text)
Chapter Six. I’ll sit with you at Breakfast.
The first years Ooo-ed and aw-ed as the food disappeared from the golden plates, and was all replaced by sweets, pies, and other things that are bound to rot one’s teeth. Ginny and Draco had both claimed they need to use the loo at the exact same time. What a coincidence.
“I would like to say a few more things before we all get too much on a sugar high, and are unable to sit still long enough to listen.” Dumbledore said, standing up again. All attention was on him, save for a few first years who were cramming truffles into their pockets. “As you may have noticed, we have a few new professors this year. Professor Tonks, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts...” Dumbledore said, clapping as Tonks stood up and waved to generally nobody. “And Miss Lydia, who will be assisting Professor Tonks.” Dumbledore said, clapping again as the Luna clone stood up and flashed a brilliantly white smile.
“I am also quite sure that a few of you, having relatives in the education department of the Ministry of Magic, have heard that we are adding on an entirely new course this year...” Dumbledore said slowly, smiling to various students. “This information is quite true.” He said as whispers erupted all around the great hall. “You may notice that Professor Tonks, and Miss Lydia are the only new faces at the staff table. Our new professors have yet to show up, which could be expected from the two.” Dumbledore said, trailing off as loud banging and crashing sounds were coming from just outside the door. “Unless I’m mistaken, I believe our new professors have arrived. Finally.” Dumbledore said, waving his hands at the door as they swung open.
Standing just outside were two tall, lanky men with their backs to them all. They seemed to be deep in discussion, staring up at the staircase leading to the second floor. They had bright red robes with real flames crawling up the side, and pointed hats to match. Neither seemed to realize the doors had opened.
“Ahem.” Dumbledore piped up, catching their attention. As the two turned around, nearly 3/4ths of the great hall ignited in applause, and shrills of excitement. Fred and George Weasley held up their hands, such as celebrities do, and went running through the ends of the tables, shaking hands, winking at people, and ending at the staff table. Unsurprisingly, many people stood and clapped, apparently over-joyed to see the Weasley twins back at Hogwarts.
“It seems they need no introduction. Professor Weasley, and Professor Weasley, please explain your new course to the students.” Dumbledore smiled with a sparkle in his eye, taking his seat as the Weasley twins stood in front of the staff table.
“Helloooooo Hogwarts ” Fred boomed, as if he were truly a celebrity. Once again, the great hall broke out in applause.
“Well, Fred. Shall we explain then?” George asked, leaning against the staff table.
“Indeed, lets.” Fred replied, taking something out of his pocket and dropping it to the ground. Smoke floated up, surrounding the both of them. There were two loud cracks, and as the smoke dissipated, the two of them were gone.
“We put in a suggestion to the Department of Education and Student Affairs for a new, more fun class for all of you here at Hogwarts.” Fred exclaimed, now at the other side of the great hall with George right behind him.
“And they accepted our suggestion.” George smiled, walking to the opposite side of the room as Fred.
“It really wont serve much of a purpose when you start thinking about careers...” Fred said, taking a piece of licorice from the table in front of him.
“But it’ll be bloody fun as hell.” George pipe up to a now laughing great hall.
“We will be your new Professors of Trickery Of Magic class.” Fred said quickly, stepping up on the bench in front of him, then onto a clear space on the table, George doing the same.
“What’s Trickery of Magic, you ask?” George said, holding out his arms.
“It’s what got us through six years of school without cracking.” Fred laughed, also holding out his arms.
Girls all around the great hall were looking up at the two with starry eyes, and guys were looking up at them trying to conceal their laughter.
“We’ll teach you various charms, potions, and...other things that no teenage witch or wizard should go without through life.” George said, winking to a third year Gryffindor, who seemed to faint.
“Observe...” Fred called, both of them retrieving their wands.
“Endo Tomendium ” George shouted, pointing his wand at Fred.
“Brilliant...” Neville said Fred whisper.
Suddenly, Fred’s bright hat quivered, then fell off his head entirely. His fiery red hair began to flow down all around him, until it was longer than Dumbledore’s.
“I think that’s about enough for one evening, Mr. Weasley.” Mcgonagall stood quickly, her lips but a line on her face.
Laughter all around the room hushed as Fred and George bowed to each other, stepped down from the tables, and took seats on opposite sides of Hagrid.
Once again, applause spread around the room.
“It seems this will be a very good year.” Dumbledore spoke again. “Now, to my dismay, it is time we all haul off to our rooms. First years, stay with your assigned prefects. If anyone has any questions, you will have plenty of time tomorrow to get everything sorted out.” He said,
returning his seat to have a chat with Professor McGonagall while the students filed out of the great hall.
Neville stood up and took Luna’s hand as she scrambled up beside him. “Luna, I wanted to talk to you about something...” Neville said quietly, as Luyu followed a Ravenclaw prefect away from the table.
“What is it?” Luna asked, smiling at him as they walked through the doors into the hallway.
“Well... I was talking to Ginny and...” Neville began, putting his arm around her waist as they walked down a hallway instead of up the staircase.
“Oh?” Luna asked nervously.
“...I don’t believe that is the correct route to the Gryffindor Common room, nor the Ravenclaw... Miss Lovegood.” A deep voice came from behind them, stopping them in their feet.
Neville turned out, and looked down quickly to the floor, twiddling his thumbs nervously.
“S-s-sorry P-professor Snape... W-we were just g-going for a w-w-walk.” Neville stuttered.
Oddly, Luna stayed in her spot, and did not turn to Snape. She stared blankly at the floor as Professor Snape walked around Neville, and stood directly in front of her.
“Is that what you were just doing, Miss Lovegood?” Snape smirked, his black eyes glinting down at her.
“Yes sir.” Luna replied somberly, keeping her eyes glued to a stone on the floor.
Neville looked strangely at Luna, wondering why she was acting this way. He’d never seen her behave like this since he’d known her. What could cause her to look aside from Snape this way?
“Perhaps you need to spend a detention with me in order to remind you that frolicking out for walks with a student of the opposite gender when you are supposed to be in our dorm is not allowed, Miss Lovegood.
“No...” She said, losing her voice as she looked up into his eyes.
“No? Very well...” Snape said, losing his smirk. “I suggest you head to your dormitories then.” He said, swooping past them, his robes billowing as her turned round a corner.
Neville stood beside Luna, and looked into her eyes. They were beginning to fill with tears.
“Luna? What...” Neville began, but was cut off as Luna wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Holding him so securely, she might never let go. He wrapped his arms around he as well, and held her for a moment as she choked back tears.
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your dorm.” Neville said softly, directing her back towards the great hall in the direction of the Ravenclaw dorm.
“I’m sorry...” Luna whispered as they walked along an empty hallway; all the students had already gotten to their dorms.
Neville stopped, and lifted her face to him. He wiped the tears strolling down her cheeks, and kissed her gently on the lips. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for.” Neville whispered, leading her the rest of the way down the hallway and stopping in front of a very large painting of a frumpy old man asleep in a brown leather chair.
Luna hugged him again, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Mandrake Oil” she said into his shoulder.
The old man in the picture shifted in his seat and mumbled in his sleep “indeed, mandrakes, lovely.” just before the portrait swung open.
“Thank you for walking me to my dorm.” Luna whispered, brushing her hair back out of her face as she backed away from Neville hesitantly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then...” Neville said, holding her hands as he stared into her eyes.
“...Yes, I’ll sit with you at breakfast.” She smiled, and let go of his hands. She walked backwards through the portrait hole, wanting to look at Neville as long as possible. Unfortunately, walking backwards through a portrait hole isn’t very safe. Luna’s foot caught on a stone, and she fell backwards, flipping through the opening. Neville’s eyes widened as he rushed forward to help her. She landed on her rear, and hit her head with a crack on the floor. Neville dropped to his knees beside her, all eyes of the common room staring at them with curiosity.
“Luna... Luna, are you ok?” Neville said quickly to an unmoving Luna. He lowered his head to her chest to listen for a heartbeat, and to see if she was breathing. He heard the quiet thumb of her heart, but couldn’t see her chest raising and lowering with breaths of air.
“What’s happened?” A boy with long black hair and dark brown eyes asked, walking up beside Neville.
“She fell through the doorway, I think she’s hit her head, she isn’t breathing...” Neville said quickly, his voice cracking. He picked Luna’s limp body up, and rushed her back out into the hallway. For some reason, the boy was following. Neville looked back for a moment, and seen Luyu was also rushing up beside him.
“Luna ” Luyu screeched, tears rolling down her cheek as she dropped to the floor. The boy with long hair picked her up, and carried her alongside Neville and Luna.
Neville looked down at Luna’s face, expressionless. He held her close to him as he rushed into the hospital wing, shouting “Madam Pomfrey Madam Pomfrey, Help ” And placed Luna on one of the empty white beds.
“What is it? Goodness What happened, Mr. Longbottom ?” Madam Pomfrey called, tying her dressing gown around herself as she rushed towards Luna’s bed.
“She-she fell, and she hit her head, and she isn’t breathing, and DO SOMETHING ” Neville shouted at Madam Pomfrey who was listening to him.
“Mr. Longbottom, please calm down. She’s going to be fine.” Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, opening a cabinet and taking out some kind of green powder.
“I’m sorry.” Neville said untruly, collapsing into a chair next to Luna’s bed. The boy with long hair walked up to Neville, Luyu trailing behind him.
“I’m Blaine, you must be Neville.” The boy said, sitting down next to him.
“Yeah...” Neville said, not really paying attention to anything but Luna.
“Luyu told me about you. I’m Luna’s step-brother.” Blain explained. This caught Neville’s attention.
“You’re kidding...” Neville said, flabbergasted, but the sound he heard next was so relieving that he could have forgotten about everyone in the room but himself and Luna.
Luna choked, her body heaving after Madam Pomfrey had sprinkled the powder over her face.
Luna sat bolt-upright trying to catch her breath. Only then did they all notice the blood on her pillow.
“Oh dear, one of you go get Professor Snape, and the Headmaster.
“...no ...” Luna choked out, squinting her eyes in pain. “Not...Snape...” She coughed out, falling back onto the pillow.
“We need the potions master, he’s got to make a very advanced potion that I doubt anyone else here would attempt.
Neville thought for a moment, his hand on top of Luna’s, who was still catching her breath. “Hermione...” He said loudly. “Hermione granger. She’ll be able to make anything.” Neville said firmly.
Madam Pomfrey looked Nervously from Neville to Luna, then sighed. “Very well. Blaine, go get the Headmaster, and take him to Gryffindor tower to retrieve Miss Granger. Hurry then.” Madam Pomfrey said, bustling back to her office, rustling around in cabinets. Blaine hurried out of the room, leaving Neville and Luyu staring painfully at Luna.
Luna tilted her head to Neville, and smiled sorely. “Thank you Neville.” Luna whispered, crossing her fingers with his.
“For what?” Neville asked, assuming she was delirious.
“Bringing me here, Hermione Granger, caring.” Luna said quietly, but stronger.
“How did you know I brought you here?” Neville asked, brushing bits of hair away from her eyes.
“Lucky guess.” Luna coughed. “It’s going to be ok, you know. Nothing to worry about.” Luna said, closing her eyes.
Neville smiled as Luyu pulled a chair up next to Luna’s bed.
“You really care about her.” Luyu said calmly, staring at her sister.
“Yes.” Neville said in realization. “Yes, I really do.”
Luna’s hand in Neville’s went limp, and her face expressionless again. Her head fell to one side. Neville stood with panic, and yelled “Madam Pomfrey ”
Chapter 7. “Quite like a roller coaster, isn’t it?”
Sometimes things happen to the innocent. Things that can’t be explained. As if Karma decided to play terrible games with those who don’t deserve it. Young children die every day. The guiltless are punished for crimes they didn’t commit. And those who deserve a soulless life are overlooked, and walk the streets, knowing that they’re sins are being paid for by the wrong people.
“Ok, I’m here. What’s wrong?” Hermione said in a panicky tone, tying a pink robe around her as she rushed into the hospital wing, followed closely by Dumbledore and Blaine.
Neville had collapsed in his chair beside Luna’s bed, his head hunched over her, sobbing. Luyu looked up to Hermione with emotionless eyes, her straggly hair sticking to her tear-stained face. Hermione paused as she stood a few feet behind Neville, unable to see Luna. Neville looked up slowly, turning his head to Hermione. As soon as Hermione looked into his eyes, she realized his tears where of happiness.
“Oh, Hermione. Professor... Dumbledore.” Neville said, getting up from his chair. Blaine let out a sigh of relief to see Luna’s eyes open, examining the room with slight confusion.
“So then, what’s -erm- what’s happening with...with...” Blaine murmured, placing his hands on his hips as if he had just run a mile.
“She um... Madam Pomfrey said Luna’s um...” Neville tried to speak, but was unable to catch his words.
“She had a major concussion. She lost conscious for a while, gave us quite a scare. I doubt it will happen again. But...” Madam Pomfrey explained, crossing her arms.
“But what?” Blaine asked impatiently.
“The concussion damaged the part of her brain that stores long term memory.” Madam Pomfrey said, letting out a sigh of hopelessness.
“She um... She doesn’t even... remember her erm... Name.” Neville said, finding it very hard to speak his words.
“Is there nothing we can do?” Dumbledore asked, looking down at Luna thru his spectacles.
“Well... There’s no spells for it, if that’s what you mean. I think we’re going to have to notify her father, and send her to St. Mungo’s. There’s nothing we can do for her here.” Madam Pomfrey replied, glancing sympathetically to Luna, who was staring from face to face with her wide eyes.
Luyu stood up next to Luna’s bed, and took her sister’s hand. “Do you know who I am?” Luyu asked as Neville stood behind her.
“I’m sorry, have we met?” Luna asked in her old airy voice, tilting her head a bit which allowed everyone to see the dried blood on her pillow case.
“Oh Luna ” Luyu cried, dropping to her knees beside the bed.
“It’s ok, it’s ok. St. Mungo’s will get her all sorted out.” Neville said, dropping to his knees beside the girl and hugging her in a brotherly fashion.
“I think, sir, we should get her to St. Mungo’s tonight.” Madam Pomfrey said quietly, walking with Professor Dumbledore towards her office.
“Indeed, if you will send an owl to her father, I will walk her down to the end of the drive and apparate with her directly there.
“Yes sir.” Madam Pomfrey replied.
“I’m going with you.” Neville said firmly, standing up and rushing over to the adults.
“Mr. Longbottom, I don’t know if that would be such a good idea...” Dumbledore said quietly, peering at Neville over his glasses.
“I do know.” Neville said calmly, holding back tears.
“Well... I suppose...” Dumbledore drew out, glancing back to Luna.
“Professor I really don’t think... ” Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, but was cut off.
“It will be quite alright. Mr. Longbottom will go with us, if he so chooses.” Dumbledore said, smiling lightly at Neville.
Neville looked back to Luna, who now being examined by Hermione.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” Hermione asked, waving three fingers in front of Luna’s face.
“What kind of question is that? You don’t know how many fingers you’re holding up?” Luna asked quite seriously.
Neville let a tear roll down his cheek as Hermione turned towards him.
“Don’t worry Neville, the rest of her brain seems to be perfectly fine.” Hermione said frumpily.
“Oh yes, no doubt she’ll be ok. She just isn’t going to remember much. But then its very hard to tell when dealing with memory. She could see something, hear a sound, smell a scent, anything really and everything could come flying back to her all at once. It’s all we can hope for.” Madam Pomfrey explained, crossing her arms.
“Why? Am I sick?” Luna asked curiously, leaning up in her bed.
“No dear. You just don’t remember anything.” Madam Pomfrey responded, lowering a sympathetic eyebrow.
“Really? I would think I’d remember if I didn’t remember anything. Hmpf.” Luna said, as if it were incredible.
“Right, well... Neville, I’ll explain to Ginny tonight, and have her tell Draco in the morning. I’m sure they’ll there to visit first thing.” Hermione said kindly
“On the first day of school? Surely not.” Madam Pomfrey said, crossing her arms as if it were despicable.
“Miss Weasley, along with Mr. Malfoy and Professor Lovegood will be excused from the building for the day. I’m certain Professor Tonks will be able to hold up for one day on her own, and perhaps we can find a replacement for Professor Lovegood sometime tomorrow. Miss Lovegood, if you don’t mind...” Dumbledore said, whipping up a floating wheel chair with his wand.
“Mind what?” Luna asked, her eyes locked on the headmaster’s.
“Brining yourself the to chair. We’ll then escort you to the hospital.” Dumbledore spoke kindly, eyes glinting.
“Am I not in the hospital?” Luna asked, looking around at the high ceilings and white beds surrounding her.
“Indeed, but this is the school infirmary, I’ll be taking you to a better hospital, which will hopefully find a way to help you regain your memory.
“Oh, wonderful.” Luna said cheerfully, hopping out of bed and slouching into the floating chair.
“Blaine, I believe you have your apparation license?” Dumbledore asked, directing Neville towards the doors.
“What? Oh, yes, I do.” Blaine said, seeming to be coming back from a daze.
“Excellent. You will be taking young Miss Lovegood with alongside you to St. Mungo’s.” Dumbledore said loudly, marching towards the door with Luna’s chair in front of him.
“Quite like a roller coaster, isn’t it?” Neville heard Luna say cheerfully as she swept thru the door, followed by Dumbledore, Blaine, Luyu, and Madam Pomfrey. He stayed behind, to find Hermione staring at him with sympathetic eyes.
“Neville... You don’t have to go, you know.” Hermione said quietly.
Neville wrinkled his eyebrows. “What?” Neville said shakily.
“You don’t have to go. To St. Mungo’s.” Hermione repeated, taking a step towards Neville.
“Hermione, it’s Luna Why wouldn’t I go? ” Neville shouted, amazed at the words coming from Hermione.
“Well she’ll most likely be there for a while, and you’ve only just started dating...” Hermione said calmly, putting a hand on Neville’s shoulder.
“Hermione ” Neville shouted angrily, thrashing her hand away. The girl he once had such a big crush on seemed to be coming onto him, but he felt he could never be more angry at anyone. Neville gave Hermione a look somewhere between loathe and uncertainty before running out of the room after the girl he loved. Away from his past, and toward his future.
(sorry, I couldn't put them all in one entry because there was too much text)
Chapter Six. I’ll sit with you at Breakfast.
The first years Ooo-ed and aw-ed as the food disappeared from the golden plates, and was all replaced by sweets, pies, and other things that are bound to rot one’s teeth. Ginny and Draco had both claimed they need to use the loo at the exact same time. What a coincidence.
“I would like to say a few more things before we all get too much on a sugar high, and are unable to sit still long enough to listen.” Dumbledore said, standing up again. All attention was on him, save for a few first years who were cramming truffles into their pockets. “As you may have noticed, we have a few new professors this year. Professor Tonks, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts...” Dumbledore said, clapping as Tonks stood up and waved to generally nobody. “And Miss Lydia, who will be assisting Professor Tonks.” Dumbledore said, clapping again as the Luna clone stood up and flashed a brilliantly white smile.
“I am also quite sure that a few of you, having relatives in the education department of the Ministry of Magic, have heard that we are adding on an entirely new course this year...” Dumbledore said slowly, smiling to various students. “This information is quite true.” He said as whispers erupted all around the great hall. “You may notice that Professor Tonks, and Miss Lydia are the only new faces at the staff table. Our new professors have yet to show up, which could be expected from the two.” Dumbledore said, trailing off as loud banging and crashing sounds were coming from just outside the door. “Unless I’m mistaken, I believe our new professors have arrived. Finally.” Dumbledore said, waving his hands at the door as they swung open.
Standing just outside were two tall, lanky men with their backs to them all. They seemed to be deep in discussion, staring up at the staircase leading to the second floor. They had bright red robes with real flames crawling up the side, and pointed hats to match. Neither seemed to realize the doors had opened.
“Ahem.” Dumbledore piped up, catching their attention. As the two turned around, nearly 3/4ths of the great hall ignited in applause, and shrills of excitement. Fred and George Weasley held up their hands, such as celebrities do, and went running through the ends of the tables, shaking hands, winking at people, and ending at the staff table. Unsurprisingly, many people stood and clapped, apparently over-joyed to see the Weasley twins back at Hogwarts.
“It seems they need no introduction. Professor Weasley, and Professor Weasley, please explain your new course to the students.” Dumbledore smiled with a sparkle in his eye, taking his seat as the Weasley twins stood in front of the staff table.
“Helloooooo Hogwarts ” Fred boomed, as if he were truly a celebrity. Once again, the great hall broke out in applause.
“Well, Fred. Shall we explain then?” George asked, leaning against the staff table.
“Indeed, lets.” Fred replied, taking something out of his pocket and dropping it to the ground. Smoke floated up, surrounding the both of them. There were two loud cracks, and as the smoke dissipated, the two of them were gone.
“We put in a suggestion to the Department of Education and Student Affairs for a new, more fun class for all of you here at Hogwarts.” Fred exclaimed, now at the other side of the great hall with George right behind him.
“And they accepted our suggestion.” George smiled, walking to the opposite side of the room as Fred.
“It really wont serve much of a purpose when you start thinking about careers...” Fred said, taking a piece of licorice from the table in front of him.
“But it’ll be bloody fun as hell.” George pipe up to a now laughing great hall.
“We will be your new Professors of Trickery Of Magic class.” Fred said quickly, stepping up on the bench in front of him, then onto a clear space on the table, George doing the same.
“What’s Trickery of Magic, you ask?” George said, holding out his arms.
“It’s what got us through six years of school without cracking.” Fred laughed, also holding out his arms.
Girls all around the great hall were looking up at the two with starry eyes, and guys were looking up at them trying to conceal their laughter.
“We’ll teach you various charms, potions, and...other things that no teenage witch or wizard should go without through life.” George said, winking to a third year Gryffindor, who seemed to faint.
“Observe...” Fred called, both of them retrieving their wands.
“Endo Tomendium ” George shouted, pointing his wand at Fred.
“Brilliant...” Neville said Fred whisper.
Suddenly, Fred’s bright hat quivered, then fell off his head entirely. His fiery red hair began to flow down all around him, until it was longer than Dumbledore’s.
“I think that’s about enough for one evening, Mr. Weasley.” Mcgonagall stood quickly, her lips but a line on her face.
Laughter all around the room hushed as Fred and George bowed to each other, stepped down from the tables, and took seats on opposite sides of Hagrid.
Once again, applause spread around the room.
“It seems this will be a very good year.” Dumbledore spoke again. “Now, to my dismay, it is time we all haul off to our rooms. First years, stay with your assigned prefects. If anyone has any questions, you will have plenty of time tomorrow to get everything sorted out.” He said,
returning his seat to have a chat with Professor McGonagall while the students filed out of the great hall.
Neville stood up and took Luna’s hand as she scrambled up beside him. “Luna, I wanted to talk to you about something...” Neville said quietly, as Luyu followed a Ravenclaw prefect away from the table.
“What is it?” Luna asked, smiling at him as they walked through the doors into the hallway.
“Well... I was talking to Ginny and...” Neville began, putting his arm around her waist as they walked down a hallway instead of up the staircase.
“Oh?” Luna asked nervously.
“...I don’t believe that is the correct route to the Gryffindor Common room, nor the Ravenclaw... Miss Lovegood.” A deep voice came from behind them, stopping them in their feet.
Neville turned out, and looked down quickly to the floor, twiddling his thumbs nervously.
“S-s-sorry P-professor Snape... W-we were just g-going for a w-w-walk.” Neville stuttered.
Oddly, Luna stayed in her spot, and did not turn to Snape. She stared blankly at the floor as Professor Snape walked around Neville, and stood directly in front of her.
“Is that what you were just doing, Miss Lovegood?” Snape smirked, his black eyes glinting down at her.
“Yes sir.” Luna replied somberly, keeping her eyes glued to a stone on the floor.
Neville looked strangely at Luna, wondering why she was acting this way. He’d never seen her behave like this since he’d known her. What could cause her to look aside from Snape this way?
“Perhaps you need to spend a detention with me in order to remind you that frolicking out for walks with a student of the opposite gender when you are supposed to be in our dorm is not allowed, Miss Lovegood.
“No...” She said, losing her voice as she looked up into his eyes.
“No? Very well...” Snape said, losing his smirk. “I suggest you head to your dormitories then.” He said, swooping past them, his robes billowing as her turned round a corner.
Neville stood beside Luna, and looked into her eyes. They were beginning to fill with tears.
“Luna? What...” Neville began, but was cut off as Luna wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Holding him so securely, she might never let go. He wrapped his arms around he as well, and held her for a moment as she choked back tears.
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your dorm.” Neville said softly, directing her back towards the great hall in the direction of the Ravenclaw dorm.
“I’m sorry...” Luna whispered as they walked along an empty hallway; all the students had already gotten to their dorms.
Neville stopped, and lifted her face to him. He wiped the tears strolling down her cheeks, and kissed her gently on the lips. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for.” Neville whispered, leading her the rest of the way down the hallway and stopping in front of a very large painting of a frumpy old man asleep in a brown leather chair.
Luna hugged him again, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Mandrake Oil” she said into his shoulder.
The old man in the picture shifted in his seat and mumbled in his sleep “indeed, mandrakes, lovely.” just before the portrait swung open.
“Thank you for walking me to my dorm.” Luna whispered, brushing her hair back out of her face as she backed away from Neville hesitantly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then...” Neville said, holding her hands as he stared into her eyes.
“...Yes, I’ll sit with you at breakfast.” She smiled, and let go of his hands. She walked backwards through the portrait hole, wanting to look at Neville as long as possible. Unfortunately, walking backwards through a portrait hole isn’t very safe. Luna’s foot caught on a stone, and she fell backwards, flipping through the opening. Neville’s eyes widened as he rushed forward to help her. She landed on her rear, and hit her head with a crack on the floor. Neville dropped to his knees beside her, all eyes of the common room staring at them with curiosity.
“Luna... Luna, are you ok?” Neville said quickly to an unmoving Luna. He lowered his head to her chest to listen for a heartbeat, and to see if she was breathing. He heard the quiet thumb of her heart, but couldn’t see her chest raising and lowering with breaths of air.
“What’s happened?” A boy with long black hair and dark brown eyes asked, walking up beside Neville.
“She fell through the doorway, I think she’s hit her head, she isn’t breathing...” Neville said quickly, his voice cracking. He picked Luna’s limp body up, and rushed her back out into the hallway. For some reason, the boy was following. Neville looked back for a moment, and seen Luyu was also rushing up beside him.
“Luna ” Luyu screeched, tears rolling down her cheek as she dropped to the floor. The boy with long hair picked her up, and carried her alongside Neville and Luna.
Neville looked down at Luna’s face, expressionless. He held her close to him as he rushed into the hospital wing, shouting “Madam Pomfrey Madam Pomfrey, Help ” And placed Luna on one of the empty white beds.
“What is it? Goodness What happened, Mr. Longbottom ?” Madam Pomfrey called, tying her dressing gown around herself as she rushed towards Luna’s bed.
“She-she fell, and she hit her head, and she isn’t breathing, and DO SOMETHING ” Neville shouted at Madam Pomfrey who was listening to him.
“Mr. Longbottom, please calm down. She’s going to be fine.” Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, opening a cabinet and taking out some kind of green powder.
“I’m sorry.” Neville said untruly, collapsing into a chair next to Luna’s bed. The boy with long hair walked up to Neville, Luyu trailing behind him.
“I’m Blaine, you must be Neville.” The boy said, sitting down next to him.
“Yeah...” Neville said, not really paying attention to anything but Luna.
“Luyu told me about you. I’m Luna’s step-brother.” Blain explained. This caught Neville’s attention.
“You’re kidding...” Neville said, flabbergasted, but the sound he heard next was so relieving that he could have forgotten about everyone in the room but himself and Luna.
Luna choked, her body heaving after Madam Pomfrey had sprinkled the powder over her face.
Luna sat bolt-upright trying to catch her breath. Only then did they all notice the blood on her pillow.
“Oh dear, one of you go get Professor Snape, and the Headmaster.
“...no ...” Luna choked out, squinting her eyes in pain. “Not...Snape...” She coughed out, falling back onto the pillow.
“We need the potions master, he’s got to make a very advanced potion that I doubt anyone else here would attempt.
Neville thought for a moment, his hand on top of Luna’s, who was still catching her breath. “Hermione...” He said loudly. “Hermione granger. She’ll be able to make anything.” Neville said firmly.
Madam Pomfrey looked Nervously from Neville to Luna, then sighed. “Very well. Blaine, go get the Headmaster, and take him to Gryffindor tower to retrieve Miss Granger. Hurry then.” Madam Pomfrey said, bustling back to her office, rustling around in cabinets. Blaine hurried out of the room, leaving Neville and Luyu staring painfully at Luna.
Luna tilted her head to Neville, and smiled sorely. “Thank you Neville.” Luna whispered, crossing her fingers with his.
“For what?” Neville asked, assuming she was delirious.
“Bringing me here, Hermione Granger, caring.” Luna said quietly, but stronger.
“How did you know I brought you here?” Neville asked, brushing bits of hair away from her eyes.
“Lucky guess.” Luna coughed. “It’s going to be ok, you know. Nothing to worry about.” Luna said, closing her eyes.
Neville smiled as Luyu pulled a chair up next to Luna’s bed.
“You really care about her.” Luyu said calmly, staring at her sister.
“Yes.” Neville said in realization. “Yes, I really do.”
Luna’s hand in Neville’s went limp, and her face expressionless again. Her head fell to one side. Neville stood with panic, and yelled “Madam Pomfrey ”
Chapter 7. “Quite like a roller coaster, isn’t it?”
Sometimes things happen to the innocent. Things that can’t be explained. As if Karma decided to play terrible games with those who don’t deserve it. Young children die every day. The guiltless are punished for crimes they didn’t commit. And those who deserve a soulless life are overlooked, and walk the streets, knowing that they’re sins are being paid for by the wrong people.
“Ok, I’m here. What’s wrong?” Hermione said in a panicky tone, tying a pink robe around her as she rushed into the hospital wing, followed closely by Dumbledore and Blaine.
Neville had collapsed in his chair beside Luna’s bed, his head hunched over her, sobbing. Luyu looked up to Hermione with emotionless eyes, her straggly hair sticking to her tear-stained face. Hermione paused as she stood a few feet behind Neville, unable to see Luna. Neville looked up slowly, turning his head to Hermione. As soon as Hermione looked into his eyes, she realized his tears where of happiness.
“Oh, Hermione. Professor... Dumbledore.” Neville said, getting up from his chair. Blaine let out a sigh of relief to see Luna’s eyes open, examining the room with slight confusion.
“So then, what’s -erm- what’s happening with...with...” Blaine murmured, placing his hands on his hips as if he had just run a mile.
“She um... Madam Pomfrey said Luna’s um...” Neville tried to speak, but was unable to catch his words.
“She had a major concussion. She lost conscious for a while, gave us quite a scare. I doubt it will happen again. But...” Madam Pomfrey explained, crossing her arms.
“But what?” Blaine asked impatiently.
“The concussion damaged the part of her brain that stores long term memory.” Madam Pomfrey said, letting out a sigh of hopelessness.
“She um... She doesn’t even... remember her erm... Name.” Neville said, finding it very hard to speak his words.
“Is there nothing we can do?” Dumbledore asked, looking down at Luna thru his spectacles.
“Well... There’s no spells for it, if that’s what you mean. I think we’re going to have to notify her father, and send her to St. Mungo’s. There’s nothing we can do for her here.” Madam Pomfrey replied, glancing sympathetically to Luna, who was staring from face to face with her wide eyes.
Luyu stood up next to Luna’s bed, and took her sister’s hand. “Do you know who I am?” Luyu asked as Neville stood behind her.
“I’m sorry, have we met?” Luna asked in her old airy voice, tilting her head a bit which allowed everyone to see the dried blood on her pillow case.
“Oh Luna ” Luyu cried, dropping to her knees beside the bed.
“It’s ok, it’s ok. St. Mungo’s will get her all sorted out.” Neville said, dropping to his knees beside the girl and hugging her in a brotherly fashion.
“I think, sir, we should get her to St. Mungo’s tonight.” Madam Pomfrey said quietly, walking with Professor Dumbledore towards her office.
“Indeed, if you will send an owl to her father, I will walk her down to the end of the drive and apparate with her directly there.
“Yes sir.” Madam Pomfrey replied.
“I’m going with you.” Neville said firmly, standing up and rushing over to the adults.
“Mr. Longbottom, I don’t know if that would be such a good idea...” Dumbledore said quietly, peering at Neville over his glasses.
“I do know.” Neville said calmly, holding back tears.
“Well... I suppose...” Dumbledore drew out, glancing back to Luna.
“Professor I really don’t think... ” Madam Pomfrey exclaimed, but was cut off.
“It will be quite alright. Mr. Longbottom will go with us, if he so chooses.” Dumbledore said, smiling lightly at Neville.
Neville looked back to Luna, who now being examined by Hermione.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” Hermione asked, waving three fingers in front of Luna’s face.
“What kind of question is that? You don’t know how many fingers you’re holding up?” Luna asked quite seriously.
Neville let a tear roll down his cheek as Hermione turned towards him.
“Don’t worry Neville, the rest of her brain seems to be perfectly fine.” Hermione said frumpily.
“Oh yes, no doubt she’ll be ok. She just isn’t going to remember much. But then its very hard to tell when dealing with memory. She could see something, hear a sound, smell a scent, anything really and everything could come flying back to her all at once. It’s all we can hope for.” Madam Pomfrey explained, crossing her arms.
“Why? Am I sick?” Luna asked curiously, leaning up in her bed.
“No dear. You just don’t remember anything.” Madam Pomfrey responded, lowering a sympathetic eyebrow.
“Really? I would think I’d remember if I didn’t remember anything. Hmpf.” Luna said, as if it were incredible.
“Right, well... Neville, I’ll explain to Ginny tonight, and have her tell Draco in the morning. I’m sure they’ll there to visit first thing.” Hermione said kindly
“On the first day of school? Surely not.” Madam Pomfrey said, crossing her arms as if it were despicable.
“Miss Weasley, along with Mr. Malfoy and Professor Lovegood will be excused from the building for the day. I’m certain Professor Tonks will be able to hold up for one day on her own, and perhaps we can find a replacement for Professor Lovegood sometime tomorrow. Miss Lovegood, if you don’t mind...” Dumbledore said, whipping up a floating wheel chair with his wand.
“Mind what?” Luna asked, her eyes locked on the headmaster’s.
“Brining yourself the to chair. We’ll then escort you to the hospital.” Dumbledore spoke kindly, eyes glinting.
“Am I not in the hospital?” Luna asked, looking around at the high ceilings and white beds surrounding her.
“Indeed, but this is the school infirmary, I’ll be taking you to a better hospital, which will hopefully find a way to help you regain your memory.
“Oh, wonderful.” Luna said cheerfully, hopping out of bed and slouching into the floating chair.
“Blaine, I believe you have your apparation license?” Dumbledore asked, directing Neville towards the doors.
“What? Oh, yes, I do.” Blaine said, seeming to be coming back from a daze.
“Excellent. You will be taking young Miss Lovegood with alongside you to St. Mungo’s.” Dumbledore said loudly, marching towards the door with Luna’s chair in front of him.
“Quite like a roller coaster, isn’t it?” Neville heard Luna say cheerfully as she swept thru the door, followed by Dumbledore, Blaine, Luyu, and Madam Pomfrey. He stayed behind, to find Hermione staring at him with sympathetic eyes.
“Neville... You don’t have to go, you know.” Hermione said quietly.
Neville wrinkled his eyebrows. “What?” Neville said shakily.
“You don’t have to go. To St. Mungo’s.” Hermione repeated, taking a step towards Neville.
“Hermione, it’s Luna Why wouldn’t I go? ” Neville shouted, amazed at the words coming from Hermione.
“Well she’ll most likely be there for a while, and you’ve only just started dating...” Hermione said calmly, putting a hand on Neville’s shoulder.
“Hermione ” Neville shouted angrily, thrashing her hand away. The girl he once had such a big crush on seemed to be coming onto him, but he felt he could never be more angry at anyone. Neville gave Hermione a look somewhere between loathe and uncertainty before running out of the room after the girl he loved. Away from his past, and toward his future.