Mamihlapinatapai

Vexing Veritaserum⋆｡°✩

TW blood

Atlas and Draco went back home for the Holidays. Atlas boarded the train while Draco waited for Crabbe and Goyle to load their things. He briskly walked through the hallway until he happened upon an empty compartment. He opened the door and plopped down on the seat closest to the window. He always loved looking at the scenery.

The door opened again and Atlas looked up, surprised to see a platinum blonde girl wander in. "Oh hello there. Would you mind if I sit here? There are nargles in the other compartments."

"Sure. What's a nargle?"

"They're mischievous thieves and troublemakers. I've seemed to misplace my Butterbeer cork necklace, which helps keep them away," She explained with an airy voice.

"I see." Atlas shifted his gaze back to the window.

"I'm Luna Lovegood. And you're Atlas Lestrange, right?"

"Yes." Atlas looked at the girl. "I like your earrings," He said, eyeing the strawberries dangling from her ears.

"Oh thank you, they're Dirigible Plums. They help keep away the nargles."

"I've never seen a nargle before. What do they look like?" Atlas asked.

"Oh, well they have light purple skin, two thin arms, and legs with long fingers and toes. They have bat-like ears, large white eyes, pointy noses, and sharp teeth."

"Sharp teeth? Do they bite?"

"No, they're usually harmless. But they do bring bad luck. Maybe that's why my shoes disappeared."

Atlas looked down to see her barefoot. "Do you not have other pairs?"

"I do, but sadly they were taken. But they'll show up eventually. They always do."

The door opened again and Neville stumbled in. "Hi, Neville!" Luna beamed. "I've made a new friend!" She beamed, excitedly kicking her legs. It reminded Atlas of a small child.

"Oh, uhm hi Lestrange," Neville shyly greeted. He sat down next to Luna.

Atlas looked at him curiously. He wondered why he was being awkward around him. They were fine the last time they talked, right? "Hi, Longbottom."

"Hm, how about we use first names? We're all friends, right?" Luna smiled.

Atlas couldn't help but smile back. Luna just seemed to have that effect on people. "Sure, Luna."

The three chatted for a while, Luna mostly carrying the conversation. That was till she fell asleep.

"What's up with you?" Atlas asked.

"What do you mean?" Neville looked at the floor, avoiding eye contact.

"You've been acting odd is all. Did I do something?"

Neville stayed quiet for a moment and slowly lifted his gaze to look at Atlas. "Well, uhm, it's not really any of my business but, well, you see...I sit next to Harry during meals and I overheard him complaining about you to Ron and Hermione."

Atlas clenched his jaw. Neville seemed to notice and shrank back. "Sorry, I know it's not my place, but it felt wrong not to say anything."

"It's alright, Neville. But I'd prefer we don't talk about him or his friends."

"Right, yep, sorry."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Atlas bid his new friends farewell and got off the train to look for Draco. He easily found him, off to the side with Blaise.