Luna's footsteps echoed softly in the Gryffindor common room. It was one of those rare moments when the room was silent, devoid of the usual laughter and chatter that colored its atmosphere. The golden and red decorations adorning the walls caught the light of the fireplace, casting warm glows across the room. The flames themselves seemed to pause, as if sensing the tension that had just entered.
She approached her sister, who was lounging on one of the couches. Y/N looked up, her expression changing from relaxed to surprise. "What are you doing here, little sis?" she inquired, her voice tinged with both concern and confusion.
The words barely left Y/N's lips when Luna's pale face contorted with distress, her eyes watery and her lips quivering. "Draco Malfoy punched me," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Shock rippled through Y/N. She was on her feet in an instant, eyes blazing with fury. Ron, always perceptive, read the situation immediately. As Y/N's anger became palpable, he rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her in a restraining grip. She struggled, her raw emotions threatening to burst forth. Luna's teary eyes watched, filled with a mix of gratitude and guilt.
"Luna, are you okay?" Ron's voice was soft, even as he continued to hold Y/N down on the bed, preventing her from storming out in a fit of rage. He had seen this side of her before, the fiercely protective older sister, and he knew the lengths she would go to defend Luna.
Luna nodded, wiping away a tear. "I'll be fine," she whispered, her voice shaky. But as the three of them sat in the common room, enveloped by the warmth of the fire and the bond of family and friendship, it was clear that the events of the day would leave a lasting mark on their hearts.
The common room's ambient light played shadows upon the trio's faces. Luna, her silvery hair reflecting the firelight, looked lost in thought. Y/N's anger had given way to a simmering resolve. Ron, always the mediator, searched for words to soothe the situation.
"Why would Draco do that?" Y/N finally broke the silence, her voice filled with disbelief.
Luna took a deep breath, her blue eyes meeting Y/N's. "I overheard him talking about a plan, something with the Death Eaters. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but he saw me, and then..." Her voice trailed off, the memory too painful to recall.
Ron's grip on Y/N tightened, anticipating another surge of anger. But Y/N just took a deep breath, channeling her fury into determination. "We need to tell Dumbledore," she stated.
Luna hesitated. "I'm afraid, Y/N. Draco's not the only one involved. There are others in Slytherin."
The weight of the revelation was heavy, the stakes much higher than personal vendettas or house rivalries. The trio sat together, realizing the path ahead would be filled with challenges. Y/N took Luna's hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll protect you, Luna. We won't let them hurt you anymore."
Ron nodded in agreement. "We're stronger together. Whatever Draco and his cronies are planning, we'll face it head-on."
Luna smiled weakly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice carrying gratitude and trust.
The three of them sat close together, drawing strength from each other. Outside the windows, the night was dark and foreboding, but inside Gryffindor's common room, the light of unity and courage shone brightly. The battle lines were drawn, and the trio knew they were on the precipice of something monumental.
The next day, as dawn's first light streamed through the Hogwarts windows, the school's corridors were abuzz with whispers. The news of Draco Malfoy's assault on Luna had spread like wildfire. While some students wore expressions of shock, others wore smirks, revealing the deep-rooted house biases that had always existed within Hogwarts.
