The Raven's Call

The Woman in Pink

Friday, September 1st, 1995

This break didn't last long enough.
I sit in a train compartment by myself, anyone who'd walk past would see me and keep walking. I can already hear the whisperings.

'That's the kid who's brother died.'
'You mean the kid who got disowned by Mr. Diggory?'
'Yep, must've been a pity child.'

"Yeah, I was."
I say, getting up to speak to them at the door.
"I was only adopted because Cedric had begged his parents for a younger brother.
They were glad to be rid of me, never wanted me in the first place.
Just like my real parents.
Now, piss off."
I grumble, slamming the compartment door shut.

***

After we reach Hogwarts, I'm one of the last ones off the train, making my way to a carriage being pulled by a Thestral. I pet the animal softly before I see only one person sitting there.
"Luna.."
I say quietly with a soft smile, joining her on the carriage. This was the first time I had smiled in months.

"Atticus!"
Luna exclaims with a smile, pulling me into a large hug as I sit down beside her.
"Oh, I've been so worried about you!"
She says, tightening her hug around me.

"I've missed you so much.."
I mumble softly into her wavy hair which smelled of honey and petrichor.

"I missed you too."
She responds as we break the hug, she begins fiddling with my messy hair, which I hadn't been taking care of whatsoever.
"Would you like to read the Quibbler with me? There's an interesting entry on Nargles."
She asks with a smile, pulling out her Quibbler before opening it, reading it upside down.

I let out a chuckle as I read it, resting my head on her shoulder.

The thestral leads our carriage down the path before stopping once more.

"What is it?"
I hear Harry's voice ask.

"What's what?"
Ron asks back.

"That, pulling the carriage."
Harry responded.

"Nothing's pulling the carriage, Harry."
Hermione instructs.
"It's pulling itself, like always."

"You're not going mad."
Luna says looking up from the Quibbler as she dropped it to her lap.
"We can see them too. You're just as sane as we are."

Harry, Hermione and Neville take a seat across from us while Ron sits on the other side of Luna.

"Everybody this is Loony Love-"
Hermione began before I shot her a look.
"Luna Lovegood."
She corrected herself.
"What an interesting necklace."

"It's a charm, actually."
Luna responds with a smile before leaning in.
"It keeps away the Nargles."
There's a silence.
"Hungry."
Luna spoke again.
"I hope there's pudding."

Once the Thestral begins pulling the cart once again, I smile, draping my arm over Luna's shoulder as she cuddles into me. Ron's jaw dropped in shock, he hadn't seen me smile all summer.

Luna was my safe place.

***

"Good evening, children."
Dumbledore speaks up after the first years had been sorted and everyone is midway through eating their desert. The students quiet down as Dumbledore continues.
"Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking care of Magical creatures while Professor Hagrid is on tempory leave. We also wish to welcome our new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, Professor Delores Umbridge."
A woman in pink smiles and grins from the teachers table. I notice Snape giving her a glare.
"And I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck. As usual, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you..." Dumbledore is interrupted by Umbridge, who clears her throat. Dumbledore looks surprised, as he turns his head around. Umbridge gets up from the table and trots over to the podium in her pink high heels.