Discovering Luna lovegood

Chapter 2~ All Aboard

      Packing the last item in Ginny's suitcase, we stopped to admire how messy the room had gotten. Clothes hung everywhere. On lamps, chairs, and most covered-the bed. 

"Mom'll clean it," Ginny said while shrinking her trunk. "Ready to go back?" 

I nodded. Now or never. Ginny and I would be 7th years this year. They moved everyone up one year despite the war, giving everyone passing scores. The school really didn't anticipate a large number of students this year which saddened me. Countless had died. So much so, that they made a huge memorial in Diagon Alley in a field that they created. The air was always covered  in the scent of flowers whenever I walked by.

"Ginny, Luna, Boys? You ready to go?" Mrs. Weasley shouted up the steps. Ginny clasped my hand as we walked down the steps. 

We reached the crowded living room. Ginny released my hand and walked towards Harry, grabbing his hand instead. The Golden Trio was busy sorting all their luggage, Hermione of course commanding the boys what to do. Harry, Hermione, and Ron had decided to try their hand at another year of Hogwarts. I don't think they knew what they were getting themselves into. George decided he'd try to open the shop soon as to help students prank the teachers the upcoming school year. Fred's last wish. He still looked sad. 

"I'm going to head out Luna. I trust you're in good hands. Love you." I crossed the room and hugged Daddy goodbye. 

"Don't discover anything without me and don't forget to send copies of the Quibbler." 

He laughed, "When have I ever?"

"Ready to go everybody?" Mrs. Weasley asked. We all nodded and collected our luggage. Hermione had finally gotten done squabbling at Ron and noticed me, giving me a huge hug and congratulating me on being Head Girl. Hermione had been offered the position for a Prefect but declined and the position went on to Ginny. 

And we were off. I watched as Daddy crossed the hill leading to our house and disappeared towards the horizon. Onto new adventures. 

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We arrived at the train station after a car fiasco. It's impossibly hard to drive a flying car with seven people crammed in the back.  Once we all climbed out like a clown car, we grabbed a buggy and placed our now enlarged trunks on. The station smelled of that hot brake smell and iron. The inside was stiffing with humidity and a small breeze. Looking at my ticket, it read: Luna Lovegood of Ottery St. Catchpole on Platform 9 3/4 on Saturday Sept. 1, 1981 from 3-4pm. On a one way trip to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 

"Off we go, kids. Best not be late. Wouldn't want to miss the train." Mrs. Weasley voiced. We pushed the buggy's up the ramp over the trains and across the way. Watching a train make its way out of the station, I failed to notice someone and bumped straight into them.  

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. Are you okay?" I grabbed their arm to apologize but hadn't noticed who I bumped into until I looked up and met two dazzling blue eyes. Draco Malfoy. The school's biggest bully. The one who had no doubt hid my shoes all those year earlier. 

He sneered at me and stormed past, brushing my shoulder and running over my foot with his buggy. 

"You alright Luna?" Harry asked grabbing my shoulder as I held my throbbing foot. He had watched the whole ordeal.

"I'm fine. I hope he's alright. Do you think he heard my apology?" I turned towards Harry only to see him smiling.

"Only you Luna. Only you could care whether Draco Malfoy was injured... Come on, we might miss the train." He steered me towards the crowd of Weasleys a way ahead. 

"You okay Luna?"

 "I saw what happened."

 "Did he hurt you?"

"I'm fine. No big deal. Let's catch this train." I grabbed my abandoned buggy and continued to push towards the platform, hopping they were following me. While walking I was distracted, why couldn't I get his blue eyes and the smell of his cologne out of my mind?

Finally we reached the enchanted wall. I still remember my first time going through. I thought it was filled with nargles. It was the only explanation. I remember Daddy laughing when I whispered that. And that was the first thing I said that got me a friend. "Did the Nargles do that?" "Nargles? What are those?" Were Ginny's first words to me.  

Stepping through the barrier now was a new experience, because the other side of the platform looked empty. Prior years it would be full of students greeting friends, buggys covered with trunks and cauldrons, and families tearfully saying goodbye. This year was far less students because of the war. 

"Okay, kids. Off you go. You know the drill by now. Write me whenever. I love you all, even you Hermione and Luna. I'm always here to talk. Don't do anything stupid like start another war or get pregnant." Mrs. Weasley said kissing each of our heads and giving us huge hugs. 

"Mom!" Ron yelled blushing and Hermione looked down at her feet, cheeks dusted pink.

"Of course none of that will happen." Hermione replied hugging Mrs. Weasley, "I already have to raise two knuckleheads, I don't want to add another."

Ginny and I smiled at each other. As Ron gaped like a fish that his girlfriend. Harry chuckled. Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly.

"Of course it won't Hermione. I know." Mrs. Weasley waved at each of us and smiled as we unloaded the buggy.

I gave Mrs. Weasley a hug and was about to let go when she whispered something in my ear. "Make sure they have fun this year, Luna. Merlin knows they need it after last year. Make sure nothing I wouldn't approve of happens. Thank you for always being there Luna, they need you." She pulled away and loudly said, "And get yourself a boyfriend this year. You're too sweet of a child to not have one. Maybe try the Longbottom kid, he's nice."

I can't not say that I blushed and was the reason of laughter the whole time getting on the train.

As the train pulled out of the station and we smiled enthusiastically at Mrs. Weasley I hoped that this year would be a good one. 

But a small voice in the back of my head said there might be trouble following.

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Word Count: 1,096 words