Discovering Luna lovegood

Chapter 3~ Trains and Trouble

The cabin was eerily silent. Harry was asleep on Ginny's shoulder, Ron and Hermione on each other. The Golden Trio hadn't gotten much sleep since the war ended, nobody did. Images of death, war, and Voldemort still haunted everyone's dreams. Neville sat contently in the corner, squished against the door, reading a Herbology book.

"How was your summer, Neville?" I whispered across the seats. Neville had confessed his feelings to me during the war, but we agreed to be friends. 

He looked up from his book. "It was good. Gran still can't believe I want to become a Herbologist. She wants me to become something more "respected" like an Auror. I'm just not cut out for that type of work. Unlike them." He motioned with his thumb to the three. "They've been doing that their whole lives." 

"How's your mom?" Unlike the others, I found out about Neville's parents earlier. Alice is such a sweet lady, It's not fair that she was cursed like that. 

"She's good. Still giving me wrappers. But, it's the only thing she knows....Despite Gran telling me to throw them away, I collect them. It's the only thing I have from her. They were her favorites." His eyes got misty. despite slaying Nagini last year, Neville was the same kind hearted boy from fourth year. 

I grabbed Neville's hand. "She'll be fine. They both will, they're in good hands. She'll remember you in no time. You can't give up hope."

He nodded, wiped his eyes, and returned to his book. Just then, the Trolley lady approached and knocked on the door. 

"Anything from the Trolley, darlings?" She noticed the sleeping members, "Sorry, I'll keep my voice down."

"I'll take a chocolate frog, one cauldron cake, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, please." She nodded and searched her trolley.

"Blimey Luna. You're not going to eat all of that are you?" Neville asked watching amazed as I collected it from her hands.

"That's not very polite, mister. You should never judge a lady by her size." The lady scolded, hand on hip, and walked off.

 "That's not- I didn't- Luna, tell her." Neville stuttered while I laughed and held my stomach. " I hope you don't think that's what I was implying, Luna. I'd never call you fat."

"I know Neville. Did you see her face?! That was hilarious."

"Not it was not. She'll never look at me the same ever again. I am not sexist!... What were you planning to do with all that food, Luna?" He bookmarked his book and pouted.

"I was planning to give it to Hermione, Ron, and Harry once they wake up. Which should be shortly." I checked the time on my watch, "They should be getting changed by now. You should change while I wake the others."

He collected his robes and left the cabin while I slightly shook Hermione's shoulder. It only took a couple seconds until she was awake. And when she was, she was violent. She must have developed a sleeping mechanism because instantly a glowing blue wand was at my neck. I shuffled backward to escape the spell she might cast, my back hitting the window to the cabin. Some student walking by jumped and scurried off. Her eyes were ablaze with a fire I'd only see a couple times. She calmed down once she noticed who she had pinned down. 

"Merlin, Luna! I'm so sorry. Are you alright? I'm sorry. It's just a self defense mechanism I developed while I was out hunting with Ron and Harry." She kept mumbling and apologizing. 

Apparently her movement woke up Ron who slid onto the seat next to him. My hitting the window woke up Ginny who, in turn, awoke Harry. All of which rubbed their eyes and yawned. My job was cut out for me.