Two Houses (HarryxDraco)

Chapter 16

"I really appreciate your help with this," said Harry. "I can paint walls well enough but I'm no Picasso."

"Who's Picasso?" asked Luna interestedly.

"He was a very famous Muggle artist," he explained. "I think you would like his paintings and sculptures. I can pick up a book with some of his artwork if you'd like?"

Luna beamed at Harry. "Oh yes, I'd like that very much."

A few days had passed since Myrtle told Harry about someone vandalising her beloved toilet. He couldn't get the image out of his mind of Myrtle moping about her bathroom, unable to do anything about the graffiti herself, so he decided to do something about it. Aware of his own limited artistic expertise, he told Luna what he planned to do and she was more than happy to assist him. So rather than use their free evening catching up with their homework or spending time with friends, they were headed in the direction of the girl's lavatory on the second floor armed with buckets of paint and paintbrushes.

They slowed as they approached the bathroom and Harry turned to Luna. "I should warn you that Myrtle can be a little sensitive, particularly when it comes to the subject of her being dead. It's a good thing that we're wearing old clothes because when she's in one of her more irritable moods, she's prone to splashing toilet water all over the place."

"Right you are, Harry," said Luna brightly. "I'll be careful not to mention that she's a ghost."

"Probably for the best," Harry agreed. He knocked on the bathroom door and stuck his head inside. "Myrtle, it's Harry. Can I come in?"

Harry took a quick step back as Myrtle's opaque head appeared through the door, giving her the appearance of a macabre wall mount.

"Draco's not here if that's who you're looking for," she sulked. She glanced at Luna who smiled up at her. "Who are you?"

"We're not looking for Draco, we're here to see you," said Harry. "This is Luna. She's in Ravenclaw like you were."

Luna gave Myrtle a small wave and Myrtle's eyes narrowed. "Is she your girlfriend?"

"Um, no." Harry was a little taken aback at the accusatory tone. "We're just friends."

That seemed to perk Myrtle up a little bit and she smiled. "Oh. Well, then it's nice to meet you, Luna. So, what can I do for you? Need somewhere to make dangerous potions and plan some rule-breaking?"

Harry shook his head. "Not today. We actually want to do something for you."

When Harry told her that he and Luna wanted to paint over the graffiti covering her toilet, Myrtle squealed with delight and invited them inside.

"Please excuse the mess," she simpered. "I don't normally have guests."

When Harry stepped inside the bathroom, he was horrified to see the state that it was in. Granted, it had never been what he'd consider habitable—the floor was always damp and the paint was flaking off of the walls—but now doors to the stalls were dangling off hinges, the large mirror by the sinks had been smashed and there was bright red writing spray-painted across the whole room.

"Myrtle," said Harry carefully. "During the battle, were there people fighting in your bathroom?"

"No, this has all happened a few days ago," said Myrtle sullenly, floating over their heads. "I was sitting inside one of the drains, minding my own business, when I heard an awful racket. I came back here to investigate and found it like this."

"Bloody hell." Harry picked up one of the doors that lay on the floor and propped it against the wall. He found it hard to believe that anyone would deliberately target Myrtle. She could be annoying at times but mostly she kept to herself.