Harry's sister

Chapter Thirty-four

I woke up the next morning curled into Fred's side laying on the couch in the common room. A blanket was draped over us and George was nowhere in sight so I was guessing he hadn't bothered to wake us. I sighed as I stood, Fred still sound asleep and lightly snoring. I draped the blanket back over him before going upstairs to my room. I checked the time to see it was just before sunrise and couldn't help yawning tiredly. After checking on my egg and Levi, I quickly took a shower and got ready for the day before deciding to go to the great hall early for breakfast. The tables were empty when I walked in but that didn't bother me I knew I was a bit to early.

I sat down at the gryffindor table and took out the book I'd been reading lately, it was all about the most dangerous creatures of the Wizarding world and I found it very interesting. thestrals were among one of the more dangerous and interesting creatures, I thought it was fascinating how you could only see them if you'd seen death. I found them especially fascinating because the book said there were a herd of them on Hogwarts grounds and that information made me want to find them even if I knew I couldn't see them. The comment Luna had made about seeing me in the forbidden forest came to mind and I wondered if she could see them. 

I set down my book when I heard people begin to flood into the grand hall. I couldn't help overhearing whispers of my name mixed into the chatter but ignored it since it didn't seem like anything new. after a few minutes of waiting the food appeared and I ate as much as I could stomach, I still had trouble eating regularly. I noticed Luna at the ravenclaw table and decided to ask her about the thestrals now instead of putting it off. 

I was finished eating so I walked over and was happy to see I was greeted with a sweet smile, at least by her. I smiled back and said "Luna, I wanted to speak with you about an interesting creature I've been reading about. do you mind?" there was a free seat next to her so I gestured to it asking if I could sit. she shook her head and said "not at all Canis, please sit." I took the seat next to her and opened the book I'd been reading to the page about thestrals. 

I moved the book so she could see it and said "I've been reading about these creatures called thestrals and it said there is a herd of them at Hogwarts. You spoke of the forest before so I was wondering if you knew where they are at. I can't see them but I'd still love to meet them and maybe even touch them if possible. I love meeting all the creatures of the forest, I may even be able to introduce you to some unicorns if you can show me." I whispered the last part so only she could hear since I didn't want anyone else to know I was friends with them.

Luna seemed ecstatic about the prospect of showing me the thestrals and meeting unicorns, though she assured me it would be fine even if I didn't introduce her to any unicorns. We agreed to meet at the end of the day and go into the forest together and she even told me of a few books she thought I might be interested in. I left the great hall feeling happier then I had in a while. I loved seeing and learning about new creatures and it was nice to have a female friend that wasn't my brothers. Not that I didn't still love Hermione but she was more harry's friend then mine and we didn't often talk. 

The rest of the day went by fast but I couldn't help noticing the newest rumors about me weren't about my being the heir of slytherin but about something far more stomach turning. I felt disgust at the whispers of how I slept with anyone that would let me, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny and Luna were at the center of the rumors that made me feel so sick and I found my already diminished appetite became nonexistent. I usually didn't care about the rumors people spread about me but these were just ridiculous and I found myself becoming more and more stressed and angry with every whispered insult.

My good mood disappeared and I was stuck feeling sick and alone. I'd left Levi in my room so I couldn't talk to him and I was still ignoring Draco, my brother and his friends so I felt I had no one. I couldn't even fathom talking to snape or hagrid about the disgusting rumors. Unfortunately I was on the way to one of my many hiding spots to retrieve a book when I stumbled upon snape. He'd caught a couple of ravenclaw's laughing over a piece of paper and ended up taking 100 points from ravenclaw for the disgustingly graphic drawing and giving the small group detention for a month before burning it in front of them. Truly unfortunate was the fact I'd caught a glimpse of what the drawing was and nearly threw up at the sight. Even the memory of it made my stomach twist angrily and the headache I'd had most of the day grow nearly unbearable. 

when it was finally time to meet with Luna I was thankful for the distraction and hoped she wouldn't pay any mind to the rumors. We met outside the school and she led us into the forest, I was so thankful that the only thing we talked about on the walk was the thestrals. We stopped in a clearing and she pointed at an empty spot and said "they're right there." I was fascinated as I could hear the shuffling of hooves on leaves but I couldn't actually see anything but the leaves and trees. My headache eased away just a bit as I asked "Could I touch one? I can't see them but I think that will only make the experience more fascinating." Luna nodded kindly and took my hand leading me towards the thestral she slowly lifted my hands and placed them on the creature and the feeling was indescribable. It was extremely odd to be able to feel something I couldn't see but the feeling wasn't bad.

My hand slid over the invisible creature as luna let go of it and I found I couldn't really feel any meat, only skin and bone. An illustration of the beasts came to mind and I was reminded that they were in fact skin stretched over bone, one of the reasons others were so scared of them. My hands moved down to what I thought was it's neck as my fingers tangled in a long patch of hair that apparently grew there. It was soft and thick and I found I had a deep desire to see what I was feeling. After a minute of petting the thestral I finally forced my hands to leave it and turned to Luna with the biggest smile I'd had in days, maybe even months. I hugged her as I said "thank you for showing me, they're so amazing even if I can't see them! Come on! I'll take you to the unicorns! They're very kind I'm sure they'd love to meet you." I let go of the hug and took her hand beginning to run deeper into the forest where I knew the unicorns would be.

I felt happier and more relaxed then I'd ever been as we ran threw the forest and Luna seemed to be enjoying herself as much as I was. We came to the area where the unicorns usually were and slowed our pace, tracks were all around on the ground and they still looked fresh. I called out gently to the most likely hiding creatures "it's ok! She's a friend. You can come out." after a few seconds of waiting with no response finally a small golden foal hesitantly walked out of the brush and up to us. I knelt down and held out my hand as I let go of Luna. As soon as the baby saw my outstretched hand it ran forward with a happy knicker and rubbed its snout against my palm. I chuckled happily and pet it as I looked up to see that a few of the adult unicorns were slowly revealing themselves. They were cautious around anyone but me, even Hagrid so I wasn't surprised.

I looked up to Luna with a smile and asked "do you want to pet one? You'll probably have the best luck with this little one. The others don't really trust anyone but me." she nodded happily and gently held her hand out to the excited foal. The sweet thing sniffed at her for a second before excitedly rubbing it's face in her hand as it had with me. I chuckled before standing back up and going over to the biggest unicorn, I offered my hand as I had with the baby and after a second the softest muzzle I'd ever felt was pressed into my hand. I pet him gently and scratched at his mane lovingly. The unicorns had to be one of my favorite creatures in the forbidden forest, they were so regal and gentle.

We spent another hour in the forest before we had to go back to the castle. I'd all but forgotten the rumors as I walked Luna to her common room and listened to her talk about other creatures that couldn't be seen but most definitely existed. She recommended I read The Quibbler, which I agreed to since I hadn't bothered to read it before. We parted ways and I decided to go check on my Phoenix egg and spend some time with Levi while reading. By the time I fell asleep it was three in the morning and I was so far beyond tired I hadn't even realized I was falling asleep until it was too late.

(Happy new year everyone! I hope everyone's holidays were enjoyable despite the chaos of the world! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Stay safe during these scary times!)