The Seventh Year

The Ravenclaw Common Room

The pair silently walked through the halls towards the Ravenclaw dormitories. It wasn't an awkward muteness but a comforting one. Luna did not wish to speak to Neville, but she didn't mind him walking with her. As they approached the door, the hairs on the back of Neville's neck stood up. Someone was watching them; he was sure of it. Luna felt it too, and she whipped around quickly.

Peeves floated above them, chanting "Loony Lovegood" repeatedly until Neville yelled at him to shove off. As Peeves floated away laughing malevolently, Luna tapped the eagle knocker once. The knocker came to life and recited:

Sailing CCCCCCC. What does this mean?

"That's easy," Luna said, her mood lifting slightly. "It means sailing the seven seas!" The door creaked open, and Luna stepped inside, dragging her trunk with her. Realizing Neville hadn't entered, she invited him inside. Reluctantly, he stepped forward. He had never been inside another house's common room before.

The first thing that stood out to Neville was the white marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw. It was like nothing he had ever seen. He had a long look around, taking everything in. The room was circular and spacious, despite several pieces of chairs, tables, and bookcases scattering the room. A magnificent view of the mountains surrounding Hogwarts could be seen through a large window to the right of the room. A comfortable-looking white couch sat in front of the grand view. A midnight blue carpet sat below the furniture, bringing a mysterious but sophisticated aesthetic to the common room. Looking left, he saw beautiful blue-and-bronze silks radiating in the moonlight, lining the elegant arched windows. Just then, Neville noticed something above him shimmer. He gazed upwards and saw the night sky; the ceiling was a dome painted with twinkling stars. Luna followed Neville's gaze towards the stars but remained silent.

"Wow!" Neville whispered to himself, breaking the silence. "I've never seen anything quite like this. I never knew your common room was so fascinating."

"It is, isn't it?" Luna smiled at him. "I personally think the best view is from over there." She pointed to the window farthest from them. "Looking at the stars in silence is quite peaceful. You should come back another time, and we could stargaze together."

Neville blushed as she said this. Luna had just invited him back to Ravenclaw Tower. Without knowing how to react, he changed the subject.

"Are you alright? You don't have to talk about it. Can I help in any way?" Luna turned away from him. She stepped over to the largest window and sat on the couch. Neville took a seat beside her, and she rested her head on his chest.

His heart skipped a beat. A girl had never laid her head on his chest. He tried to remain calm and not alarm Luna in her time of need. Consoling her was more important than his distress.

Luna let out a big sigh but kept her head on Neville's chest. "I'm worried about my father," she said in a small voice. When Neville didn't respond, she went on. "Writing and editing for The Quibbler means he could be in danger. If You-Know-Who has control over the Ministry, what will happen to him?"

Neville did not know how to respond, so he put his arm around her instead. It comforted Luna enough to continue confiding in him.

"They could torture him with the Cruciatus Curse, maybe even kill him if they don't like what he's writing. They control the Daily Prophet and will likely take over any other news source to keep everything hushed. I wish he would stop writing, just for a bit." Luna had a few tears trickle down her face. She sniffled and sat up to wipe her eyes.

Neville was unsure what to say. He wasn't sure if he should say anything, but then the words slipped out of his mouth. "It'll be alright, Luna. He'll be alright." This made Luna smile and hug him hard.

After about five minutes of more comfortable silence, Luna turned to Neville and said, "You better get going to the Feast. You might still make it in time for dessert." Neville didn't want to leave but thought that staying would be weird.

"Al— alright. I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked as he headed towards the door.

"See you tomorrow," she assured him and began climbing the tower steps to the dorms.