Never Land

I wake up late every morning, and this morning is no different. I think it's because I love to dream. I like sleeping too, but it's mostly the dreaming part that I like. I've found that you can dream during the day as well. But people don't like when I do that, especially while they are talking to me or when I happen to be in class. I don't understand this; you can learn a lot when you daydream. Things like where you most want to be when it's raining. I like being near a window so I can hear the drops falling on the glass. Are raindrops like snow flakes, everyone different, or are they all the same?

I quickly throw on my jumper and skirt, run into the lavatory and hurry, as I get ready for the day. I look down at my feet; I can't help it if sometimes I forget my socks. They don't match, but what ever does match? It's a good thing that I still have time for breakfast, I wanted to nip some cheese and bread and see if I could lure that mouse from under my bed. I named him Smee. He looked a bit like a Smee. He has a small limp on his left side. I wonder if mice can grow beards? That would make him look like a pirate even more. I shake my head. A mouse pirate, you're not strange Luna. No way.

I take my time in walking down to breakfast. Staircases can be tricky in Hogwarts. I arrive in the Great Hall a few minutes later. I survey the large room as I walk towards my table. It's crowded this morning, but I'm not surprised. It's Saturday and I assume there's a Quidditch match today, which would be the only reason so many people are here. Usually half of Ravenclaw is in the library studying or researching for a class.

I sit down between two quiet fourth year girls. They smirk over my head and give each other what they think must is a secret look. Even now in my fifth year at Hogwarts I still wonder why I was sorted into Ravenclaw. My housemates and I don't have much in common; they were born to learn. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them came out of the womb knowing the alphabet or the nine times tables. I like the nine times tables the best. There's a secret to them, just go backwards with the first digit and forwards with the second and you can know them all. Nine is a great number. Not as interesting as seventeen or eleven, but good just the same.

Ravenclaws are good with numbers, statistics. We can remember an entire chart of Arithmancy problems, but ask us what we had for lunch yesterday and we are stumped. I think we have what is called selective memory. At the same time Ravenclaws are sharp-witted, intelligent (if a bit forgetful). This is why I'm not at all like them. I'm not a dummy, that's not what I mean. But there are more important things than getting an O on all my O.W.L exams. Things like the small invisible Dugong Snails that are currently living in populated areas. They enjoy the smog. It's a miracle I ever became a Ravenclaw prefect.

I look around the packed Great Hall. I'm not sure what house I would be in if I wasn't in Ravenclaw. My mom was in Gryffindor. My wide eyes wander to the red-clad students talking amongst themselves. No, I'm not nearly brave or courageous enough to be in there. How about their rivals the Slytherins? Ah, no. I'm not very shrew or ambitious (and I think you have to hate Harry Potter to be in that house, and I don't). That leaves Hufflepuff, my father's old house. No offence to him, but I would hope I have a bit more character and brains than the Hufflepuffs do. So Ravenclaw it is then eh? Well, I have been in it for five years and I don't think changing would be allowed anyway.

I glance around my table and my eyes fall upon a select few individuals. You see Ravenclaws are what I would like to call...misinterpreted. Are they brainy? Sure they are, Ravenclaws live for classes and grades. Are we eccentric? Well, take a look around. I think we are. Are we really that nerdy? Oh yes. But there is a side to the Ravenclaws that not very many people get to see. The truth is that Ravenclaws can be almost as stubborn and cruel as the Slytherins.

My point is proven as I listen to some of the chatter that is flying around our table faster than Harry Potter on a broomstick. A tall brunette sixth year is whispering to a pretty blond girl with braids. Her 'whispering' could use some work seeing as I am half way down the table and I can hear her perfectly well.

She says, "Anyway, I was talking to Derek yesterday after charms. You know him right? He is really cute and tall, kind of stupid? Good. So Derek goes 'Do you want to meet me at Hogsmeade this weekend and HANG OUT?' What is that supposed to mean 'hang out'? So is it like a date? It's a date right? Please tell me that we aren't going to actually hang out?"

Her blonde friend shakes her head and vainly tries to change the subject. "I don't know, but did you see how short Pansy's skirt was today? You could completely see her knickers when she sat down. I hear that she and Draco Malfoy were caught last night in the Astronomy tower, and I don't think they were up there to look at the stars."

On the other end of the table Ravenclaw Seeker Cho Chang is talking to one of her many friends about brooms. This has become a daily ritual of hers. The other day her parents bought her a Nimbus 2001 and sent it to school by owl. As of late this is all she wants to talk about. I'm pretty sure this is why many people are avoiding her at meal times.

"The Firebolt is completely overrated. I'm telling you it's really not all that special. And if you ask me the Nimbus name still means something. Just ask anyone! Okay, the Firebolt has better speed and agility. So what? That's not everything. Does the Firebolt have character like my Nimbus? I don't think so!"

This is what we like to call denial. Much like when Hermione Granger says that there are no such thing as a Boeztrode. I know for a fact that many of them are mistaken for Woodland Fairies and only when you hold one upside down can you tell what it really is. I can't help it if no one can get close enough to a woodland fairy to hold it upside down. Its just one of those things you can't help.

"Gross! Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall were going at it in the broom shed? You really think so? Wow I'm not going in there again! Wonder if its true... it doesn't sound so far off the mark. There seems to be some sexual tension anyway, weren't they both in Gryffindor? Plus did you hear about that whole thing with Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff being lovers?"

This is usually where I tend to zone out, and today is no different. I try and think about what the diet of a Giant Roach Toad (page eight, issue six of The Quibbler) consists of, but I can only seem to remember that it involves baby's toes or something like that. It seems that the crazy rumor about Hooch and McGonagall was stuck in my mind. People tend to believe anything that goes around these days.

Not bothering to look and see if anyone was watching I grab a few slices of cheese for Smee and put them in my pocket. I just hope I wont forget they're there. Moldy cheese in pockets isn't very attractive. Not that I care about being attractive. The mail arrives just as I am checking my other pockets for mold of any kind, and brown screech owl plops down in front of me. I suppose that Daddy must be writing again. Good, I need a few sickles for Hogsmeade this weekend. I want to buy Witch Weekly and see if it's true that when you soak it in revealing potion it turns into a guide to Hogwarts secret flower gardens.

I relieve the owl of its letter and watch it fly away. This reminds me of something but I can't seem to recall it. Flying animals of some sort. I shrug my shoulders and hum a tune that has popped into my head as I carefully open the letter, unfold the parchment start to read:

Hullo Lovely Luna,

Hope you've had a good term with lots of new discoveries! I am writing to tell you that I am going to Scotland. I don't have to tell you why do I? You know it has always been my dream to study the Loch Ness Monster. I am putting the quibbler on hold for the moment so that I can travel around and discover the proof and facts needed to find the monster. I have complete confidence in my abilities to prove that Bessie truly exists.

Unfortunately I cannot take you on this exciting adventure with me. I know how much you enjoyed our last trip to Transylvania (I'm still quite sore after all that horseback riding) and how wanted so much to find an underground base the Ministry of Magic created. However this trip I am taking is far too dangerous for a young girl to be on, even if she is a smart prefect like you!

I have already contacted the Weasley family and they said you could stay with them over the upcoming holiday break. I know that you would want to spend Christmas with me but I'm afraid it's not possible. But be assured I will send you many presents and souvenirs form my adventure. Have fun and wish your father good luck!

Love and Kisses

~Daddy