Rowena's Quill

"I'm so glad there are no nargles between us," Luna said to Ginny.

They were alone in her room and Ginny was helping her dress for Professor Slughorn's party.

"If you say so, I'm sure it's good, but could you tell me the real word for nargle?"

"I don't think there is a single word for it," said Luna. She would have to explain by example. Cho was a good one, but perhaps mentioning her would make the point a little too clear to Ginny. Luna wouldn't do that to her. "It's something like a bug that stings people, very painfully sometimes. Hermione was badly stung the other day when she saw your brother kissing Lavender Brown."

"Ohhhh. That's jealousy."

"It's a bit more complicated than just jealousy."

"Don't I know it. But why should there be any nargles between us?"

"Because I'm going to the party with Harry."

If a nargle had just stung Ginny, she hid it very well. "I have no claims on Harry," she said with a shrug. "Besides, I'm going out with Dean now."

"And Harry did say we were going as friends," Luna added for safety's sake. "So even if other girls get nargly about it, they really have no reason to."

"That's what's good about friendship dates. No nargles at all. I think it's the best way to start off dating. My first date ever was with Neville."

Luna fumbled and dropped all the contents of her jewelry box. "Excuse me. I'm sorry," she said.

"You don't have to apologize to me. It's your stuff. C'mon, we'll clean up." She pulled out her wand.

"No," said Luna, becoming even more embarrassed. "I mean I'm sorry about the nargle. I tried very hard. I honestly thought I was immune."

Ginny stared at her. "What are you -? Do you mean -? You mean you like Neville?"

"Of course," said Luna, her eyes suddenly welling with tears. "I thought that was obvious."

"Luna," said Ginny, conjuring her a tissue, "it's kind of hard to tell these things with you."

"I don't understand much about boys," Luna admitted. "You're the only person I ever thought I could talk to about them, and I was always afraid because . . . I suppose deep down, I knew I wasn't over that nargle."

"Look, it's okay. Neville will move on after a while. Boys always do."

"Neville has liked you for a long time."

"Only because I was the first one to give him a chance. But once he realizes that you like him, and that really, you'd be much better for him . . . "

"But he doesn't realize it. He still thinks I'm loony." She plopped down onto her bed miserably. Ginny sat beside her.

"So when did you start liking him?"

"In the D.A. Do you remember the day he Stunned me by accident?"

"He was aiming for Harry. Yeah, I remember."

"Well, when I woke up and he was leaning over me all worried because it was his fault, and he was just so kind about it, it made me feel . . ." and her voice trailed off, not only because she knew no words to describe what she felt, but because a wrackspurt had taken hold of Ginny. Luna immediately understood what it was. Ginny had felt the very same way when she woke up to Harry in the Chamber of Secrets, and she knew she oughtn't think about it as long as she was dating Dean.

"It's very good that you're going to the party with Harry," she said, coming back to herself. "First of all, by waiting around, you're not being fair to yourself. You should go out and have fun. And second, since it's only a friendship date, it's your chance to turn Neville's head."

"I don't understand. How is going to a party with Harry going to make Neville like me more?"

"Trust me. It's the way boys think. As soon as you start going out with one, the others perk up and notice."

Luna still didn't understand and wondered if she ever would. She took momentary pleasure in the less complicated matter of watching her fallen jewelry float back into the box and then seeing the box float back onto her shelf.

"That's another thing," said Ginny. "No butterbeer necklace and no vegetable earrings."

"But I like those. I made them myself."

"Not for this party."

"What about my D.A. bracelet?" asked Luna, holding up her wrist ribbon with the galleon charm.

"Oh, that's cute!" said Ginny. "I wish I had thought of it."

"So I should wear it?"

"Yes. It's not fashionable, but it definitely makes a statement. Now let's see your dress robe."

Luna brought out her never-worn robe, a present from Dad for arranging Harry's interview and bolstering sales.

"Silver?" said Ginny.

"Madam Malkin said it brings out the color of my eyes, and that my eyes are my best feature." Luna put on the robe.

"I see what she means. Let's work on your hair then. Sit back down."

Waving her wand over Luna, Ginny charmed her hair into a bun, then an upsweep, and then a French braid. Luna watched it all in the mirror. "I don't look like myself," she said each time.

"C'mon, Luna. Go with the upsweep. I think it's the best."

"If you say so."

Ginny then started on her make-up. Colored powder shot out of Ginny's wand and landed on Luna's eyelids, cheeks, and lips.

"Where did you learn all this?"

"Witch Weekly. Mum would never teach me, and I don't have any sisters. So how do you like it?"

Luna looked in the mirror. She tried to be polite. "I suppose it takes getting used to."

Ginny laughed. "You're welcome. Now, where are you meeting Harry?"

"At the entrance hall."

"Good. Go there now."

"But it's still early."

"I know, but I need time to go find Neville and come up with some excuse to get him there so he can see how pretty you look."

"That seems rather sneaky."

Ginny gave her a good-natured pat on the shoulder. "Welcome to the world of dealing with boys."

Luna did as Ginny said and went downstairs to the entrance hall. People passed her by, whispered, and went on. She was beginning to get bored just standing there like that, but then Neville walked by, his eyes glued to the ceiling.

"Hello, Neville," she said.

"Hi, Luna." He continued looking up at the ceiling.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm checking the decorations. Ginny's worried that Fred and George sent a package of Itchy Juice Ivy from their shop and got a student to switch it for mistletoe. Stand back. You don't want it dripping on you."

"Aren't you putting yourself at risk by standing under it that way?"

Neville did not answer immediately. He studied the hanging plants a little longer. "It doesn't matter. That's real mistletoe."

At last he straightened out and stood normally. Luna stepped forward. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Luna, you look nice!"

"Thank you." Her natural impulse was to credit Ginny, but she had a feeling Ginny wouldn't want that. "I'm going to Professor Slughorn's party, you know."

"I heard. Well, um, have a good time. I'd better go check the other rooms." And he walked away in a bit of a daze.

Luna stood alone again for a few moments, and then Ginny ran up to her and gave her a squeeze.

"That was perfect! You said all the right things!"

"What do I do now?"

"Go to the party with Harry. And do what Neville said: have a good time. I'll see you there, but just so you know, I'm going to give you and Harry a wide berth for mingling."

Ginny went away, and after a few minutes, large bunches of girls began congregating in the hallway. There were girls from every year and every House, some of whom she knew, but most of whom she didn't. All of them looked her up and down. Not only were they nargly, they were unkind. Luna overheard some of their comments.

"What does Harry Potter see in her?"

"She does sort of have a pretty face and a decent figure, but look at that robe!"

"Gladrags Bargain Basement for sure!"

"Well, even if Harry Potter does prefer blondes, once she opens her mouth, it'll all be over, and he'll be available again."

"How do you know?"

"C'mon. We're talking about Loony Lovegood."

As soon as Harry arrived, the girls turned their focus from her to him. They weren't unkind to him, of course, but Luna could tell - he still thought they were rude. He immediately led her away to the staircase, and once they were on the way, nothing else mattered but the party. Even from the hallway they could hear music and voices. And when they went inside - other than in the Great Hall, Luna had never seen so many people in one room at one time.

Luna spotted Ginny right away, but Harry did not notice her. She waved and pulled up the sleeve to her robe to show Luna that she'd made her own D.A. galleon bracelet. After that, she held a finger to her lips as if to say, "Shhh!" and then turned and went with Dean to the refreshment table.

"Does she mean I shouldn't talk at the party?" Luna wondered. That would be difficult. Professor Slughorn was introducing Harry to a writer named Eldred Worple, whom Luna had heard about from Dad. He said that Eldred Worple was to books what Rita Skeeter was to newspapers. If Luna couldn't speak, how could she warn Harry not to grant Worple the four- to five-hour interviews he was suggesting? Luckily, Harry realized the danger himself. As soon as Worple mentioned gold, Harry made an excuse and they went away.

Harry took her by the hand and pulled her through the crowd toward Hermione, which got them some more stares, though this time, Harry paid no attention. Luna kept Ginny's advice and didn't speak the whole time Harry and Hermione were talking, but she felt she had to break it when she saw Professor Trelawney. Surely Ginny wouldn't want her to snub a teacher.

"Hello," she said politely.

"Good evening, my dear," said Professor Trelawney, who seemed to be having trouble focusing on her. "I haven't seen you in my classes lately."

"No, I have Firenze this year."

It was a very good thing she had said "Firenze" instead of "Professor Firenze." The mere mention of him sent Professor Trelawney into a tirade. It was painful to listen to. Professor Trelawney had allowed herself to be influenced by the Helium Huckster. Luna could see it was very bad for her. Her vision was becoming blurred.

Once she'd finally finished - and that took her a long while - she noticed Harry. Immediately she began calling him "the Chosen One," which he did not like at all. He must have been grateful when Professor Slughorn and Professor Snape joined the conversation. They began talking about his coursework instead of the prophecy.

Luna stayed quiet when the professors were talking, but when Harry said he wanted to become an Auror, she simply couldn't hold back. It was dangerous! Him - work for the Ministry? But Harry didn't listen to her warning. He just laughed and spit up his drink. Professor Snape approved, though. He narrowed his eyes at her.

In the middle of the conversation, Draco Malfoy caused a bit of a commotion by doing something he called "gate crashing."

"What an odd code," thought Luna. She knew Draco didn't take Runes, so she began scrambling the English letters, seeing if she could break it that way.

"Greasing acts?" she wondered. "What would that mean - slippery pretending? It fits, but it leaves over the 'h.' Perhaps it's 'cheat sniggar' - lying and laughing? If so, then he made a mistake in spelling."

Harry broke in on her train of thought. "I'll be back in a bit, Luna - er - bathroom." And before Luna could say a word, Harry was out the door.

Luna realized that he'd invented an excuse instead of using a code, though both accomplished the same thing. Harry would not be going to the bathroom nor would he be back in a bit, if at all. He was going to follow Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy. After all, he could be very slippery, too. So Luna took no offense and turned back to Professor Trelawney to resume their conversation. She did not see Harry again that night, and though Ginny was indignant on her behalf, Luna assured her that she had not minded at all and thoroughly enjoyed her very first party.

On the last day before winter holiday, Luna went to see Professor Firenze. She always had questions for him - this time, she'd brought the coordinates of her house so that he could tell her what to look for in the skies during the holiday - but secretly, she hoped that if she went to see him frequently enough, sooner or later, he'd make a prediction for her. That day, she got her wish.

"Did you enjoy your party?" he asked her after his long explanation of the angles of the moon, Mars, and the Pleiades.

"Oh, yes, sir!"

"It was foretold that you would. Your fortune has already shifted. You will not find yourself alone so often from now on."

It was the best news Luna could possibly imagine. "Oh, thank you, sir! Happy . . . um . . ."

"I do not share in your human customs. But thank you for the sentiment, Luna, daughter of Rowena."

She sailed out of his office.

Luna was not the least bit surprised, though very pleased, when Neville shared his compartment with her on the ride home. He did it again on the return trip, too. And then, when the new term began, he spent a little of each day with her. They always met at the Room of Requirement, sometimes getting in, but most times not. Whenever they couldn't get in, they walked around the castle, though as the weather got warmer, they went outside more and more. They even went around Hogsmeade together. Except for when her mother was alive, Luna could not remember ever being happier.