Chapter 4- [Luna]
Early November, 1998
Luna liked Harry. She really, really did. He was nice, kind, and he protected her from the worst of the bullies at Hogwarts, taking her under his wing and using his prestige and magical abilities to fend them off. He was heroic, despite his hatred for that sort of title, and selfless.
However, she had to admit that he scared her occasionally.
He had that look to him sometimes, dark and hungry, filled with so much ambition she couldn't help but to think back to the tear-felt admission he had made to her years ago now. That he had the choice to be placed in Slytherin, and that he had rejected it out of fear, but also out of preservation.
Luna thought he'd make a great Slytherin, and didn't see why it was such a big deal to him that he had nearly been sorted into the house. Still, she comforted him and reminded him that he was a Gryffindor, and that wouldn't change.
Now, he was a Slytherin by name, with a ludicrously long surname: Slytherin-Potter-Black.
Still, he was a Gryffindor, still as brave, but a little more cautious and sly, as he had been before.
"Luna," He spoke then, and Luna lifted her head from the table. They were in his new Palace, a pretty place that lacked Harry's personal, haphazard touch as of yet, but she could see it beginning to creep in the longer he stayed. He was gazing down at her, a soft expression on his face, the most open he'd been in weeks. "Are you tired? Do you want to go rest in the guest room?"
"No, I'm alright." She groggily stared up at him, half focused on his face, half on the bright aura surrounding him. It was blinding, and growing stronger by the day.
Luna smiled as she watched the aura pulse gently, placing her head once again on the table, zoning back out to the sound of Harry's aggravated sigh.
Luna had grown up in a loving home, far removed from the new society blooming outside the forests that surrounded their house. She had little idea of the radical changes that had come about during her family's seclusion and lived in blissful, innocent peace.
That was until her mother had died when she was merely nine, and another Witch had been practically shoved her Dad's way, with orders from the government to marry her and produce a son to carry on his 'pure' line and family name.
They had been married since 1989, and still, Luna was an only child, and she hoped that it'd stay that way. The woman that had intruded upon their home wasn't welcomed, by them, or the house, which fought back at any chance it got.
It had started simple. A missing sock here and there, a bag of flour falling from a cupboard that no magic could stop. It escalated as the years went on, her entire wardrobe going missing once every so often, or her side of the bed turning to sludge whilst she slept.
The woman, Darcy Lowbloom, blamed Luna with her every breath, but she and her Dad shared secretive looks when she turned her back.
This had been her mother's house. It still was, and it wasn't going to let anyone forget that any time soon.
When the time had come to enter Hogwarts, and therefore leave the safety of their home, Luna was admittedly reluctant. She'd heard stories of the new society, although it wasn't so new now, in harsh whispers from the woman, who delighted in telling her what would become of Luna if she didn't succumb.
The reality was far less daunting.
Dark magic was common, but it was actually a boon for Britain, helping save more lives and create new technology that couldn't have come about within the previous restrictions.
There was an emphasis on blood purity from the government, but Muggles were now aware of their existence, and integrated with the Wizarding world seamlessly. Halfbloods became more common, Muggleborns no longer had to hide in fear, and Purebloods were more populous and less likely to take out the frustrations of a declining magical population on those they had previously blamed. The population was making a comeback, and those fears were slowly being eradicated.
The old customs were slowly coming back, although some had combined with the Muggle ones, and many celebrated both. Their society had grown more diverse than the one that'd been described by her Dad, and Luna didn't see much wrong with the new world, but he looked upon it all with resignation.
It was with further resignation that he permitted Luna to join the Emperor's Harem when she had caught wind of Harry doing the same.
She didn't know exactly why she had wanted to join, and still didn't, but it was Harry who had given her that push. She wanted to follow him, stay in contact with the one friend she had, and the thought of having that constant access cut off by the walls of the Court had spurred her into action.
Luna got in because she was different.
The Emperor had stared down at the group she was in with boredom. She didn't recognise anyone, and she doubted he did as well.
"Lola Louise Keets, daughter to Sir Arthur Samuel Keets. Halfblood. Aged nineteen." The girl before her had puffed herself up proudly, stepping forward, but a simple dismissive wave from the Emperor had deflated all her bravado.
"Luna Xanthe Lovegood, daughter and Heir to Lord Xenophilius Xander Lovegood, Lord of the House of Lovegood. Pureblood. Aged sixteen."
Luna had stepped forward nervously, wringing her hands in front of her. The Emperor looked bored. That was, until a swarm of butterflies escaped her sleeves, and she had lunged to grab at them, stuffing them back despite the many wands trained on her. She had turned to sheepishly apologise, met with the Emperor's amused stare.
She was made a First-Class Attendant, and when she saw Harry entering the carriage for Nobles, she couldn't contain her relieved laughter.