Chapter Text
I love psychos: only they understand the world around us, only with them I can find a common language.
Harry rubbed his face wearily with his hands, wrapping himself in his Invisibility Cloak. An hour ago, he slipped out of the Gryffindor common room, heading into the nearest empty classroom. He knew that Ron would soon be looking for him, but he just couldn't bring himself to budge. He's so tired .
Harry jumped as a plate of sandwiches was placed on the floor next to him. He pulled off his robes, looking at the petite blonde in Ravenclaw shape and cork necklace ? The girl looked at him with dim eyes and sat down next to him with a smile.
-I felt a lot of brain-sniffers in this direction and decided to take a look. You seem to be saddened by something, Harry Potter.
He blinked in shock. Brain snitches?
-And you?...
- Luna Lovegood, although everyone calls me Loony Lovegood. But they do have a lot of brainwashing in their heads, so I'm not offended.
So they laugh at her? Harry remembered being called a freak all the time as a child. Hogwarts was no different as it looked. The girl tilted her head as if listening.
-I upset you? Why?
- I ... just remembered my childhood. I was often teased.
Luna nodded as if she expected it. Harry relaxed. She was a little weird, but she didn't look bad.
“I also like to be in silence,” she said. - People can be too much for me. Sometimes you have to be alone.
Malchie shared this opinion.
- I wish I did this more often. But they are in no hurry to leave me alone, ”he muttered.
The moon met his gaze.
-Therefore you are sad, Harry Potter. You can tell me. My mom used to say that sometimes a good listener is enough to move on.
- Just call me Harry. I'm afraid my story will be very long, ”he grinned mirthlessly. He really talked to no one already ... Probably all his life. He spoke to Ron and Hermione, of course. But never personal.
The moon sat down more comfortably.
-Do not worry. Just start over, and then the words will be found by themselves.
She sounded very mature. Harry sighed, collecting his thoughts. He did not know this girl, but the desire to finally speak out, to tell at least someone what was in his soul, was overpowering. He nodded abruptly. And he began the story.
From the very beginning. About his relatives, about childhood in an unloved house, about a letter from Hogwarts and hope. Luna listened intently as he spoke. They were eating sandwiches and Harry felt himself letting go. He spoke about the first year of study. Snape's neglect, alien views, alienation of fellow students after losing points, the dragon, the philosopher's stone, the death of Quirrell, Voldemort and almost his own death.
- I know it wasn't exactly I who killed him. But I did it. And Dumbledore gave me, Ron and Hermione a bunch of points for that. The freshmen solved the tasks set for the protection of the stone. Who creates such tasks at all? Now the Flamels will die or are already dead. I know he said that they were tired of such a long life, but the stone should have been better protected anyway. And everyone just rejoiced at the points, as if they had not ignored us for so long before.
Then he told about the summer without letters and Dobby. About the Weasley family, kind, but not his . Molly Weasley, who tried to act like his mother when his mother is dead . About a whisper within the walls, universal hatred and fear, when it turned out that he was a snakemouth. Even Ron was afraid of him. Everyone avoided him, even cursed him a couple of times. About the petrified Hermione and the long wait. Why didn't the principal and teachers ask someone else for ingredients, but just waited? In order not to attract attention? Isn't the lives of children more important? Diary and Ginny. She was supposed to be rescued by her teachers, not two sophomores. What was Dumbledore doing? About the battle with the basilisk. He almost died. Again... Harry told the silent Luna how scared and painful he was. He thought he was really going to die. About Fawkes and Dobby again. About another heap of points. How everyone congratulated and praised him.
- I didn't do it for them. I didn't want to do this at all. Why me? Everyone despised me, and then they began to act as if we were friends . Harry blinked back tears. Luna hugged him wordlessly with her small arms, blinking frequently. He leaned into her, feeling warm, for the first time in a long time. - I thought I would have a new life. That I will study magic, read a lot, make friends, be happy... But this is not the case. Ron, my first friend, only does that he shies away from work and envies me, as if there is something to envy. Hermione says how smart she is, tells us what to do, that she knows everything better than anyone. I can't even read one single book with them around. Ginny and Colin follow me all the time and look like I’m going to give up and run to save the world. The rest either ignore, despise, or pretend to be my friends. Dumbledore just nods his head and throws me to death. He doesn't care how my relatives treat me, as long as I play by his rules. I'm so tired , Luna. It seems to me that I will not survive at least another year. I will die or just break.
Harry let out a gasp. Out of the corner of his ear, he heard hurrying footsteps. And then he and Luna were grabbed in an armful of crying Hermione. She cried as if her heart was breaking. Harry closed his eyes as he hugged both girls.
He did not know how long they sat like that. He felt drained and exhausted physically and mentally. Apart from rare sobs, nothing broke the silence. Even when the tears dried up, they did not move.
"Sorry," Hermione whispered hoarsely into his hair. “You were my first friend, Harry. I've never had friends. I was not loved because I stood out in my mind. It made me angry and hurt. And I decided that books are better. That I am better. It hurt less that way. And then you and Ron saved me. I didn't know how to behave. Ron has terrible manners, he is lazy, but you have always been together. I just treated you the same. But you didn't deserve it. You're a much better friend than me and Ron put together.
Harry squeezed her hand. They finally unhooked the hug. Luna wiped her eyes with her robes.
"It can't go on like this," Hermione said firmly. Her eyes flashed with familiar fire. “I never thought about it, Harry, but it's really weird. Death of Quirrell, stone, basilisk. Why hasn't anyone done anything? The teachers should have saved Ginny, better defend such an important subject as the Philosopher's Stone, and the Chamber of Secrets should have been found centuries ago! Everyone knew about the monster at school and just ignored it? In the Muggle world, the police would work, everyone would be interrogated, checked for other threats. In addition, these events are too difficult for children, they would prescribe psychological assistance.
“So it should be here,” said Luna. - Parents should know that they could have lost their children. But the parents of the petrified students were not told anything.
Hermione clenched her hands into fists.
-I would not want to worry my parents, but ...
"But they should know," interrupted Harry. “If it were your daughter, wouldn't you want to know everything that happens to her? They don't see you for most of the year, Mione, it must be tough for them.
“You're right,” she whispered. - We have drifted a little from each other during these two years.
-You need a sincere conversation over a cup of tea so that the nargls and brain sniffers do not bother you, - Luna nodded, causing the other two guys to raise their eyebrows. “Professor Dumbledore doesn't say a lot. - The girl's eyes became as if foggy. “He doesn’t want to believe some things for a reason, but it’s not good for you, Harry. Her eyes brightened. “Hogwarts is no longer safe for students, it saddens the magic.
Harry swallowed. The moon is really unusual, isn't it?
- I almost died here twice. But I don't know where else to go. And Dumbledore won't let me get away from the Dursleys, even if I'm dying.
Hermione bit her lip. She thought hard.
- They mistreated you, Harry. They should be deprived of their guardianship rights. I don't understand why the director does this.
- He says there is blood-based protection. But what good is it if you need protection from them? Harry shook his head. - If not for that, I could have been taken to an orphanage or foster family. Shelter is better than staying in that house.
Luna looked ahead of her. Then to Hermione.
-The bee works hard, even leaving the swarm, but it can sting painfully. The family remembers these bees.
Hermione goggled at her. A second later, there was a click in her head.
-Uncle Esteban. Harry looked at her blankly. - My father's brother. Mom always calls him a bee, because he works hard, is very calm, but he should not be angry. He works in Europol.
Harry's eyebrows jumped up. Wow, Hermione has relatives. And how did Luna know? She smiled serenely.
- But is he a Muggle? Harry asked uncertainly.
Granger frowned.
-Seems. Parents cannot tell anyone that I am a sorceress, so he does not know about it. They said I was attending school for the gifted. I know that he is involved in drug-related crimes, but he knows international law well. He could give advice on how to act in your situation, however, how to explain this without mentioning magic?
Good question. Harry didn't want to hope in vain, but Europol is not just some kind of police, Dumbledore could have problems.
-Maybe omit that part? he asked uncertainly. - Your parents don't want to tell him? Or is it prohibited?
“As I understand it, this is not recommended,” she shrugged. - And it's hard to explain to ordinary people. But my uncle can understand, I'm sure. You need to write him a letter, explain the situation without mentioning magic, and then tell him in more detail. I'll tell my parents everything as soon as I get back. They need to know. We'll write to my uncle, but it will take time.
“Next to the scorpion bee,” Luna said. - Write in the letter "Pandora's daughter", he will understand.
Hermione and Harry looked at each other.
"But Harry," Luna continued, "what's wrong with Ron?"
Harry winced.
“I held on to him because I had no one else, but ...” He shook his head. - Honestly, I'm tired of it. Friends do not abandon each other out of envy and do not drag giant snakes into the den. Hermione?
She hugged him again.
-Maybe it's for the best. Honestly, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even talk to him. Forgive me. I didn't even think I was pulling you down.
Harry smiled and took Luna's hand.
-Things are good. Looks like I have someone to rely on. The three of us will be that other company for a bunch of books. Can you imagine the faces of others?
They laughed.