Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter(it belongs to the rich woman across the Pond aka JK Rowlings) and FrouFrou's name is based off of one of my favorite musical duos.
A/N: Okay, this is shorter than the first but necessary for the story. Also I would like to say this is A/U after OOTP-this story holds no HBP spoilers or connections-anything that happens inHBP doesn't occur in this universe. Alrighty, enjoy.
Chapter 2
Luna
Despite the distressing situation she was currently faced with, Luna felt a dreamy smile grace her lips. The sun and the nature that surrounded her was a glorious sight after months of cold stones. The carriages were waiting, horses of varying colors attached, obviously their mode of transportation to wherever they were headed. Luna wondered at the suspicious use of muggle transportation-for the death eaters to claim such hatred for the muggle world, using horse drawn carriages seemed blasphemous.
Casting aside errant thoughts of the Death Eater dogma, Luna placed her attention back on the guard. He was mumbling something about castles-"Castle Black, Castle Grindlewald, Castle LeStrange, Castle Pettigrew…"-and so on. The tides of her life had changed-she had once entertained the idea that good always triumphed over evil; the siege and capture of Hogwarts dashed that whimsical notion against the proverbial rocks. Obviously the Death Eaters had deemed her worthy of living and she was thankful for that. There were friends who would claim her a coward for giving in, but Luna was no fool. Looking down at her attire, she was forced to admit that her treatment had been satisfactory.
Her capture was quick; the Death Eaters swarmed Ravenclaw tower, gathering all its occupants into the common room. They took names and sorted them by age, sex, and blood ties. Luna, a pure blooded witch, was in the smallest grouping consisting of three other girls. After being sorted they were escorted to the DADA room, where girls from other houses waited. In all there were four Ravenclaws, two Hufflepuffs, and six Gryffindors varying from age 14 to 18.
The room consisted of ten cots, each with a pillow and blankets. The tables and chairs had been moved to rest against the walls leaving space for them to roam about. Numbed by disbelief, Luna merely curled up on a cot and fell into an uneasy sleep.
Luna had dreamt of screams and death; she awoke in the middle of the night, sleep's solace abandoning her to contemplation. The black and white world had been shattered when her mother died, but this blow to her psyche led to a disturbing realization-good didn't always win out. She had truly thought, in her deepest heart of hearts, that Harry would slay Voldemort and everything would sort itself out. In the aftermath she was left to make the choice-die or live. If she died she would not be written as a martyr, not now with the Death Eaters in power-she would just be a nameless casualty-her death would mean nothing. Luna decided she would live in this Death Eater run world; she would do more good alive than being dead.
When morning came so did the guards; Luna promptly named them Sir Mead, Sir Victuals, and Sir Latrine. They were not cruel or particularly nice, they did there job efficiently, bringing their namesakes to the girls each day. Clothing from their trunks back in the dorms was brought to them; at least they were not wearing the same clothes every day.
Towards the end of their imprisonment new garments were handed out; riding leathers, dresses colored in favor of their houses, slippers, shoes, small clothes, and even brushes. House elves had been sent into the chamber, one assigned to each girl personally, ready to spruce them up and help tie the horrible corset styled robes. Luna had originally admired the medieval fripperies, but soon lost her ardor for them when breathing became an issue.
A small tug on her gown shook Luna from her thoughts; looking down she acknowledged the small house elf, Frou Frou. Froufrou was young for a house elf, a maid in her society. Sweet and gentle, Frou Frou was an excellent companion. At least I'll have one friend through it all. The house elf was to be her constant companion, according to Sir Victuals; each girl was to have one and no matter where she ended up, Froufrou would be with her.
"Miss, we should be boarding the carriages nows." Said Froufrou timidly. Though Luna had been nothing but kind, it would take more than two days for the house elf to warm to he presence.
Nodding her head in assent, Luna clambered into her designated carriage, Frou Frou trailing behind her. After her entrance a guard tapped his wand on the handles-"To keep you from jumping out" -was the only explanation she received.
"Froufrou do you know where we are headed?" Luna asked.
"Castle Black, miss. That is where all the Ravenclaw girls are going." Frou Frou replied dutifully.
"What about the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff girls?"
"To Castle's LeStrange and Zabini, Miss."
"Oh, alright. Thank you, Frou Frou." Luna trailed off. She didn't know why she bothered asking, where she was going didn't really matter. Turning, she cast her sights towards the world outside the carriage. Death eaters were scurrying about, grouping girls together by robes, and designating carriages. Nothing extraordinary was happening and Luna was sure her mind would soon be drifting.
"Sir, she is to go to Castle LeStrange." A voice said rather loudly; Luna focused her attention to the Death Eater.
"Well, I said she is to go to Castle Black and I do believe I'm in charge here." Another voice answered, a familiar voice, one that Luna could not for the life of her place. Goddess where do I know that voice from?
"But, Sir, we do not have another carriage ready for Castle Black."
"Let me see the list." There was a pause in conversation; Luna assumed the man was scanning the list he had asked for. "Here, put her in the carriage with Lovegood."
"Yes sir, it shall be arranged."
Who could they possibly be putting in with her? It obviously wasn't another Ravenclaw, for he said she was supposed to be bound for Castle LeStrange. She's a Gryffindor then.
Suddenly the crowds outside we're shifting as though to let someone-or something-through. A glimpse of a shockingly white blond head came into view and Luna knew why that voice was so familiar. Draco Malfoy, I thought he was living with the wild snorckreeks. Behind the 6'0" frame of the 18 year old Slytherin was a rather beastly looking guard; the guard looked to be carrying someone in his arms.
Malfoy pointed at her carriage and the guard came lumbering forward, jostling his bundle in his arms. It was until Malfoy sauntered away that Luna recognized the person who was to occupy her carriage. The splash of blood red hair immediately gave away the identity of Ginny Weasley.
The carriage door was flung open and Ginny's prone form was laid on the bench opposite of Luna and Froufrou. Ginny looked like she had gone through hell and back; her hair was matted and knotted so much it resembled Hermiones bushy nest of hair, dirt covered her body, her school uniform was ripped in places, and above all she had a nasty bruise on her face.
Luna knelt beside her friend and began inspecting her injuries; she placed her hand on her forehead -no fever- she looked for cuts, there were none. Resigning to waiting for Ginny to wake up, Luna took off her cloak and laid it over the young Gryffindor. Sleep well Ginny, I don't think you sleep so easy after today.
A/n: Remember reviewing is good for the soul and also encourages the author.
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