Believing Is Seeing (Harry/Luna) (PG-13)

Making her way silently through the forest, Luna toyed with her Butterbeer cork necklace as she listened for any sign of the creatures she often visited here. Many feared them, mostly because no one could really see them, but she didn't find them frighting at all. They were simply different. Much like she was. Hearing their call to her right, she turned and smiled at seeing two Thestrals standing, as if waiting for her. "Hello there," she called softly and took out a piece of meat for each, and tossed it over to them. As they began to eat, Luna stood watching quietly, happy to simply be in their presence.

Walking around the forest Harry held two knifes in hand as he was hunting for wild boars that lived in the middle of the forest, professor Carrow said he'd give him and Malphas something in return if they found a reasonable number of boards and brought them back, so Harry was trying his best. Little did he know he was being watched from afar by a big black dog. Walking into a clearing he heard voices and instantly held his knifes up, and as he peeked over a bush he spotted a ravenclaw feeding....the air it seemed. Putting the knives away, Harry went around the bush and waved at the raven, "Hey there... what are you doing?" he rose a brow.

The larger of the two Thestrals looked up at hearing something nearby and snorted, making Luna glance in the same direction as the creature. Seeing a young Gryffindor appear from the bushes, she returned his wave, a carefree smile on her face. "Hey to you, too," she greeted the boy. His question made her glance back at the creatures as they went back to eating. "Just visiting some friends. I take it you can't see them," she told him, lightly gripping the strap of her bag and rocking gently on the balls of her feet.

Looking around when the girl uttered the word friends he was left bemused as to just what she meant, because he saw no one but her around, other than him. For a minute, he thought she was probably insane, but maybe she was just messing with him? It wasn't exactly usual of a ravenclaw, Harry would expect that from a Puff, so he was still skeptical, unsure if that was the case or not, "No, I can't," he answered taking a step back, however, this girl sparkled his curiosity...

Luna nodded her understanding when the boy admitted that he was unable to see the Thestrals before him. "Don't worry. You're not alone. Many can't," she said simply with a slight shrug. Noticing he took a step back, Luna didn't let it bother her. She was used to people acting odd around her, and, really, she didn't care. She had learned long ago that her being eccentric was often something that others found very weird, thus making them standoffish. "I'm Luna, Luna Lovegood," she added, her bright, airy voice polite and kind.

His curiosity was begging Harry to ask Luna just how would he be able to see the creatures but decided against it, but however, took a step forward. "Glad I'm not the only one then," he replied extending his arm slowly. "Oh one of my....acquaintances, told me about you," he really didn't know what to call Raphael since they had only spoken once and it was because Malphas was the intermediary. "Raphael said you were a special girl," he added. The conversation had at one point Harry, Mal and Raph list the strangest person they knew, and whilst Mal said Bill Weasley, Raphael said Luna, and Harry said Ricardo because of his mood swings. The three of them all had different reasons though: Mal hated Bill, Raphael thought Luna was special, and Harry simply didn't have a better example. "I'm Harry Potter," he introduced himself.

"Some might say that it's good you can't see them. Some might disagree. It's all open to interpretation, really," she said. Slipping her hand into the hand he offered her, she gave it a gentle shake and smiled. "Raphael is a unique individual, too. He is different, which is always good," Luna said simply. She remembered when she met the boy in the Common Room the previous year and attempted to help him with a rather interesting Nargle problem. She never knew what came of his things, but she could only assume that her charm had helped him. "It's an honor to meet you, Harry Potter. What brings you out to the forest?" she asked, withdrawing her hand and returning it to the strap of her bag.

Nodding at her words he made sure to remember them before shaking her hand firmly but gently. "Everyone is different," he answered like he had told Hermione and Ron before, various times actually. "The same goes for you, Luna Lovegood," he answered with a classy tone smiling lightly, "I was just looking for boards," he decided to be honest otherwise it could come back to bite him.

"Too right," Luna answered in agreement. Everyone was different. That's what made everyone unique. Without mean to, she felt a warm flush creep into her pale cheeks at his classy tone of also being just as honored as she was to meet him. Sighing slightly and smiling brightly, Luna suddenly was puzzled as to why Harry was looking for wild boars. "They are mighty testy creatures. Why are you searching for them?" she said and motioned for Harry to follow her. If he was looking for boars, she knew of a place where several had been sighted.

At her question Harry scratched the back of his head, his shyness taking over, as he had no idea how he would tell a Ravenclaw, that seemed to like animals - just to add fuel to the fire - that he was hunting animals. "I'm er... hunting them," he responded and taking small steps began to follow her, "Professor Carrow asked me to," he showed her the knives in their holsters beneath his robe.

Glancing over her shoulder at Harry's answer, both to see if he was following her and interested at the actual reason for his visit, Luna's brilliant blue eyes fell on the row of knives Harry had concealed beneath his robe. Nodding in approval at his answer, she turned back to the path before her. "Professor Carrow is a wise professor. Different, but as are we all. What does he need them for?" she inquired, ducking under a low branch that extended over the path and pausing at a small collection of rocks to allow Harry to catch up, smiling at him in her carefree manner.

He smiled brightly as she repeated what he had said earlier about everyone being different. Truth was Bruce was a strange fellow, not as bad as Snape, not as good as Briana, not as normal as Remus. He was his own person and in the end, his classes were fun and that was what Harry cared about. "I think...eating," he said with a chuckle as he carefully followed her through the forest.

Tilting her head at his answer, Luna's smile brightened. "Makes sense," she said lightly and hopped over the rocks in the way of the path they were following. Stepping off the well worn path, Luna lead Harry several yards into the thickest part of the forest and paused behind several tall bushes. Whispering, she told him, "There is a small group that passes through her on a regular basis. Only one or two at a time." Looking up at what little sun there was peeking through the trees, she added, "They should be starting to come through any time now." Her blue eyes found their way back to Harry for several moments before reaching into her bag and pulling out an apple. "Hungry?" Luna asked, offering to share the fruit with her companion.

Reaching out he grabbed the apple from her hand thanking her with a nod of his head. This girl, Luna, was very kind and friendly, and even if she saw beasts and beings like many said, she wasn't that bad, heck, she wasn't bad at all. Picking up one of his knives he cut the apple in several pieces and began eating as he paid attention to any noise, "Catching two of them would already be good. Wanna help me?" he offered her the knife, "You don't have to kill them, just knock them out," he smiled kindly at the ravenclaw.

Smiling at him as he took the apple she offered, Luna drew out one for herself. She had heard many things about Harry Potter, and, not that she put much stock into rumors or what people said about others, she found that much of what they said was true. He was very kind and charming. She also had to admit, that he was attractive in his own way, too. Taking the knife he offered her, she sliced her own apple and ate. "If you think I would be of any help, I'd be more than happy to offer my assistance," she told him before popping another piece of apple into her mouth. She was glad she didn't need to actually kill the beast, as knocking them out would be easier for her to do. "Any spells that you know of that will work well on them?" she asked. Better to be prepared then not, she reasoned.

Hushing her for a moment as he thought he heard the bushes move it turned out to be a simply pair of doves that were perhaps looking for something to eat, not that it was hard to find when you were in a magical school, like Hogwarts or any of the others that existed out there. Nodding at her he smiled, "Stupefy will do the trick. Have you learned it yet?" he asked with a relaxed tone.

Falling silent as Harry requested, she looked over her shoulder to see if she could hear what harry was hearing. Looking as two doves flew out of the bushes, she reached in her bag and pulled out a piece of old toast from breakfast. Crumpling it up, she cast it out for them to eat before returning her attention back to Harry. Thinking, she didn't recall if she knew that particular spell. Shaking her head, she said, "We haven't covered that one yet. I think just before holiday we are supposed to learn it." Slicing a piece of apple, she held it to her mouth before asking, "Can... Can you teach me?" Popping the slice in her mouth, her bright eyes twinkled as she returned his smile and waited to hear if he would teach her.

Looking over his shoulder Harry turned on his heel and nodded at the girl, and took out his wand, making the correct movements, which was a simple point and slash vertically - using the wand - he whispered, "Stupefy," the spell flew over the forest parting a few bushes and leaves and finally settled on hitting a tree, "Simple," he answered with a smile.

Luna watched as Harry showed her the spell he was talking about. It was simple enough. Getting to her feet and setting her bag down, she pulled her wand from the messy bun it had been holding, allowing her long blonde hair to fall down her back and frame her face. Pointing and slashing in a vertical fashion, as Harry had done, she softly said, "Stupify." The spell shot from her wind tip, following the same path that his had, and connected with the same tree. Looking over at the one who had become the teacher for a moment, she smiled. "Simple indeed. Thank you for teaching me," she said before her smile fell slightly as hearing a rustling in the area of the forest just over the bushes where they had been hiding only moments before.

Nodding graciously he beamed at the younger girl with pride since he was now teaching someone something and was no longer the student. When the noise that came from the bushes behind him hit his ears Harry held out his palm so Luna was both calm and quiet and took a deep breath, before turning on his heel and throwing a knife at the bush, hearing the boar fall dead. Reaching inside the bush he dragged the carcass out from beneath the leaves, "One down," he grinned at her by looking over his shoulder.

Once again, Luna felt a warm blush creep into her cheeks at the pride-filled smile Harry gave her. Apparently she had done well and had pleased her teacher. Seeing his hand raise to quiet and tell her to remain calm, Luna turned to watch as Harry set to work downing the first of the two boars they sought. "Well, done, Harry Potter," she said as he drew the carcass from the bushes. She wasn't going to lie, Luna was impressed that he had done something like this with one knife and one try. Smiling sweetly at him and his grin, her ears caught the sound of more rustling near where the first boar was. Looking in the general direction of the sound, she saw the leaves move and raised her wand. "Stupify," she said simply, sending the spell through the bushes. The shrill squeal of a boar followed by nothing told her that she had hit her mark. "Two?" she asked, grinning at Harry, not moving so that he could do as he wished with the stunned animal.

Grinning as Luna captured the second animal he sought, he nodded graciously at her before kneeling beside the beast, shoving his knife into its throat to end its life without pain. "Like this, they'll die without much pain," he explained as he threw one of the bodies of the boars over his shoulder, picking the other up and holding it beneath his armpit, "Thank you, Luna," he smiled kindly at her.

Her eyes followed Harry as he made easy work sending the second boar into the afterlife. Luna understood that a stunning spell, no matter how powerful, would eventually end, and the beast would be none too pleased about being hit with it. "It is good that you take their lives so quickly. It's humane," she said as Harry settled both bodies in his grasp. Luna returned his smile and nodded, "You're welcome, Harry. It was a nice adventure." Luna was a little surprised by the overall spirit surrounding Harry. He was a kind soul, a good...friend, if she could refer to him as such after only one meeting. She hoped so. Even after just meeting him, he made her happy. Tucking her wand into her bag, she slung it over her shoulder before holding out the knife he had given her. "Permit me," Luna said softly, and opened his robe, sheathing it alongside the others. "Come. I'll take you back to the path," she added with a tilt of her head for him to follow as she began leading him back where they came.

Arching his hips so it was easier for Luna to access his cloak, Harry smiled and nodded at her, "Lead the way then, Luna... " he told the pretty girl as he walked behind her. She was very attractive and really kind and cute, and he couldn't help but smile when thinking about her. Perhaps this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.