Chapter 1: Ignite.

Today was a wonderful day.

A girl wearing a bright yellow coat and purple trousers walked in direction to the Owlery, whistling a happy tune as she made her way through the busy castle corridor. Every once and then, a student would look in her, before muttering a simple Oh, is Looney, earning a few laughs of his friends. Said Looney girl didn't bat an eyelash at the mockery of others, for she was used to it. Yes, that girl was Luna Lovegood, the most eccentric and bizarre girl in Ravenclaw.

Luna began to climb up the stairs, skipping a few steps with her arms wide open like a bird.

"Hop, skip, jump!" sang the girl to herself.

Halfway to the Owlery, Luna nearly tripped when she came across to a very flustered Cho Chang.

"Watch out, Looney!" nearly yelled Cho.

"Sorry," said Luna not really caring much.

Luna held back a giggle as Cho opened her mouth to scorn her, just to close it again without saying a single word. The Asian girl let out a growl, walking pass Luna without a second glare.

Finally reaching her destination, the blonde-haired girl stood in front of the door, searching for an object inside her coat. It was a letter for her daddy, asking him to send her mother's gown for the upcoming Yule Ball. At first she was reluctant about sending the letter, since nobody has asked her out for the ball. 3rd years like her could go only if they were invited by older students, and Luna was almost sure nobody wanted to go with her. Yet, the Ravenclaw decided to not lose hope so early, and with a big smile on her face, Luna walked into the Owlery, searching for her personal owl.

"Zeus!" shouted the girl once inside.

A few owls turned their head at the noise, others flapped their wings and mostly all ignored her.

Luna looked around for her owl, until her eyes landed in the face of a confused boy. She recognized him almost immediately. Who couldn't? After all, everybody in the school knew of Harry Potter, the unexpected 4th champion.

The boy looked at her with a conflicted expression. Outstretched his hand, he began to caress a beautiful white owl at his side, getting a soft hoot in response. A gentle nudge in her sleeve made Luna lose eye contact, and turning her head to the side, Luna smiled at the sight of her owl.

"There you are," said Luna while running her fingers through the animal's feathers.

Luna stole a glance at the boy across the room. He was standing still in front of the large window. With slumped shoulders and a dejected expression on his face, Luna wondered what has happened to him. She was about to open her mouth when she remembered her encounter with Cho just a few seconds ago.

Luna's fingers tightened on the letter.

As much as she wanted to say something, past experiences prevented her from doing so. Luna vividly remembered her first year, when some Slytherin classmate accidentally slipped the wrong potion in Rebecca Harper's cauldron. She had tried to help her fellow Ravenclaw to clean up the mess, just to get yelled by her. Something similar happened in second year, when Michael Corner broke his wrist after getting jinxed in the corridors. She has tried to assist him, but after Michael recognized her, he started calling her names, walking away and telling her to never talk to him again. It was always the same, and Luna doubted this time it was going to be any different.

With a heavy sigh, Luna turned to her owl and began to tie the letter in its leg.

"Deliver this to daddy, okay?" whispered the girl.

The animal spread its wings open, and with a loud Hoot, flew away through the sunset's haze. Luna watched as the owl disappeared into the horizon, entrusting her pet with her last hope for a date. Turning around, Luna spread her arms like a bird and began to skip toward to the staircase while whistling one of her favorite tunes.

"Wait!"

Stopping midair, Luna tried to balance on one foot, slowly twirling her body until she was facing the boy.

Harry's posture stiffened. With a troubled expression on his face, the Gryffindor cast his eyes down.

'Did I imagine it?' wondered Luna as she waited for Harry to speak.

He looked at her once again, his eyes glimmering with a newfound courage that distinguished Gryffindor from the other houses. Luna ignored the burning flame that had lit inside her, a strangle feeling seizing her heart.

"H-Hi, I'm Harry." stammered the Gryffindor.

The blonde-haired girl couldn't suppress her smile.

"Hi, I'm Luna." she said now standing on both feet.

The girl giggled at Harry's failed attempt to strike up a conversation. His nervousness was palpable and the way he mumbled and contradicted himself in low voice was rather cute in Luna's opinion.

"Uhm, you look…nice," Harry finally managed to say.

The Ravenclaw felt her cheeks turning hot.

Was that a compliment?

She has never received a compliment before. Maybe once, when she was riding the Hogwarts Express, it happened before she received her Loony nickname. That boy never spoke with her again.

Luna shook her head to remove any negative thought from her mind.

"Thank you," she answered, "You look nice too. Especially with your champion's clothes, I always thought you looked very heroic with them."

Harry looked away, not really knowing how to respond to her commentary.

"Hoot, hoot!" The white owl protested, nibbling his hand.

"Okay! Sorry, sorry," apologized Harry to the owl. "Luna this is Hedwig –Ouch!-, she's angry for not introducing her–Ouch!-Stop it, Hedwig!"

A joyful laughter escaped from Luna's lips as she walked to Harry, the strange feeling inside her burning fiercely.

"Nice to meet you, Hedwig," said Luna, patting the graceful owl on the head.

He gave Luna a sheepish smile as the owl cooed into Luna's touch, "She's very proud –Ouch! - I was not talking about you!"

As Harry started to argue with his owl, Luna looked at the boy in a closer inspection. His black hair was longer compared to prior years, his round glasses looked very old –Luna thought they looked perfect on him- and the scar on his forehead was just like she has heard: A barely there lightning-shaped bolt.

Luna had heard so many stories about the Boy-Who-Lived, stories that portrayed him as a handsome boy with a charming smile, a boy that fought dragons and rescued damsels in distress. She had heard he was cunning, with a brilliant mind that rivaled Helena Ravenclaw herself. That he was brave just like Godric Gryffindor, and from what the professor Snape said, a proud and arrogant boy just like his father.

And yet, by just looking at him arguing with his owl, Luna knew all those stories were nothing but rubbish. For her, Harry looked like any other boy she had met.

"So tell me, uhmm, Luna. What's your house?"

"Ravenclaw," answered the girl proudly. She loved being in Ravenclaw, just like her mum.

For some reason, Harry looked delighted at her answer, "Really? Woah, that's great!"

Luna briefly wondered if she had a Wrackspurts infection, because her head was all fuzzy and it was getting hard to think straight.

I wonder why my heart is beating so fast.

Wrackspurts. That was the definitive answer.

But Wrackspurts didn't make you heart beat faster, nor did it make your palms sweat. The weather was cold and yet she felt a bit hot. Luna felt a knot in the stomach, realizing that this was NOT the Warckspurts' doing. There was a weird feeling dwelling inside her, something strange and beautiful at the same time. It was…It was…

"By any chance, are you friends with Cho?"

And the flame inside her dried up like a withered flower.

Luna looked at Harry in confusion.

"Cho Chang?"

"Yeah, her!" said Harry with enthusiasm.

Luna didn't avoid Harry's gaze, "We're not friends, but I know her."

"Oh well," murmured Harry a bit disappointed. "Can I ask you a favor?"

Luna nodded, feeling like her normal self now. Maybe it was a Wrackspurt infection after all, she needed to be careful.

"Neat! Look, can you ask her to consider my offer for the ball? You see, Err…I, this is a bit embarrassing to say…Argh, whatever! I think she's pretty. "

Seeing Harry's flustered state made Luna ponder. Cho has always been a very vocal person. Just yesterday she was boasting about her date in the common room, how Cedric asked her the same day as the announcement. In Luna's opinion, Cho wasn't a very pleasant roommate.

"Sure," said Luna. She didn't like Cho very much, but talking to her wouldn't be a problem. After all, she was used to Cho and her friends' teasing.

Harry looked Luna with surprised, and then, his face broke into a brilliant smile. "Thanks. Ehm…Luna!"

The girl nodded once again, happy that she could do something for someone as friendly as Harry.

"It's getting late, Goodbye, Ah…Luna!" exclaimed Harry as he walked to the staircase.

"Goodbye, Harry."

The girl stood in the middle of the room, processing what just has happened. She didn't have many friends in the school. Padme Patil, a Ravenclaw from fourth year, sometimes helped her with homework when there was nobody around in the common room. Ginevra was also her friend, childhood friends even, but they rarely talked since they started Hogwarts.

'Harry Potter' thought Luna touching the wand behind her ear. She was right; Harry was nothing like others has said.

'He seems nice' were the girl last thoughts before she left the building.

Luna didn't see Harry again until the next day.

It was nearly evening, the sky was turning a red hue and the noise in the castle's hallways was minimal. Luna walked down the corridor in direction to the castle grounds when someone grabbed her by the arm.

"Hey, eh…Luna!" said a familiar face.

The blonde-haired girl looked at the boy at her side. "Oh. Hi, Harry." she said with a smile.

The boy went straight to the point, "Have you talked with Cho?"

Luna let a sight, remembering her encounter with the pretty Asian, "Yes, I did."

"Really? What she said?" asked Harry expectantly.

The Ravenclaw bit her lip.

Luna was sitting down in the common room, reading The Quibbler like she did every morning. It was the special edition, with a rather fascinating rune puzzle on the last page. Luna grabbed her quill on the table when Cho Chang and her two friends, Marietta Edgecomb and Sarah Sterling, made their entrance into the common room. Luna's grip on the quill loosened.

"Hi, Cho."

It was Marietta who replied back, "Well, well, well. What do we have here," said the girl with a mocking tone.

"If isn't Looney…And what is this? The Quibbler? Isn't this your father's magazine?" said Sarah raising an eyebrow.

Luna unfazed by the girls' taunts, nodded.

"I can get you a copy if you want."

Cho, who was standing in front of her with a lopsided grin, said nothing while looking at her nails.

"No thank you, watching you carry that "magazine" everywhere with you is entertaining enough," said Sarah with a cruel smile, "Tell me, Looney. Trouble finding your stuff, again? Michael told me he saw a pair of yellow knickers hanging in the boy's dormitory, could they be yours?" asked the girl with a high-pitched laugh.

Luna didn't reply. She was still looking at Cho with an indifferent glare. "I have something to talk with you, Cho."

The girl crossed her arms under her breasts, and resting against the wall she said.

"Speak up then, we are all ears."

"I have a…"

Could Luna consider Harry a friend? They only talked once, and from what she understood, he was more worried about Cho's answer than talking to her. Still –Luna thought in determination- Harry has asked for a favor, and she was going to help him.

"…friend…"

Sarah and Marietta looked at each other.

"Friends? You? Just because Mr. Flitwick answers your question in class doesn't mean he's your friend."

Both girls began to laugh loudly, a few students turned their head at the commotion. Cho was fighting down a giggle that threatened to escape her mouth. "Let her finish her story, girls. We need to leave soon."

Luna didn't flinch at their taunts, she was used to it. 'It's for a friend' she thought with firm resolution.

"…As I was saying. I have a friend who wanted to ask you to reconsider his proposal for the upcoming Ball."

Now Cho was looking at Luna with interest, "Really, and who is your friend?"

Luna didn't even stutter.

"Harry Potter."

And the laughter exploded.

Sarah jumped at Luna's side, and grabbed the girl by the shoulders.

"Y-You…friends with H-Harry Potter…OH LOONY, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY MENTAL!"

Marietta was lying on top of a chair, clutching her stomach and gasping for air.

"I-It's o-official, we lo-lost her!"

The only one who wasn't laughing was Cho. She remembered what happened at the Owlery, and remembered exactly who she had meet halfway the stairs.

Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her eyes looking directly into Luna's big grey ones.

"Tell Harry I'm going with Cedric, and…and that's final," stated Cho with a troubled expression.

Luna nodded at her, and not wanting to be in the room anymore, took her belongings and walked out of the room like nothing has happened.

"I'm sorry, but she plans to go with Cedric."

Harry swore under his breath. Looking around, he noticed the nasty look of the few students in in the corridor in his direction. But they weren't aimed at him. No, they were aimed at…

"Luna, are you okay?"

Harry noticed the girl was quiet all of sudden.

Luna snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes, sorry. I spaced out for a moment."

The Gryffindor looked uncertain, but decided to not press the issue.

"Where were you going?" asked Harry innocently.

"Me? To the Forbidden Forrest," replied Luna like it was a trivial thing.

Harry looked aghast at her, "WHAT! Are you…" The Gryffindor didn't finish the sentence. He probably had heard about her nickname by now.

"Just say it, I don't mind," said Luna truthfully.

"That place is very dangerous, you don't want to go there," stated Harry ignoring her words.

Luna shrugged, "I've wandered in the Forbidden Forest since my first year and nothing has happened to me."

Harry looked at her in alarm, "Nothing has happened to you: yet. Do you know about the spiders? Or the centaurs? Merlin, Luna! They are-"

"Oh, are you talking about Bane and Firenze? They are really friendly if you get to know them."

Harry covered his face in horror, earning a giggle from Luna.

"It's true, Harry. Centaurs are misunderstood creatures; they don't hate all humans like people think. Now, if you excuse me, I have a forest to explore," said the girl as she began to skip down the path.

Harry threw his hands in the air, "Oh, no! No, no, no! If you think you're going there alone, I will-"

Luna stopped dead in her tracks, "You will what, Harry Potter?" she asked with a hint of playfulness.

Harry looked at her back, and swallowing the lump on his throat, he said.

"Then…then I'll go with you!"

Luna was glad Harry couldn't see her face.

She was happy.

She was extremely happy.

For some absurd reason, those words brought joy to the girl. Nobody had tried to stop her from going to the Forbidden Forest before. Nobody cared where she was or whether she was safe or not. And nobody had accompanied her in her walks.

But Harry said he will, and that made Luna feel pleased.

"But what about your friends?" asked the girl still not believing her situation.

Harry stood by Luna's side as they began to walk together, "Ron can survive a few hours without me. He was fine alone when he thought I put my name in the Goblet."

Both teen started to walk to the grounds, enjoying the tempered atmosphere, "And Hermione, well… Hermione has been acting a bit strange lately. Leaving classes early and coming back to the common room late at nights. Don't tell anyone, but I think she made a friend from Beauxbaton, that's the only explanation for her tardiness."

"Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets," said Luna with a small grin.

They walked in silence for a moment, and when Luna couldn't hold it anymore, she asked the question that has been in her mind for so long.

"Tell me, Harry. What do you know about Nargles?"

Harry looked with a questioning look, "Nargles? I have never heard of them."

Luna's eyes sparkled with mischief, "You see, Harry. Nargles are devilish little things that love to steal any kind of stuff from people," she explained with passion that only her strange creatures could give her, "they are mostly found in mistletoes…"

In the end, Harry convinced Luna to visit the groundskeeper Hagrid instead of the going to Forbidden Forest. Luna didn't mind, she had spoken with the massive ex-teacher a few times and talking with Harry was so much fun. Well, more like she was doing the talking while Harry just nodded and mumbled a few "Uh?" and "Really?" every now and then.

"Do you know what this is?" asked Luna, showing her butterbeer cork necklace.

Harry shook his head as he knocked on the heavy door.

"It's an amulet," said Luna touching it with her fingertips, "to keep the Nargles away."

Harry ran a hand through his already messy hair, "An amulet, huh? Does it work?"

"Of course!" squealed Luna. "They have a charm on it. I made this one myself," said the girl holding it close to her chest.

Luna looked shyly at Harry, "Do you want one?"

How strange, she had never this nervous before. Just being alone with Harry made Luna felt a bit more timid than usual.

Harry looked a bit embarrassed by Luna's suggestion, "Uhm, I-"

"'Arry! How're yer?" greeted Hagrid as he opened the door, "And who 'tis might' be?" he added looking at the girl.

"She's Luna Lovegood, a friend of mine," stated Harry before she could introduce herself, "Are you busy, Hagrid?" asked the teen avoiding looking at the girl.

The half-giant waved his hand dismissively, "Nah! Come in, come in. I'll make some good tea for yer. Fang, get off the couch!"

Harry followed Hagrid inside, but Luna stood frozen in her spot.

"I'm your friend?" asked Luna in a soft voice, not believing what she had heard.

Harry looked back over his shoulders, "Ehh, yeah…I guess."

A dreamy smile appeared on Luna's face, "A friend." she whispered to herself, feeling a bit giddy.

Hagrid walked over Luna and grabbed the doorknob.

"You don' wan' to get a cold, right youn' lady?" asked the half-giant with a grin, "C'mon, get inside. I'll prepare some tea."

They settle down in front of the fireplace, Harry was scratching Fang behind the ear, while Luna was looking at Harry with an expression of wonder.

"You didn't invite anyone to come over, right? I didn't bring my…you-know-what, in case someone appears," stated Harry as he smothered his clothes.

"Aye, I had to take care o' those dangerous hybrid Manticores in the mornin', so I'm free tonigh'," said Hagrid leaving a tray with three cups on the table and missing the look of surprise that Harry and Luna shared.

Hagrid clapped his hand together as he sat on the couch, "Tell me…Luna, wasn't it? Alright, tell me Luna. Did Harry tell yer how he and his friends managed to pass a three-headed dog in his firs' year?"

Luna shook her head with an excited grin, "No, he didn't."

"Hagrid!" protested the boy in his seat.

The man began to chuckle, "Don't worry, 'Arry. I'll le' yer tell the good parts." said Hagrid winking at the boy.

The half-giant started by the beginning, telling Luna how he gave Harry's cousin a pig tail for eating Harry's birthday cake. Then, he stroked his in beard in embarrassment, remembering he forgot to tell Harry how to pass the magic barrier on the station.

"You would think Hagrid would be more helpful to someone who was totally ignorant of the magical world," said Harry glaring at the half-giant. "Thank Merlin I heard Mrs. Weasley rambling about muggles or else I don't know what I would have done."

Hagrid tried to continue his story, but Harry decided to take the lead and began to retell his first year. How he became friends with Ron in the Hogwarts Express, his argument with Malfoy when they reached Hogwarts, his fight with the troll and the day the discovered about Fluffy's spot.

"Harry and his friends wouldn't stop buggin' me abou' Fluffly once they learn o' him. Then, I accidentally mentioned Nicolas Flamel's name durin' a conversation," confessed Hagrid ashamed.

Luna held her breath as Harry began to recall his fear when they landed into the room full of Devil's Snare, Ron sacrificing himself in the Wizard's Chess game and how Hermione solved the potion riddle, giving Harry the potion to enter the last room. Harry ended his tale with his fight against Quirrell –and since he has omitted the mention of the Mirror of Erised- he gave Luna a brief summary about its function.

"It's sound like a very dangerous mirror," said Luna quietly, already knowing what she would see in her reflection.

Harry nodded at Luna's comment, finishing his story with how he managed to burn Quirrell's face thanks to his mother's love, explained what Dumbledore has said in the hospital wing.

She paid attention to every word Harry has said. Yet, the best part wasn't the story itself, but how Harry downplayed his actions. He told the story like a humble person, citing his friends' help and luck as the only reasons why he was still alive. Also, she was pretty sure Harry has omitted a few details and events, but Luna really didn't care. She thought the story was brilliant. Later, as they left Hagrid's hut, Luna realized she liked the company of Harry Potter.

Later that night, while everyone was sleeping soundly in the Ravenclaw's dormitory, a lone girl was looking at the ceiling, remembering how she couldn't take her eyes of Harry's face, his boyish smile making her feel lighter than usual. Luna's left hand was inside her gown, grasping her buttterbeer cork with dreamy smile on her face.

"Friends." whispered the girl before she succumbed to sleep. The flame from their first encounter was diminished, but not extinguished.