Have you ever looked at candles? I mean, really looked at candles? As soon as they’re lit, they grow; shrink down a bit, as if shy from the world. But then the flame grows again, getting used to its surroundings. And then when you try to blow them out, they hold on for dear life, not wanting to lose their short and subtle life.

And then people blow them out, cut off their oxygen, or lick their fingers and squeeze the life out of them. I much prefer to wait for the wax to shrink down until there’s nothing left, and the fire has no choice but to disperse, recognizing and accepting its fate. I feel like I can relate to candles, as crazy as it sounds. The candles are there, and they can do many things, but they’re hardly recognized, just like me. And people try to get rid of the flame after only a short time of its presence. That’s where the candles and I differ; I’m not blown away, my oxygen isn’t cut off. No, usually people just walk away, or tell me that they don’t care. Usually I’m ranting on about Herbology. Fascinating subject, isn’t it? But I’m getting off topic. My point is... well I certainly don’t know my point. But that’s why I’m here, all alone.

I was actually in the library, staring at my candle, but I got sort of... scared. There was a couple getting heated up right in front of me. Did they not notice I was there? Well, probably not; they were kissing before they even entered the library. At first it didn’t bother me, and I continued staring at the candle. But as soon as I heard one of them groan, I had gathered my books, took away the life of the candle in front of me and ran out of there like I was being chased by a band of pixies.

And then I found myself at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, listening to the Thestrals. After the brutal attack of Voldemort, I saw many deaths. And then, one day, I saw them flying above the Forbidden Forest. And hearing them now, I had to see them. Even though they are peculiar looking, they offer comfort and joy, which is exactly what I needed then. So, I left my bag and books behind and travelled into the Forbidden Forest.

And that’s where I am now, travelling into the Forbidden Forest. The trees are actually a lot scarier at night. I gulp subconsciously; maybe it wasn’t a good idea to go see Thestrals at midnight. I grip my wand hard, nearly snapping it in half. If there’s a problem, I can fix it. Just think about the DA meetings, and all the spells Harry taught me.

I hear the screech of the Thestrals, and I let out a breath of relief I didn’t know I was holding. I squint to make out the Thestrals; it is quite dark out. Feeling stupid, I take out my wand and mutter “Lumos” and the tip of my wand lights up. And instantly, my eyes widen and I stumble back; someone is standing right in front of me.

“Luna?” I call out, still trying to restart my heart.

“Hello, Neville. I did give you quite a scare, didn’t I?” I can do nothing but merely nod as she gives me one of her absent-minded smiles. “Lovely night, isn’t it?” Again, I nod. It actually isn’t lovely. It’s far from lovely. It’s actually really cold outside, and the ground is blanketed with fog, coming up to my mid-shins. But I find it’s very hard to disagree with Luna. I usually give her a bewildered look, or I just nod. She has that weird affect on me.

“Uh... Luna, what are you doing here?” I say, finally finding my voice.

“Why, seeing the Thestrals of course.” She says, as though it’s obvious. And she turns, her bleach blonde hair swishing back and forth from the wind. I see her reach into her pocket and take out a piece of meat. I feel my eyes widen at the material she chose to place in her pocket. Luna then throws the meat to a large Thestral, and it literally inhales the meat, devouring it in one gulp. I see Luna’s cheeks move up, and I can tell her smile is widening. She turns to me.

“Why are you here? Have you come to give meat to the Thestrals?” I shake my head and move forward, my wand in my other hand.

“I didn’t bring any meat. I just came to see them.” And I reach my hand up to stroke the beak of the creature.

“Not to worry, Neville. I believe I have more meat in my bag and I-” Luna begins to open her bag, but I interrupt her.

“It’s okay, Luna. I just needed to see them.”

“Oh? May I ask why?” Luna takes out a huge slab of meat and throws it at another giant Thestral. I hear it tear the meat to pieces, but my eyes are locked on Luna.

“Luna... do you ever feel sad that people make fun of you?” It’s a random question, but it’s Luna. I could ask her if she has ever shaved her head and she would think nothing of it.

“Well, it does get me sad at times. But my mum said that it doesn’t matter what people say. It’s what we want and what we care about that really matters.” And all I can do is nod. She is right.

“But I-” I stop.

“But?” Luna looks at me questioningly, her eye brows high above her crystal blue eyes. Her gaze is radiating right through me, and I can’t help but blush.

“Well, I- I...” I stutter. Damn, I think. I start to scratch the back of my head.

“Oh Neville.” And Luna starts to giggle slightly. “You’re quite funny. You have nothing to fear when talking to me. My charm will warn off any Nargles that might try to cause us trouble.” And once again, I give her a look of bewilderment. She most definitely knows how to make me feel like I’m normal.

“I just wonder,” I start.

“Many of us wonder, Neville. But I think you should distinguish what you’re wondering, because I’m finding this quite hard to follow.” And Luna tilts her head to the side, her hair falling in front of her eyes. I reach up to brush them away, but I realize what I’m about to do, and make it look like I’m petting the Thestral still planted in front of me.

“How is it that you don’t get bothered by everyone making fun of you, but it bothers me?” I finally blurt out. She smiles at me and turns to the creature and throws another slab of meat, far away. It gallops away, leaving us alone.

“It does bother me, slightly, Neville. But when I do feel sad, I think of what my mum said, and I don't mind as much. People only tease in good fun”

“I wish that would work for me.” I mutter. She merely widens her smile and shifts a little closer to me. “But don’t you feel unimportant?” She seems to contemplate this for a moment.

“No.” She says simply, shrugging her shoulders. I gape at her.

“What? Why not?”

“Because I know that someone does care for me. Like the Thestrals. And I also think one particular Nargle is growing quite fond of me. This might cause me some problems.” She says, more to herself than me. I think long and hard.

“I have my Gran... but she’s sick right now, so she can’t take care of me.” I mutter to myself. But Luna appears to hear me.

“Well, there are also people who care for you, but you might not know it.” Luna looks up at me, and I chuckle at her foolishness. “You’re not as bad as you think you are, Neville Longbottom. Many people care for you, you just don’t see it.” She fiddles with her radish earrings, and I look away, unable to bear her gaze.

“Like who?”

“Well, Harry, Ron and Hermione care for you. And so does Ginny. And, of course, I care for you.” I nod a little to the mentions of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. But as soon as she says “I care for you.” My head snaps up to meet her eyes.

“You care?” Luna smiles, but only on one side of her face.

“Of course I do, Neville. You did, after all, pull me back from the falling prophecies in the Department of Mysteries. Do you not remember?”

“Yeah, I remember. But I-” But my sentence is interrupted as Luna places her lips on mine, stunning me. I drop my wand in shock. She tastes like sweet radishes and pudding. Her right arm is placed on my chest, and I can tell that she is on her tip toes, trying to meet me. I finally come to my senses, and I dip my head down so she can place her feet firmly on the ground. And just as I wrap my arms around her waste, she pulls away. I feel disappointment wash over my body.

“Neville, would you like to go to the kitchens with me? I feel like having some pudding.” And I feel a goofy smile take over my features and once again, all I can do is nod.