"Knights are for boys," Ron insisted, but Ginny swore to prove him wrong.
Luna wasn't a typical storybook princess. The smirking girls that harassed her weren't dark, cunning warlocks or dangerous dragons. In fact, the Ravenclaw seemed blissfully unaware of the insults being hurled at her like deadly weapons.
"Hey, Loony! Se any invisible beasties today?"
"Why are you a Ravenclaw? You're too thick for all that wit beyond measure tosh."
"Bet you still think Narspurts steal your things."
"Nargles," Luna corrects automatically without even looking away from her copy of the Quibbler.
Ginny drew her wand the way the princes drew their swords in the stories she knew by heart. Maybe, sometimes, the damsel didn't need to be saved. Maybe Luna could take care of herself. But Ginny wasn't willing to take that chance.
"Merlin, Loony, you're so-"
"Call her Loony one more time," Ginny growled, her voice dripping with venom, "and I will hex your dim arse into next week."
"Magic isn't allowed in the corridors," one brave tormentor challenged matter-of-factly.
Ginny snorted, brows raising. She flicked her wand hand in warning, the way her mum would do whenever they were in serious trouble and trying to escape grounding. "Want to try me?"
The girls exchanged uneasy glances. As if by silent agreement, the little group broke away, going about their business. One girl looked over her shoulder, shooting murderous glares at the meddling Griffindor.
"Thank you," Luna said softly.
Ginny blushed. In stories, this was where they kissed, where they set up their happily ever after. Her brown eyes lingered over Luna's pale lips curiously, wondering if she should be the one to try.
"You're a nice friend," the blonde added before turning and disappearing around the corner.
Ginny stared after her, blinking in confusion. Fairy-tales spoke of love, of triumph over evil. But never, she thought, did they mention how easily the princess could wound the knight or how the knights weren't as invulnerable as they seemed.