Luna's sudden move left everyone in the compartment utterly dumbfounded. Cassandra's expression darkened at once as she couldn't help but demand:
"Luna, what exactly are you doing?"
Luna, however, sat down beside Wentworth with complete composure and chirped sweetly:
"Didn't you say that if I ever got into trouble, I could come to you? Well, I couldn't find a seat, so I had no choice but to sit with you!"
"I was actually going to leave, thinking you might not agree, but you're all so kind and welcoming—I'm just thrilled!"
With that, Luna beamed brightly, while Cassandra was left speechless.
For the rest of the ride, Luna remained seated beside Wentworth, humming strange little tunes no one could understand. Cassandra, who was seated on Wentworth's other side, glared at him with increasing frequency.
Though flanked by two bright, beautiful girls, Wentworth found himself wedged between them and entirely immobilized. Other than offering a polite yet awkward smile, all he could feel was a growing headache.
Eventually, Cedric—unable to stand the tension any longer—made the excuse of going to chat with a friend and gave up his seat, finally freeing Luna from the increasingly cramped arrangement.
When the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station, Wentworth quickly bid Luna farewell and hopped into a Thestral-drawn carriage bound for the castle.
Upon entering the Great Hall at Hogwarts, Wentworth immediately spotted Lockhart seated among the staff. The man looked quite pleased with himself, engaged in animated conversation with the other professors.
At nearly the same moment, Lockhart noticed Wentworth's gaze. Their eyes met briefly, and Wentworth gave a subtle nod before taking his seat at the Hufflepuff table.
Soon, as the first-year students arrived by boat, the Great Hall buzzed with excitement once more.
Then came the familiar and well-loved Sorting Ceremony, and as expected, Luna was sorted into Ravenclaw.
However, as soon as Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat from Luna's head, she calmly walked toward the Hufflepuff table instead.
The entire hall fell silent, all eyes turning to Luna in stunned confusion.
A sense of foreboding flashed through Wentworth's mind.
And sure enough, Luna, utterly unfazed by the stares, walked straight over to the Hufflepuff table and sat directly across from Wentworth.
Gasps erupted across the Hall. Whispers and chatter filled the air as students murmured about how Luna had blatantly ignored Ravenclaw and taken a seat at Hufflepuff instead.
Professor McGonagall had no choice but to halt the Sorting. She cleared her throat and said, voice crisp:
"Miss Luna Lovegood, you were just sorted into Ravenclaw. That," she pointed, "is the Hufflepuff table."
Luna nodded serenely and replied, "I know, Professor McGonagall. But is there a rule at Hogwarts that says a Ravenclaw student isn't allowed to sit here?"
"These are the only people I know."
She gestured across the table at Wentworth, Kirk, and Cedric—who all wore polite but deeply awkward smiles.
Then Luna stood again and pointed toward Cassandra, whose face had darkened considerably.
"Oh, right. And her! Should I go sit over there instead?"
McGonagall pressed a hand to her forehead, clearly exasperated.
"That's the Slytherin table! Merlin's beard, why do we keep getting problem students? What's happening to Hogwarts these past few years?"
As McGonagall lamented aloud, Wentworth suddenly spoke up.
"Luna, are we really the only ones you know here?"
Luna blinked her large eyes at him and nodded without hesitation.
"In that case," Wentworth said gently, "that's exactly why you shouldn't sit with us."
"If you only stick with us, we'll be your only friends. You should try to meet more people. This place isn't Ottery St. Catchpole. The world outside is huge—and full of wonder!"
Luna tilted her head thoughtfully, then stood up and began walking toward the Ravenclaw table.
McGonagall let out a long sigh of relief.
But then, just as Luna took a step, she turned back and said brightly:
"You're right, Wentworth! But before I left, my dad told me to stick close to you. That way, I wouldn't be tricked or bullied!"
"He said—and I quote—'As long as you stay near that boy, you'll be the one doing the bullying, not the other way around!'"
With that, Luna skipped away toward Ravenclaw, leaving Wentworth smiling politely but grinding his teeth inwardly at Xenophilius Lovegood.
The incident finally passed, and McGonagall resumed the Sorting.
As Wentworth sat back down, a soft voice came from behind him.
"Congratulations, Wentworth. You've gained Hogwarts' most devoted supporter."
He turned quickly, ready to explain, but Cassandra had already turned her head away.
However, Cassandra would soon discover she had jumped to conclusions—for Luna wasn't the most enthusiastic fan.
That title belonged to someone else entirely.
The moment Colin Creevey was sorted into Gryffindor, he let out a shout so loud it echoed across the Great Hall, sending McGonagall clutching her chest in alarm.
Without missing a beat, Colin leapt to his feet and dashed toward the Gryffindor table.
Though startled, McGonagall now found herself oddly comforted. Compared to Luna's antics, this was what a proper Hogwarts student should be like—passionate and proud of their House!
Especially since Colin was a Gryffindor. As Head of Gryffindor House, McGonagall was quite pleased.
But then, halfway to his seat, Colin somehow produced a camera from Merlin-knows-where and darted straight toward Harry Potter.
His eyes sparkled with excitement as he blurted:
"Hi, Harry! You're my idol! I can't believe we're in the same House—this is amazing! Can I get a picture with you?!"
The Great Hall erupted in noise again.
Harry glanced at Professor McGonagall, whose brow was already furrowing, then looked at Colin's eager face and said as quickly as he could:
"Sure, but make it quick—everyone's waiting to eat!"
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