Halloween Treat for Frnklymrshnkly
Gift for: frnklymrshnkly
From: _hannelore
Title: The Last Ride
Pairing: Luna Lovegood
Rating: PG
Summary: Luna notices that the usual herd of ghost horses from the Headless Hunt are missing, except one that she finds on Hallowe'en Night.
Notes: Happy Halloween, frnklymrshnkly, here's a little treat for you! Much gratitude to the hp_halloween mods for the wonderful beta! ♥
The Hallowe'en moon drifted behind the clouds, giving Luna a glimpse of the horse that headed deeper into the Forbidden Forest. Usually the horses from the Headless Hunt would graze with Thestrels, but tonight Luna had only seen one.
The horse stopped and nudged a cloaked figure. The figure startled, reaching up for the reins.
"Wait!" Luna said. "She brought me here."
He pulled down his hood, frightened.
"You're Sir Podrick," Luna said, "Of the Headless Hunt?"
The man winced at her words. "Not anymore."
"We - they - fought at the Battle of Hogwarts," Sir Podrick continued. "But I hid. They said the fight had given their lives meaning and they were ready for death."
"Being scared doesn't mean your life doesn't have meaning," Luna said. She smiled at the horse. "She misses her friends and I think you miss yours."
Sir Podrick hesitated, then mounted up.
"I'll do it for her," he said, patting the horse's flank.
"But you have to want to go too," Luna added.
Sir Podrick nodded. The horse rose up on its hind legs, tossing its mane joyfully. Luna thought she heard the sound of hoofbeats and laughter as horse and rider faded into the moonlight.