Title: Mind the Step
Fandom: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Rating: G/ All Ages
Length: 399 words
Content notes: None
Summary: Ginny encounters Luna in rather unusual predicament

Ginny ran up the stairs two at a time, flushed from the effort. She really shouldn't have left that book in her bed, but she had been in such a rush that morning. At least she had been able to pass it off as a forgotten text book, and if she hurried, she wouldn't be too late to class.

"Please mind my head," came a soft, dreamy voice from far lower than it ought to have on the staircase. Ginny came to an abrupt stop, nearly tumbling face-first into Luna Lovegood. Most of the rest of Luna was stuck in the disappearing step. "Not many people have paid much attention, and I'm getting kicked rather a lot, you know."

"Luna!" Ginny gasped. "Oh goodness, how on earth did you get so much of yourself stuck? Didn't your prefects warn you about the step?"

"They did, yes." Luna seemed completely unconcerned. "I was hoping to discover where it goes."

"Er, I don't think it goes anywhere. It just sort of isn't a proper step." Ginny tried very hard not to laugh.

"Yes, I'm beginning to think that is the case. I've been here for two hours, and I haven't gone any further than this."

"Two hours?" Ginny was incredulous. "And no one's bothered to help?"

"Well, no." Luna frowned slightly. "Ought they have?"

"I should say so! Here, let's get you out of there." Ginny caught hold of Luna under her arms and gave a mighty tug. After a minute, Luna was slowly dislodged. "How are you? Is your head alright?"

"I'm fine," Luna said a little defensively, her pale eyebrows contracting slightly. Ginny shook her head furiously.

"I didn't mean it like that!" She felt off her footing. "I meant about all the getting stepped on and kicked!"

"Oh." Luna carefully prodded under her straggly, blonde hair. "Yes. I seem to be undamaged. Of course, I did have this in my pocket." She produced what looked to be a petrified garden slug from her robe pocket. "They're very useful for protecting against bumps and scrapes."

"Oh, that's...that's really neat, Luna." Ginny fidgeted with her book bag’s straps as she continued up the stairs. "Look, you'd better get to class. I hope you aren't in too much trouble!"

"Why should I be?" Luna asked with vague unconcern as she headed in the opposite direction, down the stairs. "It's only Potions."