In the days after the Sorting Ceremony, Hermione felt as though she had been possessed.
No matter where she went, Luna openly followed her around as if memorizing something in her head. Whether Hermione was eating or using the bathroom, Luna followed her. She even timed her with a watch.
Even during Hermione's private tutoring sessions, which she considered relaxation time, Luna would poke her head around the entrance to the shooting range.
"Stare."
Luna hid expressionlessly behind the cover by the door.
Miss Granger found it strange, but the Sports Professor said it was a good thing. It would let her experience what it was like to have a fan following her around and help her get used to it in advance.
"Doesn't this count as stalking already? I'm going crazy."
One day around two weeks later, Hermione complained bitterly to the Sports Professor. Luna loved Magical Creatures and knew a great deal about them. She had even become familiar with Hannah and Susan.
But the person she loved bothering most was still Hermione.
"You still don't understand why she's following you?" Su Ming was teaching Hermione to peel a pumpkin with a massive cleaver, simulating the process of shaving someone bald. "I'm very disappointed in you. Calm down and think carefully. What do you have that she values?"
"I shared plenty of the gifts you gave me with her, but she just accepted them calmly. She wasn't happy like everyone else. I really don't know what she wants from me."
Hermione felt terribly wronged. It was not that she disliked Luna; she simply felt they ought to keep some distance.
"You silly girl, she's had her own goal from the beginning." Su Ming rubbed Hermione's head and signaled for her to rest a little and have a soda.