Luna "Loony" Lovegood is arguably the most unique character in the Harry Potter series, and definitely one of its most beloved. While controversy often surrounds Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny, dislike for Luna is hard to find.

The name "Lovegood" is mentioned in GoF, chapter 6 ("No, the Lovegoods have been there [the Quidditch World Cup] for a week already [...] There aren't anymore of us in the area, are there?") but we cannot be sure if this is Luna and her father, Luna's extended family or just a coincidence (Mark Evans, anyone?) so our first introduction to Luna comes in OotP.

We met the fourth-year Ravenclaw in the aptly named chapter, 'Luna Lovegood'. You can read Jo's description of her here.

Luna can be excruciatingly honest; she says what she thinks without worrying how others will react. This is a major part of her uniqueness - most teenagers her age are busy putting up walls and trying to blend in, whereas Luna, at times doesn't even seem to notice she stands out.

Luna enjoys accessorizing - adding her individuality to her uniform robes. She can often be spotted wearing a necklace made from Butterbeer corks or radish earrings; later a pair of multicolored Spectrespecs (perhaps for spotting invisible spirits?) Her cleverness as a witch was demonstrated when she created a lion's head with a realistic roar as a hat.

Her voice is often described as having a 'dreamy' quality, and a sense of the unaware is often in her demeanor - Luna considers everyday normality to be trivial, and she looks for something more.

Her father is the editor of a monthly wizarding magazine known as The Quibbler. He publishes "important stories the public needs to know", the authors of which are unpaid. Stories The Quibbler has covered in the past are: Corruption in the Quidditch League: How the Tornados are Taking Control, How Far Will Fudge Go to Gain Gringotts?, Secrets of the Ancient Runes Revealed, Sirius Black: Villain or Victim? SIRIUS - BLACK AS HE'S PAINTED?, HARRY POTTER SPEAKS OUT AT LAST: THE TRUTH ABOUT HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED AND THE NIGHT I SAW HIM RETURN. These are mostly conspiracy theories with little to no basis in fact (with the exception of Harry's interview), yet they're stories Mr Lovegood actually believes in - he's not taking advantage of the public, or in it for the money. The March edition containing Harry's interview was promptly sold out, and consequently the magazine grew in popularity.

Luna's beliefs are all handed down from her father. Her complete trust in him possibly stems from losing her mother at the age of nine. Her mother loved to experiment with magic, and one such experiment went horribly wrong, resulting in her death.

There has been some debate about whether or not Luna has a crush on Ron or Harry; all we know for certain is that she and Neville will never become more than friends. Despite some reports to the contrary, Luna is not a love interest of Harry's. (Personally, I believe if Luna did like Ron or Harry, she would simply say it. She does not follow social norms, and is not one to hide her feelings.)

Luna is now a vital part of Harry's life, in a way that wouldn't seem likely - she gives him hope. Luna, despite all her quirks, relates to Harry in that she too has experienced the death of a loved one. She has faith, she believes in what she cannot see, in what reason tells her not to. While Harry does not care to believe in Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, he wants to hold on to the possibility of an afterlife. This is one thing that down-to-earth Hermione cannot provide. Faith and hope are powerful concepts, and probably Luna's strengths as well as her weaknesses.

No one knows what role Luna will have to play in the final installment, but judging from past events, she'll play an important part in helping Harry.

We can't wait to see Evanna bring this complex but incredibly fun character to life, we're sure she's up to the challenge!