Luna's importance to the series.

[unbound_to_the_circles]

No: HPFGUIDX 94240

I posted this at MNI; am I crazy, or does this make sense?

The Sorting Hat has spoken of the need for inter-house unity. Now,
traditionally, we know that Gryffindor is aligned with Hufflepuff;
conversely, this means Ravenclaw is tradionally aligned with
Slytherin. We know that at least Draco Malfoy, the archtypal
Slytherin, doesn't look down on Ravenclaw... he says so to Harry in
Madame Malkin's robe shop. In GoF, Rowling reinforces the idea that
Hufflepuff is normally sided with Gryffindor. While Ravenclawers are
not nessecarily all for Slytherin, they are placed side by side.

Luna breaks this. Although we have hints of inter-house mingling
(Ginny and Harry both see Ravenclaws,) Luna openly supports
Gryffindor. And she, like Harry (and Hermione, who could have ended up
a Ravenclaw,) is unique to their house. Harry, because he could have
fit into all of the houses. Luna is unique to her house because it is
built on logic and intelligence, and yet she believes in the
unbelievable. She calmly ignores the nasty behaviour people from her
house shows her, and participates in the Battle of the Department of
Mysteries. She also helps Harry through his pain of losing Sirius -
for the first time, a character from another house shows true
alignment with Harry, and a Gryffindor.

Luna, moreso than the DA, is the first step to inter-house unity.

Seren, who wishes for a good butterbeer right about now.