Moon in the Light

Harry walked through the halls of Hogwarts, looking for the one. He had heard news from her peers, that her usual habits through the day were quite weird. Harry didn't care of their opinion; he only wanted to meet up with her. Travelling through the crowd of people heading for the Great Hall for lunch, Harry pushed aside fellow students, not caring what their murmuring was about, only pushing through the tide to find his own siren.

The halls were soon empty of the sound of murmuring voices, and Harry only heard the footsteps of a few people. Their soft talking didn't reach his ears, but a slight sobbing sound did. Running through the halls towards the sound, and passing portraits whom only glared at his behaviour; he didn't care. Running and never stopping, the sound of the sobbing grew louder. Rounding one corner, a girl was covering her face in her hands, light reflecting off her hair.

Harry walked closer, the girl didn't notice. Harry reached out a kind hand to the girl. "Come with me, I shan't hurt you."

The girl slowly raised her head, and saw Harry in her surprised eyes. Eyes red with tears, her cheeks wet with the flurry of tears. The girl slowly took Harry's hand, and used it for support to rise up on her feet. She tried to smile at Harry, but failed, her face resuming to a state of sadness.

"Luna..." Harry said kindly, and the girl responded by looking at him. Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, which he used to dry the wells under Luna's eyes. He switched his hand, and threw one of his arms around Lunas shoulders, the other holding onto her hand.

"Harry, why? You could have anyone else... but why me?" Luna asked, as she stumbled a little walking with Harry for lunch. Harry stopped and looked at her.

"I could have anyone I choose, but it's you I chose." Harry spoke, smiling at Luna. Harry just looked into her pale eyes, and saw his own green opals looking into them, a look of surprise crossing Luna's eyes, one of a person unsure of the true dreams and desires that led them to this place.

Luna leaned forward, and put her head on Harry's shoulder for support. "Why?"

Harry put her to the side of him. "There are some things words cannot show. Only actions." Harry smiled still looking forward, heading towards the Great Hall. "You were crying. Whatever for?"

Luna looked at Harry after raising her head some. "I was... afraid nobody noticed me. Only last year I truly had a good time. With you, the other members of the DA. Everyone calling me 'Loony'. I enjoyed it... and with you. I was afraid you wouldn't come back to me, ever. I didn't see you on the train, only during classes, when you seemed to ignore me." She hastily got out of Harry's grip, and just looked at him, her eyes filling with tears a little more. "Harry... who dared you to be friendly with me? Who wanted to see me crushed when you drop me if you ask me out? Why are you doing this?" She raised her hand, and slapped Harry across the face. "GOODBYE, POTTER!"

Harry stood in shock. The fury of the slap was still felt. Looking down the hall, Luna was running off. Harry shook his head, and went for lunch.

---

Harry looked at his page for History of Magic. Binns was droning on about the goblin wars, Ron sat beside him snoring away. Harry looked to Hermione, but she had her eyes glued on Binns, writing down everything he said.

Harry put a hand to the side of his face, the side Luna had slapped him on. It wasn't a dare, or a joke. Harry was being truthful to Luna, but seeming to avoid her, only waiting to give her a small gift, but not being outright obvious about it, would appear coy, in his eyes. He nudged Ron, and Ron only gave a shake of his shoulders, asking, "Is class over yet?"

Ron looked at Binns, who had just begun talking about the battle for fisherman creek, and Ron began to snore more. Harry nudged him harder, and Ron just looked at Harry. "What?" he asked irritated. "I was having this most splendid dream. I helped win the Quidditch cup..."

Harry didn't point out the obvious fact that he did last year. "It's about Luna Lovegood..." Harry told Ron. "She slapped me for... being nice to her. Thinking it was a joke."

Ron raised an eyebrow, oblivious to the face that Binns was staring right at him, reciting his facts. Moving his gaze, he met Binns with a smile, then the ghost moved around some more, explaining dates and famous wizards involved in the battles. Ron didn't even register when Hermione asked a question. "Loony? Why?"

Harry's gaze grew tense. All those around him have seemed to leave their stupor, looking at the great gossip material spreading around them. It was sure more exciting than the wars. "Don't call her that. Her name is Luna." Saying this little too loudly brought everyone's' eyes, except for Hermione's to Harry. A couple of the Ravenclaws in the corner began whispering to themselves. Harry looked at his page, and silently muttered he would wish to disappear right now for saying the name of the one he liked.

Fortunately, class was over. Unfortunately, Hermione was upon them. "Great lesson, don't you think? I especially liked the part when he talked about..."

Ron stared at Hermione. "I was there. Come on. Let's help Harry with his girl problems. I'll sit there and listen, and you tell him what to do." This earned a slap across the side for Ron.

Harry continued walking, far considering. Ron and Hermione rushed to his side. Harry looked over his shoulder at them, and didn't stop. He didn't see what was in front of him, and just looked. "I don't need your help. The only help I can get is from myself." Both Ron and Hermione pointed in front of him, and Harry turned only to run into a black figure.

"Ten points and a detention, Mr. Potter. Seems tonight I'll be having some guests..." Harry walked back a little and looked into the black eyes of Snape. "Not every night I get two people. Tonight it's Mr. Potter, and Ms. Lovegood. Oh, this will be quite exciting." Never changing his tone, it would seem that Snape was sarcastic. He usually was serious about points, and sarcastic about everything else, except to the Slytherins. "After dinner, Potter. If you are late, I will be sure to add another twenty points to the mix. For both you and Ms. Lovegood." Snape slithered off to wherever Snapes go.

---

Harry headed for the potions dungeon right after he was finished eating, only to see Luna already sitting on the ground in front of the doors. She looked at him and frowned. "You sent me here. I wasn't paying attention in class thinking about your words, and asked Ginny during class... The lab nearly blew up."

The door opened and Snape appeared. "Well, Mr. Potter and Ms. Lovegood. You'll have to clean out the cauldrons on the desks. You may leave when finished. I have some... business to attend to." He looked at Harry. "A slight... meeting. Organized by Dumbledore for certain people."

Harry pondered. Snape turned and walked around Harry and Luna. They went inside the potions dungeon, only to see all the desks covered with cauldrons. Twenty cauldrons, ten for each. Harry walked to a cauldron slowly, and looked inside. Clean. He went to the next one. Clean as well.

Luna looked at Harry. "He wants these clean? They are too clean already; unless the invisible potions are being made illegally here... they are in The Quibbler already."

Harry sighed. "Better not make any mistakes. I think we should just scrub these things, the muggle way. Snape'll be awfully angry otherwise." Harry opened a cabinet and pulled out two buckets and two rags. He easily filled the buckets with warm water, and then put some potion in the buckets. They foamed. He handed one to Luna, and she lowered it immediately.

"So, who told you to pretend to like me? Who got enjoyment out of that?" Luna demanded of Harry. Getting a cauldron she reached for her rag and began to wipe around inside. Sure enough, a transparent potion was inside of it.

Harry examined inside his, and heard the voice of Luna. He absently wiped inside of it. "I told myself to like you. I got enjoyment out of being with you, and my heart nearly broke in two when you slapped me."

A moment of silence passed as both parties worked on their cauldrons. Only three remained. Those of Luna. Rubbing her arm, she reached for it, but Harry grabbed it. "Sit down, Luna. Don't hurt yourself."

Luna set her feet firmly on the ground, and Harry went for the rest of the cauldrons. Shortly he was finished. Emptying the dirty buckets, he started out, but Luna grabbed his robes, forcing him to stay. Luna looked up at him, her eyes wide in surprise. Harry walked close to her, and Luna's eyes started to water. She threw her arms around Harry, and began to cry on his shoulder.

Harry couldn't do anything, except hold her. Slowly walking out of the potions dungeon, the couple met up with Draco and his cronies. "So, the famous Harry Potter with Loony. I always knew you were nutters to begin with; Potter, and now you're with one that will make you strange. At least you're not trying to become poor by hanging out with the Weasleys, and noth..."

"SHUT UP! Don't talk about whom I hang out with. It's none of your business! I like Luna!" Luna looked quite surprised at that. "Don't tell me otherwise, Malfoy." Harry separated himself from Luna, and then whipped out his wand. "Go, or I'll curse you with an unforgivable."

Draco stared at him. "I said you're dead last year, Potter. Just wait..." Draco walked off with his cronies.

Luna looked at Harry, and reached her hand. Squinting his eyes, he was surprised to feel a gentle hand running over his scar, and not a stinging hand of rejection against his cheek. Luna smiled at him, tears in her eyes. "You weren't dared... and you... you...LIKE me!"

Luna smiled at Harry once more. She reached her arms around him, and they sat on the floor. Harry felt like his stomach somersault, and he leaned forwards, and closed his eyes. Luna did the same.

---

The next day, Harry heard some sobbing at lunchtime. He ran through the crowd, and spotted Luna, in the same place as the previous day. She stood up, and grabbed onto Harry. She lightly kissed Harry on the cheek; Harry reached into his pockets, and gave Luna a small locket. She put it around her neck, and the two walked into the Great Hall, hand in hand. People looked only at the new couple, and they shared a sweet kiss in front of everyone, before separating for a short time to eat their lunch.