This is a minor rewrite of a story I published almost a year ago. I fixed mainly dialogue and some grammatical errors now that I've learned more about writing. Also, this story is the first of three in the story arc that follows with 46 Hours and Creating a Balance, which I've also done the same edits to.

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Chapter 1 – Unexpected developments

Slughorn's spring party was in full swing and Harry was enjoying himself more than he had expected. The food and music were all quite good and Harry was even surprised at how much he was enjoying his time with Luna. He had originally asked her to the party out of a bit of desperation and also because he felt slightly sorry for her. Now, as they twirled around the small dance floor, Harry marveled at how light and quick she was. When the song ended, he gathered drinks for them and they settled on a sofa set to the back of the room. Luna had been quiet for a while when she broke the silence with one of her disjointed, airy comments.

"Harry you are really a better dancer than Parvati said and your eyes are very green."

Harry had no idea what his eyes had to do with his dancing as he laughed at Luna's comment. He had taken his fair share of teasing for asking Luna to the party, but now he was glad he had. He had been under a lot of pressure lately and Luna was a happy antidote. Harry noticed then that Cormac was coming toward them and Harry wanted no part of another Cormac lecture on Quidditch, so he grabbed Luna by the hand.

"Let's get out of here."

Luna said nothing, but floated along behind him as they weaved their way through the crowd and out into the hallway. Fearing that Cormac was not far behind, Harry looked around and saw an empty classroom. He pulled Luna along and ducked into the room that was lit by the full moon coming through the tall windows. Feeling that they were safe for the moment, Harry looked at Luna and she smiled dreamily at him. The moonlight was shining on her hair and made her appear ethereal. Luna may be dotty, but she was truly beautiful and Harry began to lean closer to her without conscious thought of what he was doing. Someone out in the hallway laughed right then and Harry snapped back to consciousness. Luna just smiled back at him.

"It's okay Harry, you can kiss me."

'What the hell?' Harry thought and he leaned in to lightly plant a kiss on Luna's lips. She responded by pressing back into him and what he had intended to be a quick kiss soon became something more. Harry was lightheaded as he put a hand on Luna's face and pulled her even closer. He deepened the kiss and began to trace his tongue on her lower lip. Luna responded by opening her mouth just a bit and Harry took the invitation. As they continued to snog, Harry stepped back and found himself against a wall. Luna continued to press into him and suddenly a sleeping monster seemed to awaken in him and his body began to respond completely to her. His free hand traveled to her back and made its way down to her firm bottom and Luna moaned slightly in his mouth. Harry was losing all rational sense when he heard his name being called from a distance. Pulling himself back to the present, Harry slowly loosened his grasp and Luna also pulled away. Harry heard his name again and realized that Hermione was calling him from the hallway. Smiling at Luna, he took her hand and they exited the room.

Hermione was waiting as they emerged and smirked when she saw Harry's hand in Luna's and his more-than-usual disheveled hair.

"Sorry to interrupt you Harry, but the party is wrapping up and I was hoping you could walk with me back to the dormitory so that I can throw off Cormac."

Harry had seen Cormac at the party trying to put his hands everywhere on Hermione and had not been happy to see her distress.

"Sure Hermione, I understand. I saw Cormac earlier and what a leech."

Harry then turned to Luna and grinned.

"Do you want to come with us Luna?"

Looking off through a window, Luna replied.

"No that's ok, I really should get back before the nargles come out. Thanks for a great night Harry."

With that, Luna went one direction and Harry and Hermione headed back to Gryffindor. Several paces along, Hermione gave in and had to ask.

"So, Harry, you and Luna had a good night together, huh?"

Harry looked at her teasing face and thought for a moment, as he lost focus remembering the kiss.

"Yes, Luna's a good friend."

Hermione chortled and would have commented further, but they had reached the tower entrance. As they climbed through the portrait hole, they separated to go to the boys' and girls' dormitories. Despite being tired, Harry did not fall asleep quickly. He lay in bed thinking about Luna. He had been friendly with her for a couple of years, but there had never been a hint of what had happened tonight. Harry thought about Ginny and knew that he wanted her desperately, but she was still with Dean. And if he wanted Ginny so badly, what the hell was he doing snogging Luna? Eventually he drifted off into a troubled sleep.

Harry saw Luna a couple of times over the following week. He was nice to her, but made a point to keep things just friendly. It helped that there were always others around when they met. Luna didn't seem to mind and never commented on their brief encounter.

Several weeks later, Harry was stuck in detention with Snape while he tried to watch the final Quidditch match of the season through a window in Snape's office. Harry was furious with himself for getting stuck here and leaving his team to play their final critical match without him. After an interminable amount of time, Snape finally dismissed him and Harry ran to the Gryffindor tower to find out the results of the match. As he entered, a deafening roar greeted him as he heard Ron's shout above it all.

"Harry, we did it! We won the cup!"

Harry was about to leap for joy when a blur of red hair came running at him. Ginny greeted him with a giant hug. Unexpected though it was, Harry was thrilled. Emboldened by the joyful occasion, Harry threw caution to the wind and leaned down to kiss Ginny. He was prepared to stop if she pulled back, but instead she responded by pushing her tongue into his mouth. Harry's insides jumped and he began to snog her in earnest. Then his eyes traveled up over Ginny's head and he saw Ron staring at them. The rest of the party had briefly paused in shock, but now everyone was whistling at them. Harry cast a questioning glance at Ron, who gave a hesitant, small nod. That was all Harry needed, he took Ginny by the arm and led her out of the tower.

The next weeks passed quickly and Harry spent every free moment he could with Ginny. They took advantage of the beautiful weather and often went down by the lake to talk and snog. They also spent a fair bit of time exploring each other's bodies, but always keeping their robes on. They were both very happy, but beginning to feel that they were ready to move further.

On one brilliant Saturday as Harry and Ginny headed down to the lake, they saw that almost every couple in Hogwarts had staked a piece of ground along its edge. Harry had really hoped to get some time away with just Ginny and was feeling disappointed. Then he remembered some of his late night adventures across the grounds of Hogwarts and had an idea. He gripped Ginny's hand and said 'follow me'. Ginny laughed and ran alongside him. She was so happy. The past couple of weeks had seemed to be a dream as she finally had the man she had lusted after for years.

They didn't have far to run when Harry slowed and then proceeded on a narrow trail through a wild hawthorn hedge. They had to walk single file briefly, but then a small clearing in the hedge opened. Ginny grinned, this was a perfect spot to be by themselves. Harry grabbed her and they both started snogging each other frantically. Harry's hands drifted to her bottom and then began to travel down her robes, reached the bottom and pulled them up. Then he had his hand under her skirt and on the top of her knickers as Ginny groaned. She really shouldn't, but she wanted him so bad. Just as they started groping more, there was a small cracking sound and they both stopped. It sounded like someone was nearby. Harry looked up and was surprised to see Luna, coming down the narrow path toward them. Luna saw them then and stopped.

"Oh sorry, I hadn't realized this spot was taken. Oh hi Harry, hi Ginny."

Harry and Ginny turned and greeted Luna, who just stood staring at them.

"Don't stop snogging him now Ginny, he is quite good at it."

This brought a startled look from Ginny, who turned quickly around with a questioning look for Harry. Harry meanwhile was struck dumb and mute and just stared.

"Oh, not to worry Ginny, we only snogged once and that was weeks ago, but I really did enjoy it, but I think Harry really wanted to snog you instead, so go ahead now."

At this point Harry regained his senses. Realizing that Luna wasn't moving, he decided he didn't care and leaned down to start in with Ginny again. He was actually a bit thrilled by the thought of her watching them. Ginny didn't respond immediately, but Harry really was quite good and she couldn't ignore him for long. Soon they were fully immersed in one another again and Luna just stared.

Several minutes later, Ginny heard a low moan and broke away from Harry to look at Luna. She was practically drooling and Ginny smiled to herself. She guessed that Luna probably didn't get snogged very much. As Ginny contemplated this, Harry began nibbling on her ear and her thoughts started to drift. Then she had a delightfully naughty idea. Seeing the strange look Ginny had, Harry desisted from his nibbling.

"Ginny, what is it?"

"I am enjoying this very much Harry, but I don't think Luna is. I am really feeling for her and have an idea."

Harry's eyebrows went up as Ginny continued.

"Now, normally I don't want you to do this, but right now I think I will give my permission. I want you to have a good snog with Luna. Show me what you two did before. I'd like to see. Of course, Luna has to be agreeable."

Harry looked at Ginny with a mixture of confusion, disbelief and lust. Then he looked at Luna as she spoke up.

"That's very kind Ginny, I think I would like that."

Harry's head swiveled from Ginny to Luna and back to Ginny. He didn't move, so Ginny gave him a nudge toward Luna. Harry still wasn't sure about this, but why not? He took a step toward Luna, put his hand behind her head, and pulled her closer. Then he dove into her lips and she responded in earnest. Soon they were moaning into each other's mouths and Ginny was staring at them with undisguised lust.

As Harry began to pull Luna closer, he felt a hand on his bum and a light nibble on his ear. He looked sideways and it was Ginny. Without thinking, he turned briefly from Luna and started snogging Ginny. Ginny stepped into the kiss and wrapped an arm around each of them. She let Harry tongue her for a minute and then she broke it off and gestured him back to Luna. Harry was beyond objection and started snogging Luna again. He adjusted his hands so that he had one on each of the girls. Meanwhile, Ginny was panting and had started nibbling on Luna's ear. Harry was shocked at first, but the sight filled him with delightful fire. He wanted to drop them both to the ground and ravish them right there. He pulled back from Luna for a minute and nibbled on Ginny's neck, whispering in her ear. Ginny took his hint and leaned into Luna. By this time Luna was also panting and eagerly welcomed Ginny's mouth on hers. As the girls snogged, Harry worked his hands up their robes and began to squeeze two delightful sets of buttocks. A few minutes later, Ginny broke off with Luna and returned to Harry. Then, while Ginny and Harry were busy, Luna reached forward and began to caress Ginny's breast. Ginny gave a small yelp and plunged her tongue into Harry's mouth even more. The three of them stayed locked together, alternating pleasuring each other for what seemed like hours.

As the afternoon progressed, the sky began to darken and a thundercloud opened up over them as great buckets of rain drenched the threesome. They finally broke apart, looked at each other and then dashed for the castle.