Chapter 1

Today, I am actually grateful to be in Ravenclaw rather than Slytherin. It's not that I hate him for being who he is and who he loves, it just hurts.

I sat facing Griffindor instead of Slytherin, drinking my pumpkin juice. Luna Lovegood sat across from me. She had been my friend since we had started school and were sorted into the same house. But for some reason this morning she looked livid… with me.

She sat there, with her arms crossed, not looking at me. She did this every time she was upset. No matter how stupid the offense.

I smirked. "Are you ever going to talk to me again?"

She turned her head, glared at me, and then looked away. At least that was better than ignoring me.

I smiled. Her face is so funny when she's angry. It doesn't fit her features at all.

"We're going to be late to Transfiguration," I said getting up, "and unless you want to be killed by McGonnagol, I suggest we get moving."

She didn't even nod, getting up, and then stormed out of the Great hall. I smiled and followed her out.

"Come on," I said, catching up to her, "just tell me what you're mad about."

"Maybe if you weren't so stupid you'd get it by now," she said angrily, trying to walk away from me.

"Then I'm stupid and I admit it," I said, "You know that my brain hasn't been able to focus… since… you know… him."

She sighed and stopped walking. "That's the problem."

I stood next to her. "What do you mean?"

She seemed to snap out of her train of thought then glared at me. "God, Violette, you're so stupid." She grabbed my hand and began running in the direction towards class. "We're going to be late so hurry up."

Of course, we were in fact late in spite of our efforts, and we entered the classroom rather loudly. I dropped her hand immediately in case someone thought we were together because of it, and then walked over to my seat, Luna following.

She sat down beside me, her hair casting a curtain to her face as though she was hiding from me.

She didn't really do anything during class. She didn't open her books or participate in answering questions like she usually did. Something was wrong.

It seemed like years until class was over and we really wouldn't have time to talk before Potions because it took the entire time given to get to the classroom.

Luna decided we were going to walk in silence, despite my prodding. This whole thing was getting very annoying very quickly.

We were almost there when I couldn't keep my curiosity in check any more.

"Please, tell me what's wrong?" I asked.

She turned and looked at me. "I can't tell you now," she replied, her voice sounding much softer than before, "I promise, I'll tell you later. So, let's just go to class. What I need to say needs to be said privately, so just wait, please."

I exhaled. "Ok," I said, and then we continued to class.

The rest of the day went by slowly, especially DADA with Umbridge. Her stupidity made it hard to stay awake or from daydreaming, so of course she got pissed with me. Luckily, I did not get a detention.

Luna and I sat in the Great Hall during dinner; she was still sitting across from me. I wasn't hungry so I sat sipping some butterbeer, Luna taking her time to get through dinner.

"You're doing this on purpose now, aren't you?" I asked.

She smirked and continued eating. I took that as a "yes".

"God," I said, crossing my arms, "You can be so annoying sometimes, you know that? Just tell me what's wrong!"

She looked at me for a moment as I glared at her, and then she looked away again.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

This was getting very, very frustrating. We told each other everything, but now she was taking forever to tell me something I could tell was really, really important, and I wanted to know so that I could help her, but she still hadn't told me and I was worried.

My patience had reached its end. I got up and left the Great Hall, completely intending to convince someone to let me stay in their dorm room that night so that I didn't have to stay with her, when as I began my ascent up the empty staircase I heard her voice.

"I love you," she said, walking up behind me, "I know that you might not want to hear this but I've waited so long since Draco and you broke up and I need you to know this so just listen."

I froze as I turned to look at her. My brain wasn't completely letting me process the words.

She sighed, not looking at me. "I've loved you since the moment I met you. You accepted me for who I am and what I believe and you stand up for me when someone doesn't. You're always there for me and make me laugh when I'm having a bad day.

"I wanted to tell you sooner but you were my first friend and I didn't want to ruin that right away in case you didn't like me that way and left me alone. Then you met Draco and he became your first while you were still mine.

"But I waited. And now, after a year since you two have been done, I'm done waiting.

"So, as I said, I love you."

My brain was still not working so I just stood there for a moment, attempting to process everything.

"Wow," I said, knowing I had to say something and that seemed to fit perfectly. In all of my wildest dreams, I could have never guessed that she would love me. I had never really thought of her like that, at least consciously.

"Wow," I repeated, "Uh…. I'm not quite sure what to say."

Her face being so open a moment before became fake in a second.

"Oh… uh… yeah. No, I totally get it," she said, "It's ok that you don't. I just wanted to tell you we can totally for get it and-"

"No," I interrupted, "just listen to me for a minute now, ok?"

She nodded.

"Ok," I said, "I'm sorry that you've gone though all of this for me -God knows, I don't deserve it – and I'm sorry I never noticed, because if I had, things could have been so different for us."

"But…" she said.

I tried to smile, but I'm sure it probably looked more like a grimace.

"But," I said, "I need to finish getting over him right now and I don't think another relationship will help me with that. But a friend will definitely help. I need my friend right now."

She paused, thinking for a moment, and then said the one word I was not expecting to hear.

"No," she said.

"What?" I asked, totally surprised by her reply.

"No," she repeated, "I'm done waiting. It's been a year, you're either going to get over him or you're not and a friend isn't going to help you get through that decision. You need to fall in love again.

"And since I already love you more than he ever did or could…"

"Ok," I said, looking at her finally.

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

I smiled. "Yes."