From this point on, this story will be a series of one-shots. They won't always be in chronological order, so I'll put dates on each one. I'm hoping most will be, but I'm also just kind of writing what's in my head at this point. For example, this chapter is a quick flashback to Ron's 5th year…this is one of those moments he couldn't make sense of until years later.

December 1995

Ron stepped out the Room of Requirement with Hermione. If I get caught by Umbridge because Harry's taking his time, Merlin help me, he thought. The D.A. meeting had been fun, but he would rather have been in front of the fire, a bottle of butterbeer, daydreaming about Christmas. With Hermione and Harry, of course.

Ginny and Luna stood in the empty corridor, giggling together. When they noticed Ron, Ginny looked at Luna, who stared at Ron, unblinking.

"You'd better get back to the common rooms before Umbridge catches you," he hissed at them, glancing toward the end of the hall.

Luna stared at him with those protuberant eyes. "Who?"

"Umbridge," Ginny whispered, nudging Luna in the side.

"Who's that?" Luna's voice was high and ethereal, and she glanced toward a suit of armor, as if it could answer her question.

"Short, fat, stupid bow in her hair?" Ron mimed Umbridge's bow.

"Hem, hem?" added Ginny, imitating Umbridge's tic.

Luna looked at them blankly

Hermione tapped her foot impatiently and said, "she's taught DADA since the start of the year."

"Oh, her. Yes, she's got a bad infestation of Garinkles. Makes you downright unpleasant. I do hope she finds some time to visit the Orient over the Holiday. The Wizards in the East capture and eliminate them with hardly a thought…"

The group went silent, and Hermione tried to catch Ron's eye. He knew if he looked at her, he'd burst out laughing, so he inspected his trainers.

The door re-appeared, and Marrietta Edgecombe crept out. "Loony!" she said, sounding annoyed, "get back to the common room and clean up those stupid turnips."

"Dirigible Plums." Luna didn't seem to notice the insult or nickname.

"Flitwick's going to have kittens if those things are everywhere. Anthony told you this morning—"

"You'll thank me later. They're very good for knowledge retention." She looked to the Gryffindors. "If you lot would like some, I can drop them off with the Fat Lady."

"I think we're okay," Ginny said gently, "you should probably go."

"You should probably go, too," Marietta added. "I think Harry and Cho…" she gestured toward the now-empty wall and rolled her eyes. Hermione nodded knowingly. Ginny scowled a bit. Ron was confused.

Luna lowered her eyes and shook her head, "he really should have heeded my warning about the nargles…" She looked up a moment later, as if mildly surprised to find everyone else standing in the hall with her. "Well then, Happy Christmas, Ron!" She beamed at him (and only him, to his confusion). Then she floated down the hall toward Ravenclaw Tower, Marietta shortly behind.

"Dotty," whispered Ron as he followed Hermione and Ginny to the common room. "Wait, so why aren't we waiting for Harry?"

Hermione spun around and looked into his eyes, as if figuring something out. "Honestly Ronald, it's like you're a child."

Ginny giggled in agreement. "We'll explain when you're older."

Ron was still confused.