"Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." – Mark Twain

SEPTEMBER 10TH, 1998 – THE RAVENCLAW GIRLS' DORMITORIES, HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

It was the second official day of the new school year at Hogwarts and classes were off and running. This was greatly celebrated by every Ravenclaw that yearned to expand their ever-growing knowledge. Each student belonging to the "smart house" sat in the common room, quietly studying and reviewing lessons until perfectly memorized. But one Ravenclaw was missing from this house bonding time.

Luna Lovegood was walking alone through the Forbidden Forest, barefoot.

"How to get Ginny to love Harry again?" The strange blonde girl wondered aloud as she lightly stepped over branches in her way. A thestral appeared from out of the dense trees, being drawn to her. Luna stroked its head, speaking to it.

"I really do value Ginny's friendship, but sometimes I don't understand her judgment. How could she not want someone like Harry in her life? So many girls would die for the chance to be by Harry's side." To herself, she added, "Including me."

Luna shook her head to show the thestral her disappointment as she continued, "And what does he see in a girl that clearly doesn't want to be with him? There are others girls at Hogwarts. Girls that don't look like eerily his best friend. Girls that would give anything to have the courage to express their love for him. Girls that have admired his bravery, modesty, and selflessness for years…"

She sat down on a tree stump and turned away from the creature. "But I guess those girls don't deserve him. I sure don't. But Ginny does, I suppose. Harry really loves her and I made a promise to him." Luna stood up with determination and swung her head around to look at the thestral. "So that's what I will do now. Thank you for a being a great listener."

As the serene Ravenclaw drifted back towards Hogwarts, she murmured, "If I'll be nothing more than a friend, I can at least be a good one."

Luna skipped through the castle, heading towards Gryffindor Tower, saying hello to every ghost and person she passed. What to say? She wondered. What to say to Ginny when I see her?

She arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait and brightly greeted the heavy woman in the painting.

"Hello, Luna, what brings you to Gryffindor Tower this fine day?" The Fat Lady asked cheerfully. Luna was always so kind and respectful to her.

"I'm looking for my friend Ginny Weasley," Luna told her. "I need to convince her of something important."

"As you know, darling, I must ask you for the password," The Fat Lady reminded her.

"Oh, yes, of course," Luna nodded understandingly. "I wouldn't expect any special treatment. Let's see… well, it is the beginning of the school year… and you do enjoy using Latin with your passwords… I'll take a wild guess. Discere et florebit? Learn and flourish?"

The Fat Lady applauded her, "Luna, Luna, Luna. You hit the nail on the head once again. Those Gryffindors are either going to start thinking that I'm giving you a free pass in or that you've switched houses! Go ahead in, darling. Just like your father, you are..."

"Thank you very much," Luna giggled dreamily as the portrait opened to let her in.

In the Gryffindor common room, Luna asked around, but no one knew where Ginny was. A group of fifth year girls said, "Get the hell out of our common room, Loony! There's no room for maniacs here!" Feeling unlucky but not discouraged, Luna headed back to the Ravenclaw Tower and promised The Fat Lady that she would visit soon.

After easily answering a riddle asked by the eagle knocker, the still-shoeless Luna entered the Ravenclaw common room.

The first thing she saw was a girl in the very back of the room with distinct red hair kissing and snuggling with Michael Corner. That girl was no one other than Ginevra Weasley.

"Oh my Nargles," Luna whispered.

****Please please please review! I am sorry that this took so long to put up. I've been really busy! But I promise that there will be more! xoxoxo