AN: The long-awaited new chapter! I apologise for how late it is, but I struggle to write when I'm busy hating someone ^.^

Anyway, things are back on the move and Chapter 7 is on its way. Enjoy!

'Drink up, Miss Price. You'll feel much better.' Dumbledore looked across his office at Larna, who was still crying mournfully.

In between sobs, she asked, 'Wh-what is it?'

'Oh, just a calming draught; I promise, I'm not trying to poison you.' That familiar twinkle was present in the Headmaster's eye, and despite her state of distraught, she found herself becoming more comfortable in the Professor's company.

After a few sips, the Ravenclaw had controlled her weeping enough to speak fairly coherently.

'I want to quit my apprenticeship, and come back to Hogwarts full time,' she stated, the emotional agony prominent in her tone of voice.

Ever the wise man, Dumbledore refrained from passing judgement. Rather, he asked, 'And why might this be?'

Larna didn't want to give everything away, but she found in the headmaster a place of trust, and felt comfortable enough to tell the truth, minus the details, which she found she did not want to relive just yet.

'As you probably know, I've been having a relationship with Fred Weasley. It doesn't matter why-' Here, Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, as if to suggest that indeed it did matter, but said nothing. '-but now we're not together, and I can't bear to work with him anymore.'

'This is a big decision. Are you sure that perhaps you're not being a little rash?'

But the Ravenclaw was adamant. 'I've thought about it. A lot. I understand if it's too late to quit, but if it isn't, I'd appreciate it if you could reschedule me as soon as possible. I don't know if I... If I can go back there.' Larna averted her eyes to her lap, and took another sip of the potion.

'Well, if you're sure...?'

'I am.' The sixteen-year-old's tone brokered no resistance, and Dumbledore promised to 'set the wheels in motion' right away. Relieved, Larna asked to be dismissed, and left the headmaster's office wearily. She had thought that the decision would make her feel better, but in fact, she felt more alone than ever.

'Larna, Larna! Larna!'

The girl awoke with a start to the sound of Luna's calling, and was surprised to find herself shaking and cold with sweat, her face stained with tears. Gathering her senses, she asked, 'What is it?'

The blonde, who was wearing peculiar green polka-dot pyjamas, morphed her expression into one of concern.

'You were yelling out, and crying. It seemed like you were having a nightmare. I had to wake you, because the way you were thrashing about could have caused all manner of damage.'

Realisation dawning, Larna began to recall the dream she had been having, and involuntarily began to shiver. Wisely, Luna said nothing, but seated herself beside the sixth-year and rested her arm over her shoulders. After a few minutes of silence, the younger girl began to speak.

'You know, Daddy always says that the worst dreams don't always mean what you think. After all, nightmares are often so bad that they would never occur in real life.'

At this, Larna shed a tear. Luna was extremely wise, but in this case, she was never further from the truth.

Sensing that her house-mate could be trusted, the sixteen-year-old took a deep breath, having decided to confide in Luna.

'I saw him kissing another girl.'

If the sentence shocked her, Luna didn't show it. Rather, she waited patiently for Larna to continue.

'I couldn't believe it when I found him... them.' I honestly thought he and I... Well, I thought we were forever.'

The tears were coming steadily now, and still the blonde sat in silence. Larna admired this about her; the ability she possessed which seemed to tell her exactly when to talk and when to listen.

'My dream... It was about him. And her. They were both running after me through the Ministry of Magic. He was calling my name, but every time I turned around, they were kissing. And I just kept screaming, constantly - I couldn't stop myself.'

Letting out a big sob, the older girl set her head on Luna's shoulder. She felt a comforting arm across her back, and realised that this was the first time she'd told anyone - properly, that is - what had happened. Even Hannah didn't know.

After a few more moments of companionable silence, Luna murmured, 'It's going to be okay. I know you don't feel like that now, but it will, I promise. Daddy always said I was good at being able to judge situations. You have my word that things will get better.

Larna's lips upturned at the edges, if only a little. She dismissed the younger girl's words as ones of comfort, with little relevance, but was grateful for them all the same. For the first time in her life, the sixteen-year-old felt that she had discovered someone who fully understood her, or at least did a good job pretending to.

'Thank you for this,' Larna whispered.

'For what?' Luna replied, just as quietly.

'For this. For listening, for caring, for being here for me.'

Softly, the blonde chuckled. 'Oh, Larna, I've been here for you all along. You've just never needed me before.'

The last statement caused Larna's heart to warm more than it had since the start of the whole ordeal, and she actually smiled in compassion. Indeed, she had found a great friend in Luna, one she intended to hang onto for as long as possible. After all, no one else, not even Dumbledore, had managed yet to make her smile.