Title: Daisy Chains

Author: OverFlowingBox

Pairing: Fred/Luna

Daisy Chains

She hadn't told a soul. Not even Padme. Not even Ginny, though the Weasley girl had been slightly suspicious. The blonde rounded a corner in the dank, dungeon corridor and pushed her way through the crowds. Term hadn't started yet, but Professor Snape's test grades were posted in front of his classroom.

The winter holidays were winding to a close and most everybody was bored. Snowball fights had lost their appeal, the warm food in the Great Hall that had seemed so delicious before was now getting tiring, and the first day of term was fast approaching and everybody was in a rush to finish their holiday homework. The library was filled with students trying to cram for the classes they'd neglected for two weeks, empty classrooms were being filled with students finishing their homework. The excited buzz of the holidays was gone.

Luna slipped in and out of the small crowd, trying to glimpse her grade. She was sure she'd gotten an A, and she just couldn't wait to see it. As she neared the long piece of parchment, she noticed something she hadn't seen in several days: flaming red hair. Her heart jumped, but she avoided his gaze, feeling a blush creep to her face, before cautiously gaining the courage to peer around her curtain of golden flax hair. The Weasley twin's lips were pressed into a thin line as he slyly inched away from her. She mirrored his movements, putting as much distance between them as she could. She still refused to admit to herself how she truly felt about Fred Weasley, and every morning she would shake herself awake and spin in a circle, whispering softly,

"He's a friend. . . he's a friend."

She shuffled through the crowd of students and stood on her tiptoes to read the scroll. Her snowy-blue eyes scanned the fifth years' list, stopping at L. Lovegood - B+.

Her heart sank a little as she pushed through the crowd and began the long walk back to Ravenclaw Tower, disappointment welling in her throat with every step. It's not because of him, it's just the grade,she thought, though she knew it was partially his fault. After all, hadn't she comforted him when he'd needed someone the most? Why was he avoiding her?

Or maybe the question was why was she avoiding him? Would she really be happy keeping the distance, never really touching him again, only ever receiving a smile or a nod?

No,she thought, I won't.

But it was the only way she'd ever be able to see him. After all, she was Looney Lovegood.

Her footsteps smacked against the stone floor, echoing off the cold stone walls. Even in the dungeons, the wind outside could be heard howling. Luna ascended the steps, making her way as fast as she could to the warm embrace of warm, royal blue sheets in her warm, royal blue dormitory.

"Luna! Luna, Luna! Christmas!" a spluttering female voice shouted in her ear. The blonde felt the pressure of someone climbing onto her bed and then the violent jerks as that someone began to jump. Luna's eyes flickered open and she found herself staring at a tall, black-haired sixth year jumping up and down on her mattress. She smiled and giggled a little as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Padme Patil slowed her excited jumping and crossed her legs as she sat still on the mattress, crossing her arms and staring at Luna with large, chocolate eyes.

"Morning," Luna mumbled tiredly. She glanced around the dormitory. The other fifth year girls were all gone; all that was left was the wrapping paper from their Christmas spoils. Her eyes wandered to the window, where snow was falling peacefully with no wind to stir it around. On the sill sat her goblet, the single daisy all alone, wilted, withered, and dead. Luna's heart ached.

If the Patil twin noticed Luna's longing as the blonde stared at the dead flower, she took no notice. She sprang to her feet, a surprised cat, and pinched Luna roughly on the arm. "Come on! Let's open presents!" she exclaimed, tugging at Luna's arm. The blonde lethargically threw the blanket off her legs and dangled her toes on the cold, wood floor. Padme picked up a box wrapped in gold and threw it at the other girl. "Open it, come on!"

She smiled as she dug her fingers under the folds of the paper and carefully peeled it back, revealing a new pair of omnioculars from her father. She squealed in delight and rushed to open the next presents.

Six boxes later, Luna flung herself on her bed with the box of Honeydukes sweets she'd received from Ginny, and sighed contentedly. Padme sat on the floor beside her, flipping through a book on mythical creatures given to her by Hermione Granger. The blonde rolled over on her stomach, popping a chocolate into her mouth and savoring the smooth flavor. "What's that?" she said around a mouth full of chocolate, pointing down at a piece of parchment sticking out from between some of the pages. Padme pulled it out, revealing a heavy envelope with the words To Luna written neatly on the front. She handed it to Luna who then ripped it open. She swallowed and cleared her throat to read.

"Dear Luna," she began, "Hopefully you found this. Please check under your bed for another present. He doesn't want me to tell you who sent it to you; he wants it to be a secret. Your friend, Hermione."

The brunette stared at Luna for a moment, eyebrows raised. Then, at the same time, they both dove under the bed, Luna hanging off the side of her bed. Among the dust bunnies and broken quills was a long box wrapped in crimson and gold.

"Gryffindor colors!" Padme exclaimed, grabbing it and throwing it at Luna. "Open it and see who sent it!"

"I wonder who could have sent this," she mused quietly. Her fingers were shaking as they fumbled with the gold ribbon and crimson paper. Once she discarded the paper, she turned her attention to the box. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears. It may not be from him, she thought to herself, but she knew she wanted it to be. Besides, he's just a friend. . . he's a friend.

Inside the box was a purple flower, an orchid. She picked up the exotic flower with trembling fingers. The long, curly stem fit perfectly in her hand and the vibrant purple petals shook delicately with her hand. "Oh, pretty!" Padme whispered, staring at the flower. "Who is it from?"

Not Fred, she thought. Her heart sank to the bottom of her chest, but she smiled dreamily anyway and replied, "It doesn't say."

Padme shrugged and stood, stretching her arms toward the ceiling. "Maybe you'll find out at the feast. Speaking of which, it's about to start! I'm going to go get ready; you should too!" she exclaimed. And without a reply from the blonde, the Patil sister dashed out of the dorm. Luna set the orchid gently on her nightstand and rubbed her eyes tiredly. Her mind felt blank. Who had sent her that flower? The lack of possibilities her brain. She stood, stretched and pulled off her pajamas. She dug around in her trunk until she found a pair of jeans and a plain blue sweater, which she hastily put on. The blonde turned back to the orchid. She bit her lip before she quickly slipped it into the drawer of her nightstand.

"Did you have a good Christmas, Luna?" Ginny Weasley asked as students filed out of the Great Hall. Luna nodded sleepily. Her stomach was full and her eyes drooped. "What did you get?" the redhead asked casually. Luna listed of the objects she had received, excluding the flower and giving a small smile to her friend. Ginny smiled widely back, but then looked at Luna with a confused expression.

"Was that all? I thought Neville sent you a flower?" she asked, then immediately clapped her hands over her mouth. Luna froze mid-step, staring at the Weasley girl in shock.

"Neville. . . Longbottom?" she asked, her voice higher than usual. Students flocked into the Entrance Hall around them and Ginny quickly shook her head.

"Forget I said anything!" she exclaimed quickly. Luna nodded and hastily said good night. She ran to her dormitory.

By the time the other girls arrived in the room, her royal blue curtains were drawn around her four-poster and her heavy sobs had subsided.

1:35 AM

She slipped her slippers on under her mother's old nightgown, the one that was almost five inches too long, and shuffled to the door. Carefully descending the stairs, she floated across the blue-draped common room and out onto the staircase. The castle was silent and her footfalls echoed through the cavernous staircase as she made her way down several flights of stairs, stopping at the Entrance Hall. With a dreamy sigh, she collapsed onto the floor, drawing her knees up to her face and resting her forehead on her knees. She clasped her hands around her folded legs.

"Luna?"

His all-too familiar voice floated across the hall, and his quiet footsteps melted into the silence. She closed her eyes, silently willing him away. I don't want to talk to you, she thought, squeezing her eyes shut, hoping with all her heart that he'd just leave her alone. She felt the pressure of his hand on hers, and she pulled it away. "Hello Neville," she sighed, looking up. She expected the dark, curly hair, the dark brown eyes, and the overly-friendly way of speaking.

"Neville?" he laughed. "Last time I checked, the ladies didn't flock to Neville."

Luna's heart leapt as she peeked up to him. Flaming red hair and blazing green eyes. Yet there was something different about him. . .

"Hello George," she sighed. The boy laughed and sat down cross-legged on the floor across from her. He rubbed his hands together nervously. Not meeting her eyes, he stared down toward the Great Hall's golden doors.

"So, my brother, huh?" he asked. Luna looked at him questioningly. George sighed and met her eyes. "It's obvious Luna. You're completely in love with him. I must admit, it was a surprise to discover that little tidbit of information, but then again, it really isn't too surprising. After all," he continued, gesturing to his own body as if to say, yes, I know I'm irresistible. Luna tore her eyes from his and looked down at the floor. Her cheeks were burning, but, thankfully, it was dark and the other Weasley twin wouldn't be able to see her bright pink cheeks. She blinked hard, trying to compose herself. When she finally met his eyes again, her characteristic dreamy smile was pasted in place.

"I don't understand what you're talking about, George," she replied wispily. George smiled.

"You like Fred."

"Of course. He's a good friend," she said simply. Her heart was pounding in her ears. How does he know? she thought frantically, but quickly corrected her question. I don't like him. . .like this. . .that. . . Her mind was racing and she couldn't think clearly, but she kept her usual dreamy smile on her face.

George eyed her carefully. "Check under your pillow when you get back to bed," he said, staining up.

"Why?"

"Just do it. And Luna, it's okay to be in love," he replied.

"But I'm not in lo-" she began.

"I know, I know," he said, smiling. He waved casually before heading up the stairs, no doubt his own dormitory. Luna closed her eyes and sighed. However, when she opened them again, she found herself surrounded by royal blue curtains. She looked around, confused, before realizing it had all been a dream. She buried her face in her pillow in relief, only to discover there seemed to be lump in her usually fluffy pillow. She sat up slowly and cautiously reached under the pure white pillow. Her stomach drooped when she felt a small box sitting innocently there. Her lips formed a silent, "What?" as she pulled out the deep blue box with silver ribbon. Slowly, fingers truly shaking, she unwrapped the box. She bit her lip as she slowly pulled off the lid and peered inside. Luna gasped loudly and almost dropped the package. With careful fingers, she picked up a delicate, crystal flower. It was shaped perfectly into a daisy. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she reached inside the box again to read the note.

A/N: Wow I am soooooooo sorry this is way overdue. I worked really hard to get all my wonderful readers an extra long chapter. It really isn't as long as I wanted but I hope this will suffice instead. But anyway, DUN DUN DUUUUUUNNNNN! Because of how much cliffhangers annoy me, I decided to give everyone reading this one as an 'I'm sorry for slacking' present.

On another note, I can not stress enough how much I appreciate and even love all the wonderful reviews and favorites. It is what made me come back from my unintentional hiatus. So THANK YOU SO MUCH! Everyone who has read this, whether you enjoyed it or not, is greatly appreciated by me. But, as usual, while I've never had a negative review on this story and don't expect to in the future (mostly because of the wonderful response I've received for this story), I would still like to request that negative comments be kept to yourselves. As any author knows, negativity of any kind is very discouraging.

Anyway, thank you for reading. As much as it pains me (because I really love writing this story), this story is nearing its final chapters T_T. But PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE look for my side story I've been working on off and on for a while. I refuse to tell more than this: it will include our beloved Fred Weasley ;).

I promise another chapter as soon I can finish it!