The next morning, Kyle slept in very late. Harry showered and dressed quietly and left. He had no idea how long Kyle would really be staying for, however, he didn't mind him being there. As he woke up this morning, Harry was in a strange mood. He was oddly upbeat. After going through the emotional roller coaster the night before, Harry was happy to realize that he wouldn't, indeed, feel miserable forever. He just had to give himself time to cool down. He just needed someone to talk to. This was important to Harry as he thought of how he would remember this forever. He couldn't allow himself to throw in the towel so quickly. Things always got better. That said, he was still at a loss of how to deal with the discovery that the Weasley's now knew that Ginny had moved on to Dean. Geez, how embarrassing. That prick stole his girl and everyone knew it.

The only way to feel better was to find people to spend his time with. Whenever he was alone for too long his mind went to dark places. Just having Kyle annoy him all night made him fell more back to earth and less like the sky was falling. Should he just face the Weasley's, pretend like nothing was wrong, and try to just get it all over with? He desperately wanted the Weasley's in his life and having this haunting him was going to fuck things up. Harry bought breakfast and returned to his home. He walked through the door and saw Kyle standing in the kitchen.

"Oh, hey man, what's up?" Kyle asked. He had no shirt on and stood only in his jeans. Harry noted his entire chest was covered in ink. He looked extremely tired, despite having slept over ten hours.

"I just ran out to grab something to eat," Harry said. " Someone's going to be delivering a recliner today."

"Sweet," Kyle answered. "So, I'm trying to get this thing to work for me." He was referring to Harry's espresso machine.

"I have no idea," Harry said smirking. "I don't think the plumbing's right with it." He walked over to the couch and sat down. The television was already on, showing a car advertisement. Kyle followed him over to the couch and sat down next to him.

"So you went out to eat and didn't bring me anything?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, that's right," Harry said. He felt like toking, but he didn't know when the damn delivery men were going to arrive.

"Do you wanna burn or something?" Kyle asked while reaching down to his bookbag beside the couch.

"Ha! I was just thinking the same thing," Harry said laughing.

"Great minds think alike," Kyle said pulling out a fresh dutch.

"Use this stuff," Harry said referring to the bag of herb that had been sitting in his house for weeks. "I mean, does this shit go bad?"

"No, no," Kyle said smiling, "it doesn't go bad. It can get a tad stale." He began rolling up. The two discussed the pros and cons of rolling joints using magic. Once wrapped, the blunt was lit and the two smoked. Harry got up to open a window.

"What are you doing?" Kyle asked. "I'm fucking cold!"

"Put a shirt on," Harry said. "I can't have this place wreaking of weed when the delivery guys get here."

"Oh, right, right," Kyle said. He was watching Harry as Harry looked out of his window into the amazing view of London. "Do you wanna come with me back to my girl's place. I gotta pick up all my shit."

Harry didn't want to go. "Well, I was actually going to visit my friends today. The Weasleys."

"The whats?" Kyle asked laughing.

"The Weasleys."

"Sounds made up."

"Well, they want me to swing by. I promised them I would. Actually, I was supposed to go yesterday," Harry said turning his gaze from London back to Kyle.

"Well, why didn't you? Too busy getting stoned, I suspect." Harry didn't answer. Kyle became uncomfortable. "What's wrong, man? I didn't mean anything by it. I smoke all the time."

Harry looked at him. "Nah, I just…My ex girlfriend lives there and I'm not too excited about having to face her."

"Oh, I see. So your girlfriend's a Weasley?"

"Yeah," Harry said smiling. "She's a Weasley. I'm very close with her family. Her brother's my best friend."

"Geez, I'm sure that can get complicated."

"It really does. Now that we're not together, I feel strange hanging around her place. But I still want to be around her family." Harry sat back down on the couch. "Plus, I just found out that she's already dating someone else." Harry was surprised by his sudden need to gush.

"Aw, that sucks, dude. I'm sorry," Kyle said hitting the blunt again. He passed it to Harry. "As soon as you date someone else, I'm sure it won't be so weird seeing her anymore."

Harry knew Kyle was probably right, but he didn't want to date someone else. He took a few hits from the L and passed it back. "I just wish there was some way we could date again, you know?'' Harry said. He felt like a girl, whining about how he wanted his lover back, however, he couldn't help it. He hadn't had a chance to talk to anyone about this yet.

"Yeah," Kyle said, "I feel you man, I do, but girls are so fucking all over the place sometimes. Take my ex for instance, one day she's telling me she wants us to get married, the next day she just kicks me out of her place. And she knew full well that I had no where to go. You can't let yourself get too upset. They're all outta they're fucking minds. Just gotta go with it." He saw the look on Harry's face. "Once they know they gotcha, that's when they start pulling that shit. Act like you don't care and they're all over ya."

Harry considered that statement. Is that why Ginny became sick of him? Was he too clingy? Maybe if he acted like he was cool with everything that went down, she would see him differently?

"Hmm," Harry said, nodding. "Guess I should just face the music. How do you pretend that you don't care, though? Especially when her fucking gross ass boyfriend is there?"

Kyle burst out laughing. "I dunno, man. You're on your own with that one."

Harry was getting antsy. Now that he had some sort of strategy in getting Ginny's attention again, he wanted to try to get it over with. Head over to the Weasley's. Play the ham, chum up with the fam, then beat feet the fuck out of there.

"Maybe I should go over there now?" Harry said pacing around. He grabbed a cigarette off of the table and lit it.

"What about the chair?" Kyle asked.

"Chair?"

"Some people are gonna deliver a chair.."

"Oh, yeah!" Harry said. "I forgot…"

Kyle laughed again, "Stoned.."

"Could you just wait here for me? I'll be back soon, I swear."

"Yeah, I guess," Kyle said. "But can you bring me back some fucking food? I'm starving."

"Sure," Harry said. He walked to the door, "See you!" He walked into the hallway and disapparated downstairs. He quickly exited the complex, worried about getting caught smoking. He wondered whether Ginny would be home right now. Either way, he had to visit the Weasley's at some point. Having gone from suicidal to hopeful, Harry knew now was the time to face the impending issue. He had to play the game differently. Rather than letting his every emotional thought be presented to Ginny, he must shift into more of a hard to get type of strategy. In fact, Ginny said she had done the exact same thing when she was infatuated with Harry when they were younger. Harry apparated to the Weasley's. As he approached the front door, Harry was ready for anything. If fucking dumb ass Dean was sitting right inside, Harry was ready to pretend like he didn't exist. He could do this. He had no other good options anyway.

Harry knocked on the door, his stomach fluttering as the thought of Dean answering the door crossed his mind. Instead, it was Hermione who opened the door with a smile.

"Harry!" she exclaimed. "There you are! Where have you been?" She gave him a big hug. "How have you been feeling? Is your shoulder doing better?"

''I'm doing pretty good, Hermione. My shoulder's feeling almost back to normal, actually. How about yourself?"

"Oh, I'm fine," she answered as she guided them to the living room. "We were all just talking about you. You promised you would contact us everyday. We agreed that if we didn't hear from you today we would have to go find you."

They entered the living room where Harry greeted Ron, Ginny, and Luna. Luna got out of her seat and gave Harry a hug as well.

"Harry! They were just filling me in on what happened! I'm so sorry. You poor thing. It's not fair that you have to deal with that sort of danger-" Luna was cut off by Ron.

"Why didn't you come by yesterday? Mum was having a fit. If it wasn't for me, our whole family was going to start a search party. We're all bloody paranoid."

Harry didn't know what to say. He was distracted by Ginny who was sitting on the couch looking very beautiful as always. She smiled at him as his eyes met hers.

"Er," Harry started, "I got so busy yesterday. I'm trying to begin furnishing my flat, so I guess I got a bit caught up.."

"Well, that's good," Ron said. "His place was almost empty when I went by," he told Hermione, Ginny, and Luna.

"Well you're lucky Mum's not here, Harry," Ginny said. "She was not very pleased when you failed to keep your promise."

Harry wanted desperately to tell Ginny the real reason why he didn't visit. He wanted her to know how he felt, however, he listened to a voice in his head telling him to play it cool. He was sure that if he stayed for too long, he would slip up and start gushing to Ginny. He had visited. He had done his part. It was time to leave.

"Well, I guess I should just get going then-"

"But you just got here!" Luna exclaimed. "I haven't seen you in forever. You can't leave now."

Harry knew he had a good excuse. "Well, I got some furniture being delivered today. Soon actually. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew I was still alive or whatever."

"Harry! Don't joke about it. We were really worried," Hermione said with a frown.

"I'm sorry, 'mione, but I really should run-"

"Maybe I could come with you," Luna said getting up out of her seat. "I still haven't seen your new place."

Harry was surprised that she wanted to leave the Burrow to be with him, but he was happy for the company. Being around Luna was always fun.

"Sure," Harry said with a smile. "Alright then. Can you leave now or did you want to meet me?"

"Now works," she answered, returning the smile.

"Well, I'll see you guys. Tell your mum not to be angry with me," Harry said. They four said goodbye and Harry and Luna left. Harry noted the strange look on their faces as they saw Luna decide to leave with him. Harry didn't know what to make of it himself. They apparated to London.

"So you live in Chelsea?" Luna said, impressed.

"Yep," Harry answered as they headed in the direction of his place. They took the elevator to Harry's floor. Harry opened the door to his flat and noticed that there still wasn't a recliner inside.

"Wow," Luna said, "it really is empty."

"Yeah."

"It's beautiful, though," she said walking towards the floor to ceiling window that displayed picturesque London.

"Yo," Kyle said.

"AH!" Luna screamed. She hadn't noticed him on the couch and Harry had completely forgotten that he was there. "You frightened me," Luna said to Kyle.

"My bad," he said, smirking at Harry.

"Sorry, Luna. This is my, er, friend. Kyle. Kyle this is Luna."

"Nice to meet you," Luna said. She gave him her wide eyed look. "I like your tattoos."

"Oh," Kyle said smiling nervously, "thanks."

"So no one showed up yet, huh?" Harry asked Kyle.

"Nope. So where's my food?"

Harry was drawing a blank. "Oh! Right. I forgot," Harry said once he realized he had told Kyle he would get him breakfast.

"Geez, dude," Kyle said getting up off the couch. "Okay, well can I leave now since you're back?"

"Yeah, yeah," Harry said, "get out of here." Harry noticed Luna was staring fixedly out the window. He smiled as he observed her constant strange behavior.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tonight." He got closer to Harry. "Guess you got your girl back pretty quick. Nice job," he whispered, smiling.

Harry shook his head. "Different girl."

"Oh," Kyle voice returned to a normal volume. "Well, I'll be seeing ya. Wish me luck. I gotta go face my ex, now."

"Tell me if you need help getting your stuff," Harry offered.

"Okay, cool. Well, it was nice meeting ya, Luna. You two have a good one," he walked out of the door, giving Harry one last knowing look.

Harry looked back at Luna who was still staring out of the window. Harry had to admit, it was a beautiful view. He was glad that Luna decided to follow him back to London. He was at a time where he desperately needed friends who could give him a different perspective on things. Whenever he was around Hermione and Ron, Harry felt like everything had changed. They were no longer the crazy awesome trio, but instead a happy couple with a very lonely third wheel. It reminded Harry of his failed relationship and the fact that even though he had defeated Voldemort and lived through it all, life would never be easy for him. He would always struggle to create his dream life. Despite all this, Harry was warmed by Luna's presence. She had always been a loyal and honest friend. Although Kyle had literally saved his life by inviting himself into Harry's flat, Harry was happy to see someone from his Hogwarts days in his apartment.

"So, uh, are you hungry or anything Luna?" Harry said when he realized how long it had been silent. She turned away from the window and smiled at him.

"No thanks, Harry," she said, "I just ate at the Weasley's actually."

"Okay," Harry felt awkward as he tried to find a way to entertain them until the damn delivery people arrived.

"So, is this a television?" Luna asked examining the flat screen.

"Yes." Harry said smiling a little as he watched Luna trying to figure out how to turn it on. He sometimes forgot how interesting these things could be to those who never encountered them.

"That's pretty cool that you have one. May I turn it on?"

"Yeah just press the big button near the bottom," Harry said gesturing to the power button, "or you could use the remote." He handed it to her and sat down. He wanted to smoke another cigarette, but didn't know if Luna would be upset. She had finally gotten to turning the tv on and she sat down next to Harry, utterly transfixed by it. Harry showed her how to change the channels.

"Muggle's must be very intelligent to invent these sort of creations," Luna said. She placed the remote on the coffee table next to the bag of weed that had been left there. She looked at the herb curiously. Harry was thinking up a good story to explain what it was and what it was doing there. "Harry," she said smiling, "is this marijuana?"

Damn, he was beat. "Yeah," he said with a guilty grin.

"Daddy smokes this all the time," she said matter of faculty.

Harry busted out laughing. "No shit!" She looked at him strangely. "Have you ever tried it?" Harry asked seriously.

"A couple of times, however I found that it bothers my lungs too much." Harry thought that it was the greatest discovery of the week. The Lovegoods toked. It just made so much sense.

"Okay, well just do me a favor and please don't tell Ginny that you saw this in my flat." Harry pleaded. "I sort of told her I smoked it and she was very upset."

Luna gave him a look he couldn't quite read. "So how is everything with her, anyway?"

Harry's face turned bright red. Based on her question, Harry assumed she was aware of the current status of their relationship. "Er…well…" Harry's mind raced to find a good answer. "Well, we broke up just a few weeks ago, and…er…"

"I know, i heard. I'm very sorry, Harry. How have you been doing?" Luna asked with concern. Harry was surprised to hear the question. It was the first time anyone really asked him.

"Not too good," Harry said before thinking. His face became more flushed and he looked down. Fuck! He didn't want to start acting emotional in front of her, but he couldn't help himself when approaching this subject.

"It's a shame. You've always been such a sweet person. I wish you didn't have to deal with that."

Harry was embarrassed. "Thanks, Luna."

"Are you two still friends?"

"Sort of, I suppose. We haven't talked too much. The only time we really saw each other was when I was staying at her place after I left the hospital."

"I see. Well, I hope you don't let this distance you from the Weasleys. They seem very worried about you. Every time I visit them they always talk about you."

"What do you mean worried?" Harry knew that they were afraid that he could be attacked again, but he didn't know what there was to talk about.

"Oh, well, they just know that you were quite affected by the whole thing with Ginny. Since they don't see you much, they often wonder how you're doing. After everything that's happened over the past few years, they're sure you need a little emotional relaxation."

"I'm doing okay, I guess," Harry lied. What else could he say?

"I just hope you know that I'm always here for you to talk to, Harry. You've been a great friend to me for years now. You've been there when no one else would even talk to me. Sometimes, I felt so alone while at Hogwarts. But you made me feel accepted. I would really love to return the favor whenever possible."

Harry was dumbfounded. He was so shocked by how intimate the conversation had become. "Thanks, Luna. I really mean it. You've definitely returned the favor already."

She smiled at him. "Well, I hope to see you more often! I never see you at the Weasley's anymore. I know you're not with Ginny, but everyone else would like to have things be the way they were before you two started dating."

"But Dean's there, now," Harry said. He was surprised by his own words. Luna seemed to have a way of making him talk more than he planned on. She gave him a guilty look and nodded her head.

"I'm really sorry, Harry," she said. "I didn't know that you were aware that they were together." She looked nervous. "I don't like him much, either. He's annoying," she added.

Harry had so many questions he wanted to ask her about them. Was it serious? Did she think he still had a chance with Ginny? How long had the Weasleys known Dean was with her? Harry refrained from asking any of them.

"Yeah, he is annoying…" Harry muttered.

Luna put her hand on Harry's, which was resting on the couch. Butterflies erupted in his stomach. She had turned back to the television, laughing at something going on in the show. Harry took a quick glance down at their hands. Yep, they were definitely holding hands. It took him a little while to realize how happy he was with that fact. She was holding his hand. What did that mean?

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking and watching television, which Luna seemed very entertained with. It wasn't until around seven that Luna announced that she had to go home. Harry walked her where the apparating limits were on his flat and they said goodbye. He returned to his living room and lit up a cigarette, which he had been dying for. His thoughts were now consumed with Luna. She had made him feel so much better, just by talking to him. And by holding his hand. Harry smiled. He didn't know what it meant, but he was happy.

Later that night, Kyle returned with a bunch of his belongings. After piling his guitar, bedding, clothes and other things into the large living area he looked around.

"What happened with the recliner?" Kyle asked.

Harry had completely forgotten about it. He smiled, "Guess they never showed up."

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review. I'm very curious what you think. Mwah!