Hermione was quietly sitting in the library, a pile of books neatly stacked to one side as she systematically went through them, occasionally finding an interesting spell or tip for which she'd then copy with a silent charm.

Since becoming friends with Harry again, and making a new friendship with Luna, her schoolwork was at an all-time high – well, considering her marks were always consistently high, they remained unchanged, but other factors not necessarily taken into account in a classroom.

Because Harry had made such vast leaps forward, Hermione had to really push herself to keep up, and as such, her magic had also gradually progressed in strength as well. The spells became easier and easier until even non-verbal casting, something considered extremely advanced, turned to second-nature. She didn't even think about doing it for those simple day-to-day charms, she just did. The wand motions were less big also – now she barely needed to swish or flick her wand at all.

Thankfully the boy was always there to help her. She knew that despite his changes, he was happy for rekindling their friendship, and literally jumped at the study or duelling sessions him, Luna and her had.

"Hello Hermione."

Hermione looked up in shock to see the wide, silvery-blue eyes of Luna looking at her. At first, that constantly surprised gaze was unnerving, as was the intensity of her stare sometimes, but that eventually dissolved. "Oh hello Luna. Have you seen Harry? I just found a spell or two he might have an interest in."

"I need to talk to you. In the Room. Now." The flatness of her tone took Hermione by surprise. There was no dreamy quality to it – it was low, husky and serious.

At once Hermione stood up, and followed her to the Room of Requirement.

"Okay, Luna," Hermione said in obvious concern. "What's the matter?"

Luna burst into tears.

Hermione was completely taken aback, as the normally unflappable girl began sobbing, tears running freely down her cheeks, strangled gasps escaping her chest – she ran to her aid as Luna slumped to the ground, holding her closely. "Luna! What's wrong? Is it about Harry?"

"I-I told Harry I love him," she managed out.

The bookworm was shocked by such an electrifying pronouncement. She had always suspected there was something more to friendship between the two of them, but love? "And what did Harry..."

"He didn't hear. He had a lot on his mind, after all." Luna laughed, an odd sound amidst her crying. "But he will hear it. He frequently goes through his memories due to his Occlumency ability."

Typical Harry. "What is there to worry about? I mean, I'm sure..."

"What if he doesn't?" Luna whimpered. "What if he just thinks I'm a stupid little girl? Sometimes I think he's only friends because he feels sorry for me...it's not like he needs me!"

Hermione had felt that also, however briefly. She well knew of Harry's frequent nocturnal trips and disappearances, but to where she did not know. She believed that Luna knew where but refused to tell her.

Regardless, Hermione knew that Harry had become powerful – especially in such a short amount of time. It seemed every day he continued to progress faster, leaving her behind. "Harry would never be like that! He is friends with you because he genuinely wants to be, that I know." She said firmly. "And I know he feels the same way about you. Just give him some time."

"I can't bear to lose him Hermione," she uttered softly. "I just can't. Not after mum. Not again."

Naturally after they parted ways, neither of them spoke about this conversation ever again.

-------

Harry returned to the Hogwarts grounds in a foul mood. A maze! A bloody maze! All alone and separated from the rest of the world. He might as well just be offering himself to Voldemort on a silver platter.

Actually, that might not be a bad idea. His mood did a complete turnover as his mind assessed new possibilities and plotted a possible course of action.

Hmm... alone, separated from the rest of the world. Alone, without anybody to distract him as he misled Voldemort into believing him vulnerable, before striking, quickly and dangerously.

The eventually plan that came to him was the one that seemed the most feasible, but had its own risks. But then again, what was the fun of a plan without any risks?

Despite such an assessment, he found himself heading to Dumbledore's office. It was time they had a long overdue conversation.

He made his way up, using the password which had not changed, and knocked on the door before entering the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore beamed at him with those signature twinkling blue eyes as he came in. "Good evening, Harry. You have caught me at a rather good time, it seems, as I have only just returned from a trip to restock my supply of lemon drops. Would you care for one?"

"No, thank you," Harry respectfully declined as he seated himself. "No, I am planning something I believe you should know about."

"And what, Harry, might that be?"

"Firstly, though, I have reason to believe Moody is a polyjuiced imposter."

The twinkle vanished as Dumbledore leaned forward intently. "Explain, starting from the beginning."

And so Harry did, although left out plenty of unnecessary details. He then outlined his plan.

Dumbledore stroked his beard in thought. "I do not at all like what you are planning, Harry. You are deliberately putting yourself in great danger."

"I know that, Professor," Harry said earnestly. "But you know as well as I do that there's no other option. This is the only way that it could possibly work. We need to expose Voldemort as soon as he regains his body back. It was only a matter of time anyway. Let things proceed on their present course, otherwise his plan will change and we'll be right back to where we started."

"Yes...I understand. I suppose you are planning for every possible contingency?"

"Of course. But I have one request sir."
"Name it Harry. I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety."

"I need Gryffindor's sword."

At this Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, yes! You have proved your aptitude with the sword, and Snape himself, begrudgingly so, has implied your talent. Yes indeed, such an object would help, but you cannot let it fall into Voldemort's hands."
"I don't plan to," Harry responded. "It is indestructible, isn't it?"

"Yes, something I believe will prove useful." Dumbledore stood up, taking the weapon out of its case, and handing it over carefully. "And do remember to return it at the end."

"Of course, Headmaster." Harry smiled as he gripped it, already feeling comfortable with the weapon due to its perfect craftsmanship. "And they won't see me smuggle it in. I know of at least several ways to keep it hidden."

The Headmaster's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Ah yes, the cunning of youth. I remember it all too well."

"What can I expect from Voldemort, sir?" Harry asked seriously. "What will he throw at me?"

"Voldemort has a mastery of magic which surpasses even my own. At full strength, I would never approve of this plan, for despite your rapid improvement, he would surely defeat you. Now is the time to fight, and hopefully injure him. Another thing I forgot to mention – Godric's blade has the curious ability of absorbing anything that strengthens it. So, through careful observation, it seems that it has acquired the properties of the venom of the basilisk you defeated in Second Year, Harry."

Harry's eyes dawned with understand. "I see, sir! So even a little nick..."

"Yes, Harry. Despite whatever dark rituals he has undergone, despite what powers his new body has, basilisk venom is still basilisk venom. It will undeniably wound him and render him inactive for some time. Expect the unexpected from him, Harry, but do not expect mercy. He may play with you for a while at first, perhaps even torturing you to signify his dominance..."

At his darkened gaze, Harry nodded. "I'm ready for that, Professor. I'll be taking ready-made potions, some which will help me, albeit temporarily, with the Cruciatus."

"I am relived. But do not expect this to last long. He will not make the mistake of underestimating you, Harry. Strike swiftly and hold nothing back, for he will be using everything in his considerable arsenal."

-------

With those foreboding words, Harry left, returning to the Room of Requirement, seating himself to meditate and clear his mind. His Occlumency had improved yet again, but he needed to bring it to even newer heights now. He was sure that Voldemort would be a master Legilimens. Harry needed to prevent him from peering into his memories, and seeing those he could potentially exploit.

Luna...

Even the thought of her made him unconsciously shiver. They had not spoken for a while, and inwardly Harry felt guilty – although there was something else. An unmistakable feeling of lacking something... being incomplete. Like he was not whole.

What had happened? Had he hurt her? Was she angry at him?

Despite his misgivings, Harry delved back into his memory of the Second Task, watching himself burst up from the lake surface, triumphantly but in exhaustion. He watched himself with Luna, half-dazed, turning around as he heard something she said.

Harry paled.

She said... no, there was no possibility...but the implications of such a statement, the intent in her usually misty eyes, it all pointed to one possibility...

Quickly Harry pulled out the Marauder's Map, finding Luna's dot walking through one of the corridors. How could he have been so stupid?! Of course she would cry if she thought he ignored her! At least that's what he thought.

His eyes widened in fear as he saw a rather large group of Slytherins approaching her location – a group with none other than Draco Malfoy.

NO! His grip on his wand tightened as he hastily stuck the sword into his enchanted pack, bursting out and running as hard as he could.

-------

Luna was skipping along, her dreamy facade stonily set even though within she contemplated a particular young boy wizard with a lightning scar and emerald green eyes.

She had never met someone like him. Never would meet another like him. That quietly confident boy who had now gotten rid of all false modesties was the only one who could truly see through her, see into her heart. After mother, Luna had refused to let herself get hurt again, refused true intimacy. Her father was not one for extremely closeness, thankfully, and at Hogwarts although she was alone all the time she was glad for it. True, there were a few friends, but none who could understand her. None who in their presence her mask would break.

And now it had, several times in fact, due to him. To Harry. To think that in one single year, just a boy could make such a difference...

If this wasn't love, she asked herself, then what was it?

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Loony Lovegood!" A sarcastic voice mocked.

Although inside Luna stiffened, outside she merely stopped skipping, regarding the huge group of Slytherins with her unchanging expression of dreamy surprise. That stare was helping in making some of them shift uneasily. "Hello Draco Malfoy. The Nargles still haven't left your hair. Maybe you should stop using so much hair gel. They won't be as attracted to you then."

Some of the Slytherins sniggered as Malfoy turned a beet red. "As if I believe in imaginary creatures, Loony! Where's big bad Potter now?" he smirked as he stepped forward, and the rest of the Slytherins also, taking their wands out. "You see, I intend to send him a little message. One he'll never forget."

Luna repressed the urge to take a step back, her wand as ever tucked in its place on her ear. She could easily flick her head forward and catch it in a moment, but this was something beyond her. One against one, perhaps, but such a large group? The first spells would hit her before she even caught her wand.

"Oh really, Malfoy? In that case, why don't you tell me such a thing yourself?"

Harry! He had suddenly appeared out of thin air besides her, standing calmly with wand in hand, something accomplished through sleight of hand and his invisibility cloak. Even just being near him was soothing and encouraging.

"Potter!" Draco spat in pure loathing.

"In the flesh. Now why don't you and your cronies go crawling back into whatever hole you came from? Since, let's be frank, the possibilities of you winning are extremely marginal. One Dark Lord was no trouble, so how about you?"

Malfoy was taken aback by such a display of apparent cockiness, but it had its intended effect on the Slytherins, most of who could, amazingly, think for themselves (to an extent). They began to have doubts as some of them looked at him in fear. "As if, Potter! There's only two of you and plenty of us!"

Harry played on their fear, using his Legilimency skills on their weak minds to make himself seem larger and more intimidating, and even pushed out a little bit of magic into his eyes to make them pulsate with an ethereal glow. "I know. That's why you should back off. Now."

The blonde ferret nearly whimpered in fear as he saw how menacing Harry looked, before suddenly regaining himself. With a sneer, he stormed off – and with their leader gone, the Slytherins dispersed.

"Are you alright?" Harry turned to Luna in concern. "Malfoy didn't do anything to you did he?"

Luna smiled in genuine happiness before shaking her head. "No. You came just in time."

Harry was relieved. "Good. We need to talk. Let's go to the Chamber."

They returned to the safety of Slytherin's Chamber, which had undergone some...refurbishing, with Luna's own design.

The walls were now decorated in a shocking combination of clashing purple, pink and a huge assortment of varying colours, as well as covered in looping layers of rainbow strands and frilly ropes. If Slytherin saw what his Inner Chamber was like now, he would have had a heart attack.

And of course, Harry thought it was brilliant.

"Luna..." Harry sighed as they sat down. "I'm sorry. I wasn't..." abruptly he felt Luna touch his lips gently, signalling for him to stop.

"Don't apologise, Harry," she said softly. "It was my fault. I-I was afraid. I was afraid you would laugh at me, or belittle me, or scorn me for saying such a thing. It just came out... I didn't meant to say that, and I'm sorry for running away and making you think you were responsible. But you know the truth now. I do love you, and I can perfectly understand if you want to stay as friends..."

Harry looked at her with warmth as he cupped her face in his strong hands, letting their eyes connect. Those beautiful, silvery eyes, as entrancing as they were exasperatingly mischievous. He briefly wondered if she was part-veela, then realised their charm didn't affect him. "Why would you perfectly understand? I wouldn't. I'd be a fool not to love you. Because I do. I love you, Luna."

At those words, Luna's heart soared in happiness.

He knew how happy this made her. Taking his hands off her face, he took her hands tightly instead. "I know I'm still an idiot, albeit less of one now. I still have a tendency to do stupid things, something which Hermione calls my 'saving people' complex. I'm still rather hot-headed and impulsive, though I'm getting there. I'm still an unfinished work, Luna, though I'll be happy if you have me as I am."

"I'm stupid as well, Harry," Luna whispered back. "I had a Wrackspurt infection that made me blind. But now it's gone and I can see just fine, and I can see that I would be dumber than Ron to refuse you."

Harry's grin was wider than any he could make even on an overdose of cheering potions. "So do we do something now? To, you know, signify this event?"

"Traditionally people signify it with a kiss," Luna replied dreamily. "And we can't break with tradition, can we?"

"I'm happy to break most other traditions, such as the tradition of believing it is impossible to conjure gold, except this, which I'll gladly keep." Harry said.

"Of course." Luna agreed. "Most other traditions, bar this."

The pair of them leaned in, a little awkwardly at first. Once they were in close, there was a hesitant pause, before Harry decided to abandon everything and kiss her.