025. Strangers

November came quicker than anyone expected. The air outside was even colder than a normal November though due to the swarms of Dementors monitoring the school. But even the Dementors couldn't break the spirits of the upcoming Quidditch match. It was the first game of the year, but instead of the usual Gryffindor vs. Slytherin showdown it was now Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff.

Apparently the Slytherins' Seeker was too badly injured because of a Hippogriff attack or something. Luna found herself being skeptical of this excuse as she peered at the blonde haired boy one table over in the Great Hall. He was scooping food into his mouth with great ease.

It didn't matter much to Luna though; Quidditch had never excited her much so she didn't really give a care to the outcome of the game.

Actually Luna's personal excitement meter wasn't working that well lately. Fred had become accustomed to sitting at the Gryffindor table during all meals now and only acknowledged Luna in the hallways if she approached him. She knew from the beginning that it was only a matter of time before he would brush off their friendship and they would become complete strangers.

Luna left the Great Hall as soon as she was finished eating and made her way back to Ravenclaw Tower until she heard someone shout her name. Turning around, Luna saw Ginny making her way toward her with a broad smile on her face.

"Hey, we haven't talked in ages!" Ginny exclaimed as she approached Luna. "How have you been?"

"All right," Luna said absentmindedly as the two walked up the stone steps.

"I haven't seen you talking to Fred lately," Ginny said slowly. "He's too busy staring at Angelina like a puppy. It's a bit pathetic."

"He's not pathetic," Luna dismissed with a shake of her head.

Ginny gave a tense smile as the two girls continued to walk through the corridors. Luna could tell that Ginny was worried about her. It was a sweet gesture, but Luna was too preoccupied with trying to forget about Fred. Needless to say this wasn't the best plan since thinking about him constantly wasn't making her feel any better.

"He's treating you like a stranger," Ginny continued. "It's completely unfair. Do you want me to talk to him for you?"

"No," Luna said with a shake of her head. "I just want to get some rest. I've got a big Charms exam tomorrow."

Ginny gave an unconvinced nod as the two girls split up to walk to their respective common rooms. Dragging her feet slightly, Luna couldn't help but think that she did something to upset him. There wasn't anything that came across as offensive in her mind though. Maybe she was just a charity case. He had probably felt sorry for the strange girl no one wanted to be friends with, but now saw that his full attention served better with Angelina.

Not wanting to think about it any longer, Luna started to climb the steps to Ravenclaw Tower with the only thought in her mind being her comfy bed.

The Gryffindor common room was now empty except for Fred and a drooling first year asleep on the rug in front of the fire. With an aggravated groan Fred gave the first year a shove.

"Beat it, kid," he said sharply. "It's past your bed time."

The first year woke up instantly and sprinted off to the steps leading to the boys' dormitory. Giving out a long sigh, Fred sunk into an armchair and tried to fight the urge to punch himself in his face. He had seen Luna's face during dinner tonight and lunch and breakfast and in hallways between classes and the week before that and before that and… well, he could go on for a while.

He was doing what needed to be done though. Acting like she was a total stranger was the best solution to his problem. Focus on Quidditch, Angelina, and school (well, maybe not school). Just don't focus on Luna.

It was for the best reasons as well. He always had the best intentions when it concerned Luna and if the best thing to do was to keep away from her then so be it.

Luna wasn't the most popular girl in school but she was friends with Ginny. She didn't need him. That's what he tried to convince himself. After dinner Ginny had been waiting for him in the common room where she yelled at him until she was short of breath about Luna and how he needed to apologize to her.

Wanting to tell Ginny that he had nothing but the best intentions toward Luna wouldn't do though. There was no way he could tell Ginny about these intentions.

Fred liked Luna.

Fred liked Luna.

She was a twelve year-old kid, barely older than his baby sister, and he liked her like he liked Angelina. The urge to punch himself had never been greater. If he stayed around Luna there was no doubt that he would act on these feeling and that probably wouldn't go over too well with Luna.

First, he was treated her like a stranger. Second, he was basically like a brother to her. Finally, he was three years older than her.

Being three years older than someone wasn't that big of a deal if the people were in their twenties, but she twelve and he was fifteen. The only solution was to stay away from Luna and pursue Angelina even harder. Maybe after being away from her for a long time would get these new feelings out of his system and they could be friends again.

Or he could keep his feelings and urges in check and start talking to her again. He didn't want to seem boasting, but he was the only true friend Luna had and staying away from her probably wasn't the best idea. She had approached him in the hallways a few times and he had tried to act normal, but it was hard.

To think that the weird little girl he had met over a year ago was driving him this insane certainly was a weird thought.