(Ginny's POV)
My heart jumps in fear as I spy Xenophilius Lovegood. Honestly, I know I shouldn't be afraid of him, but he tried to use me as bait to get Luna back and I had no idea what the hell that chamber he put me in was going to do.
"Please do this," Rolf whispers pleadingly.
He hands me the vials and gives me a small shove in his direction. Tentatively I walk in Xenophilius' direction and get down on my knees. Hopefully I can do this without him noticing….
"Ginerva?"
Shit.
"What are you doing here?" he asks confused.
How do I explain what I'm here for to him? Should I just come right out and say it? Isn't that what Luna would do?
"I need some of your tears," I explain.
"Why?"
"Luna asked for them."
"Why can't she come then?"
"Because she's scared. And she's busy trying to help save the world."
"For what purpose does she need them?"
"She doesn't understand why you want to keep her so innocent."
"Because the world is evil and she is an angel on earth. I cannot let the world tear apart such an angel. The thought itself scares me."
"Luna's going to have to lose it sooner or later."
"But I can't let her lose it. I'm afraid."
"I know. Believe me, the way Luna sees the world is a gift, but I highly doubt her view of the world will change whether or not she's innocent."
"How do you know how my little girl sees the world?"
"Because I was gifted with her view for a time. And trust me, that is a gift, but she can't stay your baby girl forever, Mr. Lovegood. Sooner or later, she's going to have to be on her own."
"I don't want her to leave me, though."
"And she won't if you don't push her. It seems like you built this chamber to get closer with her, but in reality, it's driving you two apart. Remember how scared she was when she found out what it was? I was scared too."
"But she wouldn't be so scared if she knew why."
"Exactly. Another good reason why I should have your tears."
I place one of the vials under his eyes. The tears fall into it steadily, even though my hands are shaking. I pull back and do the same with the other vial.
"Mr. Lovegood, you do want the best for Luna, don't you?"
He nods slowly.
"And you love her, right?"
"With all of my heart."
"Well, as cliche as it sounds, if you love something, set it free. This war may make her lose her innocence, but if I know Luna, I can assure you she'll still be your loving, caring daughter. Nothing can ever change that."
He gives a small, sad smile.
"Thank you, Ginerva," he croaks.
"Ginny is fine," I reply.
"Ginny," he repeats, as if tasting the word.
"Right."
"Are you gonna be okay?"
"I-I think so," he answers.
With a nod, I run back to Rolf.
"I have the tears."
"Right, let's get back to Luna. I don't want either of us to get hurt."
(Luna's POV)
As soon as Rolf leaves, I stand in a slight trance for a while. I don't know what this feeling is, but I like it. It happens every time I see Rolf; butterflies flap in my stomach, wrackspurts invade my mind, and my heart begins to dance.
Focus, Luna!
I mentally slap myself and resume searching for the diary. I check in every single drawer until I finally find it in Dumbledore's desk. I observe the stab wound. It definitely doesn't look like a sword went through it.
"This has to be from a basilisk fang."
Suddenly the stairs open and in step Ginny and Rolf.
"Do you have them?" I ask.
They nod and hold up not only the basilisk fang but the tears as well. Rolf hands me the basilisk fang and I prepare to stab the diary when my vision suddenly goes blurry.
"No, Luna," a voice hisses.
It's Tom.
"You wouldn't dare."
"I would and I do," I think.
All of a sudden, I feel as though someone keeps trying to take control of my body. I struggle between trying to stab the diary and keeping myself from doing so.
"You belong to me, Luna."
"I belong to no one but me!" I yell in my head.
I keep fighting with Tom's spirit. How he's even inside of me I have no clue. The fight begins to tire me out, but I persist until my muscles begin to feel like they'll snap. I feel lightheaded and my vision fades to black as I fall to the floor with a thud.
