Author Note: This is the "Talking in the Girl's Room" chapter from a few visits. After doing some thinking and realizing that it had several chapters worth of ideas on this theme I decided to move it over to a stand-alone platform. I'm naming the collection Little Talks.
===xxx(Begin)
Luna walked into the second floor girls bathroom to find Hermione curled in the corner crying. This was an unusual occurrence in Luna's world as she usually saw Hermione as a pillar of strength. Hermione had not noticed the pale waif yet.
Luna walked slowly over to Hermione until she was standing directly in front of the brown haired girl. "Hermione? Why are you crying?"
Hermione started a little bit at Luna's soft voice then once she recognized the speaker smiled as she wiped her eyes. "Oh hello Luna. I'm sorry what did you say?"
"I asked you why you were crying?"
"Oh. I uh. I just am feeling moody."
Luna leaned forward and sniffed Hermione then looked perplexed, "You've already had your period for this month so your hormones should not be causing problems."
Hermione looked at the strange girl in confusion then shook her head, "Uh no its not related to my period. And how did you know when it was?"
Luna sighed, "I have observed you wear a different brassiere that makes your breasts hang lower and softer than the one you currently wear as well as you choose a different body wash. No doubt due to the skin issues period hormones cause."
Hermione blinked then nodded, "Okay. You pay attention to my breasts?"
Luna tilted her head, "Don't you?"
"Well yeah because they're my breasts but I didn't think anyone else paid attention to them."
"Harry pays a great deal attention to them, although he pays a great deal of attention to all of you." Luna stated. "Other boys pay attention to them as well although that is more akin to a hungry jackal which is not as pleasant to consider."
"Oh." Hermione frowned as she tried to figure out Luna's comment and did not think it was a compliment for most of the boys in the school.
"If you'll excuse me I have to urinate now. That was my original intention on entering this room." She said and went into a stall.
Hermione shook her head. She had never spoken with Luna for an extended period alone and was both understanding why Ginny and Ron called her Loony as well as beginning to see that the girl was a keen observer of the world around her and had few filters. Maybe she wasn't as Loony as Ron and Ginny made her out to be after all.
Luna exited the stall, washed her hands and returned to standing beside Hermione.
"So what did Ron do to make you cry?" Luna said without preamble.
Hermione sighed. She would normally get defensive if it was someone like Lavender or Parvati trying to say things like that but Luna was like kicking a kitten, plus she was absolutely correct. "He mocked me in class."
"Oh. He does say a lot of mean and unpleasant things quite frequently. Did you know he has always called me Loony?"
"Uh I've heard him call you that on occasion."
"Yes. I find it quite rude but as telling Ron is pointless I ignore it. Why do you let him make you sad?"
"I. I don't know." Hermione said. She thought she liked Ron but he drove her so insane.
"I do not think sexual relations with Ron would be very pleasurable." Luna observed.
Hermione blushed, "What brought that up?"
"Well your face flushed and your nipples tightened when I mentioned Ron which indicates you had a, an arousal response." Luna said tilting her head the other direction.
Hermione unconsciously brushed the tip of her breast to find that yes she was sporting pokies. "Well uh. I can't believe I'm asking this but why do you think that?"
"He is not very well endowed."
Hermione blushed as she wondered how Luna knew that.
"You are curious how I know that?"
Hermione frowned as she stared at Luna's innocent face.
"No I am not a mind reader, however you have a very emotional body language Hermione. You wear your heart on your sleeve, unlike Harry, who it has taken quite a long time to learn the nuances of his subtle language. But then abused people learn to hide their feelings quite well."
"Abused? You think Harry is abused?" Hermione asked in sudden fear and concern for her friend.
"Well yes. Why do you think he has even less emotional understanding than I do? Not only that but he clings to any person who shows him the slightest bit of affection or positive treatment, even if it is in a passive aggressive controlling way." Luna sighed as she sat beside Hermione on the floor. "The acoustics in this room are very inappropriate for 1960s doo-wop songs._
Hermione nodded unconsciously at the comment as she was still thinking about how she had not noticed Harry's behavior. She knew he never initiated contact and had taken forever for him to stop flinching from her hugs. But for him to be abused and controlled was that really true.
"So who is abusing and controlling him?" Hermione twisted so she could look into Luna's face.
"Well the Weasleys for one. They are very obviously attempting to do the same to you but you are more resistant. I suspect you have a very close and loving family but few friends outside of the wizarding world."
Hermione had stopped frowning and was staring in wonder at how Luna pierced through the veil of everything. 'The Weasleys are trying to control me?"
"Well Ron is grooming you by giving you compliments and false platitudes when you behave in ways he finds acceptable while arguing and fighting with you in those times when you show him up or do not act as the submissive female. I have the feeling that he would prefer to have someone similar to his mother that would be a dutiful housewife and mother but not have a career outside the home."
Hermione thought back to her mother as a role model. She had a career outside of the home but had still found time to treat Hermione like a daughter. Neither spoiling nor ignoring her. Molly though was always breathing over the shoulder of everyone, treating them like they didn't know how to tie their own shoes without her help. She had even tried to treat Sirius like that and no one had stood up for him.
"Still Ginny loves Harry I've heard her talking about him in the girl's dorms."
"You forget Hermione I have known Ginny far longer than you. She loves the concept of Harry Potter, she does not love the person Harry Potter."
"how does that even work? I mean I see Harry as just Harry."
"Yes but you have seen him when he is weak, when he is vulnerable and when he is not perfect. You know he is a human being. Ginny has only seen him when he is being the hero. The rebel against corrupt authority. For the entire summer after he saved her from the Basilisk she talked about nothing except how heroic and handsome he was." Luna said looking over Hermione's left shoulder at a spot on the wall.
Hermione sighed as she realized Luna's words were true. She had listened to Harry rant and cry and scream when things didn't go right. She had sat with him when Cedric died and could feel his heart breaking when Sirius died in every letter they exchanged.
"I think you would enjoy sexual relations with Harry more as well."
Hermione blushed again as she choked out, "Luna. Why do you keep saying things like that."
"Because I would prefer to have sexual relations with Harry than Ronald. Although Neville would be a good choice as well, except he is among the largest endowed males in the school."
"How do you know all of this?" Hermione gasped in embarrassed shock.
"Well I know about Ronald's because I have seen it. Ron does not always close his door when he changes clothes and Ginny thought I would be interested in seeing him. I think my wand is thicker than his." Luna said with a frown.
Hermione considered for a moment than figured out what Luna was meaning. "Uh and Harry? Have you seen him too?"
"Unfortunately no. Myrtle has though and as she is a Ravenclaw she has talked with those of us. Why do you think Cho was so interested in Harry even though she was still mourning Cedric?"
"She wanted Harry for his, size?"
"Well it was one of the reasons. She is a rather complicated and emotional person. Plus the massive infestation of Nargles that was causing her to act like a twatwaffle had to be dealt with."
Hermione raised her eyebrow but Luna did not elaborate.
"Neville is one I have not seen either, however Myrtle has. She has a rather unhealthy obsession with naked males. I believe that since she died a virgin she is very sexually frustrated."
"Oh well I'm sure Neville is very nice." Hermione non-commitally said.
Luna held her hands up spaced far enough apart that Hermione wondered if she was talking about a fish or Neville's anatomy. Either way it was quite an impressive span. "Harry's is more like this though." And she moved her hands just a slight space closer together. Hermione almost choked on her spit as she felt a few thoughts that were not very sibling towards Harry at that moment.
"You appear to have had an arousal response. I completely understand." Luna said with a ghost smile.
"Uh yes. Well that's assuming that Myrtle wasn't just pulling your leg or exaggerating." Hermione corrected just in case Luna took her literally.
"True. That is why if we were their girlfriends we could determine their size more accurately. Although as nice as Harry is I suppose if we politely asked he might be willing to show us. Or at the very least he trusts you enough to do so."
Hermione stammered in denial for a few seconds, "Harry doesn't feel that way about me. He's not interested in me."
Luna looked sadly at Hermione. "Did you miss the part earlier where I said Harry suppresses his feelings behind a false front?"
"Uh yeah but. I mean I'm sure he would have said or done something before now."
Luna raised her eyebrow with a sigh, "Hermione he gets an arousal response in your presence quite frequently. Why do you think you were the only girl he did not stand directly behind when he was teaching us wand movements last year in the DA? I felt his stiffness several times as we bumped into each other."
"Yeah but see that means he likes you more than he does me." Hermione countered.
"No it means he feels more uncomfortable showing his arousal for you as he is concerned if he pushed you too hard or said the wrong thing it could cause you to leave him. He has very strong loss and separation issues. Really quite understandable as every person he has ever loved or cared about has left him for one reason or another." Luna sagely said.
Hermione blinked several times thinking about how angry Harry had been when he felt that her and Ron had abandoned him when Dumbledore had isolated them in Grimmould after the tournament brought Voldemort back.
"So you really think Harry has feelings for me?"
"Yes. He keeps them buried quite well though for the reason I said as well as he thinks you do not feel that way towards him."
"I. I guess I haven't shown him have I?"
"He does not understand emotional gestures Hermione. This is why Ginny's blunt force method has been so effective in gaining his attention." Luna explained.
"So what do you suggest?" Hermione asked.
"Well you should probably take him somewhere and talk to him honestly about your feelings and his. I would be willing to help facilitate this as he may be too uncomfortable being alone with you."
"Aren't you interested in him? Why would you want to help me get him to be my boyfriend?"
Luna seemed to think for a moment before smiling, "Harry needs someone strong enough and stable enough to support him in the coming battle. You would fulfill that role better than I would. Although I could help give both of you emotional support and a different perspective on the situation."
Hermione laughed, "It almost sounds like you think we should share him."
Luna stared into Hermione's eyes. The silvery blue pools sucking her into their depths. "Why not? Polyamorous relationships are not uncommon among wizarding societies, as well as some muggles."
"Yeah but if Harry is uncomfortable with one girl, how do you think he would react with more than one."
"He could probably handle two at most. Especially if they were the right two." Luna said giving Hermione another ghost smile. "However as he was raised by muggles he might need to be eased into the culture. Neville though would probably be rather more willing to join a polyamorous quarternary relationship without reservations. Especially if two of the other participants are you and I"
Hermione's mind was whirling as she had started this conversation upset and angry at Ron and herself for letting Ron make her angry, once again. Now she was actually considering talking to Harry about being in a relationship and possibly sharing him with Luna. Not to mention having Neville join in. This was getting so far beyond anything Hermione had experienced that she was off the map to quote her father.
"Anything sexual beyond minimal comforting and heavy petting should probably wait until after Harry defeats Voldemort. He will of course try to prevent being in a relationship with anyone as he will claim it would make them a target. Which is another point in your favor as no matter what, you will be a target with or without him." Luna pointed out.
"Right yes. Thanks for reminding me Luna. I had almost forgotten." Hermione sarcastically declared.
"Really? Ron must have you more confused than I had calculated." Luna looked surprised.
"I was being sarcastic. I am very much aware that I have a large target on my back. Malfoy cannot go a day without reminding me." Hermione grumped.
Luna sighed, "Oh. Sarcasm is a verbal technique I have trouble with."
"Oh. Well. Uh sorry. So we take Harry off to talk. Point counter his arguments to not be in a relationship and point out the benefits of having both of us as his girlfriend." Hermione counted off the points Luna was making.
"Yes plus replacing Ron with Neville as his best friend. Ron has too many deep seated personality flaws to be entirely trustworthy not to abandon Harry at the worst possible moment. It is still unfortunate he accepted Ron back after the way he acted in fourth year with the tournament, or in third year, or second year, or even first year. Ron has a history of not being a very faithful or steady friend. Neville though has been a stalwart supporter. We should point that out to Harry." Luna said in a long soft monologue like she was talking to herself even. "Although we should be gentle about that due to his loss and separation issues. He will not let go of the Weasleys easily. They have insinuated themselves far too greatly into his life and heart."
"But I mean why? Why would they be that way towards Harry?" Hermione still wasn't too sure she believed Luna's analysis of the older Weasleys at least. Although she had been making good points.
"It is simply the sort of people they are. Molly Weasley is a very bossy, controlling and domineering person. Father had to tell Arthur that the next time Molly came onto the Rookery property he would hex her into the stone ages as she kept trying to tell him how to feel or act after mother died. As well as how to raise me." Luna sighed in her lost way.
"Oh. I'm sorry I didn't know that."
"No I do not discus it with many people because it is not their problem, nor would most people do more than give empty platitudes. I told you because I can tell you would actually feel sympathy." Luna said looking at Hermione deeply again.
"Of course. I do." Hermione said patting Luna on the arm.
"Have you ever kissed a girl? I haven't but am curious to do so." Luna said. "When I suggested it to Ginny she became very agitated and disgusted by it and said a great many rude and mean things. Saying that girls should only kiss boys."
Hermione was caught off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation but shook her head, "Uh no. I mean I have nothing against that sort of thing. My uncle Paul has a nice boyfriend and they come round for dinner often."
Luna tilted her head, "You do not mention your family very often."
"Well aside from you and Harry no one seems to care about them. I mean Draco and his cronies hate muggles, Ron and his family find muggle culture and society perplexing and confusing and other pure-bloods like Neville and Lavender I've never really talked to them about our family."
Luna raised her eyebrow, "Do you consider yourself more muggle or magical? We have many discussions about the social construct of being a bridge between our two worlds in Ravenclaw. It seems like even the casual bigots like the Weasleys encourage thinking of us as a separate society and culture, while the pure-blood supremacists see magicals as a superior and dominant race." she shook her head sadly, "Which is quite wrong as magic does not make us stronger or better, merely different."
Hermione bristled as she felt Luna had gone one step too far, "The Weasleys are not bigots."
Luna tilted her head in confusion, "Really? Ron hates all werewolves even though we had one teaching us for a year. He does not respect muggles, nor does his family. And although Arthur claims to be fascinated by Muggle society, technology and such he does not seek to grok it. He sees muggles as funny children."
Hermione thought back once again to all of the times she talked to Harry about things Ron or his brothers had said and done. Including giving Harry's cousin a toffee that almost choked him to death. Plus all the times Molly has dismissed things Hermione had said about her family or her world. Scoffing that it mattered and that she would get better when she adjusted to her world and got a good husband. Hermione frowned massively at that memory.
"You are beginning to see their hypocrisy now?" Luna asked.
"Yeah I am." Hermione growled slightly.
"Do you feel better?"
"I feel different now. That is for certain." Hermione said as she thought about where Harry was right now.
"Oh." Luna said uncertainly with her eyes growing wide. "You are not going to change into anything are you?"
"No, not really change and its not a bad different Luna. Its a very good different. I think you've opened my eyes to a lot of things." Hermione said standing up and holding her hand out to the blonde.
Luna took it and stood up. Hermione noticed Luna's hand was long, slender and delicate but hid a certain strength. She looked into Luna's eyes with a smile, "Oh and I think I can satisfy one of your questions."
"Which one?" Luna asked in confusion.
Hermione leaned in and pressed her lips to Luna's cool, soft ones. Briefly, softly but definitely in a pleasurable manner. When she pulled back Luna had a wide smile on her face.
"That was quite enjoyable. Thank you." Luna sighed happily.
Putting her arm around Luna's shoulder Hermione led them out of the bathroom, "You know Luna I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship."
