The days slipped by. Things got much better between Hermione and
Luna. They almost seemed friends. Almost. Hermione still tried to decipher
Luna's personality and why she was the way she was, but Luna remained as
inscrutable as ever. Hermione also began to make a sincere effort in
attempting to do as Luna asked during their extra Occlumency lessons. Ron,
Harry, and Hermione greatly improved in Occlumency. They were able to plot
block out their emotions most of the time before they began now. Ginny said
it best, "Just check 'em at the door and leave them there."
Classes continued to get harder and Hermione had study schedules for them earlier than ever. Ron had protested, "Hermione! It's only November!" Her stony glare was the only answer he received.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *
Harry was certainly grateful to Luna for all her help. He wondered how to make it up to her. He saw her coming out of one of the classrooms and was struck by an idea. II know!I he thought. II'll get her a necklace. Something to replace that tacky Butterbeer cap one she wears. Perfect! But I'm going to have to ask Hermione or Ginny for help in picking one out. But there'd be no time to get to Hogsmeade before the next Hogsmeade day. Maybe he could get Ginny's help with picking something out in the morning and then give it to her at lunch. That might work. I He hurried quickly to Herbology; he was going to be late.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *
The next morning Harry caught Ginny's arm as she was leaving the Gryffindor table at breakfast. "Hey, Gin, I need to talk with Luna. Do you know where she is?"
"Um, I don't see her right now. But I've got double Charms with Ravenclaw next. Come to Flitwick's room after class and I'll keep her there."
"Thanks, Ginny. I don't want you to be late for class but I need to talk to you later."
"Alright." She exited the Great Hall.
After class, Harry went to Flitwick's room as promised, and waiting right outside were Luna and Ginny.
"Hello."
"Hey." He found himself oddly nervous. "Luna, I was wondering . . .you've been helping me a lot lately, and I know I'm not always the easiest person to get along with. I don't really have the best temper either. But I want to properly thank you, so will you meet me for lunch on the next Hogsmeade day?" Harry wasn't even really sure why he was saying any of this.
"Okay."
"Er, great," said Harry. "I'll see you later. Remember, I want to talk to you, Ginny." He started to go in the opposite direction as he heard two familiar voices approaching. Unfortunately he wasn't fast enough.
Parvati, passing by, asked Lavender, "Did I just hear what I just heard?"
"Harry's going on a date with Looney Lovegood!" giggled Lavender.
Harry's face reddened but Luna didn't notice, though she must have heard. He hadn't meant it as a date! Just a thank you for helping him. Now what had he gotten himself into?
Ginny was doubled over in a fit of silent giggles, she grinned and quickly caught up with Harry.
"You know I didn't mean it like that!" Harry whispered to her.
"I know," she was barely catching her breath; it was just too funny.
"Does Luna know that?"
"I think so. What did you need to talk to me about?"
"Oh. See I wanted to get Luna something for being so great about helping me with all my Occlumency problems. And-"
"You wanted me to help you pick something out."
"Yeah."
"Okay, Harry. I'll be thinking. There's only another week before the next Hogsmeade weekend."
"Alright. Thanks, Gin." He smiled gratefully.
Classes continued to get harder and Hermione had study schedules for them earlier than ever. Ron had protested, "Hermione! It's only November!" Her stony glare was the only answer he received.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *
Harry was certainly grateful to Luna for all her help. He wondered how to make it up to her. He saw her coming out of one of the classrooms and was struck by an idea. II know!I he thought. II'll get her a necklace. Something to replace that tacky Butterbeer cap one she wears. Perfect! But I'm going to have to ask Hermione or Ginny for help in picking one out. But there'd be no time to get to Hogsmeade before the next Hogsmeade day. Maybe he could get Ginny's help with picking something out in the morning and then give it to her at lunch. That might work. I He hurried quickly to Herbology; he was going to be late.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *
The next morning Harry caught Ginny's arm as she was leaving the Gryffindor table at breakfast. "Hey, Gin, I need to talk with Luna. Do you know where she is?"
"Um, I don't see her right now. But I've got double Charms with Ravenclaw next. Come to Flitwick's room after class and I'll keep her there."
"Thanks, Ginny. I don't want you to be late for class but I need to talk to you later."
"Alright." She exited the Great Hall.
After class, Harry went to Flitwick's room as promised, and waiting right outside were Luna and Ginny.
"Hello."
"Hey." He found himself oddly nervous. "Luna, I was wondering . . .you've been helping me a lot lately, and I know I'm not always the easiest person to get along with. I don't really have the best temper either. But I want to properly thank you, so will you meet me for lunch on the next Hogsmeade day?" Harry wasn't even really sure why he was saying any of this.
"Okay."
"Er, great," said Harry. "I'll see you later. Remember, I want to talk to you, Ginny." He started to go in the opposite direction as he heard two familiar voices approaching. Unfortunately he wasn't fast enough.
Parvati, passing by, asked Lavender, "Did I just hear what I just heard?"
"Harry's going on a date with Looney Lovegood!" giggled Lavender.
Harry's face reddened but Luna didn't notice, though she must have heard. He hadn't meant it as a date! Just a thank you for helping him. Now what had he gotten himself into?
Ginny was doubled over in a fit of silent giggles, she grinned and quickly caught up with Harry.
"You know I didn't mean it like that!" Harry whispered to her.
"I know," she was barely catching her breath; it was just too funny.
"Does Luna know that?"
"I think so. What did you need to talk to me about?"
"Oh. See I wanted to get Luna something for being so great about helping me with all my Occlumency problems. And-"
"You wanted me to help you pick something out."
"Yeah."
"Okay, Harry. I'll be thinking. There's only another week before the next Hogsmeade weekend."
"Alright. Thanks, Gin." He smiled gratefully.