For my very first review! Thanks for the review and story prompt!

Older Ron with a crush on Luna.

Zari

Expecto Patronum

The Order of the Phoenix

The room of requirement always has everything that is needed.

A place to practice defense against the dark arts.

A place to hide from Umbridge.

A place to be free from the bloody awful rules that are holding Hogwarts captive.

And... a place that allows me to watch as someone I rarely noticed before blooms from an awkward young girl into a confident young woman.

Even the way she casts her spells has a soft tone that is uttered with the complete expectation that it will be carried out.

The hare patronus darts around her and she watches it with sparkles in her blue eyes and light dancing over her blonde hair.

I remember the first time I met her. I wondered how someone so odd could have been placed in Ravenclaw. Her theories and stories were always painfully farfetched, even for the wizarding world. But... she never actually was proven wrong on anything, so maybe she was just incredibly knowledgeable and the rest of us were just too far behind to see it?

She never needed anyone's approval or acceptance. She has always been comfortable in her own skin. Not arrogant or delusional, but completely at ease with herself.

I admire that in her the most, I think. I've spent my entire life worrying about what others thought of me. It's no different with her. I wonder how she must see me; the poorest wizard in the school, aside from my siblings, and last year I finally started to stand out a little because of Quidditch. I must seem so insecure and pathetic to her. Wait. Did thinking that make me insecure and pathetic?

"You seem troubled, Ron," Luna's tinkling voice breaks past my spiraling thoughts and I feel my stomach twist in embarrassment, because I know I had been staring and she must have caught me.

"No," my voice comes out horse and I have to clear my throat. "I was just thinking your patronus is very fitting." This is the best cover I can supply while trying desperately not to lose myself in her eyes.

She tilts her head to the side, analyzing me, as she did everything. People gossiped about her, saying she was flighty or out of touch. I believe that at first, but now I know she is simply taking in information, analyzing it impartially and drawing her conclusions without the need of anyone's assistance. I feel naked. She's digging into my soul with that stare and I'm horrified to think of what she may discover there.

"You don't have to lie to me," she says kindly. "If you don't want to say what you are thinking, I won't push you to share."

Because she never would. She would never push anyone. That is the beautiful soul that is Luna Lovegood. Everyone was allowed to exist exactly as they were and she held no judgement of any kind.

I rub the back of my neck, nervous and out of lies. Not that lies would help me. She always sees right through them. Not just mine, but everyone's.

I hate that.

Not that she can so easily see through deceptions... but that I am the same as everyone else to her.

If ever there were a time that she should have an opinion... I wish it would be of me.

"I think lies are a fragile thing to protect yourself with," Luna said. My eyes were drawn to her mouth and a swallowed the lump on my throat.

"What do you mean?"

Luna's eyes never left mine. She was always strong in her eye contact and her resolve. "They can unravel so easily. Best to stick to the truth or avoid speaking at all."

I rub my neck again. "What if I..."

"Great job, Luna," Harry praises her as he walks by. I've never wanted to slap my best mate so hard. This was hard enough without his interruption.

"You're a good wizard, Ron," she says to me with her usual soft smile. "I hope the future holds great things for you." And she turns and walks off to speak to Neville.

I hadn't imagined I could ever be jealous of Neville Longbottom, but here it was.

I watched her for a few moments more, taking in her soft beauty. Unconventional, yes, but that only made her more rare.

One day, perhaps I'd get the courage to tell her so.