Disclaimer: Nothing related to the HP universe belongs to me. Surprise!

A/N: Ooookay. I know I promised to update soon, and many of you probably have given up on this story (and me). I am sorry. My lack of update is explained in the e-mail and on my website. Go and take a look if you care so much, and after that you can hit me with an asparagus. Anyway, from now on I will update again. Stay tuned and thank you for your understanding and your patience.

hinkypunk2: Thanks. I do try to keep Luna and Ron in character. It's very encouraging to know that some of you think so!

Plum Blossoms: Hope you enjoy this chapter too, and I am having fun here in Hawaii! I love it here!

SnidgetAndCo: Ah, sorry for the Hermione/Snape bit. I have always been a SS/HG shipper, and since I need to get Hermione out of the way in this fic...-shrugs-

kassey182: Yep, Hermione is meant to be with Severus, and Ron is stuck with Luna in this fic.

Mayumi: Sorry for taking even longer to update this time. I promise that won't happen again. SS/HG is my favorite ship, I really can't resist to throw a bit of it into this story, hehe. -sheepish grin-

Cycla: Thanks!

Vulcaine7: Sorry for the wait, but I have not planned to, and will never abandon this story, so no worries! -winks-

Mellypea: Thanks, and sorry for the wait!

Yav aka Shibs: Wow, you are good! But I am not answering that, you will just have to wait and see...

Blood-Covered-Ivory: It took me half a year to update this time, sorry! I am glad you like the story and the plot!

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Fifth Entry:

I did not tell him what I saw.

It is not a big deal, really. I don't care if Hermione is shagging the ugly bat three times a day.

Who am I kidding?

I am a coward. I can't bear to be the one to break to him the news. Your girlfriend is cheating behind your back? Geez, I can think of better topics to talk about. Besides, our session today was nothing less than awkward without my help.

"Luna?"

I snapped around to the voice. Ron was standing behind me, his hair messy from the wind. How long had he been here?

"Are you alright?"

I turned to face him properly. Not trusting my voice yet, I nodded.

"You seem to be out of breath," he commented and sat down in his usual armchair.

"I am, uh-" I cleared my throat. "Practicing yoga."

"Yoga," he repeated skeptically, but did not ask again. I let out a furtive sigh of relief.

"So, how is your week?" I chirped, deciding not to wander on dangerous grounds.

He narrowed his eyes further. I fidgeted under his scrutiny. Had I spread it on too thick? Was my voice too cheerful?

"Fine," he said finally, leaning back in his chair. I released my breath. It was not as easy as it seemed, to lie to him.

But I am not lying, I reasoned with myself. I am just-

Not telling him the truth, inserted my inner voice nastily.

"Luna!"

He called, and I had the feeling that he had been doing so for sometime. I looked at him sheepishly.

He frowned. "You are distracted today."

"More so than usual, you mean?"

"Yes," he said, not sounding amused. "Are there something on your mind?"

"No," I denied a little too quickly. Sitting straighter on my bed, I gave him my most innocent look.

"Someone?"

"No!"

"A particular gentleman, by the name of... Keyes?"

"Ron!"

He laughed that mesmerizing laugh of his. I sat there, momentarily lost in his mirthful face. The late afternoon sun shone through the window behind me, stretching a beautiful orange square of light on the wooden floor and on him.

"Is he your boyfriend?" He asked, a grin still on his lips.

"He is not, nor will he ever be," I replied as nonchalantly as I could manage. Truth was, an indignation was building slowing inside. A rare thing, to say the least.

"He seems to be a capable, handsome fellow," he commented. I got off my bed and strode over to the window. The sun was setting behind the lonely mountain ranges, painting the sky a magnificent mixture of pink, orange and purple. How serene the view seemed, I thought, nothing like what I was feeling. He was so eager to find me a partner.

Jolly, Loony Luna finally got herself some attention! Let's seize the chance- who knows? It might very well not happen again!

"You can tell me if you are dating. After all, you are seventeen and of age," he continued.

"Don't try to sound like my father!" I swirled and snarled in anger.

"Luna?" He sounded startled.

I was sorry almost immediately. He, being Ronald Weasley, did not have a clue about affair of this kind. He was just saying what he thought was good for me.

Oh, and how you loathe his charity!

I ignored the mocking voice and relaxed my clenched fists. Knowing very well that all he could see was my silhouette, I laced all my emotions on my face. The love, the desire, the devastation, the weariness, the rage, the burning jealousy. I unleashed them, surprising even myself with the many feelings that were stored within.

"I don't think I will date just yet," I said, softly but coldly. "There is no love inside me, after all."

He started scribbling in his damn notebook. Even at this time, I was no more to him than a few notes on a page.

"And I don't understand it. Love, I mean."

He muttered something under his breath, and I couldn't catch what he said.

"Sorry?"

"Never mind," he replied, looking up from his notebook, his composure back in place. Smiling indulgently, he gestured the bed. "I am sorry for what I said. Forgive me and come sit down."

I pouted, hating his smile and his patience. He made me felt like a spoiled child.

"Let's b-

----------

Okay. That hasn't just happened.

Merlin, why is my life such a big pile of mess?

Somehow, the word 'awkward' just couldn't quite describe the scenario here a few moments ago.

Why me? Why me?

I wish I can say that I don't care and forget all about it and get a good night's sleep. However, either all that 'therapy' has somehow succeeded at knocking something into me, or that this is too big a thing to not care about, I just can't take it out of my mind.

Half an hour ago, I was on this very same bed, writing in this very same journal, minding my own business quietly and not disturbing anyone. I could write in content and maybe study a bit in peace, but no, someone had to come and bother me.

"Enter," I shouted at the door, irritated. But the knocking did not cease. Grumbling, I slipped off my bed and walked over to the door.

"Hi," Keyes beamed at me as I yanked the heavy door open. I scowled.

"What are you-"

Too late. He was already in the room. I slammed the door and walked to the center of the room, where he was looking around curiously.

"Bigger than the boys' rooms, I see."

"How did you come up here?" I demanded, not in the mood to be sociable.

"I charmed the mat in front of the fireplace to fly me up here, of course," he replied giddily, sitting down on my bed. "I am quite- how does one put it- well-versed with Charms, you see."

I did not doubt his capability in Charms. What I doubted was his intention. Sighing heavily, I plopped myself next to him. "You are not supposed to be in here. We are going to get into trouble."

He seemed to delight at the idea. "Your roommates won't be back until curfew. It's Saturday."

"What do you want, Keyes?"

"Your Astronomy essay..."

"You don't even take Astronomy," I interrupted.

If at all possible, his grin widened at this. "Oh. So you know."

"I don't care about what you are taking," I said, sighing for the second time. Impossible creatures boys could be sometimes. "Just get what you want and be gone."

"I want you, Luna," he whispered. I sat back in alarm. Keyes threw back his head and laughed.

"I was just kidding!" He managed through his fits of laughter.

Then, looking serious again (if he had ever been serious, that was), he cast his gaze on me. "I don't want you that way, not any more. Besides," he paused. "You like him, don't you?"

I did not ask him who did he mean.

"I want your trust," he continued, covering my hand with his own. "I want you as a friend."

A friend?

I have friends. I have Ginny and Ron and Hermione and Harry and Neville and many others.

But a complete outsider? Someone who doesn't know the madness I am living in?

It was a tempting idea.

I leaned in closer, staring into the his pupils, the deepest of his soul, for any deceit. He opened wide and looked back at me calmly-

Bam!

Both of us jumped. The first thought that flew through my mind was that he was to be caught, but as I turned, I saw that it was much worse than that.

For the first time of his life, Ron had entered my room without knocking.

"Did I interrupt something?" He said snidely, not a tone he used very often.

I shook my head and withdrew my hand hastily. Keyes glanced at me, then at Ron, who was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

"Good evening, Mr. Weasley," Keyes greeted formally with a glint in his eye. I glared at him. What did the dim-witted troll think he was doing?

"I left my notebook," explained Ron, not acknowledging Keyes. With three long steps he glided over to the table and snatched up the notebook. I watched as he walked across the room and felt my palms sweated.

"Luna," he said as he reached the door and turned back. "I can't come next week."

I opened my mouth to say something, but he was already gone.

"Good day to you too, Mr. Weasley!" Keyes yelled after him. I turned back to Keyes, my mind and my face blank. All was happening too fast. My brain struggled to make sense of it all. Had I just imagined it?

"Well," I said eventually. "He shouldn't have been so rude to you. I am sorry."

"You are being silly," he replied kindly. He did not seem to be much troubled by Ron's demeanor, unlike me. This was so confusing. It was most peculiar of Ron to act like that, almost hostile... but I thought he rather liked Keyes, from what he said earlier...?

"He is not usually like this," I explained, straining to find a satisfactory explanation for myself. "I mean-"

He held up a hand and quieted me. "It is all very fascinating, I am sure, but this is really not the time to talk."

I looked at him, bemused. He winked and hurried out of the room without another word.

Five minutes later, Professor McGonagall rushed into my room- she was not even the Head of my house- to find me writing in this journal. This is getting stranger and stranger.

Apparently, there is more in Keyes than that meets the eye. It will be an agreeable experience to befriend him, I suppose.

More curious is this: Ron told McGonagall of Keyes being in my room. But why?

----------

I do not appreciate being confused, not one bit. I have been thinking a lot since Saturday, but the more I try to understand what is going on, the more puzzling it seems. I have tried to busy myself with schoolwork, or to convince myself that I don't care, but I simply couldn't put it down, like everything that had to do with a certain red-head.

"Argh," I mumbled exasperatedly. To me, emotions are tiring and absolutely unnecessary. Men can live without them, so why does the Power-Up-There embed them in us? Just to mess with our lives?

"Wow," Keyes blew a loud whistle. "You really can clear that face of yours."

"Shut up," I replied idly. Over the week we had become some kind of friends. He was an interesting fellow, fully possessing the intelligence that makes one a Ravenclaw, albeit quite a noisy one. I confided in him some of my secrets, and it felt good to have someone with a fresh perspective to talk to. Meanwhile we were taking a walk around the castle. Stupid, I know, but he practically dragged me out of the Tower, lecturing about exercise and my health.

"I thought you can't be irritated," he said.

I glared at him. He smiled innocently. Ignoring him, I quickened my pace. The corridor was deserted, and light spilled in from the arch-windows. With longer legs and the inherent advantage of being a male, he caught up with ease. Our footsteps on the stone echoed in the hallway.

"Are you angry with me?"

"Why would I be?"

"Because of... Weasley?"

I sighed. "Of course not. Don't be ridiculous."

"Then why are you angry?"

"I am not."

"You are."

"Am not."

"Are too."

This game, despite its popularity, got old really fast. I threw my hand into the air, and cried,

"I am not angry! I am just worried."

"You are angry now," he grinned, thoroughly pleased with himself. "And worry about what?"

"About having a pest for a friend," I grumbled darkly.

"About Weasley, right?"

"Contrary to what you think, Keyes, not all my problems stem from him."

"Then what are you worried about?"

"Okay, so I am worried about him," I admitted and shot him an acid glower. He sniggered. "He was acting strange."

"And you reckon...?" He asked as we took a turn and walked across the meadow.

"That perhaps he found out about Hermione and Snape," I confirmed. Keyes grimaced.

"Isn't that a good thing, though? Now he will notice you as the pretty girl you are."

"No," I shook my head, causing my very long hair to flutter wildly in the wind. "No matter what, he-"

"Luna!"

We looked up and there by the lake sat Ginny and Neville. She waved at us. I could see her smile from afar.

"This place is taken!" She shouted. "Go kiss somewhere else!"

Before I could respond, Keyes had shouted back, "We are just friends!"

"What?" The look on Ginny was one of bemusement. "But Ron said-"

"We Are JUST Friends!" As if to prove his point, Keyes shove me playfully. I scowled at him and kicked him swiftly in the shin. He yelped in pain. It must have been a pretty loud yelp, because Ginny started giggling. I bid the lovebirds farewell and pulled Keyes out of there.

Once out of their sight, Keyes complained, "is that what an emotionless freak would do?"

"Oh, shut your mouth, dolt."

"Loony."

"Prattle Kettle."

"Wuss."

"Brat."

"Liar."

I glared. Liar? Where did that come from?

"Well, it is completely clear by now that you lied to me," he said, folding his arms.

"What are you talking about?"

"Obviously, you have plenty of feelings inside," said he, in a tone that said 'I am making perfect sense and you are stupid for not getting it'.

"What are you talking about?" I repeated, feeling more than a little annoyed.

"You have not lost your emotions, as you so readily believe," he poked my head. "I think they are all in here. You have not lost them rather than... lost contact with them."

"And how would you know, Mr. Mental-Healer-Wanna-Be?" I sneered, slapping away his hand.

He merely chuckled and escorted me back to my room.

Does he know something that I don't?

This is all getting more and more confounding.

----------

Did that just happened? Was it one of my wishful fantasies running lose? Oh, please tell me it was not an imagination. Alpha and Omega, Merlin in his favorite robes, please let it be true!

"Stop giggling already," Keyes is saying next to me. We are in the Common Room now, next to the homey fire and having the table all to ourselves. At the far corner, a couple of third-years are engaging in a most silly game of Exploding Snap. I have-

A certain moron with the face of a Flobberworm is trying to read my diary. I hope he will get the clue and bug off.

Good. He does.

"Who's reading your stinky diary?" He is muttering under his breath.

"Who is, I wonder?" Am trying not to laugh. This is so amusing.

He glares at me, then turns back to his DADA essay. "You're too cheerful," he is saying sulkily.

"You are jealous."

"You don't know what you've gotten yourself into."

Hmmm. Pondering that sentence, I reckon there is a sort of sense in that... I try hard to recall what happened this afternoon. Ron had appeared out of nowhere today. It was a shock, to say the least.

"Ron!" I exclaimed when he came out from behind one of those huge pillars flanking the corridor to the grounds. It was another one of those 'afternoon strolls' with Keyes, and we skidded to a stop as Ron appeared, as did our conversation.

He was looking a bit ruffled, as if he had come in a great hurry. His hair was swept back and sticking out, and his sleeves were rolled up. There was a broom in his left hand. Not the usual one he used, I recognized, the one he got when he graduated.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Ron nodded in Keyes' direction, and extended his hand. Keyes took it.

"Will you care to tell me, what are you doing here on a weekday?" I demanded, more than a little frustrated at their apparent lack of ability to comprehend the situation.

"I come here to look for you, of course," he said, shrugging as if it was the most natural thing to do to desert his training.

"You should be at the ATC!" I shrilled. The Auror Training Center was not known for its leniency when it came to treating undisciplined Aurors-in-training.

"Relax," he said, holding up his broom. "I am assigned to deliver a confidential message to someone in Hogsmeade, too important a message to be trusted to the owls or the Floo. I just thought I might drop by en route. Aren't you happy to see me?" He feigned a hurt look.

I was relieved to see the smile on his lips. The old Ron was back. This was the Ron I knew, not the one with a stony face. It seemed so long ago, and I wondered whether I had truly met that side of him.

"Cut it off," I said, feeling my emotions going away, as they often did when talking with him. I felt Keyes' gaze on my face. "You should really get going."

"Well, I just thought," Ron scratched his head. "If you, ah... would want to, I mean, let's go to Hogsmeade tomorrow."

"I thought you said the session tomorrow's cancelled."

"It is not a session," he replied uneasily. "It is-"

"A date," offered Keyes, very helpfully.

"Ah," said Ron, even more uncomfortable. "So... Luna?"

"Okay," I said, scowling at Keyes. Ron mounted his broom, and-

Read another sentence and I will hex you to the next dimension, Jonathon Keyes.

"What?" He is turning back to his parchment hastily, and- hahaha, he has just knocked his inkbottle over and now there is ink all over his essay. Serves you right, nosy git! I am not bothering to hide my cackles.

"Har har," he grumbles, waving his wand and cleaning up the table, but there is little he can do to the essay. He will have to write it again.

"That's for poking your nose into my journal," I smirk.

"Well, sorry for caring!"

"You worry too much, Keyes," about things that should not have been of your concern.

"Don't come running in tears when he hurts you," he says, putting down his quill. "Have you really thought about it, Luna? What is his purpose of asking you out so suddenly? Surely not that he has found a sudden undying love for you?"

I can feel the heat rushing onto my cheeks. Damn Keyes...

"Maybe he just wants you to help him choose a gift for Hermione," he suggests. "Christmas is coming, you know."

I open my mouth, then close it again. What he has said, again, made annoyingly good sense. Knowing Ron, that can very well be his intention. He has asked for my advice on their date before, hasn't he?

Merlin's prized pickle jar, I find myself thinking in horror as the initial mirth wears off, thanks to Keyes, what am I going to do tomorrow?

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A/N: Yeepee! -cartwheels across the room- You'll get an update next time! Got it? Update, a date? -looks around- Ok, not funny. -sulks-

I like how this chapter goes, and I hope Jonathan is not becoming a sort of Gary-Sue. I hate to insert OC into my stories, but the plot demands one here. Anyway, REVIEW and make me one happy author. Anonymous reviewers, leave your email so I can add you on the update list. Mahalo!