Still don't own Harry.
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Here's the next chapter...
"Moon Sprites?" he asked, hoping slightly he had heard wrong.
Harry's heart was beating out of his chest. Did he hear correctly? Maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe she told him about all this when she first read the article and it had just appeared arbitrarily in his dream.
"Yes. They are somewhat like a common Garden Fairy, except they only come out during the night. Thing is, they love light. When the moon is full and the sky is cloudless is when the night is the brightest. They are hardly ever spotted unless there is a full moon. To attract them, you are supposed to go into your garden and put out as many things that will catch the light as you can. You also place boxes around filled with potpourri. Moon sprites love sweet smells, hence the reason they are attracted to the garden. The idea is they will sit in the box and maybe fall asleep as dawn approaches. Then in the morning, you might be able to get an up-close look at them."
Harry had an idea. "Oh, now that you mention it, I remember you talking about this article. Didn't you tell me all about them when that edition of the Quibbler came out?"
"I don't think so. I've been so busy doing work for my O.W.L.S. that I don't think I thought to tell you. No, I would have to say I definately did not tell you about Moon Sprites. Are you alright, Harry? Something seems to be bothering you."
Harry tried his best to avoid her piercing stare. He pretended to be very interested in the contents of the box and pulled out what appeared to be a broken silver watch. "I'm fine, Luna. Do I just, erm, hang this stuff on the branches of this bush, then?"
"Yes, that would be prefect." She walked up to him and stood about an inch from him. She took his hands in hers and looked deep into his eyes. "Harry, you would tell me if anything was wrong, wouldn't you? You know you can always trust me as a friend and tell me whatever is on your mind, don't you?"
Lying to her was like ripping his own heart out. Luna was much smarter than most people gave her credit for. She was very tuned into people's emotions. There was nothing else he could do, even if she would know he was lying.
"Luna, you are one of my dearest friends. I have counted on you before, and I know I always can. I've always sought you out when I needed to talk. Why would I stop? Now, let's catch some Moon Sprites!"
One look into her eyes told him she was not entirely happy with this answer, but she let it go and started to decorate the bush with Harry.
About an hour and a half later, they took a step back and admired their work. Luna was absolutely glowing. "Now all we have to do is come back in a couple of weeks and see if we have caught any!"
Harry turned to her. "We still have little less than an hour until lunch. Want to walk around for a bit and then head up to the castle?"
"Sure! I wanted to talk to you about something that has been bothering me for a while, Harry. Maybe if I talk to you about it, it won't bother me as much."
"You can tell me anything, Luna. What's been bothering you?"
"Well, we are in the middle of War. I've just been very worried about Daddy. He's a well known man, you know, and has made it quite clear he is against You Know Who. He was even the first to publish that article about you and how You Know Who had come back. I can't help but worry that something terrible will happen to him. Harry, Daddy is my world. He's all I have left. Without him, I don't know what I would do."
Harry was surprised to see tears glistening in Luna's eyes. Luna wasn't one to cry, or so he always thought. He did the only thing he could think of that would make her feel better. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
"Luna, your father will be fine. I just know he will be. Besides, if anything ever happened to him, your friends would take care of you. Me, and Ginny of course. You can count on us, no matter what."
"Oh, Harry. I know I can count on all of you. It's just... you are the only one that ever survived him. Maybe I am being ridiculous. I can't help but fear these times."
"No one could blame you for being frightened. You might not read the Daily Prophet, but I know you hear the reports of the attacks. I don't want you to worry anymore. Focus on something else, don't let those thoughts consume you."
She looked into Harry's eyes. If he could do anything to ensure that her deepest fears would never come true, he would do it in a heartbeat. He loved Luna. Did I just think that? Love... Luna? Well, she is a friend. I do love Hermione, and she's my friend. Why does this feel different then? His thoughts were cut short when he felt Luna's arms around his neck, hugging him to the point he thought his air might be cut off.
"Harry, you are truly the most amazing friend I ever had." And with that, she kissed his cheek. Harry's heart almost stopped. He could not help but feel a bit of electricity pulse in the spot where he felt her kiss linger. Sure, Hermione had kissed him on the cheek before. But he hadn't felt like this. Harry sighed to himself. He was not ready to admit to himself that he was starting to have feelings for Luna. Feelings other than friendship.
She untangled herself from him and smiled. She started walking, one of her hands still grasping his. They walked in silence until they got to the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. Many students were milling about, either entering or exiting the Great Hall.
"Well, Harry, it was a pleasure as always. I'll let you go now so you can have lunch with Ron and Hermione. You didn't get to really see them yet today. I might be going to the library later, so if you have any work maybe I will see you there."
Harry didn't want to leave her just yet. "We could have lunch together. Besides, I kind of took one of my moods out on Hermione this morning. She's most likely told Ron, and I don't feel much like bringing that up again."
"Harry, you should talk to you friends. Don't bottle things up. You might blow up one day. I think I remember this actually happening once. A woman in Scandinavia self-combusted from holding in all of her frustrations. Talk to them. Maybe they won't even bring it up."
Maybe she was right. They walked into the Great Hall. He saw that his friends were already there. With one last look at Luna, he waved and made his way to his table. Hermione and Ron looked as he sat across from them.
"Harry! I figured you'd be back around this time. We just sat down, I convinced Ron to do some of his potions essay with me!"
Harry smiled and fell into conversation with them. Not once did either of them mention that morning, which made Harry feel better. He would apologize to Hermione later, for now he just wanted to enjoy the good mood they were all in. He found his eyes drift several times to the Ravenclaw table, always stopping on a blonde girl reading a book. Every time he caught himself doing this, he looked at his plate and pretended to be very interested in his fork. His thoughts fell back to his dream. He felt unsettled whenever he thought of it. How much of a coincidence could that have been? He wondered if he should tell Ron and Hermione about it.
By the time the three of them left the hall for the Gryffindor common room, he knew he could no longer deny it. He liked Luna. And it was driving him crazy.
