Chapter XI: Luna's Dawn

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Luna Lovegood held Harry Potter around her arms for what to have been an eternity to her. She had longed the warmth of his body reassuring her that the world was not as bleak as she had seen but was filled with hope of a new light.

And she was embracing that light, not wanting to let go for she feared she would lose that light forever. But that light held his arms around her.

Emotions warred within her. She should be angry that he left without a word, she should be sad that he left at all. But all other emotions were thrown out of the window for the only emotion within her was the joy she felt for finding him again.

Or was it, he found her?

Never the less, she took a deep breath to inhale his essence and realized he was there. And she could notice something rather prominent about his person as well.

"Harry?" she called him in a soft voice.

"Hm?" he asked as he relished the softness of her body against his.

"When was the last time you took a bath?" immediately, though reluctantly, Harry released her hold and looked sheepish.

"About a week," he said shyly. "I should cast an odor off spell, should I?"

"A bath wouldn't hurt," she smiled at him as she sat on one of the couches. "It's good to see you again."

"What's the matter about my smell?" he asked teasingly.

"You reek," she sighed. "It's like you've bathed in a vat of blood." Then when he saw him turn away, she hit a nail to it.

"You did, didn't you?" she gasped in astonishment. Much to Harry's confusion, she went towards the window and looked at the cloudless sky.

"What are you doing?" he asked rather perturbed.

"Checking to see if the moon is full," she said. "Professor Lupin didn't bit you, did he?" this brought a chuckle from the former boy-who-lived.

"No, you loon. I am not a werewolf and before you should ask, I am not a vampire either. I just came from work."

"Does your work require you to smell like the undead?" she asked with a smile.

"This is nothing, at one time we smelled so bad that our enemies noticed our presence two miles before we saw them." At this, Luna laughed.

"I could imagine it," she smiled. "So, you're the one Liam called the 'Scarred One'," immediately, her face became sullen. She already missed Liam, she never truly knew him but a part of her felt that she was still guiding her. It was like he had a feeling of an older brother to her.

And when the Hunter looked at her, she felt the same feeling she did with Liam.

It was puzzling but comforting.

"Is there something troubling you?" Harry asked as he saw the pensive look on her face. Sighing, Luna steeled herself and walked towards him with a clear mind and remembered her other emotions.

Harry didn't see it coming. Luna slapped him on the face so hard that the Hunter came inside the room scrambling with Hermione by his side. Looking at the occupant's expression, he sighed and held Hermione's hand.

"And I thought you guys needed time alone for something else," Jäger said as he pulled Hermione towards the dormitories.

"Shouldn't you step out for a moment," Harry asked without anger. Apparently, he knew he deserved that slap.

"It'd be more interesting if we went upstairs," he said much to Hermione's confusion. When he whispered in the witch's ear, her face dawned enlightenment and followed him.

Harry then turned to Luna with a sullen look and looked away.

"I'm sorry I left," he said. When he heard a sniffle, he faced her again. "Are you crying?"

"I can't believe you men are so dense," Luna said fighting the tears. "I though we had an understanding that whatever happens we would be there for each other."

"I cannot expose you to my plans then," Harry said as he sat on the couch. "I have done things I'm not proud of and things that are no better than what Voldemort did. It took someone stronger than me to show me that vengeance would eat my soul till I was unsalvageable."

"If the rumors about the Archer were true, I could imagine," Luna sat beside him and leaned against him. "There are people who needed you, Harry. Ron for one."

"Ron's soul is intact but his mind is damaged," Harry wrapped an arm around her and leaned on the couch bringing her with him. They were silent for a while, merely enjoying each other's company.

It was like this when Ginny was alive. Harry was in the middle while the both of them were on each side enjoying the company they had.

Sometimes they would stay that way until the sun has risen.

"Don't leave me again, Harry," Luna pleaded as she sat up and faced him. "I don't think I could take it anymore."

"I'll try," he said as he smiled at her. He forgot how fragile Luna could be concerning their friendship. It was the only thing precious to her and she would do anything to protect it.

"I do not want a try," she glared at him. "I want you to do it." Laughing at her defiance, Harry was about to kiss her cheek when he held a hand on his chest to stop him. Confused, Harry only blinked.

"You still stink," Luna said as she stood and walked towards the dormitories. "We'll continue our discussion later and Harry?" Harry looked at her questioningly waiting for her to continue.

When she did, she gave him the sweetest smile he had seen from her. "I'm glad to see you again." She ran up the stairs leaving Harry to ponder on what had happened.

There was time to ponder later but there was one thing he wanted to do all week. And that was to soak in the prefect's bath.

For she was right, He really did reek.

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Luna smiled as she reached the door to her old dormitory. Never in a thousand years she would imagine to see Harry again. Her heart raced but tried to quell it. Harry was her best friend's fiancé. Even though she was dead, Ginny still lived in her heart. And she would imagine in his too.

But for once Luna wanted to be selfish and keep Harry for himself.

If he would have her.

Sighing, Luna looked at the window to see the sun rise in the horizon. It was a beautiful skyline, one that matched the joy of her soul.

A beautiful Dawn.

A new day.

A new beginning.

And Luna vowed to renew her life her destiny, who happens to be on his way to a much needed bath.

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An: I would wish to thank Pauline for nominating me in the Fanfiction awards. I still couldn't believe it. Anyway, I would also want to thank Fiona Weasly for judging my work. And also to SummerRainForever for letting me know about it.

I'll try to finish this but it won't be easy.

Thanks to those who read this selection. And if you did read it, please review.