A/N: Still Ginny's POV and I still own none of this.

This Valentine's Not Inclined

Ch. 2 – The Conversation

Where is that bloody Luna hiding? I've hunted fruitlessly all over the Castle and grounds for her. How hard can it be to find a butterbeer cork obsessed blonde? Obviously, very.

Instead of encountering Luna at Hagrid's, there was Neville. Couldn't have been more awkward.

Hagrid's busying himself brewing tea, leaving a quarry of scones before us. After exchanging pleasantries and some small talk, Neville and I fell into an awkward silence. We generally get along famously. Unlike the two prats, he's generally comfortable around girls, or at least Hermione and me. But he decided to become such a boy about things. I like Neville, sincerely, but in the present circumstances I've no desire to be stroking egos or anything else. Besides, I'd groomed him for Luna – that worked splendidly, didn't it? – but the git fancies her now. So, I'm stuck with Mr Elton (sodding Hermione). 'What is it, Neville?' I hissed, causing him to start. OK, so I was being a bit rude.

There was yearning in his eyes. Sodding buggery. I didn't want to feed him platitudes because... Because I can see myself falling for him now he's gained some confidence, well, more than he had before. 'Ginny, would you go with me the next Hogsmeade weekend?' Better out than in, they say. Lying bastards. I felt myself wince before I could stop it. Instead of looking away, grumbling, or bellowing like some berks I know, he nodded quietly, almost sympathetically. 'Harry, isn't it?'

And that's when Hagrid scalded himself. Well...

'Why does everybody assume I'm still pining for that bloody prat?' ...ah, now Hagrid pours tea on himself rather than in the mug... 'Maybe I just need to concentrate on my studies, hmm? This is my OWL year, you know!' I towered over Neville, glaring down at him, astonished that I'd risen at all.

Unlike Hagrid, Neville's unimpressed. He's spent far too much time around Harry, you see, and has grown accustomed to the odd explosion. Much like we inhabitants of the Burrow when the Twins lived there. Neville was worried, though. 'We could just go as friends.'

Slumping back into the chair, I apologised to him explaining that the coming exams and Hermione's perpetual badgering to swot until my eyes bled was doing my head in. Kindly, he patted my hand. He was clever enough to remove it before I'd taken the gesture as something else.

'Why don't you ask Luna?' the cunning little fiend in my mind prodded.

Unfortunately, Neville shuddered. He might be a kinder Mr Elton, but Luna's still Harriet. 'She frightens me,' he murmurs to the scones. Hagrid seemed preoccupied with cleaning his stove just loudly enough to conceal his eavesdropping. 'She's so... er, dotty.'

'Mr Potty likes 'em dotty.' I still can't believe I said that.

Noticing the colour coming to my cheeks, he was quick to add, 'Not that she isn't a nice girl...'

Where is that bloody tea?

Caught with nothing else to preoccupy my wits, I toyed with the notion of breaking my teeth on Hagrid's baked goods. As I was about to commit denticide, Neville broke the silence.

'So?'

What the hell. 'Sounds fine, Neville.' I smiled at him broadly and honestly and clasped his hand. Only briefly, lest he get any mistaken notions. If he tries anything between now and that sodding weekend, Mr Longbottom will be short-lived. Poor loyal Neville.

After which came two wasted hours searching for Miss Lovegood. Then Hermione's endlessly repeated admonitions about the OWLs seeped into my consciousness. Grabbing my books and avoiding the looks of the lads for a second time, I scarpered to the library. In any case, there was always dinner...

But there Luna was, butterbeer cork necklace and all, peering at her textbook on Transfiguration scribbling down additional notes with a rook's feather.

'Oh, hello, Ginny,' she smiles sweetly. 'Looking for Harry? He was just here.'

Remember you're in a library and that you have questions. Grinning politely to hide my irritation and to stop from rolling my eyes, I convince her to take a short break with me in the Room of Requirement.

'It's a pity Nargles breed before Valentine's day,' Luna laments. What the bugger are Nargles?

'Er, what?'

'Nargles, Ginny,' she explains with exasperation. 'You know, nature's aphrodisiacs.'

Perfect. Just what Hogwarts needs, organic lust enhancers among the hormonally befuddled. 'Yeah, how unfortunate we are.'

She giggles. That's why I like Luna. She never takes my sarcasm too seriously, unlike some people. Cough Hermione cough. 'I'm sure there is someone you would like to test them on,' Luna chuckles daintily.

And that's what annoys me about her. She divines things. Often by accident, but she's too clever by half as well. I can't hate her for her talent, either, because she has a certain elegant – what's that term Hermione used? – je ne sais quoi about her. 'But he's taken, isn't he?' Meaning Dean.

'Perhaps.' Now that's just bloody infuriating.

Girning puzzlement, I prod her for her insights. 'What d'you mean?'

'You shouldn't look so frustrated,' she chides. 'What's that silly cliché? Good things come to those that wait.'

What a load of bollocks. 'What about, Fortune favours the brave?'

'That must be a Gryffindor one,' she concludes.

My impatience gets the better of me, causing me to blurt, 'Listen, Luna, about...'

And then, of all bloody people, that festering canker on the arse of wizarding society shows himself.

'Weaselette, I hear you're going with Longbottom of all people,' Malfoy sneers. 'I guess those without must stick together.' The git grins confidently, believing that I'm as unable to deliver a come back as the two berks.

'Piss off, you fatuous little wanker,' I growl drawing my wand, 'or else those bats will emerge from somewhere else.' Looking at where my wand is pointing and knowing I'm more than willing to risk detention, he hikes up his robes and flees.

Still, I'm surprised he discovered that bit of gossip so quickly, but Luna more so... 'Ginny, I thought you were a friend,' she murmurs with a tear trailing down her cheek, leaving me alone and speechless.

Feck.

Next chapter: Moon and Sun

A/N2: Apologies for the delay and the angst-ridden chapter. I'll aim for more humour in the coming ones.

To Vanessa-Black and Zabini, thank you very much for your kind review. I've no idea how long this story will be, only how it will end. (And chocolate is a very good bribe. :) )