That night while everyone else was asleep, Ron walked out to the grounds. He was still not on a tight sleeping schedule and tended to get insomnia horribly each night. He walked over to his usual tree and slid onto the grass, leaning against the trunk, and stared into the dark lake.
"Thank you for the card," a familiar voice said.
Ron looked up.
"Hi, Luna," he said with a smile, "And you're welcome."
"No one would ever be that nice to me."
Ron shifted uncomfortably. Then patted the grass, saying,
"Pull up a seat."
Luna sat down side-saddle next to Ron and looked up at the sky. She sighed and said,
"Aren't the stars wonderful?"
Ron looked at her, then up at the stars.
"Yeah," he said quietly, "Yeah, they are, aren't they?"
"Mmm hmm."
Ron glanced over at Luna and felt his stomach do a back flip. He thought it may be because he was hungry because he hadn't eaten dinner…but then he felt a sudden happy feeling come after the back flip.
"Hey, erm, Luna?" he asked, trying to get her better attention.
She looked down at him. Ron could hear his heart thumping and the blood pumping in his ears. He quickly looked away from her and mumbled,
"Nothing."
Luna smiled and said,
"Alright."
Then Ron leaned over and captured her lips in a breathtaking kiss. Although it was breathtaking…it was short. Ron opened his eyes slowly as he pulled away…he still wasn't quite sure what was going on. He thought he had a thing for Hermione…and here he was kissing Luna!
Ron suddenly became very confused. Quickly he got to his feet.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly, "Really…I don't know why I did that…I have to go, Luna."
He turned and began walking slowly back to the castle.
Ron lay in bed that night awake. Feeling very, very confused.
He couldn't like another girl. He just couldn't. He always had a thing for Hermione! And he was upset that Harry and Hermione were dating, wasn't he?
Ron sighed and covered his head with his blanket. He fell asleep minutes later and awoke three hours after that by Harry.
"Ron, are you gonna come to breakfast?"
"Don' wanna," Ron mumbled.
"Too bad." This wasn't Harry's voice, it was Hermione's.
She tore back the covers off Ron, who muttered swear words under his breath.
"Did you sleep in your clothes?" Hermione asked sharply.
"Yes I did," Ron snapped, turning over onto his back and covering his face with his pillow.
"Oh no you don't!" snapped Hermione, "You get up, wash up, and come down to the Great hall for breakfast."
"Why should I?" Ron asked.
"Don't make me hex you," snarled Hermione, "You're going to go downstairs and eat something so you won't be too sick to play."
Ron sat up.
"What?" he stammered.
Harry dug through Ron's trunk and tossed Ron's quidditch uniform and broom onto his best friends bed.
"Hurry up, you great lump," he said.
"Why are you letting me play now?" Ron asked.
"Because you've been a good little boy and have been eating and sleeping," Harry replied, "Now hurry up!"
Ron grinned and said,
"Thanks, Harry!"
"Just change, and quickly!" Hermione said, "You have only an hour to change, eat, and get down to the pitch."
"Right," Ron said, standing up.
He went into the bathroom and changed into his quidditch uniform. All the thoughts of last night had been swept out of his head by his joy of Harry letting him play this game. Ron then burst out of the bathroom after splashing cold water on shi face to wake him up some more and they all headed down to the Great Hall.
Ron ate some breakfast, still unable to eat a full meal, and then Hermione kissed Harry good luck, and even kissed Ron on the cheek quickly, which didn't bother Harry at the least.
"Good luck!" she called after them.
Ron and Harry went into the locker rooms where Harry gave his pro-game speech and then they filed out onto the field and came face to face with the Slytherin team. Ron glanced over at Harry, who nodded at him, then stepped forward and shook the captain (Draco's) hand.
They flew into the stormy sky and took their positions.
Ron was completely focused until he heard Luna's voice commentating the game. Flashbacks of last night began playing in his head….
But I like Hermione, Ron thought suddenly, I like Hermione…I like Hermione…but why did I kiss Luna? Maybe I like her…but why am I so upset about Harry and Hermione…no…wait. I'm not anymore! Maybe I am. I didn't feel anything when Hermione kissed me a while ago. Maybe I do like Luna! But I always liked Hermione…oh no.
He suddenly felt very dizzy. He could feel his hands loosening their grip on his broom…the players in the game became very blurred…he blinked…then he began falling…falling….
I know I'm being slwo about the whole Ron/Luna thing. But give it time!
