Chapter 4: Delving Into Thoughts
Luna was beginning to be blinded by the flashing neon light of Madame Pomfrey's camera. There was no longer any reason for her to be in the hospital wing. After all, visiting hours were now over.
"Well, I must go now," Luna said as she whirled around on her toes, in a ballerina movement, and began to walk out.
"Hold on there, Luna," Harry called after her. "I'll walk with you; the Gryffindor corridors are close to the Ravenclaw's. Ron, are you coming or not?"
"Yes, in a minute. I want to say goodbye to Hermione," Ron replied.
Luna watched in the corner of her eye as she saw Ron bend down and kiss Hermione on the cheek. The corners of her mouth flickered up. She caught a glimpse at Harry and saw that he wore the same expression as she did.
"All right then, let's be off," Ron said.
The three of them exited the wing and entered the smooth, gray stoned hallway. At this time, the torches were lit up. The glaring flames burned, showing the group of shadows that lay ahead of them as they walked. Everything was quiet until Luna broke the silence.
"I knew you would," she said out of the blue.
"Would what?" asked Ron.
"Love Hermione," she replied dreamily.
"Err…what?" asked Ron stunned.
"I knew you would love her," she repeated again.
Harry's head turned directly towards Luna and Ron. His eyebrows rose up at Ron.
"What in blazes do you mean?" Ron asked completely appalled at this notion.
"Why do you oppose? It's clearly seen that you love Hermione. Otherwise you wouldn't be tremendously worried about her," Luna said factually.
"Yes, but what about Harry? He's worried about her as well," Ron snapped.
"No, that's different, he didn't kiss her on the cheek," she put in smoothly.
Ron's cheeks grew crimson. "I…err…"
"Ronald, don't deny your feelings. It's human. One of these days you're going to wake and see that Hermione is not always going to wait. She's not going to wait for you to speak the words she longs to hear. To hear you say that you love her," Luna said serenely.
Harry's gaze darted onto Luna. She was right and he saw that Ron knew that as well. That's always the thing with Luna. She spoke the unbearable truths that nobody else dared to say. She is like no other.
The rest of the conversation was accompanied by silence once again. They reached the Ravenclaw corridor and dropped Luna off safely.Harry and Ron found themselves back in the Gryffindor Common Room after a few minutes of walking. They climbed the stairway into the boys' dormitories and undressed for bed. Harry plopped himself down onto the soft bed and buried himself underneath the blankets. For a few moments he stared out into the cozy darkness and listened for Ron's snoring. But there wasn't any. Ron was still awake.
"Harry…? Are you still awake?" asked Ron in a hushed voice.
"Yes," Harry replied with a yawn. "What's troubling you? Is it what Luna said?"
"Yes," whispered Ron.
"She's right you know," Harry said quietly.
"I know," Ron said.
"So when do you suppose you'll tell her?" asked Harry.
"Soon. When it's the right timing," Ron replied.
"There were many opportunities for right timing for the past seven years," Harry said.
"I mean it, soon," Ron said with a serious tone. "What about you?"
"What about me?" Harry asked.
"You and Ginny. Whatever happened there?" Ron asked.
"It's gone. There's nothing else for us except awkward silences," Harry replied solemnly.
"Well, did you really expect things to be the same once you defeated Voldemort? You more famous than ever and not to mention that you haven't seen her for half a year. A lot can happen in half a year. Don't expect my sister to wait for you. She's got a life to live and her time shouldn't be postponed for you," Ron replied. He then added, "Nor yours for her. There are many more birds in the sky. You'll find the right one. Ginny wasn't the one for you."
"How are you so sure about that?" asked Harry angrily.
"Because she's the second girl in your life that you ever been out with. You can't just say I love you when you've got a lot ahead of you," Ron replied.
"But how about you and Hermione?" Harry asked with annoyance.
"That's different. I've noticed her since our third year," Ron said. "You only started liking Ginny last year. Tell me, why did you like her last year all of a sudden?"
Harry paused for a moment. Why did he? Ron was right about Hermione since third year but what about him and Ginny. I recalled feeling strongly about her whenI caught Dean Thomas and her snogging in the deserted corridor.
Was it because Harry was missing out on something we never had with Cho before? He never shared that intimacy with Cho. Maybe he longed for someone to love him strongly. He never had someone care for him that way before. He thought Ginny was perfect for the job since she was always there to help him with his needs. But when it came to helping her, he couldn't because she could do it on her own. And they were alike in so many ways. They were both stubborn, independent and brave. No wonder they always fought. Harry began to see his relationship with Ginny in a new light. One he never saw before. Ginny was like him and he couldn't possibly be with someone who is like him. He couldn't be with someone who was there to help him and never help her. He needed someone who was different. Someone that he could learn from. Someone that could learn from him. Fate was now clear in Harry's eyes. Ginny and Harry were never meant to be.