Chapter 7: A Moment Passes By
Luna disposed all of her clothes, which dropped onto the marble flooring of the bathroom. She stepped into shower and closed the siding door behind her. She turned the crystal knob and felt the cool droplets press against her body. She slowly dripped down letting brown water crash down on the stall floor. Once she finished she stepped out feeling the cold air pierce her body. She shivered and rubbed herself dry with a towel. She opened the bathroom door and walked straight to her closet. She pulled the drawer and pulled out a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt and a pair of knickers. She put on her clothing and ran straight down the stairs to meet up with Ginny.
She walked alone for a few moments, not knowing what to expect. She wondered was sort of dress she chose for her. Luna hoped for the yellow dress with the lime green polka dots. That was her favor. Ginny wore it once at the Halloween party. Some costume. It looked like a beautiful dress being put to waste. Luna thought. She found her feet stopping at the girls' bathroom door by the astronomy tower. This was only used for prefects and heads. But they themselves have never used the bathroom. Luna looked around and pushed on the door. Something grabbed her and dragged her to the sinks.
"Ah! There you are. I've been waiting," Ginny said excitedly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I was early," Luna replied.
"That's quite alright. Here, put this dress on and come out when you're finished changing," she said pushing a long plastic covering that hung on a hanger, to Luna.
"Um..okay," Luna said.
She entered the bathroom cubicle and locked the door behind her. She unveiled the plastic covering to find a short blue silk dress. It's straps were braided and there was a silt on the side.
"GINNY! I CAN'T POSSIBLY WEAR THIS!" exclaimed Luna in fright.
"Do you have it on? Can I see?" Ginny asked interested.
"No, I don't have it on. Nor will I," Luna said. She was now panicking.
"Luna put it on. You'll never know unless you try," Ginny said.
"No," Luna snapped.
"Please," begged Ginny.
"NO!" Luna said.
"Don't make me force you," Ginny said sternly.
"What are you going to do? Hex me?" Luna joked.
"No, I won't but I'll get my wand and zap you into it," Ginny said.
"Great Raven! NO! I'll do it. Fine," Luna said tiredly. Luna lost interest to fight her way out of it.
In the still air of the girls' bathroom, the sound of zipping echoed in the room. Ginny's foot tapped impatiently. The cubicle door unlocked. Ginny gasped. Luna stood in front of Ginny wrapping her arm around herself.
"I feel naked!" Luna exclaimed.
"No! You look lovely," Ginny said. She looked completely shocked.
"Yes right, then why do you stare like that?" asked Luna. She arched her eyebrow.
"You have no idea," Ginny said. "Let's go."
"WAIT...Arghhh!" cried Luna as Ginny grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the bathroom.
The clash of glasses and a ruckus from Three Broomsticks, echoed in the air. Harry stood in the threshold of the doorway, his hand digging deep into his pockets. He stared up at the moon as the beams darted onto the small village of Hogsmede. He took a deep breath. Small puffs blew out into the air. He felt the soft caress of the wind against his brow.
He was soon disturbed by the sudden tap of the doorway.
"Harry, come inside. You're missing the excitement," Hermione suggested.
"What going on here?" asked Ron as his head peeped out behind Hermione.
"Yes, in a moment. I need sometime alone. It's dreadfully exhausting in there," replied Harry. The party scene wasn't really his place of enjoyment.
"If you say so," said Hermione. She and Ron disappeared beyond the doorway. There was a strong breeze that blew hard, and seeping through his clothing. The breeze was followed by a silence. The silence soon entwined with the sound of footsteps tapping onto the cobblestone streets. He continued to look down until a pair of shoes stood in front of him.
"Hello Harry. Fancy seeing you here," she spoke.
Harry looked. Ginny.
"Hello Ginny. I'm sorry about that fall last afternoon," said Harry.
"That's quite alright…"
There was someone else coming. In the moonlight you could see a pale silhouette of a young woman. Her skirt blew softly with the breeze. Her long hair followed along. You could not see properly because she was shadowed by the dark parts of Hogsmede.
"Oy! Luna! Can you walk a bit faster?" asked Ginny.
Luna walked closer and stood by Ginny. She hugged herself tightly and shivered a little bit. Harry stood blankly at her. Was this really Luna? Was this the same girl he saw drench in chocolate pudding this afternoon? In front of him was someone different. The silky fabric hugged her hips and young valleys. Her pale skin glimmered in the moonlight. Was this seriously Luna? His gaze moved into her eyes. She stared back at him. Quickly he looked away. The sincerity. Was still there. Those pools of pale blue somehow made him feel uneasy.
"Ahem… Shall we go inside?" Ginny asked after a moment of silence passed by. Harry forgot she was still there. He moved over to let them pass through, and as Luna passed the threshold she smiled. The corners of his mouth faintly lifted and smiles back.