To Flame who said, "i love your luna tho! most of the time she's completely in character, tho i think you slip a little when she's scared," this was actually a bit of a challenge for me. We never ever see Luna scared or nervous except for when they all go to the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix. And even then, Luna shows no signs of fear because the entire time she's doing something, taking action, not panicking. But there's one part where we see her sit down and talk to Harry just after she drags- I think it was Neville?- to safety. There, she's whispering, although no one is there to overhear them. So I decided that when she was nervous, she would whisper. Also, strapped in the chair, she has nothing to do. She can't act. So she must show some signs of nervousness because, although she's Loony, she's still human. Just felt like sharing...

To duj: While Snape could provide examples of Harry's arrogance (though personally I don't think he's very arrogant except in Order), I had him tell Luna the main reason he hated him. James is the reason Snape hates Harry from the very beginning, from the very first moment he mocks him in class. Harry hadn't done anything at that time. Also, I'd call middle-aged from 35-55, though I just looked it up, and Merriam-Webster says 40-60. Meh, I was close.

Author's Notes: I would just like to reiterate that this story is not romantic, a fact you need to keep in mind during this chapter especially. Also, these final two chapters are quite short. I don't know how that happened...

Much time had passed by. Snape was now sitting in his chair again, but he had moved it farther away from Luna, so that the back was against the table. His elbow was on the back of the chair, and he was resting his forehead in his hand, the other arm lying on his lap. Luna was still restrained.

"Are you even trying anymore?" he asked wearily.

"No..." she replied absent-mindedly.

"I suppose you're stalling, then," he said, sitting upright.

"Not really..." she replied. "I'm making a list of things I haven't done that I want to. I've never been to the beach. I've never drunk coffee. I've never talked to someone on a telephone. I think that would be interesting. I never found my mother's potions book- it's supposed to be in our attic somewhere. I've never had a boyfriend. ...I need to clean my room. I need to get someone to feed my owl. I never learned to play an instrument. I never got my ears pierced. I just wear clip-ons. I've never had a best girl friend. I've never written a book. Or a short story. I'd like to do that. ...I forgot to give Lizzie Valentino's spell checking quill back to her. I won't get to give my dad the birthday present I made him. It's a painting of a northern water stiggle. I've always wanted to drive a car... I've never kissed a boy." Throughout her recitation she didn't sound remotely self-pitying, but only slightly mournful. After a short pause, she asked, "Professor, have you ever kissed anyone?"

He had been staring at Luna with his brow furrowed, though not in the same way he had done when he read her mind. His expression did not change when he replied, "What business is it of yours?"

"I don't know. I was only curious." She sat there for a moment, thinking, her brow furrowing to match Snapes. "I was thinking of things that I could do before I have to die," she announced slowly. "I was hoping you would kiss me."

The request was entirely unexpected, and he blinked once in confusion before telling her, "That is highly inappropriate, Miss Lovegood," but with less anger than one might expect.

"I don't really care," she replied simply. "I mean, I am about to die, aren't I?"

Snape watched her for a moment, thinking, then suggested, "I could pierce your ears."

"I don't really care if my ears are pierced if they're going to be cut off," she told him. Snape made a sound like a quiet, bitter laugh. "Please, Professor?" she pleaded, her voice uncharacteristically small.

He considered her for a moment, then rose from his seat, dragged the chair closer to hers, and sat down again. His face was inches from hers, staring at her intently with an unreadable expression, his hands on his knees. She watched him expectantly. A full minute passed during which neither of them moved.

"Professor?" she asked.

He suddenly leaned back, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his middle finger and thumb. "Don't call me that right now," he said firmly.

"What should I call you, then?"

"Call me- Don't call me anything."

"Alright," she replied.

"I'm- allow me to think for a moment."

"Alright."

He resumed his former position of his hands on his knees, the same intent expression on his face, the same expectant one on Luna's. After a moment, he leaned in slowly, but immediately backed away. He did this twice more before reaching into his cloak for his wand.

"I'm just going to-" he said, and waived his wand. The straps loosened around Luna's wrists and her hands were freed.

She rubbed her wrists as he put his wand away and resumed his position. It was odd to see this man in this situation. One could tell that he had nerves of steel, and that the only emotion ever provoked from him was anger- or, it was the only emotion he cared to express. Yet now he was nervous. It could be because she was his former student, or because he was doing something uncharacteristically kind. Probably both. But it was certain that he would not have been doing this had the situation not been so extreme. Luna had sparked a rare compassion in Snape, it was obvious. But, however strong this compassionate motive was, a full minute passed, during which Snape leaned forward and backed away several times until, finally, he managed to give Luna a chaste but lingering kiss, his eyes shut tight, hers closed but more relaxed. His hands remained on his knees, unmoving, but one of hers moved slowly towards his arm, reaching for him. The moment her fingers touched his sleeve, he broke the kiss and stood quickly, folding his arms. Luna was left blinking, her hand raised in midair.

"Thank you," she said, lowering her hand.

"Yes, well-" He began to pace. "Do you think you may still be able to remember something?"

"I don't really think so," she told him.

"Well, try," he said sternly. "If it isn't soon they will send someone to see why there has been such a delay."

"Alright."