There are forget-me-nots by the lake. Luna bends down, picking the clusters of blue from their growing places. They are quite nice, she decides, but what to do with them?

A quick glance across the water gives her her answer. Harry is sitting under the tree, staring off into the distance, and Luna remembers, quite vividly, the girl who once sat next to him.

"He doesn't talk to me anymore--won't even look at me. I know I'm being silly--it's probably just some hero thing, right?--but--it's like he's forgotten about me..."

Luna's mind is made up. She walks over to Harry and taps him on the shoulder with her free hand. "Hello, Harry."

"Oh." He stands up. "Hey, Luna."

"Ginny asked me to give these to you," she says. It isn't quite a true statement, but it isn't really a lie, either, and that's what counts, isn't it?

"...oh." He reaches out slowly and takes the flowers. His hands are shaking slightly.

"They're forget-me-nots," Luna explains. "Magically grown ones. They're supposed to link the giver and reciever together...at least, that's what most people say, although I don't really believe it myself."

"You don't?" he says, grinning. "I'm surprised to hear that...well, I--" he is frowning slightly, now-- "tell her thanks for me, will you?"

"I will, but you should be the one to tell her, you know."

Harry looks stricken. "I--"

"She's very sad right now. She thinks you've forgotten about her."

"...Luna--" She wonders if she should tell him that he'll crush the flowers if he holds them like that. "I have to go in. I--thanks for bringing these to me."

"You're welcome," she says, but there's a hollow feeling in her chest, and something cold and uncomfortable has wormed its way into the center. "Will you talk to her?"

"...I'll think about it."

Her mouth is dry, and it seems to move against her will. "If you won't let Ginny hug you, will you let me?"

"...okay."

He seems surprised by the force with which she holds on. To tell the truth, so is she. But then, she's hugging him for two people...

Isn't she?

He pulls away. "...I should go now," he says.

"I'll see you later, then, Harry," she replies, and even manages a smile. As he walks back up to the castle, she notices he's dropped a flower.

She should give it to Ginny, she thinks. But Luna is a tiny bit selfish, so she keeps it for herself.

FIN

---

EDIT (12/28/06): Fixed up some awkward language/pacing problems.