Sickles in the Moonlight

A/N: So thanks to multiple suggestions in the way of persuading me to continue this story, I realize there really is more I can do with it. So rather than end it as a one-shot, I've decided to carry it on a little longer. I don't know yet how much further I'll take this story, but it should have another 2-3 chapters at least.

Also, I would like to address a couple concerns I saw in the comments. Thank you for some of your criticisms, I do realize the story is a bit trite, and the characters may be OOC, but I just try my best and if things aren't to your liking, then you don't need to continue reading, but I thank you sincerely for helping me to understand where I can improve. Also, this is my first romance (and story in general), so sorry if you find it kinda sappy. Just heading that one off now before it comes up.

Now, without further ado, I bring you Chapter 2!

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Ch. 2 - Emeralds in the Twilight

Luna's eyes slowly fluttered open. She felt like she'd had the best night of sleep in her life. Slowly becoming more aware of her surroundings, she was suddenly very confused. She felt something wrapped around her back and a large solid… thing in front of her. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she rolled onto her back and lifted herself up onto her elbows. She looked around, noticing the sun had still not yet risen, but had already turned the sky beautiful shades of red and orange.

She found herself in the middle of a small circle of soft grass, surrounded on all sides by snow, and lying right next to… Harry Potter! Immediately, the events of the previous night flooded back to her, and she smiled, gazing down at the boy beside her, still dead to the world.

Luna thought more about what happened last night. She had opened up about everything to this kind Gryffindor, knowing she could trust her new friend… She then remembered what else had taken place before they'd fallen asleep, and her eyes widened as her cheeks pinked slightly. Not just her friend, but her first boyfriend. She smiled happily as she pondered on the kiss they shared under the full moon.

Harry shifted slightly next to her, and she returned her gaze to his face. His eyes flickered open and she was transfixed by his green eyes. They were bright and beautiful, like… like emeralds, twinkling slightly in the soft light as the sun began to rise. He stared back at her, a confused look taking his face, but a second later it was replaced with a look of… joy? Admiration? Probably both.

Luna smiled back softly, still watching his emerald eyes glisten in the light of the rising sun. He had looked so cute while asleep, but now that he was awake, she felt she could get lost in his gaze forever and be perfectly content.

"Mornin'," Harry mumbled, still not fully awake.

"Good morning," Luna replied, leaning down to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. When she pulled back, his lazy smile had been replaced by a wide grin. He clearly remembered the kiss last night too. "It would seem last night we were accosted by Nargles, though I don't believe I mind."

Harry chuckled. "Nargles, hmm? Well, you'll have to tell me about those on the way to the castle. We should head back before anyone notices we weren't in the castle last night," Harry said.

"Certainly," Luna responded, and after helping the groggy boy to his feet and staring a little longer into those deep green eyes, she walked beside him, telling him all about the devious Nargles as they wandered back to the school.

****SitM****

Harry was instantly accosted by his best mate, Ron, the moment he walked through the portrait hole into the Gryffindor common room.

"Harry, mate, where were you? Hermione and I were worried sick about you when you didn't come back from the village yesterday!"

Hermione confirmed this from an armchair by the fire, where she was curled up with a book in hand, though she was no longer paying it any mind as she said, "Yes, Harry! We thought Umbridge might have done something, or…"

"No, nothing like that," Harry interrupted quickly. "I was… well… I, uh, was talking with Luna, and…"

It was Harry's turn to be interrupted as Ron spluttered, "What does Loony have to do with you being gone all night?" He didn't get to say anything more, though, as Harry was now glaring daggers at him.

Harry's fists were clenched and his jaw set as he growled, "Don't. Call. Her. That. AWFUL. Name!"

Ron felt sufficiently cowed, but was also incredibly puzzled at Harry's strong reaction. Hermione, on the other hand, was annoyed with Ron for interjecting before Harry could finish explaining himself. She glared at the red head, then turned back to Harry. "Ignore him, Harry. You said you were talking with Luna?" she asked, trying to bring his focus back to the matter at hand.

Harry took a couple deep, calming breaths and continued. "As I was saying, I was talking with Luna and we kinda lost track of time. I offered to be her friend and… and maybe more, when we, um…" Harry blushed darkly. "We sorta, well, kissed and then fell asleep by the lake" he finished quickly.

His friends were now gaping widely at him, thoroughly astonished, and Harry took this opportunity to duck up the stairs to the boy's dorms so he could shower and change. Half an hour later, he walked back out of Gryffindor Tower, clean and dressed, and headed down to breakfast. Today was Sunday, for which he was grateful. He needed the time today to think about what had happened between Luna and himself in depth, as well as to discuss with her how things would progress from there.

When he walked into the Great Hall, he immediately sought out Luna, who seemed to have the same idea, waving at him from the Ravenclaw table. When he spotted her, he walked over to her and plopped down in the spot to her left, sitting as close as possible even though there was plenty of room since no one ever sat with her.

He looked around the table to see that most of the other students were uninterested in Harry's presence at their table. A few, however, all girls, were openly glaring at him, as if offended that he, the famous Harry Potter, would sit with a weirdo like Luna. He turned to the girl beside him and gave her a questioning look, gesturing to some of these girls, and she nodded, mouthing, "All of them."

Harry's eyes darkened with anger for but a second, then he proceeded to ignore the girls glowering at him and started piling food on his plate. It wasn't until he was about finished with his meal that he felt a somewhat forceful tap on his shoulder. He looked around to see Cho Chang and one of her friends standing behind him, frowning.

"Yes, Cho? Is there something I can do for you?" he asked as calmly as he could manage, already having a good idea of what the answer would be. An answer he was more than ready to challenge.

"Yeah, why you are sitting with this freak?" She sneered at Luna. "We don't understand why you would spend any time with this little waste of space," she finished, turning back to look at the younger Gryffindor. When she did, though, she gasped and took a step back. Harry's usually bright green eyes, had taken a much darker hue, and had filled with what looked like pure magical energy. His lips were curled into a frightening scowl and he glowered menacingly at the pair of older Ravenclaw girls.

Harry stood, so he was face to face with Cho. "Is that what you believe she is? A freak? A waste of space? Well, let me tell you something. In fact," he stated angrily, looking around the hall, before raising his voice for all to here, "Let me tell you all something! Who agrees that Luna Lovegood is a freak or waste of space? Guess what? So am I! That is what I was led to believe of myself for my entire childhood, ever since the night my parents were killed."

Harry had the attention of everyone in the Great Hall now, and muttering could be heard all around them, but Harry was far from finished. "After that Halloween, I was left with my aunt and uncle, both muggles who despise magic. My 'family' tried their hardest to starve and beat the freakishness out of me. My childhood was not good in any respect. I thought my name was either 'Boy' or 'Freak' until I was five, when the muggle primary school teacher told me it was actually Harry. I was worked like a house elf since I was barely old enough to cook and clean. Until my first Hogwarts letter came, my room was the cupboard under the staircase, since I was deemed a waste of space!" Now he turned towards the middle of the Head Table, directing his glare at the headmaster. "And every summer, I have to go back there, because it is apparently the safest place for me because Death Eaters and Voldemort sympathizers want me dead. However, what I really have to watch out for is my bully of a cousin who uses me like a punching bag!"

Harry turned back to Cho and her friend, who were now very frightened by his current state. He continued softly, but no less stormily. "Furthermore, I expected better from you of all people, Cho. You and Luna are similar in that you both have lost someone you loved dearly. I came to know Cedric to be a great guy, and I can't believe that he would have approved of this outright bullying." Cho started crying at the mention of Cedric. Harry would have felt bad in any other situation, but he was putting down a bully, and he knew it was likely the one way she would understand.

Harry took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, calming himself down so he wouldn't explode again. Luna's soft hand on his shoulder helped tremendously. Once he felt he was over the worst of it, he gave a few parting words. "Now, if that is all, my girlfriend and I will go be freaks elsewhere." And he left the Great Hall, with Luna hurrying behind him, her hand clutching his arm.

When they reached a hallway off the Entrance Hall, Luna tugged him into an unused classroom. When the door closed behind them, she pulled Harry into a tight hug. And finally, Harry broke into sobs.

Luna just held him as he cried, just as he had held her the night before. He was distraught that others could be so cruel to his Luna, just because she was different. He felt that he was now responsible to make it all stop. No one was getting away with it again, not if he could help it.

"Thank you for defending my honor, Harry," Luna whispered, as her fingers stroked comfortingly through his hair. "You are quite the gentleman."

Harry looked up into Luna's face and sighed. "I shouldn't have needed to. They know it's wrong, but they don't care, because no one has done anything about it. Until now, of course. It will not continue, I'll make sure of it."

They sat in silence a little longer, until Luna broke it once again a few minutes later. "It was true, all of what you said in there." It was more a statement than a question, but Harry answered anyway.

"Yeah. When I finally got my Hogwarts letter from Hagrid, I was overjoyed. Then when I saw Hogwarts, it was beyond what I expected. It became my home, my favorite place in the world, my escape from a horrible environment…" He continued for hours, relaying all the trouble he'd seen for the past few years at school, and away from it. He talked about the Philosopher's Stone, the bars on his window, Dobby, the Chamber of Secrets fiasco, Marge Dursley, Sirius Black, dementors, the tournament, Voldemort, and the near-kiss that almost cost him his soul. Luna just soaked it all in, interrupting only a few times to ask him to clarify a few points.

By the time he finished with the disciplinary hearing, he felt a lot better. He was so grateful that Luna was coming to understand him enough that he could open up to her. It was simply one more thing that made them so similar, and so compatible.

Harry lifted his head and kissed Luna solidly, trying to express all of his gratitude through the connection of their lips. When he broke away, he met her silvery eyes with his emerald ones. Then he stood, and offered Luna a hand. She took it, and he pulled her up into a warm embrace. Harry knew then that things would be okay.

****SitM****

A/N: So there's another one done. Next chapter will be some vignettes of various points in their time at Hogwarts. I hope to have it up within a week, but it might be wishful thinking. Nevertheless, I hope you are enjoying this story, and continue enjoy it 'til it's all through! Please review!