June 2001

Luna jumped at the knock at her door and immediately glanced at her clock. It was nearly midnight and she had no reason to expect that anyone would call on her. Her heart instantly began to hammer within her chest and she snatched her wands off of the table that sat next to her lounge chair. The knocking sounded again, and the force of the person on the other side of her door rattled her door jamb. Luna pulled her dressing gown tighter around her and readied her wand into a defensive position, just in case. She slowly rose and crossed her sitting room. Another sudden bout of pounding sounded again and Luna jumped violently. Reaching out her hand, she held fast to the knob and pulled her door open, levelling her wand to what she hoped was face level to her unwelcomed guest.

"Reveal yourself," she said, sternly. "I will not hesitate to curse you."

The soft glow of her the fire in the room behind her reflected off of Harry's glasses as he stepped into the room. Harry spared a glance at Luna but remained silent as he pushed past her and collapsed onto her couch. The unmistakeable scent of hard liquor lingered in Harry's wake and Luna sighed, closing the door. She turned around and crossed to her chair, watching Harry with concerned eyes. Her heart hadn't stopped hammering yet.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack, Harry. I enjoy your company but some warning next time-"

Harry groaned loudly and pushed his glasses up to the top of his head. He ran his hands over his face, as if he were exhausted, and looked towards Luna. She was startled by how much more green his eyes looked without the glasses in front of them. Luna knew that he was drunk but his eyes were suprising alert. He seemed... together. Harry replaced his glasses onto his face and pushed himself into a sitting position, and stared at Luna as if he were appraising her. She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Yer eyes're blue," Harry said, leaning towards her. Luna frowned at his slurred speech and leaned back slightly. The scent of fire whiskey clung hard to Harry's words, apparently his choice drink. "And yer hair. It's like... it's like sunflowers." Harry blinked at his own description and then let out a soft laugh, as if he realized how ridiculous he sounded. "I dunno why I never noticed it before."

"My hair has always been this color, and the same for my eyes. But I'm not sure why you're talking about that and I'm not sure why you're here at this time, Harry." Luna ran a self concious hand over her hair, unsure if Harry was mocking her or not. He seemed to be the only person who could shake her rock solid confidence. Harry watched her for a moment longer before glancing at the fire.

"Ginny's gone," Harry said. Luna blinked at Harry, surprised. He and Ginny had been together for several years now, ever since the end of the War, and their relationship seemed solid - permanent. For them to so suddenly break up...? Luna instantly felt guilty as a wave of hope washed over her. If she were honest with herself, she'd admit that she had always harbored a bit of a crush on Harry Potter. But it was the kind of crush that a little girl has on her best friend's older brother. Harry was out of reach - he was out of her league - and Luna knew that. She was thankful for his friendship and never allowed herself to hope for anything more. But now...

"The Chudley Cannons picked her up," Harry said. "I'm the boyfriend of a star." Luna felt the fragile bubble of hope pop and she slumped down into her chair. Of course, she chastised herself.

"Ah, wonderful. Congratulations are in order then," she said quietly. She vaguely wondered how quickly she could shoo Harry home... Typically she looked forward his company but Luna did not think she could stomach listening to how great Ginny was for very long. Luna liked Ginny well enough - she had always been kind and went out of her way to speak with her - but to hear about her many accomplishments and how everyone adored her... It was just too much.

Harry snorted at her comment. "Congratulations, right, thanks. Just what I want. Another reason to be in the public eye, another standard to live up to." Harry's voice dropped to a mumble and Luna had to actively pay attention to hear what he was saying. "Another god damn nail in the coffin of that relationship."

"What do you mean, Harry?"

Harry blinked at her in surprise. "Whut?"

"You mentioned your relationship..."

"Oh, that." He leaned forward and looked at Luna. "It's just... you know," he said. Luna shook her head.

"I really don't."

"I dunno. We don't see each other as is. And now she'll be gone on matches and tours. And here I'll be... The famous Potter, the Chosen One," he spat. "Rotting. Doing nothing."

"You're not rotting, Harry," Luna said, leaning forward. She began to extend her hand towards him but thought better of it.

"No? I feel like I am. My purpose has come and gone and I thought I'd feel peace... but I don't. Luna, I don't feel anything. Just anger and confusion and..." He turned his gaze towards her. "Except..." Luna raised her eyebrows expectantly and Harry's voice dropped back down. "Sometimes I feel... It's just that, when I'm with you... Everything, all of the noise, seems to quiet down."

Luna let out the breath she had been holding and stared at Harry. It was nowhere near an admission of feelings but it was the most genuine Harry had ever been with her. He turned a questioning gaze on her.

"And why is that, Luna? Why is it you who does this to me?"

"Sometimes the most unlikely of relationships can offer you solace in ways you never knew-"

"Is it that unlikely... this friendship that we have?"

Luna shrugged. "I suppose not. We were both sort of outsiders and I think we recognized that in each other. And I like to listen. I don't think that you realize that about me... but I do."

Harry snorted. "And you don't expect anything of me."

"What more would I ask of you?"

"I don't know. To be heroic all of the bloody time and so damn noble, and righteous. And to make something of myself. To get up off've my arse and get a damn job. Be another prodigy Auror or some other shit thing that I really don't want. I just want to be Harry and be left alone."

Luna smiled softly to herself and couldn't help but think that Harry sounded a bit like an overgrown child on a rampage. She couldn't blame him for feeling the way that he did but Harry always seemed so caught up in the throws of some intense emotion that he didn't see his situation for what it actually was. He was just Harry Potter, and for the most part, the world had been leaving him alone and allowing him space away from the spot light. Luna suspected that Harry was fighting the demons inside, rather than attempting to keep the world at bay. Harry happened to look at Luna as she was smiling and his look instantly darkened.

"What? What's funny?" He barked at her and Luna dropped the amused expression from her face.

"It's not funny, Harry. I just don't think you're able to see things very clearly," Luna said. She glanced at him, hoping to catch his eyes but he stared darkly into the fire. "I think that our world does expect you to be heroic and righteous but can you blame them? You've been singled out as, forgive me, our savior and you've done that job." Harry let out a sharp laugh at the mention of the word savior but Luna continued speaking over him. "You will always be held to a standard and perhaps that isn't fair, but that's just your lot in this life. You can rise up to meet the situation or your can wallow in self pity and anger. So far you've risen up time and again, but you're giving up. So, be an Auror or don't be - that's your decision. I'm sure that someone will always have something to say about your decisions but who cares? Honestly, who gives a bloody shit?" Harry's eyebrows shot up at the sound of Luna swearing and he stared at her. "Because, at the end of the day, you do have the Weasleys, and Herimone. And they love you and who cares what anyone else has to say?"

Harry stared at Luna. She couldn't decide if he was angry or simply taking a moment to digest her mini speech. He nodded for a few moments before he slowly stood and made his way to Luna's front door. She jumped up and hurried across the room after him.

"Harry! I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

Harry glanced over his shoulder and offered her a curt nod. "No, you said exactly what I needed to hear. I'm sorry for intruding on you, Luna." Harry opened her door, stepped in to the night and gently pulled the door shut behind him. Luna stared at the close door, horrifed. Never in a hundred years would Luna intentionally try to hurt Harry's feelings and the fact that he had reacted so strongly to her words... Tears began to well in her eyes and she simply stood there.

Her door burst back open and Harry walked to Luna in a few short strides. He slipped an arm around her waist and pull her gently to him, his mouth at her ear.

"You were right. And I have you," he whispered. "And you are what gets me through."

Harry pressed a soft kiss to Luna's cheek and was gone.