June 2004
Harry leaned against the end of the bar and allowed his eyes to wander aimlessly across the crowded room. He watched the various conversations unfold between his closest friends and old colleagues, and discovered that he had no interest in anything – or anyone – that tonight had to offer. All Harry wanted was to get back to Luna and ensure that everything was okay between the two of them. The thought of Luna at home by herself and feeling any sort of negativity towards Harry set the anxiety creeping up his neck.
Harry's fingers began to itch for the cool glass of scotch that sat next to him. At least a drink would take the edge off.
"Alright there, Harry?" George Weasley asked as he stepped up to the bar and studied the various liquor bottles that lined the shelves. Harry nodded silently at George and turned his gaze back towards the room. "I guess the charade is over between the two of you then," George said, glancing sideways at Harry. "If not, I'd suggest changing your strategy because you're both shit at acting."
"What'd you mean, George?" Harry asked, raising his glass to his lips. The burn of the liquor was like an old, welcomed friend and Harry savored the feel of it slinking down the back of his throat. George let out a short laugh and Harry peered at him curiously.
"Ah, come out with it, wouldn't you? We're all getting tired of it," George replied and at Harry's silence, he let out a frustrated sigh. "Be straight with me, mate. Gin's had her hands all over Dean the entire night and you're standing here like you'd be anywhere else in the world. We all know that the two of you broke up ages ago so why not just own up to it?"
Harry shrugged. "Apparently it's pretty clear that we're not together anymore so I'm not sure why we're having this conversation."
George stared at Harry incredulously and slammed his hand down on the bar surface. A few of the party goers looked up at the noise, but no one else seemed to notice the interaction. "God damn, Harry. When did you become such an asshole? My family's just picking up the pieces after the War and now it's all fucked to pieces again. You and Ginny broke up. Who gives a damn? Just admit it and we can all move on. But this thing between you and Ron… and now you and Hermione? Are you trying to push everyone away or do you really just not give a shit about what anyone thinks of you anymore? Mum's sick about you but when's the last time you stopped by to see her? Like it or not, you're family and one of her sons so you'd better start acting like it-"
"Yeah, but I'm not one of her sons, George. Listen. I'm bloody thankful for everything that your parents have done for me over the years and I always will be but I am so tired of everyone putting their expectations on me. Ginny and I broke up. You're right – who gives a damn? Everyone knows it so why do I need to spell it out? In case you haven't noticed, your family isn't the only one trying to pick up the pieces after the War. I am too, George but I don't have a bloody family to help me navigate through all this shit. So, yeah. Gin and I broke up. There – I said it. Are you happy? Ron couldn't handle that I wasn't up for fitting into his idea of the perfect family and so he's pissed at me. Ron having a temper tantrum – big surprise there. And Hermione's pissed because I won't take her sanctimonious attitude anymore. I'm working on picking up my own pieces but I won't apologize for the fact that you all don't fit into my picture anymore."
Harry could feel the blood pulsing under his collar and he ached for another shot of scotch. He willed himself to calm down. George stared at Harry, his mouth agape and his cheeks began to flush red. Idly, Harry noticed that George's knuckles were white under his clenched fists.
"You had a family to help you through whatever shit you're going through but I guess we're not good enough for the famous Harry Potter. If we weren't around all of these people, I'd kick the living snot out of you. My family has done nothing but love you unconditionally and this is the thanks we get in return? Go fuck yourself, Potter. I'll be sure to let everyone know not to bother with you anymore."
Harry smirked darkly at George and pushed away from the bar. "No need, George. They're smart – they'll figure it out." Before George could snap out a retort, Harry began making his way through the crowd towards the exit and back to Luna. As Harry reached the cloak check, Ginny appeared by his side.
"Making an early night of it, Harry?" she said, peering up at him. Harry shrugged impatiently as he glanced around for the attendant who was nowhere to be found. He needed to get out of there – fast. "Probably for the best. Ron looks like he's about to explode at the sight of you… and poor Hermione. She obviously trying to ignore you but keeps shooting looks at you when she thinks no one is looking." Ginny turned so that she was facing the party. Harry rapped his fingers anxiously against the doorjamb.
"Doesn't anyone work here?" Harry asked through gritted teeth.
"It was fun though. Wasn't it? Between the two of us, I mean. We haven't ended up how I'd pictured us though but I suppose that's okay." The teenaged cloak assistant finally appeared and Harry thrust his cloak check ticket at him. The boy disappeared once more. "Oh, listen to me. Reminiscing about what's long and dead now. Did you ever end up telling anyone that we broke up? Although, even if you haven't, I think they've all figured it out by now."
The teenager returned and held Harry's cloak out to him. Harry grunted at the kid and quickly threw his cloak around him, turning towards Ginny. "Listen," Harry began, "For what it's worth, I'm sorry for how things ended between us but I think we both knew that it wouldn't have worked. I hope I'm not completely off but I think that you'll be happier away from me. And I don't know if this'll mean anything to you, but I'm happy now. I really am."
Ginny shrugged and smiled sadly at Harry. "I am glad to hear that. I'm just sorry that you couldn't find happiness with me." Ginny sighed softly and looked up at the sound of the opening door. "Oh, wow. Luna looks really pretty tonight."
Harry swore he could feel time slow as he turned towards the direction of the entrance. Sure enough, Luna was stepping across the threshold and pulling her own cloak from her shoulders and Harry knew at once that he would never be able to get this version of Luna out of his mind. Her long blonde hair looked expertly styled and curled, and hung in a long curtain to the mid of her back. Her skin seemed covered in the most subtle of sheens and Harry imagined that the frothy bath soak he had smelled – was it mere hours ago? – still clung to her skin. Luna's face had just the slightest hint of makeup, enough only to make her normally beautiful eyes luminescent.
From the haze of his stupor, Harry heard Ginny remark, "That dress. Damn, Luna." Harry allowed his eyes to travel down the length of Luna's body and his breath hitched as he took in Ginny's meaning.
This must've been the new dress that Luna mentioned early and Harry would have done anything to crawl back in time to be the man fortunate enough to escort her here. Luna's dress was a silky deep blue – a shade that reminded Harry simultaneously of the deepest night sky and the darkest hues of Luna's eyes. The material dipped low in the front and as Luna turned to speak to the man behind her, Harry could see that the dress was all but nonexistent in the back. Almost the entire length of Luna's back was exposed and the material only began again at her low, low back. Harry felt his heart hammering wildly in his chest at the sight of her and the only thought that he could muster was a rhythmic, "She's mine. She's mine. She's mine," that aligned perfectly to the pulse of his blood pounding through his arteries.
"And who's that with her?" Ginny asked, apparently to Harry. "He's pretty cute." Harry's head whipped back to Ginny in utter confusion.
"What? What'd you mean? Who's what?" Harry stammered.
"That guy she's handing her cloak to. Can't keep his eyes off of her but can you blame him? Ralph something. No… wait – Rolf. That's it. Rolf Scamander. The years have been good to him," Ginny observed. Harry turned his head back towards Luna and the horrible reality of the situation began to dawn on him.
True to Ginny's words, a tall, thin man stepped behind Luna and Harry felt sick when he recognized the utter adoration in his eyes as he stared at Luna. Luna smiled sweetly at Rolf as he took her cloak out of her hands and extended his elbow to her. Luna's eyes swept across the party as she slipped her hand into the crook of Rolf's arm and just at that moment, her eyes settled on Harry's. Harry felt the air leave his body as though he'd just taken a punch to the gut and he waited for a reaction – any reaction – from Luna. Confusion at his being here, contrition for being on the arm of another man, anything that would account for what was happening here.
Luna blinked her eyes a few times, watching Harry silently and a second later, turned to say something to Rolf. Rolf, who obediently turned his head down to better hear what she was whispering to him and that was it – Luna did not look Harry's way once more. And all at once, it dawned on Harry. He felt the bile being building in his throat as he watched Luna brush past him as though he was a mere stranger passing by on a busy street. She knew exactly what he had done.