Thank you to Gemma Remus 'Mc'Gee' Black, jadely31, Hannahzzz, Stella Celeste Taylor, Kristin93, ninjacat5, ShannonLovesTheDoctor and Chloe 'Remuslupin' Black who have all reviewed since the last chapter. Chloe 'Remuslupin' Black asked about how long I plan for this story to be. If it continues in the way I plan it to, this story should come to around thirty chapters, but I cannot be certain.
I have also began writing another George/Luna fic, to sum it up; It starts during the events of Prisoner of Azkaban and George and Luna are in the same year at Hogwarts, Luna is best friends with George and Fred, but both she and George feel more than friendship for each other. I would love it if you guys let me know what you think of the story idea as I am around halfway through writing chapter one and would like to know if it's worth posting. I promise that this story will remain priority, but I'm really keen to start another fic.
Okay lecture over, back to the story... I don't own anything now, but on the 25th December I may be able to say otherwise.
It had been a week since Hogwarts had reopened, and for Luna, things were finally getting easier. Of course, everyday her longing to see George increased; only that morning had she finally not woken up thinking that she was still in the Burrow, but she was coping better with being apart from him than she had been a week earlier.
They had written to each other everyday; Luna was aware that George had finished moving his things into the shop's flat and was now officially living there, but still went to the Burrow for dinner to spend time with his family, and George knew everything about Hogwarts; the new teachers that Luna liked and disliked, how she was coping with work assignments and that Defence Against the Dark Arts was her favourite lesson; as she shared it with both Hermione and Ginny, and it was now being taught in a similar way to how Harry had taught the DA lessons. However, one thing about Hogwarts that Luna had made sure George remained in ignorance of was Rolf Scamander.
In both Potions and Transfiguration; the two lessons Luna had without neither Ginny nor Hermione, Rolf had selected the seat besides Luna on both occasions, despite there being many other seats available due to the smaller number of people and that they had really only talked on the first day. Then during lunch on the second day, Rolf had once again joined Luna and had earned a series of confused and irritated looks from Ginny and Hermione; who Rolf hadn't even introduced himself to yet
The same thing happened the next day, and the next, and a week later it still was occurring (Hermione and Ginny were finally acknowledged by Rolf on the fourth day when he actually introduced himself to them), Luna had even gained an escort to and from the Ravenclaw tower in Rolf; who always seemed to be around when she was making her way out of the common room or when she was heading back to it.
Luna finally found herself Rolf free as she sat in the library, although she still kept on peering around corners just in case he managed to show up; as he always seemed to.
Luna nearly shot out her seat when a hand clamped over her shoulder. ''Sorry, only me''
Luna was relieved when she heard Ginny's voice and relaxed in her chair. Ginny took the seat beside Luna's and turned to her immediately. ''Luna, can I talk to you about something? Or rather, someone''
''Rolf by any chance'' Luna guessed.
''How did you know?''
''Because I keep questioning him myself.'' Luna rested her chin on her hands and gazed at the high shelves of books. ''There is something deeply odd about him.''
Ginny was both surprised and relieved that Luna had noticed the odd behaviour of Rolf. She and Hermione had spent most of the last week discussing Rolf; and none of it had been polite towards him, but both knew that Luna was one of the kindest people on the planet and always saw the best in everyone, and they had assumed that Luna would have overlooked Rolf's clinginess.
''I think that he likes you a lot Luna, and it will probably be a good idea if you tell him you've got a boyfriend.''
''I think so too, maybe if he understands that he's making me uncomfortable he won't be too hurt, and will keep at a distance a bit more.''
''Luna, I think you should be wanting him to keep a distance all of the time. There is something about Rolf that isn't good.''
''He isn't that bad Ginny, he's probably being so close because we both went through similar experiences last year.'' Luna spoke softly, still gazing up at the shelves.
Ginny sighed; she knew Luna's kind personality would finally cause a problem. ''Luna, had he actually told you anything about what apparently happened to him?''
Luna's face suddenly became thoughtful, as she tried to remember. ''Ummm...no he hasn't...but I'm sure it's because it is hard for him to talk about, and not because he was lying.''
Ginny raised her eyebrows and put her head in her hands. ''Luna, you can't be sure of that''
Luna looked at Ginny and understood her frustration; Luna herself had wondered about Rolf many times over the last week.
Ginny raised her head back up suddenly, an 'I know what to do' look in her eyes. ''Tell George''
''What?'' Luna had been thrown completely off by what Ginny had said. ''George doesn't need to know.''
''I don't think George will agree with that'' Ginny gave Luna a stern look, and Luna knew Ginny was right, but that didn't mean she was going to do it.
''So you're suggesting that I write to George telling him that some boy who hangs around with me –''
''stalks you'' Ginny interrupted.
''- is slightly strange and is keeping secrets from me. Ginny I think the Wrackspurts in your brain have taken away you sense of logic.'' Luna still spoke in her usual soft, dreamy voice, but in her eyes Ginny could see that she was deadly serious.
''He asked you to tell him everything, and this is a pretty big something Luna.''
''It will only worry him, and he wouldn't be able to do anything anyway.''
''Hogsmeade visits are this weekend. He's meeting you in the village. If Rolf carries on acting the way he has been, then I'm sure George will have a word with him.'' Ginny said, slightly exasperated with Luna now.
''George wouldn't have a word with him, he would hit him; George runs on his emotions and if he thought that Rolf was even a small threat to me, then he would do anything to stop him. I can't imagine how much he would have hurt Thomas if I wasn't there to stop him.''
''Luna, if a punch in the jaw is what it takes for Rolf to keep his distance then I will happily help George hit him.''
Realising that neither of them were getting anywhere, Luna came up with something to say so that she could leave. ''Alright, I promise I will consider telling George, but I want to wait to see how Rolf is over the next couple of days; I'm going to try my plan and just talk to him, and if it works I'm not going to worry George over nothing.''
''Fine, but if it gets any worse I'll tell him myself.''
Luna almost began to argue, but realised that it would get her nowhere, so she simply nodded at Ginny before standing up from her chair and walking out of the library.
As she entered one of the many school corridors she walked straight into none other than Rolf. ''Sorry I wasn't looking where I was going.''
''It's not your fault'' Rolf said, picking up a book that had fell out of Luna's bag and handing it back to her.
Luna immediately started walking again, the last thing she wanted was for Ginny to leave the library and see her with Rolf. Unfortunately, footsteps followed her; and she knew whose they were.
''Where are you heading?'' He asked, as he kept up the same pace as her.
''Back to the common room'' Luna said reluctantly, knowing that it would just happen to be the same place Rolf was heading too.
''Me too''
''Rolf'' Luna stopped suddenly, knowing that she would have to put her plan into action sooner rather than later. ''I don't want to seem rude, but you're always around and I'm starting to feel slightly uncomfortable''
Rolf's expression suddenly dropped; he looked so shocked and upset that Luna couldn't help but feel guilty. ''I'm so sorry Luna, I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable in anyway, I just really like you''
The way Rolf said 'like' told her that he meant in a way more than friendship.
''That is very flattering Rolf, but I have a boyfriend who I love very much''
''Oh – right, I just assumed you didn't, as I haven't seen you around with anyone.''
''He finished here a couple of years ago'' Luna was relieved to see that Rolf's expression wasn't as pained as it had been a few moments before.
''Ah well there you go'' He gave a nervous laugh. ''I'll keep my distance if that will make you feel better.''
''I still want to be your friend Rolf, so feel free to talk if you ever need me.'' Luna smiled softly at him.
''I'm glad, because I want to be your friend too.'' Rolf smiled back. ''So, can I still sit next to you in Potions and Transfiguration?''
''Of course'' Luna answered honestly. She didn't mind, although she knew that if Ginny (or George) knew they would mind.
Luna began to walk ahead again but stopped when Rolf didn't move. ''I thought you were coming back to the common room''
''Actually I've just remembered something, you go ahead.'' Luna nodded and walked away.
Rolf watched her get further away from him. Despite his words, his plans had not changed; he was still going to get to Luna Lovegood, whether she wanted him to or not.
Next chapter; With the Hogsmeade weekend nearly upon them, Ginny still believes that Luna should tell George about Rolf, but when they are reunited, will Luna tell him? And has Rolf really backed away from Luna, as he said he would?
Okay so hopefully your anti-Rolf protest signs should be waving high in the air by now, and if not, I'm certain they soon will. But please put down your signs long enough to press that review button.