Chapter 6: The shoulders to cry on

Harry's point of view

I was sitting all alone by the lake. It was a quiet afternoon and I needed to get away from people. I had my knees near my chest as my arms were hugging them tight. The water in the lake was calm as well as the breeze. The memory of the fight and its words were echoing in my head. I hated it for that. I felt cold. I stared at mere space for what seemed like forever. Suddenly, a warm hand touched my shoulder. I didn't look up but instead, I looked away. I felt that person sat next to me as her eyes were waiting patiently for mine.

"Something wrong, darling?" She asked me in full concern in her voice.

I let go of my legs and stretched them as they reached the waters of the lake. I was sitting closely at the lake. Then, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me tighter as if she didn't want to let go of me. I unconsciously hugged her back; she had the same share of problems too. I broke down in her arms. She's the only one I've got to turn to. I told her about the fight but I left off the details about her being involved. I also told her about Malfoy being friends with Luna. She only hugged me tighter and rubbed my back to calm down.

"It's okay, things will come around, you'll see. Just let it go for awhile, darling. Things will turn out fine" She softly whispered into my ear as she held me.

It felt warmth and right. She gently rocked and it stayed like that for awhile until I looked up at her. She smiled down at me, like she always did whenever I did something extremely well (except for Quidditch). Then, she kissed my forehead as she let go of the hug.

"It's kind of dark now, why don't we go inside?" She asked me as she stood up and straightened her skirt.

I smiled at her and nodded as I agreed. She held my hand as we walked back towards the castle. We did grab some food from Great Hall and decided to eat it in the Room of Requirement. We settled down in front of the fire place and talked about lots of things, just to take my mind off the fight. Her presence made me feel better. She always said things just right as well as did things that will make me feel comfortable. I guess six years of friendship didn't go to waste since we know each other too well. I couldn't explain how happy I was she was there for me.

"Thanks, Hermione. Thanks for everything" I told her as I placed a kiss on her forehead.

She smiled back at me and gave me a peck on the cheek. I looked at her curiously as a smile was formed in my lips.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"For everything you did...for me" The last bit was soft as a whisper but it was audible.

It was then that I realise that I was fortunately blessed to have a friend like Hermione who see things through and would do anything and everything to help people.

Luna's point of view

I cried silently while I lie there, all alone. I stared into space that felt like eternity. When it had begun to turn dark, I picked myself up and dried off the tears that were on my eyes. I felt wobbly and weak as I was still trembling. I decided to go to the Astronomy Tower to skip dinner tonight, I wasn't that quite hungry at all and food wasn't on my mind.

"I just have to get away, to clear things out... (Sigh)" I heard my voice said in a shaky tone.

As I swung open the door, I didn't notice that someone was watching me, waiting for me. I leaned my back on the door as I breathe heavily. I was panting yet I didn't know why. My lungs had only granted less air for me to breathe. I walked away from the door slowly. I was walking like a ten months old baby, walking slowly as if I had a fear of falling over each time I took a step. I didn't care to look around my surroundings. The fight, yelling and words he said kept on flashing rapidly in my head. The look in his eyes that showed nothing but flames of rage and fury sent me stumbling down on the floor. The way he spoke those words made me feel helpless and upset. The way he shook me kept my body trembling and feeble. I lie on the floor (face down) as tears started to form and fall again.

"Moonlight?" A soft male voice rang in the room.

I didn't know he was there. It didn't cross my mind that he'd be there waiting. I looked up at him as he walked up towards me. He helped me stand up but my knees were too unsteady to carry my weight so I held tight on him for support. He settled me under the window where the moon is viewed fully. He let me lean on him as he enveloped me in a warmth and calming embrace. My face was buried on his neck as our hands were entangled on each other. We sat there first in silence as I sobbed quietly. Soon, he pointed out some faint light in the sky. It was the stars. I turned and stared at them for quite some time. When I calmed down or when I had stopped crying, he looked at me as his hand was on my cheek.

"Now, can you tell me why is my moonlight crying?" He asked softly.

I nodded and buried my face in his neck again as I retold the fight. I told him everything, even the part where Harry was jealous over the fact the he was my friend. He nodded and rubbed my back in circles as I talked. After that, he told me if I wanted to be in the air. I agreed when he explained that we would be flying in our broomsticks and circling the school and the lake. I started off gently as I knew that he was keeping an eye on me. I went on circles then spiral then soaring up towards the sky. I didn't think about how high I was or how scary the view looked from where I was yet he was with me. We started diving down towards the water. As we were getting closer and closer, the wind was hard but it felt warmth. Then, we pulled up just right, hovering over the calm waters of the lake. As we kept on spending our time flying on our broomstick, the night went longer and colder. Soon, we headed towards the castle. I was skipping so was he! It was the first time I saw him skip as a wide bright grin was on his face. I couldn't help but giggle at it. Upon reaching the door of the kitchen, we sneaked out some food and went straight to the Astronomy Tower because we missed dinner. We explored the galaxy, then the stars and planets as well as its moons. He held me close as we watch the illusion of the galaxy in front of us. It was like what we used to do every afternoon. Stars twinkled around as they move slowly on space. I leaned over to him, just right on reaching his ear.

"Thanks for everything, Sunbeam. I'd cherish those memories and keep them safe in my heart" I whispered into his ear.

He looked at me and placed a kiss on my forehead. He also gave me another warm hug.

"Don't worry about it, my moonlight. I'm always here to shine down on you" He replied.

In other people's eyes, it was weird and awkward but they didn't know how it feels to have Draco as a friend. He was not only my friend but merely a brotherly figure to me. I realised that I was lucky because I have him as a friend. He truly cared about me and understands what I truly need. I couldn't be any happier about it.