A/N: Thanks so much for all the positive feedback. This story has been doing pretty well and it was a pleasure to write ) I have finished this story and it's thirteen chapters long in total.
There's going to be a bit more trouble for the couples (;
With that said, here's the next chapter. Enjoy, & don't forget to review !!
"I'm sorry, Luna, but…"
"No, don't worry about it."
Ron looked back at Luna, and realized that a hurtful look was on her face. Ron couldn't help but feel guilty. Could he ever do anything right? "Luna, I just feel like I've cheated on Hermione… you understand, don't you?" Ron gave her a hopeful look.
Luna's eyes widened slightly, and she looked highly embarrassed. She turned around and started walking quickly towards the stairs. Ron bit his lip, and then followed her.
"Luna!"
Luna continued to walk away, not looking back. Ron yelled again.
"Luna… wait!"
"What, Ronald?" Luna had turned around. Her cheeks were bright pink, and tears were in her eyes.
"I can't believe I made you cry," Ron muttered.
"I'm not crying," Luna answered harshly. She blinked furiously, and looked Ron straight in the eye. "I'm just extremely embarrassed."
Ron sighed. "It's not like I don't like you, Luna, because believe me, I really do. You have been there for me when nobody else was. It's just… I'm not fully over Hermione, yet."
"No." Luna shook her head. "I'm really sorry. The kiss was way out of line. I think it's best that we just remain friends. I don't want to jeopardize our friendship because of feelings I have that you obviously don't share."
Ron opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it. He shrugged, not knowing exactly what he wanted. "I…I guess. Okay."
"So, we're friends."
They both stared at each other, and Ron felt his heart sink slightly for some odd reason. Somehow, being friends with Luna didn't seem to satisfy him.
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"It's just something about the way he kisses me…" Ginny sighed dreamily. "I mean, I can't even figure out why Draco likes me, but who really cares, right? At least I know he likes me. Oh, Luna, he's the best. Really, he is."
Luna smiled slightly and nodded, pretending to be interested in what Ginny had to say. It wasn't as if Luna was bored by Ginny, she just had other things on her mind… such as one redhead that happened to be related to Ginny.
"Sorry I keep going on and on about Draco, he's just…"
"Amazing," Luna finished for Ginny. Ginny nodded eagerly, and ran her fingers through her red hair.
"Sorry I keep going on and on about Draco," Ginny apologized, looking slightly embarrassed, "I didn't do it on purpose. I'm just really happy, and I haven't been this happy in a while."
"I'm really glad," answered Luna, a far away sort of look on her face. "I'm happy for you, Ginny."
Ginny gave Luna a small smile followed by a hug. "Thanks, Luna. You have been an amazing friend."
Luna nodded, distracted. She bit her lip, and rested her head on the table. She couldn't believe that she had kissed Ron. She had wanted to do it for a while, but had stopped herself. She knew it would only turn out to be disastrous. Ron thought she was a weird idiot, and that's all he thought of her.
"Luna, what's going on with you?" Ginny finally asked. "You've been acting awkward and distant all morning."
Luna hesitated. "Ron and I kissed at the Astronomy Tower last night," Luna blurted out. Her eyes widened slightly, realizing what she had just said.
"Luna!" Ginny squealed. She hugged Luna once more, a little tighter this time. Luna gave Ginny a weak smile.
"Luna, this is awesome! I can't believe you… we've been talking for one hour… I can't believe you didn't bring this up before. Gosh, Luna we should double date. Draco might need some convincing, but-"
"Ginny!" Luna interrupted. Ginny's attention snapped back towards Luna. She looked a little taken aback by Luna's tone.
"Ginny," Luna repeated, this time a little softer, "I like Ron, but I don't think he feels the same way about me. He kind of freaked after we kissed, and I think he just wants to be friends." Luna gave Ginny a tiny smile to say that she was okay, but her smile had a sad touch to it.
Ginny looked down. "You just have to give him some time. He'll come around eventually. You're an amazing girl, and no guy deserves someone as wonderful as you… least of all, my brother. He liked Hermione for a really long time, and has just started getting over her. I'm positive that within a few days, he will realize how great you are. Just don't give up quite yet."
Luna smiled and ran her fingers through her delicate blonde hair. She gathered up her belongings and held them up to her chest. "Thanks Ginny. I hope you're right… and I'm really happy for you and Draco."
"I'm happy for you and Ron as well."
Luna shrugged, still not totally convinced. However, she did feel a little more hopeful. Maybe she still had a chance with Ron.
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"Hey Harry."
Harry turned around to be greeted by Hermione's lips. His insides went queasy and his heart began to race. He let his arms unravel around Hermione's waist. They kissed for a few more moments before breaking apart.
"Hi to you too."
Hermione smiled slightly. "What if we hadn't gotten together? What if I had gone to the dance with Ron instead of you? What if you never broke up with Ginny?"
At the mention of Ginny's name, guilt immediately filled Harry as he thought back to the kiss the two of them had shared. He didn't know why he kept thinking about it. It didn't mean anything, but Harry didn't like keeping this from Hermione.
Harry looked up to realize that Hermione was staring at him, her gaze bewildered and wondering. "Harry, what's wrong? You look pale."
Harry hesitated. Would she be angry if he told her? Well, of course… that was a given. It was probably better that he told her, though, instead of her finding out from Ginny.
"If I tell you something, Mione, you have to promise not to be mad at me for it." Harry gave Hermione a pleading look. Hermione crossed her arms, not answering Harry. She glared at him.
"Spit it out, Potter."
Harry bit his lip. "You know when you got mad at me for getting jealous of you and Ron? Well uh I ran into Ginny that same day and she was a real wreck… so I kind of comforted her."
Hermione's face relaxed. "Harry, why would I be mad? That's really sweet of you." She leaned in and gave Harry a kiss. Harry pulled away.
"Er, there's more."
Hermione's eyes widened and Harry took a deep breath of air.
"We kind of er accidentally lip locked."
"You kissed?" Hermione hollered. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes were wide. Harry almost felt afraid of Hermione. Harry looked around the common room and realized that practically everyone was staring at the pair of them.
"Can we maybe discuss this outside?" Harry hissed, very aware of the people staring at them.
"No, Harry, we will discuss this right now," Hermione answered, her tone matching Harry's.
"Look, it didn't mean anything," Harry pleaded, "It just made me realize how much I like you. No, it made me realize how much I love you."
Hermione's eyes become wide and tears gathered in them.
Harry stammered, "Hermione… no don't cry, I didn't-"
Hermione smiled slightly. "Harry, you're so sweet. Do you mean it? Do you actually…?"
"Oh." Harry realized what she was talking about. "Of course I love you, Hermione. I've loved you since I met you."
Hermione laughed softly. "I don't know about that. You didn't exactly like me when you first met me in first year."
'That's because you were stuck up," Harry muttered, kissing Hermione's cheek.
"I can see your ego hasn't gone away," Hermione retorted. Harry leaned in to kiss Hermione, but Hermione pulled away.
"I-I'm sorry, Harry… I just…"
Harry tried not to look surprised or upset. "Are you mad?"
Hermione sighed, shaking her head. "No I'm not. I just need some time for myself. I wish you had told me before. It's worse that you hid it from me. It makes me think that it meant something."
"I swear it didn't," Harry answered quickly and solemnly. "Ginny and I are way over."
Hermione nodded slowly. "I know, Harry. Just… give it time, okay? Maybe we need to take a break for a bit."
Harry swallowed, trying to hide his disappointment. "Yeah, okay. Whatever you want, Hermione."
"Sorry." Hermione kissed Harry softly on the cheek. Harry touched his cheek and then gave Hermione a half smile.
"I'm sorry, too. And I love you."
"I love you, too." Harry felt his insides glow as Hermione gave him another kiss on his cheek before disappearing out of the portrait hole.
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Ginny headed out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, clutching the bag that had her wand and books. She waved goodbye to Luna and headed down the hallway. When she reached the end, her face broke into a smile as she spotted Draco waiting for her.
"Hi." He greeted her with his lips. Ginny felt her insides squirm as she pressed her lips against Draco's.
"Did you miss me?" she teased, kissing him again. He put his arms around her neck and kissed her again.
"You have no idea," he answered, "Now shut up and kiss me."
Ginny obediently followed Draco's request as she slid her tongue into his mouth, giving him steamy kisses.
"Just for the record," Ginny breathed in between kisses, "I missed you also." Draco smirked slightly and pulled her close to him. They kissed for a few more moments without saying anything.
Ginny couldn't remember the last time she had felt this way about anyone. Just from seeing Draco's fast, she felt like she couldn't talk. When she thought about him, she got butterflies in her stomach. And when they kissed… it felt like there was nobody else except for the two of them.
Ginny kissed Draco. "I love you," she muttered, before realizing what she was saying.
A/N: GASPP Ginny told Draco the three little words. You'll find out how he reacts in the next chapter (; For now, please leave me a review !! Thanks.
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