Seasons
i
Ginny is summer
She is kissing under blossom trees during twilight, she is blushing and fumbling under the covers that first time, she is fire and passion and emotion. She is Ginny and Harry loves her.
The sun shines brightly on her brilliant red hair and her kind brown eyes sparkle. When Harry holds her, the warmth of her character melts into him and the world doesn't seem like such a dark place; her presence is a nightlight in his dark days and she guides him to safety every single time he gets lost.
But every summer must end. The sun must set eventually and so as the flames of their passion dwindle into lonely little embers, Harry kisses her one last time and waits for the fall.
ii
Susan is autumn.
She is painting outside as the trees lose their leaves, she is flirting and giggling in a muggle movie theater, she is happiness and optimism and smiles. She isn't Ginny, but Harry loves her.
In the middle of September, the weather is rather mild - not quite a winter chill but no longer summer heat - and despite it being drizzly and cloudy, Susan throws his coat at him and challenges him to a race outside. Being with Susan is never boring; Susan is just too full of life to be boring and so everyday is a new adventure. She takes him to the cinema, the beach, muggle theme parks and opens his eyes to a whole new world.
However, Susan has wondering eyes and it turns out that Harry is just another of her little adventures. When Harry finds her in bed, their bed, with Ernie MacMillan, he rages and allows the cold of winter to enter his heart.
iii
Daphne is winter.
She is coy smirks that make Harry ravish her in public places, she is clashing teeth and bruising holds as their bodies writhe together, she is pride and deviousness and apathy. Harry doesn't love her like he loved Ginny and Susan but he loves her nonetheless.
1998 brings a white Christmas and though there is a fire raging in the hearth, Harry feels a chill that is deep in his bones. Their flat is too cold, all sharp, unforgiving corners and cool, haughty colours that have stopped this place from truly being a home. He and Daphne do not snuggle on the sofa, do not have romantic dinners; though he hates to admit it, Daphne is just his rebound from Susan that he takes all his pent up hurt and hate on. She knows this and yet she stays.
Cold, stoic Daphne does not do romance, a true ice queen, and her solid heart does not shatter when Harry leaves her for the refreshing embrace of spring.
iv
Luna is spring.
She is creature hunting in exotic places, she is literature and fantasies that he loses himself in, she is dreams and quirks and oddities. Luna has, and will always, hold a special place in Harry's heart.
Harry and Luna always rise early to watch the sun rise, to see the dark blemishes of night disappear into the colour of day. They huddle under a thick blanket outside amongst the dewy grass and she whispers poetry in such an adorable way that he can't help but kiss her and love her and hold her. She melts away the remnants of winter's ice and frees him.
Luna shows him how to be himself, to revel in the new beginning of spring and to strengthen himself against the heat of summer. She leaves to research Narwhals and Harry does not stop her, longing for the burn of the sun.