Chapter 11: Christmas time
"Hey Ron," Harry smiled at lunch.
"Mate I am killing Hermione at this game," Ron laughed and Hermione glared at him.
"You're the best at Chess," Harry noted, "But I wanted to tell you that I am staying here this year."
"Okay, I figured as much, with Luna and Ginny not talking," Ron nodded.
"It's just easier this way," Harry replied.
"I'm staying too,' Hermione replied and Ron looked up at her.
"Why?"
"It's been a while since I have stayed at Hogwarts and this is one of our final years here, so I want to stay," Hermione answered.
"Well if you are staying then I will too," Ron shrugged.
"You have him whipped Hermione," Harry joked and walked away from the two.
"Does not!" Ron yelled as Harry left the Great hall.
"Hi Harry," Ginny greeted when Harry got halfway to the castle doors.
"Oh hey Gin," Harry smiled.
"I heard about you and Luna," Ginny said sadly.
"It's complicated Gin," Harry sighed, "It's not just an infatuation anymore with her and I."
"Do you love her?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know, I have never been in love," Harry shrugged.
"Do you think you will?" Ginny asked again.
"I don't know, but I do know that my friendship with you will always be there," Harry assured.
"I don't want that," Ginny sighed.
"It's all I want to give," Harry answered and walked away.
"Will you tell her I'm sorry?" Ginny asked.
"She's not mad at you Ginny," Harry replied, turning around.
"Just tell her that?" Ginny asked and Harry nodded.
"I'll tell her."
"Thank you Harry," Ginny replied and walked away.
Harry sighed and left the castle to meet Luna by the lake for the rest of lunch.
"I have something for you," Harry smiled, surprising Luna.
"What?" Luna asked, after putting her breathing back in order.
"I don't want to give it to you here," Harry smiled.
"Where do you want to give it to me?" Luna asked and Harry pulled her into the forest, leading her to the circle of trees, "Why do you want me to get it here?"
"Because this is the softest grass I have ever sat on," Harry answered and Luna couldn't help but laugh, "That is no lie."
"okay," Luna laughed, "Can I have it now?"
"You have to close your eyes," Harry answered and Luna closed them so Harry could bring out the box.
"Can I open yet?" Luna asked.
"No," Harry replied and walked behind her, "Ok," he whispered in her ear, "Open."
Luna opened her eyes and stared at emptiness in front of her, "Did you get me something imaginary?" Luna asked.
"No," Harry shook his head and she felt something cold touch her neck, "It's very real."
Luna glanced down and noticed the moon shaped necklace around her neck, accompanying her Butterbeer necklace.
"Harry," Luna smiled, "This is amazing."
"I saw it and I knew it was meant for you," Harry replied.
"It even says lunar on it," Luna smiled.
"Yeah, sorry, there wasn't one that said Luna," Harry apologized.
"No, I love it, I wish my name were Lunar, it makes my name sound so much better," Luna smiled.
"I like your name being Luna," Harry replied and Luna smiled at him.
"Could you help me take this one off?"
"Sure," Harry answered and untied her Butterbeer necklace, setting it on the grass.
"What do you think?" Luna asked and Harry looked at her.
"Still pretty," Harry nodded, "So we're good."
"Always funny,"
"But you like it?" Harry asked.
"I love it," Luna smiled and kissed Harry's cheek, "It's perfect."
"I'm glad," Harry smiled and the bell from the castle rang, "Time to go."
"Divination," Luna grinned and Harry laughed and they walked back to the castle.
"According to plan," A voice sniffled and picked up the necklace, a grin forming.
Harry and Ron sat in the great hall that night, playing chess while the other few students accompanied them.
"I just don't understand why I keep losing," Ron growled and Harry couldn't help but grin.
"I don't know," Harry shrugged.
"tell me how you are doing it," Ron demanded.
"No," Harry shook his head, "it's my secret."
"Harry would you tell me!" Ron yelled rally frustrated.
"Luna." Harry laughed.
"No, tell me how you are doing it!" Ron cursed.
"I am, Luna is telling me," Harry laughed.
"What?" Ron asked and Harry pointed behind them where Luna was reading her Quibbler and smiled at them.
"She knows how to play chess and has been telling moves to make me," Harry continued to laugh.
"I hate you," Ron said very flustered and Harry continued to laugh, motioning Luna to sit with them.
"Can we stop cheating now?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, he figured it out," Harry nodded.
"You were so…" Ron didn't finish.
"See this is entertainment," Harry laughed and Luna couldn't help but smile.
"You know you two are perfect for each other," Ron growled and stood up, "I'm going to find Hermione.
"Hey, you won all those times because I cheated," Harry called, still laughing as Ron left the Great hall.
"He doesn't like to lose at chess," Luna noticed.
"No, he doesn't," Harry smiled, "You wanna play?"
"Okay," Luna nodded and moved to where Ron was previously sitting.
"Now go easy," Harry asked and they started a game over.
"I don't think so," Luna smiled and took the first move.
"Oh!" A crowd of students yelled an hour later as Harry and Luna battled for the win.
"I thought you couldn't play," Luna laughed as Harry took another rook.
"Hey, I can't lose to a girl," Harry defended.
"Again," Ginny replied and the group laughed.
"Yes again," Harry agreed and Luna took her turn.
"Oh come on!" Harry complained as Luna won.
"Sorry," Luna apologized as Harry got up.
"That's it, I concede," Harry smiled.
"Only if you want to," Luna shrugged.
"I do," Harry answered and Luna stood up as well.
"I wanna play," a boy pushed and another game started while Harry and Luna left the Great hall.
"Never have I seen anyone want to play chess so bad," Harry laughed as they walked up the grand staircase.
"It's an stressful game," Luna replied.
"Oh I bet," Harry agreed, "I was stressed when we were playing."
"Well then you know what it's like," Luna replied.
"Yes, yes I do," Harry smiled and pulled Luna in for a kiss.
"Oh, I have your present," Luna remembered and Harry raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"I have to go get it," Luna responded and ran down the stairs to go to her common room.
Three minutes later, Luna met Harry at the spot she left him and handed him a box.
"I hope you like it," Luna sighed.
"Anything you get me I will like Luna," Harry replied and untied the bow, "But I gotta tell you, I am very excited to see what it is."
"I'm excited for the reaction," Luna smiled and Harry took off the top of the box.
"A book?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Luna nodded.
"That is something Hermione would get me, but thanks," Harry smiled and for the first time Harry saw her roll her eyes.
"Open the book."
Harry looked at her strangely a moment before obeying and opened the book.
"Whoa," Harry replied breathless.
Inside the book were thousands of newspaper clippings on his family and godfather as well as pictures. Every page had a theme to it and Harry smiled at his entire family history inside this book.
"Father knows a lot of people in the newspaper business so I just went into the offices," Luna explained, "I thought you would like to know your background."
"Luna—this—I have no words for how amazing this is," Harry smiled and continued to turn the pages.
"Everyone should know where they come from and feel apart of something," Luna shrugged, "You're in there too."
"I am?" Harry asked.
"Turn to the back," Luna smiled and Harry obeyed seeing all of the newspaper moments of his life.
"I left extra space for when you defeat Voldemort," Luna replied and Harry looked up at her.
"What if I don't?" Harry asked.
"I have faith in you," Luna replied and Harry closed the book.
"Thank you Luna, I don't have much faith but thank you."
"Faith isn't believe that everything will turn out perfect Harry," Luna explained.
"What is it then?"
"It's having the courage to believe that fate will not let you down."
"It's a perfect Christmas present Luna."
"Even if it is early," Luna pointed out.
"Yeah," Harry laughed and kissed her sweetly, then kissed her again.
"Harry," Luna whispered, pulling away slowly.
"What?" Harry asked, kissing her again.
"I love you."