Chapter 12: Last

"What?"

"I love you," Luna repeated and Harry backed away.

"I-I-"

"You don't have to reply, but I wanted you to know," Luna shrugged.

"I'm not sure if I love you yet Luna, or if I believe in love even," Harry explained.

"I understand," Luna nodded, "You don't have to feel the same."

"It's not that I don't like you Luna, I have enjoyed all the time we spent together, and you wearing that necklace instead of your normal one---"

"Harry!" Luna remembered, "The necklace."

"You're wearing it," Harry replied.

"No, my Butterbeer one, I have to go get it," Luna replied.

"I'll go with you," Harry shrugged.

"No, it's okay, I'll go get it and when I get back we can finish what you were saying," Luna said quickly and ran down the stairs.

Harry made a confused look and sat on the wall waiting for Luna to return. He could feel a breeze come through the window behind him and tried to come up with a way to explain his feelings.

"Hey Harry," Ron smiled, coming down the stairs with Hermione.

"Hey," Harry greeted.

"What are you sitting there for?" Hermione asked.

"Waiting for Luna, she went to go get her necklace," Harry answered.

"Women always forget their jewelry," Ron scoffed.

"Who told you that?" Hermione asked.

"Fred," Ron replied like it was obvious.

"You want us to wait with you?" Hermione asked, ignoring Ron's comment.

"Sure, we can all do something when she gets back," Harry answered and they waited.

"What's this?" Ron asked, picking up the book.

"Luna's Christmas present," Harry answered and Ron began to flip through it.

"It's cool," Ron nodded and handed it to Hermione who was standing.

"This is amazing Harry, it must have taken Luna a lot of time."

"She said her dad knew people in the newspaper," Harry shrugged.

"It had to take a while, I'll ask her when she gets back," Hermione nodded, obviously making a mental note.

"What did you get her?" Ron asked.

"A necklace with the moon on it," Harry shrugged.

"Jewelry again," Ron shook his head.

"Don't listen to him Harry, I'm sure she'll like it," Hermione assured.

"She did, she took off her Butterbeer necklace and that's why I am waiting for her," Harry replied.

"Why did you guys give your gifts early?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know, we couldn't wait I guess," Harry shrugged.

"Well I'm glad she liked it," Hermione smiled and Ron rolled his eyes.

"Why are you rolling your eyes?" Harry asked.

"Cause girls are so sappy," Ron answered.

"Are you serious," Hermione asked.

"Yes, I am," Ron nodded, "All you want is jewelry, you never want anything else," Ron argued, "Well I am not made of money."

"Ron." Harry called.

"What?"

"Hermione likes books, remember?" Harry answered and realization dawned on Ron.

"Moron," Hermione grumbled and Ron apologized.

"Geez what is taking Luna so long?" Harry asked and looked at his watch.

"Maybe she can't find it?" Hermione suggested.

"No, it's not hidden," Harry answered and grabbed his book again.

"Maybe she is just taking her time coming back," Ron replied.

"No, that's not it either," Harry sighed and flipped through the pages, smiling at his mum and dad.

"Harry…" Hermione started but her breath turned ragged.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Something's wrong."

"What is?" Ron and Harry asked in unison.

"It's the dark mark," Hermione said frightened and the boys stood up, looking at the forest, the green mark above it.

"Luna…" Harry exhaled and the book dropped out of his hands.

"She couldn't have been in there," Hermione replied.

"No—" Harry called and took off down the stairs, thinking of nothing but getting to Luna in time.

"Harry wait!" Hermione yelled but Harry only picked up speed as he exited the castle.

"Harry!" Ron called as Harry ran into the forest and crashed through the trees, pushing branches and roots out his way as he tried to get to Luna.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled as they ran deeper into the forest.

"Luna!" Harry yelled, calling for her when he was sure he was far enough.

"Harry!" Ron called as Harry entered the circle of trees she was so fond of.

Harry nearly fell over when he saw the destruction of the circled area. Nothing was alive any longer, the soft grass that Harry loved so much was ash under his feet and the rock that he saw Luna on the first time he came here was in half, on either side of the clearing. All the trees were lifeless, the leaves on the ground burnt.

"Luna?" Harry called her name, keeping back tears.

There was no sign of life in that place as Harry walked farther into it, praying that Luna was just hiding.

"Luna please come out," Harry begged, tears now beginning to fall.

"Harry," Hermione huffed when her and Ron made it to the clearing, "Luna couldn't have been in here."

"It's where she was going, it's why I was waiting for her," Harry answered and continued to stare at the dead area of forest.

"I'm sure she got out," Hermione assure and Harry turned around, his foot stepping on something on the forest floor, making it jingle.

"What's that?" Ron asked as Harry bent down to examine it.

Harry fell to the ground with a thump as he held the Butterbeer necklace in his hands, fabric from Luna's robes attached to it.

"Bloody hell," Harry cried.

"She had to get out," Hermione said to Ron, her composure beginning to fall.

"I don't think she did," Ron replied sadly as Harry's watch beeped, the first snow since winter, begin to fall.

Harry sat on the ground, his head in his hands as he held onto the necklace, snow falling all around him, blanketing the destruction of death in a white blanket. Ron and Hermione stayed silent, hoping that this was just a cruel joke and Harry hadn't lost another person he cared for by the hands of Voldemort. Harry lifted his head and moved the legendary necklace she always wore in his hand, feeling so horrible and helpless. Luna helped him through everything in ways no one else was able to, she had opened herself up to him and told him she loved him….how could he not tell her he loved her too? How could he keep that information back, why did he have to guard his heart from the person he cared about most? Why didn't he tell her he loved her? Why? Now she would never know now that he did, that he loved her, that he was just scared he would lose her if he told her he loved her.. "I'm so sorry Luna, I do, I love you, I will never love anyone else," Harry sniffled and ruffled his hand through his hair getting the snow out of it. Harry looked around and he slowly began to understand. He would get to see the next day as his friends would more then likely not, he also understood that he would never love anyone again like he loved Luna. He would never be the same. Luna was his sunshine on a cloudy day and she would never make his day sunny again. She was gone and Harry would kill Voldemort for doing that. Harry moved his eyes away from the necklace and put it in his pocket when he noticed something in the brush. Harry moved toward it and noticed it on instant it was a silver arm. The anger in Harry began to boil and he knew who killed Luna. It was Wormtail, first his parents and now Luna. Harry's anger didn't just hurt his scar but it hurt Voldemort and Harry passed a message to him which Voldemort told Wormtail. "Once I am done with you, Wormtail, you will wish you had never even met James Potter!!!!" Harry grabbed the arm and Hermione gasped as Harry made sure they took it with them when they left.

"Are you alright?" Hermione dared to ask.

Harry glanced around the clearing and begged fated to let her come back to him, to let him hold her in his arms once more.

"No I'm not," Harry answered, looking at the moon, wishing it would bring her back to him, the person who always had faith in him, Luna.

P.s The sequel is up but is being rewritten, it's the insufferable romance seque…which is really easy to remember….just in case you wanted to read more.