-Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of JK Rowling

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-Sorry it took me a little longer to update than usual. Part you can blame on me... I've been not feeling well, but the other part you have to blame on my daughter! She distracted me by getting me reading the manga "Fruits Basket" I got SOO hooked! But it's okay...I finished the series now!

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Loony for Luna: Forever from the Ashes

Chapter Eight

Wishes

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February 13th

Dear George,

It's Valentines Day tomorrow and I hope this card and my gift make it to you in time. I should have sent it days ago really but I know you...you never would have waited until tomorrow to open it, and then, what would have been the point?

I wish our Hogsmeade visit would have been today, rather than two weeks ago...at least we could have sort of had Valentines together...even if it was a day early. Love to Fred...

I Love you,

Luna

- - -

February 14th

Dear George,

I just had to write and tell you that I think you are the most incredible, amazing person I have ever known! Everyone is buzzing about what you did...some are jealous of course,(Cho Chang made a catty comment, but I KNOW what her problem is. Michael Corner ditched her and now she's taking it out on the world.) Most are just teasing in a nice way, even Professor Flitwick teased me tonight about giving me a detention for having an unauthorized visitor today! When you walked into the great hall this morning I thought that I had died and gone to heaven.

I feel like I am living a dream.... But you know...it really isn't a good idea to just walk up behind someone, spin them around and start kissing them! Your quite lucky I didn't stupefy you! *wink* Seriously though...what you did for me today...was just...like something out of all the dreams I never dared to dream...that is, I never dared to dream them until you loved me.

I Love you so much!

Luna

P.S. Love to Fred

- - -

February 18th

Dear George,

I don't know how to tell you this...but our Hogsmeade visit on March 1st has been canceled. It sounds as if there won't be anymore either because of the increasing numbers of Death Eaters in the area. Professor Dumbledore is worried, we can all see the tremendous toll this war is taking on him. He doesn't smile much anymore and even after all this time nobody knows what happened to his hand or why it isn't getting better. I have a really horrible feeling George, like something awful is going to happen to him soon.

It's miserable here. Ron and Hermione are still fighting. He doesn't seem at all happy with Lavender. Well, that's obvious, since everyone knows he's in love with Hermione. Well, everyone but him and her. Ginny and Dean are spending more time arguing too. It makes me worry a little that Puffing Heartpilferers are at work, planting seeds of dissension in peoples hearts. And I worry...will you and I be next?

Love to Fred...

I Love you,

Luna

- - -

February 24th

Dear George,

It's horribly cold, snowing like mad outside and Herbology has been canceled today so I am finding a free hour to write, though I don't suppose I dare send Amelia out until this storm breaks up.

Your last letter made me cry...I hope you know that your not alone...I miss you so much! I catch myself all the time, figuring out how many more days until Easter break, and even how many more weeks until school lets out for the summer holidays. It feels like ages and ages and ages.

I Love you,

Luna

- - -

March 2nd

Dear George,

I am a horrible, terrible person. I feel so guilty and awful! How dare I be so happy that we got to see one another... when the reason is because your brother Ron nearly died! Everyone seems to think that Ron accidentally poisoned himself, there's only a few of us who know the truth...that his poisoning was intentional. Harry thinks its Draco Malfoy, I overheard him telling Ron and Hermione so when I went to visit.

Hogwarts is suddenly feeling like a very scary place to be, it's creepy here. I wish you were here, or rather, I wish I were there with you. Love to Fred...

I Love you,

Luna

- - -

George sighed as he dropped the letters back into the box. Even though the war was over, her letters made him want to rush to her side to protect her.

He had tried three times now to dispose of them, but always he was stopped. As much as he hated it, the letters were a link to happier days. The days in which she still loved him and Fred was still alive.

He groaned inwardly, knowing what was coming. The past week had been a nightmare as he was tortured with the necessity to constantly be in close proximity of her. Exercise and bath time were the worst, when all that stood between them was two thin towels. After the first time he had insisted she use two towels, not wanting to risk another accident.

He dragged himself out of his chair and stashed the box of letters back in his trunk, then went into the bedroom.

"Ready?" He said, false smile pasted into place.

"Am I ever?" she grimaced, knowing what was about to come.

"Oh come on...I'm the one who has to do all the work" he smiled genuinely now, teasing her was still so much fun.

"Oh do shut up." Luna rolled her eyes "Let's just get this over with."

-

Luna sighed happily as George settled her into the hot tub. Granted, her exercises had become much less painful over the past week, but they were still painful. She only got through it by dreaming about her bath afterward.

The problem was George. Over the past week he had begun to get increasingly moody, and her bath time was the worst. Lately, the minute she was safely into her chair for the day he was off...gone outside to work on the house.

"Let's get your hair washed." His voice was brisk, impatient.

Luna nodded and sat forward in the tub "I think maybe I can try to do it myself now." she said softly, reaching for the soap.

George looked up sharply, wondering what he had done to upset her.

"It's okay." he knelt down next to the tub "It's my responsibility" He tried, and failed, to make his voice sound as though he were teasing.

'Responsibility' Luna thought sadly to herself 'That's all I am to him now...a responsibility...a burden.'

Luna nodded and sat forward again.

-

"SHIT!" George yelled as he hammered his thumb for the third time.

His mood had been getting worse as the days went on, and the worse his mood got, the more the dreams began to come. Dreams of holding her naked body to his, dreams of making love to her. Every morning for the past week he had woken, drenched in sweat, his body screaming for her. And it didn't help matters that she was only a room away from him.

And so, he had taken refuge from her where he was now...outside, working on the house. He had long since run out of salvageable bricks from the house that had once stood grandly on the property, now he was dipping into his own funds. As far as George was concerned, it was money well spent as long as it gave him an excuse to distance himself from her.

George knew he was hurting her, he couldn't miss it. Sometimes her face was so sad and lonely looking that he wanted to fall to his knees and confess everything. That he had been dreaming about her, that he wanted her so badly it made him ache...that he still loved her. But his pain from losing Fred was still too near the surface. It stood as a cruel reminder of why he could never go to her when he woke in the night wanting her, of why he could never have her, and why he could never love her openly again.

To love was to risk losing the one you loved, and George couldn't...wouldn't...set himself up for that ever again.

It was better this way, even if it hurt.

-

-Flashback-

"Hey" George said as he held her close in the high grass that

surrounded the pond. Warm early summer air blew the grass gently around them.

"Hmm?" She said dreamily

"Look...the first star."

She smiled "We have to make a wish!" she said as she sat up,

closed her eyes and folded her hands under her chin, like a child saying their bedtime prayers. His only thought was how much she looked like an angel. Her voice was soft and dreamy...

"Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight."

When she opened her eyes she found him looking at her.

"What?" She blushed

"Nothing." he smiled as he pulled her tight against him again. "What did you wish for?"

"I can't tell you that!" Her voice was shocked, as if he had committed the world most scandalous act by asking.

"Why not?" He laughed

"You know the rules George." She grinned as she snuggled against him "If I tell you it won't come true."

"Oh right...I forgot." He laughed

She was quiet for a moment and then she looked up at him "What did you wish for?"

He laughed loudly "You just said..."

"Forget what I just said." She grinned "You tell me and I'll tell you."

"You first." He grinned

"No you."

"I didn't wish for anything." He said sheepishly

She looked at him "I know it's a bit silly...to wish on a star...but..."

"No" He shook his head "That's not why."

"Why then?"

"I don't have anything to wish for." He pulled her even closer and whispered into her ear "I already have all I ever wanted."

She put her hands on his cheeks and pulled his lips to hers

-End Flashback-

---

Luna turned away from the window where she had been watching George and rolled herself into her room. Her back was throbbing and she knew she needed to go back to bed to relive the pressure on the newly fused tissue and bone. Still she couldn't make herself call out to him.

'It's okay. I took the on responsibility...'

This was exactly why she hadn't wanted him to help her in the first place. He'd been kind using that word...what he'd really meant was that she was a burden on him. The last thing she ever wanted to be to George was a burden. She wanted him to be there because he wanted to be, not out of some misguided sense of duty. His words served as cruel reminder that he didn't love her...that he would never love her.

Luna wiped away a swath of tears, the memory of that moonlit night had come on its own...never minding or caring that it crushed her heart. It had been her second night home from school and things had been so perfect, everything had been fresh and new. They were caught up in the wonder of first love.

What she'd wished for had seemed like such a simple wish... She should have known it wouldn't come true... it was silly to wish upon a star.

Now, two years later, she was a responsibility to him. Something to be tolerated, a burden to bear with a stiff upper lip.

Luna decided that she'd had enough. She was a grown woman, and she didn't need George Weasley to carry her around like a baby anymore. She bent down and slid the leg rests out from under her legs. She took a deep breath and then grabbed onto the post for her bed and tried to pull herself to her feet.

But Luna hadn't set the brakes and the wheelchair rolled away from her, pushed by her upward motion. Her back, still horribly weak, protested and a sharp stab of pain shot up her spine as her legs folded beneath her.

Luna began to fall, and she screamed out from the pain.

As she fell her face hit the dresser next to the bed and blood poured from her nose and mouth.

Darkness surrounded her and she succumbed, welcoming the relief.

-

George was putting his tools away when he heard Luna scream. He dropped everything and ran into the tent.

He found her, her face laying in a puddle of blood.

"Luna!" he ran forward into the room and knelt by her side.

"What the fuck!" Terror seized him as he brushed the hair from her face. Both eyes were already swelling into angry black and blue. Blood ran from her nose and two teeth lay on the floor in front of her.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" He swore as he picked the teeth up and put them into his shirt pocket. "What the fuck were you trying to do damn it?"

He picked her up gently, then pulled his wand from his pocket and quickly apparated away.

-

"Mr Weasley?"

George looked up and saw friendly eyes looking down at him.

"Are you Mr. Weasley?"

George nodded nervously

"Mr. Weasley..." The young woman held out her hand "I'm Constance Abernathy, I'm a healers assistant. I helped Healer Kenning with Miss Lovegood."

"Right." he nodded "is she okay?"

"She's fine. She broke her nose, but Healer Kenning was able to fix it right up, her teeth have been repaired as well. It's good you thought to bring them."

"I've had a lot of experience in that area." He smiled sadly, thinking of how he and Fred had always been knocking their teeth out when they were young.

"Well, if you'd like to come with me..she's awake and Healer Kenning will be returning with her scans soon."

George rose from the chair and followed the healers assistant. "Is she in pain?"

"No, not at all." The H.A. smiled "She seems to be a little worried about how much she is going to get chewed out though."

"Good." George said gruffly "She should be."

The H.A. grinned a little "Here's healer Kenning now."

"Mr. Weasley." Healer Kenning stopped in front of them and shook George's hand. "Pleased to see you again...wish the circumstances were better of course."

"Is she okay?" George said shortly, having no interest in pleasantries at the moment.

"Well, why don't I tell you together." Healer Kenning pulled back a curtain and motioned George through.

Luna didn't look up as he entered and George figured that was probably a good thing. A Basilisk's death glare wouldn't have had much on him at the moment.

"Luna." Healer Kenning said as he tapped the screen on the wall to bring up her scans. "That was an incredibly stupid stunt you pulled."

Luna's head jerked up, she looked ready to argue but George caught her eye and his glare silenced her.

"Were any part of my instructions unclear?" Healer Kenning turned on her, his hands on his hips and his face angry.

"No." She said softly

"Then what did you think you were doing trying to get out of your wheelchair without help?"

George snorted and Luna looked at him with a glare of her own, but it was quickly squashed by his.

"Well." Healer Kenning turned back to the scans "You're very fortunate, you gave yourself a minor concussion..."

"Concussion?" George asked "How do you fix that?"

"The concussion will take care of itself...like I said, it's minor. As for the back...you've been very lucky Luna...you could have caused the tissue to weaken and tear apart...but you've only inflamed it."

"Inflamed?" George asked

Healer Kenning said as he turned to point to the scans "it just means that there's some swelling in the tissue, but the bones and nerves are still completely intact."

"So, what do you do about that?"

"Bed rest." Healer Kenning nodded and turned back around and looked sternly at Luna "No getting out of bed for the next few days, no exercises. You can do your heat therapy, and get up to use the bathroom, but that's it. I'll come out to check on you in three days, if everything looks good, and you're behaving yourself, you can resume your activities then."

George nearly groaned out loud. The expression 'No rest for the wicked' seemed determined to beat him to death at the moment.

"So I'll be going home?" Luna asked, her voice sounded nervous.

"Oh yes. No need to keep you here." Healer Kenning grinned "Not afraid of something at home are you? A stern butt chewing from Mr. Weasley perhaps?"

"Like I'm afraid of him." Luna said as Healer Kenning and George looked at her skeptically.

She couldn't blame them...she didn't believe it herself.

-

"So...you gonna get it over with and tell me what the bloody hell you were thinking?" George said as he used his wand to clean the blood off the floor. "Oh, I forgot, you weren't thinking."

George had been itching to start chewing her out...it had taken the most will he had ever used to restrain himself until she was safely back home in bed.

"Ho ho." Luna crossed her arms defiantly, braver now that she wasn't about to be ganged up on by George and Healer Kenning. "Just leave me alone will you?"

"Do you realize what you could have done?"

"No, I guess I'm just as stupid as you always say I am." She said angrily

"Oh no..." George looked up at her angrily "You have no right to be angry!"

"I have every right to be angry!" She yelled

"Really?" George laughed sarcastically "And just where do you get that?"

"None of your business." she said haughtily, looking away from him.

"Don't you look away from me." George raged, he reached out and took her chin in his hand. "Not after you go and pull this dumbassed

bit! Don't you realize? You could have really, seriously hurt yourself. Don't you even care about that?"

"Don't touch me!" Luna yanked his hand from her face "Or I'll...I'll..."

"You'll what?" George climbed onto the bed so his face was inches from hers. "You'll go and hurt yourself worse? Maybe do the thing right this time and permanently paralyze yourself?"

"What do you care?!" Luna screamed back "Why are you even here?"

"I'm beginning to wonder that myself!" George yelled back, pushing his face even closer into hers

"Then why don't you leave then?!"

"Because I can't!" He yelled "Because I've stuck myself with you and now I can't get out of it!"

Luna looked as if he had struck her. George backed away to sit on the side of the bed, ashamed of himself.

She covered her face with her hands.

"Luna...I..." He stammered, shame flooding every inch of him "I didn't mean it."

"Yes..." She gulped in deep breaths of air, refusing to allow herself to cry "Yes you did."

"That's why, why I did it." She pulled her hands away "it's like you said... I'm keeping you a prisoner here."

"No.." He reached a hand toward her but she batted it away

"Don't...don't touch me." She gasped, losing the battle with her tears "Do you think I don't know how you feel, that I can't see it? You can't even stand to be near me. Isn't that the real reason you started building the house? So you could have an excuse to stay as far away from me as possible?"

George looked at her, his heart breaking more and more with every tear that fell down her cheek.

"Luna" He said, desperately wanting to comfort her but afraid now of touching her. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be."

"You can sit there and lie right to my face?" she laughed bitterly "What I don't understand is why. Why you stuck yourself with me in the first place. I imagine you feel sorry for me, or you feel some kind of misplaced responsibility for me, but...I don't want your pity...not when your pity is making you miserable."

She shook her head "I did what I did because I don't want to be a burden to you anymore. I'm making you unhappy..." Her voice lowered to a whisper "And I can't stand for that...I want you to be happy."

George sighed as guilt fell over him in waves. He hadn't realized...hadn't thought about how she would take his staying away from her. But even if he had, he would never have considered this...that she would think she was a burden to him.

"It's not true." he said softly "What you think..."

"Don't" She whispered "Don't lie to me George."

"Luna..."

"I think..." She cut across him "I think I'd like to sleep now."

"Luna...we need to talk..."

"I think we've said enough for one day." She slid down in the bed and rolled over "Please leave me alone now."

He stood. He'd do as she wished, he'd leave her alone...for now.

"If you need me...I'll be here."

He left the room and the door closed behind him

"I won't" Luna whispered "I won't let myself need you ever again."

-

-Flashback-

"Okay" George grinned as he looked down at Luna in the fresh moonlight "Now it's your turn, tell me what you wished for?"

"Oh...I can't tell you that...it won't come true." Luna teased

"But I told you." he said, pouting.

"No you didn't, not really." Luna grinned at the pout on his face "You didn't wish for anything...so it really doesn't count."

"You're gonna penalize me...just because I already have my wish?" George made his pout more profound "tell me...please?"

"Ummm...nope."

"You don't want to cross me you know." George said as he lowered his face to hers and wiggled his eyebrows "I have ways of making you talk."

He kissed her deeply, nearly drawing her breath from her lungs. He lowered her to her back in the high grass, her head cradled in one hand while the other stroked her soft cheek.

"I love you." he said softly as he pulled back

"I love you too." She whispered

"Tell me your wish..." He smiled and nuzzled her ear with his nose "I can't make it come true unless I know what it is."

"I wished..." She said as she felt herself erupt into goosebumps "I wished that you would always love me the way that you do now."

"That's a nice wish" he'd said as he pulled back to look into her eyes."But it's impossible you know."

"Why?" she said, her voice bordering on sadness.

"Because..." George smiled and kissed her again "Because the way I love you always changes...it grows bigger every day."

-End Flashback-

George stared up into the moonlight from his bedroom window, wondering how things had gotten so complicated. He longed for easier days...the days before the war, before Fred had died...

...the days when loving her had been so easy.

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Chapter Nine Preview

George struggles to find a way to

make things right between him and Luna...

...but Luna's no pushover.

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