Hello again everyone,
Well here it is chapter 55. Sorry that it took so long, but live has been pretty hectic for me lately. I'm going to try and finish the story before the movie comes out. A movie I don't want to go see for two reasons. #1 All the Cho haters will be booing every sceen she is in, and #2 They have made Cho the sneak in the movie. I found out that Cho will be in the last book, but I have a feeling that they will make her evil, and kill her off or have her spend the rest of her life in Azkaban. JK what are you doing?! Anyway here is chapter 55, not that good, but I hope to improve in the next couple of chapters.
Chapter 55: The Reuniting of the Trio
Harry stood under the hot shower in the griffendor bathroom trying to wake him-self up. He had the worst headache that he could ever remember short of his scar burning when he was in danger from Voldermort, and he guessed that it was a side effect from the drug that Fiona had given him at the party last night. The Party! Harry thought. How will I explain what happened to Luna. Will she ever forgive me? I can't say that I would blame her if she didn't. I was so stupid. But it won't happen again. I hope that she will still speak to me again. Harry reflected on the night before, everything was not to clear after the drug had taken effect. The sensation of it was pleasing, and perhaps took some of his better wits away from him. Now he was completely aware of himself, and how he had treated his good friend Luna. Now he was feeling a deep pain of guilt.
Later Harry found himself in the great hall. He glanced over at the Gryffindor table to see Ron and Hermione together talking to each other, both with smiles on their faces, and for a moment he wondered if he was having a dream. Harry sat next to them and they both looked at him happily.
"I've decided to take your advice Harry. I've agreed to start dating Ron casually, and not complain about him dating other girls on the promise that at the end of the school year he will commit to me for a permanent relationship. And we have also agreed that we will be breaking off any relationships with anyone that the other considers a threat to the future commitment." Hermione finished.
"Which means Hermione will not be going to Eastern Europe to see Victor the Crumb." Ron said happily.
"Ron honestly, he's not a crumb, he's still a nice boy, and now that you know that he's not a threat you can be his fan again." Hermione said irritated by Ron's stab at her friend. "But the also means that Ron will not be taking Luna Lovegood to the Yule Ball. We're going together, and Ron isn't going to be going out with her again, which means that Luna and I can be friends again, and I'm really glad for it too. What do you think Harry, it's going to be great to have us all together again isn't it?" Hermione asked excited.
"Well yes of coerce, that's great. We've been missing you Hermione." Harry said with a wide grin. But has anyone told Luna yet?" Harry asked. Ron suddenly frowned. Well no, but you know I kind of told her that I wasn't looking for a commitment, so she'll be okay with it." Ron stated.
"Well yes, but you also made plans to go with her to the Yule Ball. How are you going to explain to her that you're not taking her anymore? That's bound to hurt her feelings." Harry put in. Ron had a look of confusion on his face.
"Um, there's plenty of time before the Yule Ball, so she'll have enough time to find a date by then Harry. I'm sure that she won't take it too hard. Besides, we'll still be friends, so it'll all work out. I'm not sure what I'm going to tell her exactly, but I'll think of something." Ron said, not very sure of himself.
Harry looked over at the Ravenclaw table that was not completely full of other students. Luna was sitting alone, close to the end, staring at her food, with a depressed look on her face. I'm not sure what I'm going to say either. He thought to himself. Harry excused himself from the table, telling Ron and Hermione that he would meet them later. He walked up to the Ravenclaw table, behind Luna, like Ron not exactly sure of what he would say to her. But he had to think of something, the guilt that he felt at how he treated her was twisting his stomach in knots.
"Luna, could I speak to you for a few minutes please?" Harry asked politely. Luan looked up at him for a moment, and then glared back to her untouched bowl of oatmeal. She gave a great sigh.
"Go away Potter, I've nothing to say to you." Luna said emotionlessly. Harry hung his head low, his eyes to the floor in shame.
"Luna, I can't begin to tell you how sorry that I am. I would never do anything to hurt you…" Harry started but steeped back as Luna spun around, stood up, and pointed an accusing finger at him.
"But you did hurt me Harry. You hurt me bad. You let your girlfriend belittle me, and you laughed at me as well. How do you think that that makes me feel?" Luna shot back at Harry.
"Luna, please… I wasn't myself last night. I was… under the influence of a drug that Fiona gave me. I like you, you're my friend, and I would never have hurt you… I mean it! I'd give anything to take it back. Please." Harry pleaded sincerely. Luna gave him a disapproving look.
"Oh, so what your on drugs now? That's stupid. Why are you taking drugs Harry?"
"I'm not, I just… I didn't know what she was giving me, it was made to taste like a strawberry, and I never saw her put it in my mouth." Harry said embarrassed. Luna still gave him a cold look.
"And were you under the influence of a drug when you didn't invite me to your party? How long did you have to ask me to go to the party Harry. You're my friend, and you invited half the school, but not me."
A tear fell from Harry's eye, and he gave a great sigh. "It wasn't my party Luna, and I asked Fiona to invite you, but she… she doesn't like you, and I just thought that I could spend time with you by myself. I was going to make it up to you. I still am going to make it up to you. That's what I came over here to tell you. That, and to beg your forgiveness." Harry said sincerely.
"It doesn't matter if it was your party or not. I'm your friend Harry. I was your friend last year, when not to many people were, and if your girlfriend has a problem me than that's one thing, but when you laugh at me that's something else entirely." Luna quipped.
"I know Luna your right, but the only reason I was laughing is because I was under the influence of the strawberry lust drop drug. Which I regret taking because if I hadn't I would have made sure that Fiona let you into the party, Luna please. I promise that I'll have a talk with Fiona, and if she doesn't accept you as my friend, than she and I are finished. I promise." Harry said in a serious tone. Luna's eyebrow raised at this, and she appeared in deep thought for a moment.
"Do you really mean that Harry? Would you really break up with your girlfriend if she doesn't accept me?" Luna asked.
"Well if she doesn't want to hang out with you than I cannot force her, but if she wants us to stay together than things are going to have to change. She's going to have to give you a chance. I'm not embarrassed to hang out with you, and I don't think that anyone should be. And again, like I said, if I had not been high last night, and my judgment not clouded, I would have made a better decision." Harry said sincerely. A smile started to come across Luna's face, and she nodded her head. Harry extended his hand hoping that Luna would take it. "So are we still friends Luna?" He asked nervously. Luna gave him a sudden hug, and her smiled grew even larger.
"Still friends Harry. And look, if your girlfriend doesn't want to befriend me that's okay, I just would like to be invited to your party, especially if Ron is going to be there.
"Okay, but why especially if Ron is going to be there?" Harry asked.
"Because Harry I really like Ron, and I'm starting to have very intimate feelings for him. You know I think that he wants me to be in a committed relationship with him. We've been spending enough time together, and he did invite me to the Yule Ball. I really have been waiting for him to come out and say it, but I'm going to have to be the one who ask him for a commitment. I'm going to bring it up after classes today. I can't wait. I know that he said that he just wanted to casually date, but I can just feel that we've become so much closer than that." Luna said to Harry's horror. He fumbled for his next words.
"Um, Luna look maybe Ron's still not… ready for a commitment… uh, just yet. And the Yule Ball thing… did, err I mean have you… anyone else that… you might… err want to take you?" Harry asked nervously. Luna gave a laugh.
"Of corse not Harry. Why would I want to go with anyone but Ron, I mean You know that he asked me out weeks ago. Harry's face turned somber, and Luna noticed.
"Harry… did Ron… say anything to you?" Luna asked suddenly a bit uncomfortable. Harry suddenly gave a mock smile.
"Um, no not at all. Um, I just wondered who any of the other boys you would have gone out with were, just out of curiosity. That's all." Harry lied to save Luna's feelings.
"Well you had such a sad look just then is why I ask." Luna said. Harry held his stomach.
"Oh that, well…. It's not really a sad look as much as a hurt one. You see I don't think that breakfast agreed with me today, that's all." Harry said. Luna nodded.
"You might want to go see Madam Pomfrey if it gets too bad Harry." Luna said attempting to be helpful. Harry nodded politely and excused himself, he had to go see Ron before Ron saw Luna, and get Ron to really be careful about giving Luna the bad news. Harry really didn't want to see her hurt again.
The bell to get to class started to ring, just as Harry was about to walk up to Ron and Hermione, but he was stopped short by a tapping on the shoulder from behind. Harry turned around to face the acting Head Master.
"Professor McGonagall, what can I do for you?" He asked her politely.
"Mr. Potter, you need to report to the Head Masters office now." She said casually.
"Me? I didn't do anything." Harry protested.
"No one said you did, but it's important that you go there and speak with him." The professor said in a serious tone.
"Dumbledore's back." Harry asked surprised. The professor nodded.
"He is, and this meeting between the two of you has been far too long in coming Mr. Potter. Tell him everything you need to. He's waiting for you now." The Professor said. Harry looked back at the Gryffindor table. Ron and Hermione had already left for class. He then turned back to Professor McGonagall.
"Professor, I just need to tell Ron something first. Then I'll go and see Dumbledore right away." Harry said more requesting than stating. Professor McGonagall shook her head.
"No Mr. Potter you have to go see the Head Master first, you can chat with your friends after class." The professor said in a tone of finality.
"Professor please, it's important. I'll just have to go to class and talk with him for a second. It's vitally important." Harry said with a growing sense of urgency.
"Mr. Potter is this about your scar, or you know who?" Professor McGonagall asked in a whisper. Harry shook his head,
"No professor it's a private matter, but I have to talk to Ron before last period, or before he runs into… someone." Harry said.
"I'm sure that you will be back in plenty of time to tell Mr. Weasley whatever it is you need to Mr. Potter, but in the meantime you need to see Albus… err the Head Master. Now please be on your way." The professor instructed. Harry stood fast.
Professor, can I at least give you a note to give to Ron before I go. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't so very important. It would just take a moment. Please." Harry pressed. Professor McGonagall sighed.
"Very well Mr. Potter. But be quick about it. I'll hand it to a prefect who is going by Mr. Wesley's herbology class, but that is the best that I can do. Now where is the note?" The professor asked a little impatiently. Harry produced a quill and piece of parchment from his robe, and turned to the table behind him flatting the parchment out on the surface. He then scribbled a small note, and folded it. After that Harry took out his wand from his pocket, and waved it in an up and down motion magically producing a small envelope out of thin air, something that he had learned in charms class the week before, and placed the envelope inside. Finally Harry wrote form Harry to Ron on the cover and handed it to Professor McGonagall. "Now you must hurry Mr. Potter, you don't want to keep Dumbledore waiting do you?" Suddenly an offended look came across Harry's face.
"Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore has kept me waiting all this time, I think that he can stand to wait a few minutes more. It's not like he rushed to make contact with me from the start did he?" Harry started. An entire summer cut off from…"
"That's enough Mr. Potter! Dumbledore has been very busy fighting against You-Know-Who, and I will not stand here and let you blame him for not being there to talk to you this year, when he faced circumstances beyond his control. Go see him now, and let him explain why he had to be away. He's wanted to see you for a long time, but has not had the opportunity until today. There is much he wants to explain to you about so many things. Now go immediately Mr. Potter, the password is crunchy frog." The Professor said in an irritated tone.
Harry finally arrived at the large stone gargoyle and gave the password. Once it opened, he walked slowly through the entranceway to the two large doors. He looked to his right to see Fawkes fast asleep on his perch, and the sorting hat on it's shelf also appeared to be in a state of slumber. I didn't know that it slept. Harry thought. His attention then went back to the doorway in front of him. How often had he visited the office beyond the door? Very often, and Dumbledore had in the past revealed many things to him. But last summer things had changed, and Dumbledore had become more standoffish. He had denied Harry access to important things that he needed to know, and it continued up to now. Harry wasn't sure how he felt about seeing Dumbledore again. On the one hand he would finally get to ask all the questions that had been plaguing him for so long, and let him know of the odd happenings at Hogwarts in his absence. On the other hand Harry was still angry at him for the second summer without any real communication, and Dumbledore not being there for Sirius funeral amongst other things.
Come in Harry. The voice was weak, and not vocal, but in Harry's mind. Harry knew it to be genuine all the same, and put a hand on the door knob. Professor McGonagall was right, this meeting had been to long in coming, it was now a time for answers he thought, as he pushed open the door.