Like many victims of rape, I stayed silent. Dead silent. I didn't want to believe such a horrible thing had happened to me, and, to be perfectly honest, I blamed myself for putting myself in such a situation. If I had just kept my big stupid mouth shut about my ability to speak parseltongue, none of the unpleasantness with Professor Snape would have happened. I couldn't even tell Luna about it, but once she realized something was up with me, she insisted I needed cheering up and that we go on a first date. But that didn't help; I still felt extremely guilty for sleeping with Harry, and knew deep down that Luna deserved much better than me.
"Where are we going?" I asked, my hand in Luna's as we walked down High Street. Lights and decorations hung from every store, welcoming customers with a warm Christmastime vibe.
"You'll see." She squeezed my hand. We arrived at a small stone shop with pink framed windows. A sign reading 'Madam Puddifoot's' hung above the door. Luna told me she'd always wanted to come here, but was always too embarrassed to as she never had a boyfriend to go with, or in this case, a girlfriend, and I couldn't blame her. Plus, it was chilly and snowing out, so a hot coffee was just what we needed.
We went inside, and Luna's eyes lit up at the frilly, pink decorations everywhere. We were greeted by Madam Puddifoot who sat us at a table next to the window. Cherubs flew about the room, throwing confetti down onto the couples. It was quite annoying, actually. Luna seemed happy though, and if she was happy, I was happy. "So," Luna reached across the table and took hold of both my hands, "are you nervous about the third task at all?" I was a little upset when she mentioned it. I didn't want to talk about the competition. I just wanted to talk about us, and...well...normal things. I'd managed to go the whole morning without thinking about it.
"Um…well, to be honest...yes, I am. I've heard it's going to take place in a graveyard…"
"Well," Luna's blue eyes twinkled, "I'll be there to cheer you on, cupcake." I smiled, more in love with her than i'd ever been. Madam Puddifoot struggled to get past the many tables that cluttered the room with a tray of cups of coffee, and placed them on top of our lacy napkins. We thanked her, and sipped our coffees, chatting and laughing. Our date ended beautifully with a kiss, uncaring of the attention we received. We walked down the road to Honeydukes to get Luna a pumpkin pastie. The smell inside the shop was intoxicating. We around for a while, Luna nibbling on her pastie and me chewing a stick of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Luna occasionally popping my bubbles with her finger. As it was Christmastime, it was quite crowded. We even bumped into a few professors which was pretty awkward.
When we returned to Hogwarts, we were giggling and laughing hysterically, even though insults and nasty names were thrown our way. I suppose word had gotten out that we'd gone on a date. It had been a brilliant day, and it ended with us snuggling in bed.
The following day during Potions, I sat doodling hearts with Luna's name in my notebook. The date had helped, like she said. She always knew how to calm my nerves.
"Fay?" Harry asked.
"Yes?" I turned to him with a smile. He looked flustered.
"...I...I-I was wondering if you..."
What? If I what?
"if you...wanted to maybe go on a...date with me...sometime..."
My eyes widened.
"I was planning on going to Hogsmeade next weekend...and...well, I've heard Madam Puddifoot's is a nice place..."
I lost my breath.
Did Harry Potter just...ask me out?
It was a dream come true...
"O-oh!" I managed to say.
I'm sorry, Harry, but I'm in a committed relationship with Luna Lovegood.
I'm in a committed relationship with Luna Lovegood.
I'm in a committed relationship with Luna Lovegood.
"I-...I'd love to..."
Harry smiled, relieved, "Great...Great." He acted as if asking me out was one of the three tasks, dangerous and gutsy. He turned back to his work. I could've kicked myself at that moment. I couldn't believe the words had left my mouth. What a big stupid bitch I was. Whilst silently cursing myself, what felt like a ball of paper hit the back of my head. I turned my head and saw Malfoy laughing with Crabbe.
"Oi, Potter, you know Woodcroft's already seeing Loony Lovegood, right? You've got no chance! She's a dirty muggle lesbian!" Malfoy smiled viciously and gave me a look of retribution, "Told you you'd pay for disqualifying me."
You fucking prick...
Enraged at Malfoy's harsh words, I stood from my chair and came so close to pulling out my wand. Instead, I marched over to him, and punched him as hard as I could in the face, feeling his nose crack under my fist. Once he fell to the floor, I jumped on top of him and continued to unleash hell onto him.
Gasps could be heard from the girls, while the boys were chanting, "FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!" but I was soon pulled off Malfoy by our professor, kicking and screaming.
Snape released me and commanded deeply, "Outside." I did, more than willing to cooperate. If I had stayed in the room, I would have killed Malfoy in front of our classmates.