5

Everyone was excited for the dance tonight. Pretty much everyone had passed their exams, including Ron. However, one young girl sat in her room listening to all the other girls laughing and giggling and getting ready for the dance. It wasn't the fact that she didn't have a date. It was the fact that she didn't want to go. In her mind it was still too soon to much an appearance like that.

As Harriet Potter stared out the window watching the sunset there was a knock on her door. "Harriet, are you in there," came the voice of Hermione Granger. "Come in," replied Harriet. The door opened and there stood Hermione in a dress similar to the one she had worn to the Yule ball a few years back. This gown however was a deep forest green that fit perfectly. Her hair was placed in a formal updo that Harriet had no idea how she managed. Harriet was simply stunned at her gorgeous Hermione looked. All she could manage was a "wow…" to which Hermione blushed and told her to knock it off. "I wanted to check on you before I left to meet Ron. Are you sure you don't want to go? I could help you get ready. I've got a couple extra dresses that would fit. It'd take practically no time," Hermione stated in a last ditch effort to get Harriet to change her mind. She didn't want to leave her friend alone but she had been looking forward to this dance since Ron had stumbled out an invitation. "Thank you for the invite but I'm not ready. Go and have fun with Ron. Besides I could never look as good as you," Harriet smiled at her friend causing Hermione to blush again. "That's a load of bull! I'm sure you'd look just as good if not better than me," replied Hermione returning the smile, "I'm sure I'll be jealous. You wait til I get ahold of you. You'll look amazing."

"Maybe but it's not tonight. Besides you better get going. You don't want to be late. I know how much you've been looking forward to this." What Harriet hadn't told Hermione was that she had loaned her old dress robes to Ron because she hadn't planned on going and she doubted they still fit her frame properly. Harriet had almost considered going to see the look on Hermione's face when she saw Ron all dressed up proper instead of the thing he wore to the Tri-Wizard ball but decided that Hermione would use that as an excuse to get her dressed up.

"Alright well if you change your mind we'll be at the ball. Feel free to come find us." With that Hermione left the room, closing the door behind her and headed to the ball.

Harriet waited a while after all the other girls had left before venturing out of her room. The entire girls' wing was a mixture of perfumes and scents which was almost overpowering. She could smell it wafting down even as she made it to the common room. She had a feeling it was the same way in every house though. Everyone had been excited about the winter formal since the announcement first went up. Well everyone except Harriet that was. Harriet left Gryffindor and went to wander for a bit. Hogwarts seemed empty pretty much everywhere she went. It seemed like every other person had gone to the formal, even the ghosts that roamed the halls.

Eventually Harriet found herself in the Astronomy tower. From here she could see all of Hogwarts and beyond. She could see the moonlight reflecting off the lake, the forbidden forest, Hagrid's hut, everything. It was the most beautiful view that one could imagine. Harriet had always enjoyed being up at night and looking up at the stars, even though she wasn't technically supposed to be without permission or for class. As she stared up to the sky, lost in her own thoughts, a radio clicked on behind her and started playing soft classical music. She whirled around and found herself staring at quite possibly the most beautiful sight she had ever laid eyes on. There stood Luna Lovegood in a purple evening gown. She wore her cork necklace and earrings that resembled purple flowers. On her feet were purple flats with. She wore her waist length blonde hair down. Harriet felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of her. Harriet stood with her mouth open unable to say anything as Luna approached, "Dance with me Harriet Potter," she said as she held out her hand for Harriet to take. Harriet took Luna's hand and pulled her closer putting her hand on Luna's waist as they began to dance. She wondered if this was a dream. Maybe she had fallen asleep at the astronomy tower.

"Is this a dream," Harriet wondered aloud.

"This is no dream Harriet. Why? Do you dream about me often," Luna inquired.

Harriet blushed before changing the subject. She didn't want to admit that she had indeed dreamt of Luna before but this was better than any dream. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight Luna. Why are you up here though? Everyone is down in the great hall."

"Not everyone. The person I wanted to dance with wasn't there so I came and found her."

Harriet felt a bit foolish for not asking Luna to the dance before and at this moment she felt seriously underdressed. "But how did you find me," Harriet asked.

"Well when you didn't show up I asked Ronald and Hermione where you were. Hermione told me you were in your room but when I got to the painting I was told you had left. So I took a guess that you were up here. I know how much you enjoy it up here, especially at night."

"I'm sorry I'm a bit underdressed. I didn't really expect to be dancing tonight."

"Would you like to stop," asked Luna.

"Absolutely not. This has been the best night I've had in a very long time." With that she gave Luna a spin before continuing, "I have to ask though. Why me? There are hundreds of students in this school and surely it would have been easier to go with any one of them."

"Simple. None of them are Harriet Potter," came the reply, "you've been one of my few friends here at Hogwarts for a long time. Before you and Hermione and Ronald I didn't really know what it was like to have friends. I feel like we've grown closer since you became a girl and I think you've noticed it too."

"I have but I wasn't sure what to think. I mean if we walked down the hallway holding hands people would stare and gossip. I didn't want to bring any teasing down on you because of me."

"Let them talk and stare. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks," replied Luna firmly.

At that moment Harriet's green eyes met with Luna's silvery blue eyes and Harriet asked, "Are you sure? I would feel awful if something were to happen to you because of me."

"You worry too much," replied Luna resting her head on Harriet's chest as they danced closer. Harriet could feel her heart beat faster at Luna being so close to her. She smelled the light flowery perfume that Luna was wearing. It wasn't overwhelming like many of the scents that lingered in the tower but to Harriet it was almost intoxicating because it was Luna. They were so enthralled in the feelings of being together that neither one of them heard the radio click off.

"Miss Potter! Miss Lovegood! What in heaven's name are you doing up here and at this hour no less? The dance ended hours ago!"

Startled the two young girls turned and saw Professor McGonagall looking at them. Harriet spoke up first. "I'm sorry Professor. It's all my fault really. We came up here to look at the stars and lost track of time. Won't happen again!"

"I should think not! Now both of you off to bed this minute before I change my mind," came the stern reply. As they reached the bottom of the astronomy tower Professor McGonagall spoke up again, "Miss Potter, a moment of your time please." Harriet and Luna exchanged glances and Harriet gave Luna a reassuring smile. Luna turned around and headed towards Ravenclaw tower, stopping once to glance back and gave Harriet a smile.

As soon as Luna was out of earshot, Harriet turned to face Professor McGonagall. "What can I do for you Professor," she asked. Professor McGonagall's once stern face was now concerned and caring. "It's not what you can do for me Potter. It's what you can do for you. I know you've been having a rough go of it ever since the accident and I know you've managed to get back to your old friendships but the relationship between you and Miss Lovegood is unusual even here. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it but what you are considering is going to have more trials than any other relationship. I just want you to be careful is all and if you need anything I'm here for you." Harriet breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight professor"

"Goodnight." Before Harriet could get to far she heard, "oh and Potter?" Harriet turned and looked at Professor McGonagall again. "Yes Professor?" "It's good to see you smiling again," she replied with a smile. Harriet gave Professor McGonagall a smile before heading off to Gryffindor tower for the night. By the time she got there everyone else was already in bed. Harriet headed into her room quietly and changed for bed. She laid in bed replaying the night's memories before eventually drifting off to sleep.