8

As they got ready to leave the quietness of the secluded room Harriet turned once more to Luna with a concerned look on her face. "Are you sure you want to do this? Once we go out there and show signs of dating, even if we don't outright announce it, everything will change. There won't be an option to go back to the way it was anymore."

Luna looked at Harriet and smiled, "I quite like the way it is now thank you. Why would I want to go back to before?" With that being said she gave Harriet a quick kiss and opened the door of the room. She took Harriet's hand and held it as they walked side by side to the Great Hall.

Surprisingly, the path between the study room and the Great Hall had few students in it and those that were there were heading the same direction they were and not paying any attention to the two young ladies behind them holding hands. As they approached the Great Hall Harriet's heart began to race. She turned and looked at Luna with a bit of worry in her eyes. Luna gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand. With Luna's reassurance to comfort her they entered the Great Hall holding hands. Surprisingly not many seemed to notice though. Everyone seemed wrapped up in their own conversations. A few noticed and whispered in their small groups pointing at the young ladies that had just entered holding hands. Among those that did were Ron and Hermione. Ron's jaw dropped and Hermione smiled seeing them together. She shoved Ron and told him it wasn't polite to stare. Ron looked rather embarrassed at that. As they headed to the table, Harriet caught Professor McGonagall looking at her and smiling to which Harriet returned the smile as her and Luna sat down with their friends.

Ron started off the conversation by mostly stuttering and not ever finishing a complete thought. "Are you guys…..I mean….you know…are you…"

"I think what Ronald is trying to get at is he wants to know what's going on with you two. Personally it's none of his business because I figure if you want to share it you can."

"Well thanks Hermione but we just got here so we haven't really had the chance to share anything," replied Harriet, "but we do need to tell you something and we wanted you to be the first ones to know. Luna and I are…dating."

"Well obviously from the way you two came in here," replied Hermione, "We're happy for you both. Congratulations."

"Yeah…happy…" came Ron who still hadn't seemed to process the information he had just been told. "That means she's….she's….your…"

"Girlfriend," chimed Luna, "and Harriet is mine. Just like Hermione is your girlfriend. At least I assume so with the way you two seem to be acting."

Hermione blushed at Luna's comment and struggled for words, "What…who said we're dating…I mean Ron and I are just…."

"So you guys weren't holding hands on the way to breakfast," Harriet interjected with a smile.

"Fine. We're dating but don't go making it a big public thing," stated Hermione.

"It's because she's embarrassed of me," replied Ron.

"I am not. I would just like to see how it goes before we get too public," replied Hermione, "besides it's nobody's business but our own."

"Exactly how we feel," replied Harriet.

"Ohhh…you know what I just thought of," Luna chimed in excitedly, "this means we could double date with Ron and Hermione! I've never been on a double date before! I've never been on a single date before either though…either way it could be fun."

"That could be fun," replied Harriet, "what do you guys think? A trip to Hogsmeade later for some butterbeer?"

"Sounds good to me," said Ron, "I'm always up for a good pint of butterbeer. What do you think Hermione?"

"Well I was going to get started on some studying but why not? It's been a while since we've all gotten a chance to go out and have fun. Not to mention this is a whole new beginning for all us. It's the next chapter in our lives," stated Hermione with a smile.

After they had eaten, Hermione mentioned that she hadn't seen Draco at lunch which was unusual because of his meal time activities that included staring at Harriet. "He's probably still mad because Harriet punched him and he fell into the fountain in the courtyard earlier," Luna said like it wasn't really a big deal. Both Ron and Hermione had a look of shock on their face. "You did what," Hermione asked Harriet.

"Well I went to meet Luna after breakfast and Crabe, Goyle and Draco cornered her by the fountain. He was asking her all sorts of questions and then he knocked her books out of her hand and I kinda lost it. Next thing I know I charged in and punch Draco right in his smug stupid face. He fell backwards into the fountain and Crabe and Goyle pulled him out. They took off after that and haven't seen him since."

"Felt good didn't it," asked Hermione with a sly look on her face. "It definitely did, especially after all the years of trouble he's given me," Harriet replied. "First Hermione punches him, and now you punched him, when's my turn to punch him," Ron asked.

"I didn't go there to punch him Ron," Harriet replied, "like I said, I went there to meet Luna and Draco was there messing with her and he knocked her books down and I intervened."

"She did quite a good job too," said Luna, "she swooped in and I don't think I've ever seen Draco move that fast. They weren't hurting me though. Just asking a bunch of personal questions that's all."

"Questions about what," asked Ron

"Oh about me and Harriet and our relationship status and all that kind of stuff. I told him it wasn't his business but he didn't seem to like that answer so he knocked the stuff out of my hands."

"That's definitely not his business," replied Hermione, "He's probably just jealous that you were closer to being with Harriet than he was." Both Harriet and Ron made gagging noises at that. The thought of Draco was very unappealing and beyond comprehending.

"Probably," responded Luna, "but it doesn't matter because I won. I got Harriet and that's that." She reached under the table and held Harriet's hand. Harriet blushed a bit and smiled.

"Aww…..,"cooed Hermione, "that's so sweet."

"Uh..yeah..well…I won Hermione and nobody's going to take her from me either," replied Ron, uncertain of what to say but still trying to sound sweet at the same time.

"Nice try Ronald," replied Hermione but she still reached for his hand to hold as well.

The Great Hall was starting to empty as lunch had finished. "Do you guys want to head to Hogsmeade now or wait a bit," asked Harriet.

"Well if this is indeed a double date I for one would like a chance to prepare for it. Maybe change. You should too Harriet. Plus I'm sure Luna would like a chance to get ready as well," came the logic of Hermione Granger.

"That would be nice," replied Luna. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing," asked Harriet.

"Everything," replied Hermione, "It's a completely different thing to date as a girl. I'll help you get ready. I'm sure Ron is going to change too. We'll meet by the main gates in an hour. Sound good?"

Everyone nodded in agreement and then Hermione took Harriet's arm and dragged her off to Gryffindor tower with Ron trailing behind while Luna headed for Ravenclaw tower to get ready.