26

Upon entering the Gryffindor common room once more, the girls found Ron and Hermione sitting on the couch where they had left them. Only now Hermione was trying to talk Ron into getting a head start on his homework. "Good luck with that," Harriet thought to herself. As they approached Hermione inquired, "Well how is it? When do we get to see it?"

"Right now if you guys want," replied Harriet. Hermione smiled and stood up. She pulled up Ron behind her.

"Well what are we waiting for?"

With that the two couples left the Gryffindor common room and headed towards Harriet and Luna's secret room. As they approached Ron's eyes seemed to get bigger as he recalled their first year adventure. "Isn't this…," Hermione started.

"Yep," finished Harriet, "That's the same question I asked." As they got to the corridor, Harriet turned to her friends and grinned. "Check this out." As she walked between the two torch sconces a door magically appeared.

Hermione gasped and Ron's jaw dropped in amazement. "That's bloody brilliant mate!"

"Thanks but it wasn't our idea. It came standard with the living quarters. As for the door…" She moved out of the way allowing Luna to come in wand in hand. She tapped her wand on the door and whispered "Aperio." The door clicked unlocked and Luna swung it open. She stepped back beside Harriet.

"After you," Luna said, gesturing for Ron and Hermione to go first. Ron and Hermione walked through the door with Harriet and Luna following behind them. Harriet closed the door behind them and heard it automatically lock.

"Wow. You pretty much have your own common room. Heck….it's pretty much your own apartment," Hermione stated after looking around. "That's a pretty big step. Are you guys sure you're ready for that," she asked concerned. She watched Harriet and Luna look at each other, almost as if they were having an unspoken conversation. They turned back to Hermione, gesturing for them to sit on the couch.

"We know it's a big step in our relationship and many people don't get this far so soon. Especially being in Hogwarts," admitted Harriet.

"However we think we're ready," Luna continued. "This will give us a chance to really see if our relationship can handle that step."

"Besides after what happened I'm going to make sure I'm here to defend Luna. I love her and won't let anything happen to her. This step may be sudden and our relationship seems to be evolving quickly but I believe that this is the next logical step in our relationship as it will be in yours," Harriet finished.

"I would say so," replied Ron with a grin as Hermione blushed at the comment, "besides that bed doesn't leave you much option."

Harriet's face flushed as Luna smirked. "It was that way when we got here," stammered Harriet.

"Not that we wouldn't have pushed the beds together anyway," Luna grinned. Harriet turned bright red, Hermione looked shocked, and Ron's jaw practically dropped to the floor. Luna laughed at their reactions.

"Anyway…." Harriet said trying to recover the conversation with a smile on her face. Luna's laughs always made her smile. It was infectious. "This is our new place. I'd glad we're not too far from you guys. Unfortunately Professor McGonagall said that you wouldn't be able to find the room without one of us so if you need us send a patronus or something."

"Or you could always wander up and down the corridor yelling," replied Luna, "but we may not hear you." Harriet absolutely loved her girlfriend's sense of humor. It made even the darkest days brighter. This whole thing still felt like a daydream. Getting to share a room with her girlfriend where they'll be able to have privacy. Making sure she's safe. Sharing a bed. She would have never guessed this is where her life was going to take her at the beginning of the year. Of course she also didn't expect to be a she either. However life doesn't always turn out the way you expect. Sometimes it turns out better. For Harriet this was definitely better and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

"Right! I'll be sure to do that at like 3 am and set off spells so you can hear me," replied Ron sarcastically.

"Just make sure they aren't too loud or you'll wake up Fluffy," joked Harriet.

"What? That things still here," inquired Ron nervously.

"Yes he is. He wanders up and down the hallways too. He's always on the lookout for trouble makers. That's why he's the guard. Just make sure you peek through the corridor before you come rushing through. Wouldn't want him to mistake you for an intruder," Luna cautioned.

"Oh Ron! Honestly! Can't you tell they're pulling your leg? The headmistress wouldn't put them up here if that thing was still around," Hermione reassured.

"Oh….right," said Ron, feeling a little dumb he didn't think of that. Luna and Harriet shared a giggle at Ron's expense.

"She already assured me that all that stuff from first year including Fluffy are long gone," stated Harriet.

They continued to talk and chat until they realized it was getting late and if they didn't hurry they were going to miss dinner. After dinner, Harriet and Luna returned to their room alone.

"Can we talk," Harriet asked nervously.

"Of course we can," replied Luna, uncertain what this was about. She led them both over to the couch where they sat facing each other. They sat for a few moments before Harriet finally spoke up.

"You remember when Sirius died," Harriet asked softly. Luna nodded as she reached for Harriet's hand. "Well I've been putting off the will reading because it hurts. It's like accepting he's gone. Anyway, Gringotts wants to do the will-reading this weekend. Not only that but my parent's will hasn't been read yet. It was supposed to be read with Sirius and me but with all the crazy events that have happened since…well…since they died. Anyway, I was wondering…if you'd be able to go with me. You're all I have left and it's going to be a rough day." Harriet had been fighting back tears the entire time. When she finished speaking she broke down. Tears flooded from her face and she couldn't stop herself from sobbing. It was still hard to believe they were all gone. It's true she hadn't known her parents that well but Sirius. Sirius had given her hope and in an instant her entire future had been shattered when he was taken from her. Luna moved over next to Harriet and held her close. She wrapped her arms around the girl she loved, held her and stroked her hair.

"Of course I will go with you love. Nobody should have to face that alone but you should know they're never truly gone. They'll always be with you." She put her hand under her girlfriend's chin and slowly raised it so that could see into each other's eyes. "…and so will I."

"Thank you Luna. I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you so much."

"And I love you," Luna responded before wiping away her girlfriend's tears and kissing her. They continued to cuddle and love on the couch for a while longer. Eventually though they both decided it was time for bed. They were both too tired to be embarrassed. Besides it's not like they hadn't seen each other in the bare before. Christmas had been fun. They crawled into the center of the queen size bed, cuddled up together, and fell asleep.