CHAPTER TWO – Repaying Luna

As she approached Ginny and Harry, Hermione could tell they were talking about what had just happened. Wanting to know what they were saying, she pulled her wand and cast the eavesdropping charm she had read about last summer. Instantly she could hear Ginny speaking and she knew they were talking about her.

"… can't believe she said that. Poor Ron, Hermione never seems to say anything positive about Ron. I think he's finally going to give up."

Harry looked pensive for a moment and then replied, "yeah, I have to agree. She basically said he was rubbish at quidditch, and she's always nagging about his studies."

"Yeah," returned Ginny, "She's nags about his studies, and his language and his table manners."

"And remember how she didn't believe he was a Prefect? And she turned him down for the Yule Ball!"

Ginny stopped at looked at Harry, "remember how at the beginning of the year she went on and on about how fanciable you were, and how you could have any girl you wanted?"

"Yeah, that was awkward."

"Did you see Ron's face when she said that? He looked like a lost puppy hoping to be noticed but she ignored him and kept on ranting about you, and then she said she only liked good quidditch players."

"I did feel bad about that."

"I mean he's loved her since second year, remember how he would sneak down to the hospital wing while she was petrified and read to her? We all told him it was pointless, but he said he needed to be there for her."

"And he's always defending her against Snape and Malfoy and anyone else like that. And he was the only one to notice when she was using the time turner back in third year."

"Not only that, he's always watching over her, you know he's the only one that can get Hermione to ever take a break, to get her to leave the library to eat sometimes and he makes sure she actually goes to bed."

Harry ran his hand through his hair and gave Ginny a sad smile. "Well, I can understand why he might be giving up. I always hoped that Ron and Hermione would get together, but after her quidditch comment, I don't see that happening. Ron has always taken quidditch extremely seriously and I don't think he'd forgive her for saying he was no good without luck potion."

"No, I don't either. Maybe Luna would be better for Ron. I'm curious what he's gonna say to her."

Hermione was shocked into stillness as she froze on the path and thought about all she had heard from Ginny and Harry. Am I really that terrible a friend to Ron? And Ginny said he loves me? And Ron with Luna? What do I do now?

Meanwhile Ron was off trying to find Luna. He hoped she'd be in the Gryffindor common room where he knew the victory celebration would be in full swing.

Ron was almost bowled over by the raucous chant of 'WEASLEY!' as he entered through the portrait hole. He was immediately pulled into a hug by Neville and then found himself on the shoulders of Seamus and Dean as the whole crowd began to sing 'Weasley is our King, he can save anything!'

After parading around and enjoying all the accolades Ron was put down on top of a table just as Harry and Ginny entered. There was another loud roar as they too were lifted and paraded around as everyone cheered. Shortly thereafter Harry was put down next to Ron and they both embraced each other to even more cheers. Soon the chant went up… 'speech, speech, let's hear from our glorious captain!'

While Harry made motions to quiet the crowd, Ron was scanning the room looking for Luna. He found her standing over in a corner smiling and beaming at him and he gave her his biggest smile.

Ron didn't really hear much about what Harry said as he jumped down and worked his way through the crowd toward Luna. The going was slow as everyone wanted tell him how great he played and to shake his hand or pat him on the back. After what seemed like forever he finally got to where Luna was standing.

Ron stood a few feet from her for a moment before he ran forward and picked her up and gave her a huge hug. Ron marveled at how comfortable she felt in his arms and how peaceful it seemed to just be with her. After her initial surprise Luna also wrapped her arms around Ron's neck and seemed to melt into him. Both held on much longer than would have been considered just a friendly hug.

As he twirled her around Ron looked her in the eyes and said loudly over all the crowd noise, "Thank you, Luna, thank you so very much. Harry told me how you helped him this morning, and I'm grateful that you were willing to help and that you had confidence in me, and you knew that I just needed to have confidence in myself."

Ron put Luna down, but still kept hold of her hands as she shyly smiled back. "I was glad to be of help Ronald, I was pleased to see that you believed in yourself and that you played so well. Just watching you succeed was so wonderful. I watched you the whole match and you were marvelous."

Ron just grinned at her while holding her hands. "Uh, Luna, would you like to get something to drink and then maybe we can sit and just talk? Would that be ok?"

"That would be wonderful. I am a bit parched after the match, and I would love to spend some time with you just talking."

Ron let go of one of her hands as he led her over to where the butterbeer was. Ron grabbed two bottles and walked with Luna over to a more quiet side of the room. The party was still going strong, but the decibel level had dropped considerably. Ron found a love seat with room for two over in the corner close enough to fire to feel its warmth. Ron let go of Luna's hand as they sat down next to each other and they clinked their bottles together.

After a moment or two of awkward silence with both Ron and Luna giving each other shy smiles, Ron turned toward Luna and said softly, "thank you again, Luna, what you and Harry did made all the difference in my confidence. I feel I need to do something to pay you back for all your help. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Ron looked up hopefully as Luna looked pensive. With a shy smile she asked simply, "all I want is to get to know you better, Ronald, would that be ok?"

Ron laughed softly, "that's all? I would love to get to know you better too, Luna, and to spend more time with you. I've been so focused on Hermione that I've failed to notice anyone else it seems. Like I've failed to notice what beautiful eyes you have. I love their silvery blue color, and I especially love how calm and peaceful you are, even in the middle of what seems like chaos. I'd love to be able to be that peaceful."

Luna turned to Ron and took his one hand in hers as she blushed slightly. "Oh Ron, I've so hoped you'd notice me, but I figured I didn't have a chance next to Hermione."

Ron scowled slightly as he thought of Hermione and her comments this morning. "Don't worry, Luna, I've given up on Hermione. I've realized that I never hear anything positive from her and I'm tired of always being corrected or nagged. Like I said, I really like how you have this calm air around you, and Merlin knows I could use a little calm. I'm noticing you now Luna and would love to be with you."

"Oh!" Luna said as she pulled back slightly. "Together, like boyfriend and girlfriend? Is that what you mean?"

Ron hesitated, shrugged his shoulders, put his butterbeer bottle on the ground, took her bottle and did the same and then leaned in with a smile taking both her hands in his and pulling her closer, almost close enough to kiss her. "Yeah, why not? I think that'd be brilliant, that way we can get to know each other, and who knows what might happen? Would that be ok? Would you be my girlfriend now, Luna? We seem to care about each other, and I want to care more, would that be ok?"

Luna put her arms around Ron and pulled him in and pressed her lips against his in a soft but loving kiss. Pulling back after a minute, she smiled and laughed, "I think that would be brilliant, too, Ron."

Ron smiled back and pulled her back into another kiss with a bit more passion. Soon their lips were parting and both were melting into each other.

Far too soon, Ron pulled back reluctantly, still holding onto to her. "As much as I love kissing you, Luna, this isn't really the place for it, here in the common room. How about we go take a walk and find somewhere less crowded?"

Luna stood and pulled Ron up and wrapped her arms around him. "Yes, please. I would love to go somewhere and talk some more and just be together. We will have to decide what we tell everyone about us."

Ron headed out of the Gryffindor common room holding Luna's hand, with both of them paying no mind to anyone else in the room. If they had looked they would have noticed a large number of shocked expressions watching them leave the room. Most shocked of all was Hermione.