But unbidden into his mind came an image of that same deserted corridor with himself kissing Ginny instead. . . . The monster in his chest purred . . . but then he saw Ron ripping open the tapestry curtain and drawing his wand on Harry, shouting things like "betrayal of trust" . . . "supposed to be my friend" . . .

(C14 – Half-Blood Prince)

A Love To Remember

Harry struggled to get to sleep all night, trying to convince himself that he did not like Ginny in that way.

The next few days were torture. Ron was angry with everyone and everything. Ginny had told Hermione about Ron's behaviour and she was also furious. Harry had been trying to play the peacemaker between the two, but his efforts were strenuous on him, and he was also trying to balance his schoolwork and Quidditch.

He needed a break, and he knew who could help him.

IlIlIlI

"Hello Harry," said Luna dreamily. "What brings you to eat here? You always sit with your friends."

"I need some calm right now," said Harry. The rest of the Ravenclaws who were staring quickly turned their heads back to their plates. "And being with you is always calming."

"Oh, Potter's got a crush," sniggered a Ravenclaw Harry didn't know, only to be elbowed by another Ravenclaw.

"Leave him alone, idiot," growled the other. "Harry's business is his business. Not yours."

The Ravenclaw sheepishly looked down. "Sorry Harry."

Harry waved him off with an "Okay."

"Surely there's something this week that can calm you, Harry," Luna said lowly. "Maybe the Room of Requirement."

Harry decided she was right. But he didn't want to be alone. After dinner Harry and Luna went off to the seventh floor together.

Once they were in Harry and Luna sat in a blue and golden room and chatted away for ages. Harry felt a load coming off his shoulders every time he finished talking about each issue.

But there was one issue he avoided.

"What else is there Harry?"

Harry blushed. He did not want to tell Luna that he was falling for Ginny, considering the friendship between the two girls.

But then he looked into Luna's eyes. And he remembered who he was talking to. The least judgemental person in Hogwarts. He knew she might understand.

So he bore his soul out to her.

"You know Harry," said Luna. "You keep things too bottled up. You should write them down to get better clarity. The mind is a tumultuous place. Words are always running around."

Just as Harry thought of that a table with a parchment and quill appeared between him and Luna.

He picked up the parchment and gave a laugh.

On the left side of the parchment it said Pro's of dating Ginny and the other side said Con's of dating Ginny.

"You know, this is something we can do together," said Luna, getting out of her recliner and sitting on Harry's recliner, pressing herself up close to him so she could fit. "I've known Ginny my whole life so I can help."

Harry didn't say a word. He was blushing having a girl sitting up against his side.

"This is too tight," said Luna. She closed her eyes for a moment and the recliner turned into a two seater couch. "That's better."

Harry however felt like he lost some warmth. Luna somehow felt cosy to him.

"Anyway let's go from left to right," said Luna dreamily. "If we only do one side we'd be too caught up on that side and not want to do the other."

"S-sure," stammered Harry.

"Alright, let's try a pro," said Luna.

"Yeah," mumbled Harry. "Um, she plays Quidditch."

Luna wrote that down.

"And now for a con," she added.

Harry scrunched up his face as she looked at him. Eventually he said it. "She's my best friend's sister."

That went on.

"She's funny."

That went on the pro side.

"She's got a boyfriend."

That went on the con side.

"She's beautiful."

That also went on the pro side.

But now Harry was stuck. He couldn't think on any other cons.

"How about she looks like your mum?" breathed Luna.

Harry jumped up as if his bum went on fire.

"WHAT?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Harry. I thought you noticed," said Luna.

Harry had not noticed. But now he had. He could picture his Mum in his mind right now, and mentally placed a picture of Ginny next to her. The only difference he could see were the eyes. His mum had green eyes but Ginny's was brown.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," he mumbled.

As if on cue a bucket appeared next to Harry. However, he didn't vomit. He sat down and calmed his breathing.

"Why would you say that Luna?" demanded Harry.

"You were stuck on the con side," she said nonchalantly.

The list? Harry had conveniently forgotten about the list for the moment there.

He sat down and looked at it, only to scowl as he saw that Luna added in 'Looks like mum' on the con side.

"We're back on the pro side," said Luna. "Let's try something different though. So far we have listed attributes, but what about emotion."

"Emotion?" asked Harry. "What do you mean?"

"Love Harry," she said, turning her head sideways with a serene smile. "Is Ginny the woman you are in love with, someone you can picture being with until you die."

Harry stopped short. Although he had fantasised about Ginny lately, it was not about love. It was only about kisses and abandoned hallways with no peeking brothers.

"Do you both have any emotions that can connect you?"

A black leather book danced in Harry's mind.

"Trauma," he said sadly. "She was possessed by Voldemort a few years ago. I've also been possessed by Voldemort."

Luna wrote that down before Harry could protest. After saying it, he realised that the shared trauma was a very weak argument. He had more in common with Luna after all in trauma. Both of them had lost a parent.

He looked at Luna as he thought that. It amazed him that Luna smiled through life despite having lost a parent. It was something he wished he could do. But then again Luna had gotten to know her Mum for long enough to have memories of her. His only memory of his Mum was her death.

"Alright, how about another con?"

Harry sat down and pushed the list away.

"Luna, can I ask you something personal?"

Luna turned to look at him expectantly.

"How is it you smile so much despite having lost a parent?"

"Well, I still have my dad," she smiled. "And we're still continuing to make memories together. It's a shame my mum isn't there in person, but I believe she's always there in spirit, just like your parents are. Maybe the three of them are in here watching us now."

Harry's heart sunk. He couldn't imagine his mum would be proud of him making a pro and con list on dating his best friend's sister, and his dad and Sirius – Harry groaned internally - are probably laughing their heads off.

"Oh god, they're probably not happy about this ruddy list," groaned Harry.

"I don't think they'll care," smiled Luna. "I'd say they're glad we're not thinking of them all the time and being sad."

Harry smiled at that. "Maybe."

"About this list, though," chimed Luna. "I can think of a solution to test if it is a problem or not."

"How?" asked Harry warily.

"Is there any other redheads you know Harry?"

"Susan Bones."

Oh damn, thought Harry. Why did I say that?

"Ask her to help you realise if you like Ginny?"

Harry stared at Luna, unbelieving at what she said.

"Ask her? I only know her a little. Why would she help me?" asked Harry disbelievingly.

"Because she helped me in the D.A. last year," said Luna. "She likes helping people."

"No, I am not asking her," said Harry, with a tone of finality in his voice.

"Okay."

And Harry thought that was the end of that.

IlIlIlI

But it wasn't.

Since Harry said he wasn't going to ask Susan, Luna decided to.

So now here he was in the Three Broomsticks with Susan. He wanted to curse Luna for doing this to him, but he couldn't bear to badmouth her, even in his mind.

"Calm down Harry," chuckled Susan. "It isn't that embarrassing."

Harry begged to differ.

"Look, we need to find out if you'd like to be with a redhead or not," said Susan. "Just forget how this date was set up and let's pretend you asked me out because you find me attractive."

Harry blushed. This was a very different date than his date with Cho last year. Cho had been too emotional and he was too angry.

This was certainly different. Susan was chatty, playful and flirty.

"I'm sorry," mumbled Harry. "But I've never been on a genuine date before."

"Weren't you with Cho Chang at the start of the year?" she asked.

"Neither of us were in a good place," said Harry. "I had a Ministry that ignored and slandered me and no one gave Cho the help she clearly needed."

"Just be yourself," chimed Susan. "In dating you don't think about your issues. Just think about the person you're with, and I need some attention."

Harry laughed. Susan was a clear breath of fresh air. He wished he had met her back in first year. He already had a lot in common with her. Susan, like him, was an orphan. Her parents had been killed by Death Eaters and she was raised between her Aunt Amelia and her friend Hannah's parents. Her Aunt Amelia was killed by Voldemort himself back in the Summer, leaving her as the only Bones left. She'd already told him she's keeping her name with any of her kids so that the name doesn't die.

So Harry decided to stop the brooding. It wasn't doing him any favours. So they had a few butterbeers and chatted away about their interests, their dreams, and family.

"Well, Harry," she said coyly an hour later. "We need to find out if you're compatible with a redhead."

"How?"

Susan put her hands on Harry's lapels and pulled him in for a kiss. It took a moment for Harry's mind to register what had happened before he pulled away from her lips.

"Well, I guess we're not compatible," laughed Harry. He couldn't believe how easy-going he was being. Susan laughed too.

"And did you think of why?" asked Susan.

"I think I prefer blondes now," Harry said without thinking. He clasped his hand over his mouth.

"Don't worry, Harry," she smiled. "I won't tell Malfoy that."

Harry spat out his butterbeer at the words and started choking. Once his throat cleared, he glared at Susan who was giggling madly.

"That was uncalled for," he tried to say before he joined her in giggling.

"There is one thing we are compatible as though, Harry," said Susan.

Even though they hadn't known each other very long, Harry knew the answer.

"Yeah," he said, slipping his arm in hers. "We're now best friends."

They both walked back towards the castle still arm-in-arm. Neither cared about the glances that were sent their way. Neither of them cared what anyone thought of them.

IlIlIlI

Harry wanted to bang his head against the wall.

Luna had met up with Susan yesterday to hear how their 'date' went.

Susan had told Luna how he slipped up and said that he now prefers blondes.

Harry knew why he said that though.

Ever since that first evening in the Room of Requirement with Luna, he found himself thinking about Luna most of the time. Ginny had since fled his thoughts and now he was having a completely different feeling.

It wasn't a monster in his chest. It wasn't a mindless crush. He was thinking of Luna far into the future, envisioning them together, being married, having children, growing old together, giving her featherlight kisses and telling her that he loved her. He felt his heart flutter at these thoughts.

He had fallen in love with Luna.

The only problem was that Luna, in her infinite wisdom, had somehow arranged another date for him. But it wasn't with her.

It was Daphne Greengrass. How Luna pulled that off he did not know.

He didn't know Daphne at all, but he knew she was not a woman to be trifled with. At the Yule Ball two years ago her date ended up in the Hospital Wing for a week when he tried to get fresh with her on the dancefloor.

Harry was a bit wary of going on a date with a Slytherin though. He knew she wasn't part of Malfoy's group though. Every time Slytherin's laughed at him, Ron or Hermione in potions it was only Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson, and Nott. That was hardly all of Slytherin though, so he thought he'd give it a chance. Maybe he could make another new friend.

But he still felt nervous. He wasn't keen on finding out Ron's response on him going out on a date with a Slytherin.

Although he loved Ron like a brother, Ron severely disliked Slytherins, considering them all evil and backstabbers. Harry went along with it at first because Ron was his friend, but now he was tiring of Ron's tirades against Slytherin. He wanted to give them a chance. After all, the sorting hat considered him for Slytherin, and he wasn't evil. Dumbledore himself didn't consider him evil.

So now he was waiting at the entrance of the Great Hall waiting for Daphne. They were going to go to Hogsmeade. He just hoped she was somewhat fun.

"BOO."

Harry jumped out of his skin at the roar at his ear and fell down.

"Sorry, Potter," laughed a voice. "I meant to scare you, but not have you fall down."

Harry turned his head and saw Daphne Greengrass standing over him with an extended hand. Grumbling he took her hand and she pulled him up.

"Now, come on," she said, his hand still in hers and started dragging him to the main door. "I'm not wasting this date here. Let's talk while we walk."

But Harry didn't talk. He was afraid of saying the wrong thing and getting kicked.

"Well, my name is Daphne Greengrass," she started. "I have a younger sister named Astoria who's two years below us. I'm from Blairgowrie down south in Perthshire. Beautiful place, you're going to come visit me sometime so I can show you the forests there and the golf club. I do enjoy that Muggle sport. Although I once hit a golf ball so hard it ended up in someones garden and scared a squirrel who was trying to eat bird food. I'll never forget that. It was hilarious. The Muggle owner of that house though had a nephew who followed me about though like a little puppy. I won't forget him either. Ah, but I'm talking too much now. I'd like to hear about you, Harry."

Harry's nerves went away as she talked, realising through her story that she didn't hate Muggles. After all she liked golf.

"Well, I'm Harry Potter," he said. "I live with my Aunt and Uncle in Surrey outside of London. There's no forests near me but there was a zoo. I didn't get to visit it though until I was almost eleven, before my Hogwarts letter arrived, and I spoke to a boa constrictor. I didn't realise I was speaking Parseltongue to it until my second year."

Although he was ashamed of his Parseltongue ability, he was quite sure she wouldn't mind, since she was a Slytherin.

"I must say Harry," she said, smiling at him. "It is so awesome that you can speak to snakes. I wish I could."

"What?" asked Harry, surprised at her response.

"It's really no different than speaking a different language, Harry," she said shaking her head. "Before Voldemort Parselmouths were revered and honoured worldwide. It's because of him the language is now looked down on as evil. You know Parseltongue is a practiced language in wizarding India."

"Really?" queried Harry.

"Yes," she said. "There's no need to be ashamed of it. You should have seen the Slytherin dorm the night your ability became known. They were all extremely jealous and wished you were part of our house. And then Draco opened his mouth to insult you. We kicked him out of the Common Room and changed the password so Snape couldn't march him back in. He stayed in Snape's quarters for two weeks before his daddy threatened us to let him back in. Those two weeks were so peaceful having that moron gone. We were all so happy."

Harry couldn't help it. He laughed. He never knew where Malfoy stood in Slytherin, but knowing that almost the entire house couldn't stand him was more than he expected.

"Trust me Harry, we don't like him any more than you do," she growled. "He just gives our house a bad name."

"Well, let's not talk about Malfoy," smiled Harry. They had reached the Three Broomsticks. "We're here, and I intend on treating you like a Queen."

Harry held the door open for her. "Ladies first."

"A gentleman too," she smiled, walking in. "Well, we're going to have fun today Harry."

They had far too much fun. Daphne was the Slytherin equivalent of Fred and George. She had pranked the bar while Harry was grabbing a couple of butterbeers. The bar counter had turned into what looked like a Muggle ocean wave, upending drinks and food everywhere. Many of the customers were swearing up a storm and looking for someone to fight in their anger. Rosmerta kicked out at least thirteen patrons and now the entire bar counter was free while Rosmerta tried to sort out the mess. Harry ended up helping Daphne to help Rosmerta clean up.

Once they sat down Harry asked, "What was that?"

"We helped Rosmerta clean up," she said slyly. "Someday she'll return the favour."

Harry couldn't hold it in. He let out a quiet laugh.

"That's sneaky, Daphne" he whispered.

"Well, I am a Slytherin," she said, holding her head up in an aura of snootiness.

They stayed in the Three Broomsticks for an hour chatting about their lives, but mainly about pranks.

Harry never thought of himself as a prankster. But Daphne pointed out that all his adventures was a prank of its own, especially freeing Sirius from the Ministry's clutches two years ago. She made it clear he more or less pranked the Minister himself with that stunt.

Harry couldn't believe the secrets he was telling her. But Daphne seemed to bring out a childish joy in him. He had already promised her that he would come to her house for Christmas to see her.

They left the Three Broomsticks and went into Honeydukes. They both left the shop with bulging pockets before heading over to Zonko's.

They bought out at least a shelf worth of pranks. Harry felt like a kid running around with Daphne in Hogsmeade.

They arrived back up at the castle in time for dinner. They both sat at the end of the Slytherin table with Daphne's friend Tracey and her sister Astoria. They shared out their sweets with each other.

"Okay, I got to ask," asked Tracey. "Are you two dating or what?"

A look of revulsion was shared between Harry and Daphne.

"Ew, Tracey, that's disgusting," spat Daphne. "Not with my brother."

Harry dropped his sweet in shock.

"What?" he asked stupidly.

"Come on Harry," she smiled. "We're a terrible match. But I'd love to have a brother, and I'm sure you always wanted a sister."

She slipped her hand into his and Harry looked at her. He had always wanted family, but he wasn't expecting to find family at the Slytherin table.

"Yeah, you're my sister," smiled Harry, squeezing her hand.

"Can I be your sister too Harry?" begged Astoria, looking into his eyes pleadingly.

"You already are," said Harry, smiling at her.

The fourteen year old girl lunged at Harry and started hugging him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she cried happily.

Harry shared a bemused look with Daphne.

IlIlIlI

"I can't ask her," groaned Harry. "What if she says no?"

Daphne and Susan both cuffed him behind the head.

"Harry for god's sake," growled Susan. "Just ask her."

"And I'm tired of hearing your lovesick anecdotes," said Daphne. "You'll never know if you don't try."

Luna wanted to meet up with Harry to hear how his date went. But all he wanted to do was ask her out.

"Can you tell me what - "

"NO!"

"Harry it'll come naturally," Astoria chimed in. "If you like her you should take a chance. Otherwise some other boy here in Hogwarts will realise how beautiful she is and ask her out."

Harry calmed down and gave Astoria a grateful look. He was very thankful of his new friends.

Ron hadn't been happy at first about Harry being friends with Daphne. But once he met Daphne and found out Malfoy was hated in his own house he changed his mind completely. He had since become chess partners with Tracey and was developing a crush on her to Harry's amusement. Hermione had no problems with Daphne as they often worked together in Ancient Runes.

"Ok I'll ask," said Harry, smiling at Astoria. He knew Astoria now had him wrapped around her little finger. She was that manipulative little sister who always got her way.

So Harry made his way to the Room Of Requirement to meet up with Luna.

She was in there reading The Quibbler upside down, wearing her odd half-moon shaped glasses.

"How was your date Harry?"

"I found my long-lost sister in Daphne."

"Really Harry," she put down the magazine and looked at him as he sat down. "Did you even kiss her?"

"Oh god, no," shuddered Harry.

"Well, who do you want to kiss then?"

It was now or never. Harry leaned in and planted a featherlight kiss on Luna's lips for a few seconds before pulling away.

"I want to kiss you," said Harry, smiling at her.

Luna said nothing. She brought a finger up to her lips and give it a slight rub. She leaned forward and placed her finger on Harry's lips, lighting a fire inside Harry. He gave her finger a small kiss.

"When I said I liked blondes, I was thinking of you, Luna," he said softly. "I'd love to spend my life with you just loving you."

To Harry's surprise Luna leant in and gave him a kiss, but it wasn't a soft, brief kiss. Their minds went blank as they shared a deep, loving kiss. It was full of passion and hope, and it felt sweet.

"Will you be my girlfriend Luna?" asked Harry.

"Girlfriend," murmured Luna.

"And hopefully someday, my wife," said Harry. He knew he was taking a big step with what he had just said. But he couldn't picture his life with someone else, and wanted to let Luna know that.

"Yes," breathed Luna.

They sat in there as boyfriend and girlfriend and chatted a while, before deciding to leave the room.

Only to come across two Slytherin's and a Hufflepuff outside the door.

"We heard it all," smirked Daphne.

"Woo-hoo, Harry finally has a girlfriend," cheered Susan.

Astoria moved forward and gave Luna a hug.

"Welcome to the family," she had said, causing Harry to facepalm in embarrassment.

"Can't you give us some privacy," he growled.

The three girls looked at each other.

"No," they said in unison.

"I guess that's sisters for you," said Harry in defeat.

"But we'll leave you be for now," said Astoria, dragging Susan and Daphne away with her.

"At least I'll have fun in-laws," Luna said dreamily.

Harry smiled. "That you will."

And he pulled her in for another kiss.

AN I just adore Luna. I always thought she was the one Harry should have ended up with. Not Ginny and definitely not Hermione. Harry getting with Hermione would have been too cliché for the series. Although I now like Ginny compared to five years ago, there is still a rule. Never date your best friends sister.