Soft pink lips met his, brushing across his own delicately. Harry smiled against her, he tasted her, and she was sweet honey on his tongue. He held her head, running his fingers through her blond tresses. He knew then that he loved her.

That's when he woke up, the dream already a distant memory. All that was left of it was the lingering taste of honey. For a moment, he had to collect himself. His name was Harry James Potter. He glanced at the clock to check the time. The time read ten on the dot. Tomorrow was the first day of the Christmas holidays.

A pang of loss went through Harry at that realization. He wouldn't be going to The Burrow that winter. His falling out with his best friends hadn't been resolved just yet. Harry wasn't certain it would ever be fixed.

He ripped the covers from himself, and a chill ran down his spine. He quickly pulled on a sweater, an ugly Weasley's sweater that made his heart hurt. It was either that or face cold. Harry removed the sweater, deciding then that he'd rather not be reminded of what he fucked up. He pulled on that horrible windbreaker instead, it wouldn't do shit.

On Harry's way out of his room, he saw Hermione just sitting on the couch. It was like she was waiting for him, maybe she was. She read her book peacefully. Harry tried to sneak past her, not wishing to disrupt that peace, but she noticed him.

"Harry!" She ordered. Harry knew better than to flee, though he wanted to. Harry winced and prepared himself for the yelling session that surely followed. When it didn't come, he opened his eyes again and stared at her.

There were tears in her eyes and her lips quivered. Her chin did that wrinkly thing that chins did when you were about to cry. Harry couldn't stand seeing her so upset, but he wasn't sure what to do. He'd never been an emotions type of person.

Suddenly, Hermione collapsed into him, enveloping him in a bear hug. She squeezed him so tight Harry was sure he'd pop. He had her massive hair all up in his face, it nearly choked him. Harry felt his heart warm, and he hugged her back. He'd missed her, he missed Ron. He missed when things were simple.

"I can tell something's wrong, Harry, and I'm sorry." She whispered to his chest, but he heard her loud and clear.

"Nothing's wrong." He lied through his teeth. That's when Hermione pulled back from their hug and gave him the 'are you serious?' look.

"I'm not an idiot, Harry." She huffed, shaking her head. Harry knew that. Anyone who thought Hermione was an idiot was an idiot themselves. There was no getting out it, but Harry was fine, truly he was.

"I'm fine." He said through gritted teeth, and Hermione fully separated from him. Hermione narrowed her eyes and glared.

"I've known you for five years, Harry, I think I can tell when you're lying." She snarked. Harry didn't feel like he was lying, not really. Okay, he had days where he wanted to die, but wasn't that normal? He was grieving.

"You're not eating enough, you're skin and bones. You aren't taking care of yourself, hell, you aren't yourself." Harry was shaking his head in denial the entire time she spoke. He didn't want her to be right, she wasn't right.

"I'm perfectly fine, Hermione, I promise." The snake of sins tightened around his stomach, and he felt nauseous.

"Stop lying to me!" Hermione yelled, way too loudly. There were tears in her eyes, droplets of frustration. Harry glanced around nervously at the eyes on them now. Harry was feeling lightheaded, blood was rushing through him as panic overtook him. He hated these moments, he hated attention, in that moment he hated Hermione.

"Please, don't yell." Harry begged in a whisper. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him, she was mad. Hermione mad was like a raging bull surrounded by fine china.

"I need the truth from you." She said calmly, the calm before the storm. For a millisecond, for barely a blink of an eye Harry pictured telling her everything. He felt the pressure of the emotions and it gave him a headache. Everything demanded to be let out, but it was too much all at once. The wonderous thought faded and any possibility went out the window. Harry loved Hermione, but he hated himself more.

He bit his lip and shook his head again; he had to get out of here before Hermione blew up. He turned away from Hermione and prepared to leave the common room, but Hermione grabbed his sleeve. When he looked at her again, she seemed to be on the verge of crying. He wasn't sure if those were angry tears or if she truly was upset. Harry hated himself, he really did.

"I-I was going to invite you to The Burrow, tell you we forgive you. But now?" She let go of his sleeve and wiped her eyes. She stared daggers into his eyes. Did she really mean that? Did she truly wish to invite him to The Burrow? After everything?

"Forget it, Harry." She sniffed, turning her back to Harry Potter. Once again, he was faced with the option of telling her. He wanted to, he wanted to so badly. But there wasn't a universe where Harry told her that day. So, defeated, Harry left the common room.

Harry was on the hunt for something, he wasn't sure what. He craved her he soon realized. He wanted to be simply in the presence of Luna Lovegood.

Maybe they were connected or something. Now, Harry didn't believe all that crazy stuff about Luna, but she did have a way of knowing when she was needed. He ran straight into her, a flurry of dirty blonde hair. Harry lost balance and toppled over. Harry caught himself but was quickly knocked over by Luna falling onto him. Harry was the first one down and it was his head hitting the floor hard.

"Ouch!" Harry exclaimed. When he opened his eyes, he was met with a pair of pale blue ones. As much as he wanted to say it was a romantic moment, he was slowly suffocating. As Luna tried to get off him, she put too much pressure on his groin.

"Luna!" He gasped. Despite the pain, the knowledge that Luna touched such an intimate part of himself caused his body to have a certain reaction. Luna made eye contact with a raised part of his body, and she turned bright red. Harry himself developed a particularly aggressive hue.

"I'm sorry, Harry." Luna sounded very sorry indeed. Her cheeks were still tinted pink.

"I don't mind." Harry turned an unfathomable shade, almost reaching Uncle Vernon levels of maroon. He hadn't meant to say such a crude but true thing. Luna seemed intent on ignoring his comment, much to his relief. She stood and dusted herself off. Harry got up behind her and did the same. Harry glanced down at the floor. Her stuff was littered all over the ground. He bent over, gathering her items in his arms.

"Here." Harry handed Luna her things. She struggled for a minute trying to grasp it all. Afterwards, they stood there for a while awkwardly, just watching each other. Luna smiled faintly and Harry returned it. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

"So..." Harry treid to break the silence. Luna looked past him for a while before she returned her attention to Harry, a persistent frown on her face.

"Harry?" Luna inquired.

"Hm?" Harry responded. There was a quiet space of time that both parties occupied before Luna spoke.

"D-Do you want to spend the break with my family?" Luna questioned cautiously. A surge of relief flooded through him. He didn't even know he was feeling all this pressure. The thought of being alone this Christmas drove him crazy.

"Yes!" Harry burst out without thinking. He wouldn't be isolated. Luna smiled, her eyes bright and relieved.

"Well, it's mainly just me and my father." Admitted Luna with a shrug. Harry nodded; he didn't feel like going somewhere with tons of people anyway.

"He writes the Quibbler, right?" Luna perked up immediately at the mention of the Quibbler.

"Oh yes! Best wizarding news in all of England!" Harry doubted that, but her enthusiasm was adorable.

"I'm glad to be meeting him." Harry said honestly. Luna grinned happily and while Harry's problems weren't gone, Luna's smile made it all a tiny bit more bearable.

Sorry guys I was in a mental facility don't worry though this chapter and hopefully another one will get released this week.

-Lemon Nugget