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Under the Moon, We Sat

By Nikka M

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A Ron/Luna fanfic

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“I wonder where Hermione is. For a very intelligent person like her, she shouldn’t be running away from reality.”

“She and Harry had gotten really close during the war. I guess the pain of losing him was too much to bear.”

She gazed at him with a wistful expression. “Do you not miss her, Ronald?” Her eyes were directed at him and he sighed. His heart gave a slow thump as he carefully organized his words.

The moon above them seemed to glow brighter… as if urging him to spill his feelings to his friend. (Was she a friend? he asked himself. Yes, she was. The only one left.)

“I miss her, of course. I loved her since second year… but I guess she loved someone else.”

“Oh, she loved you too, you know. She just didn’t know how to say it.”

He looked over at his companion and raised his eyebrow. “How would you know? She left me because Harry died.”

“I suppose, I just know that she loved you. But she loved Harry as well, I think… and I guess, when he –” she struggled with the word, “when Harry left, it was the final straw for her to realize that she truly loved him more than…”

Her pale hair fell past her shoulders as she stopped talking and ducked her head.

“I’m sorry, Ronald.” She said in such a soft voice that he almost didn’t hear it.

He nodded, his chest tightening at the thought of what she just said. He breathed in and looked up at the moon.

“It’s alright. I’ve always felt that she cared more for him anyway.” He laughed slightly. “Now that I think about it… maybe it was destined that Harry would have her love in the end… I mean, he didn’t know what love felt like until he came to Hogwarts… and I guess… it was fair…”

He trailed off.

“Sorry. I’m beginning to sound like a ninny.”

He cleared his throat.

“But, I can’t help but still feel resentment towards Harry. True, he is my best mate… but still – I want to know what it feels like to be wanted… except he got the girl in the end. And I… I’m left with no one.”

“That’s not entirely true. You still have your parents, four brothers and your sister.”

“That’s not the same. They’re family.”

“Your friends are still alive… like Neville, Dean…”

“Like I said: That’s not the same.”

“Well…” she placed her hand on his. “I’m here.”

He looked at her hand on his, heat rushing into his face. That’s odd, he thought. He looked at her soft face. There was an angelic smile on her face as her eyes stared into his…

Again, a rush of heat surged through him.

“I know you still find me strange and queer. But still, no matter what, I’d never leave you or any of our friends. Now that dad’s gone…”—she squeezed his hand—“I want to keep you… and everyone around.”

She tilted her head, that same smile on her lips. “After all… you’re all I have left.”

“I am?” he asked, stupidly.

“Yes.”

Finally, he felt the corners of his mouth tug into a smile. His heart was pounding and he felt lighter. “Does everyone really feel lightheaded when they’re wanted?”

“Yes. At least, I think so. It’s how I felt when we were in the DA.”

He nodded. “It’s a nice feeling.”

Slowly, he placed his arm around her shoulders.

“You know what, Luna… I want to keep you around too.”

She simply smiled that wistful smile and laid her head on his shoulder and once again looked at the moon hanging above them.

Age

By Nikka M

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A Harry/Hermione fanfic

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“Do you want some milk in your coffee?”

“No, I want it strong.”

“Ah, yes, strong coffee equals the strong woman that you are. Forgot about that.”

Smirk. “After twenty years of friendship, a war, six years of marriage and a bouncing green-eyed baby boy – you forget that I like my coffee strong?” She throws him a teasing smile. “You are quite old, dear.”

“You’re older, darling.”

“For only a few months, Mr. Potter. And don’t go starting on my age again.”

He grins and sits across her. “Too late. Because now that I’ve noticed… you have wrinkles on your forhead now. They’re very faint… but they’re there.”

“Really now, you should stop before my temper flares up.”

“And look, your hands look quite dry. Suppose Professor Trelawney was right, they’re as dry as the books you read so often. I wonder why that is…”

“Harry. I compel you to stop for a moment before I do something drastic.”

“I saw Ginny the other day with Draco and their daughter, Paulina… and she looked almost exactly like she did on her wedding day. I suppose redheads really do age better than brunettes.”

Glare. “Harry…”

“I’m sorry, Hermione. But really, with everything that I’ve noticed just now – it stuns me to see you look so…”

“Say another word and I will kill you.” “Beautiful.”

He grins once again as she glares at his teasing. She slips next to him and places a kiss on his lips.

“Damn you, Harry James Potter.”

“I love you too, Hermione.”