Chapter 36
Luna woke up in the morning after another restless night. Despite this, she smiled as she felt her babies move.
“It’s getting cramped in there, isn’t it?” she said, caressing her belly.
She had breakfast, trying to push away the pain of Harry’s absence. It was painfully ironic how she had spent her entire life in this house without him, but after just four months of him living there, it felt like the house had never existed without him. Everything reminded her of him. The house felt colder, the colors duller. She glanced at the television, recalling how his green eyes sparkled with excitement when he brought it home. The couch reminded her of the countless times they lay together watching movies, his hand always stroking her affectionately. It also reminded her of the times they made love there, the way he would seat her with her legs apart and kneel in front of her, taking her to the edge of pleasure.
Was that a duty too?
He seemed to enjoy those moments as much as she did, seeking them out often. Maybe sex was the only real thing for him. After all, he was just 18 and hadn’t had much time to explore intimacy. Everything they knew, they learned together. It was natural for their desire to be so intense—they were just teenagers.
Luna forced herself out of those painful thoughts. Today, she had her last checkup with the healer before the delivery, and that’s what she needed to focus on—her babies and their arrival into the world.
Harry was sitting in the waiting room at St. Mungo’s. He couldn’t shake his nervousness as he waited for Luna to arrive.
He was worried about the babies, hoping everything was fine with them, but the truth was that his focus was on Luna. He hadn’t seen her in just 24 hours, but it felt like an eternity. He had missed her every minute, and now that he was about to see her, he didn’t know what to do. Things between them had always been light and easy—her presence was calming—but now he was a bundle of nerves, all of it his fault.
A short while later, Luna entered the room. Harry’s eyes eagerly scanned her body, reassuring himself that she was okay. Her hair was loose, cascading in almost white waves, and she wore black leggings with a dark blue sweater, likely charmed to accommodate her growing belly.
Her face was unreadable as she walked slowly toward the chairs.
Harry didn’t know if she would sit next to him or keep her distance, so he waited for her to acknowledge him. When she finally saw him, her expression didn’t change, but her eyes flickered with an unfamiliar emotion before settling back into their usual calm.
“Hello, Harry,” she said, sitting in the chair beside him.
“Hi, Luna.” He looked at her, wanting to touch her, to place his hand on her belly and breathe in her strawberry scent. “How are you?” he asked, keeping things friendly.
“I’m fine, thank you.” Her serene voice carried no hint of warmth or recognition. She didn’t ask how he was or look at him. Harry swallowed his pain and fell silent.
Their silences used to be comforting. Now, they were painfully unsettling. Luna remained reserved while Harry seemed constantly on the verge of speaking but could never find the words. He glanced at her sideways, his hands stuffed into his coat pockets, trying to appear calmer than he felt.
“Miss Lovegood?” called an assistant.
They both stood up at the same time, Luna struggling slightly because of her belly’s size. Their eyes met briefly before they walked together to the consultation room.
The healer, as always, greeted them with a warm smile.
“Good morning! How are you feeling?” he asked, casting a sharp but brief look at both of them.
Luna responded serenely, “I’m fine, though quite large.”
Harry, however, avoided eye contact, fiddling with the hem of his sweater and saying nothing.
“Wonderful! Let’s take a look at the little ones, then,” said the healer, gesturing for Luna to lie on the examination table.
Harry stepped closer, helping her sit down. His fingers brushed her arm briefly, the casual touch charged with electricity. He quickly withdrew his hand, pretending to adjust the pillow at the other end. If Luna felt anything, she didn’t show it.
The healer waved his wand over Luna’s belly, conjuring translucent images of the twins in the air. The tiny figures moved softly, and both Luna and Harry couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
“Everything looks perfect. Both are in excellent positions for a natural delivery. This is wonderful news, Luna!” the healer said enthusiastically.
She nodded, relieved, her smile broad. He then began explaining the final preparations.
“We’re in the home stretch now. Breathing exercises, plenty of rest, and... well, something that greatly helps with natural labor is the release of oxytocin. You know, the hormone of love and pleasure.”
The room fell silent. Neither looked at the other, the words hanging in the air like a discomforting spell.
“This can include massages, relaxing baths... and, of course, sex.”
Harry coughed, choking on his own breath, while Luna averted her gaze, her cheeks burning with a deep blush.
“It’s natural. Sexual relations can help trigger contractions and make labor easier. But, of course, only if both parties are comfortable,” the healer continued as if he hadn’t noticed their reactions.
“Understood,” Luna replied succinctly.
Harry said nothing, but heat rose to the tips of his ears. He couldn’t help but think of the moments they shared in the past—the urgent kisses, tender touches, and ever-present desire. Now, it all seemed so distant, so out of reach.
When they left the consultation room, the tension felt even heavier. Harry held the door for Luna and followed her to the Floo Network station.
“Thanks for letting me come,” he said, breaking the silence as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Of course,” Luna replied without looking directly at him.
They prepared to step into separate fireplaces, each heading their own way, but before they did, Harry stopped.
“Luna…” he began, his voice hesitant.
She turned to him, her eyes clear and questioning.
“I... I just wanted to say…” He took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. “I’m sorry. For everything.”
Luna blinked slowly, her face serene, though her eyes held a fragile emotion.
“I know, Harry, but you don’t have to be. You never promised me anything.”
He swallowed hard. They exchanged one last look before she stepped into one fireplace and he into another, each carrying their own burden of unresolved emotions.