Luna watched as Harry's eyes traced the lines of his Auror training manual. It had been a few months since they had started dating, and while their connection was growing stronger every day, she couldn't help but sense the remnants of his past haunting him. She knew about his history with Ginny, how they had been together since their Hogwarts days and how their relationship had ended after the battle.
Luna understood that kind of heartache. She had her own share of struggles and loneliness. Maybe that's why she felt an unspoken kinship with Harry. She saw the cautious way he held himself around her, as if guarding his heart from any more pain. But she was patient, empathetic. She had seen into his eyes, past the scars left by battles and broken relationships. She saw the kindness and vulnerability that he often hid.
Luna stood in front of Harry's study room, the door slightly ajar. Her heart raced as she hesitated, her fingers grazing the doorknob. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but the pull of curiosity was too strong to resist. Harry wasn't home, and the room seemed to beckon her inside.
With a hesitant breath, she gently pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was bathed in the soft glow of afternoon sunlight, casting a warm embrace over the shelves filled with books and the desk covered in parchment. Luna's eyes wandered, absorbing the atmosphere of the space that was so connected to Harry's work and thoughts.
Her gaze landed on the drawer that she had seen him open countless times. It held bundles of letters, a stack of memories from his past. Luna's heart skipped a beat as her hand hovered over the drawer's handle. She knew it was wrong, an invasion of his privacy, but the allure of those letters was too much for her to resist.
Carefully, she opened the drawer, revealing the treasure trove of letters that had once been exchanged between Harry and Ginny during their time at Hogwarts. Her fingers trembled as she picked up one of the letters, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting.
As she began to read, Luna felt herself being drawn into the words, the emotions that flowed between the lines. Ginny's descriptions of Harry were filled with affection, painting a picture of a side of him Luna had only glimpsed. The caring, gentle, and loving Harry that Ginny wrote about seemed to contrast with the guarded exterior he often showed to Luna.
Luna's mind wandered, her imagination crafting scenarios and scenes based on the words she read. She could almost hear the laughter in the corridors, see the stolen glances and whispered conversations. She imagined Harry's smile, the one that Ginny's words seemed to bring to life in her mind.
But as the days went by, Luna's fascination with the letters began to morph into an unhealthy obsession. She found herself returning to the study room, drawn to the drawer like a moth to a flame. Every day, she would take out a different letter, savoring the words, the connection between Harry and Ginny.
Her heart ached with conflicting emotions. She felt guilty for invading Harry's privacy, for betraying his trust. Yet, she couldn't stop herself from indulging in the world of those letters. She was torn between the reality of her relationship with Harry and the image she had built in her mind based on Ginny's words.
Luna knew she was treading dangerous ground, but her curiosity had spiraled into something more. She felt a pang of guilt every time she read a letter, but she couldn't bring herself to stop.
Luna sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts swirling like a storm within her.Luna's heart felt like a heavy stone within her chest, each doubt and insecurity weighing it down further. She had just finished reading the last letter, and the weight of her emotions had finally caught up with her.
The words imprinted in her mind like a haunting melody. She felt like an outsider in Harry's world, someone who couldn't possibly match the love and connection he had shared with Ginny. Luna's heart ached.
Her fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on the bedspread, her thoughts racing. Luna had always been labeled as different, her beliefs and appearance setting her apart from others. She wondered if Harry ever felt embarrassed by her, if her uniqueness was a barrier between them. But she knew he was too kind to admit it, even if it were true.
Despite her doubts, Luna had been trying to change, to bridge the gap she felt between herself and the version of Harry that Ginny's letters had painted. She wanted to be the person who deserved his love, who could make him as happy as he once seemed with Ginny.
She had given him everything she had, pouring her love into their relationship with an open heart. Yet, in the depths of her mind, the nagging thought remained that he couldn't love her as deeply as he had loved Ginny.
Tears welled up in Luna's eyes, and she let them fall freely. She had been hiding her insecurities, masking her pain behind a facade of understanding. But in the solitude of their room, her vulnerability was laid bare. She couldn't push the negative thoughts away, no matter how hard she tried.
Desperate for a distraction, she reached for the muggle device on the nightstand, the one that played the sad song Harry had introduced her to. The music filled the room, its melancholic melody resonating with her own emotions. As she listened, the lyrics seemed to echo her own inner turmoil, as if the song had been written just for her.
Luna closed her eyes, allowing the music to wash over her.
Luna rocked back and forth, struggling to hold herself together amidst the storm of thoughts in her mind. She felt like Harry didn't love her the way she loved him. Remembering how he had cared for Ginny back at Hogwarts made her doubt her own place in his heart. She wondered if her, being "Loony Lovegood," was the reason he didn't feel the same way about her.
She questioned if there was any adoration from Harry towards her. She believed he might be with her because he felt lonely or because they were good friends. Luna was the type to prioritize others' happiness over her own. She didn't ask for much from him, never demanding anything even during their time at Hogwarts. She believed that Harry's actions showed he didn't love her the way she hoped, maybe even pushing her aside sometimes.
Lost in her thoughts, Luna didn't notice the sad muggle song reaching its end.
Luna kept her gaze low, her puffy red eyes escaping her notice as someone with green eyes walked into the room, someone who was Harry. She felt his presence before she heard his voice, and when he jokingly mentioned his choice of song.
"Did my song choice make you cry? I guess my taste in music is pretty awful." He chuckled, hoping to bring a smile to her face and ease the tension in the air.
She didn't meet his eyes. When she eventually did look up, meeting his gaze, her heart raced. The question she blurted out was surprisingly bold, even to herself.
"Will you ever love me like her?" Luna's voice quivered, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. She watched as a mix of surprise and deeper emotions flashed across Harry's face.
"What?" Harry's voice carried a touch of bewilderment, unable to fully comprehend what he had just heard.
"I asked if you would ever love me like her," Luna repeated, her voice steadier this time. She knew there was no turning back now, that the truth had been spoken.
Harry's shoulders slumped, realization dawning on him that her words weren't a figment of his imagination. "Why would you ask that, Luna?Don’t you know yourself? " His brows furrowed, a blend of concern and confusion etched on his features.
"Well, no. I don't know it myself," Luna replied candidly, a mixture of vulnerability and frustration in her voice. "You've never shown it for me to know."
Luna's mounting frustration was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any moment. She could sense that if she let it all out now, Harry would blame himself later, and that was the last thing she wanted.
"Don't be silly, Luna. I do show it. You're just too self-centered to notice," Harry's words hit like a sharp jab. He had launched an attack, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed to realize their impact. His expression crumbled, regret written all over his face.
Luna had never felt words cut so deeply. It was like a physical ache, the person she loved seeing her in such a low light.
But Luna wasn't about to stay quiet. If he was being honest, she would be too. "Harry," she spoke with determination, her emotions evident in her voice. "Throughout this relationship, all I've been trying to do is make you feel comfortable with me. To open up to me. That's all I ever wanted from you."
Her voice trembled with a mixture of frustration and sadness. "I gave you everything I had, Harry. Every ounce of love, I gave it to you. My loyalty – you already have it. There's nothing more left in me to give. And what did you do with it? You can't even say you love me first."
Her eyes locked onto his, the pain evident. "I don't deserve that, Harry. I know you're hurting from your past with Ginny, but I didn't deserve to be your rebound just for convenience. I truly am in love with you. If you weren't ready for a serious relationship, you should've told me. I would've supported you as a friend. I always have."
Her voice quivered as she laid bare her emotions. "You're wasting my time because I don't think you ever wanted something real. You're toying with my feelings, and I deserve better."
Luna's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her emotions. "Harry, I think it's better we go our separate ways or take some time apart. It's been a while since I've visited my dad, so I think I'll stay with him for a bit." she said, her voice quivering. Her words struck him like a lightning bolt, leaving Harry utterly shocked.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, landing on her wrists, and Luna tried to regain her composure. With a deep breath, she moved to the edge of the bed and let her legs dangle off onto the floor, a symbol of her resolve.
Harry's voice was soft, filled with sincerity, as he spoke, "Of course I love you. And no, you are not a rebound and could never be. You're perfect in every way. I have never met anyone quite like you. Ever."
The weight of his words hung in the air, as they held a promise of understanding and acceptance. Slowly, he knelt down in front of her, his eyes seeking hers. His gaze was pleading as he asked, "May I touch you?" He held his breath, waiting for her response, his vulnerability on full display.
"Yes," Luna's voice was gentle.
"Thank you," Harry whispered, his hands reaching for hers. As their fingers intertwined, he caressed her skin with his thumb, each touch carrying a multitude of unspoken feelings.
"I know I haven't been opening up to you as I should have," Harry's voice held a mixture of regret and determination, "but I promise you - if you let me, I will make sure that you never have to doubt my love again. There is nothing I value more than your love." He paused, his fingers brushing away the tears that had gathered in his eyes, and then he continued with a trembling voice.
"After the war, I felt hollow and empty, Luna. The war affected me deeply, I lost people who were close to me. And then my relationship with Ginny ended, and I was a mess. Yes, it did affect me, but it was more about the relationship with Ginny. Losing people close to me affects me too. But I never saw our relationship as a rebound. Before you, I had never thought that I could love anyone like her again."
Harry moved closer, his body crawling towards her until he was within arm's reach. He looked up at her, his eyes pleading for understanding and forgiveness.
Luna's heart raced, uncertainty and fear bubbling within her. She didn't know what he was about to say, and the anticipation terrified her. It wasn't just the unknown, but the fear that his words might be an attempt to calm her down, to reassure her without truly meaning it.
Seeing her doubt, Harry's expression shifted. He could sense the depth of her insecurities, how they rooted themselves in her thoughts. He realized that his words could backfire and worsen her worries.
His hands left her cheeks, rising to cradle his own face as he looked down, his voice soft yet desperate. "Look at me," his words were an urgent plea.
"Please, Luna, I beg you, look at me," he repeated, his voice wavering with his own emotions. He wanted her to see his sincerity, to understand the honesty behind his words. He was laying himself bare, vulnerable and open, hoping that she could see the truth in his eyes, even if his voice trembled.
"When I started to spend time with you," Harry's voice held a depth of revelation, "I began to realize that I had never truly been in love before. The feelings I had for you, they were so intense, it scared me. Yes, I used to love Ginny, but it was a different kind of love.
Ginny and I, it was young love, fiery. But it was a kind of love that burned bright but didn't last"
He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Luna's. "But what I have with you, Luna, it's different. It's a love that's matured and deepened over time. It's like a steady flame that warms you from within, constant and unwavering."
His voice trembled a bit, his vulnerability on display. "It's more than just a feeling. It's a connection that's been built through shared moments, both joyful and tough. It's a love that's grown from friendship into something profound, something that has the power to heal wounds and bring light to the darkest days.I want you to know, Luna, that no one else in this world makes me feel the way you do."
Harry's gaze remained locked onto hers as he continued to lay bare his emotions. "I was scared, Luna. Scared that if our relationship ended or if you left, it would break me. I didn't want to go through that pain again. I've been hurt before, and the thought of losing you, of losing what we have, it terrified me."
He paused, his eyes glistening with the weight of his confession. "I didn't want to be shattered like that again. I didn't want to feel that kind of emptiness and loss. So, I kept myself guarded, closed off, thinking that if I didn't fully invest myself, it wouldn't hurt as much if things fell apart.I was just trying to protect myself from getting hurt again."
Guilt and regret were etched across Harry's expression. Luna could see the sincerity in his eyes, the pain he felt for having caused her doubts and insecurities. His admission of fear and vulnerability resonated deeply with her own struggles.
Harry's voice softened as he concluded, "I know I messed up, Luna. I know my actions hurt you. And for that, I'm truly sorry. I never meant to make you doubt my feelings for you. I never meant to push you away. I was just so scared"
Luna felt Harry starting to drown in the realization of how deeply his actions had wounded her – the person he cherished most. Her hand reached out to touch the back of his head, her fingers threading through his jet black hair. As her fingers offered comfort, his eyes slid shut, and tears escaped those vivid green eyes.
“Hey, hey. It’s alright, Harry,” Luna whispered gently, guiding him to sit beside her. She pressed his face into the safe haven of her shoulder, her arms encircling him in a comforting embrace. Her fingers moved with a soothing rhythm across his back, a gesture of solace.
“I’m so sorry, Luna. But I love you so much. You have to believe me. I do love you a lot, By Merlin's, Luna, every word I speak is true." Harry's voice trembled with raw emotion
“I love you so much too, Harry,” Luna's words held a profound earnestness as she pressed a tender kiss to his hair.
"Are you okay?" Harry's voice inquired, his arms enveloping her waist as he nestled his head into the crook of her neck, pulling her closer.
“I’m wonderful.”
Luna truly felt that way. After seven months, their relationship had finally found its place of strength and beauty.
“I hope that’s not sarcasm,” Harry quipped, his lips bestowing gentle kisses all over her neck. Luna shivered, her head tilting back to grant him greater access, her skin tingling
“Not with you,” Luna replied.
As their gazes met, Harry's lips met hers in a tender kiss.Luna eventually pulled back, her heart fluttering.
“I’m sorry for calling you self centered,” Harry's voice carried a tone of remorse.
“It’s okay. You made up for that later,” Luna, a playful twinkle in her eyes.
Harry leaned in, his voice carrying an air of vulnerability. “You're not going to go and stay at your dad's place, right?”
"Oh, don't worry. I won't just Disapparate and vanish like a Boggart in daylight. I'll be here, not off on a Nargle hunt," she teased
"But seriously will it be okay If I go to stay some days at my dad's place.You want me to?” Luna asked.
Harry shook his head, his expression earnest. "No, never leave me."
Luna's features softened, her gaze tender. "That will never happen."
Without a word, Harry pulled her close and their lips met in another long, lingering kiss. From that day forward, Luna never questioned his love again, and their relationship flourished into something even stronger.