Grow As We Go

Ducklifors

"Alright, we will see you all next week for our last meeting before break!" Harry announced as the DA meeting came to a close.

The group clapped for their good work and began to gather their things and exit in their groups. Acacia had begun to get closer to her exit group of Luna, Ginny and Neville.

"I can't believe it's almost winter break." Neville said joyfully.

"I know! I'm so excited to go home." Ginny replied.

"Just be very careful of nargles," Luna added in a grave tone. "Mistletoe is full of them."

Luna's quirks often brought the group to laughter with the poor girl. They had learned of many new things from the girl's peculiar knowledge. She could always fill the silences with whatever new things she had learned. One thing Acacia always pondered was why Hermione wasn't a Ravenclaw but as she grew closer to the blonde, she realized why. Luna was smart, but she didn't boast about it or strive to be the best. She just knew about everything and brought up what she found interesting.

As the four walked down the hall towards Ravenclaw tower, they passed Blaise, Theo and Isadora. The two girls locked eyes but Isadora broke from her gaze first to laugh at something Blaise had said. The two boys barely seemed to notice her, and a pang of hurt rattled around her chest. Neville noticed first and patted her back kindly.

"It's alright Acacia, you don't need them." He said cheerily, which only made things worse for Acacia. Tears brimmed her eyes as she tried to sniffle them back.

"Why don't you all come into the common room?" Luna offered. "Not as many prying eyes there."

Acacia nodded and followed Luna into the Ravenclaw common room. If it weren't for the mess of feelings inside her, she would be in awe.

The room was round and its ceiling was similar to the Great Hall but much more complex as it adorned nearly every star in the sky at once. The floor was littered with bean bag chairs and comfy cushions for students to lie on while the antique furniture remained untouched. Bookshelves and desks scattered the room with small lamps to keep it lit. The few students inside didn't even bother to look up at the new arrivals, buried deep in their work.

Luna led them over to a comfy corner by the crackling hearth. Once settled, they all turned expectantly to Acacia to explain her sudden rush of emotions.

"So, want to tell us what's on your mind?" Ginny prompted.

"It just hurts," Acacia sighed. "Seeing them moving on. This is the longest we've gone without talking and I never thought I'd have to go through life without them. Well, at least Isadora. I remember when she forest got a crush on Theo, we planned their wedding."

"Wait do girls really do that?" Neville asked. "They weren't even dating and you were planning their wedding?"

"Oh yeah, we do." Acacia laughed. "I was supposed to be her maid of honour and she was going to be mine at my wedding to Blaise."

"You like Blaise?" Ginny asked shocked.

"No, we just had this pact that if neither of us was in a relationship by the time we were 30 we would get married."

"Well, there are worse things." Luna added dreamily.

"But I don't know what to do. They really hurt me saying that I've changed for the worse and how they wanted me to spy on everyone."

"Well, you could always say you miss them."

"That's the thing, Luna, I can't be the one to drop it. They always rely on me giving up and letting it go but I'm not a baby anymore. I need to know they know my worth."