The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

55. Crazy

Harry woke early on a Friday morning in the middle of November to a faint knocking sound.

At first he thought he had imagined it. Still half asleep, he rolled over and buried his face in the pillow.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

There it was again.

Harry groaned quietly and sat up.

The dorm room was dark. Only the faint glow of dawn filtered through the curtains.

He reached for his glasses and slid them onto his face. The room immediately came into focus. And so did Hermione. She was asleep beside him. Her bushy hair was sprawled across half the pillow, one arm thrown over a book that had clearly defeated her sometime during the night.

Harry couldn't help smiling.

The previous evening had been one of his favourites in a long time. Nothing exciting. Nothing dramatic. No monsters. No Dark Lords. No near-death experiences.

Just Hermione reading aloud while he listened.

Eventually she'd become sleepy. Then he'd become sleepy. And at some point they'd both fallen asleep halfway through a chapter.

Harry leaned over and gently moved the book from beneath her arm. Hermione made a small noise and immediately curled further into the blankets.

Harry smiled.

Then the knocking came again.

More urgent this time. His smile vanished. Who in Merlin's name was knocking at this hour?

Careful not to wake Hermione, Harry slipped from the bed and pulled on a jumper. He quietly left the room and crossed the common area. The apartment-like dorm was silent. Everyone else was still asleep. Even Goose.

Which was unusual enough to be concerning on its own.

Harry checked his watch as he reached the door. Five thirty-two. Far too early for visitors.

A knot of concern formed in his stomach. He opened the door. And immediately froze.

"Luna?"

Of all the things he expected to find...

A tearful Luna Lovegood wasn't one of them. Not even remotely.

Luna looked dreadful. Her normally bright eyes were red and swollen. Her hair was dishevelled. Her breathing uneven. She looked as though she'd been crying for hours.

The moment she saw Harry she broke down again. "Oh Harry..."

Harry stepped aside instantly. "Luna, come in."

She practically stumbled through the doorway.

"I am sorry."

"It's OK."

"No, I'm sorry for waking you."

"Luna." Harry gently took her shoulders. "It's fine."

The reassurance only seemed to make things worse. 

She burst into tears again. Then threw herself at him. Harry wrapped his arms around her automatically. His concern growing rapidly. "Luna?"

She pulled back just enough to look up at him. "Is he here?"

Harry frowned. "Who?"

"Ron." Her voice cracked.

Harry blinked. "Why would Ron be here?"

He instinctively glanced towards the common room. Half expecting Ron to be asleep on the sofa.

Nothing.