In the Melancholy Moonlight, Part 5: Dark Matter

Chapter 232: Be My Breath Through the Deep, Deep Water

LUCY:

I couldn't bring myself to answer Harry when he asked what was wrong, just continued feverishly writing. He rested a gentle hand on my shoulder as he read along, silent as I wrote to Sloane asking if she was okay and telling her that I loved her very much. I couldn't write in any amount of detail, knowing the mail in and out of school was being closely monitored, but I assured her repeatedly that everything was going to be okay and that I'd go visit her over summer if she wanted and that I could ask my friends who had already graduated to go visit her sooner if she didn't want to wait until summer. Once I signed and sealed the letter, I sighed and glanced up at Harry.

"One of Ginny's roommates... her brother was bitten by a werewolf the last full moon. He died last night. I can't imagine how Sloane must be feeling."

"And how are you feeling?" he asked, studying me closely.

"I don't have time to feel right now," I replied. "I have to mail this, then talk to Professor Sprout about the Herbology O.W.L. study group Neville and I want to lead, then I have Care of Magical Creatures, then Charms, then tonight's Quidditch practice, and then we have to check to see if Dumbledore's back yet — "

"Alright, that's alright, but let me know when you're ready to feel, okay? I'll be there."

I nodded, deflating. "Thank you."

"Of course." Harry hefted my bag onto his shoulder. "I'll go fetch breakfast for you while you run to the Owlery. I'll meet you outside the greenhouses."

"I can take my bag," I said, rising from my chair and holding out a hand.

Harry grinned. "No. I've got it."

I huffed. "Give it."

Harry's grin widened. "No."

I lunged for the bag, but Harry merely laughed as he dodged me and started running toward the portrait hole.

"See you down by the greenhouses!" he called over his shoulder.

But he wasn't counting on me giving chase. I sprinted at him, successfully yanking the strap off his shoulder, but he stopped me when it reached his elbow.

"Let me be chivalric, damn it!" he protested, laughing loudly. "I was just trying to carry your bag for you!"

"I can carry it myself!" I shouted back, though I too was laughing too hard to sound at all like I meant business, which I very much did.

"I know you can, but please just let me!" Harry said.

"Oi, continue your lover's quarrel elsewhere," Ron's voice cut in from somewhere behind us.

"It's not a — " I whirled around to protest, dropping my grip on the bag in the process. Harry seized advantage of that and jumped through the portrait hole, vanishing from sight. I sighed. "Look what you did, Ronald Weasley."

Ron grinned, not at all sorry. "What? Harry insisting on carrying your bag is a very boyfriend move — "

"Oh, piss off," I interrupted with a huff. "It's not like that, he's done it for years."

"Is that supposed to disprove my point? If so, it's not working."

I rolled my eyes. "You're insufferable." I lowered my voice and waggled my eyebrows. "I hear Hermione coming down the stairs, so why don't you offer to carry her bag?"

I turned on my heel and darted through the portrait hole before he could respond. Harry was long gone, so I had no choice but to take my letter to Malachi in the Owlery and meet Harry outside the greenhouses. He looked supremely proud of himself, holding both bags as well as something wrapped in a napkin.