Fire and Ice

Keeping Fit

"Oh, hey Luna," Harry said, wiping his glasses on the edge of his fraying jumper.

He had been racing through the corridors, running as if a werewolf was chasing after him. He was so high on adrenaline that he failed to feel the burning ache in his side, which he was bending over now. Staring at him through wide, watery eyes was Luna Lovegood. Platinum blonde curls framed her pink cheeks and high cheekbones, giving off a shine which reflected in Harry's glasses. "Yeah, I was... trying to stay in shape."

"Oh really?" Luna said interestedly. "That sounds very healthy."

"Yeah, yeah, thanks." Harry dismissed quickly. "How've you been?"

"Not terrible, thank you. Yourself? I've heard that your mind has ben elsewhere these days, Harry."

Sighing, Harry slowly put his glasses on. "Glad to hear it." He leaned against the wall as he stared at Luna's innocent yet knowing face. "I don't know what you mean."

"Oh," Luna dreamily replied, as she sat across from him, cross-legged. "I think you do."

He sat across from her, unknowingly leaning against a door that his ex-girlfriend and secret lover where also leaning against, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"I've just been caught up with school work, really, Luna. With Dumbledore's stuff, and just stuff in general, I'm just a bit stressed. Honestly, I'm tired more than anything."

"You played wonderfully in Quidditch. I wore my lion hat again."

Harry began to smile fondly, before a scene entered his mind. He grimaced.

"But I didn't catch... the snitch."

"Yes you did?"

"Oh, right." Harry choked on a cough. "Why are you out alone, Luna?"

Luna's pale eyes reflected the moonlight from the window. "I was just walking before I heard you rush past me. I like walking, you see."

Harry waited for her to ask him why he was out so late, knowing that she didn't believe his "keeping fit" excuse. She didn't ask. Instead, she asked another question.

"Are you lonely, Harry?"

"What-? No! I have my friends, I-"

"You want companionship." Luna stated, reaching over to pat his knee in a friendly gesture. "It's alright, Harry."

"What-? No! I have Ron, and Hermione, they're all-"

"But they have each other. Who do you have?"

Harry blinked, and then sniffed grouchily.

"I did have Ginny."

" But she's gone now."

"Gone?"

"Yes, she's gone, Harry."

"Well, she's still here, we're still friends, I don't-"

"You're not friends with Ginny, Harry. Ginny's  new person now. She's sparkly and full of fire. She's new. She's alive. Nargles have been swarming around her!"

"Well, she's matured a bit, yeah, but I'm just worried about her. I feel like I can't keep her safe anymore. I couldn't even catch..."

"She has somebody else now."

"Who?"

"Somebody else keeps her safe."

"What?"

"You never had to protect her, Harry. She's very brave. Braver than me."

"Yeah, I guess I know she can look after herself. But... I need to keep her safe. Not just for her, but for me, too."

"But she doesn't need you, Harry."

"Luna... Anyway Luna, I'm going to bed. I need to wake up early tomorrow to finish my Potions homework anyway. Tell me if you see Ginny, though, Luna. I was out looking for her."

Harry stood as Luna nodded, and ruffled Luna's hair playfully as he walked out the door.

"She's in safe hands, Harry!" Luna's soft voice called. "Don't worry, she's safe!"

Harry paused, waved shortly, and continued towards the Gryffindor common room.