Song Of The Guardians

Luna Sees All

Andy transformed the Great Hall into a holiday wonderland for the Christmas party. The large house tables had been turned into smaller tables and had been decorated with sprigs of holly and candles floating in glass bowls of water. Garlands that were lit by fairy lights adorned the walls. A massive Christmas tree sat behind the high table, elaborately decorated and twinkling merrily. Harry and Hermione entered the Great Hall with wide-eyed wonder. "This is amazing!" Hermione exclaimed, clapping her hands together in excitement. "Andy did a wonderful job with this."

Ginny rushed over to greet them, followed by Ron. "I've missed you," Ginny murmured just before pressing her lips to Harry's. When she pulled away, her eyes were shining with happiness. "Guess who made it to the party?" When Harry shrugged she said "Luna! I bumped into her a moment ago."

"That's great," Harry said looking quite pleased. To his surprise, Hermione blanched and Ron looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Excuse me," Hermione said quietly, "I seem to have forgotten something." She hurried out of the Hall, Harry and Ginny looking after her in confusion.

Caroline, Draco, Severus and Andy happened to be standing nearby and exchanged puzzled looks. "Is Hermione alright Harry?" Caroline asked. "I don't know," Harry replied with a frown. "She seemed happy one moment and then she was rushing out. It's a bit odd."

Ginny noticed that Severus was watching Ron suspiciously. Ron squirmed under the potion master's stern gaze. His eyes darted around the hall restlessly. Ginny's eyes narrowed at her brother. "What have you done Ronald?" she demanded suddenly, making Ron jump guiltily.

Ron sighed heavily. "When Hermione and I broke up the last time," he said carefully, "It wasn't exactly a friendly parting." He hesitated, meeting Harry's eyes for a brief moment before looking away and continuing. "Our relationship was off and on for a bit. During one off period, I started seeing Luna. After a while, Hermione and I patched things up, but I kept seeing Luna as well. I really didn't want to hurt Hermione, but I really cared about Luna. Eventually, Hermione walked in on us." He cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"Why did nobody bother to tell me this?" Harry asked furiously.

"I didn't want you to think badly of me mate," Ron replied. "I never meant to hurt her. I imagine Hermione didn't say anything for the same reason."

"So, I've been completely oblivious to one of my best friend's pain," Harry said, his voice full of regret.

"You could not have known that Ron had done something so monumentally stupid," Ginny said, giving Ron a look of deepest disgust. "I suppose you didn't tell Luna about Hermione either. That would explain why she's been giving you the cold shoulder."

Ron nodded miserably. "I was selfish and managed to lose both of them," he said.

Andy was staring at Ron in apparent amazement. "You are really dumb sometimes," he said shaking his head.

Harry wanted to cheer up Hermione as swiftly as possible so she could enjoy the Christmas party. He quickly found Luna and led her out of the Great Hall to find Hermione. When he returned, it was with a cheerful grin as he was followed by Hermione and Luna. "I would never do anything to hurt you," Luna insisted. "Ron lied to me as well."

Hermione hugged Luna tightly, glad to lay the bitterness toward Luna to rest. She turned introduce Luna to Caroline when Luna froze. Luna stared at Caroline with her wide eyes until Caroline shifted uncomfortably. "What are you?" Luna asked, puzzled.

"Don't you mean 'who'?" Draco responded, rolling his eyes.

"No," Luna retorted firmly. "I meant 'what'. At this moment, that answer would be far more interesting to me than a name." She cocked her head to one side with a thoughtful frown. "You are more than you appear to be. You are full of light, but darkness follows closer than your own shadow."