Can't Fight the Moonlight

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters appearing in the series of 'Harry Potter' films, created by author J.K. Rowling. Original characters are copyrighted to the original author (Rupert). This series is posted to Girls Loving Girls with full permission of the author. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.

Feedback: Every author in his or her own way makes it a point to ask for feedback when posting a story, well me I don't usually. But there are several reasons as to why a reader should consider taking the time to give it. The simple fact is that giving some form of feedback is truly the most important thing a reader can do after reading and enjoying a story. Hopefully in the process providing that author with at least one viable reason as to what you liked about the story. This small amount of time spent will no doubt inspire the author to write more and possibly at a quicker pace, knowing that they have a fan base who are waiting on their next works. So thanks for the feedback and please keep it comin.

Summary: None

Original Airdate: June 9, 2009 @ 9:00 p.m.
(following an ALL NEW Poison)

Story Codes: no sex

”Do we really have to

”Do we really have to?” Hermione complained in a whiny voice.

“Yes, I promised Ginny that we would show up and I’m sure that both she and Harry really wants to see you.” Luna answered.

“I guess I do want to meet them, but I’m not to sure about Molly. George actually warned me against coming.”

“Why?”

“She’s been really furious ever since I broke up with Ron. She had her big plans for the family and now they are somehow ruined.”

“I’m sure everything will be fine.”

“This time, Luna I know that you’re wrong.”

“We’ll see about that.” Luna said with a soft smile.

“Can’t we just go home instead? I just want to take a hot bath with you.” Hermione said in her most seductive voice.

“Mmmm, I really like that idea, but Ginny is my friend and I promised her to come. You can’t break promises you make to friends.”

“Fine, let’s just get this over with as soon as possible.”

The girls were on their way to the Burrow from Luna’s house. They could have ridden Luna’s broom or simply apparated, but Hermione was in no hurry to get there and had suggested a walk through the village. The time was 8 pm. and it was Christmas Day. It had been quite a long and busy day for the girls.

It had started quietly in the morning when they had exchanged their gifts with each other in bed. Hermione had bought Luna a CD-player while Luna had given Hermione a painting she had painted herself. It featured the two of them sitting high up on a cliff holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes. Beneath them was a sun drenched valley filled with all kinds of creatures, real and imagined. Also featured were all their friends. It really was an amazing painting and Luna revealed that she had been working on it in secret since the first day of their relationship. Needless to say both of them were very happy about their presents, even though Hermione felt a little bad about not giving anything as personal as the painting.

Next they were off to Hermione’s parents. It would have been a rather dull event if it wasn’t for the fact that Luna kept enthusiastically explaining various things about the magical world to Hermione’s parents. Hermione had done it herself at times, but she rarely managed to be as entertaining as Luna. The quirky blonde told her tales with great passion and animated motions, keeping her audience on their feet with her lectures. Hermione’s father especially was starting to become very fond of Luna. It really was a very pleasant and relaxed Christmas at the Grangers.

Unfortunately things didn’t go so well at Luna’s house. Xeno was a complete mess. He hardly dared to look Hermione in her eyes. Despite Hermione’s reassurances he kept apologizing for what had happened. Hermione had started to get irritable and Luna had felt completely helpless watching the two people she loved the most having in such an awkward position. Things had become a little better when Xeno drank some magic potion to help him relax, although Hermione strongly suspected that the potion wasn’t so much magical as it was alcoholic. It did work though and in the end things got a little better, even though it was hardly a pleasant experience..

As they approached the Burrow they could hear the noise from quite a distance. The house was obviously filled with people and they seemed pretty happy. Luna enthusiastically skipped ahead and rang the doorbell. The door was opened by a slightly inebriated Bill who welcomed to the two girlfriends into a house of merriment as he put it. Being a real gentleman he took their coats and showed them into the house with an elaborate gesture.

“We’re all in the living room.” Bill said and led the girls there.

As they entered the living room they were greeted by the various Weasleys gathered there. Ginny was especially happy about seeing them. She had been the only female in the room except for Penelope Clearwater who she didn’t really get along with. After a long exchange of Merry Christmases Luna and Hermione settled down next to each other in the couch squeezed between Harry with Ginny in his lap on the left side and Penelope on the right. The presents had all been opened and the food had been eaten so now the Weasleys were in the process of eating cookies, nuts, candy and various leftovers from dinner.

“So what did you give each other?” Ginny asked.

“Well, Luna gave me this amazing painting she had made. You really have to come over and see it some time. It was the most amazing thing ever.” Hermione answered.

Hermione had studied the painting closely and she now told Ginny about every little detail.

“That is just sooo romantic.” Ginny said with tears welling up in her eyes.

“Ohh yeah, I’ve got the best girlfriend in the world.”

Ginny remained quiet and looked expectantly at Harry. When he didn’t answer she elbowed him in his chest.

“What?” Harry shot back.

“You’re supposed to say, no, I’ve got the best girlfriend in the world.” Ginny said and rolled her eyes.

“Ohh, yeah, sorry. I’ve got the best girlfriend in the world.” Harry answered.

“Well from my perspective it seems rather obvious that I in fact have the best girlfriend in the world.” Luna declared.

Hermione felt her heart melt and rewarded Luna with a kiss for that sweet comment. They were interrupted however with something that sounded like a cross between a cough and a grunt. Whatever it was it was clearly of a disapproving nature. This was, of course, how Molly announced her presence in the room. Hermione felt fury starting to boil up inside of hear, but remained silent in order not to disrupt the happy atmosphere. Arthur stepped in to smooth things over.

“Hermione, Luna I just want you to know that it is always nice to have you as guests here. Especially now that it is Christmas. How about some gingerbread cookies?”

Molly had in fact been carrying a plate of gingerbread cookies, but Arthur now took those and offered them to Hermione and Luna. Molly gave him an evil glare, but he ignored it.

“Thank you Mr. Weasly.” Luna said and took one cookie for herself and one for Hermione.

Luna started to happily munch on her cookie, but Hermione was more nervous. She had a strong feeling that this was heading for disaster. En eerie silence had spread in the room and everyone kept glancing nervously at Molly. She still stood in the door and now she was staring at Hermione and Luna with barely hidden contempt and anger.

“These cookies are really good.” Luna said with a happy smile on her face.

“Would you like another?” Arthur asked and again held the plate out for Luna.

By any reasonable standard this was perfectly polite and acceptable behaviour. Not in the mind of Molly Weasley however.

“How dare you come here and eat OUR cookies? You are certainly not a part of this family, you with your disgusting filthy ways. You put a spell on her didn’t you?. You put a spell on her to take her away from MY family?”

Hermione had come here with the intention of being nice and friendly. This however was more than she could take. No one could say things like that to Luna. Hermione was just about to give Molly a piece of her mind, when Ron spoke up. He had been chatting with Charlie and hadn’t really talked to Hermione during the evening, but now he rose up to her defence.

“Oh, come off it, mum. Can’t you see they’re in love for real?” Ron said with an exasperated sigh.

“She’s hexed you as well, hasn’t she? Of course. She’d have to find a way to keep you away.”

With this Molly drew her wand and pointed it at Luna. Hermione was prepared for this and reacted quickly by drawing her own wand, but again someone else stepped in to defend Luna. Two successive burst of light filled the room and Molly suddenly stood completely frozen without her wand. Hermione looked around the room and saw Arthur stand there with his wand drawn and a very determined look on his face.

“I am so sorry for this girls.” Arthur said and nodded in their general direction..

Without waiting for any reaction he walked out of the room, with Molly floating in the air before him. He took her outside and closed the door. Only a few seconds later the shouting started. Hermione couldn’t hear exactly what was being said, but it was clear that both Arthur and Molly were shouting. Other than that there was complete silence. The silence seemed to last forever, but it might very well have been less than a minute. Bill was the first to break the silence.

“We really are very sorry, all of us.”

This was quickly followed by a chorus of sorry from the other Weasleys as well.

“Maybe we should go.” Hermione said.

“Well, maybe. But I certainly wouldn’t suggest you go through the front door.” Bill suggested with a nervous laugh.

Before anyone could think of Hermione and Luna using the back door or some other way of transportation Arthur came back in. He looked surprisingly calm and together.

“Well, the fact that this is Christmas might make this a bad time, but on the other hand it might also be good that you are all gathered here. Children, your mother and I are getting divorced.”

“Ohh, no no no no no. I am so sorry. We should never have come here.” Hermione sputtered.

“No, it wasn’t your fault. This was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. Me and Molly have been unhappy for quite some time. It would have happened sooner or later anyway.”

Hermione however was still wracked with guilt. She simply couldn’t take it anymore and broke down in sobs. Luna quickly wrapped her arms around Hermione and Ginny did the same from the other direction. This was followed by a rather awkward pat on the shoulder from Harry. Being comforted by girlfriend and friends made things a little better, but Hermione still couldn’t get herself together. The room was now filled with chattering but Hermione didn’t listen. She did notice that Luna led her towards the fireplace and heard Luna mention her house. Hermione brought herself together for the floo ride, but as soon as she stumbled out of the fireplace in Luna’s old house she broke down again.

“Let’s sit over here.” Luna said and led Hermione over to a couch.

Being alone with Luna and feeling her embrace finally brought Hermione back to a state where she was able to process information.

“Now you must listen. You were right that we shouldn’t have come, so if anyone is to blame it is me. Now with this in mind do you really think it is my fault that this happened?” Luna said.

Hermione pondered this for a moment. Could Luna, who was such a loving, caring and warm person, really be to blame for a failed marriage? Hermione knew the answer to that, both in her heart and mind.

“No, of course it isn’t your fault.”

“Good. Seeing as it isn’t my fault it certainly can’t be your fault.” Luna summarized.

Hermione let out a small chuckle. Luna sure knew how to make her feel better.

“How come you’re so good at logical thinking?” Hermione asked.

“I’ve learned from someone who is very intelligent and who I admire very much.”

“Who?” Hermione blurted out before realizing the answer to her own question.

Luna rolled her eyes, and poked Hermione in the chest. This brought a small smile to Hermione’s lips, before she went back into guilt mode.

“I should have stood up for you, Luna. I shouldn’t have let her say that to you and I certainly shouldn’t have let her point her wand at you.”

“I know that you will always stand up for me. This time others came first, but that certainly isn’t your fault.”

Hermione thought about this. Luna was right of course, but still Hermione felt bad. She really couldn’t allow herself to feel good after something this bad. Luna quickly caught up with Hermione’s train of thought and stepped in.

“I certainly don’t feel good about this either, seeing as Christmas is destroyed. However in the long run this certainly is for the best. They were unhappy together and they will both be happier apart.” Luna said in a reassuring voice.

“You always know what to say to make me feel better.”

“Ohh no I don’t. I only tell you the truth and the truth is what makes you happy. For instance I love you very, very much and if that makes you happy it is only because it happens to be the truth.” Luna explained.

“It does make me happy.” Hermione admitted, now with a full blown smile on her lips.

“And?” Luna demanded

“And it is the truth.”

“Good, now that we have dealt with that. How about we take that bubble bath you suggested earlier?” Luna suggested and gave Hermione a sexy wink.

Just like that all bad thoughts vanished from Hermione’s mind and all she could think about was getting down in a warm bubble bath together with the person she loved more than anything in this world. It was going to be a pretty good Christmas after all.