Can't Fight the Moonlight

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created originally by TVM and are copyrighted to him, any reposting or archiving without written permission is an infringement on the copyright of this series. So in other words You damn well better ask before you steal it.

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: July 14, 2008 @ 9:30 p.m.
(following an ALL NEW 'Scent of a Girl')

Story Codes: no sex

They flew home with a whole row of objects trailing after the broom. Most were Luna’s of course, but Hermione had done some finds as well. They arrived at the burrow to find the Weaslys, Xeno and Harry relaxing in the garden.

“Hello, my little moonbeam. You had a nice day I take it.” Xeno said to his daughter.

“Ohh, yes. Hermione was very good company and we found a lot of interesting objects.”

Luna went to sit with her father to tell him about the day. The dinner had already been eaten, but Molly quickly reheated some food for the two girls. Questions were pouring over the two adventurers from everybody but Ron who seemed to be sullen about the whole thing. Hermione knew that she would have to talk to him sooner or later, but she very much preferred it to be later. She knew that there was no point in talking to him right now. The evening drew on. The Lovegoods went home and the Weasleys eventually went in, leaving Hermione and Ron alone in the garden.

“Look Ron. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I left. It was all very sudden. You know how impulsive Luna is.”

“It’s not that you didn’t tell me. It’s that you left at all. Here we are on vacation and all you do is bury yourself in books and go on adventures with Luna.”

“I’m sorry about that. We really should spend more time together. What do you think we should do?”

“Well for starters you could have stayed and watch me play quidditch.”

“Ron, you know what I think about quidditch.”

“You could at least try to care you know. I love quidditch and you seem to tune out every time I talk about it.”

“I have a lot of things on my mind you know.”

“Yeah? Really? You think? You don’t think I have noticed how all you think about is your work. Even when you are off you’re all about Kingsley that and Kingsley this. It feels like you spend more time with him than me. Maybe you should have been together with him.”

Hermione had expected some harsh words from Ron, but this was over the line.

“I can’t believe you Ron! How can you think that I’m into Kingsley. He’s a great minister of magic and a great mentor to me, but that is all. I can’t believe you could even say something like that.”

“Ok, ok. I know that you don’t like Kingsley like that. It just feels like I never see you, you know.”

“Just don’t ever imply anything like that again, Ok.”

“I promise. Just promise you’ll spend more time with me, Ok.”

Hermione sighed in relief. It seemed like they had gotten through this argument without to much of hurt feelings. She did feel bad about neglecting Ron and she decided to try her hardest to make that better. They shared a brief kiss, got up from the chairs and started to walk towards the house with Hermione ahead and Ron trailing behind.

“And no more sudden trips with Loony Lovegood, Ok.”

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks and Ron seeing this stopped a few meters behind. This was not Ok. Hermione took a deep breath, trying to control the anger welling up inside of her. She slowly turned to Ron to address him. She had hoped that he had realised his mistake the moment after the words slipped out of his mouth. This was not the case however. He had a very smug grin on his face. This made all of Hermione’s anger come back ten-fold.

“DON’T YOU EVER, EVER CALL HER THAT!”

“What you mean Loony, I was just.” Ron managed to say before being cut off.

Hermione had managed to keep her voice down, but her anger was still very much present.

“Luna Lovegood is an amazing person. Only stupid and thoughtless persons call her that name. And before you mention it, yes I did call her that in the beginning. But guess what? I was stupid and thoughtless in doing so. Since then I have got to know her and I have learned what a wonderful witch she is. She helped you in the department of mysteries, she helped us in the Battle of Hogwarts and we know her now. You have no excuse to call her that.” Hermione said, her anger seeping through every word.

“Ok, ok I will never call her Loony ag.” Ron said before again being interrupted.

“You just don’t fucking get it do you. I never want to hear that word some out of your mouth again.”

Ron opened his mouth to voice his answer, but this time he didn’t even have the time to start speaking.

“And another thing. What the hell makes you think you can decide about when and if I take a little trip with Luna. You have no right, no right to tell me that. I had a great time with Luna today and I would do it again in a heartbeat.” Hermione went on.

Ron was looking very frightened and pale. This time he didn’t even try to speak before Hermione spoke again.

“I’ll be sleeping at Luna’s house tonight. I don’t want to hear another word from you tonight.”

With that Hermione started to stalk towards the gate. She heard steps behind her and snapped her head around to see Ron following.

“AND DON’T YOU DARE FOLLOW ME!”

She then started to run down the road. Tears started to run down her face from all the emotions. She couldn’t really think. All that seemed to matter right now was to get to Luna’s house. Hermione was convinced that somehow being with Luna would make everything better. Fuelled by her anger she reached the house fairly quickly and knocked the door.

“Oh, Hello Hermione. What a nice surprise.” Luna said as she opened the door.

Hermione couldn’t find the words right now. Instead she threw herself in Luna’s arms. She had held back her crying fairly well while running, but now she started to sob uncontrollably. Luna took a steady grip of Hermione and managed to get her over to a flowery sofa. They settled in the sofa, still embracing. Luna kept patting Hermione’s shoulder, but didn’t speak. Having Luna so close was very soothing and soon Hermione stopped her sobbing and was merely sniffling. Somehow Luna had managed to get hold of a handkerchief and she presented to Hermione.

“Thank you.” Hermione said in a quiet voice as she wiped her face clean.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Luna asked in a soft voice.

“It’s Ron.”

“Has something happened to him?” Luna asked worriedly.

“No, we had a fight. A big one.”

“Ohh. What was it about?”

Hermione started to think about what she should reveal. The fight had been about Luna after all and Hermione didn’t know how much she should say. She looked up into Luna’s big silvery eyes. She saw sincere, true affection in those eyes. Luna was always very outspoken about her feelings and Hermione felt it was the right thing to do the same.

“He called you…you know…”

“Loony?”

“Yes, but please don’t say it. I hate hearing that. So I told him off.”

Luna looked intensely at Hermione for what seemed like forever. She was clearly processing.

“You did that for me?” Luna asked.

“Yes, I mean we are friends now and I have come to know and love you so much. I don’t want anyone to say something like that about you.”

“And I do know that Ron can be unkind at times. For you to stand up for me was very, very sweet of you Hermione.”

Hermione felt her cheeks blush. It was too long since she had received such nice words. It also strengthened her in her belief that she had done the right thing.

“And not only that. He said he didn’t want me to take trips with you. I don’t know if he really meant it, but for him to say such a thing that is just…. That is just….”

With that Hermione broke into sobbing again. Luna pulled her close and held her. This time the crying didn’t last very long.

“I am somewhat conflicted right now. On one hand I feel a responsibility to make sure that the two of you patch this up. I really should be selfless and say that you will work this out and that maybe you should spend more time with him and not see me as much.”

“And on the other hand?” Hermione asked.

“On the other hand I don’t want you to spend less time with me. You are a strong, intelligent and genuinely good witch. I had a really good time today and a few days ago when we went to visit Severus:”

Hermione lay silent for a while, thinking about the dilemma Luna had presented.

“You do know that I had really fun today and that I’m really looking forward to having you close in London. I’m not backing down on this. Ron is the one who was wrong!”

“It is very nice to hear that from you Hermione.” Luna answered.

The two lay silent for a while, enjoying each others presence. After a while Hermione yawned and Luna acted on this.

“I take it you want to stay here overnight? It is of course perfectly OK. We have a very nice guestroom where you can sleep.”

“Thank you, that’s very good, but ….”

Luna scrutinized Hermione closely and somehow she managed to understand exactly what Hermione wanted.

“Or you could sleep in my bed. I have a small bed, but I know a spell that will widen it.”

“I think I would like that. I mean if it isn’t any trouble. I hope your dad won’t mind.”

“No trouble at all. My dad is OK with it.”

“How do you know? I haven’t seen him around.”

“He came in while you were crying, we exchanged thoughts and he told me that I could do whatever was needed to make you feel better.

Hermione was a bit embarrassed that he had her seen her cry, but more than that she wondered how the two of them had been able to communicate. Again Luna answered the question Hermione had not yet asked.

“We can communicate without speaking. It’s not leglimency, we can only do it with each other.”

“That’s impressive.”

“We’ve always been able to do it in my family.”

“And you can’t do that with anyone else?“

“Not right now, no. Perhaps one day.”

The two girls went up the stairs to Luna’s room. Hermione saw that it was restored to how it had been when she came here more than a year ago in search of clues.

“Have you painted these yourself?” Hermione asked.

“Yes, with a paintbrush.” Luna beamed proudly.

“You are really talented. I could never do anything like this.”

“It does take some training, but I think you could be good if you tried.”

“Perhaps.” Hermione answered without really believing it.

Luna who was already in her night gown did her spell to widen the bed. With a creek it stretched out to give enough room for the both of them. Hermione undressed to her underwear and joined Luna in the bed.

“Thanks you for this.” Hermione said in a soft voice.

“You’re welcome. You know that I will always be there for you if I need you.”

“I know.” Hermione answered in a soft voice and closed her eyes.

The fight kept repeating itself in Hermione’s mind. Over and over again. The anger was still very much there and Hermione started to ask herself why she was so upset. She realised that the reason was simple. Luna. The thought of anyone doing anything even remotely hurtful to Luna made Hermione’s blood boil. She knew very well that Luna could very well stand up for herself, still Hermione realised that she felt very protective of the younger girl. Part of Hermione was surprised about those strong feelings for Luna, but on the other hand Luna really was a wonderful person and that Hermione had come to like more and more with every minute they spent together. These thoughts kept Hermione awake for a while, but soon enough tiredness started to take its toll. The day had thoroughly drained Hermione’s energies and she soon drifted off into sleep.

“Are you sure that I should come?” Luna asked as the two girls walked up the road towards the burrow.

It was early afternoon, the day after the big fight. Hermione had stayed with Luna during the morning and then been invited to stay for lunch. After lunch she decided to stop delaying the inevitable and deal with her problems. She knew she had to face Ron.

“Yes, Luna. I want him to apologise to you.”

“There really is no need for that.” Luna said.

Hermione drew her breath and decided to be more truthful.

“Ok, it isn’t just about that. I just want you near, Ok? I don’t know if we are going to have a fight again and if we do, I need your support.” Hermione explained.

“I see.” Luna said thoughtfully.

They walked in silence until they approached the Burrow. They were met by Harry, coming out of the gate.

“Hey, I started to worry about you Hermione.” Harry said.

“No need, I reached Luna’s house alright. You’re not going to try to mediate between me and Ron now are you?”

The guilty look on Harry’s face told Hermione that he had intended to do just that.

“No, not at all. I’m going to go back in.” Harry said with a guilty look on his face and started to walk back to the house. Hermione realized that she might have come off a little harsh.

“I know that you were going to help out Harry, but I don’t want you to be squeezed between us all the time. You know I am sorry that you always have to suffer when me and Ron are in a fight.”

“Don’t sweat it. It’s ok, really. I just want to see the two of you on good terms.” Harry answered.

They walked around the house to find Ron sitting on a chair in the garden, talking to Bill. The older brother quickly left, after saying hello to the two girls.

“Luna, do you wanna try my broom?” Harry said and dragged Luna off, leaving Hermione and Ron alone.

“I am sorry you know.” Ron said with a guilty look on his face.

“I know.” Hermione said.

“Does that mean we’re ok?” Ron asked with a hopeful smile.

“You gotta say sorry to Luna as well. I let it slip what happened.”

“Ok, I guess I deserve that, but then we’re ok alright?”

Hermione was very much tempted to say yes. It wasn’t often Ron was this calm. Still, she felt that the air wasn’t cleaned out just yet.

“We have a problem you know. We hardly ever spend any time together. And before you say anything I know it is my fault for working so much, but it is really important work you know.”

“Yeah, I know it is important, but even when we do things together it is like you’re not there.”

“I’m sorry, its just I don’t …..” Hermione faded out, not knowing what to say.

“You don’t like quidditch, you don’t really like chess. I don’t know if there is anything that we both really like.”

Hermione sat down close to run, but remained silent. She let his words sink in. They really didn’t have anything they both enjoyed doing. She liked to have intellectual conversations, he talked about quidditch. She had dragged him to many of London’s museums during the weekends, but he had been really bored. They went to the movies on occasion, but Ron wasn’t that much into muggle movies and the few he liked were movies Hermione considered inane and stupid.

“I guess we gotta find something we both like huh?” Ron suggested.

“Yes” Hermione agreed.

They both sat in silence thinking, Hermione desperately trying to come up with something they both liked. Asking the question what she and Ron really had in common was a painful one and what was even more painful was that Hermione couldn't answer it. She was beginning to realize that she and Ron really had nothing in common. Still, she resolved to make the best of things. She had wanted to be with Ron for so long and she was not about to give up on their realtionship too easily. The painful silence wasn’t broken until the rest of the family joined them for some cookies and lemonade.