I apologize in advance for any spelling and grammar errors. This story has not been beta-ed. Read at your own risk.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea. All characters and the HP world of wizardry belong to JKR.

Harry Potter and the Years In-between

Chapter Eight

Harry woke with the early morning light just peeking through the upper portions of the tall Georgiana windows of Luna's bedroom. He lay on his side with his arms lazily wrapped around a delicately soft torso. A spray of golden blond hair spilled over his shoulder and he was well aware that it was not his own. He took only a moment to orient himself to his surroundings and soon the previous night rushed back into his memory.

He should really be utterly exhausted after the night he had just spent with the young blond whose delightful bum was currently pressed up against his lower abdomen; but waking up with Luna's warm body next to him made is heart start racing and reminded him of what an amazing night it had been. First shagging Luna on her bedroom floor; then taking her up on her invitation to follow her into the bath, which, as he recalled, sounded more like an invite to join her for an ice cream at Fortescue's than the seductive interlude it ended up being; then the continued love making as they returned to the bedroom and ending up in their current position.

Yes indeed, it had been a night to remember. But Harry had to laugh; if someone had told him back in his fifth year at Hogwarts after the first time he met the dotty girl on the train, that he would end up losing his virginity to her in an incredible night of love making, he would have laugh out loud in their face, convinced that they were only taking the mickey out of him. But now, less than four years later, all he could think of was how amazing Luna Lovegood was, as well as being so stunningly petite that she fit quite comfortably into the curve of his own body.

Listening to Luna's soft deep breathes as she slept; Harry wrapped a protective arm around her, half hoping that she might wake up so they could continue where they had left off the night before. But what if she woke up and she wanted to talk? For some reason this thought sent a shiver up Harry's spine. It's not that he was afraid to talk to her; Luna was one of the easiest persons he knew to talk to. But after last night things were obviously different between them. It's not that he was embarrassed by what had happened, on the contrary; it was really quite extraordinary actually. He was excited about this strange and amazing turn in their relationship. But what if Luna didn't feel the same way? What would he say to her if she was not as overwhelmed by the previous evening's events as he was now in the light of day?

There was nothing else really to say other than that he was pretty certain during the course of the evening he had fallen in love with her and only hope that she still felt the same way about him. Harry couldn't help but chuckle at that thought. How could he have possibly fallen in love with someone in one evening?

But maybe it wasn't in just one evening. The truth is Harry had been looking at Luna quite differently since the battle of Hogwarts. He considered her one of his dearest friends. Last summer she was the one he was closest to, the one he spent the most time with. And Harry had to admit that as crazy as he sometimes thought she was when they were back at Hogwarts, Luna always seemed to understand him, always knew what he needed, often even before he did.

Luna wasn't like any girl he had ever met before. She didn't get all caught up in petty things that girls often do. She wasn't a jealous or envious person. She didn't fuss about her appearance, but yet Harry always thought she was rather pretty, now so more than ever. She was always honest with him, even when the honesty stung a little bit. She was unique in every way; and in every way she had always made his life a bit more interesting, if that was at all possible for The Boy Who Lived. It's really not all that surprising that he was falling for her except for one very serious problem; he was suppose to be in love with Ginny Weasley.

Ginny; he was in love with Ginny. Wasn't he? Yes, of course he was. Ginny is amazing. She's beautiful and smart. She's fun with an amazing sense of humor. She's easy to talk to… about most things…she's my best mate's sister…she's practically family…Ginny.

Harry shuttered and Luna stirred.

Harry glanced down as Luna turned in his arms, her wide eyes staring up at him.

"Hello, Harry Potter." Harry smiled goofily down at her. He loved the way she would say his whole name is if they were only meeting for the first time. Perhaps this was a new introduction for them.

"Hello, Luna Lovegood." he replied. She smiled a brilliant smile back at him.

"I must say I'm quite, although pleasantly, surprised that you are still here, Harry." She cocked her head away from him as she continued to stare intensely up at him.

"What…er—you are?"

"Yes actually, I just assumed you would have far more interesting places to be than here…still…with me."

"Really? It's interesting that you should think that, because I was just thinking there isn't any other place I would rather be."

"Truly? Perhaps… you are not thinking hard enough."

Harry stared into her silvery eyes and smirked, "Luna, I'm getting from this conversation that you don't think very highly of yourself."

"Oh dear, I'm sorry I gave you that impression Harry. I, in fact, think rather highly of myself. Honestly, I think I am one of the best me-s there is on this entire planet. It is what others think of me where I tend to run into some problems." She smiled and then bit her lower lip in the most adorable way as she continued to stare intently at him.

"Well, there is no need to worry about what I think of you Luna, because I also happen to agree that you are one of the best you-s in the entire planet as well. And—as to why I am still here; well, because I have found that waking up to a naked Luna Lovegood in my arms happens to be one of the best places on the planet to be. In fact, I was sort of hoping that we might be able to do this more often."

Harry could see slight tinge of pink creep across Luna's pale cheeks, but she smirked slightly.

"I can't imagine what Ginny will say about that plan, Harry"

Merlin, why was she talking about Ginny?

"I don't think Ginny really has any say in it really."

"She's your girlfriend, Harry."

"Ex…"

"Just temporarily."

Harry released the girl in his arms and rolled on to his back staring up at the detailed painting on the ceiling wall. Any thought of doing anything else would Luna this morning quickly evaporated when he realized that not only was his ex-girlfriend staring down at him, but also her brother.

Harry quickly rolled back on his side. "Luna, after last night—I don't think I will be getting back together with Ginny."

"What does last night have to do with anything, Harry?" Harry stared at her shocked; how could she even ask that question?

"Luna, we had sex last night. Not just once—but like three times. Was it that bad that you've already forgotten?" Harry questioned sincerely. Luna smiled.

"Oh no, I haven't forgotten and it was anything but bad Harry, quite delightful actually! But I know you were only trying to comfort me."

"Comfort—you?"

"Yes, comfort me—you felt bad for me—especially after the loss of my father and my embarrassing confession regarding my feelings towards you."

Geez—he had just shagged Luna right after her father had passed away. She thought he had been comforting her, yet that thought hadn't even crossed his mind. Was he really that much of an insensitive git?

Luna continued, "Ginny will understand. I will talk to her. She knows that you and I are just friends."

"Luna, 'just friends' don't go around just shagging each other. Luna, you can't tell Ginny about this, not without the fear of her throwing a bat-bogey hex your way or maybe even worse."

"Ginny, would never hurt me. She will understand. She knows that I would never do anything to hurt your relationship with her."

"You just had sex with me! You don't think that won't hurt her and my relationship? "

Luna didn't say anything. She stared past Harry's looming face and up to the ceiling above.

"Luna—the fact is, Ginny is not going to be too thrill to find out that I am making love to one of her best friends."

Luna cock her head to the side and bit her lip again, before replying, "Making love?"

"Yes Luna, making love. I made love to you last night." Luna turned her eyes and focused again on Harry's face.

"Oh—what a nice thought, Harry—but—Ginny has nothing to worry about because it won't ever happen again." She again focused her eyes past him.

Harry placed his hand on her chin to turn her head just slightly to get her full attention.

"Luna—did you hear me when I said 'making love' to you? I—I plan on doing this again with you; if—if you will let me, that is—if you will have me. Can't you see that I am over Ginny, and I want to be with you?" Harry surprised himself by what he was saying, yet he didn't regret for a moment saying it.

Luna did not reply immediately. She stared at him searchingly; as if to find the truth to what he was saying in his eyes. Harry was determined for her to know it was the truth. When she finally did reply it was very cautiously.

"Harry—doing this again—being with me—will be most difficult—especially since—I—won't be here."

"What do you mean—you won't be here?" Harry asked incredulously.

"I am leaving, Harry."

Harry thought for a moment before asking "Is that what all the packing is about?" She nodded her head slowly. "Luna—I already told you; you do not have to move out; especially now."

"Harry—I am not just moving out—I am moving away."

"What—what do you mean you are moving away? When? Uh—where?"

"Harry, I am leaving tomorrow and I'm not exactly sure where…"

"Luna—what are you talking about? You can't just decide to move away." Harry sat up in the bed still looking down at the blonde girl.

"Not just Harry. I've known for awhile now—well at least a few months."

"Luna—you can't simply decide you are going to move away and not even know where you're going. You've only just finished Hogwarts, why would you want to leave so soon, especially when you don't even know where you're going?"

"Oh—but I do know where I am going—I just don't know where it is."

"Luna—do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?" The word crazy must have struck a chord with Luna, because her eyes suddenly saddened. She too sat up, but pulling the sheets with her she slid her legs off the side of the bed with her back turned toward Harry. Harry moved to Luna's side gently placing his hands on her shoulders pulling the petite girl to his chest.

"I'm sorry Luna—I didn't mean it that way. It's just that everything your saying doesn't make any sense to me." He tried to sound apologetic. It was just that the girl he was now sitting next to was being so frustrating. Luna pulled away from his embrace to look at him properly.

"Harry, do you remember last year when I told you that I wanted to study to be a naturalist?"

Harry thought back to the summer before, Luna and he had talked about so many things doing those weeks they spent together. He did remember one specific conversation about what Luna wanted to do after she left Hogwarts. If he recalled correctly, she had said something about wanting to study the nature of magic.

"Uh—yeah, I guess so."

"Well—now that I have finished my NEWTs, I am going to study to be a naturalist at a place called The Magical Institute of Global Biomes Research. Apparently it is somewhere in North America, but much like Hogwarts no one knows for certain exactly where. I leave tomorrow by ship from Portsmouth."

"Portsmouth?—Tomorrow?—Luna, how—how come you didn't say anything? " Harry was visibly stunned. Luna was leaving—tomorrow.

"I'm sorry Harry, I just assumed you knew—I assumed Hermione…"

"Hermione knew?"

"I owled her when I got my acceptance letter." Luna looked at Harry wearily.

"You owled Hermione, but not me?" Harry demanded.

"I—I didn't think you would really care all that much, Harry. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret—if that is what you are thinking. You are so busy at the Auror Academy; I honestly didn't think you would care much about where I did my post-Hogwarts studies."

"You're my friend Luna; of course I care." Harry tried to calm himself down. Normally it would not have been a big deal what Luna had decided to do after Hogwarts, but now—she was leaving—now; when he was just realizing how truly important she was to him—now; when he really needed her.

"I am sorry Harry."

"Luna—how long will—you be gone?"

"Most likely—just two years."

"Most likely, just two years? What's that suppose to me?" Harry questioned.

"Well—it—could be longer. But only if my thesis is chosen for further field research."

"How much longer, Luna?"

"Possibly two—or three years more; but it is highly unlikely that my thesis will be chosen. Out of the fourteen students accept this year only two students' works are granted additional funding for field research."

"Right." This news did not comfort Harry in slightest. For the next several minutes neither spoke until Luna interrupted the silence.

"I should really finish packing, Harry."

"Er—right." Neither, however, moved.

Luna was leaving him. He had just found her and now she was leaving him. Harry didn't want her to go, he wanted her to stay with him. But how could he ask that of her. She would never have done that to him. She encouraged him to go after his dream. How could he ask her not to go after hers? Because he wanted to be with her—and the thought of her being so far away for so long; it hurt. But he loved her, right? He could survive this, they could survive this. It was the right thing.

Harry finally spoke.

"Luna—I am—happy for you. I know this is what you want and I am certain that you will be a brilliant naturalist one day. And besides, it's not like I won't ever see you again."

"That's right, Harry. And you will be so busy with Auror Training and your friends; you won't even miss me."

"I will miss you Luna, but you'll be home for the holidays and I will see you then. Right?" Harry smiled a weak smile. Luna, however, looked away.

"I—I don't know about the holidays—Harry."

"What do you mean—you don't know about the holidays? You are coming back here for holidays—where else would you go, Luna?"

"Harry—the Magical Institute of Global Biomes Research is an enormous bio-dome, well actually it is made up of several domes. But regardless; the research lab was designed to be a completely controlled atmosphere, with very little, if any exposure to the outside world. The entrance to the institute is only opened once a year to allow graduating students to leave and new student s to enter. This allows for very little outside contamination."

"What are you telling me Luna?"

"I—I won't be coming back here or anywhere else for holidays. Well, at least—not for the next two years. I have to stay at the institute—once I enter it."

"Well—that's just brilliant—isn't it! Merlin, Luna. I suppose I am not even allowed to owl you or anything. I mean, what kind of contact are you allowed with the outside world?"

"Oh—you can owl me Harry. Special arrangements are made for the post. Owls are received every three months. "

"EVERY THREE MONTHS!?!" Harry could feel Luna tremble next to him. He took a deep breath to calm himself down, but he couldn't help replying in a snarky tone, "Well isn't that just fantastic. Luna, this is getting ridiculous. Please don't tell me anymore." Harry ran his hands through his already disheveled hair.

"Harry, I—am sorry that this has upset you so. I—I never thought—I mean last night—it was just one night. It couldn't possibly be anything more—regardless if I was leaving or not." Luna placed a gentle hand over Harry's own.

Harry turned to look at her. "Why not Luna? You—you said yourself that you were in love with me—and I—now I have finally realized I feel the same about you—why can't it be for more than one night—besides the fact that you are leaving for two years?"

It shouldn't really make a difference that Luna was leaving. Luna had said it before; he was still in training, two years would go by quickly, he could wait.

"Luna, I—I am willing to wait. Regardless of everything, I am willing to wait for you to come back."

"Harry—I—don't understand. What are you willing to wait for?"

"You. Luna—I'm willing to wait for you—for as long as it takes. I—I love you."

Oh—Harry. I love you too. I—love you so much that I know—that—I am not the one you are suppose to be with…"

"Luna…"

"No—listen Harry. I—am not the one who can give you all the things that you have always wanted…"

"I want you…"

"Maybe—right now. But last night I am pretty certain you wanted Ginny."

"I'm over Ginny…" If he kept saying it, it would be true.

"Harry—I—may not know who you want—but I do know what you want. I'm quite certain it is what you have wanted your whole life."

"What is that, Luna?" Harry questioned.

"A family." Harry couldn't deny it. He knew what she was saying was true. It was what he had seen his first year at Hogwarts in the Mirror of Erised. "Harry, I—can't give you a family…" Harry stopped her.

"We can make our own…"

"No—Harry, I can't—not now—perhaps never. I am not that person Harry. I would be a terrible wife and an even more horrible mother…"

"You don't know that…"

"Harry—it's not what I want." Luna paused looking down at her hands now resting in her lap. "You need to be with someone who wants what you want. Ginny wants what you want. And if not her…well I am certain there is some other girl who would love to be Harry Potter's wife and the mother of his children. It—just can't be me—I'm sorry Harry. I'm so sorry…"

***

"Harry, this is a huge deal for Luna. Do you realize that only 14 students—each year—in the entire wizarding world are accepted—this international study...a place where some of the most powerful wizards in modern history have attended—not to mention that some of the most advance spells and charms around today have come from Global Biomes' research. I'm quite certain if this institute had been around when Dumbledore was young he would have attended."

"If this institute is so great, how come you didn't go there?"

"Because—Professor McGonagall, suggested I not bother applying." Hermione's shoulders slumped a bit.

"What—why? You were—are the most brilliant witch in our year?"

"Well—apparently it takes more than just brilliance to succeed at the Global Biomes—apparently it takes an open mind and a lot of imagination—something I apparently lack."

"Oh—uh, sorry."

Harry had been terribly depressed when he left Grimmauld Place earlier that morning; and even though he promised Luna he would accompany her to Portsmouth the following day to bid her farewell, the thought of saying good-bye to her just broke his heart. But the moment he entered Ron and Hermione's flat the sadness was replaced with anger. Hermione had known Luna was leaving and she hadn't bothered to mention that fact to Harry. They had been going at it since he had walked through the door. It didn't help that not only did Hermione know about Luna's acceptance into the Magical Institute of Global Biomes Research, she was openly happy and excited that Luna was leaving to go there; well maybe not the leaving part, but it didn't matter, her enthusiasm for the whole thing still upset Harry.

"There is nothing to be sorry about, Harry. I did inquiry about the Global Biomes after seeing one of their pamphlets when we were choosing career options in fifth year, but I never really had my heart set on going there. McGonagall also pointed out that I had too many commitments here at home to sequester myself for that long, half way across the world. And she was right; there was no way I could have left you or Ron or my parents for that long; not with everything that was going on anyway."

"But that still doesn't explain why Luna would want to go there. I mean—obviously when she applied back in her fifth year her father was still alive. How could she just go and leave her father all alone? You saw how he was after she was kidnapped. He would be beside himself if she left for two years with no contact. I mean—I guess it works out now that he's dead, but Luna didn't know that…" Harry plopped himself down in the same overstuffed chair he had sat in just the evening before. It seemed so long ago. In that time his whole life had changed. How could that be possible?

"Harry, Luna's father is the reason she even applied in the first place—well, Luna's father and her mother actually. Luna's mother attended the Global Biomes after she left Hogwarts. It was important for Luna to be able follow in her mother's footsteps and her father completely supported her decision, Harry…" Hermione continued.

"The truth is when Luna did find out she had been accepted she had had her doubts about leaving her father behind, but she knew that he would have been terribly upset if she had chosen not to go just because of him. Luna knew her father wasn't getting any better. I hate to admit it, but it all worked out for the best that he passed away when he did. Now Luna can go without feeling she's leaving anyone behind."

What about me?

"What about her friends?" Harry replied soberly.

"We should be happy for her. Harry, I don't know what's gotten into you. You weren't this upset when we all left last year to go back to school. It's really no different than Luna being at Hogwarts for the last nine months." Hermione stared at Harry with a questioning look.

"Well it is different, isn't it? She's going to be trapped in that place without any connection to the outside world. We won't see her for at least two years, and for Merlin's sake, we can't even owl her regularly."

"Harry, honestly, how many times have you seen Luna since she went back to Hogwarts for her seventh year, maybe once or twice? And how many times did you owl any of us since you started your Auror training, and specifically Luna? Never! You're not making any sense Harry." Hermione stood with her arms crossed over her chest staring intently at him.

"That's not the point Hermione."

"Well enlightened me Harry; because quite honestly, I have no idea what your point is…You should be happy for Luna, and two years are going to be over before you know it. Harry, you still have two years left of your own training—in which case you would have very little time for Luna anyway. Merlin Harry, you don't even make time for your own girlfriend. When did you think you're going to make time for Luna?"

Harry stared down at the pattern on the arm of the chair; everything that Hermione was saying would have been true two days ago but now…

"I would have made time for Luna." he mumbled under his breath.

"What was that, Harry?" Hermione observed him intently, as he squirmed uncomfortably in his chair, until she finally asked, "Harry—did—something happen last night that I should know about?"

Harry looked up at her. Could she possibly know? Was he letting his feelings show?

"No—nothing—happened—nothing—you need to know about." Oh—why did he have to add that last statement? Now Hermione would know for sure something was up. And sure enough when he raised his eyes again to look at her, her eyebrow was cocked in that knowing way of hers.

"Harry…"

"It's nothing Hermione—drop it." Harry quickly got up from his chair. "I've got to go."

"Harry…wait." She pleaded.

"Hermione, I—don't want to talk about it—and besides it doesn't matter anyway—she's leaving—it's over."

"Oh—Harry!" Hermione knew.

"I just don't understand—why does she think she's not good enough for me?" Harry sobbed not even aware that he had said it out loud.

"Harry—oh—Harry, I'm so…" She reached out for him, but before Hermione had a chance to get any closer, Harry was out the door of the flat.

Now Hermione knew; he would owl her later to never mention this conversation again. But for now, he had to get away.

The problem was, he didn't know exactly where he was going; but wherever it was Harry knew, it was not going to be with Luna. He had to let her go; before he ever really had her.

AN: I must apologize to all my loyal readers for taking so long to update this story. I was not even certain I was going to bother finishing it. Although it is not over yet, with this chapter complete, if I never write another word of it you still now know why Harry and Luna do not end up together in JKR's epilogue, at least in my version of the story. Of course, my version of the story has it's own epilogue that takes place long after JKR's

I have to thank mrsjoshjack for their recent review and for begging me to come back. It is what encouraged me to go ahead and finish this chapter that I started over 7 months ago. I hope you all enjoy it, if nothing else it is a long one. And perhaps if I get some more encouraging reviews I must just finish the whole story as I see in my head. Of course getting what's in my head down on paper is a lot easier said than done.

Best regards, potterlovegood