Harry awoke with a start, the horrors he had just experience in the Department of Mysteries just wouldn't leave his mind it seems. He had hoped that he would been exhausted enough to at least sleep away his misery for one night but it seems luck wasn't on his side anymore. Harry couldn't dread this day any more if he tried, less than 24 hours before he had seen his only family murdered before his very eyes and all he wanted to do is mourn in peace. Fat chance Harry thought to himself, he no doubt would be bombarded with questions today. As if he didn't get enough of that last night,The Daily Prophet had immediately gotten ahold of Harry after the whole debacle for photo ops and a quasi interview. Harry was less than enthused much to the dismay of the reporter who finally left him alone albeit rather begrudgingly. Harry was sure they had gotten what they wanted though he could see reporters interviewing all of his faithful friends who had helped him. Speaking of his friends Harry made a mental note to thank them all properly for risking their lives for what was basically a suicide mission. I can't believe I put them through that... Harry silently chastised himself for his foolishness. Harry finally mustered the will to get up out of bed. Everyone was already at The Great Hall for breakfast it seemed so Harry pulled on his robes and went down to join his friends.

When Harry entered the hall every head turned to look at him. Many people hadn't believe him that Voldermort had returned but now everyone knew, several people nodded at him in a newfound respect. He looked for his friends and saw them all save for Luna at the Gryffindor table. They all said their Hellos to Harry it seemed just like any other day. Well I guess they don't hate me. Harry thought to himself.

"Look everyone I want to thank you all for yesterday at the Ministry... I put you all in danger. I wouldn't blame you all for hating my guts. You all almost died because of me." Harry buried his face in his hands at this point grief overcoming him.

"Nonsense mate! We're all friends and fellow DA members, we stick together. Nobody blames you for what happened." said Ron

Ginnny, Neville, and Hermione agreed each squeezing his shoulder in comfort. Harry wiped his face on his sleeve and composed himself. He looked over at the Ravenclaw table and didn't see Luna anywhere.

"Where's Luna?"

"well... about that, you'd better have a look at this Harry." Neville said handing Harry the Prophet.

Harry looked at the prophet and was greeted by a picture of himself and Dumbledore on the front cover, he read through the article finally coming to the part about the DA. He saw a sentence that infuriated him he had to read it over just to see if he was missing something "Harry Potter was aided by several of his classmates including: Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Ronald and Ginerva Weasley." Following that there were small interviews with each of them with no mention of Luna whatsoever.

"This is outrageous!! Luna helped too why isn't she mentioned?! I know for a fact she was being interviewed I saw it myself."

"Dunno Harry, it makes us mad too. Everyone should know that Luna helped she deserves that much. Luna saw the paper this morning and just walked out The Great Hall by herse...." But Harry had already gotten up before Ginny could finish her sentence. He had to find Luna immediately to see what was up. Problem was Harry had no idea where to find her, he didn't even know where the Ravenclaw common room was located so he couldn't look there. Harry thought about it logically she was probably upset right now where would he go if he wanted to blow off steam? Then again this WAS Luna he was talking about she was different she was probably out chasing Nargles. A big grin appeared on Harry's face that had given him a good idea. He went outside looking for Luna, she was after all a very outdoorsy person. Sure enough he didn't have to look far there she was sitting on the edge of the lake her blonde hair flying in the wind. He mad his way down to where she was and he could hear her crying softly. Harry's heart dropped, he had never seen Luna cry or even sad for that matter. She always seemed so.. not detached but almost always positive.

"Hello Luna, mind if I join you?"

she looked up at Harry with her misty blue eyes and nodded patting the ground next to her. Harry wasn't really sure of what to do in this situation. He thought about it for a moment then put his arm around Luna to comfort her. She stiffened at first and he almost pulled away but then she relaxed and leaned into him. It was a nice feeling he had to admit.

"What's wrong Luna? I've never seen you like this before."

She reached up and dabbed her eyes with her sleeve before saying to Harry. "I just thought that after yesterday at the Ministry.. that people would think I had friends. They would see how we all went there to save your godfather and maybe think differently of me. Maybe they would think I was more than just Loony Lovegood."

Harry thought about this for a moment and understood her feelings. Luna admittedly wasn't the most popular girl in school. Her beliefs and attitude had made her an outcast, but she had always seemed to not care what people thought. Obviously this was all a facade, of course she did care. Who wouldn't care that they were mocked by half the school?

"Luna you have friends, everyone in the DA is your friend. I am proud to be your friend, you were there for me yesterday. You believed me about Voldermort when others didn't. To me you are much more than Loony Lovegood."

Luna looked at Harry with new tears brimming in her eyes, this time of happiness. "You know Harry you're the only boy who's ever been nice really nice to 've never made fun of me for my beliefs and you always made me feel like I belonged in the DA."

Harry didn't think he had done anything all that special for Luna but apparently to her he had. Was she really that put out by the other students? It disgusted him a little to be honest, sure Luna was different but she didn't deserve this kind of ostracization. He felt a new found respect for her to be able to put up with it all.

"Luna you more than belonged in DA. You're an intelligent and talented witch worthy of Ravenclaw. It makes me angry that the Prophet left you out. Everyone should know that you helped! It's not fair, In fact I'm going to write a letter and demand that something be done about this."

Luna looked much better now, gone were the tears and back was her smile. Harry had never noticed before probably because he'd never spent much time alone with her but Luna was actually very pretty. Her silvery eyes were quite striking and complimented her pale skin well. Harry realized he could get lost in those eyes as he looked at her. Luna must have realized he was staring because she asked quizzically "What is it Harry?"

Harry looked away quickly muttering that it was nothing. She giggled and looked across the lake. "Well Harry as much as I've enjoyed our chat I think I should be getting back to the castle." Harry frowned inwardly as he was enjoying spending time with Luna but he supposed she was right. He stood up and offered his hand to her to help her up. "Luna I want to say thank you for coming with me to the Ministry yesterday, I feel terrible that you were hurt because of me. I just want you to know if you ever need me for anything I'll always be there for you."

Suddenly Luna was hugging him it happened so quick harry was caught off guard but then quickly returned the hug. He closed his eyes and breathed in, her hair smelled sweet like some sort of berry. Luna whispered into his ear "Thank you harry, for everything." They broke apart and both looked at each other awkwardly. Harry didn't know what was going on in his mind. That hug felt so... right. Even though he had just lost Sirius he felt happy at that moment when he had Luna in his arms. A realization hit him. God help him he had it bad for Luna Lovegood.