by DrT - Sahits

me, if not us." Harry looked at Hermione. "Do you know he stripped the restricted section of books
that could have helped us? Any book you see that's noted as 'LOST'? It means 'Location: Other
Storage/Tower' -- there's a storeroom under the Ravenclaw Tower where they keep the most
sensitive books."
Hermione's jaw was slack from the shock. Finally, she said. "That's horrible! Hiding books!"
Harry smiled. "Don't ever change, Hermione."
Hermione gave him a mock glare. "Ha, ha. Seriously, Harry. I knew from the spring of our First
year that my life was tied to yours." Harry started to say something. "If you say one thing about my
'inner eye', you'll regret it."
"Yes, ma'am," Harry answered seriously.
"Good. The point, Harry Potter, is that I knew I loved you from the end of our First year on, I just
wasn't sure how I loved you. Now I know. Don't try to change my mind."
Harry moved and pulled Hermione into a tight hug, and they stayed in that hug for many minutes.
There was still more than an hour before dinner started, so when Harry and Hermione ran into
Luna, they all decided to get The Quibbler interview over. Harry repeated most of the information
he had about Tom Riddle (other than the Horcruxes), and promised that he had the information
from Voldemort himself and other witnesses. Luna was happy with the story, even if Harry didn't
want to talk about himself, and agreed to dig in the sources that Harry had written out for her for
verification and for further information. He agreed that Luna could ask again later, once the first
story had come out.
When they were done, Harry asked, "Do you two know why dress robes were recommended for
students Fourth year and above?"
"Maybe there's some sort of formal function after the last Task," Hermione suggested.
"I would think it would be before then," Luna said thoughtfully. "After the Third Task, a number of
people from two schools won't feel like having a party."
"In fact, there's going to be a Yule Ball," Harry said. "They'll announce it later this week. Hermione,
will you accompany me to the Ball?"
"Yes," Hermione said, smiling widely.
"Luna, Third years can only go if someone Fourth year and up asks. If you don't know many people
like that outside of Ravenclaw. . . ."
"Would you think Ronald would be interested?" she asked hopefully.
"I don't know," Harry lied. "If he's not. . . ."
Luna looked at Harry. "I am trusting you a great deal, Harry Potter."
"I know that," Harry agreed. "I promise you, I'm not trying to trick you or prank you. I really don't
want to see you hurt."
"Is that why you just lied about Ronald?" Luna asked.
"Yes," Harry admitted. "I really suspect he doesn't like you, but I was planning on checking with
him before asking around." Luna cocked her head to the left and looked at Harry, who went on, "I
think if you got together with Ron, you would be hurt, but since you want it, I'll ask him for you."
"So you care about me, even though you don't know me, and also respect me," Luna said.
Harry took off his glasses and looked into Luna's wide eyes. "I know you, Luna Lovegood," Harry
said. "You and Hermione look at the world, and magic, in almost totally opposite ways. Neither