When Harry Potter first met Luna Lovegood in “The Order of the Phoenix,” he silently wished that the "distinctly dotty" girl with the wand behind her ear would not sit near him on the train to Hogwarts. From the start Harry did not immediately take to the girl whom classmates had deemed "loony". Their's seemed to be an uneasy acquaintance in the beginning. But during the year Luna proved herself to be a different kind of friend than he had ever had, one that Harry desperately needed, even if he did not realize it.

Harry had "never met anyone like her" before, able to speak "uncomfortable truths", yet seemingly ensconced in her own mystical world, one he was unable to see. Through her whimsy and wild flights of fancy, she brought laughter, hope, and light into his dark existence. She let it be known that Harry was not crazy, and that she too could see the thestrals. Luna was the first of Harrys classmates to profess belief in the truth of his story that Lord Voldemort was indeed back. Through her bold and fearless action she began to slowly turn the tide of doubt and suspicion against him. When her father published the tale of his ordeal in "The Quibbler" she was able to give Harry back his credibility within the wizarding world.

She continued to prove her importance in Harry's life by fighting bravely alongside him and his friends during the battle at the Department of Mysteries. With nothing but pure motives behind her, she risked her life to help Harry, simply because it was the right thing to do.

After the tragic death of Harry's beloved Godfather Sirius, he found that Luna was the only person he felt comfortable opening up to. She helped to ease his pain and despair by relating the untimely death of her own mother. She seemed to fill the spiritual void in his life, tantalizing him with the prospect that our loved ones never truly leave us, they are just waiting for us behind the veil.

With Luna, Harry feels comfortable and at ease. He does not have to worry about being judged or called strange, as both know the pain of being outcasts. Through Luna he is able to feel something other than sadness and grief, thinking of someone other than himself for the first time during the year. He feels pity for those who mistreat Luna, and is amazed at the calmness she has about her situation, the antithesis of Harry and all of his rage. At the end of "The Order of the Phoenix," Harry and Luna cement their bond though shared tragedies and a mutual understanding of one another.

This friendship continues on into the next installment, "The Half-Blood Prince" where she continues to make him laugh and feel at ease while accompanying him to Slughorn's party. Together, with Harry's braveness and loyalty, and Luna's spirituality and selflessness, they make one complete soul. They are ying and yang. But what the future has in store for them is unclear, simply friendship or perhaps true love? Regardless of the outcome we will be left with two amazing characters with a deep connection that moves and inspires us all.

by Stephanie (chunkeymonkey1981)

shippers
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[Want to be added? Just ask away (: ]

Hononary Visionaries
1. Daniel Radcliffe { download his interview supporting H/L here }
& { his second interview AGAIN supporting H/L - it's near the end - here }
2. Peeves, the Poltergeist (the first to see that Potty Loves Loony!)
3. Betty Crocker (that's right, the cake lady)

001. Because their relationship started unusually and Harry learned how to appreciate Luna for what she truly is
002. Because she believed him since the beginning
003. Because she was the first person he talked to about Sirius
004. Because he didn't mind talking about him with her
005. Because she was always honest with him
006. Because she made him feel better
007. Because she helped him to get his story published
008. Because they accept each other the way they are
009. Because they would never change in order to be with each other - they are ideal since they met
010. Because they're both powerful wizards
011. Because "Harry found that the terrible weight in his stomach seemed to have lessened slightly." And it was because of Luna.
012. Because they both know what it feels like to be an outsider
013. Because he'd rather spend time with her than go to the end-of-year feast
014. Because Luna truly understands him
015. Because he can be himself around her
016. Because he offered to help her get back her stuff
017. Because he can trust her completely
018. Because he knows she will always be honest, no matter how hard the truth is
019. Because he's more than willing to stand up for her
020. Because they have much more in common than they know
021. Because before anything else, they are *friends*
022. Because we love development!
023. Because nothing worth having comes easily
024. Because she gave him the strength to produce a Patronus
025. Because Luna's swaying, gliding, spinning, arms waving, eyes closed in ecstasy to the beat of the music is a joyous freedom that Harry needs to experience much more in his life; even if it is only to watch.
026. Because the yellow of Luna's wedding robes would offset Harry's emerald eyes perfectly.
027. Because she easily saw right through the Polyjuice effect - and no one else knows Harry so well that they can recognize him with someone's else polyjuiced face.
028. Because they really are meant to be
029. Because he felt a great rush of affection for her
030. Because their actions towards each other speak louder than their words
031. Because we can wait 19, 20, 30 years... they are worth all the waiting
032. Because OOTP was "the start of something good... don't you agree?"
033. Because Harry invited her to the party
034. Because Luna would love to go as friends
035. Because Luna inspires him to be honest - with her and with himself
036. Because she has captivated him in a way he's not even aware of
037. Because he is proud of being her friend
038. Because they didn't become a couple, but JK gave them something better - a real, meaningful relationship
039. Because they look beautiful on screen too!
040. Because the chemistry is natural and undeniable
041. Because he felt a rush of affection for her... AGAIN.
042. Because he could never forget about her.
043. Because he was the first to realize she wasn't there.
044. Because he's been in her room.
045. Because she didn't realize it would be so noisy!
046. Because she said it all for him.
047. Because she can see right through him in every way.

is that what you want?

is that what you want?

is that what you want?

is that what you want?

is that what you want?

is that what you want?

is that what you want?