Good story. Awakenings gave me a bit of a chill. I have noticed you deftly working some hefty ideas into the HPverse that I think go quite well. This one though... When Luna began her recitation I started wracking my brain as to where I'd seen it before. Years ago I read the Desiderata over and over and sort of vowed to myself that would be the way I wanted to be. A bit of a mental slap in the face to realize after all this time I'd forgotten it and could not immediately place those words. Clunk.

Thanks for bringing Desiderata back to me. I think that sort of gentle (rude) awakening is what Luna's all about.

Very well done.

That is some of the best written Ron/Luna that I have read. Her unwavering faith in the unknown and strength of person is wonderful to see.

It was also a very nice touch to have Hermione hear all of that. I'm curious what will happen to the sextet in the next book.

Awwww. This is very cute. I love the way you write Luna and Ron. Although Hermione didn't come off very well.

Thanks for Desiderata never read it in english before , be well and take care.

I'm really happy to have found this fanfic - truly well done. However, I must disagree with your interpretation of the handshake in CoS.

wow. is that a real poem or did you make it up? because if it's yours then congradulations

Oh my gosh! That was so sweet and sad. I loved it. Poor Ron. HE really does get push to the side. You should write more to this. You could do like their wedding day or something. I never thought that they would be cute together but you have the start for a real cute relationship with Ron and Luna! GOOD JOB!

That was beautiful! You captured Ron perfectly. I really liked this.

There's always been a quality in the way you begin (most) stories that I find distinctly Shakespearean. Perhaps it's the way that a minor (/supplementory) character introduces the story and gives insight into everything, more easing one into the story than just beginning. Not a faceless narrator, but neither someone who is so entangled in the mess that they can't think logically. It sets the scene beautifully.

The characterisation of Ron is spot on. An confused mixture of self-doubt and jealousy, without succumbing to the melodrama of "Why Me?"

Love Luna's musing on Houses and the sorting. Lifts her as well as everyone else from the sterotype that the Sorting sometimes imposes. No fixation on strange creatures, which is likewise refreshing, and the use of it as an excuse is ingenious. A brilliant characterisation of Luna, giving her the depth that she deserves. The wisdom of the eeccentric very well portrayed with her pointed questions.

The dialogue between Luna and Ron reminded me of Hermione being Harry's voice of conscience. Not sure if it was intentional, but that echo makes it all the more evocative. So much of Ron's reaction is internalised; what is said isn't half as important as what has not been said and what has been thought. Luna seems to share with Ron a certain empathy that is beautifully portrayed.

Little bit of Movie-verse slipping in there; not complaining. Very insightful new spin on the interpertation of the Hug. Likewise with the many canon references, sews it all up, not exactly neatly (neatness is overrated), but very well.

Love the pacing, open ended but with a promise of conclusion. Fuzzy moment without rushing Ron and Luna's relationship. More tipping the balance into the realms of love but without plunging in. It transcends a lot of what I have read, both in terms of language and depth of characterisation.

Fantastically in character. I especially liked Ron's initial aversion to her being there and how she coaxes real epiphanies out of him without him realizing he has spoken aloud. Ron pushing himself 'back into the pillows with fear' was a nice bit (and incredibly Ron-ish).
I also liked the extra insight into Luna's loony-ness. Luna's often fic-ed differently than she appears in the books. You kept her canon and gave her a bit more dimension.
In short, excellent job.

Using Luna to help Ron by quoting the Desiderata of Happiness was inspired... It has been one of my all time favorite poems and had also been the theme of my Senior Year Book what seems like a million years ago.. (1979)

I think that Luna IS a perfect match for Ron because of her honest and insightful views into EVERYTHING is cause to make Ron see who he REALLY is in the scope of the world.

He has an Identity issue that will not be rectified until he can come to terms with his own humanity and his own self worth... I think you have shown how well that Luna will be able to bring that out in him...

Thanks for the writing... I may be a diehard HMS Pumpkin Pie girl, but I think the HMS Red Moon is awesome too... and very refreshing...

wonderful little character study of "ronald" here i don't generally read r/ll (which is odd, since i expect it to happen in HP) but i enjoyed this one closing on hermione's words was a nice touch

this rocks, keep going.

Another brilliant achievement, gil! I have to say that this is the first R/Lu fic I've ever read, even though I support the ship entirely! (HMS Red Moon? I'm so out of the loop!)

"People like Hermione wouldn’t believe anything unless they held it in their hands and could feel and touch it … and she shook her head. Such people were often the most blind to the things around them -- and too often, oblivious to the things right under their noses -- or within their hearts."

I love that line so much! It just sounds so true and realistic, and the fact that it's coming from Luna makes even more sense. Ron would never be THAT insightful, so it works very nicely. (I might be underestimating young Weasley, though--but that's beside the point).

If there's one thing I love about your writing is how every word flows so perfectly and beautifully. I actually cherish every sentence because they touch my heart (or rather, my romantic soul). Speaking of romantic souls, yours definitely shines through--and it shows in your writing. Excellent job!

Another thing I love is the way you keep the characters IN character. I've never really seen Luna portrayed before, and you did such a perfect job of it in this story! And I quote:

"Luna and Ron looked at each other in surprise, and simultaneously raised an inquiring eyebrow at the nurse, who glared back at them owlishly. Before Ron could open his mouth to respond, Luna said, “It must have been a silver-winged Betorkle, ma’am.”

Ah! I just LOVE it! I love her character, and it was JUST the kind of thing she'd say! Gah, I am SO glad you share your writing with us. Don't ever stop! Please!

Thanks again, gil

~Fae~

What an absolutely admirable piece of psychological insight! You couldn't have put it any better. This might indeeb become the beginning of a lovely long tale, why not have a go at it?