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Swizzlestick · 09-12-2006, 08:19 PM

With a quick flick of his wand, Harry wrapped up her gift and put it complacently into his jacket pocket and with a quick ruffle to his hair he stopped to view his appearance in the mirror before opening the door.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” came a voice from the entrance hall.

“Oh, thanks. I’d forget my head.” replied Harry with a smile while picking up his wand once more and putting it inside his jacket. “Are you sure you don’t want to come, Luna would really like it if you could attend.”

“I’m sorry Harry.” replied Remus with a slight shake to his head. “It’s a full moon tonight; it would be silly to risk it.”

Harry gave him a small understanding nod before turning back towards the door. “Are you sure that you don’t want to travel by Floo it would be a lot quicker!”

Harry grimaced. “Forget it, I’d rather eat a flobberworm!” he shot back sardonically. And as Harry closed the door and presented himself to the early spring breeze, he heard Remus chuckle unto himself as he walked back into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.

It didn’t take long for the Knight bus to arrive and as Stan Shunpike droned in his usual dreary tone a ‘Hello Mr Potter, what a lovely spring day it is today,’ Harry just made his way as quick as he could to an empty seat at the back of the bus, and immediately gripped himself to the long pole in front, praying that the bus would get him to Ottery St. Catchpole in record time.

-

“Ron, will you hurry up! Just how long do you need to get ready for Merlins sake!!”

“Hermione, for your information I like to present myself in an orderly and smart manner when one attends a joyous occasion.”

Hermione burst out laughing. “Yeah, well I need to sort out my hair and you have been in the bathroom for ages!” she mocked while pushing him aside.

“Oh great, in the time it will take you to sort that mess out we will miss the party altogether!”

Hermione scowled as she trudged past Ron and slammed the Bathroom door shut in his face.

Ron rolled his eyes, “Women!” Then continued to bang on the door with his fist, “Well you better hurry up Granger, we haven’t got all day!”

Ron had spent the last few days at Hermione’s parents house, it had been a real eye opener at first, spending quality time with a muggle family, something that his Father could only dream of doing, and Arthur had given him a list of questions to ask Mr and Mrs Granger and gave him strict instructions to report everything back to him upon his return.

Something that Ron hadn’t anticipated though was the normality of family life, it wasn’t much different from that of his own upbringing, except things were harder and he actually had to do the washing up using his hands instead of watching Molly flick a wand, but it made him realise that things should not always be taken for granted and he enjoyed the experience, but felt that two days was enough for hard graft and couldn’t wait to get back home and practice some quidditch in the garden.

Hermione finally came down the staircase, her hair tied up with a few ringlets flowing down her shoulders, and with a smart pair of black trousers and a pink halter neck top, Ron couldn’t help but gape at her appearance. He was used to seeing her in jeans and tracksuit jackets, and he drank in her beauty everyday, but today she shone and upon noting his expression, Hermione gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before taking hold of his arm while he escorted her to the car waiting for them outside, which was to drive them to Luna’s house, just ten minutes away from Ron’s own.

“Thanks Dad for doing this.” said Hermione as she got into the car with Ron sitting beside her, whom immediately thought back to the time when he and Harry were twelve and took the flying Ford Anglia on a small trip to Hogwarts all those years ago, We were only kids then, Ron thought silently into himself and suddenly felt excited that he was going to see Harry again today – albeit if it was at his Girlfriend’s sixteenth birthday party. Oh how times really do change.

Swizzlestick · 09-12-2006, 08:24 PM

Chapter 31 – A New Start

Mr Lovegood didn’t hold back the stops for his Daughter, after all she was his only child and he loved her more than anyone, how could he not love her? With her bulgy blue eyes and blond hair that reminded him so much of his late wife, who also had Luna’s quirky ways and yet Luna seemed more relaxed with herself these days, and he knew that she would never undertake an unwarranted risk - she didn’t have to. Luna in his eyes had awarded herself with her bravery, and the letter he had received from Albus Dumbledore highlighting her remarkable courage in the battle at Hogwarts overwhelmed him. Finally his little girl had come into her own.

However, when he asked her about what had happened at Hogwarts she would brush it off and always complement Harry on his bravery while continuing to read up on estranged tales of fantasy beasts which she knew pleased her Father; but after all these years didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth, that they never really existed. She only spoke of these unearthly creatures to other students because it was her way of having fun and making people hear her, even though her topics of conversation were sometimes looked upon as being absurd and ‘loony.’ That was until she met Harry and his friends in her third year of school and that was when everything changed.

“You look beautiful.” said Mr Lovegood who was standing in her bedroom doorway, marvelling at his little girl who no longer looked little anymore, she was a young woman with a sparkle in her eye, a sparkle he had never seen until recently, and he knew that young Mr Potter was the main reason for this child’s transformation into young adulthood. Finally Luna Lovegood was the person she wanted to be, and it took a remarkable stage of events to find her.

As Harry stepped off the Knight Bus, he rubbed his head with a firm hand and moaned – twice he had hit his head on the side of the window due to Ernie’s impeccable driving! Or so Ernie liked to think anyway, yet for everyone else it was a ride on the bus from hell, and yet Harry was still pleased he took the Knight Bus as his form of transport and stayed clear of the fire grate.

He wasn’t the first to arrive; he noticed a young lady with her hair tied up, standing next to a tall lanky young man with red hair. Harry smiled, they looked so happy together and for a moment Harry just stood there, watching them before quickly approaching his best friends, who were chatting animatedly to Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Neville’s Girlfriend, Ginny Weasley.

“Harry!” exclaimed Ginny happily as he approached the group.

“Hi mate, you’re late! Luna was getting worried.” said Neville as he shook Harry’s hand.

“I took the Knight Bus!” he replied.

“What in heavens for? Why didn’t you use the floo network?” asked Seamus.

Ron just laughed. “Don’t worry Harry, we got a ride in a muggle car with Hermione’s Dad, it beats Floo travel that’s for sure!”

“That’s why I caught the Knight Bus!” said Harry with a frown of amusement.

Luna came out holding what looked like a large punch bowl full of fruit juice, or so Harry thought. That was until he noticed Fred and George Weasley pouring some fire whisky into it.

Another screech of “HARRY” flew though the air which made a lot of the other guests turn around to observe Luna run into the arms of the ‘Boy who lived.’ Some of the guests were friends of Mr Lovegood’s and watched on in awe, while all the others smiled because they all knew Harry and Luna, due to the fact they were members of Dumbledore’s Army, or even teachers at Hogwarts. As Harry cuddled Luna, he noticed Karis and Bill talking to Albus and Minerva by the fired up barbeque. Albus looked to be prodding a burnt sausage with a fork.

“I didn’t think you were going to make it Potter!” mocked Luna with wide eyes.

“Sorry, I took the Knight Bus and well… it took the scenic route.”

Luna smiled and as Harry looked into her eyes he felt sudden warmth enthral him and without even thinking about onlookers he bent down and kissed her gently on the lips which is where they stayed for a few moments before he heard a recognisable shout in the close distance with the words “Get a room!” followed by a loud slap by Molly Weasley. “Fred, don’t be rude!”

Fortunately everyone laughed, which eased Molly’s embarrassment immediately, and so she smiled and made her way to the barbeque where she scolded Albus for not keeping a close enough eye on the food.

“Molly, I am a sorcerer in the art of magic, so therefore I’m a terrible chef, one cannot bear all gifts Molly.”

“Hello Professor.” said Harry as he approached Albus, and gave Karis a warm kiss on the cheek and then proceeded to shake Bill’s hand.

“Harry, how are you?” asked Albus while putting a grandfatherly hand on the young man’s shoulder. Harry noted this kind gesture and smiled at Albus’ effort to enjoy the day and not revert back to the conversation they had held with Karis about the events that took place nearly two months ago.

“I’m good.” was his reply, which Albus took immediately as ‘could be better’.

“Well that is Brilliant news, because school is to commence after the wedding.” said Albus with a beaming smile.

Harry looked taken aback and even Ron and Hermione who had heard the word wedding looked confused, but the word ‘school’ made Hermione almost jump in delight.

“Wedding?”

“Karis?” said Albus, looking over to his Granddaughter who appeared to have an infectious beaming smile on her face too; while grasping hold of Bill’s hand.

Harry and a few others looked on. Karis looked at Bill and they smiled at each other, which immediately answered the question on most people’s face. “When?” exclaimed Harry, clapping his hands.

“Two weeks, in Hogwarts, the Great Hall actually - because it just feels like home.”

Harry congratulated them both and then asked the big question. “Who’s your best man, Bill?”

But before Bill could answer, somebody approached Harry from behind. “I am.”

As Harry turned around, his expression must have been a picture to onlookers as his face echoed a gesture of surprise as he looked into the familiar face of one, Percy Weasley.

*

All feel silent for a few agonising moments, and Percy squirmed at the frosty reception. Harry noticed and decided it was time to let bygones be bygones.

“It’s good to see you have come to your senses, Percy” said Harry, but with a playful twinkle in his eye.

“Yes, well I daresay that I was misinformed by my piers, and will allow myself in the future to listen closely to those closer to me.” replied Percy, who then glanced over to his Father.

Mr Weasley noticed this gesture and nodded his head in affirmation, and quietly approached his Son.

Mr Weasley stood in-front of the young man, and had an urge to give him a piece of his mind, but realised that there had been too many upheavals, too much sadness and too much loss to go down a petty route, so he gently embraced his son instead, and whispered in Percy’s ear, “welcome back”.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and smiled, when they noticed Molly wipe her tears gently away with a handkerchief that she pulled out of her cloak pocket.

Fred and George smirked at Percy’s presence, but upon Ginny shooting them a foreboding look, they lightened up and moved forward with Molly to also welcome the young man back into their lives. It was only Ron who seemed stuck to the spot, his face pink. Hermione gave him a small nudge “Go on Ron”.

Ron looked into the eyes of his Girlfriend and whispered “I don’t know if I can forgive him for putting Mum and Dad through that, and what he said about Harry. After everything we have been through, he just thinks he can waltz back in as if nothing has happened.”

Hermione put her hand on Ron’s shoulder. “I know, I didn’t agree with all of that either, but it’s a new start for everyone, including Percy, everyone deserves another chance, Ron.”

Ron looked lost in thought for a moment, then turned to Hermione. “You’re right Hermione, you’re always right, what would I do without you?”

“Be a git all of the time.” she mocked.

Ron laughed and so did Harry when he heard her remark, “Like Ron said Hermione, you’re always right.” chuckled Harry.

Ron moved forward and joined the embrace, while Karis and Bill both beamed with delight.

“Let’s hope the wedding is as eventful.” Bill whispered into Karis’ ear.

“I’ve had enough eventful antics to last a lifetime, but at least this one is of the happy sort.”

Albus Dumbledore clapped his hands together; “Right then” he said “Let’s get the party started. Mr Lovegood, where did you put those Sherbet Lemon’s?”

*

As day turned into early evening, and the sun started setting in the skies above, Harry, Luna, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny looked above and watched the splendour of the looming night sky approach.

“I never thought I would witness this beauty again after what happened at Hogwarts.” said Harry, as he gently held his Girlfriend’s hand.”

Silence emitted the air briefly, until Ron answered.

“I think we’ve had our fair share of battles, but there will be more to come Harry, just because Voldemort is dead, we still don’t know where Draco is, I bet we’ll be seeing him again and it won’t be for a friendly goblet of pumpkin juice.”

“We will face that when it comes.” replied Hermione “In the meantime, we have a new term at school starting and a wedding to attend, the prospects seem to be looking up.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and Harry smiled again into the glimmer of the yellows and reds which were now fading into a darker purple as the sun set across the horizon.

“Yes, we will face it when it comes.” said Harry “Because, as a united Dumbledore’s Army, we are prepared for anything.”

THE END.

Swizzlestick · 09-12-2006, 08:27 PM

I will leave this finalised fanfic here for a while, then eventually after a couple of weeks I will ask it to be moved to the finished section.

Any feedback regarding the storyline/characters/likes and dislikes of the story, would be greatly appreciated.

I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it.

Kelly (Swizzlestick)

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