Disclaimer: Harry Potter and related characters and settings belong to J. K. Rowling. The Lord of the Rings and related mythology belong to the heirs of J. R. R. Tolkien.
A/N The title of this chapter is a little bit forced I admit. Its in Sindarin: 'athrado' means 'traverse' while 'ithil' is of course 'moon'. Putting those two together it literally comes out as 'traverse the moon'. However, the correct title of this chapter is 'Loony Adventure'.
Chapter 14: Athradoithil
"Metimaloche? Who or what is 'Metimaloche'?" demanded Ron.
"He and his kind are the only one's strong enough to fight Heliopaths," said Luna as if this were the most obvious thing in the world.
"What? Heliopaths?"
"I told you about the Heliopaths not too long ago Ronald. They're great spirits of flame and You-know-who has an army of them at his command. If we have to fight You-know-who's Heliopaths, we need Metimaloche's help to do so."
"And I bet you know exactly where this 'Metimaloche' lives, I gather," said Ron sarcastically.
"No, I don't," said Luna. Ron looked triumphant until she said, "But Rauthoron does."
"You and the Griffin are in on this together?"
"We're not 'in' or 'on' anything," said Luna. "Rauthoron doesn't even know that I'm looking for Metimaloche. All I said is that he knows where Metimaloche is."
Before Ron could reply, he suddenly realized that he had followed Luna passed the Great Hall and was now standing in front of the castle's main entrance. Luna opened the doors to reveal Rauthoron standing there in front of them as if he had been waiting for Luna to arrive.
Luna beamed and said, "Hello, I've been hoping to see you."
"Indeed I had sensed that there was one looking for me," said the griffin. "Tell me, what it is you request of me?"
"I want to find Metimaloche," said Luna brightly.
There was absolutely no way Ron could miss the frown on Rauthoron's eagle face. "You seek to head out on a suicide mission," said the griffin. "Why seek out danger?"
"Because only Metimaloche's kind can fight Heliopaths," said Luna.
"Not necessarily," answered Rauthoron. "Metimaloche's kind are merely the only ones who can match the power of the fire demons, but the fire demons have been beaten by Elves and Maia in the past. And humans and my ancestors have defeated Metimaloche's kind in the past meaning any of us can theoretically defeat the fire demons. Of course, the fact that humans and my ancestors have defeated Metimaloche's kind in the past may make him hesitant of helping you. What can you offer to him that will convince his kind to fight with us?"
"Well I sort of had a theory," said Luna.
"All you ever have are theories," snapped Ron; he was feeling rather frustrated at being unable to participate in the conversation.
Luna ignored Ron's snappy remark and continued, "We all know that You-know-who has been collecting the three chalices hidden within the three schools. Not too many people know this but daddy once told me that the one thing Metimaloche feared above everything else was for the three chalices to come together."
Rauthoron literally perked up. "That just might have some merit," he said. "Metimaloche fears the gathering of the chalices. If we can explain what is happening..." Rauthoron suddenly spread his wings and flapped them twice. "Climb on my back young maiden. I shall take you to Metimaloche."
"Really?" exclaimed Luna excitedly. "All I was hoping for at the most was that you simply tell me where he was."
"I could do that but that would be truly be sending you to your death," said Rauthoron. "Metimaloche would slay you on the spot for even coming near him but if I were to accompany you, he would be more hesitant to engage a griffin. You could explain your case to him then. So climb on."
Luna squealed in delight and bounded up to the griffin and hoisting herself up onto his back between his wings. She turned to a thoroughly perplexed looking Ron.
"Good bye Ronald. It means so much for me that you are seeing me off," she said.
Ron suddenly snapped to attention. "Huh? What? You're leaving now?"
"Well yes," said Luna. "Isn't that why you're here? To wish me good bye?"
"Good bye? GOOD BYE? I'M NOT SAYING GOOD BYE! I'M COMING WITH YOU!" yelled Ron.
Luna's large eyes grew even larger. "Ronald?"
"I have no idea what this 'Metimaloche' person is or what in the bloody hell you and the griffin have been chatting about all this time," exclaimed Ron. "But one thing I can tell is that you're heading toward danger and there is no bloody way that I am bringing shame to the name Weasley or Gryffindor house by letting a girl go into peril alone while I stand by like a coward. So budge over and make some space for me!" Ron hoisted himself up onto Rauthoron's back and found himself nestled right behind Luna.
Luna's face was positively beaming as she twisted around and gave the embarrassed Ron a large hug. "My king," she whispered.
"King?" said Ron, rather perplexed. "Er, Luna don't take this the wrong way but don't girls usually say 'my hero' or 'my knight in shining armor'? Besides, 'king' would be a title more fitting for Harry."
"Harry is King and hero to the wizarding world and hero and knight in shining armor to Hermione," said Luna. "You however are my king, Ronald." And before Ron could comment, Luna closed her eyes and started humming "Weasley is our King" dreamily.
'I am never going to understand this girl,' thought Ron. 'Mind you, I don't understand anything about girls to begin with, especially Hermione and Ginny, but I don't understand this girl on a whole new level.'
"Hang on," shouted Rauthoron. With a sudden jolt, Rauthoron burst forward running at a high speed toward the lake. Around the time he hit the sand of the lake's beach, he spread his wings forth and started flapping them, lifting up into the air. Ron felt like his stomach had been left behind on the ground: this was nothing like flying on a broom. Eventually, Hogwarts looked like nothing more than the size of a dollhouse as the griffin glided toward the East in the pale moonlight. "Brace yourselves young ones," shouted Rauthoron. "We're on a several day journey and it's going to become bumpy much of the way. I suggest you take turns sleeping to make sure you don't fall off and I'll probably have to hunt food in the mornings. Be prepared for anything."
Ron gulped, the only thought running through his mind was, 'What the hell have I gotten myself into?'
* * *
"Have you seen Ron?" Harry asked Hermione as they met up in the hallways of Hogwarts the following morning.
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "No, but he and I aren't exactly on speaking terms remember?"
"I guess," said Harry. "Its just that I usually wake up before he does but the way his bed was, I don't think he even slept in it last night."
Hermione frowned. "It doesn't sound like him to miss out on any sleep."
"I just hope he hasn't done anything rash or reckless," said Harry with a worried sigh.
Hermione couldn't help but grin. "He's not you Harry."
"Oh haha, very funny," said Harry dryly. Hermione chuckled. It was just then that the two realized that they were now walking past the entrance of the Hospital Wing. And when the two glanced inside, they were surprised to see...
"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley?" exclaimed Harry and Hermione at once.
Molly Weasley looked up: she had apparently been crying. "Oh Harry! Hermione!" she exclaimed. Before either could react, Molly had pulled the two into a fierce hug and started sobbing over them. Not knowing what to do, Harry glanced at Hermione over Molly's shoulder. Hermione shrugged helplessly back at him. "Oh thank goodness you two are all right."
"Mrs. Weasley, what is the matter?" asked Hermione. Molly however simply hung onto them harder.
"Harry, Hermione it's good to know at least you two are all right," said Arthur Weasley standing up. "Why after what we heard."
"It's not as if they had gotten involved in the battle," said the voice of Bill Weasley. It was only then that Harry noticed that he was the one who occupied the bed Arthur and Molly had been by. "So they should be completely fine so long as they stay within Hogwarts."
"Yes, that is true," said Arthur. "But the same can't be said about Ron."
Harry suddenly started. "What about Ron?" he asked.
"Goodness, you didn't know?" asked Arthur.
"Oh Ron," sobbed Molly. "First Percy ends up missing. Then Bill gets injured. And now, this happens to Ron!"
"Mrs. Weasley please," said Hermione sounding desperate, "What happened to Ron?" Molly finally calmed down enough to let Harry and Hermione go and sit back down by Bill's side.
"He's run off," said a voice from behind. Harry and Hermione turned around to see Albus Dumbledore enter the Hospital Wing with Nearly-Headless Nick floating in behind him.
"Run off? What do you mean he's run off?" exclaimed Harry.
"What I mean is Mr. Ronald Weasley left the walls of Hogwarts last night," said Dumbledore.
"Oh no," said Hermione, dismally. "The thought of Harry and I together must've finally become too much for him."
"No, I do not believe so," said Nick. "He left with the Ravenclaw girl, Luna Lovegood and the griffin Rauthoron."
"Luna?" said Hermione, the tone of her voice now sounding perplexed, "Why would Ron run off with Luna?"
"Why Hermione, we would've thought that you of all people could figure that out instantly." Harry and Hermione looked toward the other side of the Hospital Wing to notice that the one whom had just spoke was none other than Fred Weasley. Next to him, nodding in agreement was his twin brother George while Ginny stood on the other side of George looking somewhat annoyed. "I mean of course, why else would a man and a woman run off together?"
"Mind you it is rather surprising that Ron actually got a clue," said George. "He is after
all, little Ronniekins. But I guess even he has wizened up."
"How very true," said Fred. "Given it is a time of war after all. Perhaps we should follow his example."
"Angelina and Alicia are coming over to visit next week, shall we suggest it to them?" asked George.
Fred nodded. "A wise suggestion indeed."
"Uh, excuse me," said Harry, "But what exactly are you suggesting?"
"Isn't it obvious Harry?" said Fred, "Ron and Luna have eloped."
"WHAT?" Harry and Hermione shouted at the same time.
"Our little brother has finally grown up," said George, pretending to wipe a tear.
"How could I have not seen this coming?" wailed Molly. "I thought I raised my children properly! Did I neglect Ron too much for him to be so rash?" Arthur tried his best to comfort his wife while Bill looked both exasperated and amused by the twins.
Harry and Hermione meanwhile were still gaping. "Luna?" said Hermione. "Ron and Luna? Elope? Ronald Weasley and Luna Lovegood?"
"Hmph, I had a feeling Luna had some designs for Ron," said Ginny a little sulkily. "I just wish she had clued me in more on what she was doing," she grumbled.
Hermione still seemed to be mimicking a goldfish while Harry was a loss of words. "But Ron... Luna... Ron and Luna..." said Hermione.
"Yes, yes Ron and Luna," said Fred. "A little surprising we admit."
"But then again not so much," said George. "Luna Lovegood had grown into a fine young woman."
"Strange yes, but a very fine young woman," agreed Fred while nodding. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Now, now it is not wise to jump too such irrational conclusions," said Dumbledore, the twinkle back in his eye. "Why Mr. Weasley and Miss Lovegood have left, I do not know. But with Rauthoron with them I can conclude that they shouldn't be in any immediate danger. I can assure you that he will not let any harm come to either of them." Dumbledore's face suddenly became grimmer. "For now, I believe that the concern should be with Hogwarts. With Beauxbatons gone, there is only one more chalice left and it is hidden within these walls. The battle is coming and I would dare not let this castle be caught unprepared."
To be continued...
A/N This will probably the last chapter I can write up in a while as I am going out to sea tomorrow. That's right, out to sea! Wish me luck and a safe journey and pray that I don't get too much seasickness.