A/N- Well here's the last update before Christmas! Some of you may consider this chapter to be a filler, but I really needed it because it sets the scene for the next four or five chapters and you really do need to find out more about Luna otherwise the penultimate paragraph will look really strange! Thanks again to everyone for reading along and reviewing! Thanks to my younger sister Loobs (Happy Christmas!) and to Mulder who has kindly read all of my random emails about this story and helped me get all of my jumbled thoughts in order! Happy Christmas to all of you!! Happy reading J
**Islanzadi** J
Harry and Ron walked slowly down the stairs, making their way to the living room. The conversation was rather shy and stilted, both of them happier to be on speaking terms than they would like to admit. Ron was holding his chess set and his deck of exploding snap, looking forward to playing with Harry again. They reached the living room to find Hermione, Susan and Luna all in the corner talking in very hushed tones. Hermione stopped still at the sight of Ron and Harry together. He stopped and stared at her, then turned to see that Harry's face had gone very red. Obviously the girls had been talking about Harry, and Ron wasn't stupid enough to not understand what was going on. He felt a stab of jealousy and anger grip him, then forced it to the back of his mind. He kept repeating the same thing over and over in his head 'You're only jealous because you want to be in love. It has nothing to do with Harry or Hermione. Just don't think about it, just don't think about it…' He felt the anger slowly start to ebb away and he gave them all a strained grin and sat down. Harry moved out of the living room to get them all some butterbeer while Hermione and Susan sat down on one of the couches. He sat on the floor and tapped the pack of cards with his wand to start them shuffling. Luna walked over to his and crouched down to where he was sitting.
"That was wonderful Ronald," she said affectionately "It will get easier with time. I'm so proud of you for talking to Harry,"
"How couldn't I after what he told me happened yesterday?" said Ron, staring at the floor. Luna lowered herself the rest of the way onto the floor and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Things like that make you realise what's important and what isn't," she said serenely "you three have always had a friendship I have rather envied you know. Nothing that can happen will destroy that so long as you love each other and want to remain friends. Love is the key Ronald, to this whole sticky and unpleasant mess. Love is the key." He looked up and smiled at her shakily, then put his arm around her to hold her close to him, grateful that she still wanted to be with him after he had behaved like such a …well, tosser to put it mildly. He heard a sniff that wasn't Luna and looked up to see Hermione watching him with watery eyes. He gave her a half smile, which resulted in her launching herself at him and wrapping her arms so tightly around him that he could barely breath.
"Oh Ron!" she said, burying her face into his shoulder "I do love you so very much. I'm sorry I couldn't be in love with you…"
"Erm," he said quietly "you can't help who you want to be with I, suppose. I love you too Hermione. Not in the shagging way either. I love you and Harry, I just want to get on with what we need to do and then…live our lives," Ron looked at the floor at these words and swallowed a large lump in his throat.
"What's wrong Ron?" asked Hermione, noticing the sudden nervousness in his voice. She knew Ron and Harry like the back of her hand…he was hiding something from her. She debated trying to get it out of him, but decided that now wouldn't be the time. She was just glad to have her best friend back. Besides, he would tell her eventually, whether he really wanted to or not. He couldn't keep secrets from her…she hoped.
"Nothing," said Ron quietly "just do me a favour will you… no mushy stuff in front of me? I'm not quite ready for that yet. Give me some time…" Hermione smiled and held Ron tightly to her once again; scolding herself inwardly at the emotional wreck she had been the last few weeks.
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All five of them spent the rest of the afternoon eating snacks, drinking butterbeer and playing various games. Ron was winning, which he rubbed in everyone's faces …about every ten minutes. Eventually Mrs Weasley came home, who was then followed by Mr Weasley about half an hour later. Fred and George showed up just before Mrs Weasley had finished dinner and proceeded to tell them of the various pranks they had been playing on innocent people. Just as Mrs. Weasley's call of -
"Tea time!" echoed throughout the house, Harry noticed a silvery spider dash across the room and into the kitchen. He looked at the others and noticed that they were looking just as curious as he was, except from Ron who looked rather revolted. Harry stood up and held Hermione's hand to help her to her feet. He knew that she didn't need it, but he felt the need to do it anyway. She went a bit pink in the face at his touch and mumbled something Harry couldn't quite make out. He grinned at her and steered her in the direction of the kitchen.
No sooner had they stepped foot into the kitchen when the sound of many witches and wizards arriving filled the house.
"Who called a meeting?" asked Harry worriedly
"Severus," said Mrs Weasley
"Would have known his patronus would be something disgusting like a spider," mumbled Ron, which earned him a reproving look from his mother. They waited for the Order members to cram themselves into the kitchen, and for Snape to make his way to the front of the crowd. He coughed in a rough and expectant sort of way and finally a hush fell across the group.
"I called this meeting for quite a few reasons," he started in a silky tone that was direct and clipped "The first is that the criminals that broke out of Azkaban have joined the Dark Lord. As we speak the ones that were not death eaters are being made so. The second is that Rubeus and Maxime only managed to turn a third of the known giant population to our side, the rest of them are also joining his side. Another thing you ought to know is that the he has managed gain control over several different beasts for the final battle. Unfortunately for you he has gained control over some dragons, which I'm sure Charles will be able to tell you about in more detail than I am able to," This news was met with utter outrage and fear.
"Dragons!" exclaimed McGonagall, sitting herself on a chair that someone else managed to conjure for her just in time "How on earth would he be able to control those kind of beasts! They don't obey anyone! Really Severus, you cannot be serious!"
"I am more than serious Minerva," said Snape, his eyes glittering. "It seems he wants quite a showdown, to prove once and for all that he is the most powerful wizard that has ever existed,"
"This is ridiculous!" said Mrs Weasley in a faint voice "So we're going to have to go through all of those creatures to get to him. That doesn't sound like he's the most powerful wizard to me,"
"Certainly not," said Kingsley "Sounds like the cowards way out. Hope for everyone to die so that he can face a seventeen-year-old boy by himself?! Complete coward, that's what he is!"
"He is not a coward," said Snape with a hint of fear in his voice that Harry was sure no one else seemed to detect "He wants to make sure you are all obliterated is the cruellest ways imaginable."
"What about the Goblins?" asked Lupin quietly "have they made their decision yet?"
"They are still fighting amongst themselves," said Snape scathingly "I imagine they too will be divided. The Dark Lord has plans to make them see his way… When I can divulge that information to you I shall."
There was a crack in the hallway and the door opened to admit Neville, his face flushed from hurrying to the meeting.
"Now that everyone is here," said Snape staring at Neville with his cold dark eyes. Harry looked at Neville, and was surprised to see him meeting Snape's gaze without a hint of fear in his eyes. "I can tell you the main reason for the meeting,"
"Yeah," said Fred "I was kind of hoping you'd get to that…"
"You talking about dragons and giants was really starting to bore us," continued George. Mrs Weasley gave them her famous look, but was unable to repress a grin at her two comical sons.
"Quite," said Snape angrily "What I am going to tell you is a secret that has only been entrusted to the Dark Lord's death eaters. I put my life in your hands as I tell you this so I ask you to be discreet with this information," He looked around the room with superiority written across his face because he thought he had knowledge that they did not.
"If you kill the Dark Lord now, he will not die…" whispered Snape rather dramatically "He will come back and we shall start this battle over and over again. He has done something that you would not imagine…"
"Yeah we know," said Ron loudly. Snape looked up at him quickly and curled his lip.
"Oh you know do you?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm
"Yeah actually," said Ron, then looked at Harry with desperation. He really wanted to put Snape in his place. Harry gave him a nod and Ron grinned from ear to ear. "You're talking about the Horcruxes right?" Snape's eyes narrowed and there was a collective gasp around the room.
"How many have you managed to destroy?" asked Snape, his cold gaze resting on Harry.
"Only one left," said Harry quietly.
"I see, " said Snape.
"Come to my house tomorrow at four, it seems we have more to discuss that I thought. The Dark Lord hasn't been able to feel the destruction of the Horcruxes. That is an advantage to us…" continued Snape, but was interrupted by Harry's quiet voice that seemed to have a commanding quality to it.
"Don't call him the Dark Lord, or Voldemort or even He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. These are all names that have been made by him. They make us fear him or worship him, and he deserves no such thing. His name is Tom Riddle, regardless of what he says or tries to make others believe. He is just a wizard whose mother died, he's just a wizard who went further into the Dark Arts than any of us could imagine. He is just a wizard called Tom. Just Tom…" Snape seemed to gain a little colour in his cheeks before he said sharply -
"Until tomorrow Potter. Spinners End, I'm sure you'll be able to find the way…" then with a crack he was gone. The room was silent for a moment until Lupin said very calmly -
"Just Tom…that's very true Harry. I think it's about time everyone started thinking that way, maybe a call to the Daily Prophet is in order?"
"Do you think that's wise?" asked McGonagall "can you imagine the recourse if such a statement is published?"
"It doesn't matter anymore," said Mrs Weasley firmly "it's time that everyone faces their fears. We need all the help we can get and the more witches and wizards on our side the better chance we'll stand when we have to fight him,"
"That's right dear," said Mr Weasley affectionately "there's a time to flee and there's a time to stand up and fight. It's time that everyone stands up and fights against this evil…they have lived in fear for too long." Harry smiled at the strength of the group and felt a new hope fill him. Together they could do it, united they wouldn't fall and Tom Riddle would meet his demise. He looked over to Hermione and saw that she had her mouth slightly open and had an anxious look on her face. He smiled tenderly at her and remembered all the times he had seen her look like that in class. He supposed she was quite out of her element because she wasn't able to put up her hand and he almost laughed at the thought of it.
"Did you have something to say Hermione?" asked Harry rather loudly to get the attention of the rest of the room, which had become rather noisy with the angry discussion of dragons and giants.
"Yes," said Hermione, her eyes twinkling slightly at Harry and a pink flush slowly creeping to her face "I think that we need to get help from everywhere. There are wizards and witches all over the world, and we have quite a good relationship with Durmstrang and Beauxbatons after the Triwizard tournament. Surely we can get some of them to join us…I doubt that all of the Order is going to be able to fight all of the death eaters, dragons, giants and goodness knows what else Voldemort has up his sleeve…"
"I'm not sure that pupils should be fighting Miss Granger, but I shall contact both of the schools and see if there are trustworthy candidates to join our cause," said McGonagall
"We're young," said Neville, a touch of nervousness creeping into his voice "and we can fight. There are probably loads of others that want to fight and can do it. We shouldn't make them do anything, but the option should be open to anyone that wants to help that are of age."
"I agree," said Harry. Everyone trained his or her eyes on him, and Hermione smiled to herself. She wondered if Harry noticed that he had fallen into a leadership role. No one would disagree with him, and though they wouldn't come right out and say it they trusted his judgement and would willingly place their lives in his hands. She remembered what Harry had told her when he had been looking for a Horcrux with Dumbledore. He had told her that Dumbledore had said that he wasn't worried because he was with Harry…it seemed that everyone had begun to feel that way. Remarkable for a seventeen-year-old boy. 'He's not a boy anymore,' she thought quietly 'he's a man. I don't know when it happened…he's grown up so much…' She was lost in thought for a while and was oblivious to the grin that Harry was giving her. The meeting wrapped up quickly after that. Lupin and Mad Eye were going to visit Charlie so that they could figure out a way out of the dragon problem. McGonagall was going to contact international witches and wizards for help, and Mrs Weasley was contacting the Daily Prophet. Neville went back to his grandmothers to pack, deciding to stay with everyone at Grimmauld place for Christmas so that he could help the Order. Harry, Ron, Luna, Susan and Hermione made their way back to the living room after eating and made themselves comfortable in front of the fire to discuss the visit to Spinners end.
"We're coming with you," said Ron firmly "I still don't trust that greasy git…"
"I think it's a good idea if you all come anyway," said Harry "I think he wants to talk about Nagini, maybe he can find a way for us to get to her when Tom isn't around. We need to get rid of her quickly, I have a feeling I'm going to have to face him soon…"
They went silent after that, each lost in their own thoughts. Hermione felt like her world was crashing down upon her. Of course she knew that Harry had to face Voldemort, she knew that he would have to kill him or be killed. But suddenly the possibility of him dying hit her harder than it had before and she had to close her eyes tightly to stop sudden tears. Before she had fallen in love with Harry she had been worried to death because she might lose her best friend. Now she knew that she would lose the only thing that made her feel truly complete, the man she loved. She swallowed a lump in her throat knowing that Ron and Harry didn't need to see her weakness. Weakness wasn't going to help the situation, and she didn't want them worrying about her unnecessarily. Luna's voice broke the silence-
"Well Christmas will be here shortly and we should really do some shopping. I know we can't go to Diagon Alley but we can go to muggle London. It might be rather fun…"
"You want to go shopping? Now?" asked Ron incredulously
"Why not?" asked Susan "what else do we have to do today other than sit here and worry?" So they waited for Neville to arrive and the owls to return from Gringotts with their newly exchanged money and set off for London. Hermione had to force Luna into some of her muggle clothes, but she insisted on wearing this bright yellow floaty shirt with a sunflower on it. Hermione's aunt had bought it for her, and it had been shoved into the bottom of her trunk ever since. Harry quietly tried to point out that it was winter but Luna wouldn't hear a word about it. So the six of them walked to the nearest underground and caught the tube to Regent's street so that they could show Ron the toyshop. They walked along the pavement, Neville and Ron pointing at almost everything around them and laughing at the madness of the muggles. It was then that Ron heard a strange tinkling noise and looked around to see what it was. Upon finding nothing he carried on chatting to Neville, this time the subject of some mad old lady's hat. Ron was just about to say something rather funny when he heard the strange tinkling noise again. He decided that he was obviously going crazy and tried to ignore it. After about six more times and plenty of strange looks for other Christmas shoppers as he repeatedly scanned the crowd and the floor he decided to stop and search properly. It was too much of a coincidence that the tinkling noise was following them. As he abruptly came to a halt in the middle of the packed London street he felt a thump in his back where Harry had walked into him, and another thump where Susan had walked into Harry.
"What are you stopping for?" asked Harry, dusting his clothes off.
"You know that's the worst thing you can do in London during the shopping season, it's almost like dominoes...Once one goes down everyone else does," said Hermione lightly
"I just want to know what that bloody noise is," said Ron irritably "I thought I heard it when we first got here but then thought I was imagining it. But now I know I'm not…"
"What noise?" asked Susan, finally getting to her feet and participating in the conversation
"That weird tinkling noise, it's following us!" said Ron, looking around again as if expecting an attack.
"Oh Ronald," piped up Luna. Ron didn't have to look far to spot her in that bright yellow top. "That was just me! It's not anything bad don't worry. Let's get moving everyone it's much colder when you stand still…" Everyone said mumbled words of agreement and continued to walk. Ron was still rather curious and fell in step with Luna, looking at her suspiciously.
"What was making that noise?" Ron asked after a while. Luna smiled dreamily and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a twenty pence piece and flipped it into the air. Ron watched as it spun brightly then landed on the pavement with a high-pitched tinkle.
"What're you throwing money on the floor for?" asked Ron, his eyes now so large they could give Luna's a run for their money.
"Why shouldn't I?" asked Luna, as if this was the strangest question in the world.
"Well…because it's money Luna!" said Ron, looking at her as if she had just sprouted another head. She laughed merrily and moved very close to him so that she could whisper in his ear.
"Do you remember how happy you were as a child when you found money on the floor? That one coin could enable you to buy something you really wanted, or maybe just a little treat. I would get so excited when I would find them and I saved them all in a large jar and bought a gift for my father,"
"So you chuck coins around so that kids can find them?" asked Ron
"Precisely! I hope that whoever finds a coin is as happy to get them as I was," said Luna, grabbing another coin and flipping it high into the air. This time when the coin hit the floor and made the tinkling sound Ron smiled and wished that one day he could think as unselfishly as the girl walking next to him.
They soon came to the window with the teddy bears displayed in a Christmas scene. Hermione quickly caught Harry's hand and kissed it lightly.
"What was that for?" he said quietly
"For getting me that bear. It was a lovely thing to do…I would never buy something like that for myself," replied Hermione. Harry squeezed her hand and held it tighter when she tried to move it back to her side.
"What are you doing?" he asked
"We shouldn't hold hands in front of Ron!" she hissed, "he's not ready for that yet,"
"I don't care! I'm holding your hand. He already knows I love you so why bother trying to tiptoe around it?" said Harry in a very matter of fact tone
"You told him you love me?" asked Hermione, her eyes shining with happiness.
"Of course I did," replied Harry stopping outside the long window "I love you, and my best friend ought to know that. I'm not ashamed Hermione of the way I feel about you and I'm not scared either,"
"Oh Harry," she said sweetly and bounced onto the tips of her toes so that she could kiss him quickly. He grinned and kissed her softly on the lips, before urging her forward to their group of friends waiting for them by the door to the shop…Ron was deliberately feigning interest in the crowd of shoppers but didn't look too angry. Hermione's brows knitted together in thought. Surely Ron wouldn't be able to understand her and Harry's relationship that quickly? Surely he would still be furious with them? What did Harry say to him that made Ron change his opinion so quickly? The seed of suspicion that had been planted when Ron acted so strangely with Hermione earlier grew a little more. She had to find out what was going on with her friends…
They walked around the shop amicably, buying trinkets here and there for people in the Order and family members. It was at this point that Ron was slammed into a display of toy cars by a rather flustered woman, who acted as though she didn't noticed the tall red head and speedily on her way. The cars were knocked everywhere and Hermione had to use her wand discreetly so that people wouldn't fall over.
"Bloody hell!" said Ron angrily "that's the second time today I've been whacked into…"
"Well to be fair Ron," said Hermione smiling "the first one was your fault…" Ron glared playfully at Hermione then began to gather up the toy cars with the help of everyone else. After they had finished they made their way to a teashop so that they could relax and discuss where they wanted to go to next. It was over this hot cup of tea that Luna interrupted the conversation they were having about Trafalgar Square with a sigh. Ron looked up and was alarmed to see that she had tears in her eyes. He nudged Harry quickly who then looked equally as alarmed. Hermione rolled her eyes at the pair and put a comforting hand on Luna's shoulder.
"Are you ok?" she asked, mentally kicking herself because she absolutely hated it when people asked her that when it was pretty bloody obvious that she wasn't. Luna laughed as if reading Hermione's thoughts then wiped her nose with the tissue that Ron practically threw at her.
"I just keep thinking about that poor woman who knocked Ron over," she said unhappily. Ron stared at her dumbfounded.
"That poor woman who sent me flying and didn't say sorry? That's the one right? Yeah I can see why you'd feel sorry for her…" said Ron sarcastically
"She was just so sad," said Luna, tears starting to fall "I could feel it. Couldn't any of you? She was hurting so much. And there was so much bitterness…how could someone stand living being that unhappy?" Everyone was silent after she had finished speaking, Harry was studying the table looking deep in thought. Everyone looked perplexed except Hermione, who seemed to be torn between complete disbelief and trying to be a friend. Eventually she broke the silence-
"So…you're saying that you could tell what that lady in Hamleys was thinking?" asked Hermione, desperately trying to keep the scepticism out of her voice.
"Not thinking exactly," said Luna quietly "But I could read her, I could tell what made her happy and what made her sad…I could see things that have happened to her to make her the way she is,"
"Yeah but that's magic," said Ron "That's sort of what we do…you know, the whole witch and wizard thing."
"No this is different, I'm different…" said Luna, staring into her teacup. At those words Harry stood up and went to her, pulling her into a rough hug.
"How long have you been able to do this?" he asked quietly
"Ever since mother died it's been more obvious. But I've always been different Harry, I've always been able to see what others cannot." she whispered. Harry nodded in understanding.
"Let's talk about this later when we can make sure there aren't extra ears around that shouldn't be hearing this. Cheer up for now though. You can't solve everyone's problems,"
"I still feel awful," said Luna quietly. It was at this point that Ron said something that surprised all of them.
"Well…once we're done with our shopping how about you and me try to find her? That way you won't feel bad and you can, erm…stop crying?" Harry and Hermione laughed a little as Luna flung herself at a very red faced Ron, startling a lot of the other customers. After paying for their tea they left to explore Piccadilly Circus, one of Hermione's favourite areas of London where they had a very hard time convincing her that she shouldn't spend half of her money on an exquisite beaded purse and a very rare book. After a while Harry dragged her away with the promise that he would feed the pigeons in Trafalgar Square with her if only she stepped away from the book… After they had finished shopping and feeding the pigeons they decided to head back to Grimmauld Place. Luna and Ron handed their bags to the rest of the group and set off on a mission to find the grumpy woman from Hamleys. It was very late before they got home and Ron still couldn't sleep after the evening's events. He quietly knocked on Harry's door and let himself in.
Harry and Neville were sharing a room, much to Harry's disappointment. He hoped that Neville would fall asleep so that he could sneak into Hermione's room…but he apparently had a lot to talk about. They had discussed different spells that they had both been practicing and everything that had been happening in each other's personal lives since the last time they had spoken. When Ron let himself into his room part of him was glad, it had been so long since he had been able to be with them and sharing a room was almost like old times. Another part wanted to groan loudly and beat them both with pillows so that they would go into Ron's room.
"How was it?" asked Neville "Did you find her?"
"Yeah," said Ron, not looking nearly as tired as Harry had been expecting "It took ages though and she wouldn't listen to a word that Luna had to say. Right rude cow that one,"
"Poor Luna," said Harry "she just wanted to help. Funny how she always seemed so weird and now…"
"It's like she's always been a few steps ahead of us," finished Ron sounding awed and a little frightened. "When that woman wouldn't hear her out we followed her home. She pulled out this coloured card from her bag and wrote a message to the woman on it and left in on her doorstep. She didn't sign it or anything, and when I asked her why she said who it was from wasn't important. It was what had to be learnt from it that was…"
"She's always been really strange," said Neville looking rather confused "it's like she's from a different planet or something. I don't get her…"
"You will," said Harry quietly.
They talked long into the night and eventually all three of them fell asleep. Hermione crept quietly into the room in the early hours of the morning and made sure they were all covered with blankets. She kissed Harry softly on the forehead before making her way back to her bedroom with a smile on her face. No matter how much of a man he acted during the day, he looked like an angel when he slept. She lay on her bed and snuggled deeper into her blankets, contemplating when she would be able to confront Harry and what exactly he told Ron. She knew it had something to do with that bloody veil, and she still couldn't believe that Harry had actually gone through it! If she would have known that Luna was serious when she wanted to go back there she would have tied Harry up in her room and refused to let him out until he promised he would have nothing to do with such ridiculous ideas. But she couldn't deny that it was curious…they managed to get through and get back unharmed. But something happened to make Harry suddenly realise his feelings, something happened to make Ron accept her and Harry's relationship. Something happened behind that veil, and she was determined to find out what it was…
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