A/N- Hello again everyone! Well this was a tricky chapter and I deleted it several times because I just hated it so much, but here's hoping it's ok now! The scene with Luna dancing was inspired by a little one shot I read from an author called 'Elf and Troll'…so give it a read if you want because I think it's rather lovely. Thanks again to Mulder for her never ending patience with my ramblings, and to all of you reading along and reviewing. I try to answer all of your reviews, but if for some reason I haven't answered then I apologise profusely, please don't take it personally. It's nice reading all of them and getting to know all of you…it makes me feel like I'm writing for people that I know now rather in the beginning when it seemed like I was surrounded by strangers. Anyway, bloody hell I do go on don't I?! On with the story and happy reading!
**Islanzadi** J
Two large black cars pulled up outside the Irina Villa and the drivers moved expertly through the dark to move the groups' entire luggage from the cars into their lodgings. The reason Mad Eye, Charlie and John had picked this particular villa was because it was incredibly spacious and one of the few places they could stay where they wouldn't have other tourists or hosts around. The villa cost a mere 165 euros a day, which was relatively cheap in comparison to what they were getting in return. The villa was in a very quiet part of town, and a single country road ran past it. It was a short 1.5km from Bran castle, and was a luxurious three floors in height. There were eight double bedrooms spaced out on every floor, all with their own personal bathrooms. There was a large kitchen and dining area on the ground floor, and the first floor had a large living area and a spacious day bar. The idea of a day bar thrilled Ron, though Charlie quickly put a damper on Ron's ideas of experimenting with different muggle alcohols. The group made their way into the villa after the drivers had been adequately tipped and set to work unpacking their bags in their respective rooms. Hagrid had stayed behind to continue working with the dragons along with the rest of Charlie's men. This meant that only two people had to share a room, and Harry and Hermione were only too glad to volunteer. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and lead her up to the third floor to a large bedroom at the very back of the villa. He threw his bag on the bed and watched in amusement as Hermione set hers gently upon the floor and started to begin the work of putting her clothes away. He watched her for a few silent moments, and then with a mischievous grin, pulled her from the floor and quickly onto the bed.
"Harry!" she admonished, her face reddening slightly "at least shut the door before you start molesting me!"
"I hate to break it to you Hermione," grinned Harry "but I'm quite sure that they all know what we've been up to. Unless you can make a baby by yourself of course…" He watched as her face got even redder, then moved his lips to hers gently. This was what he had been waiting for. He felt her resolve slip away and deepened the kiss. He heard her moan slightly as he pushed his hands through her hair. He had really missed spending quality time with just her, he almost felt like he had been starved. Hermione grabbed her wand and pointed it at the door so that it closed with a quiet thud. Harry smiled beneath her kisses that were starting to become fevered. Just when they were both starting to relax and enjoy it a voice filled the room that sounded so loud they looked up in alarm to see if the door was open. It wasn't, which meant that Mad Eyes voice had either suddenly become unnaturally thunderous or he was using sonorous to get their attention. Harry groaned and flopped his head onto the pillow dramatically.
"I think he wants us all downstairs," said Hermione quietly.
"Do you think if we ignored it they would leave us alone?" asked Harry.
"I doubt it. Come on, we can carry this on later." she said with a grin.
"Is that a promise?" he asked mischievously.
"That's a promise," she said, and then put a light kiss on his lips. He groaned loudly as she then pulled him up from the bed, and together they made their way downstairs. Though at a much slower pace than was necessary. By the time they reached the dining room everyone else was already sitting down and the table was covered in food.
"Took you long enough," grinned Charlie.
"We had a hard time hearing what Mad Eye was trying to say," replied Harry lightly.
"He only said 'dinner' about ten times. I can see why it would have been difficult…" said Susan, earning a laugh from the rest of the table. Harry and Hermione sat down at the table, and then waited for Mad Eye to point his wand at the serving dishes in front of them to remove the lids. A strange smell filled the air and Harry wasn't quite sure what kind of food he was looking at.
"Oh, traditional Romanian food!" said Hermione sounding excited. "I've always wanted to try it,"
"What's that stuff?" asked Ron, pointing to some triangular shaped food items.
"It's called Coltzunash lu smintina," said Charlie casually.
"What is that?" asked Ron.
"Just triangular dumplings filled with cottage cheese. There's some cream and sugar on the side to go with it." replied Charlie. Harry looked into another dish, and after finding out that Sarmale was basically meatballs wrapped in cabbage leaves, piled some onto his plate. Even though the food was different than he was accustomed to, he still ate so much that by the end of the meal he felt like he was about to fall asleep very quickly. After everyone else had finished their meal coffee was then passed around, much to Harry's relief and it was so strong he felt like the very fumes were enough to bring him out of his stupor.
"So," said Charlie looking intently at Mad Eye "Are you planning on telling us exactly what you found out or are we going to have to wait until a nasty surprise?"
"I suppose it would be best if I just told you. Best to know what you're up against," conceded Mad Eye slowly. "But first lets talk about the facts as the muggles and other clueless people know them, and then move on to the actual history."
"I am quite curious as to why we're going to Dracula's house to meet a regular vampire. Not to mention that Dracula has proven to be completely mythical. He was inspired by a man named Vlad the Impaler and his house is now known as Dracula's house but Vlad was anything but a vampire. I don't understand why we have to meet at Vlad's house, surely there are more inconspicuous places to meet than a tourist hot spot." said Hermione with a frown.
"Ah how little people know!" exclaimed Mad Eye rather brusquely "Count Dracula is also known as Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler, according to modern history anyway. So a little bit of background is needed I think. There was a man called Vlad Dracul who had two sons. One was Vlad Tepes and the other was Radu. Vlad Dracul was a member of the Order of The Dragon. The Dragon's main goal was to protect the Christian faith by fighting off advancing Turks from the Ottoman Empire. The Turks, being Islamic, really angered the Order of the Dragon. When Vlad the Impaler was quite young, he and his brother Radu were kidnapped during a battle against the Turks. The Sultan Murad imprisoned the two brothers and their stay was said to be indescribably grisly. No one knows what they saw and what they had to endure, but it is said that Vlad the Impaler became quite sadistic. The Sultan wanted to use the brothers to his advantage so they could take the throne of Wallachia and place it under the rule of the Turks. The boys father, Vlad Dracul, tried to bargain for the release of his sons. A man named John Hunadi, also known as the White Knight, saw this as treachery. The Knight ordered assassins to murder Vlad Dracul,"
"Well that was a little uncalled for," said Ron quietly.
"Shut up," said Mad Eye, his magical eye making Ron suddenly squirm uncomfortably in his seat. "Anyway, time passed and the Sultan used unspeakable methods to break the boys. Eventually Radu cracked and decided to serve the Sultan. Vlad the Impaler was much harder to break, but eventually he too was broken. Or so the Sultan thought. When he was placed on the throne of Wallachia he decided he did not want to be a puppet and fled. He stayed with some friends, and there he met the White Knight who had murdered his father. Rather than take revenge he joined the Knight to oust the Turks. When Vlad had fled Wallachia Radu had assumed the throne. A fierce battle ensued and the Turks as well as Radu fled from the throne. Vlad the Impaler sat on the throne, now completely free from interference from the Turks."
"Why was he called Vlad the Impaler?" asked Ron, not quite sure if he wanted to know the answer…or whether he should even be interrupting again.
"Vlad liked to impale his victims. It is said that he would send troops into his own territories and murder hundreds of people. He even gathered people and pushed them over high ledges onto spikes and impaled them that way. Once he had a meeting with two Turks, but when they entered the room they had not removed their turbans. Vlad required the removal of all hats before conversing with anyone. The Turks tried to explain that it was their religion but Vlad refused to listen. He said that if they liked their hats so much they could keep them on permanently. He had his soldiers nail them to their heads." responded Luna, and then she shivered at the very thought.
"That explains it," said Ron, looking rather green.
"Vlad married and had a son, then there was a second battle against the Turks. He decided to flee again, but his wife didn't think it would be possible. She committed suicide. As they were fleeing Wallachia a servant dropped his son and he was left behind. When Vlad reached another village he was arrested, but not for too long. He caught the eye of Ilona, King Mathias' sister, and she used her influence to have him released. They married and she bore him another son. When King Mathias was convinced that Vlad was an ally, he was released and then returned to Wallachia once again. There his lost son was returned to him. He died in battle sometime later just over the age of fifty." concluded Mad Eye, then raised his flask to his lips and drank deeply.
"Ok," started Susan with a look of confusion on her face "So what has that got to do with the vampires we're looking for? Or this house we're going to? Or, em, this mythical Dracula?"
"Vlad the Impaler was a brutal and cruel man. He truly was an abomination to society. Yet he did live a life of purpose," said Mad Eye slowly.
"But history tells us that was his life. The name Dracula was inspired by the family name and that's it. End of story." said Hermione, sounding impatient now. Harry grinned at her irritation, he knew that she hated to be wrong and she hated it even more when someone tried to tell her that what she had learned from a book might be wrong.
"That is the story as far as the muggles see it, other than the perceptive ones. (Bram Stoker was one of these perceptive individuals) Vlad the Impaler was a murderer of vampires, hence the name. He favoured impaling his victims because the only way you can truly kill a vampire is with a stake through the heart. It is said that he was helped by the Order of the Dragon to locate and eliminate the vampires. The Order of the Dragons front was to uphold Christianity, but there were other important things that they did and the White Knight was the head of the group. Now Vlad didn't kill vampires for the good of his territory, he did it simply because he liked to kill and the group provided a daily supply of victims. In history it is told that the White Knight killed Vlad's father. But that is not the case. When Vlad Dracul petitioned for the release of his sons he did so only because he did not want them tainted by the Sultan, he wanted them to join him the way they were supposed to. The White Knight learned Dracul's secret, that he was a vampire, and tried to kill him. Dracul escaped and has wandered the Earth under the name Dracula ever since," Finished Mad Eye with a sigh.
"So the Sultan was actually trying to help Dracula's sons?" asked Susan
"Not at all. That man just wanted to take over Dracul's territory. But he did teach them about sadism and was extremely brutal. This may have played a part in Vlad's own brutality, that as well as the ultimate betrayal by his father." Said Mad Eye, now sounding frustrated that so many questions were being asked.
"So I was sort of right then," said Hermione with a smile "Vlad the Impaler wasn't Dracula. Books aren't completely wrong, and we aren't going to Dracula's house at all…we're going to Vlad's," Said Hermione with a bright smile, her faith in education restored slightly.
"Luna said earlier that we were meeting a vampire so we can try to see what they're up to. So who are we meeting?" asked Susan curiously.
"Just a vampire that lives in the bowels of Vlad the Impaler's house. He finds it quite amusing to live in a place that was owned by a person that killed so many of his kind. Quite a strange one, you'll need to watch your backs around him," replied Mad Eye.
"And your necks," mumbled Ron.
"But there's another reason we're here isn't there?" asked Charlie, a light of understanding in his eyes. "What else have got planned for us?"
"This vampire will lead us to the Order of the Dragon," said Mad Eye simply.
"Why are they called that anyway?" asked Neville.
"Well it's rather obvious isn't it? Look at the symbolism. The fang of the dragon is like a stake. The stake is the only thing that kills a vampire," said Hermione knowingly.
"What about sunlight?" asked Neville and laughed as he saw Hermione's eyes narrow at him. "Looks like love has addled your brains,"
"Actually that is a common misconception," she replied with a smug grin that Harry had grown to adore. "Vampires have evolved throughout the centuries."
"Well you're right on both counts," said Mad Eye "but that's not the only reason they are called the Order of the Dragon. The other reason is because they revere the creatures and used to use them in their remote attacks against colonies of vampires in the mountains."
"Use them?" asked Ron startled "you mean fly them? Do you think they still can?"
"Well," said Mad Eye standing up "Only one way to find out. Now when we get the Impaler's house I want you to all stay behind me. Let me do the talking and don't trust that vampire for one minute. Be on your guard, constant vigilance!"
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Vlad Tepes house was located in the village of Sighisoara. Many parts of the city were incredibly beautiful and quaint. Harry found himself wanting to be back there rather than where he was now. They had walked through a large courtyard that was alive with music and people dancing and drinking. Flaming torches lit the square and the whole group was captivated by the energy that the people dancing had, as well as the shadows the seemed to dance over every stone building in their sight. From the courtyard they had walked down a cobbled street that seemed to wind through the city. The cobble stones seemed to decay the further down the street they walked, and soon they were dodging holes and upturned stones. The street was now just over a yard wide and the houses seemed to get shabbier. Ron seemed to thinking along the same lines.
"Look at these houses! They're titchy and look like they've sort of been smashed together. This Vlad that ruled on a throne was supposed to live in this place? Treat their royalty well don't they?"
"He didn't live here," said Mad Eye gruffly "he was born here. Don't forget that back in the 1400's it wouldn't have looked quite the way it does now. Now be quiet, we're getting close to the house now." They walked on for a few more metres then came to a stop outside an old wooden door. The windows were as small as dinner plates and so dirty that Harry couldn't see anything through them. Mad Eye pulled his wand out and waved it at the door so that it opened. He went in quickly and immediately moved to look behind the door. There was no one waiting there. The room was very clean in comparison to the street outside. There were plaques in several different languages describing certain aspects of the house and one of the walls had a portrait of Vlad and his history written upon it. Mad Eye motioned them to a small archway that led them to another room. Mad Eye walked over to the corner of the room and waved his wand. After a few seconds a small hatch appeared in the floor, and he pulled it open with a big heave. The creaking noise it made echoed around the room and made them all jump a little. Mad eye jumped down the trap door first, and then the rest them followed.
Harry wasn't sure if he had ever been in a creepier place. The trapdoor led to a tunnel underneath which seemed to be lit by red bulbs. But where the bulbs were Harry had no idea. He couldn't see any sign of lighting anywhere, only cold stone surrounded him. They followed Mad Eye through the tunnel, all with their wands at the ready. After a few minutes of travel they came to a large cavernous room and the view inside made Harry's skin crawl. There was a man sitting at a table, though at a second glance you could tell that he wasn't sitting. He had been propped there and his head lolled to one side. Upon getting closer to the man Harry could see a bite mark in his neck and a dark streak marks underneath it. Harry knew that the marks were only dark because of the red lighting; in normal light he knew the marks would be the dark red colour of blood. There was a clattering noise behind them and Harry saw a pale corpse like figure emerging from a coffin.
"I thought they had evolved," whispered Neville accusingly to Hermione.
"This one is obviously very old. Good in some ways…but very bad in many others," replied Hermione in a whisper of her own.
"What do you mean, bad in many others?" asked Ron as the vampire glided slowly towards them.
"A lot of modern vampires don't feel the need to attack humans that much. They have other sources for their food, but obviously this one is quite traditional, not to mention that traditional vampires have powers of their own and the strong ones we definitely have to worry about…" whispered Hermione, stopping her conversation abruptly as the vampire began to speak.
"Ah, you have met my dear friend I see. I invited him over for a bite to eat but he doesn't seem quite as stimulating as I had hoped. I am told that you came here for information," The voice sounded raspy and cold, it sent a chill up Harry's spine.
"That's right," said Mad Eye.
"What do I get in return?" inquired the vampire, his black soulless eyes staring greedily at the group.
"Our gratitude," said Charlie sarcastically. The vampire laughed softly, though it sounded more mocking that humoured.
"I'm afraid that gratitude is not exactly what I had in mind," he said chillingly, and then looked eagerly at the younger members of the party. His eyes stopped at Hermione's face and he half smiled at her. "If you want information you'll have to give me something in return. She'll do quite nicely, I need something lively." Harry raised his wand and pointed it directly at the vampires' chest. Without uttering a word the vampire was thrown back to the floor and his arms and legs were bound together by invisible cords.
"I don't think that bargain's going to work for us. Here's the alternative," said Harry coldly "you tell us what we want to know and you live. You don't tell us and you die…"
"Wizards!" hissed the vampire, looking utterly shocked. Hermione repressed a grim smile; obviously his informant had not informed him that his visitors would be able to defend themselves. She guessed this vampire must be quite weak to be afraid of a small group of them.
"Tell us where the Order of the Dragon is. Where do they meet and how often?" asked Mad Eye briskly.
"They meet in the Poienari fortress, but I do not know when. Only the members know when there is to be a meeting," the vampire said in a scathing voice.
"Right," said Charlie "and another thing we want to know is… where are all the vampires? Have they decided to fight against us or are they just hiding?" The vampire looked like he might resist their questioning, but a sudden unseen pressure to his neck convinced him otherwise.
"The weak traitors do not want to be ruled by the elder vampires and seek a power of their own," he said with a sneer "they are fools. We have never been under command before and the promise of power is a falsehood. They will learn the hard way."
"How many?" asked Mad Eye.
"I don't know. Vampires are not accustomed to revealing their whereabouts even to each other. I don't know who has joined and who has gone into hiding." the vampire replied.
"Are all of these vampires of a younger generation? Can they be harmed by sunlight?" asked Hermione anxiously.
"They are young fools, and sunlight will not harm them. Now I have told you everything I know. Leave me be."
"Fine," said Charlie "Put him in his coffin with a locking charm on it. We need to get out of here safely." The vampires' eyes widened as he was lifted into the air and shut inside his coffin. Harry pointed his wand at the poor man at the table and levitated him in front of him.
"What are you doing?" asked Mad Eye incredulously "we can't walk around the streets with a dead man!"
"He doesn't intend to keep him with us," said Luna serenely "but it would be awfully callous to leave the poor man here. Imagine what his family is probably thinking right now. They have a right to know he has moved on," Mad Eye looked like he wanted to argue but gave in at all the adamant stares he was receiving. He turned around and led the way out of Vlad's house and away from the vampire's lair.
"Why were you worried about vampires powers? Surely they just sort of bite you and stuff…" asked Ron looking curiously at Hermione.
"Vampires have the power to paralyse their pray by the sound of their voice. It's nothing that you can protect yourself against because each voice is different and they all use it in a various ways. Dracula was always written to be extremely powerful, and he can bewitch your mind and his victims practically beg him to bite them," explained Hermione quickly.
"Exactly why we have to be vigilant at all times," stated Mad Eye roughly.
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The Poienari fortress lay in ruins in the Arges valley. This was the place that Vlad had ruled from, now only a shell of what it had once been. It looked decayed and brown looking, and the stairs on one wall of the castle looked like the wind would blow them off at any moment. They walked through the ruined entrance and into a very cold open space surrounded by a few remaining walls. They all stared in silence for a moment, not quite sure what to do. There was nothing but bare floor, old stones and a few mice. They looked at each other and shrugged silently as Mad Eye broke away from them and began mumbling about finding something. The group slowly drifted apart and began to explore the ruins of the castle. Hermione walked from the first open space into what she assumed used to be an archway leading to another room. She hopped over the rocks on the floor and was rather disappointed to see another ruined room like the one before. She explored the surrounding area for a while and then sighed in frustration. Just a bunch of bloody rocks. She really knew she should turn around and go back to the others, but she suddenly felt extremely tired. She knew that pregnant women in the first trimester often got extremely tired, but actually feeling it was a lot different than reading about it. She could say in all honesty that she could easily curl up in a ball and go to sleep on the floor. She yawned and sat on the floor with her back resting against one of the walls. She wouldn't go to sleep, but she needed to sit down. Her energy was extremely low all of a sudden. She rubbed her eyes and stared at the wall opposite her, trying to imagine what it would have looked like back in the 1400's. She felt herself dozing off and had to keep her eyes focused on the wall in front. She blinked rapidly trying to concentrate. It was then that she saw something rather odd. At first she thought it was a figment of her sleep-deprived imagination, then when she looked again it was gone. She felt her eyes drooping closed again and her vision losing its focus. It was when she blinked rapidly again and looked at the wall that she knew she wasn't imagining things. It was almost like a magic eye trick where your eyes had to be unfocused for you to see the picture properly. She unfocused her eyes again and there in front of her was the face of a dragon. She bolted upright and moved quickly to go back to the other room. At first she wanted to tell them what she had seen, but she stopped quickly and scanned the other wall. As she unfocused her eyes she saw the word 'sunrise' within the stones. She knew it had to be a message of some sort, and she suddenly felt very wide-awake. She rushed from room to room, looking at any walls that still survived. Some had no hidden message, but a lot of them did. After she was sure, she found the rest of the group who had congregated in the remains of the upper floor (which looked extremely unstable in Hermione's opinion) and seemed to be wondering whether or not they had missed something. Hermione reached them triumphant, her eyes shining.
"There's a message on the walls," she said quickly, her faced flushed with excitement "There was a picture of a dragons head on one wall and on the others there were words which were, sunrise, month, day and last. At sunrise on the last day of the month is when the Order of the Dragon meets within these walls. Well, sort of walls…"
"So it's the 29th of January right now…which means we have to be here not tomorrow but the next day at dawn! Good, that would be awful to have to wait a whole month," said Susan with a grin. "So I say, lets come back here then. I don't know about you lot but I don't get to travel that much and I'd really like to explore some sights while I still can." Everyone except Mad Eye, John and Hermione seemed to approve of this idea. Mad Eye because he had a lot of work to do and had spent, in his opinion, far too much time in Romania already. John because he needed to go to the market to pick up some things for the dragons, and Hermione because she was about to fall asleep on her feet. Harry said that he wanted to stay with Hermione, but she insisted that he go out without her.
"Honestly Harry," she said, "you haven't travelled before and I think it would be good for you to get out and see the sights. Better than just watching me sleep anyway,"
"Hey, I love watching you sleep," said Harry quietly into her ear.
"Well I love when you see new things and tonight that's precisely what you're going to do. Sorry for putting off that promise I made to you earlier, I didn't think I could ever feel this tired." replied Hermione just as quietly.
"Hermione I don't need to be having sex with you to be happy. I love just being with you. You need your rest and besides…" said Harry with a mischievous grin "we can make up for it in the morning." Hermione laughed lightly and then kissed him softly. She then disapparated back to the villa with a crack. They had decided that since there wasn't too much magical activity in Romania that apparition was probably safe. Harry, Ron, Neville, Susan, Luna and Charlie then disapparated back to the square and were happy to find that the festivities had only increased. There were fires lit around the square and large steaming mugs of an unidentifiable beverage were being passed around. Luna walked forward into a large crowd of extremely merry people dancing and followed suit quickly. Harry watched in amusement as a large burly looking man led Luna around the dancing circle. Her laugh seemed to echo around the square as her dancing became more frenzied. Harry willing took a steaming mug and brought it to his lips. As he took a sip he immediately felt a fire coarse though him. It was no wonder that everyone managed to fend off the cold of winter when they drank such strong alcoholic drinks. The merriment continued for quite a few hours and even though Harry wasn't much of a dancer he and Ron weren't all that upset at being pulled into the laughing crowd, though admittedly the alcohol might have played a part in that.
Harry sat at a small wooden table feeling quire tired, he watched as Ron managed to wrestle Luna from the crowd and they started to organise themselves to depart for the villa. Ron started laughing and pointed towards the edge of the square where Charlie was half dragging, half carrying Susan towards them.
"Blurry good time! Blurry good dancing!" guffawed Susan as she approached the group.
"Pissed as a fart this one," murmured Charlie, though his eyes were shining with laughter. Harry stood up and started to lead the group out of the square, only to feel a pull on his arm tugging him back in the opposite direction. He looked around quickly to see Luna beaming at him, and then she quickly linked her arm through his, her owl like eyes studying him carefully.
"So Harry," she said lightly "what are your plans?"
"Eh?" asked Harry more than a little perplexed. "do you mean this evening or in general? I think my general plan is pretty obvious. How much of that stuff did you drink Luna?" At this Luna broke into hysterical laughter and the group had to stop while she composed herself. After a minute of deep breathing she finally spoke again, though her voice seemed to tremble with laughter just begging to be released.
"I mean in Romania. What are your plans while we're here? I only ask because I know something that would be perfect for you to do, though I suspect it's something you've been thinking about for a few days now."
"Well I plan on finding this order of the dragon, then going back and spending some more time with Norbert so that he'll work with me when we face Voldemort. I thought you knew these plans though Luna. Unless you've been ignoring everything that's been going on the last few weeks," said Harry jokingly.
"You know Romania is a beautiful country, there are so many wonderful sights to see. I was telling Hermione that Peles castle is so beautiful, not to mention a lovely place to get married," said Luna, her large round eyes studying Harry intently.
"Are you kidding?" asked Harry a little louder than anticipated. "Are you trying to say I should Marry Hermione?" The rest of the group following behind him came to an abrupt stop, listening intently to their conversation. Harry and Luna turned around to face them all, and Harry looked deep in thought and more than a little confused.
"Luna are you kidding?" slurred Susan "No offence Harry, but he's got a terrible fate awaiting him and I don't think that getting married help the situation,"
"Why not?" asked Neville with a casual shrug of his shoulders.
"Harry," said Luna, turning to look Harry in the eyes. "What have you always wanted in life? Not to be the hero, but to have a normal life. You've always wanted a family; you've always wanted someone to love and that someone to love you in return. If this thing with Voldemort had never happened what things would you look forward to in your life?"
"Um…I'd look forward to travelling the world, getting a career that I love. Then I'd want to find myself someone I want to be with forever and settle down to have a family. But this is pointless Luna, I can't do those things. I have a limited time here and I've been living on borrowed time."
"Not true Harry! You just have to make the most of the time you have left. You need to try and get everything accomplished that you would have wanted if this weren't happening. You can easily travel to a few more countries in Europe, and you've started your family already. What are you waiting for? Of all people Harry, I though that you would recognise the importance of living in the moment," said Luna softly "You need to embrace each day you're given Harry and live it to the fullest," Harry looked deep in thought and Luna turned around and began to walk forwards. The Luna did something that they had not been expecting. She opened her mouth and began to sing in a voice that seemed full of secrets and dreams. The group watched her mesmerised, not necessarily because she had a fantastic voice (though it was quite lovely) but because she seemed to be some mythical creature that was connected to things they could only begin to imagine. It was at that point that Harry knew that Luna was right about more things than just this evening.
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens. Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance, and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance, I hope you dance," sang Luna, spinning around as if hearing the voice from somewhere other than her own mind. Harry understood Luna completely, and rather than wait a moment longer he disapparated to the Villa. He really needed to talk to Hermione. The crowd of Romanians and other tourists had stopped their dancing to watch Luna singing and twirling, and Ron was taken aback when she stepped in front of his face and gently put hands upon it. Her eyes seemed to search his very soul and he wasn't sure what she was looking for.
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance, Living life means taking chances, but they're worth taking. Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making. Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out, reconsider. Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit out or dance. I hope you dance, I hope you dance," Luna sang gently, then spun away from him and danced up the alleyway leading out of the square, leaving behind a large group of people that felt that they had been touched by something they could not quite define. The rest of the group followed Luna through the alleyway, none of them quite sure what to say. Susan was the first one to address her-
"Never heard that song before," she said "lovely though…"
"Of course you haven't heard of it before. It's just an idea in someone's mind right now," said Luna dreamily, still twirling and humming absently to herself.
"An idea in someone's head? What are you talking about?" asked Ron.
"Meaning that someone out there somewhere in the world is thinking about a song like this. The words are there, the tune is there. But they haven't quite grasped it in their minds yet. It's so close to them, but it's still so far away," replied Luna vaguely.
"You're something else Luna," said Neville quietly.
"Thank you Neville! I've never been a something else before! You know you're in someone's mind right now. We all are, but mostly its just Harry," said Luna softly.
"Well if course Harry's on someone's mind," laughed Susan brashly "Hermione loves him, he's always on her mind."
"No not like that at all," said Luna, though her voice had lowered to almost a whisper and her eyes seemed to see something far away. Her hands reached out and started to trace an unseen shape before them "She's sitting on a train and she's thinking about Harry. His green eyes…his scar. Mostly she sees his scar, it's with her when she starts to fall asleep and when she's almost awake in the mornings. She doesn't know what it means yet though…"
"Well this is all a bit too weird for me. Time to go I think…" said Ron laughing awkwardly, then he started to walk ahead of the group at a faster than necessary pace. The rest of the group disapparated to the Villa. Luna hurried after Ron and when she finally got a hold of him, spun him around to face her.
"You're quite hurtful sometimes Ronald,"
"Sorry, it was just a bit strange. You're a bit peculiar sometimes and I-uh- well…" stammered Ron.
"You're a bit intimidated? I'm sorry if you feel that way, but you need to just tell people how you feel. Sometimes the way you say things is quite hurtful, and sometimes it's just a bit childish," replied Luna gently.
"I am not childish! I'm just having a laugh, it's what I do! It's easier than…" started Ron, then turned around with a deep red flush on his face.
"Easier than what Ronald? Easier than dealing with what's in front of you?" asked Luna.
"It's just the way I deal with stuff," shrugged Ron "I laugh and I make a joke. It's not good to be so serious all the time. If you don't laugh you either get sad or angry. I try not to be like that all the time…"
"I see," said Luna softly "but I think that sometimes you need to be serious. Sometimes you need to say what you're thinking in a nice way rather than being unkind Ronald," Ron looked like he might protest her for a moment but then he hung his head and nodded it…well, a half nod anyway. She took his head in her hands and softly stroked it, her wide blue eyes shimmering with tears.
"You are a wonderful person. You're so funny, and you are kind. You have been so brave Ronald, and let me tell you something. You are a person that people want to know, and their lives would be better knowing you. Your family is very lucky; Harry and Hermione are very lucky. Harry treasures your friendship, without you and Hermione he would be a shell of the person he is now. But you were his first friend, you were the first person he met that actually wanted to be his friend, and you are a wonderful friend. We're all glad to have you with us; it wouldn't be the same without you. Don't let insecurities cloud your vision Ronald, see how important you are. I am such a lucky witch to know you, we are all lucky to know you…" said Luna, breathing heavily and looking into his eyes earnestly. He finally met eyes and smiled softly.
"Thanks," he said gently "I needed to hear that," he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something else, then closed it and moved closer to her instead. He could feel his heart racing in his chest as he pulled her closer to him to bridge the distance between them. It was as if the world around them had gone silent when his lips touched hers. At that moment there was nothing in the world but him and Luna, and it was at that moment that he finally felt complete. That he finally understood what Luna had been talking about, and he smiled into their kiss. Luna pulled away with a small smile of her own and rested her forehead against his.
"What are you smiling at?" she whispered playfully.
"Can I still call you Loony?" he whispered in return. She pulled back quickly then flicked him on the forehead with a laugh filled with joy. Then she turned around and started spin, and as Ron watched her spinning and the soft snow start to fall he knew that she was special, and loony was far from the truth.
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Harry walked into the darkened bedroom and lit his wand. He propped it on the bedside table and softly lowered himself to the edge of the bed. He watched her chest move up and down in the peaceful rhythm of sleep and he felt his heart swell at the sight of her. Who would have known he could be so fortunate? He knew that some people would laugh if they ever heard this thought, but he knew better. Regardless of what had to happen to him he knew that he had the love of Hermione. She was carrying his child and for that he was thankful. Defeating Voldemort meant the end of his life and he had come to terms with that, it was what he was meant to do. But his life since he had received his letter from Hogwarts had been something from a dream. He had loved and been loved in return by more people than Voldemort. That filled his heart with hope and joy.
"Hermione," he whispered, slowly stroking her bare arm. She moaned a little and her eyes started to flutter slightly. He whispered her name again and this time her eyes opened. The look in her eyes when she saw him brought a lump to his throat. This was what life was about…love.
"Harry," she said sleepily "I missed you,"
"I missed you too," he replied softly "I need to ask you something."
"What?" she asked, sitting up and trying to hide a look of alarm.
"Nothing bad. At least I don't think it is…" said Harry "I was talking with Luna tonight and she asked me what I have always wanted. To cut a long story short, I said basically a wife and a family. Well we have a baby on the way, and I love you with all my heart. I want you to be my wife Hermione, even though we might not have too much time together. I want us to be together in the best way we can possibly be. So what do you think? Will you marry me?"
"Oh Harry!" she exclaimed, then threw herself into his arms and covered his face with kisses.
"Shall I take that as a yes?" asked Harry laughing.
"Of course! I would love to marry you Harry. But it might not have to be for a short period of time. Don't give up hope yet Harry. Never give up hope," said Hermione softly, and then pulled him down to kiss her. They made love gently until the sun started to raise her head. Both were eager to please the other and they laid their souls bare to the others exploration. Harry could still hardly believe the turn of events from the previous year, but he was happier than he could ever have imagined being. He had Hermione and there was his child growing inside of her, which was all the power he needed against Voldemort.
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