Authors Note: Not a lot of action in this chapter. There will be plenty of action later on. Again thanks to my beta and editor The Scribbler for help making this more readable…
Pursuant to the Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988 and the Digital Millennium Copywrite Act of 1998, this work is copywrited 2007 with all rights expressly reserved by its author unless explicitly granted. No portion may be reproduced in any fashion without the express written and notarized permission of the author.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All characters are creations of Joanne K Rowling, © 2007, to whom I am deeply indebted.
Standard Disclaimer: This story may contain sexually graphic and explicit material and it is not suitable for minors. If you are a minor, please leave now, as it is illegal for you to be here. If it is illegal for you to read or view sexually explicit material in the community you view such material, please leave now. This story and characters are purely fictional and any resemblance to events or persons (living or dead) is purely coincidental. If you are offended by sexually explicit stories, please read no further. These stories are just that, stories, and may or may not reflect the opinions of the author.
Chapter 5
They walked on either side of her and the three of them started walking back towards Kings Cross Station. Luna was just bursting to tell them things, but it would have to wait until they were away from the muggles. She grinned at Harry and then Hermione on her other side and walked on. She had found him.
* * *
Harry was still stunned as they walked away from the officers. His heart was beginning to slow; Luna had nearly run directly in front of an auto. Only the quick thinking of the officer had saved her life. What in Merlin's name was she doing here? He shared a glance with Hermione, over Luna's head. No help there, Hermione was just as confused about Luna's sudden appearance as he was. Luna seemed to be acting very differently from when they were in school. Her eyes were not as bugged out as they usually were and instead were focused on the world around her. She was obviously excited that she had found them. But, she had not been blurted things out in front of muggles as she would have back in school.
Hermione asked, "What brings you to London?"
Luna said, "I can't tell you much out here. Dad brought me to Kings Cross; the police brought me to Grimmauld Place. I have to stay with you." She shook her head and continued, "No, I don't know what it is you're doing but mum said I had to be with you."
Harry asked in a low voice, "You told me she was, umm, gone?"
Luna nodded, "Yes, I saw her die. I'll explain when we are away from…" She looked around at the people they were passing then continued, "I mean in private."
Well that explained a lot to them. Her dead mother told her she had to stay with them, now she was sounding more like Loony Lovegood. His head started to hurt and he briefly wondered if Occulmency would help with that. He shared another look with Hermione, she gave the slightest shrug, obviously, she was as confused as he was.
They reached Kings Cross Station and Hermione bought them passes back to their hotel. He found a clock on the wall, it was just turning eleven. They should probably grab some lunch before they talked to Luna. She would need something to eat though they had had a sandwich at Grimmauld Place. For some reason during the entire trip on the underground Luna kept saying the name of the line and the various stops on it. He put it down to her oddness and went back to enjoying holding Hermione close while the train shoved them around. Thirty minutes later they arrived at the underground terminal nearest their hotel. As they were climbing the stairs out of the station He said, "I think we should stop in a pub and grab some lunch. I have a feeling we won't want to go out for a few hours."
Hermione nodded, "I still want to take a nap but some more food sounds good. Luna?"
She grinned at them, "You guys are in charge, I'm just a follower. But yes I'm getting hungry."
Harry decided not to try and suss this follower business out just yet. "I remember seeing a pub just across the street from the hotel. Let's try that one." Both girls nodded and they walked in silence. Harry and Hermione still kept Luna mostly between them as she did not yet understand how to cross roads properly and they did not want a repeat of the earlier incident. They reached the pub and found a mostly clean table in the back room. Hermione wiped the table down with some napkins while Harry perused the menu. Luna sat across from them and looked around muttering things to herself. Harry caught a few of the things she was saying and realized she was reading the words printed on the posters scattered about the room.
Hermione said, "Care to split a fish and chips Harry?"
He shrugged, "Sure. I was thinking about something from the kids menu actually." He grinned broadly at her.
Luna burst into loud laughter that made many of the patrons look at her. She quickly shut up and started reading the ticket stubs embedded in the table.
Merlin! Luna's outburst had made him nearly jump out of his chair. She was going to take some getting used to. He had been enjoying having Hermione to himself. "What do you feel like eating Luna? Should I just pick something for you to try?"
"Do they have any of that lamb's cake?"
Hermione blinked and asked, "Do you mean shepherd's pie?"
She shrugged, "If that's what they call it. Daddy said that was good."
"Ok. I'll be right back, going to place the orders. Oh, Harry come help me carry the drinks please."
"Sure. Luna, here study this." He pulled out their map of London and opened it up on the table facing her then stood and followed Hermione back to the bar.
While they were waiting for the bartender to take their order she asked him, "What are we going to do with her?"
"First we need to understand what she is talking about. We can send Dobby to let her father know she is safe."
The bartender finally came to them and Hermione placed the order. They carried the drinks back to the table where Luna was tracing one of the roads around the map reciting the names of all the streets it intersected. Harry put her drink off to the side of the table so it would not damage the map. She ignored it until she had finished following the road. She pulled the lemon slice out of the soda and ate it, then dropped the rind back into the glass before she drank some of the soda. She never looked up from the map though.
The rest of their meal was spent in relative silence. Harry and Hermione ate from the same plate and though Luna made no mention of it she was far too observant not to realize how close they had become in just a few days. While he was eating Harry was trying to suss out this new Luna. She was far more normal than when she was at school. He couldn't figure out how she could go from someone who wore radishes and bottle cap earrings to this nearly ordinary girl. He shared a few glances with Hermione who likely was trying to do the same thing.
As they headed back to the hotel Hermione asked, "Did you bring clothes?"
Luna nodded, "I'll need your help though. Dad did the first part, can you do the second?"
Hermione nodded, "Sure. Let's see if I can get you a room next to ours. Will that be ok?"
Luna shrugged, "I'm not trying to come between you guys. But…" she lapsed into silence before continuing with a different thought. "We'll talk about it in your room."
Harry said, "Thanks Luna. I think you're here to help us and we can probably use your help, on what I have no idea."
Hermione glared at him over Luna's head but it turned into a grin as he ended his sentence.
He did get a typical Luna response though. With no hint of offense in her tone she said, "Hermione is beyond me in nearly everything but esoterical creatures."
It took Hermione five minutes at the counter but she joined them at the fireplace with another key. "It's across the hall from ours, best they could do today. Tomorrow the room beside us empties for a week, so I reserved it for you."
Luna beamed at her, "Thanks, daddy gave me some money, I can help you pay."
Harry shook his head and went to hit the button on the elevator, "let's head upstairs."
Luna spent the ride in the elevator looking at her own reflection in the mirror across the back of the car.
Finally, locked in their own room, Hermione sat on the freshly made bed and asked, "Ok, Luna tell us what happened and why you need to be with us?"
Harry kicked his shoes off and dropped the backpack on the desk before he sat on the bed beside Hermione.
Luna sat nervously in the chair opposite them. "This will sound a bit odd." She stopped and looked at them with a shy smile. "I know I say an awful lot of odd things at school but honestly that's to keep them from hating me for my brains."
Harry held his hand up, "So your oddness at school is an act?"
She nodded, "This way I know anyone who is my friend likes me in spite of it, not because of it." Hermione was nodding as Luna continued. "I'm a seer. Not the traditional trance kind like Trelawney. I get, let's call them, visitations, that tell me things I need to do. Usually the visitor is my mother. It could be her shade or just the form that my seeing takes." She shrugged. "They started a week after my mother accidentally killed herself. For example; she told me I needed to join the DA or Ronald would die."
Hermione shook her head, "huh?"
Luna continued as though Hermione hadn't said anything. "The night we went to the Department of Mysteries I did save his life from at least one Death Eaters curse and then later from the brain thing. I never did find out the names for those, maybe they were… Nevermind." She took a deep breath, not looking at them before she started talking again. This time her voice was very subdued, "The last vision was that I had to be with Harry or he would lose to Voldemort."
They sat silently for nearly thirty seconds before Hermione leapt to her feet and said in an icy tone, "Are you saying you need to have sex with him?"
Harry was floored by this, he hadn't thought along those lines at all.
Luna cringed and went to her knees before Hermione. She wringed her hands together slowly and looked up to Hermione, "I don't know." Tears dripped down her cheeks but she forged ahead. "I know he's yours. Every girl at Hogwarts knows he's been yours for years. I swear I'm not trying to get him to love me." She angrily wiped her eyes dry and stood. She looked into Hermione's eyes, she didn't flinch away from them and there was no anger in her tone when she continued, only determination. "I won't let Voldemort win because I'm a coward though."
Harry felt a swell of pride for Luna. Not many could face Hermione like that. Damn this girl belonged in Gryffindor!
Hermione took a small step back. She had apparently conceded Luna's point, "Was that all your mother told you or is there more? I don't believe in divination you know."
Luna sat back on the chair and gestured wildly with her arms. She was avoiding looking at him he realized. "There's a little more but not much. It's not like I can owl her and ask for clarification though. 'Excuse me mum can you tell me if I just need to be in close proximity to Harry or do I need to share his bed?' Sorry, I know how this seems but I haven't had a false visitation before so I must conclude this is valid. The precise words were, 'Luna my child. You and Hermione Granger must be with Harry Potter or he will fail in his war with Tom Riddle. You will find him near the grim old place near Kings Cross early today but you won't be able to see it.' So, does that mean I have to bear you a child as Hermione will? Or could I just be needed to sacrifice my life so you can win?" She stood and looked directly at them both, "I just don't know. But I refuse to let you lose by not doing whatever I can."
Harry's mind was in total disarray. He looked at Hermione and grabbed her hand. She finally looked away from Luna and collapsed onto the bed beside him.
Luna stood there a moment, apparently decided they were incapable of speech so she continued. "I think the safest course would be for Harry to take my virginity. Then I need to stay with you two and see if there is something else I can help with. Look, I may not be as smart as you are Hermione but I am a certified genius. Harry, I relinquish you from any responsibilities. Should I become pregnant I will bear your child, it will be up to the two of you to decide if anyone will know it is Harry's. Hermione, I will swear any oath you choose." She sat there and watched them.
Harry felt his heart go out to her. Damn she was courageous. How could she be in Ravenclaw and not in Gryffindor? He had no idea. How could he be thinking about something as trivial as what house she was in when she had just offered her body to him? Again he had no idea. His arm went around Hermione and he gave her a one arm hug. She looked at him, confusion, anger, and concern all vying for his attention.
He looked back at Luna. His neck and face felt hot as he spoke, "Hermione and I just became, um, intimate last night. She is planning on having my child, in spite of the war. We are going to get married before she has the baby though."
Luna just nodded, still looking at him patiently.
He took another breath, "Being the subject of a prophecy myself I think they are indeed valid. I think the two of you need to discuss this. I don't want Hermione to think I don't love her, I have no desire to-. Oh, damn this isn't coming out right. Look, I honestly like you Luna. I think you just showed more courage than most Gryffindor's I know. That being said, I trust Hermione with my life and my heart."
Hermione finally looked at Luna. Her words had no emotional attachment to them, "Please go wait in your room. I will come talk to you in a few minutes. Don't touch any muggle devices, I won't be long I just have to talk to Harry alone for a bit." She pulled Luna's key from her pocket and held it towards her.
Luna nodded, "I should be able to manage. Listen, I do understand. This isn't some grand scheme to get Harry. I knew where to find you today, that part of the vision has already been proven." She stood and took the key, "I'll be across the hall I guess."
What the Hell was going on with his life? Was he some plaything for fate?
Hermione stood and looked at him. Concern had come to the fore; anger and confusion were gone. Her voice shook with repressed emotion, "I think… She's right Harry." She cleared her throat, "I swore to do anything to make sure you won. If I have to share you for that to happen then - I will."
He didn't have any idea what he should say so he just said, "But."
She continued, "I know you love me. I will bear your children and I will be your wife. I can't just scorn Luna for the sake of my pride though. She did know where to find us and we only told Bill, Fleur, and Ron where we would be. I know they wouldn't have told her."
He felt a knife twist in his gut.
"I said I would be strong for you Harry." She knelt and held his hands. "I know you don't love her and I know that won't change because you have sex with her. We are going to win Harry, whatever we have to do. We can sort our lives out after the bastard is dead."
He nodded, "If this is what you think I need to do then we'll do it." He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. He refused to end the kiss and made her the one who finally pulled away. "I love you and trust you. I hope you feel the same."
She nodded and gave him another kiss, this one short and sweet. "I trust you and you know I love you." She stood and fished their shrunken trunks from the backpack then placed them in the open spot on the floor and expanded them. "This may take a while."
Harry nodded, "I'll be here, holler if you need me. Oh, make sure she knows how to use the AC and such in there before she hurts herself."
"I will, get your book out or something useful eh?"
"Yes dear."
* * *
Hermione closed the door to their room and knocked on the one across the hall. It was opened a moment later. The room was dark; Luna stood blinking in the light from the hall. She stepped back, giving room for Hermione to walk inside. Luna had left the lights off, taking her literally about not touching anything. Hermione turned the lights on and closed the door. Out of habit, she locked it. When she turned back to Luna she was walking into the room. She pulled out her wand from her sleeve and laid it upon the desk. She kept walking until she was at the window where she sat in the chair.
Hermione took the chair from the desk and turned it to face Luna then sat in it. She glanced at Luna's wand on the desk beside her.
Luna spoke first, "I am defenseless, not that I could out duel you. I just want to be up front and honest with you. This is the real me, not the one who hides behind her oddness."
Hermione sat forward in the chair, "I promised myself a few days ago to do anything to help Harry defeat Voldemort. Above everything else, what Harry needs is a loving family. I will provide him with that. We will get married on his birthday and then travel back in time eighteen months, go live with my parents until summer when I come home. Once summer break is over, we will return to my parents' house. Then, when we catch up to the present, we will let them take him into hiding with them. That way we both know he will be safe and whichever of us survive will at least have him. We are trying to find Tom Riddle's horcruxes and destroy them so that he can actually be killed."
Luna looked at her, a small smile played at her lips. "You're already pregnant you know."
Hermione whipped her wand out, leaned back in the chair and pulled her shirt up to expose her stomach. She cast the pregnancy detection spell. There was a small light blue glow just below her belly button. She dropped her shirt and pointed her wand at Luna, "How did you know?"
"Mum told me that one nearly a year ago. I was a bit confused because she told me that you were then giving birth to Harry's son but I had seen you that day and you were certainly not pregnant. When you said you were going to go back eighteen months from his birthday I did some quick math and guessed you should be pregnant."
She lowered her wand and breathlessly asked, "What day is he born on?"
Without hesitation Luna said, "September third, of '96, he turns ten months old tomorrow."
Hermione grinned broadly in spite of herself. She quickly squashed the feelings though. Luna knew too much to be left behind now. She was a part of their group. Now they were six, would Ginny and Neville be drawn back to them as well or would Bill and Fleur supplant them in the group. There had been something important about the group that had gone to the DoM. "Ok Luna, I believe you. You will travel back in time with us when we go on Harry's birthday. I concede, though barely, that you and Harry should, um, 'be with' one another." Hermione stopped and looked for Luna's reaction. To her credit she gave no sign of victory, merely acceptance of the statements.
With clinical detachment Hermione started talking. "Harry will not want to just have casual sex no matter what he may say. He needs the emotional attachment. He did invite you to Slughorn's party, so there is something there in his heart for you. He would not have taken you unless he felt safe in the choice. I'm not saying he will fall in love with you or that he can. It took us years to reach this level of commitment. He will want to make the occasion special for you. He understands the, sacrifice you are willing to make just to be certain that you do not fall short of fulfilling your vision. I commend you on your courage in finding us and facing my wrath. Harry's life seems to be a plaything of fate. We'll sort out our lives once the bastard is well and truly dead."
She began to lose her steel resolve as the next sentence hit her. "I will exact one oath from you. The likely-hood of both Harry and I surviving is not very high. I put it at about 56%. He is slightly more likely to survive while I do not. Therefore the oath I will require is this. Should I die and he survive you will give him what I cannot, a mate."
Luna was a very pale girl to begin with. She went several shades lighter and her jaw dropped open. A moment later she snapped back to herself, "You are asking me for total emotional commitment now for a possible outcome?"
"What I'm asking is for you to support Harry, fully. So we know I have this baby, that means I survive until it's born. I have no assurance of even surviving the birth. It will be in the muggle world with my parents' full knowledge. If I die there, giving Harry his son, you will need to pick him up as best you can and help him face Voldemort." Hermione stood, "Harry is the whole key to destroying Voldemort. Do you think he would care if he did anything if his heart died with me? Merlin no, he would tear the world apart but he would not care if Voldemort lived or died at that point. He must have a reason to live and move forward. He will have an emotional attachment to you if you share his bed. I know him far too well to fool myself into thinking he could do anything like that without any feelings for you. He may not be in love with you but he will count you among those he loves."
Luna looked down at her hands for a moment then looked back up to Hermione. "I thought I had courage coming here. You are far braver than I could ever be. I could not imagine saying those things to someone else who came and told me they needed to have sex with my husband."
Hermione smiled, "Courage is a relative thing. We do what we know we must in spite of how we feel about it." Hermione stood and gestured for Luna to do the same. As soon as she was also on her feet, Hermione hugged her. After her initial surprise Luna returned it. Luna was still sixteen, she would be seventeen in October she was about six inches shorter. It felt odd hugging another girl, but Hermione dismissed the thought. If Harry was going to be close to this girl then so was she.
Luna waited for Hermione to release her from the hug. When they separated she said, "Thanks. I will probably swear your oath without any changes but I need to think about it and get my mind around what you need from me. I honestly hope I can help in some real way, this just seems so arbitrary." She shrugged.
Hermione stepped back and grabbed Luna's wand from the desk and handed it to her. "Pull out your luggage and I'll expand it, then give you some training on the way the muggle things in the room work."
They spent nearly thirty minutes before Hermione was certain that Luna could operate all of the items in her room. She may not understand what caused them but she could turn on the tap and fill the bathtub or start a shower without burning herself.
They had just finished adjusting the air conditioner in the room so it would not be freezing when night came. Hermione asked, "Do you want to go back to our room now and talk with Harry again or do you want to stay here by yourself for a while and do that thinking?"
Luna took a band from her now expanded trunk and pulled her long blond hair back into a ponytail. She turned back to Hermione and said, "Let's go talk to Harry, I really hope he isn't cross with me. He's one of three students, sorry, four now, that actually talk to me at school."
Hermione shook her head, "He's confused but not mad. Why would a boy get mad at a girl for offering to have sex with him? Simple, and I'm sure you see the answer: Concern for my feelings about it. Therefore I will, uh, participate when the time comes."
Luna looked at her and her eyes widened.
Hermione said, "If Harry is going to become attached to you in any way then I must also fully accept you. He knows me too well for me to fool him and he wouldn't do anything with you without my direct support. I respect what you are offering is to him and not me. I have no intention of touching you but my mate is another story." She grinned wickedly at the end and Luna smiled back.
Hermione turned to leave the room but stopped when Luna grabbed her arm. Luna let go immediately when Hermione stopped and turned. "Sorry, just one more thing. Here is my biggest problem with taking your oath. If I spend the next two years or so as a third wheel with Harry maybe occasionally having sex with me to deepen his attachment to me. Just in case you die mind you. I said I wasn't here to take him from you. But if I spend that time with him I will probably fall in love with him. As you know, he is so damn lovable."
Hermione grinned and nodded back.
Luna continued, though her voice was shaky, "So there lies my problem. If I fall in love with him and yet you both survive where does that leave me? I doubt I could just walk away."
Surprising herself Hermione hugged Luna again. She wasn't quite like a little sister but Hermione had now realized the she saw a lot of herself in Luna. Hermione pulled back and rested her hands on Luna's shoulders. Looking into Luna's questioning face she said, "Do you think we could do that to you and then abandon you?" Hermione felt a slight shrug then saw Luna give a firm shake to her head. "Ok, now let's go talk to Harry. I'm sure he's getting worried about us taking so long."
Hermione let the smaller girl go and headed out the door. "Got your key?"
Luna tapped the front pocket of her jeans, "yes."
They exited Luna's room and Hermione unlocked the room she shared with Harry. She wasn't surprised to find Harry asleep on the bed; the Occlumency tome just off to the side where he lay his glasses atop it.
Hermione turned to Luna, "Lock the door please. Try to get in that habit."
Luna nodded and went to the door. Hermione heard the distinctive click of the lock. She cast a quick, Silencio, over the bed so Harry wouldn't hear them. She picked up his glasses and the tome. She noted the page number Harry was on before closing it and taking it with her to the table. Luna raised her eyebrow and came to sit with Hermione.
When they were both settled at the table Hermione said, "Look, I'm the one who said I wanted to nap and Mr. big and strong is out cold."
Luna was reading the title of the book and she said excitedly, "Oh, you're reading Hileral's Occlumency? How far have you gotten? I can manage up through step 34, 35 still baffles me, though I think I can do 36 and 37 if I can just get past 35."
Hermione said, "Well I've read the whole thing but haven't tried any of it yet. I wanted to work on it with Harry. He's just started chapter four. Why are you learning Occlumency?"
"Dad made me start on it when I turned ten. So I couldn't be read by any Ministry officials or spies who came around the Quibbler. You know about my dad and how he thinks the whole Ministry is a big conspiracy? Well since mum's death I've tried to humor him and well I do like learning things."
"Yes, I know how that is with daughters and dads. Well this sounds like something you can help us with. We need to learn it to keep what we are doing a secret." She shifted, turning to face Luna directly over the table. "Harry's scar is also a link to Voldemort." She watched Luna absorb that fact. She sat back in her chair and looked at the scar in question. Hermione continued, "Back in fifth year Voldemort used that link to convince Harry he had to go to the DoM to rescue Sirius. We need to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Luna nodded, "Occlumency will do that. He should have started last year though."
Hermione yawned, "Sorry. He tried. He spent several sessions trying to learn it from Snape. I have since decided that there is no chance Harry learned anything from him of any use."
Luna said, "Why don't you curl up with him and get a nap to? I'll sit here and guard you and do some of that thinking."
Hermione nodded, "Thanks." She got up and kicked off her shoes then handed Luna Harry's glasses, "When he wakes up give these to him fast. I've been thinking about doing something, either muggle or magical, to get rid of the glasses. It's a huge disadvantage."
Luna nodded thoughtfully and said, "Accio glasses."
Hermione sighed, "Precisely."
Hermione lay on the bed slowly then rolled closer to Harry. He stirred but seemed to sense it was her and when Hermione put his hand on her waist he relaxed and went back to sleep. She was within the silencing spell now so wouldn't hear anything for another ten minutes or so. Luna flipped off the lights and sat back down in the chair by the window. Hermione smiled her thanks to her then closed her eyes. Today had been very emotional, and likely would again. She took a deep breath and thought about chapter three of the Occlumency tome: Relaxation and clearing the mind. Might as well get started, it seemed like a good way to fall asleep.
* * *
Luna was puzzled by the two, now sleeping before her. She had known when she came here some of what she was pushing her way into. She had no illusions with herself, she was the intruder. Harry's connection to Hermione was legendary among the Hogwarts girls. She had heard Cho complaining about her at the end of last year when they had broken up. As Cho had said to most of the Ravenclaw common room; 'No chance girls. I don't know what she does for him but that Granger girl comes first.'
Luna could answer Cho's question now. She understood what Hermione did for him. She knew the stories and legends, for legends they were already, though it had only been a few years. Harry, Ron and Hermione preventing Voldemort from stealing the Sorcerer's Stone in their first year. Stopping the basilisk in their second. Escaping from Sirius Black in their third. Even standing by him when the whole school had thought he had cheated to get into the Tri-Wizard tournament. Hermione was loyal to Harry, she supported and helped him.
Could Luna do the same? She had followed him to the DoM but in large part that was to keep Ronald alive. She had learned from him during the DA sessions and certainly saw the nobility in him. She had been accepted by Hermione. That alone was no small accomplishment. Hermione scared the hell out of her. She seemed to have everything under control, yes there were things she didn't know but there would be very few of those that Luna knew when she did not. Occlumency appeared to be one of those. She could help them get the basics down quickly enough. Then what?
As Cho had discovered, she had no intention of trying to come between these two, because Cho had had no chance of success. None at all. Would she be content to stay with them and receive scraps of love? No, not content, the question was could she manage? Not for herself, but to help Harry win. Harry had mentioned the prophecy again, she suspected he knew what it said now and it obviously had something to do with his beating Voldemort. Obviously some of Harry was better than none of Harry. She had never even entertained thoughts of them getting together. Harry had said he wanted to go to Slughorn's party with her has a friend and she hadn't read anything into his words.
It had not been lost on Luna just whom Harry had grabbed onto in the DoM when it got crazy. She had hoped Ronald would like her. He was Ginny's brother and she had passed. But, no, Ronald had failed. Ronald and Hermione had never seemed to get along. Ginny had told her about some of their rows. No Ronald had failed the Loony test and quite obviously he couldn't handle a girl with a brain. So her heart was free of Ronald. Now Harry had certainly passed the Loony test and there was no doubt he didn't mind Hermione's brain. Could he handle another brain? She wouldn't push him like she did. Well maybe if she needed to. Hell maybe that was why she was here; to push him in a direction Hermione wouldn't think of.
She did not yet know all the details that Hermione did so couldn't really work on that puzzle yet. Back to her problem: Harry. She could easily fall in love with him. Hermione who knew him better than anyone had said he would give her love as well.
Could she do what Hermione demanded? Could she pickup a shattered Harry Potter if Hermione died? Could she help him continue and kill a Dark Lord? She wasn't sure she could do that at all. Hermione Granger could stand equal to Harry Potter and not flinch from him; she had seen it herself.
Maybe Ginny could do it. She had actually dated Harry. She was brave, but she couldn't stand up to Harry. He had ended their relationship. Ginny had walked away, she hadn't even fought to stay with him. He told her it was over and she left.
As she watched them sleep, their magic enveloped one another. Nothing was going to come between them. But maybe she could compliment them in some way. She didn't have much to offer. Hermione's body was much more developed than she was and as smart as Luna was she knew Hermione was smarter. She would open herself to them, for as Hermione had said she had to accept Luna before Harry would. Merlin! She would try!
Loony was dead she realized. There would be no more hiding behind a false personality, not now nor in the future. Pity, she had liked her.
Well that seemed to settle everything. She had puzzled it all out and had no more to think. She leaned forward in her chair and spoke towards the carpet in a stage whisper, "Weepa!"
A moment later and the familiar house elf was there, one ear taller than the other and one eye blue with one green. She wore panties Luna had given her for Christmas, "Yes Misses?"
She whispered to her, "Please put a ward on the room. We need to be woken if anyone enters. Also magically seal the door."
Weepa closed her blue eye and the taller ear twitched a few times, "Done Misses."
"Thanks. Please tell daddy I will be with Harry and Hermione for some time and not to worry."
Weepa saluted and said, "Yes Misses."
Luna smiled at her and said warmly, "Thanks, Weepa. I love your help."
Weepa vanished.
She would show them her decision. She took off her shoes and tucked them under the chair. Then moved the chair by the desk against the foot of the bed and placed his glasses on it, within his reach if he woke up. He was spooned around Hermione, her head rested on his right arm. She walked around behind him and slowly lay down on the bed. She took a deep breath and moved to lie against his back. She pushed her entire torso against him; her small breasts against his shoulders so her hear was just above his. He was too tall for her to do more. He hardly stirred in his sleep. Her head went onto her folded right arm and she put her left on his waist. Surprisingly she was very comfortable pressed against him. She drifted off to sleep wondering what he would do when he woke.
* * *
Harry woke slowly. His right arm was asleep, fingers tingling, that's what was waking him. The rest of him was very contentedly warm. He hadn't even opened his eyes yet but he knew he was holding Hermione, is nose was in her hair, his left arm held her close. That didn't account for why his back was warm nor the arm draped gently over his waist. Hermione's voice drifted across his brain, 'That would be Luna.' In his semi asleep state that statement caused no alarm. It took him ages to actually comprehend it actually. His brain started kicking in, something made him stop his initial reaction; to jerk away, likely Hermione's presence caused that as well.
Why was Luna snuggled against him? Had she needed comforting? Probably not. He was mostly awake now, he had been reading that tedious book on Occulmency while Luna and Hermione had gone to talk about him…
Oh, that's right. That's why she's here. What the hell did this mean for his relationship with Hermione? Well he wouldn't allow her to feel any less loved. He had liked Luna back in school, she had helped him at the end of 5th year begin to come to grips with Sirius' death.
His brain stopped at that name. Tears were coming, he couldn't move away from them to hide it. He started trembling, Hermione moved, she turned to face him, concern on her face. He jerked her against him and sobbed. His arms wrapped around her and he held onto her. He felt Luna's arm tighten on his waist. Her other arm went under his head and she reached to Hermione's shoulder. She pressed herself firmly against his back. Even in his grief he understood that she was trying to support him.
He tried to control his sobbing, Hermione freed her hand and caressed his wet cheek, "Let it out."
He buried his face against her chest and the tears flowed freely. Neither girl spoke. Two minutes later the tears stopped. He whispered, "Thanks," into Hermione's ear then tried to lay on his back. Luna understood and retreated to give him room. He didn't do anything more than roll to lie flat on his back though. With his right arm he pulled Hermione to him, she was already sliding closer. His left arm snaked out and found Luna, he put his arm around her back and pulled her to him. She seemed much lighter than Hermione and slid against his other side. He said, "Thanks. It was Sirius again. Nothing specific this time, I just remembered he was gone." He choked up for a moment, "Is that wrong of me? To forget he was dead?"
Hermione said, "No."
Luna said, "I forget my mother is gone even now, seven years later."
Harry nodded, "So it doesn't go away?"
Luna whispered, "Those we love are always with us, whether dead or alive."
He felt Hermione move and saw a blurry arm reach over him and Luna was pulled harder against his side.
A moment later Luna's blurry arm did the same and Hermione was pulled harder against him. If this was what it was going to be like around them he could certainly learn to enjoy it. Already he felt deeply comforted by Luna's words.
Their heads were resting on his shoulders, facing one another over his rising and falling chest.
Luna lifted her head, he thought she was pulling away and he tightened his arm. She said, "I'll take your oath Hermione." He relaxed his arm on her.
Hermione started crying on his shoulder and he tightened his arm on her. She said, "Thank you." She lifted her head and shifted, it was a quick lunge across his chest and he heard a distinct kissing sound. It was brief and then Hermione was snuggled against his side again.
Luna went stiff against him and then relaxed and said in a very soft voice, "Welcome."
He had to know what had just happened. "Ok since I can't see. What just happened?"
Luna's voice gained strength as she spoke, "I told her I would support you fully. As she does. I will stand with you until the end. I will help you solve the puzzles ahead and Anything I can provide is yours."
Hermione added, "So I kissed her."
He lay there for a moment, they were both quiet. "This is every man's dream you know?"
Hermione said, "Anything you need Harry."
While Luna said, "Whatever you want Harry."
He grinned broadly and hugged them to him.