So I'm back with the sequel to After Effects and I hope I've made it worth the wait. This story is pretty easy to follow on its own so if you haven't read the prequel then things will not be too difficult to follow, but I would love it if you read that story too. This story will be beginning with plenty of romance and fun, making way for some drama later on so if anyone loves the really dramatic stuff then please bear with me.
I must always end with saying that I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter...damn it.
Luna woke up bright and early on the second of May. Today she would leave Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry once and for all. However, she would have to face a final assembly in the Great Hall first; it was exactly one year to the day since the Battle of Hogwarts and the families of students had been invited to the assembly as well, that thankfully meant for Luna that she would have George by her side, although considering how George had acted during the memorial service the previous summer; Luna couldn't help but be slightly anxious of how he was going to be affected. Nothing had be explained about the assembly; but everyone was assuming the worst.
A much earlier summer holiday had meant that NEWT exams had been much earlier also, but Luna's confidence was reasonably high; leaving her to have a much calmer and enjoyable summer than the last.
After a busy morning of packing, Luna said a couple of quick goodbyes to some of her fellow Ravenclaws (although none of them were emotional as the people Luna truly cared about would be coming home with her) before taking her things downstairs.
Just as the school had done for the memorial service; an apparition point had been set up just outside of the castle and as Luna reached the bottom of the staircase, she could already see many families already reunited and many more were walking up to the school. Ginny and Hermione were just down the corridor and Luna walked merrily towards them.
''Someone's cheerful'' Ginny commented as Luna came to a stop beside her.
''Why shouldn't I be?'' Luna smiled.
''I'm surprised that you're not happier Ginny; after all, this time next week you're going to be Ginny Potter'' Hermione stated.
Ginny briefly winced at the 'Ginny Potter' reference. ''Yeah, I'm still not sure about the name. Maybe Weasley-Potter would be better''
Both Luna and Hermione shrugged; they had had this debate many times before and it had always ended with Ginny coming to no decision at all.
''I think Mum and Dad will be here in a minute'' Ginny looked at Hermione's Muggle watch. ''They said that the boys would be meeting them at the Burrow any time now''
Ginny watched as Luna and Hermione's faces lit up; the school terms away from their boys had been much harder for them than Ginny, who had suffered a much worse experience the year before when Harry had been away with Ron and Hermione destroying the Horcruxes.
''Oh for goodness sake Ron, it could have been worse; you could have left your leg behind'' The girls turned to the front entrance as they heard Molly complain from within the crowd. ''Now, where are they?''
''Mum'' Ginny shouted and waved them over.
''Oh Ginny'' Molly smiled as she escaped the crowd. ''there you are''
Ron and George's height advantage helped them easily get through the huge number of people that were occupying the main entrance to Hogwarts. George beamed at Luna. ''Hello my lady''
''Hello George'' As he reached her, she threw her arms around his shoulders and he lifted her off her feet.
''Did you miss me?'' George whispered into her ear as he held her in his arms.
''I suppose I did'' Luna replied as George set her back down on her feet.
''Good because I've got something for you at home''
''George what did I tell you about presents?'' Luna shot him a 'and don't be sarcastic' look.
''That you don't want them unless it's for a special reason'' George sighed. ''Hey, at least I didn't try to bring it with me while I apparated here''
George smirked and indicated his head towards Ron who was talking to Hermione. Ron looked sheepishly at his girlfriend. ''I brought you something, but...well...it didn't come with me; I'm hoping it's still at the Burrow''
Hermione suppressed a chuckle and shook her head.
''Look I don't care about that'' George rolled his eyes; he knew that putting the spotlight on Ron wouldn't help him get out of trouble with his fiancée. ''George I don't like you getting me gifts when I cannot give you anything in return''
''Look, it's not technically something that I have personally bought you, so can you just wait and find out what it is before you say whether you want it or not?'' George put his hands on her shoulders and gave her a pleading look.
''Alright''
''The crowd is clearing, lets get into the Great Hall'' Molly herded everyone towards the doors of the Great Hall.
The whispers of 'that's Harry Potter' could be heard coming from the first years as they sat along the seats that had replaced the usual benches and tables.
One young boy who was sat in front of George turned around and saw Harry, before turning back to his older sister and muttering 'That's the boy who killed You-Know-Who'.
''No shit'' George said to Ron beside him who sniggered. However, Molly had also heard and her head snapped round and she gave George a look that said 'be quiet or have a silencing charm put on you'.
After around five minutes of catch up chat, the volume of conversation eventually died down until the room was silent as Professor McGonagall stepped up at the front.
''Hello and welcome back to Hogwarts'' Professor McGonagall scanned the faces in the room and a proud smile etched its way on to her face when she saw Harry; she had heard all about his good work with the Aurors. ''I have invited your families to join us today as we honour the one year anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts as well as those who sacrificed their lives both then, and during the year that proceeded it. We end our school term much earlier than before; as terrible as that year was, it most definitely taught us the lesson that we will never have enough time with those we love, but here at Hogwarts; we will be assured that you are spending as much time as we can possibly allow at your homes. For our seventh years; I wish you the best of luck in the future, and I will remind parents that NEWT results will arrive on the twelfth of July. As for our younger students; I look forward to your return in September and I hope you enjoy your extended summer''
An hour later the crowds bustled out of the Great Hall as the assembly ended. Rather than the funeral-like atmosphere of the memorial service, the assembly had been filled with performances that showed that the school had recovered and was continuing to teach as it always had done; something that had the parents talking.
''That last song that Professor Flitwick's second years sung was wonderful'' Molly praised as she and Arthur led the group outside of the school.
''Wonderful!'' Ron repeated in shock. ''I must have been listening to the group of dying cats outside of the window because what I heard was not wonderful''
''I'm sure you couldn't have done better Ronald'' Hermione commented.
''Go on Ron. Give us a song'' George quipped from in front of them.
''Bugger off'' Ron muttered.
''Alright, everyone ready to go?'' Arthur shouted back at everyone.
''I need to be getting back to the Ministry'' Percy pointed out before apparating away. In March he had been offered the head of the newly created Wizarding and Muggle Family Counselling Department; a department that helped those who continued to be affected by the effects of the war, and judging by Percy's workload; there were many who needed help.
''Girls, keep a strong hold of your bags; we don't want them to be left behind'' Arthur reminded them.
''Are we going back to the Burrow?'' Luna looked up at George as the others vanished.
''We're going for dinner later but we've got somewhere else to go to first'' George wrapped his arms around Luna. ''You've got a good hold of you bags right?''
''Yes''
''Alright, lets go home'' With a smile on his face, George apparated himself and Luna away from Hogwarts.
Luna smiled as she recognised her surroundings as the living room of the flat above Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Everything looked the same apart from the large rectangular parcel that sat of the coffee table. ''Does that happen to be for me?''
''Yes'' George scooped up the parcel and held it out for her. ''It arrived this morning''
Luna took a seat on the sofa and put the box on to her lap, which she then opened. George leaned on the back of a chair and watched her face light up as she pulled a lilac dress from the box. She stood up again and held the dress in front of her; the purple fabric went over one shoulder and the hem reached her knees, a silver sash was wrapped around the waist and small silver flowers decorated the neckline of the dress.
''What is this for?'' Luna looked between the dress and George; who was more than excited to see Luna in the dress properly.
''I have a feeling that's your bridesmaid dress for Ginny's wedding'' He assumed as he sat properly on the chair. ''Mum wrote to Ginny a few days ago saying that the dresses would arrive around today''
''It's beautiful'' Luna twirled with it in front of her. ''It looks as though there are some shoes in the box too''
Luna pulled out a pair of strappy silver heels and studied them before putting them and the dress back in the box.
''I'm definitely looking forward to that wedding now'' George smirked as Luna walked over and sat in his lap. ''Although I didn't think that bridesmaids were allowed to be more beautiful than the bride''
Luna blushed but she struggled to see George's point of view. ''Ginny always looks more beautiful than I do; the wedding will be no different''
George looked at her in disbelief. ''Luna you are so beautiful, and to me there isn't anyone more beautiful than you''
Luna's reddened cheeks took on a deeper shade and he gave a humble laugh. ''Thank you George''
''You're welcome'' George kissed her temple. ''And just think; in a few months you will be the bride''
''I can't wait'' Luna snuggled into his arms and listened to his heartbeat against her ear. ''It seems just like yesterday when you proposed''
''Tell me about it'' George said into her hair. ''Ginny and Harry should be grateful that we let them have their wedding first, otherwise you would be getting post for Luna Weasley by now''
George watched a wide smile brake out across Luna's face as he referred to that name; he often mentioned it for the purpose of seeing her smile so brightly, as well as reminding himself that she was soon going to be his forever.
''I think I'm going to go spend some time in my room'' Luna jumped away from George and briskly made her way over towards the room that was now hers.
George followed and saw Luna waiting by the bedroom door. ''I thought you said you were going in there''
''I did'' Luna looked awkwardly at him. ''I just wanted to be sure that you didn't mind me being in here''
George had promised Luna the room that had once belonged to Fred several months ago but Molly would only allow Luna to live with George once she had finished school. This had all been before George had proposed, but Luna didn't want to share a room with him until after their wedding; she wasn't too old fashioned, but she wanted something special to await them after the honeymoon's over; especially considering she and George had already done one of the main things that people do when they are married.
''Luna I honestly don't mind'' His cheeky Weasley grin spread across his face and he stared deep into her eyes. ''But if you're unhappy being in here all by yourself; you can join me''
''George what did I tell you about that?'' Luna gave him a 'stop being so annoyingly charming while I'm meant to be irritated with you' look.
''It's not my fault that I'm unable to resist the Lovegood charm'' George said defensively. ''If you didn't want this problem then you wouldn't have ended New Years night in my room''
''Oh..well then...'' Luna had a twinkle in her eye as she walked back towards the living room. ''I guess the only way to solve that problem will be for me make sure that what happened on New Year night never happens again''
''What! No'' George ran after her and walked in front of her. ''I'm pretty sure that's a form of torture Luna''
Luna laughed and gave George her own cheeky grin.
''That was not funny'' George stated as Luna tried walking by him. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her to him so that her back was pressed up against his chest. ''And I think that you need to make it up to me''
Luna turned in his arms and looked up into his eyes. ''How would I make it up to you?''
George raised his eyebrows and put his lips on to hers. Her hands went through his hair and his ran up and down her back as George held her as closely as he could to him.
''George! Luna!'' Hermione's shout came from outside of the flat's door. ''Mrs Weasley wants to go over a few plans for the wedding and she wants you at the Burrow now''
''We'll be there in a second Hermione'' Luna shouted. George ruffled his hands through his messed up hair and tried to tame it, while she smoothed down her clothes. ''It was lucky that she apparated outside and not into here''
''Luna there was probably a reason why she apparated outside of the door'' George said with a smirk. ''Thank Merlin that it was Hermione who came to get us and not Mum''
Luna saw George shudder at the thought and giggled. ''We better get going then before she does actually come and get us''
''I suppose so'' George sighed and walked back towards Luna. ''When we start the official planning of our wedding the only people who will be allowed to work on it will be me and you''
''I have a feeling we may not get much work done if we do'' Luna quipped.
''That's my point'' George retorted.
Luna laughed as she walked into George's arms and apparated away to the Burrow; it was definitely good to be home.
Next chapter; It's a week later, and the wedding of Harry and Ginny arrives.
So please, please, please let me know what you think. There will be no better start for me on this story than receiving lots of reviews and as I have already written chapter two; if I get a reasonable number of reviews then the next chapter will be up tomorrow morning. I promise.