All It Takes

Chapter 1

Luna let her eyes scan the scene before her. Dark smoke billowed up into the morning sky, the dark grey against the pale blue sent chills up her spin. She never thought she would see this sight again. Months surrounded by the cold grey stone of the Malfoy Manor, bars on the windows, chains on her wrist and ankles, moldy food, stale water, rats climbing on her body at night, she had lost her naivety and innocence but one thing she had lost was her sense of wonder at the world. But standing on Platform 9 3/4, watching the first years clamor together scared and excited, their parents looking on proud, filled her with so much joy. Her imprisonment had meant something. The blood shed, pain, aggression had all meant something. The new generation could go to school and worry about learning the new potions homework or who they would go to ask on the trip to Hogsmeade. No more threats of death eaters or Voldemort.

Luna let herself blend into the background for a moment. Taking in this sight knowing that it would her last time standing on this platform as a student. Her last first day of school.

It was a bit tricky navigating her way back into the halls of Hogwarts. Many students wanted to repeat their last year or had missed it entirely and wanted to come back. Many had fought in the war along side their professors and it seemed silly to have to back to school and sit in a classroom again. But Headmistress McGonagall had an idea. Those who wished to make up their final year could enroll in a specialized program instead of regular classes. Each student would have an apprenticeship with a professor in their chosen course of study. They would work along side the professor, they would research topics, do course work and maybe even teach a few of the first year classes. The headmistress wanted to continue their education while acknowledging their skills as wizards who had fought in a war.

While Luna was daydreaming about her new life at Hogwarts she didn't seem to notice a red head bobbing her way thought the crowd towards her.

Ginny Weasley reached out and grabbed her friend's shoulder snapping Luna back to reality.

"Luna, daydreaming again?" Ginny asked a smile tugging at one corner of her mouth.

"Oh Ginny, you know me too well." Luna replied returning the smile in earnest.

Ginny eyed the scene before them. "Who knew all those month ago that this would even be possible? That we would be going back to Hogwarts with no threat of death eaters or Voldemort."

Luna breathed in deep, "I know even the air smells happier"

"I'm pretty sure that's exhaust" Ginny retorted playfully to Luna. "Come on Loony, let's go find Hermione. I'm sure she is somewhere around her fretting.

Luna found herself being pulled by Ginny through the crowd, dodging carts and cauldrons, weaving through the see of people until they found their friend. She was surrounded by 4 suitcases, two large leather trunks, and a cage containing one very angry Crookshanks who was yowling quite steadily.

"Crookshanks, If you don't quit that right now I'm going to charm you into mouse and give you to Mrs. Norris! Honestly!" Hermione whispered furiously. Their friend had obviously not noticed them. Her hair was a mess and she had dark circles under eyes showing her lack of sleep.

"Hey Hermione, looking a little rough there." Ginny said as she put a hand on her friends shoulder.

Hermione looked up and a bit of the exhaustion seemed to leave her face when she saw her two friends.

"Ginny! Luna! Oh, it is so good to see you! I have missed you both so much!" She flung her arms around the two girls necks and gave them a gigantic hug.

" I am so worried about this year. I feel totally unprepared especially because I don't know where I am assigned. I didn't know what I would need so I brought every magic book I had."

That explained all the suitcases and trunks thought Luna

"Do you two know where you are assigned?'

Both Luna and Ginny shook their head no.

"Well we best load up and start this new adventure." Hermione said as she collected her things.

Ginny, Luna, and Hermione loaded their belonging onto the train and arranged themselves into a private comportment. Hermione and Ginny caught up over the events of the summer chatting away for most of the train ride, but Luna didn't feel too much like talking. She gazed out the window watching the countryside go by thinking about what awaited her inside those hallowed halls.