DISCALIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any Characters from the Original Works by JK Rowling. The only thing I own is the scenario that they find them selves in for this tale.
This is written post Deathly Hallows and I have tried to stay close to cannon with what is stated. I write this filling in that shaded gray area of time that has not been defined by any writings. I also tried to stick close to the epilogue...19 years is a long time and a lot could happen in between. If I make a mistake with canon - oh well.
All quoted material if any will be noted at the bottom of each chapter crediting the appropriate muse.
Thank you for taking the time to review and Enjoy!
Chapter One - Babblings and Ball Gowns
The lock softly clicked in the heavy English Oak door. She was glad to be home it had been a very long journey looking for the spinning wheel of the legendary Sleeping Beauty. Pushing the heavy door open Luna let her bag slide off her shoulder and onto the floor in the entrance hall. She wanted to soak for a week in her huge bathtub, with plumeria smelling bubbles floating around her head. But that wouldn't happen tonight as she only had a little more than an hour to get ready for one of the biggest charity balls of the season.
She quickly made her way to her bedroom and opened her wardrobe taking out the dressiest ball gown she owned. Turning to the mirror she held the long black satin dress to her figure to see how it looked against her tired frame. Hoping that she could make her glamour charms do the trick Luna undressed and hopped in the shower.
Luna had inherited The Quibbler from her father when he passed just a little over a year ago. She had been drowning herself in her work at the paper and tried to avoid contact with her friends as her father was the only family she had and now he was gone. She hadn't kept in touch with her friends like she should have; everyone was so busy with their own lives these days. The last time she saw Ginny and Harry was at last years Quidditch World Cup, they were playing for the Chudley Cannons. She was taking pictures and interviewing Harry. The last she heard Ginny had decided to take a break from Quidditch.
She slipped into her dress then picked up her wand doing a glamour charm on her face and her hair. After she knotted her hair on top of her head she picked up two ebony hairclips fastening them in her hair. Looking at her reflection in the mirror she felt like she didn't know the woman starring back at her. Her world had changed so much over the past couple of years; she wasn't the Luna she used to be. She had seen pain, heartache, death and loneliness had crept in somewhere in the midst. She gathered a few things from the dresser and grabbed the matching purse to her gown stuffing in it her quill and parchment. Taking one last look at her self a knock came at her door.
Luna slipped on her black heels and made her way to her front door; she could see the figure through the stained glass. A slight smile graced her lips as she opened the door to her partner in crime Dennis Creevey. He had been her photographer for The Quibbler for the past three years, and her personal go between.
"Wow!" Dennis exclaimed when he saw her standing there. He had his camera hanging around his neck. "I hope you know I barely avoided a thrashing this evening. Collette was none too happy about me leaving so soon."
"I know and I thank you dearly for going with me Dennis. I haven't seen anyone in over a year," her voice had a nervous edge to it. "Dad usually handled this event and I just attended and mingled with the guest." She was very close to her father and it still wasn't easy for her to talk about him. "But this year I am supposed to speak on behalf of The Quibbler and the large donation we are making to the Witches' and Children's Centre at St. Mungos. I hear tell we are being matched by another donor. That will be quite a sum of money helping getting it properly staffed and up and running." She shut and locked the door behind her.
Dennis had his normal huge grin on his face when they arrived. There was a young attendant at the entrance door checking off guest and telling them where they were sitting.
"Name?" he asked in a genial tone.
"Luna Lovegood and Dennis Creevey," she answered in her dreamy voice.
The young man ran his finger down a list of names and looked up at her then said, "You and your guest will be sitting at the front table in front of the podium, with Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley." He nodded his head to her and gestured for them to enter.
She took a deep breath and looped her arm through Dennis'; together they walked into the dimly lit room. She felt as if she had just entered a time warp as she stood at the top of the familiar stairs of the ball room. Slowly but surely she and Dennis made their way down the steps and to the front table. She saw quite a few familiar faces that she had not seen in sometime. Nodding her head and smiling; she and Dennis continued toward their seats. The flickering lights of the spinning ball overhead played on the dancers in the middle of the room. The soft music was playing as many people danced around the room. She heard laughing and talking echoing in her head as she scanned the room to see if she recognized anyone.
"Walk around and see if you can get any interesting photos," she said to Dennis.
He nodded his head and walked off towards the outskirts of the room. Luna made her way to the refreshment table to get her a stiff drink. As she took her drink from the server a familiar voice called her name.
"Luna?"
She smiled and turned to see Hermione looking at her with wide eyes.
"Hermione!" Luna smiled at her as Hermione pulled her into a hug. Luna pulled back and took a good look at her. She looked as collected as ever.
"You look tired and thin," stated Hermione as she looked at her. "Why haven't you kept in contact, Luna? You promised, Ginny and I have been so worried."
"I know, I am sorry," Luna began, but was interrupted by another familiar voice.
"Luna, it's so good to see you," Neville came strolling up beside her with Susan Bones on his arm.
"You too Neville," Luna smiled.
"So how's it been going Neville?" Luna said then took a sip of her drink.
"Well I got the Herbology Professor position at Hogwarts after Professor Sprout retired. Susan and I are getting married at Christmas this year," he was smiling as he looked at Susan.
"That's great Neville congratulations to the both of you," Luna smiled back, the flashes of camera's caught her eye at entrance of the room. She saw Harry and Ginny entering the room; the camera's, Dennis' included were clicking and flashing away. A few steps behind them was Draco Malfoy alone and rolling his eyes at Harry. Then a big surprise entered the room when George Weasley and Pansy Parkinson entered behind Draco. She started to edge her way to them when a loud booming voice asked everyone to take their seats.
"Now we are all gathered here this evening to collect monies to keep our wonderful St. Mungos in operation another year."
Luna took her seat at the same table as Harry and Ginny. The man continued on for a good thirty minutes about how much he appreciated the kind donations being made this evening to such a fine establishment. Luna didn't have time to speak to either of them in between the applause and rambling of the portly mustached man.
"This evening Ms. Luna Lovegood of The Quibbler will honor us with a few words."
Slowly Luna rose from her seat; swallowing hard she hesitantly made her way to the podium. Standing at the podium she felt a lump rise in her throat. Her voice cracked a bit as she spoke to the crowd of people. She had no idea what was coming out of her mouth while she spoke; she was nervous and her palms were sweaty. She could hear her voice but that was about it, she kept focus on Mr. Weasley who was sitting at the very front table. His and Molly's smiling faces were so comforting to her. She was walking away from the podium and back to her seat when she came out of her trance. She sat back down and finished off her drink. Letting out her breath she smiled at Harry and Ginny, who were smiling back at her. She was starting to actually enjoy her evening.
The man at the podium made several more announcements of donors and such when he finally announced a donation that had been matched to what The Quibbler was donating. The man said that the donor preferred to have his identity withheld at the time being. Once all the clapping and wooing and ahhhing was over the crowd was dismissed to mingle. And pledge their donations at the back of the room. Luna talked with Harry and Ginny for a longtime as did Dennis. There was so much that had happened.
"Wow I can't believe there are so many people here tonight; I do hope that the hospital makes out well?" Luna stated then took a drink from her glass.
"Harry and I are engaged," Ginny said flashing the diamond on her finger in Luna's face. "So are Ron and Hermione, we are planning a double wedding."
"That why you took the break from Quidditch?" Luna asked taking Ginny's hand in hers to look at the sparkling gem on her finger.
"Yeah, and Harry is officially retiring this year too, it will be his last World Cup." Ginny looked positively elated.
"Bet that won't go over well with a lot of fan's Harry." Luna crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. She could see by the look on Harry's face he was ready to take a break from the demanding sport.
"There will be other's they can obsess about, besides I plan on going to work at the Ministry," he said. "And I can't take anymore of the hub-bub and keeping up experiences, like Ginny dating Malfoy."
"You dated Malfoy?" Luna asked in an odd tone.
"I would hardly call it dating," Ginny smiled. "We went to dinner a couple of times is all; he does own the Cannons now."
"He owns the Cannons?" Luna asked in disbelief. "When did that happen?"
"Near the end of last year," Harry answered, then picked up a piece of cheese from his plate. "Not a bad owner if you ask me."
"He is never around, except for a few games here and there, and then he never speaks to the team." Ginny laughed.
"Exactly," Harry said with a smile on his face.
"Viktor got married," stated Ginny.
"Wow to who?" she asked.
"Harry's old girlfriend, Cho Chang."
Luna nearly choked on her drink.
"Yeah that was our reaction too," Ginny smirked, and then raised her eyebrows in Harry's direction. "You have missed all the drama."
"I know, I am sorry you guys, it just has been so much pressure," she began, "I know I didn't see you guys much before hand, then when dad…" she trailed off.
"We understand," Harry took her hand. "It isn't as we have been beating down your doorstep, or where ever it is you find yourself these days."
Dennis strolled back over to the table. "Hey you guys squeeze in." He lifted his camera and motioned for the three of them to get closer. "Say Chocolate Frogs." He snapped the picture of the three of them sitting there together.
"Well if you ladies will excuse me I have some mingling to do," Harry said "You will keep in touch won't you," he kissed Luna on the cheek.
Ginny talked for what seemed like for ever as people Luna hadn't seen in quite sometime dropped by to say hello to her and see how she was doing. Ginny was gabbing away when she looked up to see Draco Malfoy leaned against the wall looking her way. Shortly they were joined by Hermione. She had so much to tell Luna and catch up with her on she began to talk as much as Ginny did. Dennis came back by and took another picture of the three of them. It was getting late and the guests were beginning to leave; Luna stood to give Hermione a hug as Ron came by and escorted her away.
"Please Luna, don't be a stranger, okay and I wanted to thank you for your donation to the Witch's Center," she hugged Luna again.
"I only do it because the best doctor I know works there," Luna smiled and winked at her.
Gazing around the room Luna summoned the server to bring her another drink. She had seen Kingsly Shacklebot and Mr. Weasley having a hearty chat. At the center of the room were many Ministry officials she had recognized, and they were all guffawing and patting each other on the backs. She did miss her dad at times like these; he was always very colorful on occasions like this.