Title: A George Bailey Complex

Series: Winter Tidings

Author: Jmaria

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Joss and JK own all

Spoilers: season 6 and book 5

A/N: FFA #95 Tara McClay / Luna Lovegood, but it's not a slash pairing, sorry to disappoint.

A George Bailey Complex

She lifted her scarf over her mouth, blocking out the searing cold gust of wind. She really despised winter some days. The streets were covered in snow as she pushed her way through it. Stupid weather forecasting witch, the silly woman had gotten it all wrong. Sunny yet chilly, her arse. It was near blizzard conditions and there was no sight of the sun in hours.

The things she did for a story. The things she did to get away from him. No, there would be no dwelling on that painful subject. Crumple-horned Snorlacks. That was what she was after, no matter what the personal cost.

But a sighting in the middle of a busy shopping district? Even she knew that was reaching.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she barely noticed the blonde woman in front of her until it was far too late. Plowing into her, she collided heavily with the snow packed ground.

"Are you ok?" A timid voice asked.

"Well, as soon as I get off the ground, I suppose I shall be -" Luna stopped and turned her eyes up at the woman. "I - I thought you fell as well?"

"No." She shook her head, "I managed to grab on. You know, to the windowsill." She pointed toward the display window behind her before reaching for Luna's hand. "Here, let me help you up."

"I'm usually not this clumsy." Luna took the hand and pushed her other hand back into the snow for leverage.

"Oh, no. It was completely my fault. Let me treat you to a coffee." The blonde offered. "I'm Tara McClay, by the way. Please, let me get you a coffee. It's the least I can do."

Luna tried to remember the alias Hermione had warned her to memorize, that the Ministry had given her. But she was cold, wet, and tired.

"I'm Luna Lovegood."

"So, do you want so coffee or tea? You're British, and so was Mr. Giles and he really preferred tea to coffee." A wistfully sad smile played on her lips. "There's a Starbucks, right up there." She pointed.

The wind gusted harder at her damp clothing, and Luna decided to take the offer. Luna followed, remembering the last time she'd had Starbucks. It'd been with Hermione at the Salem Academy that autumn, on her research on the variant forms of magic for the Ministry. It had been a Pumpkin Spice Latte, that reminded her of hot Pumpkin Juice back home. Unfortunately, it was a seasonal drink, so she settled for a Gingerbread flavored drink.

"So, where are you from in England?" Tara asked as she sat down at a table at the rear of the shop.

"Devon, in the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. And you?"

"Here. I lived in Sunnydale for a few years, but there were . . . complications."

"Why does that name sound familiar?" Luna murmured. "Complications?" Her journalistic intrigue was piqued at this.

"Someone - passed away." Tara said softly.

"Oh, I -"

"No, it's okay." Tara cutting off her apology. "It was a long time ago. So, what do you do?"

"Investigative journalist. And you?"

"Counselor, of sorts."

"Of sorts?"

"Have you ever seen the movie It's a Wonderful Life?" Tara asked, smiling softly.

"No, is it new?" Luna asked distractedly.

"No, it's an older movie. But my job is similar to the character Clarence."

"And what does this Clarence do?"

"Well, he's a guardian angel."

Luna shook her head, not sure if she'd heard correctly. Tara smiled brightly, nodding at Luna's stare.

"Okay."

"You need to go to him tonight, Luna."

"Him?"

"Yes, he needs you."

"He who?"

"Luna, go to Harry. If you give up on him, then he'll give up on - it won't be good Luna."

"Why?"

"Trust me, if you're not with him tonight something horrible will happen. Something that happened to the one I loved with all my heart when I died." Tears shone in her eyes. "He really does love you."

"I know."

"Then why -" Tara gave her a confused look.

"Am I in the middle of America instead in England with him?" Luna sighed. "Well, I wasn't ready to commit my life to being Mrs. Harry Potter."

"Yet you're the only one who truly sees him."

"And he's the only one who really sees you."

"Yes."

Harry stared at the fireplace, when the pop sounded behind him. Grabbing his wand and jumping to his feet, he turned to face - Luna?

"Hello, Harry. Coffee?" She held out a steaming cup to him.

"Luna. I thought you were in the States." Harry's brow furrowed.

"Yes, well, the Crumple-horned Snorlack sighting in the States was just a dead end. Just like most of those leads I've been chasing for the past three months. And I missed you." She smiled, handing him the cup and setting her own down on the table.

"So you're home for good?" Harry asked softly.

"Yes." She smiled before Harry pulled her into his arms. "Harry?"

"What?"

"Have you ever seen It's a Wonderful Life?"

Tara smiled as she watched Luna smile. And as the bell on Hedwig's collar tinkled, an angel got her wings.