Flying on her broom in the mid-morning sunshine, Luna was reminded of the old days before Hogwarts, where she had spent most of her time flying around the countryside. Her soapy bottom made it hard to stay on the broom, just like before. She had never been a terribly good flier, and she fell off quite a bit even now, but whether that was from lack of skill, or from a tendency to daydream, she didn't know.
When she arrived at the Burrow, Harry, Ginny and Ron sitting on the front stoop.
"Luna!" Harry cried, getting up to greet her, "I'm so glad you could come!"
He was smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, which stayed cold and sad.
"I'm also quite glad," Luna patted him on the shoulder and went to sit beside Ginny, "It's nice to know I haven't been forgotten."
They all looked taken aback.
"You though we had forgotten you?" Ginny said incredulously.
Ron snorted. "As if we could."
"It was partly because of your family that we were even able to put a stop to all of this!" Harry said almost angrily, "How could you think we had forgotten you?"
Luna shrugged, "It happens. You are Harry Potter after all."
"Because being famous is a first for me." Harry spat.
"Look, stop it." Ginny commanded, "Luna, you know we wouldn't forget you, ever. You're one of our best friends. And Harry, don't over react."
"Sorry."
"Me too."
"Well come on then." Ron said, getting to his feet "Hermione's not due back for another half hour, and Mum's getting lunch ready. I reckon we should go help her."
And so they trooped back inside.
The Burrow was no different than usual, except for the permanently gloomy atmosphere. The space was cramped, but still cozy and warm. Molly Weasley stood beside the stove, overseeing the self-preparing sandwiches. She was using her wand to levitate articles of clothing from the enormous stack of laundry into individual piles.
"You'll be returning home today dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked – after firmly convincing them she needed no assistance – and peered at Luna who was hidden behind a mountain of blue jeans.
"Yes." Luna replied making herself visible.
"Good then, since we're low on rooms," said Mrs. Weasley getting back to work "The Longbottoms are arriving tonight, since they're home was destroyed by the Death Eaters, and we'll need all the space we can get. Harry is staying with Ron; Neville can take Percy's old room; Charlie has his; Hermione can stay with Ginny. That leaves Mrs. Longbottom to take Fre – " she stopped, silent tears suddenly cascaded from her eyes, "I m-m-mean she can t-take G-G-George's r-room."
The ironed blouse that hovered in mid-air crashed to the floor, as Mrs. Weasley whole body began to shake with sobs. Ginny was at her side in a second, but Luna noticed tear streaks on her face as well. Harry's arm was around Ron's shoulders as Ron leaned up against him. The laundry pile shuddered, then collapsed.
Luna felt quite alone.
It wasn't as if she didn't feel sadness. She just had better ways of controlling her grief. After Luna's mother past away, nothing seemed worth her tears anymore. Yet she could empathize with the Weasley family. Fred Weasley had been a friend, but what about all the other brave souls who perished in the Battle of Hogwarts? Crying would not bring them back. Her memory flickered back to when she had heard the voices behind the veil...
Luna waved her wand and the laundry slowly floated back into a stack.
Mrs. Weasley's sobs had diminished into hiccups when Hermione burst through the Burrow door. Her hair was even bushier than usual, and she looked like she hadn't slept in days. A small beaded purse was clutched in her hands.
"Oh!" she gasped when she realized the situation. Pausing in the doorway for a second she rushed to comfort Mrs. Weasley. With her wand, she instantly warmed a cup of old tea and thrust it into Mrs. Weasley's trembling hands. Then Hermione and Ginny led to her bedroom. And the five of them were alone in the silent living room.
Ginny slumped onto the sofa.
"Mum and George are having the hardest time coping." She said miserably, "We're been trying to smile a bit and get on with life, it was what F–Fred would have wanted…"
They all looked away for a moment, Luna's eyes coming to rest on the latest issue of the Quibbler. Ron noticed her.
"Yeah, loved that edition," he said, almost grinning, "Got quite a laugh from the Whooper article didn't we Harry?"
Harry chuckled quietly. "Xeno Lovegood really – "
Hermione cut him off.
"Luna, tell me you don't believe any of the rubbish?! Whalloping Whooper disease indeed…!"
"Daddy publishes important stories that the public needs to know," Luna said a little coldly "He isn't limited to one point of view."
"But you were there!" Hermione cried, her voice getting higher and higher, "You saw Harry kill Voldemort! HOW can you possibly – "
"Seeing is not always believing."
"That's the silliest thing I've ever heard!"
"Precisely why you're not in Ravenclaw."
"And what is that supposed to mean?!"
But the argument was lost under the spasms of laughter coming from the three bystanders. Ginny tried to muffle her giggling into the large wool blanket; Ron sniggered, smirking; and Harry, his head in his hands, was chuckling.
Hermione's face was pink and she looked thoroughly exasperated with Luna, who was smiling brightly, pleased to have lightened the mood. She looked at Hermione and raised one pale eyebrow, and Hermione had no choice but to laugh as well.
How silly they sounded! Luna had never actually said that she agreed with the odd articles in her father's magazine, but toying with another's narrow mind, especially Hermione's, had been amusing. It wasn't really Hermione's fault she was so narrow-minded anyway. Unless, of course, there was some secret conspiracy to bring down the Quibbler and all who stood by it… which was quite a reasonable idea in Luna's mind.
"Where were you, Hermione?" Luna asked suddenly.
"What? Oh! I was in Australia with my mother and father. I had their memories modified to keep them safe from the Death Eaters. They were a bit peeved at me, but I think I'm forgiven. It was for them after all."
"That was a very clever idea!" Luna looked at her with genuine admiration.
Hermione looked a little taken aback by the sudden change in tone.
They were all having so much fun that they hardly noticed the sun sinking lower and lower in the sky.
"Oh dear," said Luna, getting up when she noticed the clock. Its hand had moved to 'You're Late' before going back to 'Visitors Arriving'.
"At least stay 'till Neville arrives," Harry pleaded with her, "He'll be glad to see you."
"Hmm…" Luna thought for a moment, "I guess Daddy won't really mind"
"But Mum will," Ron muttered under his breath.
At that moment, Mrs. Weasley bustled into the room, looking much better than before.
"You're still here, dear?" she asked nervously.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley, I'll apparate her home later." Harry reasurred her.
