Chapter 02

"Ron!"

I tumbled on the floor, groaning as I got attacked. Usually, I would have gotten defensive, maybe angry. I'd just finished the already-dizzying Floo trip, and the last thing I needed was to get tackled on the floor.

However, I couldn't get angry, really. Luna Lovegood was a hard person to get angry at, especially when she was younger, more bubbly, and less… well, looney. Plus, she gave some really good hugs.

"Oh, sorry, Ron!" she muttered shyly as she slowly stood up, offering me a hand. I just chuckled and accepted her help. Once we were both up, she tackled me again, but I was prepared this time, as she enveloped me in a warm hug. I returned it fully, petting her head absently. She hugged me tighter.

"Okay, need to breathe," I said a few seconds later as I let go. Luna smiled, then turned around towards the dining area of the Rookery.

"Mum! Ron's here!" she said.

I looked at the dinner table, and there she was: Pandora Lovegood. I felt my ears turn red at the sight of her in a form-fitting dress. I never saw her in my previous life, having only been introduced to Luna just after Pandora's death.

A death I was going to try, somehow, to prevent.

Pandora looked almost exactly like a grown-up Luna, though honestly, the former beat her daughter in the attractiveness department. Her hair was well-combed, lustrous with a hint of wave. She was also curvier than the adult Luna, and it showed with her dress.

"Um, hi, Mrs. Lovegood," I said, shyly, softly.

She gave me a warm smile. "Ronald. How are you?" I felt my ears burn even hotter.

"I'm okay," I replied. "Sorry to bother you."

"Oh, you're no bother at all," Pandora said.

"Come on," Luna said as she took my hand. "Mum's doing boring work again."

I'd been her friend in this life for almost two years, yet it still amazed me how different this Luna is compared to the one I was used to. My old Luna wouldn't grab your hand and lead you to her room. My old Luna wouldn't have spoken in straight normal sentences. Nor would she say more than a few words.

This Luna was very chatty.

"Dad's out again," she began. "He thinks he found a crumple-horned snorkack in Germany, but really, I think he went there because of the breweries. Also, Mum finally got the self-transfiguring vase working!"

"The one that changes colors?" I asked.

Luna nodded as she lead me towards the seating mats. "It can continuously change color every time you empty and refill it."

Grabbing a chess set, she placed it between us and sat in front of me, smiling.

"Um, Luna, we can always play something else," I said as I took the pieces and began arranging them.

"But I like playing chess with you, Ron," she replied, somewhat shyly again.

I smiled. "Thanks," I said with a small nod, "but we can do other things, you know. I always wanted to know how you made your butterbeer necklace."

Her face turned red, and for a moment I thought I hit a nerve. "You do?" she asked softly.

"You do it by hand, right?" I asked as I ordered my first pawn forward.

Luna nodded, then gave me another brilliant smile. "I'll show you later?"

"Awesome," I said. "Your turn, by the way."

Luna nodded again before ordering one of her pawns forward. I moved my Knight. "So," Luna said, "how's your dad's muggle car?"

Playing chess was a good way to think, especially when I wasn't really taking it seriously. Not that I was discounting her abilities. Luna played a mean game if you let her, and if I didn't have my experience, I would have a somewhat hard time beating her. As I talked about Dad's little project, I once again tried to recall details in regards of today.

Pandora's death was ruled as accidental. There wasn't much detail in the file, considering that the accident was because Pandora was creating a new spell until something went wrong, and it backfired on her. All I had was a day of the incident and the estimated time of the accident.

"Am I boring you, Ron?"

I blinked, and looked at Luna. Her eyes were narrowed. I recognized that look. Mostly from Hermione, but it was a common expression from females in general.

To get out of that particular spell range, you had to, one, evade softly. "Why? Do I look bored?"

"You look like you've been infested with Nargles," Luna commented suspiciously.

I blinked. "I haven't been under any mistletoes lately."

Luna laughed, an honest to goodness laugh that seemed to warm the air around her. "You do listen to Dad, don't you?"

"Well, it's one of the things he said that stood out," I lied. "Honestly, Luna, I think I have a lot on my mind." And two, smile charmingly. "Forgive me?"

She nodded, smiling slightly. "You're forgiven." After a moment, she suddenly said, "You're going to Hogwarts next year."

"Yeah," I said. There was something odd in her tone that had me watching her.

"I can't go until the year after."

Okay, I now could see her frown. I had been accused, multiple times, of having the emotional range of a teaspoon. Thankfully, I think I have finally graduated to a tablespoon.

"Hey, hey," I said as I shifted towards her. She looked at me, surprised as I opened my arms. She smiled as she gave me a hug. "I'll still see you in the summer. I'll write as well. And maybe have the twins owl you a toilet."

Luna snorted, giggling. I never really got what was so funny about that, but hey, it worked with Ginny. I was glad it worked with Luna as well.

"You promise?" she asked.

"You actually want a toilet from Hogwarts?"

Luna laughed again. "I mean, do write."

"Of course," I promised. "Though, really, it's just school. I mean, what's really to talk about?"

"Well, you can tell me any new friends you get," Luna reasoned. "The teachers as well. And maybe you can also write about the Potter-Who-Lived."

The thought of seeing Harry again had me smiling inwardly. Here was a chance to be a better friend to him. Still, the Potter-Who-Lived title was still something threw me off as it was definitely something different from what I remembered. Even my family used it, and I couldn't get over it. Honestly, the Boy-Who-Lived was a much better title but it was a little unimportant, really. I did wonder which title Harry would find more amusing, though.

To Luna, I replied, "Ah, yeah, he's supposed to go to Hogwarts this year, right? I don't know Luna. He'll probably be some normal bloke who probably doesn't like the whole fame he has."

Luna let me go, looking at me oddly.

"What?" I asked.

"You're very silly, Ron."

"Maybe," I chuckled, taking a glance on the wall clock. "Hey, Luna, I think I forgot something downstairs. I'll be quick, okay?"

"Do you have to?" she asked.

I nodded. "I'll be back before the Nargles come back."

Luna actually slapped me gently on the shoulder. That was pretty new. "Hurry up so we can finish the game. Then we can do some necklaces."

"Sounds good," I said as I stood. Exiting her room, I shouted back, "Don't move any pieces!"

"I'm not a cheat!" she replied good-naturedly.

A quick flight down the stairs, I looked for Pandora. This was Plan A: to forewarn her somehow without giving away the fact that I was knowledgeable of her potential death. However, I couldn't see her anywhere.

I tried to look outside, see if she was in the grounds. Seeing no one, I began to work on the process of Plan B. I tried to recall the file once more on the specific location of Pandora's workshop. The Rookery was basically a tower that resembled a rook chess piece, with Luna's room on the third floor. If I remembered correctly, the files mostly stated that the incident happened at the basement.

Plan B was to, somehow, prevent Pandora from successfully doing any type of spellweaving. I pondered over it for a moment. I was never really confident in Plan B. It would take some real knowledge of Arithmancy—the study that allowed wizards to break down existing spells and make new ones—and Runes—the study and linking of magical symbols that were used as a means to create static magical effects—to, at least, safely and obviously sabotage the workshop.

Unless Pandora was one of those witches that were mad enough to continue using an unsafe workshop, which I highly doubted. Then again, I'd been wrong before.

While I didn't study either of them back in Hogwarts, Auror training did have a quick review on both subjects, though mostly concentrated on how to bring down wards, which used both those studies. Hopefully, what rudimentary knowledge I had would be enough to force Pandora to delay her spell testing.

Like I said, Plan B wasn't something I liked. It relied a little too much on luck, and didn't prevent Pandora from trying again. Plus if I got caught messing with her lab, my mum would raise hell. I silently hoped I could pull off the 'I Didn't Know Better' look. Sometimes, I was glad about being a kid.

I looked around if there was supposed to be a trap door going down the basement, or some sort of door that led to a stairway. I opened a few doors, with no such luck. Then finally, I struck gold.

I descended another set of stairs before stopping cold as I felt a powerful wave of magic washing over me. It sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't malevolent like a dark spell, but its power made my hair rise. It didn't help that it came out in pulses that seemed to get faster and faster.

This was wrong. There shouldn't have been any magical activity unless—

I ran down the last few steps, and I came to a scene that froze my blood.

Pandora was lying just near the perimeter of a semi-transparent magical wall, facing me. Her eyes widened when she spotted me, her mouth moving. No sound came out.

Idiot! I berated myself as I ran up as fast as I could. Of course the details on the file weren't going to be completely accurate! Everything would have been recorded when the authorities came by, and the only witness would have been Luna, who had been devastated after just seeing her mother dying. I relied too much on that information!

Or, I wondered darkly, was it my presence that had accelerated her experimentation? Did I, inadvertently, send Pandora Lovegood to an earlier grave?

I scooped up Floo Powder as I came to the fireplace and threw it to the red flames. When the green flames sprouted, I shouted the universal statement to get the Department of Magical Law Enforcement here as soon as possible.

"Help! I need help at the Rookery now!"

I think I might have heard my name, but I ignored it as I ran down to the basement once again. When Pandora saw me again, she looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite understand. It looked like relief, worry, and apprehension at the same time.

As I neared the magical wall, I gently placed my hand towards the it. I hoped it was a stable barrier, and not one of the ones that had nasty surprises like the ones found in any Death Eater home. On contact, I felt something solid and warm; thankfully, no shocks or curses.

Pandora couldn't stand up, apparently. She kept mouthing something then pointing towards the floor. I kneeled down, taking a closer look. Just outside the barrier were symbols carved on the rock—runes. I pointed towards one, and looked at Pandora. She quickly shook her head, pointed towards another symbol. Then, she pointed, weakly towards the wall.

There, I saw a few rune-carvers neatly arranged in a row. Quickly realizing what she wanted, I grabbed it and made my way towards the symbol she had pointed out earlier. I looked at her, and to my horror, she was thin, almost emaciated. Her warm eyes that had been filled with life looked frosted and her skin looked even paler.

I didn't even think about it anymore. Auror training kicked in as I heard my Instructor's voice on what I should do next.

I didn't know what the Rune she pointed out meant. However, I knew that it was important enough for Pandora to point out. A sliver of doubt came to me, wondering if I was doing the right thing. If I was wrong, I could potentially destabilize the ward, causing an explosion that would kill me, Pandora, and possibly Luna.

I'd already called the DMLE. The Aurors should be on their way. The safe bet was to wait for more experienced and detached wizards or witches to do this properly. Yet, seeing as the woman trapped behind the barrier looked near death and unresponsive, I didn't know if that was the right thing to do anymore. If the Aurors were late, Luna would grow up without a mother. A mother she dearly loved.

And I wouldn't be able to look at her straight in the eye if I let that happen.

I drew a circle around the rune that Pandora had pointed out earlier using the rune-carver, isolating the rune from the ward design. I half expected a sudden explosion if of magic as soon as the lines were connected, but the barrier just fell without fanfare and the pulse of magic finally stopped.

"Mrs. Lovegood!" I shouted as I knelt down in front of her. I went for her hand, checking on her wrist for a life sign. It felt weak, but still present. I sighed, then looked over her once more. She still looked unhealthily thin, but at least there was some color coming back to her complexion. "Mrs. Lovegood, can you hear me?"

Silence was my answer. My stomach seemed to do a Wronski Feint. Did I save her, or inevitably became the one responsible to her death? I tried to go over my head on any first-aid I could give, but nothing came up. I don't think treating it like Pandora was hit by a blood-draining curse was going to help, and even if it did, I didn't have a wand with me.

There was a scream that echoed down the stairway, and my eyes widened as I recognized it. It was Luna's. Then, another set of shouts came through as well, but this one had me breathing easier.

"Aurors! Aurors!"

"Down here!" I shouted. "I need help!"

Stomping boots echoed through the stairway, and after a moment, I was met with lit wands of two Aurors that I didn't recognize. Raising my hand to cover from the glare, I said, "Please, I don't know what happened! Mrs. Lovegood isn't responding!"

"Merlin," a female Auror said. "Call St. Mungo's! We have a downed witch!"

Her partner nodded and turned back up towards the stairs. The female Auror knelt down beside me, her now-unlit wand waving over Pandora. I recognized the wand movement as a basic diagnostic charm.

"What's your name?" the Auror asked without looking at me.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley," I said automatically.

She started at me, surprised. "You're Arthur's son?"

I nodded.

"I'm Auror Lynn," she said. "Ronald, can I call you that?" She continued after I nodded. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"I was playing with Luna upstairs, but I wanted to get my quill," I began. I may have stuttered a bit to sell it a bit more, but honestly, my nervousness wasn't completely fake. "I couldn't find it, so I was looking for Mrs. Lovegood. Maybe she knew where it was. I looked for her, and I saw a room going down, so I thought she was there. I saw her behind this bright wall! I couldn't go through it. She was looking really bad, so I ran and Floo'd for help!"

Something heavy settled into my stomach. I followed Auror procedure instinctually, but I wondered if I should have freed Pandora first. Seeing her almost like a skeleton made me shiver.

"It's okay, son," Lynn said as she draped her arm supportively around my trembling shoulders. "What happened next?"

"I came back down, and she was pointing towards one of the runes on the floor," I continued, internally wincing. I was ten. Should I know about Runes at that age? "She also pointed towards the wall. Saw a blade. I didn't know what she wanted me to do. Then, I remembered my older brother talking about runes. So, I… wrote a circle around the one she pointed."

I didn't know how to pull the innocent eye look, so I settled for guilt I was already feeling about Pandora's condition, and lying to a fellow Auror.

"Did I do right?" I whispered.

Lynn smiled softly towards me. "You did good, son. You did good."

Healers, easily identified by their lime-green robes with the bone and wand symbols, suddenly began to descend the stairs. Lynn helped me up, her arms still around my shoulders. I remembered her soothingly tell me that everything was going to be fine.

Luna was more devastated, which made me feel more guilty as she looked as Healers and Mediwizards floated the unconscious Pandora up the stairway. Seeing me, she quickly came to us.

"Ron!" she said, tears flowing freely from her eyes. "What happened? Where are they taking Mum?"

I could only do what I thought felt right, and gave her a hug. She accepted it and began to sob on my shoulder. "I don't know," I replied. "I don't know."

"Ms. Lovegood," Lynn called beside me. Letting her go, Luna looked at the Auror. "There was an accident, but thankfully, we got to your mum in time. We're taking her to St. Mungo's. You know where that is?"

Luna nodded.

"Is your daddy around?" Lynn asked gently. When Luna shook her head, the Auror nodded. "We'll get in contact with him as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I need you to come with us to the hospital with your mum, okay?"

I absently nodded, knowing this was standard procedure. Luna looked more frightened and unsure, so I gave her another hug to reassure her. "We'll wait for your dad there. He'll know what to do."

Luna could only nod blankly.

A stasis spell was casted on Pandora, probably to allow safe travel via Floo. Once she and the Healers went through, Lynn gently prodded us gently through as well.

I wasn't too intimidated as we were escorted through St. Mungo's, but Luna looked absolutely lost. I held her hand, murmuring some reassurance as we were escorted just outside the room Pandora. Luna began to cry again. It was a little uncomfortable. I had never seen Luna this down before. My old Luna had this quiet confidence that nothing in the world could hurt her. This one was so different.

I was a little lost. I could only squeeze her small hands a bit more tightly.

I looked at Lynn as she also gave Luna a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder, thankful that I got a lucky draw when I received an empathetic and female auror.

Apparently, graduating to the emotional range of a tablespoon wasn't nearly enough to comfort a very hurt friend.

We waited—I didn't know how long as it could have been hours—until a Mediwizard finally went out of the room. Luna's eyes widened and took a step forward, almost lurching me forward as she held on my hand.

"Is Mum okay?" she asked, her breath hitching.

The Mediwizard gave her a nod. "She's fine."

That was all Luna needed to hear. I was enveloped in a rather warm and crushing hug. Luna didn't stop crying though, and the only thing I could do was pat her on the back.

I didn't know how long we stayed in place. I didn't know how long before Xenophilius Lovegood appeared, with my dad in tow. The former hugged his daughter, and the latter patted my head. He whispered that I was a hero, that I saved Pandora's life. That I should be proud.

I was. I gave Luna her mom back. For the first time, I realized that I saved Pandora. Watching Luna and Xenophilius crying, I wondered once more if I did the right thing by changing this. Then, Luna glanced at my direction, and gave me the brightest smile I've seen from her. The tears streaming down her face didn't do anything to detract it.

I could only nod back and smile.