AN: Hey guys sorry this is a tad late, life has gotten a bit busy as of late. Next weeks will probably be a little late too but hopefully not too much.

Chapter 4- Family Dinners

Sundays. The shop was closed and Ron was able to sleep in. It really was the best day of the week. Like always his Mum had set out breakfast on never cooling plates so each member still at home could come at their leisure and Ron could fill his plate, go up to his room to listen to the Chudley Cannons on the radio.

Happily, Ron stretched out on his bed, plate in his lap full to the brim with food, and began searching the radio on his nightstand for the game. As he turned the dial he couldn't help but glance at the silver pocket watch sitting there. He hadn't touched it since the night before.

"Welcome wizards and witches to today's game! I am your host Conrad Finchly and this is my co-host, as always, Richard Alcott."

"Please Fitch, how many times have I told you to call me Dick?" Ron snorted like every Sunday.

"Every time. Now before we get started today, how about that Holyhead Harpies game yesterday?"

"Wasn't it something else? That Ginny Weasley sure is something isn't she?"

"I see a Rookie of the Year nomination in her future for sure!"

"Perhaps even Chaser of the Year, Conrad!"

At that point Ron began blocking out the pregame chatter as he picked up the watch. He ran his thumb over the top before clicking it open once again staring at himself in the small mirror inside. He wanted to talk to Luna. He hadn't stopped thinking about it, about her, since yesterday but wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to him. He did, however, have to test the two-way mirrors though. It was a good excuse as any.

He reached over and turned down the volume on the radio before directing his attention back to the watch. He took a deep breath but her name only came out in a murmur, "Luna Lovegood."

The small mirror clouded with fog. Ron stared at it intently, holding his breath, each moment felt like an hour but nothing came. His shoulders sagged and he was about to snap the watch shut when her voice came through,

"Ronald?"

"Luna, hey," Ron smiled at the mirror, her face appearing in the small space.

"I tried to get a hold of you last night. I feared the mirrors didn't work," She explained, smiling at him.

"Well I'm glad they do. For Mr. Nelson's sake."

"So test one complete, yes? We know they work."

"Yeah. What's test two then?"

"Talking of course."

"Do you want to talk then? Now I mean, I'm free," The moment the request left his mouth he felt nervous. She could completely reject him.

"That would be nice. I like talking to you." She smiled at him and he beamed, a bit shocked, really.

"I can't imagine why." Ron shrugged, hoping not to give away how happy he actually was by the revelation. He couldn't understand in the slightest why his reaction was so strong.

"I can," Luna replied brightly.

He chuckled, "Of course you can. I think it's abundantly clear you have a better imagination than I do."

"Perhaps," She said with a vague smile.

A few moments of silence passed before Ron spoke, "So… what are you up too?"

"I'm designing the cover for next month's Quibbler. What do you think?" Luna said turning the mirror to show a colorful sketch. Ron couldn't really tell what was going on with each shape lined out in a different bright color but he smiled anyways.

"I like it. What's it going to be about?" Ron asked curiously, the image in the mirror turning back to her smiling face.

"Hopefully the blibbering humdinger migration in Belgium. My father is leaving in an hour to follow up on a lead."

"Luna, darling, have you seen my humdinger net?" As if on cue her father appeared behind her.

"Sorry, no, I haven't," Luna turning to her father.

"Oh that's alright, I'll just keep looking," Mr. Lovegood kissed her head and then seemed to notice the mirror she was holding, "What's this? Is that Ronald Weasley?"

"Hello, sir," Ron mumbled, feeling uncomfortable as Mr. Lovegood leaned closer to get a better look at the mirror.

"Well, isn't this just brilliant! Luna, where'd you get it?" Mr. Lovegood exclaimed, pulling back.

"I'm helping Ronald test the mirrors as a possible product for his shop. They seem to be working."

"I would say so. And look at this," Mr. Lovegood picked up her sketch of the Quibbler cover, "It's fantastic Luna, such a talent." Luna beamed at her father as he turned to look back at Ron through the mirror, "Sorry I can't stay and chat, but I must finish packing before the portkey leaves. Luna, I meant to ask, will you be alright tonight? I'm sorry I wasn't able to grab you a spot of dinner. I got so-"

"It's alright, Daddy. I'll manage." Luna cut off her father kindly and patted him on the arm.

"If you insist," Mr. Lovegood sighed, smiling at his daughter before clapping his hands together. "Now I must find that net! Good day to you Ronald. And Luna I'll be leaving in twenty minutes so we'll say goodbyes then."

"Okay," Luna smiled.

"Good day to you too Mr…" Ron started but then trailed off as her father had already taken off. Luna turned back to him with a smile and Ron sighed. Watching her with her father, Mr. Lovegood so bright and happy, completely different from the distraught mess they found him in back in the middle of the Horcrux Hunt. Suddenly Ron began to begrudgingly understand why Mr. Lovegood did what he did. All he wanted was Luna, the light of his life, backand could Ron really blame him? The thought caused him to wonder just how far he'd go to keep her in his life. The unexpected strength of his answer unsettled him.

"Ronald? Are you alright?" Luna's lilted voice broke through his thoughts.

"Sorry?" He asked, returning to her.

"You looked very far away, and a little frightened," She commented, turning his ears hot and red.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it. So you're father said you needed dinner?" He asked, in hopes to get them off the subject as quickly as possible.

"He was going to get something for me to eat later but he forgot, gets lost in his own head sometimes. There's no need to worry, Ronald. As I told him, I'll manage."

"Well, why don't you just have dinner here tonight?"

"It's alright, Ronald, really. That's quite sweet of you but I don't want to impose."

"Rubbish! My mum won't mind one extra person. Come on, it's better than eating alone, right?"

Luna paused, appearing to be slightly conflicted before she smiled at him. "Alright, but only if you're sure your Mum won't mind."

"I'm sure," Ron beamed.

"I absolutely do mind! Have you completely forgotten it's Sunday, Ronald Weasley?" His mother said sharply while checking the food on the stove.

"Yeah I did. I'm sorry, but please?" Ron asked as his mother signed. "Come on, she's Ginny's friend too."

His mother put her hands on her hips and stared him down for a few moments before huffing again, "Fine but you're setting the table. The Muggle way, mind you. The last thing I need are knives flying about. Oh and everyone will be here, including George. He told me so this morning."

"I can do that," Ron said, relieved, and began setting the table for the "Weekly Weasley Family Dinner". Every Sunday all the family members that could come would and have dinner together. Everyone except for Charlie, him being so far away, usually came, even George on his good days. His mother began the tradition after the war with most everyone moved out. For the most part it was a good thing, kept them all together.

After Ron finished setting the table, family began arriving. First Dad came in from working outside, then Percy and George, Ginny, Bill and his extremely pregnant wife, Fleur (who Ron was convinced might pop any moment), and then finally Luna arrived.

Ron opened the kitchen door at the sound of a soft knock, smiling at the sight of Luna standing there in her colorful clothes, wand tucked behind her ear, and a bright knitted bag slung over her shoulder that seemed to depict the image of a sunny, clear sky over a meadow.

"Hey, Luna, why don't we go around to the living room? It's mad in the kitchen," Ron offered as he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

"Okay," She smiled at him as they began to walk through the garden to the other side of the house.

"Look, uh… I forgot when I asked you here that my entire family would be over for dinner as well. I hope that's alright," Ron admitted.

"I don't mind."

"I mean if it isn't I completely understand. You can save yourself now and…" He laughed nervously before her words took hold, "Wait, what? You're fine with it?"

"Of course I am, Ronald. I think your family is lovely." She smiled and Ron couldn't stop his snort of laughter. He certainly didn't think they were so 'lovely', at least most of the time.

"Well alright, you can't say I didn't warn you," He joked and she smiled.

"I'm sure it will be quite enjoyable," She said, putting a little skip in her step.

Ron chuckled. "Well if anyone could make it fun, it'd be you," Ron told her smiling, and then felt his ears turn the brightest of reds. He hid his face from her as he opened the door to the living room and muttered, "Come on in."

"Thank you, Ronald." She smiled as she walked by him through the door. He could feel the flush of his ears move to his face.

"Yeah… er, welcome," He mumbled under his breath as he followed her in. They were immediately met with the curious faces of George, Bill, Fleur, and Percy in the living room. "Er… hey. You all remember Luna, right? Her dad's out of town tonight so she's joining us for dinner."

The four of them exchanged very surprised looks before Bill finally spoke up, "Well, it's nice to have you, Luna."

"Thank you, William," Luna said smiling, and Ron grinned at their bewildered faces at her using his full name, a trait Ron had quite grown to like. When nobody else spoke Luna turned to him, "Ronald? Where is your mother? I have a hostess gift for her."

"You got uh… what?" Ron blinked at her.

"A gift, as a thank you for having me over."

"Oh uh… well, she should be in the kitchen then. This way," Ron said directing her towards the kitchen. Stepping inside it was as mad as Ron knew it would be. Plates of food were flying from the counter to the table as his mother jumped between the remaining pots on the stove. Ron cleared his throat before he called, "Mum?"

"Yes Ron? I am quite busy here," His mother said over her shoulder.

"Luna's here," He said and she immediately dropped what she was doing.

"Oh! Hello Luna, we're glad to have you," His mother smiled, smoothing out her apron.

Luna grinned back, "Thank you for having me Mrs. Weasley. I brought you a gift."

"Honestly dear, you didn't have to do that," His mother said smiling as Luna dug around in her bag.

"I made it myself. It helps keep away the Nargles." The smile quickly faded from his mother's face when Luna pulled out a colorful Butterbeer cork necklace, not unlike her own.

"Oh, it's…Erm," His mother looked desperately to Ron for help, he only responded with a pointed nod and a small smile. His mother forced a grin as she turned back to Luna, "Well it's—lovely, dear. Thank you."

Luna was about to speak again when Ron's father burst into the kitchen from the living room, covered in dust from the shed, a black stain was on his shirt pocket. Ron couldn't be sure what it was but it looked an awful lot like ink.

"Arthur! You're a mess!" Molly cried seeing him.

"But Molly, look! Perkins showed this to me. The Muggles call it a pen!" Arthur exclaimed holding up a small cylindrical object.

"A pen?" Molly asked, raising her eyebrow skeptically.

"Yes! It's like a quill but it holds ink! No need to dip it in an ink well! Brilliant, isn't it? Ingenious they are, Muggles!" Ron couldn't help his small smile at his father's excitement over the silliest things.

"Is that what you have all over your shirt? Ink? Arthur, I told you we're about to start dinner and Luna is already here."

Arthur's smile fell a little as he seemed to finally notice the others standing in the room, his eyes landing on Ron and Luna.

"Oh! Hello! Sorry about that," Arthur smiled sheepishly at them, putting the pen quickly into his pocket.

"It's alright, Mr. Weasley. I think it's fascinating too," Luna smiled at him.

"You do?" Arthur asked bewildered.

"Of course. Muggles think of all sorts of fascinating things. Like how they put little statues in their lawns. Unfortunately they don't know that doing so drives off the blibbering humdingers which are quite beneficial."

Ron smiled at her as his parents just gapped, stunned by what they heard, until finally his father perked up.

"I think I've got a few of those statues out in the shed!"

"I would love to see them," Luna smiled.

"Really? You would? Well…" Arthur beamed, "Right this way then."

His father then promptly led Luna back through the living room and out the back door. Ginny passing them on their way out with a curious look as Luna gave her a wave. Ron stayed in the kitchen with little to do but shake his head, a small smile on his face.

"Arthur, don't forget to change your shirt for dinner!" His mother called after him before muttering to herself, "Oh, why do I even bother?"

"Looks like Dad found a new best friend," Ginny mused as she came into the kitchen, "So, Mum, you never said. Why is Luna here?"

"I thought you knew dear. Ron invited her."

Ginny's eyes cut to Ron as her eyebrows shot up. He felt his ears start to go red as he shrugged. Her brown eyes narrowed before she spoke again, "Are you and Luna-?"

"Never mind that. Dinner will be in twenty. Go wash up, the both of you," their mother ordered and knowing better than to argue they both quickly left the kitchen, Ron avoiding Ginny and her pestering all the way.

Running a little late as they always did, dinner began thirty minutes later. It was quiet with only the clinking of silverware and small talk about work and the weather.

"Luna? Ron said your father haz gone out of town, yes?" Fleur asked in her accented English, becoming the first to address their guest directly since dinner started.

"Yes, he went to Belgium to study the blibbering humdinger migration," Luna said simply, confusing at the rest of the table.

"Blibbering humdinger?" Bill asked hesitantly.

"They're rather curious creatures, almost like a cross between a bird and an insect that makes a small humming sound."

Everyone but Ron exchanged amused looks and Percy muffled a snort before speaking, "Are these 'humdingers' anything like, oh what were they… grumbling dimples?"

"Gulping plimpies," Luna corrected, "And no, they're not much like them at all."

"I mean in the sense that there's no evidence for them. I've never seen any official documentation of a humdinger or a gulping plimpy," Percy said matter-of-factly.

"There has been plenty of sightings documented by my father in the Quibbler," Luna said her usual lofty tone becoming more firm.

"Right, of course," Percy said dismissively as he cut his food.

Ron felt something in his chest spark. "Bloody hell, Percy. We live in a world with three-headed dogs and fire-breathing dragons. Who's to say there isn't such thing as a blibbering humdinger or a gulping plimpy or… or even a Crumple-Horned Snorkack?"

Everyone, including Luna, stared at him in mild surprise until his mother's head whipped around to shoot a look at Percy who promptly looked down before muttering, "I suppose you're right. Sorry."

Usually that would've been enough for Ron, someone admitting he was right, but not this time. "It's not me you should be apologizing too."

Percy's eyes met his in surprise then turned he his gaze to Luna, "I'm sorry. That was rude."

She smiled vaguely not quite meeting any of their eyes, "It's quite alright. I'm used to it."

There was a long, pregnant pause before everyone went quietly back to their meals. Ron glanced over at Luna and for the first time he was able to read the look she was giving him. 'Thank you.' He smiled at her and she gave him a small smile in return before looking back at her plate, both of them failing to notice the rest of the table sharing curious looks of their own.

After dinner the family dispersed as usual, Fleur and Bill went to the living room so she could relax for a while before flooing home having Percy and Arthur to keep them company while the rest of the family helped clean up. Luna, even though Mrs. Weasley had insisted she was a guest and didn't need to help, aided Ron in picking up the plates and cutlery on the table. She would smile as she passed what she had collected to Ron, who passed it to George who brought it to their mother at the sink where they were magically being washed then put away by Ginny.

"Last one," Luna said, handing Ron the final small stack of plates.

He smiled at her before turning to George, "Last one."

George took the stack with a nod and walked back to their mother, "Last one, Mum," he said.

"Thank you, George." Their mother smiled at him before reaching into her apron for her wand but didn't seem to find it, "Oh, now where did I put that wand?"

It certainly wasn't an abnormal occurrence in the Burrow for their mother to lose her wand, particularly to the oddest places, so instinctively they all began searching under the table and in drawers. Ron checked every nook and cranny in the free-standing cabinet by the door before he heard,

"Accio, Mum's Wand!" Banging and rattling came from the cabinet next to the sink before the door burst open and their mother's wand flew through the air, knocking cans out of the way onto the floor as it went, and into George's outstretched hand.

Their mother sighed, trying to hide a smile as she took the wand back, "Yes, thank you, but honestly did you learn nothing from all the times Fred used too-"

She cut herself off as she realized what she had said. Time seemed to freeze and hold its breath. Ron did too. No one had brought him up by name in months. The memories flashed in Ron's mind. Fred would summon their mother's wand causing a mess. She would reprimand them and try not to smile at the grins on their faces.

A knot he hadn't felt in a long time emerged in his gut, a weight seemed to be crushing his chest. He felt like he was suffocating.

"Sorry, Mum, I'll clean it up," George broke the silence and time started moving again, seemingly faster than before. Ginny knelt down to help him pick up the cans as their mother tearfully nodded and took over Ginny's task of putting away the plates. Ron stood still frozen in place, barely able to breath when his hands beginning to shake.

Suddenly a small hand took his. He jumped, startled, and looked over to see Luna's calm face.

"I think it's time I go. Will you walk me out, Ronald?" She asked. He stared at her for a few moments, struggling to process her words, before nodding.

She lead him outside. He gasped when the cool night air hit him, shocking him out of his state. He dropped her hand abruptly as she closed the door behind them and walked a few steps away into the garden. He pulled at his hair and began to pace trying to regain himself.

"I'm sorry," He told her quickly as he paced. She didn't say anything, merely waited until finally he slowed down then stopped dead in his tracks and exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry," He repeated, finally looking at her.

"For what, Ronald?"

"For…that," He gestured towards the house, "For Percy, for all of them. All of their stares. For… you know, everything after."

Her silvery eyes held his gaze, "There's nothing to apologize for."

Ron fidgeted, looking away, scratching the back of his head vigorously. "I think there is. What happened in there, that's never happened before. I've never… I've never felt like that before."

"Like what?"

"Like…" Ron's throat tightened, "Like… he was really gone. I've never had the chance to-" Ron paused before clipping his reply, "Look, I'm just sorry you had to see that."

"I'm not."

"You're not?" Ron asked skeptically.

"I understand-"

"Why does everyone try to say that? They haven't got a clue what it's like!" Ron shot at her. She only blinked at him. He glared at her, jaw clenched, waiting for her retort but she never gave one. A realization washed over him and he sighed, "You could see them… the thestrals, long before Harry. That means you…"

She nodded, "Yes. It was my mother, I was nine. An experiment of her's went badly wrong."

"She's the one you kept drawing in your notebook, isn't she?" Ron concluded and she nodded once again. "Merlin, Luna, I'm so sorry…"

"It's quite alright."

There was a few moments of silence between them other than Ron's shaky breath before he spoke again, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Ronald. You can ask me anything."

He nodded slowly then met her eyes again, "Do you ever get over it? Do you ever… move on?"

She gave him a sad look before answering, "No."

Ron gave a humorless breath of a laugh at her bluntness, though he appreciated it, "Well, that's bloody brilliant then…"

"You just… learn to live with it. That's all," She said and he nodded looking down.

"Thanks, Luna. And again, I'm sorry about dinner."

She smiled, reaching out and taking his hand in her's again, "It's fine. I'm used to it."

"But you shouldn't be," He told her firmly.

She looked up at him, a curious look on her face, "You're surprising, Ronald."

He blinked, "What?"

"You're surprising," She repeated.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

She shrugged, "Just surprising." Then she paused glancing down at their hands before the corner of her mouth quirked up in a smile, "Definitely not bad though."

A smile spread across his face and he was glad it was dark as he knew his ears started to turn red, "Well, that's good."

They met eyes and stared at each other for a few moments before both they both looked up quickly at the opening of the kitchen door and light flooding into the garden. After a few moments Ron's eyes adjusted and he saw his mother standing in the doorway.

"Luna, dear, Ron mentioned your father would be gone till tomorrow afternoon. Correct?"

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley," Luna nodded, turning and dropping Ron's hand, something he was suddenly keenly aware of.

"Then I insist you come back for lunch tomorrow, you too, Ron, rather than eating in that pub like always."

Luna glanced back at Ron, looking mildly surprised. He just shrugged. "Thank you, that is very kind."

His mother smiled than looked at him, "And you, Ron?"

"Yeah, of course," He said with a nod.

"Good," His mother gave him a smile before returning to the kitchen and closing the door behind her.

He smiled as he turned his attention back to Luna, "Probably wants to make up for tonight, you know?"

She nodded before glancing up at the moon, "It's getting late. I should be going now."

"Yeah… I s'pose so," He mumbled, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Goodnight, Ronald."

"Night," He said as she smiled and walked by him towards the garden gate. "Mind your step, the gnomes like to dig holes in the path so you'll trip."

Luna looked back at him and smiled, "The moon frogs will light up the path, they glow at night you know, but thank you Ronald."

A grin came to Ron's face, "You're welcome, Luna."

She gave him one more soft smile before she opened the gate and disappeared through it. Ron watched her go. In an instant he knew what he had been feeling. There comes a point when it can't be denied anymore. He liked Luna Lovegood. Liked liked her. He let out a deep breath as he watched her glide down the path before running a hand through his hair.

"Bloody hell…"