Many thanks to CrimsonShocker for beta-reading this chapter.

Author's note: A very short time gap since the last chapter - I hope this pleases you! ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own J.K. Rowling's works and forfeit any claim of profit from publishing on this site.


Sacred Fire

Chapter 04


"And where are you two going?" said Mrs. Weasley.

Her appearance at the kitchen door brought Ginny and Harry to a surprised halt.

Mr. Weasley also appeared, wondering what was going on, if the expression on his face was anything to go by. Harry and Ginny glanced at one another; they had forgotten to tell Ginny's parents of their plan to visit Luna.

"Oh. Ah … Mum, Dad, we're going to see the Lovegoods! I hope you don't mind?" Ginny called from where she and Harry stood.

"I see … why didn't you tell us?"

Harry and Ginny exchanged glances again. "We … er … um … forgot to tell you …" mumbled Ginny guiltily.

"Please do tell us in future, all right? Say hello to them for us!" said Mrs. Weasley. She disappeared back into the house. Mr. Weasley waved to them in farewell before following his wife.

Harry and Ginny turned and walked down the street to the edge of the village. It was overcast above and a little chilly, with a breeze blowing. They steered towards the wooded hills. Off in the far distance, they saw the hill that was the site of the portkey that had taken them to the Quidditch World Cup four years previously. This brought back memories for Harry and he pointed the hill out to Ginny. They shared a laugh thinking about the struggle they had in climbing the hill to the top, and soon were talking about Quidditch in general. As soon as the village was out of sight, Harry looked around before he grasped Ginny's hand, and they Disapparated.

"Ooh, I hate that," complained Ginny after they landed, rubbing her folded arms and shivering in distaste.

"You get kind of used to it," Harry said blandly.

Before long they were walking towards the odd tower-like house in which Luna Lovegood and her father lived.

Reaching the door, Harry and Ginny paused to take in their surrounding and regain their breath after the walk up the hill, then Harry reached out, knocking on the door.

A few moments passed before the door opened and Harry found himself face to face with Xenophilius Lovegood.

He looked better than the last time they had met, wearing clean clothes once more, even if the colours were still a little loud, and his hair was neat; his expression was brighter, but immediately clouded when he saw Harry.

An awkward silence stretched between them, before Ginny decided to break the ice.

She moved forward and held out her hand to Xenophilius, saying, "Hi, I'm Ginny Weasley, a friend of Luna's."

Jerking his gaze from Harry's face, Xenophilius looked Ginny up and down before accepting her handshake. He responded, "Ginny Weasley, eh? Luna has told me so much about you – please, do come in, come in." He stepped back to admit her.

Xenophilius avoided Harry's eyes as he followed Ginny into the house. Closing the door behind them, the elder Lovegood turned and said, "Well, would you like anything? Gurdyroot tea, or biscuits, or …"

"Oh, no, but thank you very much," answered Ginny politely. She had heard horror stories from Harry and her parents about Xenophilius's cooking. "Is Luna in?"

"Yes," replied Xenophilius. "She's up in her room, studying the plants that the Crumble-horned Snorkack likes to eat, blessed thing."

"I'm sure," smiled Ginny, before she went up the stairs. Harry stayed behind, as he wanted to clear the air with Xenophilius Lovegood.

"Listen," he began.

Xenophilius was not looking at him, but went to the curved sink, grabbed his kettle, and began filling it.

"Xenophilius."

At his name, Xenophilius looked at Harry before snapping his eyes away just as quickly.

"I know that you were desperate," Harry said. "I want you to know that I don't blame you, even though it did hurt at the time." He paused.

Xenophilius's mouth twisted a bit, then stilled as he took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Harry Potter. It's just … I didn't expect you to come back here; not after what I did."

"Luna is my friend," said Harry simply. "I just want you to know that it's in the past now. Even though you … did what you did, I still remember all the support that you gave me. It really helped me a lot."

Xenophilius waved a hand. "It really was nothing. H-Harry - forgive me, please. I wouldn't be able to do so for myself."

"As I said, it's in the past. I forgive you."

They shook hands, Xenophilius's hesitant and trembling, Harry's firm and gentle.

Harry came through the trapdoor and saw Ginny and Luna chatting quietly. They looked around at him as he approached. Luna stood up and hugged him. She was looking almost normal today; she wore an apron with floral patterns over her shirt and jeans and had donned her radish earrings.

"How are you, Luna?"

"Oh, I'm great," said Luna in her usual dreamy voice. "I was just looking at what plants the Crumble-horned Snorkack eats, look," she gestured to the twigs and leaves on her desk. A dirty pair of gardening gloves lay discarded to one side on the desk.

"This is oak, and this is holly, and that's aspen … oh, and this is a Filliebilly branch, and this is Snarkly, and …" Luna continued to name the plants, which were completely unrecognisable to Harry and Ginny.

As Luna finished, Ginny spoke up, turning to Harry. "We were just talking about Hogwarts. You know, who will go back and who won't."

"Oh –right. You can count me in on that for sure."

"What?" said Luna as they all sat down. "You will go back, or you won't go back?"

"I'm sorry Luna. But I won't go back. I … it's a complicated decision and I'm still thinking about it," he confessed.

"Are you going to do something with Gringotts, Harry?" asked Ginny, giving Harry a start.

"No, why?"

"I just heard you and Dad talking, and he was saying something about Bill seeing you?"

"Oh yeah, this morning! No, no, that's just a different matter. It's kind of private," said Harry.

"Right."

"What are you doing then, if you are not going to Hogwarts?" asked Luna.

"I'm still thinking of becoming an Auror," Harry said.

"Still interested in that kind of thing?" said Luna. Her pale eyes fastened on Harry's.

"Yeah," he said. "I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing."

Luna nodded slowly. "I would also rather do what I enjoy." She gestured at the plants on her desk again.

"Um … I have something to tell you guys," Ginny mumbled, chewing her lip. Harry and Luna looked at her.

"I … I'd like to be a Quidditch player." She blushed.

Harry looked blank for a moment, before his face split into a wide grin, while Luna gasped, leapt at Ginny and hugged her.

"That is a great idea!" said Harry enthusiastically. Luna nodded, beaming.

"Um … yeah," Ginny nodded nervously before she, too, grinned. "Thanks guys."

"Who do you want to play for?" asked Harry.

"The Holyhead Harpies. Sorry Harry, but all-girl teams rule!"

"Nah," scoffed Harry in a good-natured manner. "Suit yourself." He stuck his tongue out at her, and she stuck her own tongue in return. Luna giggled quietly.

A comfortable silence settled in the room, the three people enjoying each other's company.

"Shall we go for a walk?" asked Luna after a while, jumping to her feet.

Harry and Ginny's legs were somewhat weary from their ascent up the hill, but they agreed.

"Sure!"