"Caleb...and Ginny? Harry's Ginny?" asked Lily, frowning.

"Yes!" grinned James. "I was as surprised as you are when he told me at his party, then again the other day. Still, at least we already know our future daughter-in-law, know she'll fit in well with the family," he said.

"I-I always thought Ginny would be a part of our family one day...but with Caleb? That I definitely did not see happening," said Lily, in a daze. "What about Harry?"

James shrugged. "I don't know if he's seeing anybody, unless, hey, do you think he and Hermione might start something. They already seem to be good friends."

"She's nearly a year older than him," protested Lily.

"Maybe Harry's smooth like his dad, he likes the older women," grinned James, saucily.

Lily tried not to smile. "James, I'm only eight weeks older than you," she sighed.

"Still older," he said, taking her in his arms.

"And wiser," she agreed.

"Still the most beautiful woman in the world," said James.

She smiled at him. "After all this time, after all these years, you still feel the same?" she asked.

"Always," whispered James, before taking her mouth with his own.

"Hey, have you seen – Merlin, get a room," said Harry, cringing as he came upon them.

"The lounge is a room," said his father, uncurling himself from his wife. "A room I'm rather fond of right now."

Harry wrinkled his nose. "I do not want to know," he said clearly.

"Did you want something, dear?" asked Lily.

"Yeah, have you seen Caleb? I thought we could go to this dinner thing together," said Harry, adjusting his cuffs under his casual jacket, then fiddling with his collar.

"He firecalled awhile ago. He got caught up in his research at the Ministry, said he was close to finishing his assignment, so he thought he'd grab a shower there and meet you at Luna's," said James, turning to lay with his feet over the arm of the couch and his head on Lily's lap. She ran her fingers through his hair gently, as she had done many times before.

"He's not going to change?" asked Harry.

"He said Ginny helped him shop for something to wear earlier in Diagon Alley," said Lily.

"Oh." At Harry's crestfallen tone, Lily looked at her youngest son. She nudged James to make him notice, but because of his position, she only proceeded to elbow him in the nose.

"Ow, bloody hell, whad was dat for?" asked James, instantly clutching his nose.

"James, oh, I'm sorry," gasped Lily, standing to help him and making his head drop back onto the sofa with a thud.

"Lil!" he cried again.

"Sorry! I'm sorry," said Lily, trying to pry his fingers away from his nose but he held tight. "Let me look."

"Dad, are you all right?" asked Harry, trying not to laugh at the comedy of errors.

"Go, he'll be fine," said Lily, waving him away. Then she remembered what had caused her to elbow James in the first place. "Wait!" she called, and left James to go talk with her youngest son.

"Mum, I'll be late," said Harry, impatiently. He checked the time on the watch.

"Oh, hush, it'll take you no time to get to Luna's. Now, how are you really feeling about all this?" asked Lily.

Harry thought she was asking about the reason for tonight's dinner. "Great. I'm really happy about it. Hermione's a great girl, it'll be nice seeing her more."

"Oh. Well then. That's fine," said Lily, still unsure. She hugged Harry suddenly. "And you're fine with Ginny and Caleb?"

Harry stiffened. Lily pulled away to look at him. From the couch James groaned. "Li-il, my nodes really hurds," he said thickly.

Lily ignored James, instead looking into Harry's eyes. "Oh, Harry," she said softly.

Harry blinked, and the pain in his eyes was gone. Now they were cool and detached. "It's fine. I'm fine. All I want is for Ginny to be happy. I have to go." He turned to the fireplace.

"Lily, I'b id pain here," called James, grumpily.

"Mum?"

Lily had started towards James but stopped to look back at Harry. His pain filled eyes were back. "Please don't say anything to anyone. Not even dad," he said softly, so James didn't hear.

Lily hesitated. "Please," implored Harry. James moaned louder.

She nodded. "I promise," she replied, equally softly.

He smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Thanks. Night. Night, Dad," he called.

James moaned in reply, waving feebly. Lily hurried over to him. She pried his hands away and performed a quick 'Scourgify' charm. Despite all the blood, and a thickening of the nose, he was fine. "James Potter, you're fine," she said.

He quickly grabbed her around the waist and rolled so she was under him on the sofa. "I thought he'd neber leabe," he said.

Lily laughed at his mispronounciations, and tenderly kissed the end of his nose. He winced, but grinned. "We've got da house to ourselbes," he said.

"And wonder of wonders, Sirius isn't here," grinned Lily.

"He's oud wid dat skanky witch none of us like," said James.

Lily grimaced, then brightened. "So what are we waiting for?" she asked.

As Lily followed him out of the lounge, she wondered how the night was going for both her sons.

/*/*/*/*

"Hey," greeted Caleb, as Ginny joined him on the sofa. "You look ...nice."

"Hey," responded Ginny glumly. "After I ran into you and helped you shop, I decided to buy something new for myself," she said.

"It's, er, nice. Makes you look...bookish," said Caleb, diplomatically. It was definitely not her usual style.

"You said nice twice. Merlin, it's horrible, isn't it?" cried Ginny, crossing her arms over herself and hunching over slightly. She had tried to buy something Hermione might wear, if that's the sort of thing Harry liked. Not that she'd ever admit that to anyone.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, as she tried to cower in the corner, so as not to be seen.

"Nothing. Listen, what do you think of this news about Harry and Hermione?" she asked.

"Harry and Hermione what?" asked Caleb.

"Harry and Hermione, together," explained Ginny.

Before Caleb could answer, and admittedly he was in shock, Luna placed five glasses and a carafe of water on the brightly laid table with it's mismatched cutlery and glasses. She smiled at them and prepared to go back to the kitchen and bring out some appetisers.

"Luna!" cried Ginny, quickly sliding out of the corner of the booth. She grabbed her friend's arm whispered to her, and the two left to go upstairs.

Caleb was stunned. Hermione...and Harry? His little brother?

Ginny returned minutes later, looking more like herself. She had borrowed one of Luna's tie dyed shirts and seemed more herself. "That's better," she said, sliding back onto the sofa.

"Are you sure?" hissed Caleb. "About Harry...and Hermione?"

Ginny nodded miserably. "She was asking me all sorts of questions about what he'd be like as a boyfriend," she sighed.

"What?" cried Caleb. This wasn't happening, wasn't possible...was it? He'd been so sure she'd returned his feelings.

"The thing is...I think they'd be really good together," said Ginny, miserably.

"WHAT?" yelled Caleb, staring at her as if he had never seen her before. "Do you really mean that?"

"Sort of," admitted Ginny, her eyes welling, "but she doesn't really know the first thing about Harry, what he thinks, what he wants. He's only shared that with me. Me!" she growled fiercely.

Caleb looked surprised at her ferociousness, and moved to sit closer. He placed his arm around her. "You like Harry...like that?"

He leaned down to hear her whisper - "I always have."

It was at that moment that Harry and Hermione entered Luna's house, having both Flooed in at nearly the same time. Harry gestured for Hermione to go ahead, pointing her in the direction. Hermione stopped at the intimate scene she found Caleb and Ginny in.

Harry bumped into her when she stopped suddenly. "Hey, what's the hold up?" he asked, peering over her shoulder. He froze at the sight in front of him.

Something made Caleb look up and he stilled, looking between Harry and Hermione. He smiled weakly, then lowered his head to alert Ginny to their presence.

Hermione looked uncertainly over her shoulder at Harry, who shrugged unhappily and gestured for her to go forward. She slid onto the seat opposite Ginny, who straightened and smiled tightly. Harry sat on the sofa, next to Hermione. "Is everything all right?" he asked, looking between Caleb and Ginny.

"Fine," said Ginny and Caleb together. They glanced at each other, then Ginny smiled tersely at Harry. "Fine," she said, her tone softening.

There was silence. "Well, this is nice," said Hermione optimistically.

The silence was deafening. Harry looked worriedly at Ginny, who was frowning at Caleb. Caleb was staring at Hermione, who fiddled nervously with her napkin, avoiding Caleb's eyes.

"Appetisers?" asked Luna, placing a tray of oysters on the table.

"YES!" they all practically yelled. Immediately they all reached out to take one.

"I'll be back soon, just putting the finishing touches on dinner," she said, shooting them all curious looks. Oh, yes, lots of hormones flying around. Satisfied, she went back to the kitchen.

Luna had had a fun afternoon after Hermione left her. She had owled the four of them when she returned home, inviting them all to dinner at hers. Then she had spent the afternoon cooking, using a special cookbook of her dear mother's, full of aphrodisiacs.

Hermione had been about to take a bite of her appetiser when she spotted something. "Goodness, is that – is that an actual Erumpent horn?"

Caleb put his own oyster down too, and looked over his shoulder. "Yes, well spotted. Can't say I'm surprised. Old Xeno likes his unusual creatures, and is supposed to have quite a collection."

"But they're highly dangerous, it could possibly explode. Someone needs to tell the DRCMC," she said.

Ginny put her appetiser down too, truthfully, she wasn't that hungry. "I'm sure Luna's dad has made sure it's all okay," she snapped. "He would never put Luna in harm."

Harry, who was sniffing his oyster, looked at Ginny in concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, then looked at Caleb, who was staring at Hermione. Why wasn't he more concerned about his girlfriend?

"Look, this has all happened so suddenly," began Caleb, looking at Hermione, then Harry.

"You're telling me," groused Harry, looking at Ginny, then Caleb.

"I was going to say something...dad said I should say something, but -"

"First course is ready," called Luna, placing bowls on the table.

Caleb looked helplessly at Harry, who was looking at Ginny. She raced to the kitchen to help Luna. Caleb came to Hermione and offered her his hand. She tentatively took it, not sure what was going on. "Caleb...?" she started to ask, when Luna came out from the kitchen, with Ginny behind her.

Harry stood helplessly, as Caleb escorted Hermione to the table and seated her. He quickly slid in next to her, which happily left Harry to sit next to Ginny, thus leaving Luna to sit at the head of the table.

The soup smelt delicious. "Ginseng soup," said Luna, when Hermione asked, "with a touch of pearl dust."

"An unusual combination," said Hermione, taking a sip. "Oh my," she gasped, struggling to swallow it. "That's...unusual."

Caleb, Harry and Ginny lay down their spoons, worried by Hermione's reaction. Hermione grabbed her napkin, to wipe any remaining soup from her lips.

"It's a recipe I found in my mother's old cookbook," said Luna, taking a large spoonful. Her eyes widened as she swallowed. "Oh, my," she said, but quickly took another spoonful.

"Wine?" offered Ginny, grabbing the bottle and looking for wine glasses.

"I'll get them," offered Harry, taking his and Ginny's bowls of soup to the kitchen. He quickly poured them down the sink and grabbed the wine glasses and returned to the dining room.

" - couldn't find any Ashwinder eggs in time," Luna was saying, as she continued eating.

Hermione looked worriedly at Caleb. "I think my lips are swollen, are they?" she asked.

Caleb looked at her lips. "They look fine," he said huskily. She flushed at his intense look.

"Wine?" asked Harry, and Caleb guiltily looked away, nodding.

"Sorry," he muttered to Harry, as he took the wine goblet.

"For what?" asked Harry.

"You know...Hermione. I had no idea, honestly," said Caleb, miserably.

"Yeah, well, it's not like we ever talked about our lessons at Hogwarts," said Harry.

"Huh?" asked Caleb.

"Hermione. My Muggle studies penpal. It's how we met, remember," said Harry.

"Yeah, but what's that got to do with anything?" asked Caleb, confused.

" Are you ready for the next course?" asked Luna.

As Harry, Ginny and Caleb hadn't actually eaten anything yet, and Hermione had only had a sip of her soup, they were all very hungry. However, they were all still wary of anything Luna might produce.

Harry was desperate to talk to Ginny. She had been so quiet tonight, and he knew her helping Luna in the kitchen was an excuse. What he didn't understand was why. She kept shooting glances between Hermione and Caleb, and seemed to be going out of her way to avoid looking at him. Maybe...maybe she was waiting for him to tell her he was okay with her and Caleb.

He hadn't lied to his mum, he did want Ginny to be happy. He just always thought that she was happier with him than anyone else. Having her home and seeing her practically every day made him realise being with her, even just seeing her daily, made him happier.

So, with that in mind, he decided he and Ginny needed to have a private chat. Where he could tell her that, as long as Caleb was what she wanted, as long as he made her happy – because that's what she deserved – then Harry would give them his blessing.

Ginny placed a plate in front of him. " Thanks, Gin," he said gently. He grabbed her hand before she moved away. "Can we talk later...just the two of us?" he asked quietly.

She looked over at Hermione, then back to Harry. "I-I'm not sure," she said. She supposed he was going to finally tell her about him and Hermione, and she wasn't sure she was ready to hear it. Then again, she was his best friend. She fled to the kitchen, suddenly feeling ashamed.

"I think that's everything," said Luna, looking around.

"You've done a great job, Luna, this is really nice," said Ginny. She hugged her friend. "You're a great friend."

"Oh, is it already working? I thought I heard Harry say he wants to get you alone," said Luna, gleefully.

"Yeah, to talk," nodded Ginny. And she resolved she was going to listen to him and support him, and be the best friend she could be for him. Even if it meant hearing he loved another.

"Right, talk," grinned Luna, and she actually winked at Ginny. "Well, I suppose mouths will be involved."

"No, Luna, it's not like that, at least, not for Harry," defended Ginny.

Luna smiled knowingly. "Go eat your dinner," she encouraged.

"Yes, Mum," said Ginny, sarcastically, but grinned. The two returned to the table where Harry, Hermione and Caleb sat, shooting awkward glances at each other.

"Eat," encouraged Luna, and she took a bite. "Mmm, so good."

Ginny tentatively tried some. "Mmm, Luna's right, it's delicious," she agreed, and with that, the rest began to eat.

"So Hermione, when are you returning to Paris?" asked Luna.

"I leave the day after next," replied Hermione.

"Are you travelling with her?" asked Luna, looking at Caleb.

"No," they both said together, then looked at each other.

Caleb looked uncertain. "I mean, I would go with you if you wanted me to," he offered.

"No, it's fine, you have to finish your assignment," said Hermione. "Mmm, delicious, Luna."

"What's your assignment?" asked Ginny, wondering why Harry wasn't offering to accompany her. She looked at him, then at Hermione pointedly.

Harry supposed Ginny was upset about Caleb being away for awhile, if he were to go with Hermione. He supposed he could offer to go with Hermione instead of Caleb, if it meant that much to Ginny.

"I handed it up before I came here, so if you need an escort, I'd love to take you, see some of the sights," said Caleb, ignoring Ginny's question.

"You finished it already? Did you add the bit about the Bezoar?" asked Hermione.

Caleb nodded. "Yes, and the possibility of a love potion." He grinned at her stunned look.

"Oh, of course. I can't believe I missed that," she said. "So in the end, the murderer was...who?"

"Easy. The house elf committed the actual murder, but the real culprit is whoever ordered the house elf to do the crime. It had to be someone -"

"from inside the house," they concluded together.

"Except," said Caleb, holding his hand up, "nobody knew there was a second cousin twice removed who had been banished from the family. Technically, she could still give orders to the house elf, who recognised her."

Harry, Ginny and Luna had no idea what they were talking about, but were soon caught up in it all. "But how did she get into the house?" asked Harry.

"Oh," gasped Hermione, her eyes shining brightly.

Caleb grinned, knowing she would get it. "She was masquerading as the nanny. The runes on her travel case gave her away."

"You solved it," gasped Hermione. "Oh, well done."

"That does sound exciting," said Luna. "Will she go to Azkaban, then?" She finished her meal and lay her cutlery across her plate.

"Oh, it wasn't a real case, just a mock one I had to solve for my final assignment," explained Caleb.

"You've been helping him?" Ginny asked Hermione.

"Just keeping him company," said Hermione, smiling at Caleb. "He wouldn't let me help at all."

"So you've been spending all your time...with Hermione?" asked Harry, becoming angry on Ginny's behalf.

"Dessert?" asked Luna, calmly.

"I'm sure it's all okay," assured Ginny, thinking Harry was probably jealous.

"I didn't know, okay?" protested Caleb. "I wouldn't have kissed her if I knew, honest Harry."

"What!" cried Harry and Ginny.

Ginny turned to Hermione. "What sort of game are you playing, dating onebrother and kissing the other?" she demanded.

"What?" gasped Hermione. She looked confused.

"How could you do this to Ginny?" Harry asked Caleb.

"Do what to Ginny?" asked Caleb, frowning.

"I have chocolate covered strawberries," offered Luna.

"Do what to me?" Ginny asked Harry. She didn't wait for him to answer, before turning back to Hermione. "How could you kiss Caleb while dating Harry? Harry is ten times, a hundred times better than Caleb."

"Hey," protested Caleb.

"You really think so?" Harry asked her. "Wait, how do you know what it's like to kiss Caleb? Or me?"

"I don't, I-I meant that -" said a confused Ginny.

"I'm not dating Harry. I'm not dating anyone," interrupted Hermione.

"You're not?" cried Ginny and Harry.

"What?" asked Caleb, hurt.

Hermione flushed. "I-I don't know what to say. We never really clarified our relationship. I-I've never felt like this before, with anyone."

Harry looked at Ginny. "You really think I'm a hundred times better than Caleb?" he asked hopefully.

"A thousand, a million," nodded Ginny, her face beet red. "Merlin," she gasped, running to the Floo and calling out "The Burrow."

"Ginny, wait," called Harry, hurrying after her. He stopped before Flooing after her. "Erm, sorry about dinner, Luna."

"Why? It's going exactly as I thought it would," she said.

"Harry, wait," called Caleb. He came over to his brother. "You and Hermione...you really aren't dating?"

"No," said Harry vehemently. "Friends, good friends...who knows" – he looked at the two – "maybe family one day."

Caleb's face shone with relief, and Hermione's face lit up at Harry's words. "Go get Ginny, Harry. She's waited a long time for this," she said gently, "for you."

Harry nodded happily, but just as he was about to throw the Floo powder down, the green flames rose and Ron Weasley stepped out. "What the bloody hell is going on over here. My sister just came home, looking like she'd been kicked in the bollocks," he said, looking around.

Harry patted his shoulder. "I'll go fix everything now," he promised.

"You better...and don't make her cry," yelled Ron, as Harry left.

He wandered over to the table and sat down, looking at Caleb and Hermione. "Well, hello there," he said suavely, picking at Ginny's disbanded meal while looking at Hermione.

"She's with me," growled Caleb.

"She can speak for herself, thank you," said Hermione, haughtily, although inside she was a quivering mess of emotions. "You're Ginny's brother, Ron, was it?" she asked.

"Ronald Weasley," said Ron, standing and extending a hand. "And you are?" He sat and began to sip some of the reheated soup Luna placed in front of him, pleased to have someone eat her entrée.

"Hermione Granger," she said. "Harry and I have been pen pals for a few years now. I used to go to Beauxbatons, you see."

"Mmm, delicious," said Ron to Luna. He turned back to Hermione. "You don't have much of a French accent," he noted.

"I was born in England, but when it was discovered I was magical, my parents let me choose where to go for school, and I chose not to attend Hogwarts," she explained.

"But Hogwarts is the best magical school in the world," protested Ron, picking up two of the chocolate covered strawberries and eating them, one after the other.

"I do like to see a man with a healthy appetite," sighed Luna, happy that someone was appreciating her meal.

"I disagree. I found it's curriculum to be outdated and somewhat irrelevant," said Hermione, calmly.

Ron nearly choked on his strawberry, and Luna had to pound his back.

Caleb took Hermione's hand, drawing her attention away from the still sputtering Ron.

"Hermione, please tell me, is there anything between you and Harry? Please, I need to know," he said.

"We're friends, good friends, I hope," she said, turning to face him.

"Ginny said you were talking to her about him being a good boyfriend," noted Caleb.

Hermione took his hand. "For Ginny," she said calmly. "He's liked her for ages. Most of his letters mentioned her nonstop. 'Ginny and I did this, Ginny and I are going to do this. Ginny, Ginny, Ginny'," mimicked Hermione, not unkindly. "He's crazy about her."

"She's in love with him, too," said Caleb, exhaling deeply. "And I am, with you. Please tell me you feel the same," he implored.

"Love?" gasped Hermione, her heart racing at his declaration. "It can't be love, it's much too soon, it's illogical, it's crazy, it's -"

Caleb shut her up by leaning over and kissing her. Hermione's eyes widened in delighted surprise, then closed as she began to kiss him back.

"I think the night has been a great success," said Luna happily.

Hermione and Caleb broke apart to see Ron and Luna sitting opposite them, watching them.

"We should probably go," said Caleb, standing and holding his hand out to Hermione.

"Sorry about your dinner party," apologised Hermione, looking at the remnants of the meal. "We should stay and help clean up," she told Caleb.

"Go, go, you two should be alone right now," said Luna, picking up plates and carrying them to the kitchen.

"I'll stay and help her, mate. Nice to meet you, Hermione," nodded Ron.

"You'll be seeing her a lot more, Ron," grinned Caleb. "She's a keeper, this one."

"Like Quidditch, do you, Hermione?" asked Ron, handing a plate to Luna.

"No, not really," said Hermione.

"Right then," dismissed Ron, waving them away. "Night."

The happy couple held hands as they headed for the Floo. They called out goodbye to Luna, while Ron helped clear the table. He headed to the kitchen while Luna farewelled her guests.

"Ronald, there's one chocolate covered strawberry left," called Luna. "Would you like it?"

Ron returned to the dining table quick smart. Luna fed it to him. She scratched her nose, trying to work out what looked so different about Ronald.

"Ronald, is it possible...have you gained more freckles?" she asked.

Ron looked at her, then did a double take. Had her hair always been so shiny? "Did you know," he said in a low voice, "that you have some chocolate, right there, on your nose," he said.

Luna went cross eyed, trying to see it.

"I'll get it," he said huskily, and he wiped his finger along the side of her nose. As he went to withdraw it, Luna grabbed it and licked it off his finger, making him inhale sharply.

"It's a shame to waste good chocolate," she said, her blue eyes shining brighter than he'd ever noticed before.

"Do you like Quidditch, Luna?" he asked.

"I like watching you play. I wore a lion's head for Gryffindor for your first match, remember" she said, breathlessly. "I stil have it in my room."

"Oh yeah. I never thanked you for that," he said.

Suddenly they were in each other's arms, kissing fervently. Neither noticed the Floo flare up or Caleb step out.

"Hi, me again, Hermione forgot her...oh, wow, sorry, didn't meant to interrupt," he said, embarassed. "We'll come get it tomorrow." When nobody answered him, he chuckled. "Or you can just owl it to her. Whatever," he said.

When still nobody said anything, he continued. "Okay, well, I'm going now. You two might want to come up for air sometime soon. Oh, I did not need to see that. Right, that's it, I'm going," he said, backtracking quickly to the fireplace. He quickly Flooed away to Potter Manor, where Hermione was waiting with his parents.

Ron lifted his head briefly. "Did you hear something?" he asked, in a daze.

Luna replied by dragging his face back down to hers.