Disclaimer: It is not owned by me

Seven: Goodbye, Hello

November 5, 1986

The Burrow:

Arthur Weasley sat upon his favorite chair in the living room of the Burrow. He could see the sky darkening through the living room window, and with the passing day he felt another piece of him passing as well. His daughter had been gone for five days now. There was absolutely no trace of her and the clock in the Burrow's living room had yielded no sign of where the young girl could be.

A glass of Fire Whiskey sat on the table in front of Arthur, barely touched. He had thought the sting of the alcohol could help him release some of his pain, but Arthur wasn't a drinking man, and the thought of his missing little girl could not be erased from his mind.

The other residents of the misshapen home had all retreated to their rooms earlier. Molly, the matriarch of the family had hardly left her room at all since Ginny's disappearance. The Burrow had descended into a mellow stupor in the past five days, and it seemed as though nothing could change this.

Arthur sighed heavily and leaned back into the chair. He tried hard to be the strong one in this situation, to put on a brave face for his family. He wanted to show them that although things were hard they could get through it and everything would turn out all right. But Arthur himself was finding it difficult to keep up his facade and with each passing day his resolve weakened. He knew that the family could see this and were in turn disheartened by it. Arthur just wished there was something he could do to change things. To go back in time to that night and make it so Ginny had never left.

Of course there were ways to go back, things like time-turners could make the task possible, but the use of such items was restricted and Arthur knew that there would be a price to pay for changing the past should he try it. All in all, the whole idea was useless. There was no way he could go back. No way to change things. No way to bring his little girl back…

As Arthur was thinking this and slowly drifting off into another troubled nights sleep, there was suddenly a bright flash in the room that jolted him awake. He jumped out of his chair and brandished his wand at whatever was creating the light. He had to cover his eyes with one hand as he looked to the center of the room and saw the source of the brilliant light.

There was a small figure standing there, the light slowly washing away from it. As the light receded Arthur slowly uncovered his eyes and held out his wand to the figure.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Arthur demanded of the small figure.

The figure stepped forward and Arthur could finally make out features. It looked to be a child. It had skinny legs, a petite figure, small hands, a slightly round face, and…bright red hair.

Arthur took in a startled breath. He could hardly believe what he was seeing and thought he must be dreaming some harsh, cruel dream. Surely he would wake up at any moment and the world would come crashing down upon him again. Reality would yield an empty living room, a solemn household, and no red-headed, freckled little girl standing before him.

The little girl who looked so much like Ginny stepped forward again.

"Daddy?" she inquired, and looked around as if checking that she was indeed in the right place. She smiled a very familiar smile and ran up to Arthur and gave him a very familiar hug.

Arthur immediately dropped down to hug his daughter, sure that this was no dream, and that his little girl had indeed returned.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Grimmauld Place:

Sirius Black had existed in a drunken stupor for the past four days. He had rarely left his room and had eaten very little. He still couldn't believe that his godson was gone; that it had been five days and not a sign had been seen of him. Sirius felt somewhat lost. He wished there was more he could have done and just knew deep down that if he had been around more, maybe even stood up to Lily and James, that everything would be different. He knew that the little boy he loved so much, but mostly from a distance, was mistreated at home, and that Harry must have finally given up on his so called family.

That a child should have to make the choice to leave the people who gave him life, those who were supposed to love him, was a very sad occurrence indeed. Sirius knew what it was like to be mistreated by parents. He knew what it felt like to want to escape. He had sworn that he would never treat anyone like his parents treated him, least of all a child. But he now realized that through his inaction, he had enabled Lily and James in treating Harry much as he himself had been treated in his youth. Maybe Harry wasn't tormented by his parents and hated by them, but negligence and non-concern could feel like the worst thing in the world in a young child's mind. Sure Harry was very smart for his age, but in the end, he was still just a six year old child.

Sirius lay back upon his bed and covered his eyes with an arm. He was beginning to get a headache and his throat burned. The physical pain he felt from his days of alcohol abuse seemed trivial in comparison to the emotional pain he felt. If only there was something he could do. If only he had done something when he had had the chance. If only…

There was suddenly a bright flash of light throughout the room. Sirius fell off the side of the bed in his shock. He was too disoriented to think about pulling his wand out and simply held out his hand calling out, "Who's there?"

The light was slowly fading and Sirius could make out a small figure coming from where the light had been. The figure slowly walked forward and looked around the room. As it walked closer Sirius could make out that the figure was what looked to be a small child. It was kind of pale, skinny, had a round childish face and wore round wire framed glasses. It had emerald green eyes…and messy jet black hair…

"Harry?" Sirius slowly stood up and walked toward the figure. "Harry, is it really you?"

The young boy stepped all the way forward and looked at Sirius with those shining emerald eyes of his. He let a small smile show as he answered.

"Yes uncle Si, it's me."

Sirius rushed forward and gripped the small boy in a hug. Tears were slowly streaming down his face and he could hardly believe what was happening. Harry returned the hug and grinned at his godfather.

"Harry…I can't believe it. Where've you been kiddo?" Sirius asked Harry with a teary smile.

"Your mom and dad are gonna be so surprised…so happy to know that you're back."

Harry's smile faltered and he stepped back as Sirius said this. Sirius gave Harry a questioning look as the child backed off at the mention of his parents.

"Hey kid," Sirius stated "I know it was rough before, but you'll see, they've changed. They've really missed you. We all have." Sirius looked down as he continued. "Look Harry, I know we messed up pretty bad. Me too, because I never said anything, and I know how you must have felt, but me and your parents really do love you and things are going be different."

Harry just stood there with an unreadable expression before quietly responding. "I'm not coming back…not now at least."

Sirius looked at Harry quizzically. "What do you mean you're not coming back? You are back. Everyone's been going crazy the past five days you've been gone. What are you talking about cub?" Sirius looked as if he was very confused, the after effects of the Fire Whiskey along with Harry's appearance and strange statement causing his head to spin.

"We can go to see my parents." Harry looked back at Sirius who smiled again and was about to say something before Harry cut him off. "But I'm not staying. I came back for a reason, and I wanted to make sure you all hear it. Don't try to change my mind uncle Si, it's already made up."

Sirius didn't know how to respond to this. He just stood looking at his godson who looked too harrowed and resolute to be so young. Sirius nodded his head and said, "All right then kid, lets go."

The older man had an idea in his head that when they reached Potter Manor, he and Harry's parents could find a way to make Harry stay. He felt it should be easy to contain the young boy and convince him that with his family is where he belonged. Sirius had no idea of where his godson had been for the past few days, but he was determined that Harry not return there.

Sirius waved for Harry to follow him and went to the fireplace across the room. He told Harry to go first. He threw some floo powder into the fire which in turn shot up bright green flames. Harry stepped forward and shouted out 'Potter Manor' the flames engulfed Harry and he was sent spinning through the floo network. He soon landed quite haphazardly upon the white rug in the Potter's living room. No one seemed to be there at the moment. Harry stood and stepped aside as Sirius came falling through the fireplace.

Sirius stood up and seeing no one in the living room, called out to his long-time friends. Lily and James soon came rushing down the stairs, clad in their pajamas, robes and slippers, panic clearly written on their faces.

"Sirius what's wrong? We heard someone coming through the floo, and then you yelling and we thou…"

James stopped mid-sentence as he and Lily reached the landing of the living room. He had spotted the stone faced little boy standing next to Sirius. James Potter could hardly believe his eyes, and found himself suddenly letting out the breath he felt he had been holding for minutes, when it in fact had only been seconds.

Lily stepped forward slowly, tears springing to her eyes as she quietly asked "Harry?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Over One Month Later:

December 13th, 1986

Harry Potter stood in the center of the Hall of the Elder. He was facing the Elder's throne and the Oldmoon Council was convened around the Hall much as they had been the first night that Harry and Ginny had arrived and spoken to the Elder. The moon was full and shining down upon all who were gathered in the Hall.

On Harry's left stood a youngish couple who were facing the Elder as well. They both looked to be in their late twenties. The man's frame was tall and wiry. He had straight, long black hair that was held together in a low ponytail. He had playfully brilliant ice-blue eyes, and a warm smile. The woman was at least a head shorter than her companion. She had shoulder length, wavy, light brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes. Her smile was kind and loving. The orbs around their necks indicated their power level. The man was a Bluemoon, and his wife a Greenmoon; both of the Elite Class.

The trio was all dressed in Luna Liberi ceremonial robes. The robes were pure white and had a crest on the left chest side. The crest differed depending on what family the Children of the Moon were in. Their last names indicated their own power levels, so the Children used middle names and family crest to distinguish who was in which family.

The crest that the two adults beside Harry wore had a black backing with a silver shield. The shield bore an 'A' composed of flames and there was a spear shooting up from the back of it. It stood for the family Andrew, whose natural meaning meant 'Warrior'. Harry bore this crest as well.

The ceremony in which Harry was participating was an adoption ceremony. He had spent over a month on Moon Island, and had lived in Moon Tower with the Elder. Now he would be adopted by the couple standing next to him. He would truly become a Child of the Moon.

The Elder had allowed Harry time to make his decision. The old man had explained about the changes Harry would undergo upon his adoption and bonding with his new parents. The Luna Liberi weren't like the humans of Harry's old world. There were physical differences that set the two peoples apart, though they were very subtle and in most cases unrecognizable.

Harry hadn't taken much time to decide. He liked Moon Island and all the people he had met there. Rakesh and Shandra, the couple who were to adopt Harry, were really nice and had fun personalities. Rakesh was 28 and Shandra was 26. They had been married for 5 years and were happy to volunteer to adopt Harry as an addition to their family.

The ceremony would include a bonding and a name change. Harry would truly become a Child of the Moon, along with his new best friend.

Harry looked to his right at Ginny. She was dressed similarly, except her crest had a deep blue backing. There was a shield broken into quarters that were shadowed by a silver 'A'. Her crest stood for the family Alastair, meaning the Protector. The top right quarter held a sword, the left a closed fist. The bottom right held a clawed paw, and the left held an image of the Moon.

It had been little over a month since Harry and Ginny had said goodbye to their pasts'. The decision had been harder for Ginny, but it had been hers. They had both gone to their past homes one last time to say goodbye to those people who once influenced their lives so greatly.

Ginny had first seen her father and then her mother, the twins, and Ron had come rushing down the stairs at Arthur's frantic call. It had been hard for her to say goodbye, especially to her mother who had cried the whole time, but Ginny had decided that the prophecy and what it contained were important. She may have been a child, but she was wise for her age, and knew that her role in the prophecy affected the outcome. She would stay and train. She would help Harry and hopefully, together, they could restore the worlds. Then maybe one day she would be able to join her family again, and they would see her as the smart and strong individual that she was.

It had taken Ginny a while to explain the situation to her family, and they didn't really understand. They thought that Ginny had simply run away for a few days, and come up with this strange story to get attention. Ginny knew that they wouldn't believe her, and it made her leaving all the more hard. She stopped trying to convince them and just got on with the good-byes. The Weasleys were confused by Ginny's resolute attitude and the way she seemed to seriously be saying goodbye.

Ginny had picked a round orb out of her pocket. The inside of the orb glowed as if on fire. "As long as it glows, you'll know I'm okay." Ginny had stated as she placed it in her mothers hand.

When the same white light that had brought Ginny there started to appear around her again, the Weasleys were finally convinced that the young girl was serious. Molly let out a fresh wave of tears and Arthur looked shocked. Ginny's older brothers looked confused and saddened and Ron…well he looked stricken. He had actually let a few tears escape and he looked terribly guilt-ridden. Before the light could completely overtake Ginny and send her away Ron had went to her and gave a tearful apology, saying he was sorry for everything and he would miss her. This was something Ron had never done before and it almost made Ginny think twice about her decision.

As the light began to envelope the room Ginny told her family one last time, "Don't worry, I'll be all right and I'll be back some day. As long as it glows you'll know…." With these last words she was taken away by the light. The Weasleys left in the Burrow were forced to cover their eyes from the brightness of the light. When they opened them, Ginny was gone.

Harry's departure had been similar, with Josh apologizing to him and both his parents and Sirius letting tears flow. Harry had given them an orb like the one Ginny had given her parents. He hadn't been as reluctant to leave as Ginny had. He couldn't really believe his parents' grief. He had grown up with them not caring about him since he was one year old, and he was hardly convinced that they should care now that he was gone.

Sirius' tears had been a little harder to watch, but Harry was too excited by the prospect of the love and freedom he would have on Moon Island, plus the idea that he had a responsibility concerning the prophecy. Harry had left Potter Manner with a stony face and words that the three Potters and Sirius would never forget, "I'll be back someday, and maybe you'll be different."

Now Harry and Ginny stood in the wide hall, witnessed by hundreds, about to be adopted into new families. Ginny was somewhat reluctant to call others family, as she had been much closer with her real family, but she had decided it would be better for her to truly become a Luna Liberi in order to help Harry to fulfill the prophecy to the best of her ability.

Ginny's adoptive parents were named Kalavan Graymoon, and Candrima Redmoon. Kalavan was average sized and had short curly brown hair and vivid gray eyes. Candrima was almost the exact same height as her spouse and had long dirty-blond hair that trailed her back. Her eyes were a dark blue and seemed to sparkle in the moon light, like stars. Both adults were in their early thirties and had warm, kind smiles.

Many families had volunteered for the honorable role of adopting Harry and Ginny, but in the end the kids were the ones to decide who they wanted to raise them for the duration of their childhood. Harry had chosen Rakesh and Shandra for their very visible love of children and their playful attitudes. It never really occurred to him that they were a bit like his parents when it came to their fun personalities. His sub-conscious just told him they were the right ones.

Ginny had chosen Kalavan and Candrima because they were a bit older than the rest of the candidates, something that she was more comfortable with, plus they had a son. He was ten years old and Ginny had instantly felt a sibling-like connection to the boy. He would teach Ginny and Harry tricks to the Island games and take them around the city to the most fun places. His name was Nyx. He was tall for his age, despite his parents' average heights, and he had short hair like his fathers, but it was a darker shade of brown and his eyes seemed to be a mixture of both his parents' eyes. He had a wide, bright smile and seemed to always be ready to have fun. He had already taken both Harry and Ginny under his wing and was delighted that Ginny would soon be his sister.

As the Elder, who had been chanting some kind of magic over two stone basins at the foot of his throne, finally looked up and waved the group forward, Harry looked over to Ginny again and smiled. The girl returned the smile timidly and nodded at the boy with the midnight colored hair.

Harry walked forward with Rakesh and Shandra to the bowl nearest them, as Ginny did the same with Kalavan and Candrima. The stone basins seemed to be filled with sparkling water, but as Harry looked closer he saw that his basin was empty. The Moonlight shone down into the basins and created a wonderful luminescence that appeared to be rippling water.

The Elder smiled as he looked upon the six people before him.

"Family is the greatest gift that a person can be given." The Elder began. "True family is the people who will stand beside you even in the roughest of times. They are those who will love you for your talents, despite your faults. True family are those who are not afraid to tell you the truth about yourself, even when the truth hurts, because they care enough about you to protect and forgive you when you take your anger out on them. Family will always be there for you whenever they possibly can and they will love you when you feel that no one else cares."

Now the Elder stepped down to the level of the six standing before him. He placed his hands on Harry and Ginny's shoulders and looked at each of them in turn before continuing.

"Adoption is a truly great thing. It is the joining of what will become a great family. The bond created in adoption is unique and very special indeed. That we have two adoption ceremonies taking place this night is a very special thing, and that the adopted are from that world beyond the fog is very rare and astounding. We Luna Liberi do wish that you will come to love your adopted families as if they were with you from the start, and that you will come to call Moon Island home and its inhabitants your friends. Now let us begin the ceremony!"

The gathered people cheered as the Elder said this, and then became quite silent as the Elder instructed the two couples and the children with them to surround their separate basins. As Harry made a sort of triangle around the basin with Rakesh and Shandra forming the other points, the moonlight shone down upon him and into the basin.

The Elder handed Rakesh and Kalavan small knives and instructed them on what to do. A small cut was made into the couples and the kids' thumbs, just enough to draw a drop of blood. Harry knew from the Elder that this was to happen and wasn't too worried by it. The three members of each family were to then press their thumbs together for ten seconds, while the Elder continued his ritualistic chanting.

Harry could feel something hot speeding up his arm and spreading throughout his body. This feeling was different than any he had ever felt before. The thing that was spreading felt hot, yet there was no pain. He felt hot and cold at the same time. Weak and strong. Confused and sure. But most of all, he felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. He seemed to feel all of this in the short seconds that the three were connected.

The Elder then instructed the families to each place their hands into the stone basins. Harry did as instructed and was awed as he felt a cool liquid embrace his hand when he placed it into the basin. The basin still appeared to be empty but Harry could feel the liquid sensation running over his fingers. He looked into the moonlight a realized that the luminescent glow was the cause of it. He didn't know how it was possible, he just knew. As the children and their adoptive parents ran their hand through the basin and the liquid light of the moon, the small cuts on their thumbs healed over and closed up. There were small barely noticeable scars where the incisions had been made.

Harry suddenly felt as if he had been washed away by a giant wave. Everything went dark for a moment and when the light returned he felt…different. Everything looked blurry and this prompted Harry to take off his glasses. His sight was vastly improved. Harry looked to his adoptive parents who were smiling down at him. But somehow, they seemed closer than before. Harry looked back into the basin and could see his reflection. His hair seemed darker, if that was even possible. It was so black it almost looked blue in the light. His eyes were different too. They still had that vibrant green color, but there were many other colors mixed in. There were flecks of gold, gray, blue, and hazel. It was like looking into a kaleidoscope.

Harry looked over to where Ginny was standing with her adoptive parents. He could see that she went through some changes as well. She too seemed a bit taller than before and her hair was a darker red with brownish-gold highlights. She looked over to him at the same time and he could see her eyes. Instead of the deep chocolate brown they had once been, Ginny's eyes were now sparkling amber orbs flecked with gold.

The Elder had stopped the chanting and instructed the two new families to stand before him once more. It was time for the declaring of names. The Elder would announce the kids' new names to the Oldmoon Council and these names would be their new identity on Moon Island. The names had already been chosen much like they would have been had Harry and Ginny been native to Moon Island. The parents would get to know the child before naming him or her and the Elder would council with the Moon to determine if the name was truly right for the child. The names the parents chose were almost always in agreement with the Elder and the Moon. The name would then be announced to the Oldmoon Council and a new identity would be born on Moon Island. The child would be known as a Newmoon until its thirteenth birthday, where it would ascend and find out its true power level and finally be able to wear the orb around its neck that signified its coming of age.

The Elder had the families face their back towards him and look out into the gathered crowd. He introduced Harry first.

"I am proud to introduce to you Donovan Andrew Newmoon, Child of the Moon."

Harry, or Donovan as he would now be known, stepped forward to the cheers of the Council. He was soon followed by his new parents who clasped him on the shoulder and gave broad grins over the reception of their new son. Ginny was next.

"I am proud once more, to introduce to you Celena Alastair Newmoon." The Elder stated and clapped along with those gathered around them.

Ginny, now known as Celena, stepped forward with her adoptive parents and gave a timid smile to those who were congratulating her and her new family. She turned to Harry and saw the happiness in his multicolored eyes. She gave a bigger smile at his happiness. She then looked up to the two adults smiling down on her and she finally felt truly at ease. She now knew, more than ever that she would find happiness here.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As Donovan lay down in his new bed in his new home later that night, he thought about what had brought him to this moment. His past was painful, but in a way it enabled him to be here. He thought about what he would do with the rest of his life, and if he would be as great as the Elder thought he could be. In the end he reasoned that it really didn't matter. The time for judging children based on their potential power was over. Here he was going to be accepted whether he was a great success or not. Here he would truly be loved.

It was time to say goodbye to the past, and hello to the present and the future that awaited him.


A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews. Don't worry; you'll get some action soon. Thanks for sticking with me through it all…I absolutely LOVE you guys. See ya next chapter.

-Virgo

UPDATED 7-21-2010