-o-AN-o-
A reviewer, Mione05, asked about "Secret Loves Year 1" and posting it here. I could bore you all with the technical details, but apparently hard drives have many ways of destroying...er...storing data. While I still have the outline of the story, I am sad to say the story itself died a horrible death, as did a huge amount of notes for other stories along with pictures, videos and an entire library of fan fiction downloaded from various sites.
As soon as I am done with Secret Loves 2 and Harry Potter and the Living Wards, I will be coming back to rewrite Secret Loves. My ludicrously optimistic time frame says two to three months. Which means you could read Secret Loves 2, review it and then come back when Secret Loves starts getting posted and have forgotten Secret Loves 2 so you can reread it and enjoy it all over again!
-o-AN-o-
-oOoOo-
The five of them entered The Leaky Cauldron, pausing only long enough to change into robes, Dan and Emma included, and entered Diagon Alley. They headed past Ollivander's, following Luna to the offices of The Quibbler. Luna knocked a pattern of one medium knock, four short knocks, one long and one short knock and entered. It wasn't clear to the other four the reasons for the knocking because once the door was opened, the mechanical noises from within made conversation impossible.
There was a huge expanse of room filled with operating printing presses, or so it seemed. Unlike muggle presses, these presses not only printed the material, but cut, bound and bundled the finished product. At present, it seemed the presses were creating the current week's issue of Witches Weekly.
There was a subtle change to the timbre of the sound as all the presses simultaneously ran out of paper, printed, cut, bound and bundled their final copy and shut down.
The silence was deafening and took Hermione and Harry by surprise.
"Hello, My Little Luna! I will be right there!" they heard Xeno shout from deep within the building. They could see motion somewhere in and amongst the presses as Xeno came closer, threading his way through the presses, which seemed to be placed in a somewhat haphazard fashion around the warehouse. As he got closer, Harry and Hermione were surprised by his very muggle-appearing, white overalls with dabs of ink and grease here and there. As he came up to them, he pulled his wand and waved it over himself, changing into an outfit that had colours four members of the group had never seen before.
"And how is my beautiful daughter?" Xeno said, reaching down and picking Luna up and giving her a twirling hug. Xeno could feel the happiness radiating from Luna in waves and her laughter was genuinely happy. She kissed Xeno on the cheek as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
"Did you miss me, Daddy?" Luna asked as Xeno kissed her back on the cheek.
"Very much! Sunflower! Did you have a good time?" he asked.
She nodded vehemently. Xeno looked at Dan and Emma. "Thank you for making Luna's time with you so wonderful," Xeno said. His smile suddenly faded from his face. "Sugar Plum, I have a lot of work to do this week and I was just awarded the printing contract from the Ministry for all of their forms so we're not going to have a lot of time to spend together this summer," he said sadly. "I did bring some of your things from the house so you could play in the office while I work." Xeno then noticed the ring on Luna's finger and looked at it closely. He suddenly looked up at Harry and stared at him piercingly. Harry was smiling as he looked at Luna in Xeno's arms. Xeno then noticed that Harry was holding Hermione's hand and the glint of a similar ring glimmered from Hermione's hand as well. Two of them? Is he going to be using the old laws then? Xeno thought.
Dan decided it was a good time to ask Xeno about upcoming plans. "Xeno, could you and I step into your office for a moment. I'm sure Luna could show Emma, Hermione and Harry around your presses," he said.
Xeno looked a bit surprised at the cordial tone and looked at Luna, who was nodding and smiling at him. He had expected a much more formal request. "Certainly, Dan. Now remember, Luna. Only point at things with your finger. No touching anything and no casting spells."
"Yes, Daddy. I remember," Luna said.
Xeno motioned for Dan to follow him and the two wove their way through the presses and entered an office area. While the presses had appeared to have been set down wherever they could be, the office was clearly the work of someone with an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Everything was labelled, everything was filed. The files on Xeno's desk were tagged much the same way Emma and Dan's patient files were tagged. There was not a single item out of place.
"Xeno, I was wondering if Luna could join Emma, Hermione, Harry and me on our family vacation to France. Apparently Harry has a château in the South and Luna very much enjoyed spending time with our two children," Dan explained.
"It is clear to me she enjoyed her time with your family, Dan, but I am concerned," Xeno said, turning around and handing Dan a glass of grape juice, having poured one for himself as well. Dan took a sip and was pleasantly surprised to find it was not alcoholic. "Can you explain to me the reason our daughters are wearing betrothal rings?" Xeno asked, waiting for Dan to finish swallowing his sip.
Dan looked surprised. "What do you mean by betrothal rings? Harry bought those for the girls as friendship rings."
"Dan, I don't know how it works in the muggle world, but those rings are singing with magic. I imagine the only way those rings would come off is if the girl wearing it removed it of her own free will," Xeno said thoughtfully.
"Well, I thought it was a little odd they were a bit loose when Harry first put them on them this morning, but they sized to fit the girls' fingers perfectly. I just chalked that up to Harry or the girls performing some magic to make them do that," Dan said. What the hell have I gotten Hermione and Harry into? he thought.
"Oh, I imagine it was their magic, certainly. Their combined magics, is my best guess. Have they been holding hands a great deal today?" Xeno asked.
Dan thought about it. "They've been holding hands since Harry put the rings on them," he looked at his watch, "which would be several hours now, except when you and Luna were hugging," Dan said.
"When will you be returning from this holiday, Dan?" Xeno asked, taking a large sip of his juice.
"August twenty-fourth. We're planning on leaving this Friday," Dan explained, wondering why the sudden deflection in the conversation.
"Have the five of you already eaten lunch?" Xeno asked.
"Yes, we just came from lunch," Dan explained.
"Well then ice cream is in order. My treat," Xeno said, setting his glass down and reaching for his over-robe.
"I don't think that..." Dan was interrupted.
"I am afraid I must insist, Dan. I think it important you take Luna now so that she can become more acclimated to being in the muggle world as well as spend time this week doing things other than playing alone and wishing she was spending time with her friends that are real people." Xeno looked up into Dan's eyes. "Do you realize that, even when Maia was alive, Luna has only ever had one friend and she never got to spend time with her after her friend's seventh birthday party. Her friend's brothers frightened her so badly that she came running home, crying," Xeno explained, his voice clearly reflecting his almost failing to hold back his emotions. He pinched his nose and squared his shoulders before continuing. "I would consider it a personal favour if you would do this for me. For Luna."
"Ice cream it is, then. We will bring her back to you Monday, August twenty-fifth, Xeno," Dan said.
"I think it would be best if I met you at The Leaky Cauldron and took you and your family out to dinner in the Alley when you return. We can decide then what is best for the week prior to returning to Hogwarts, Dan," Xeno explained.
Dan nodded. He felt as if something was going on but judging by Xeno's demeanour, would not get the answer he was looking for, if he asked. Xeno opened the office door and gestured for Dan to exit. Xeno followed Dan out of the office, pulled his wand and waved it over the office door. Dan heard at least ten locks locking the door.
Dan followed Xeno through the seemingly random path back to Harry and the girls. "Kumquat! Meet us back by the door!" Xeno shouted in the still-silent warehouse. Dan heard Hermione and Luna giggling off to the left. The two groups arrived at the entrance simultaneously; Harry blushing and Luna and Hermione trying their best to hold in their giggles. Emma was smiling, blushing a bit and looking at Harry.
Trying to save Harry from further embarrassment at the moment, Dan decided to discuss their destination. "Mister Lovegood wishes to take us all out for ice cream and he has a surprise for us all," Dan explained.
Xeno looked at him and smiled while picking an excited Luna up and giving her another peck on the cheek and a loving hug. "That's right! Fortescue's for a surprise!" Xeno exclaimed cheerfully.
They left The Quibbler office and headed down Diagon Alley to Fortescue's. Luna whispered to Hermione, who nodded. The girls looked at Harry again and giggled as he held out chairs for them on either side of his chair. When he sat down, both of his hands were occupied by the girls on either side. On the other side of the table, Emma sat between Dan and Xeno with Xeno sitting across from Luna.
Florean Fortescue was surprised. He had not seen Xeno Lovegood at his establishment since before Maia Lovegood was killed. At the funeral, his friend Xeno, who had previously been a boisterous, happy fellow was an empty husk of the man he once knew. Something must have happened recently because he appeared to be nearly back to his old self.
"Florean! My dear friend! I want you to meet some truly wonderful people. You know my daughter, Luna, of course," Xeno said, gesturing to Luna.
"A pleasure to see you again, young miss. Going to start Hogwarts this year, no?" Florean said in greeting.
"Yes, Sir, and I am terribly excited to be going!" Luna exclaimed and squeezed Harry's hand.
"And this is Daniel and Emma Granger," Xeno introduced them.
Florean reached across from the head of the table and kissed Emma's hand and shook Dan's hand. "A pleasure to meet you," he said.
"This is their daughter, Hermione," Xeno said, gesturing to Hermione.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, Miss. If I see it correctly in my mind's eye, you shall grow up to be at least as lovely as your beautiful mother," Florean said with a flourish, causing Hermione to blush.
"Thank you, Sir," Hermione said.
"And this is Harry Evans, a good friend of both the Grangers and the Lovegoods," Xeno said.
Florean looked askance at Harry for a moment then reached out to shake his hand. "A pleasure to meet you Master Evans," then softly, "I knew your parents, My Lord, and I am honoured with your presence but shall keep your secrets," he said quietly.
Harry nodded, swallowed and said, "Thank you, Sir. I'm told you have the best ice cream in magical Europe."
"Really now. That is a nice thing for someone to say. Do you recall who told you that?" Florean asked, wondering if the person who said such things could really have a proper opinion.
"Ironclaw and Steelfist of The People made mention of it, Sir," Harry said quietly.
Florean swallowed. If the Goblins thought he had the best ice cream, it must be true. "And what can I get all of you today? Ladies first!" Florean exclaimed.
"Mum?" Hermione asked.
Emma looked at the board in front of the building, "I think I will have an Ever-Lasting Strawberry Malt."
"Very good choice. And for you ladies?" Florean asked.
The two girls looked shyly at Harry before Luna looked up and said, "A quintuple double chocolate hot fudge Neapolitan sundae without nuts, with three cherries, three bananas, two spoons with a follow-on face wash, and two warm towels, please."
Harry looked at her questioningly but said nothing.
"Excellent choice. And for you, Master Granger?" Florean asked Dan.
"I believe I will have an Ever-Lasting Chocolate Malt," Dan said with a smile.
"And for you, Xeno?" Florean asked.
Xeno looked at Luna and Hermione holding Harry's hands, "I think I would like an Orange, Lime, Lemon sherbet, a follow-on face wash and a warm towel, please."
"I will have your orders out momentarily," Florean said and rushed off.
The girls leaned in and snuggled into Harry for the two minutes it took Florean to deliver the orders.
Dan and Emma were surprised doubly when they received their malts. Each was about the size of a small water glass, which they both consumed in less than thirty seconds. "Well, so much for Ever-Lasting," Emma said.
"Just wait a few seconds, Emma," Xeno said. Sure enough, a few moments later, their glasses were full again.
"How often will they do that?" Emma asked in surprise.
"Until you leave, the glass breaks or Florean closes for the night," Xeno said.
"That's wonderful!" Emma said and giggled, slurping at her malt until it began refilling again.
Xeno dispensed with a spoon, picked up his sundae bowl and began licking at it like a large, horizontal ice cream cone.
Harry was a little disappointed that Mister Fortescue didn't ask him what he wanted when he realized the reason for that.
Neither Hermione nor Luna would let go of his hands. Luna picked her spoon up and fed her spoonful to Harry. Hermione picked her spoon up and fed her spoonful to Luna. Luna picked up a second spoonful and fed Hermione. This went on until the sundae was gone, the girls always feeding the other two and never needing to feed themselves. When they were done eating their sundae, Luna carefully centred the sundae bowl on Harry and a gentle, warm, lemon-scented mist of water came out of the sundae bowl to rinse their lips and chins. A warm towel immediately appeared in front of Hermione and Luna. They each gently dried their side of Harry's face, dried their own faces then they each kissed Harry on the cheek.
"All clean," they announced in unison, then giggled shyly.
The three adults watched this with some amusement. Xeno finished his ice cream and his bowl similarly washed his face. He then dried it with the magically-appearing towel.
Although Dan and Emma continued drinking their malts, although a bit slower, Xeno reached across the table with his hands to take Luna's and Hermione's free hands. "Girls, and Harry, I have a surprise for you I hope all of you will like," Xeno said and knew he had their undivided attention. "I understand that Dan and Emma are taking the two of you on holiday in France starting Friday and not returning until a week before school," Xeno watched as Harry and Hermione nodded happily and Luna became a bit dejected, "and I was wondering if you two wouldn't mind it if Luna went with you."
Hermione squealed, released Xeno's hand, reached across Harry and pulled Luna into a hug. Harry exclaimed, "YES!" and scooted his chair back a bit and pulled both Hermione and Luna into a three-way hug. They remained this way for several minutes until Emma cleared her throat loudly a second time.
All three of them sat back in their chairs normally, shy smiles on all of their faces.
"I will take that as a 'Yes, we would like Luna to come with us'," Xeno said, then looked at his daughter.
"Skunkweed, would you like to spend the summer with Harry and Hermione?" Xeno asked.
"I would, Daddy, but I don't want to abandon you and not help you with the Snorkack hunt this year," Luna said with worry.
"Well, Cannabis, with the Ministry contracts and several other contracts I've recently been awarded, I didn't want to break it to you but I won't have the time this summer to take us on our hunt," Xeno explained, "and this gives you a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with your friends, and who knows what you might see on vacation in France."
Luna ran around the table and hugged her father for all she was worth, "I love you, Daddy!" Luna exclaimed.
"And I love you, too, Wildflower," Xeno said, kissing the top of her head. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Now I need to get back to the presses. Because you're going on holiday with them, you will get to spend the rest of the week with them and then you will see me at the end of August," Xeno said.
Luna nodded and hugged him again. Hermione and Harry stood and walked over to behind Luna. "Thank you, Mister Lovegood, for letting Luna come with us," Hermione said.
"Lord Lovegood, your heir shall remain safely with us until I return her to your care," Harry said formally and bowed to Xeno.
Xeno stood and looked at Harry, pondering him for a moment then smiled. "Lord Potter, House Lovegood would trust only one other with our Heir and the continuation of our line," and returned Harry's bow. The four magic users could feel the magic in the air build and then flash between Xeno, Harry and Luna.
"I had almost forgotten about that," Xeno said with a chuckle. "I take it that Sirius is teaching you Founders' Etiquette?"
Harry smiled as well, "Yes, Sir. Both Hermione and me," Harry looked shyly at Hermione.
"Really?" Xeno said, somewhat in surprise. Then looked at Hermione who was blushing and shyly smiling at Harry. "Well, perhaps he knows best. Harry, may I speak to you, Lord-to-Lord for a moment?" Xeno asked, then turned to Dan and Emma. "I must apologise, but what I need to speak to Harry about really must remain between the two of us," Xeno said. Dan and Emma nodded.
"Certainly, Sir," Harry said. Xeno clapped him on the shoulder and led him a bit away then erected some privacy charms and barrier wards.
"Although this is somewhat formal, Harry, do you mind if I call you Harry and only call you Lord Potter when is necessary?" Xeno asked.
"That would be fine, Sir," Harry replied.
"Good. Thank you, Harry. I understand from Dan that you gave Luna a ring in friendship today and you did the same with Hermione," Xeno said. Harry nodded. "Harry, do you know of the gifts the Founders were given by the elves?" Harry nodded. "And specifically, the gifts given to the House of Lovegood?" Harry nodded once again. "From what Dan tells me, when you placed them on the girls' fingers, they shrank to fit them perfectly," Xeno paused.
"They did. I just thought it was my magic making them fit," Harry said.
"You're half-right, Harry. Did Sirius explain the meaning of rings and other jewellery as they relate to you?" Xeno asked, looking at Harry, searching for any signs of deception or undue tension.
"No, Sir," Harry replied. Harry saw the intensity with which Xeno was looking at him. "Did I do something wrong, Sir?" Harry asked in concern.
Xeno smiled and shook his head, seeing no falseness in Harry, "No, Harry. It is nice to know Luna will be with genuinely honest and loving people," Xeno said. He then became serious. "And now for the formal part of our conversation, Harry." Xeno squared his shoulders, pulled his wand, looked at Harry and pointed his wand steadily at Harry's heart. "Lord Potter, as my Heir is the last of her line, I charge you with her safety, until you return her safely to my side, until she is safely ensconced or betrothed to her intended or until the world ends. So say I, Xenophilius Lovegood, Lord of House Lovegood."
Harry looked at the wand pointing at his heart and tried to remember what Sirius had told him. Harry drew his own wand and pointed it at Xeno's heart. "I, Harry Potter, Lord of House Potter, do freely accept this responsibility and will protect the Heir of House Lovegood, even to my own demise. So mote it be," Harry said calmly. A wash of magic covered both of them.
Xeno put his wand away and relaxed his shoulders in relief. "Thank you, Harry. This puts my mind at rest," Xeno said and held his hand out to be shaken by Harry.
Harry put his wand away and gripped Xeno's forearm, the way Sirius had taught him. "It is my privilege, Mister Lovegood," Harry said with a smile.
Xeno looked over at the Grangers and his daughter. They all looked a bit concerned. "Let's get back. It almost looks as if they thought we were cursing one another," Xeno said with a smile.
Xeno pulled down the wards and dispelled the charms and he walked Harry back over to the group.
"Well, that looked serious," Emma said, looking at Harry, but speaking to Xeno.
"It's a magical law issue, Emma. Should Luna need anything while she is with you, Harry is now her legal guardian in the magical world," Xeno explained. He then removed a folded piece of parchment with a wax seal from his pocket and handed it to Harry. "When you stop by Gringott's for Luna's needs for your holiday, please give them this. It will allow them to provide your parents with the necessary muggle paperwork for them to be her legal guardians in the muggle world. I would also suggest your parents make you Hermione's magical guardian while you are there. It would provide Hermione and your parents a greater level of safety from the Ministry as well as from anyone else who would wish to meddle in their affairs."
Dan and Emma were somewhat surprised but also pleased that Xeno had thought ahead enough to give them this should the need arise.
Xeno knelt down and pulled Luna into a hug, "My Little Foxglove, you enjoy your holiday. I love you with all of my heart and every breath I breathe," and held her for a few moments with his eyes closed.
"I love you, too, Daddy. I'll miss you," she said, smiling but a little sad.
"I will miss you, too, Buttercup. Take good care of your friends," Xeno said, releasing her and standing once again. "Take care, Harry," he said, ruffling his hair good-naturedly.
"Thank you, Mister Lovegood," Harry said with a smile.
Xeno took Hermione's hand and kissed it, then put his face next to her ear, "Take care of her for me and be the best friend you can be to her, please. She is going to need you," he whispered.
Hermione hugged him, looked up at him and nodded with a smile.
He took Emma's hand and kissed it, "Thank you for showing my daughter a wonderful time yesterday and today and for treating her like a princess." Emma looked into Xeno's eyes. He quickly looked at Dan. He reached out his hand to Dan to shake and Dan gripped Xeno's forearm as he expected this was the norm in the wizarding world. "Thank you for everything, Dan," Xeno simply said, squeezed Dan's forearm and released him.
"I have to go now. Have fun on your holiday!" he exclaimed as he rapidly walked back towards the offices of The Quibbler.
Dan and Emma looked at one another and felt something was off about Xenophilius Lovegood, but couldn't quite place the source of the feeling.
Dan looked down at his watch and was surprised it was half past one. "We need to get going as my first surgery is in just thirty minutes. If we hurry, I will just make it," he said to get the group going.
The five of them exited Diagon Alley, walked through the Leaky Cauldron, got to the car park and climbed into Dan's BMW. Emma looked turned around in the back seat and saw that Harry was in the middle and was helping Luna, then Hermione, with their seat belts before putting his own on. "All strapped in, Love," Emma said to Dan. He nodded, made it out of the car park and got to the office with a few minutes to spare. Dan and Emma stepped from the car to switch sides. "I'll call you when I am done for the day, Honey. You may as well find something local to do as I only have Mister Fister for an extraction and Mrs. Winkler for her root canal," he said.
"Yes, Dear. No gory details please. I think we'll just go to the park and feed the ducks or something equally mundane," Emma said, then gave him a kiss.
Dan waved to the children through the windscreen and went into the building. Emma walked around to the right side of the car and started it. She turned in her seat, "How would you like to go and feed the ducks at the park?" she asked.
Before Harry or Hermione could say anything, Luna asked, "They have kneazles at the park?"
Emma had no idea what Luna was asking, but fortunately Hermione rescued her. "Not that I know of, Luna. Why do you ask?"
Luna looked at Hermione in confusion. "Then what would we be feeding the ducks to?"
Hermione opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again, then closed it with a clicking of teeth.
Harry smiled at Luna's question, then giggled at Hermione's antics. Luna also giggled at Hermione.
"I think someone got pranked," Harry said, pulling Hermione head onto his shoulder. He turned his attention to a quietly laughing Emma, "That sounds like a lot of fun, Mum!"
Emma drove them down to the park and the four of them got out. Harry spent a few moments showing Luna how to release the seat belt and how to put it on again and make sure it was latched. Hermione showed her how to ensure the belt wasn't twisted and the proper placement on the hips to make sure she wasn't injured in an accident.
Meanwhile, Emma was taking a couple of loaves of dried bread from the boot from their "duck food" supply. They found a bench and sat. Emma sat on one end, then Hermione, then Luna and Harry sat on the far end. Emma noticed the change in the seating arrangement and mentioned it. "Harry, why are you not sitting between the girls?" she asked.
"It has to do with the promise I made to Luna's dad, Mum," he explained. Luna looked at Harry and smiled, taking his hand. Hermione smiled at Harry as well. She took Luna's free hand and squeezed it.
"May I ask what this promise was?" Emma asked, thinking to herself, Do I really want to know?
Harry looked out at the water thoughtfully for a few moments before turning to look at Emma. "I cannot tell you the exact wording of the promise, Mum, but I promised him I would take care of her and look out for her safety," he said, "and sitting on this side of her ensures no one can sneak up on her from here."
Emma tried to hide her amusement at what she thought of as Harry's simplistic view of protection, "That's a very good promise to have made, Harry. Did you make the same sort of promise to Dad about Hermione?"
Harry shook his head, "No Mum. I made that promise directly to Hermione. I can't do that to Luna because she is the Heir and not yet the head of her house."
Emma now showed open surprise. "Wait. You're telling me that, in the wizarding world, girls can inherit just as well as boys?"
Harry and Luna looked at Hermione, who nodded and looked at her mum. "In some families, Mum. Sirius told us that all four of the Founders' families are primogenial, while most of the other pureblood families practice patrilineal succession. So in Luna's case, she is the Heir to House Lovegood. There are some older pureblood families who also practice primogenial succession," Hermione explained, "including the Greengrass and Parkinson families."
"How... progressive... of them," Emma said, tossing a few more pieces of bread to the eager ducks.
"Actually, Mum, in the wizarding world it is considered an anachronism. Patrilineal succession has only been in common use for three hundred years in the wizarding world," Hermione explained.
Emma just shook her head and smiled. She then remembered the thread of her original thought and brought the discussion back to it, "So, Harry, how is it you had to make the promise to Mister Lovegood for Luna but you only made the promise to Hermione and not either myself or Dan?"
Hermione blushed and looked down at the water at Emma's question. Harry blushed as well, but Luna squeezing his hand in reassurance helped. "Well, there are a couple of reasons for that. One of the reasons, which I do not agree with, is that neither you nor Dad have magic so have no say, really, in the magical world, at least in Britain," Harry paused to collect his thoughts.
"In Britain," Emma repeated. "Why in Britain?" she asked.
"Because in almost every other country in the world, except Britain and South Africa, the magical governments recognize the rights and responsibilities of the non-magical parents of magical children," Hermione explained, "while Britain has an extremely ignorant position with regard to non-magical parents of magical children, South Africa used to be worse. Until five years ago, in South Africa, the magical children, along with their non-magical parents and any siblings, were shipped to Australia at their first demonstration of accidental magic. The South African government had an agreement with the magical government of Australia."
Emma absorbed this information, then looked at Harry again, "And the other reasons?" she asked.
"Um... I didn't know either you or Dad at the time and, well... you already know about the troll," Harry said sheepishly, looking down at the water again.
They sat for some time, feeding the ducks. Emma was processing everything she had heard and seen today. She wanted to have a conversation with Dan, and possibly Hermione, to talk about Xeno's behaviour. Possibly stop by St Mungo's and talk to Sirius without Harry and Hermione... she thought.
Luna and Hermione were talking softly and being a bit giggly, occasionally sneaking glances at Harry. Harry had his eyes closed and was experimenting with his magical spigot and trying to see how his magic reacted to the world around him. He noted he could feel the two girls next to him almost as if they were a part of him. Wouldn't it be cool if I could talk to them this way some day, he thought. He also felt small light voids in the magic in front of him and a slightly weaker area of magic next to Hermione. He opened his eyes. The light voids in front of him corresponded to the ducks, he determined. The weak magical field next to Hermione were the twins developing within Emma. This is so cool! I wonder what else magic like this can do, he thought. He closed his eyes again and felt the intermingling of the girls' magic with his own. He could still feel Luna holding his hand and that proximity helped him to separate out their individual magic fields. Wow! he thought, Now I wonder if I can hug them individually. His thoughts were interrupted by Emma.
"We should get back and see if Dan is ready to go yet. Did you have a nice nap, Harry?" Emma asked.
"Oh, I wasn't napping. I was playing with my magic," he said thoughtfully and looked over at his companions.
Hermione looked at him with her "We're going to talk about this when our parents are not around" patented look. Luna squeezed his hand and smiled.
"Did you learn anything?" Emma asked in curiosity.
"Not yet, but I hope to soon," Harry said with a mysterious smile on his face. He then stood and looked around. He then offered his hand to Luna, then Hermione and finally to Emma to help them stand, more out of courtesy than need.
They walked to the car and Emma noted again, Harry sat in the middle with Luna on his right and Hermione on his left. She turned in her seat and watched as Harry, once again, helped Luna and Hermione with their seat belts. "Harry, at the park, you sat on the end of the bench, but in the car you sit in the middle. Why is that?" she asked.
Harry took Hermione's hand and Luna's hand and looked at Emma with determination in his eyes, "If I am in the middle and we have an accident, this gives my magic a better chance of surrounding all of the people I care about so they don't... that is... so they're not hurt," he explained.
Emma nodded. She remembered how the Goblins had insisted on showing Harry the projection of Hermione's memories of the accident and when it came to the point Dan had covered Emma and Hermione with his own body; the first hug between Harry and Dan had been a tearful one on both sides, Dan had been reliving almost losing Emma and it had been the first time Harry called him, "Dad". For Harry, this one event, beyond all others, galvanized his feelings about Dan. Here was a man who would willingly give his own life to save the lives of his wife and child. This was a man who could be no more closer, morally, than his own father had been, not that he thought of it in those terms.
They drove to the practice and stopped. "I will be right back after checking on Dad," she said and got out, locking the doors with the remote.
Hermione waited until Emma had entered the building then leaned forward and looked at Luna, catching her eye. She then quickly glanced at Harry then Luna again and puckered her lips. Luna smiled and nodded.
"Harry," Hermione said softly and he turned to look at her, "you didn't have to give me a ring to prove to me how good a friend you are," he was about to interrupt her but she put a finger to his lips, "and I wanted you to know your my best friend," she said, removed her finger and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Luna followed Hermione's example. "Harry," she said, "you and Hermione are my first real friends and you don't need to buy me things to show me you are my best friend." Luna, too, kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, and Harry?" she said and paused for him to look into her eyes, "I LOVE! the ring, too! It matches my new dress!"
"I love my ring too, Harry," Hermione said shyly. She then changed her train of thought, "What did you mean about playing with your magic earlier?" she asked, with honest curiosity.
"I was trying to see if I could separate your magics from one another when they intermingle with mine. I was just to the point of working on that when we had to leave," Harry said. He noticed motion outside the car. "Mum and Dad are coming," he said.
Dan and Emma entered the car. "Well, good news!" Dan exclaimed. "I was able to move my two patients tomorrow to Doctor Fahlstedt in Woking and we have a potential party interested in the practice."
"That's great news, Daddy!" Hermione exclaimed, wishing she had some way of repaying Harry for giving her more time with her parents. She turned and gave Harry an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek, "thank you, Harry," she whispered to him so softly only he could hear.
Harry turned to her and kissed her on the cheek, "if it wasn't for you and your parents, Hermione, I would be all alone in a big empty house," he whispered and kissed her once more. He turned to Luna to keep her from being left out, and kissed her on the cheek as well, "and our newest, bestest friend is here to share the good news with us!" he exclaimed. He then put an arm around each of the girls and pulled their heads down onto his shoulders.
Emma looked at the three of them. If they were just two years older, I would be worried, she thought. "So, how does take-away sound tonight? Italian, Chinese or something else?" she asked.
"Anything is fine with me," Dan said.
Hermione and Harry looked at Luna. "Luna, it is your choice tonight," Harry said with Hermione nodding in silent agreement.
"I have never had Italian food before. Come to think of it, I have never had Chinese food either. Of the two, would Italian be fine?" Luna asked.
"Italian would be great, Luna, dear," Emma said. "Now let's get our seat belts on so we can go."
They stopped by the Italian restaurant two miles from home and picked up a variety of selections from the menu. At first, Emma had tried to argue it was too much food until Hermione reminded her in a whispered conversation that Harry could place stasis charms on the food, preventing it from spoiling. After that, Emma allowed Harry to order significantly more than they would have normally.
Dan and Emma set dinner out buffet style and watched as Luna, and even Harry to some extent, explored an entirely new universe of culinary delights.
After dinner, Harry waited downstairs while the girls went upstairs to change into their pyjamas. He helped Dan put fresh bedding on the sofa bed. When they had finished, the girls were coming downstairs. They were whispering and giggling as they came downstairs. Harry was watching them as they walked down the stairs and had a dreamy smile on his face. Dan was watching Harry watch them walk down the stairs. "Pleasant thoughts, Harry?" Dan asked quietly. Is he looking at the girls sexually or... he thought.
Harry looked over at Dan without the slightest hint of embarrassment. "I was just thinking how amazing it is to have a family that cares about me and friends who are really friends," he said.
Dan smiled and walked over to Harry and gave him a one-arm hug. "You're a son to be proud of, Harry. Never forget that," Dan said, looking down at him. Harry looked up to him with a smile. The girls were at the bottom of the stairs looking at Harry shyly.
"The bathroom is all yours, Harry," Hermione said with a slight pinkness to her cheeks. He smiled at the girls and got kissed on the cheek by each of them as he passed them to head up the stairs to get ready for bed. The two girls gave Dan and Emma each a hug before climbing into bed and under the covers.
Dan and Emma went into the kitchen to finish up the dinner dishes but were straining to hear Hermione's and Luna's conversation.
In a normal tone of voice, Luna asked, "So an X means a kiss and an O means a hug?"
"Yes," Hermione answered, "the O's represent your arms around him and the X's represent your pursed lips touching his pursed lips in a kiss."
"Oh! I can see it now!" Luna exclaimed.
"Shhhh... Luna... Mum and Dad are in the kitchen," Hermione whispered loudly.
-oOoOo-
Harry grabbed socks, underclothes and his pyjamas and headed into the bathroom to change. As he walked in, he noticed the bathroom was cleaner than he had ever seen it. That explains why Hermione and Luna took so long – they must have cleaned it, he thought. He decided to brush and floss his teeth three times to see if it kept his breath fresher in the morning. He stripped down and looked at himself in the mirror. For the first time in as long as he could remember, this was the first year he had not been hit, slapped, burned, degraded or forced to work to exhaustion. He noticed there were no new scars on his body. His arms and chest had begun developing somewhat and he was happy to be able to see without glasses. He had just gotten his clothes on when he heard a pop behind him. He turned to look and standing in front of him was one of the most bedraggled house elves Harry had ever seen.
"What happened to you, Little Fellow? You don't look like you're being taken care of at all," Harry said.
The house elf began crying and Harry could make out only about every third word, "Great... sniffle Potter... sniffle Dobby..." he made out. While Harry had just put on clean clothes, he knew this house elf was upset and he hated to see anyone crying.
Harry knelt down and was about to hug the elf to comfort it, but was concerned the house elf might be injured. "Are you hurt at all? Is there something I can help you with?" Harry asked.
"Dobby had heard The Great Harry Potter was great, but Dobby never imagined a wizard would show care for Dobby!" the elf said. "And The Great Harry Potter asks if he can help Dobby. Never has a wizard asked to help a house elf before! As if Dobby were an equal!" Harry didn't want to interrupt the elf because it looked to have more to say once it composed itself. "Dobby is not hurt more than Dobby should be. Dobby came to help The Great Harry Potter!"
Harry looked at the elf in some surprise. "Well, Dobby, what did you come to help me with?" Harry asked.
"Dobby has come to warn The Great Harry Potter. To protect him! The Great Harry Potter must not return to Hogwarts. There is great danger at Hogwarts!" Dobby exclaimed. He then looked at the door as it flew open. Both Hermione and Luna had their wands out and pointed at Dobby.
Harry was shocked at the tone Luna used to speak to Dobby. "What danger do you speak of, elf? Speak quickly!" she yelled.
"Dobby not know but that it is terrible things to happen," Dobby said, somewhat frightened.
"Did Uncle Lucius send you here, Dobby?" Luna asked more calmly.
Dobby slammed his head into the sink once. Twice. A third time. Harry grabbed Dobby's head to prevent him from hurting himself again.
"Dobby! Stop!" Luna shouted. She then looked at Harry. "A vassal family owns Dobby. His hurting himself means Uncle Lucius didn't send him. As I am heir to the House of Lovegood, I hold some sway over Dobby, but not enough it would seem. It is too bad, Daddy isn't here."
Dobby looked at the door again and snapped his fingers, disappearing from sight.
Dan came into the bathroom with a golf club in his hands. "What is all the shouting about?" Dan asked, looking for the source of the threat.
"My Uncle's house elf showed up to tell us about school next year, Uncle Dan, and we got excited," Luna said so innocently that butter wouldn't have melted in her mouth, putting her wand up the sleeve of her night shirt. Hermione saw this and mimicked her actions.
Dan lowered the golf club and looked at Harry and Hermione, who both looked somewhat nervous. He then looked piercingly at Luna. "What are you not telling me, Luna? I thought no one could get here unless Harry told them how to get here," Dan said.
"House elf magic is different from wizarding magic," Luna explained. "They can go to a person who is in a hidden place, but they cannot tell someone where they were. They cannot harm a witch or wizard directly and cannot, through inaction, allow a witch or wizard to be harmed. They must obey the orders of the members of their house and their head of house unless ordered to cause a witch or wizard harm. Dobby was trying to warn Harry of an unknown danger, but in house elf terms, that could be a leak in the pipes to a sudden rise in the dragon population," Luna explained.
"So he wasn't very specific then?" Dan asked.
"No. And he may not even know what the danger is, Uncle Dan," Luna said.
"Luna, you are truly a treasure," Dan said.
Luna walked over and gave Dan a hug, "Thank you, Uncle Dan!" she said, hugging him tightly.
"Now, you three get downstairs and climb into bed. I don't think there will be time for a movie tonight if you don't get down there," Dan said with a smile, kissing Luna on the top of the head.
The three of them practically ran down the stairs as Dan walked more sedately behind them and surreptitiously put the golf club near the front door.
-oOoOo-
