"We'd best get on towards the train." Luna didn't acknowledge that Neville had spoken. "Luna?"

Her gaze remained fixed on the sky above the tomb, but she blinked at her name. "It's beautiful."

Neville followed her eyes, expecting to see a thestral or hippogriff, but there was nothing but a stretch of blue sky marred by some smoke remnants. "The day?"

"Life." Luna turned to him, an earnest expression on her face. "Life is beautiful, Neville Longbottom, and don't you ever forget it."

"I won't, but why-"

"It's short, and sometimes dull, but life is a beautiful gift. We shouldn't waste it." Luna abruptly began to cry, but her voice never wavered. "That's what she would have wanted. A cheerful, lively living."

Neville, who had no idea how to approach a tearful Luna, frowned in concern. "Who?"

"Mummy, of course." Luna blinked at Neville's confused murmur and seemed to realize she was crying; she raised her arm to mop her tears with her sleeves. "We buried her seven years ago today."

"Exactly?" he asked quietly. When she nodded, Neville immediately wrapped her in his arms. It was easier to hug Luna now than he would have ever thought possible, though he thought this revelation explained why she had been embracing him so often since the battle. After a moment, she pulled back but took his hands. "I'm so sorry, Luna."

"It's alright. She's in Heaven now, you see, and she's smiling at us." She raised her face to the sun and smiled demurely. "She's always about on days like this."

"Condolences?!" Neville craned his neck around Luna to see Percy Weasley wincing as Ginny screamed at him. "The only effing condolence I want from you is for you to sod off!" Percy said something quietly, but Ginny reached up and smacked him. "Go scurrying back to your precious Ministry, you prat, because that's the only family you've got here!"

"We should go to her," said Luna quietly. "Something's wrong." Neville nodded and stood as Percy and Ginny stormed off in different directions. He and Luna hurried after her, though a part of Neville's thoughts wondered why Harry wasn't comforting her instead.

"I thought I told you to go-" Ginny turned furiously, her hand poised to punch, only to stop when she realized who was behind her. "Oh. It's you."

"That was quite the outburst back there," Neville said quietly. "What did he say?"

"Who, Percy?" Ginny snorted and continued toward the castle at a slower pace. "He saw me crying and wanted to offer his condolences, as if they're actually worth anything." She swiped angrily at her eyes. "He was up here after the battle, did you know that?"

"But he didn't come to the Hospital Wing," Luna said slowly.

"Exactly!" Ginny spat. "That prat didn't even bother asking about Bill, even though Mum apparently sent him a note and everything. Merlin help us if she invites him to the wedding, she'll die when he doesn't show."

"And that's all that has you upset? Well, the funeral obviously, but I mean," stumbled Neville. Luna and Ginny exchanged a glance at his bumbling words, and his ears glowed red.. "What I'm trying to ask is are you going to be okay?"

Ginny didn't answer him until they were in the shade of the castle. "It's not just Percy and the funeral. In fact, it's mostly Harry."

"He has looked peakish since the battle," said Luna sadly. "Perhaps he needs a good dose of Plimpie Soup."

"It's going to take more than Plimpies or Dirigible Plums to help him," said Ginny quietly. "And I'm in no position to do anything now. He's dumped me."

Neville's jaw dropped. "No!"

"Yeah." Ginny wiped her eyes again.

"But why?" asked Neville, utterly dumbfounded. "He's mad for you!"

"It's because he's scared," said Luna. Neville and Ginny looked at her, but she was staring at the sky again. "I'd wager my butterbeer caps that he blames himself for Professor Dumbledore's death, especially after Sirius Black's death last year."

"That about sums it up. He thinks Voldemort'll use me for bait if he finds out about us. Never mind the fact that my family is one of the biggest collections of blood traitors ever." Ginny chuckled hollowly. "I guess he won't have to worry about my safety now that he's moved on." Her head fell back against the wall of the castle. "He'll just find some perfect girl who's capable of protecting herself and take her with him when he leaves."

"More perfect for him than you?" asked Neville. Ginny looked at him, but her eyes were distant; she seemed to be looking right through him, and she looked years younger. "Gin, he's in love with you and you alone. Don't go feeling sorry for yourself."

She narrowed her eyes and started to retort, but a whistle from the train station interrupted her. Even Luna turned towards Hogsmeade at the sound. "We should probably hurry."

"Yeah. You ready?" he asked Ginny, but she shook her head. "Why not?"

"I'm not going on the train," she said sadly. "My parents want Ron and me to stay here until Madam Pomfrey formally releases Bill later today." She shook her head again and took her friends' hands. Neville smiled as she squeezed his fingers. "You two take care, yeah? And make sure you write me."

"I'm sure Daddy will let me come see you soon," Luna said happily. "And maybe we can all meet at Diagon Alley for shopping."

"That'd be fun," said Neville. "Talk to you soon, Gin."

"Bye." Neville smiled and walked down the path to the gates. Luna bounced along beside him, humming merrily under her breath. "You'll write me too, won't you?"

"Oh yes," she said. They walked in silence for a moment before she looked back up again. "It's beautiful."

"Life?" Neville asked knowingly.

"No," she chuckled. "Friendship." Their eyes met briefly, and Neville felt his heart twist like he'd never known it to. Before he could figure out exactly what that feeling was, the train whistled again and Luna grabbed his hand. "We'd best run if we're to make it."

As Neville and Luna ran as quickly as they could to the train station, he knew he'd never felt happier in his life.

He wished this moment could last forever.


A/N: And we're finished. I don't know what to say now, because I'm a little sad to see the end of these postings. Well, that and I have to get back to my real writing now hahaha. I have a couple bits and bobs to post over the next couple of days, and then I'll not be posting anything else until the next "Ghosts of Ourselves" churns itself out. Love you all, and thanks for reading.

PS: A review or two would be awesomesauce. Just saying.