After a restless night, with very little sleep, Luna awoke the next morning. The sun streamed through yet another hotel window. Her eyes slammed shut, not wanting to face yet another day of smiling, posing and answering rather inane questions. 'Just another thirteen days, and then it's over.' She told herself as Luna stepped into the shower. Even though she knew in her heart she had no right to be upset or angry over Neville's choice, it still pained her to see that picture and to know he was happy and in love with someone else. Luna had spent the night before shredding the newspaper article into pieces, and throwing them out the window.

Smiling brightly, makeup covering her red eyes, Luna showed her teeth, and laughed gaily on national television. Though the wizarding community normally had no need for such a device, it had become more common in recent times with such TV shows as "Spells are Easy", "How to get the most out of your wand", and all-day, all-night shopping show. Younger wizards and witches begged their parents for a television to watch the cool and hip shows directed towards kids, and stay-at-home mothers loved watching "Witches, Wizards and Wands" a soap opera based around two fending wizard's families. As such, Luna had spent a lot of time doing interviews to promote her book.

The days crawled by slowly, in what seemed like a never-ending succession of different people, faces, and cameras. Finally when the two weeks were over, Luna returned to her London home. Turning the lights on in her home, she surveyed her flat. It was an extremely tidy, and did not have a lived-in look that most homes have. Luna threw herself onto the minimalist-style sofa, peeling her high heels off. She realized that she had not seen the flat for many weeks. It didn't look or feel homey. The walls were mostly bare, bar a few photos of family and friends. Luna had hired someone to decorate, since she was used to never being home. The decorator – Luna forgot now what her name was – had made the place very modern, assuring Luna that it was "The most in thing, just off-the-wall," whatever that meant.

There was a large stack of mail there. Luna had traveled frequently in the last week or so, that she hadn't been bothered reading her mail, instead waiting until she got back home to focus on what was sure to be bills, and whatnot.



She flipped through the pile, stopping at a beautiful cream envelope. Luna smiled, she recognize the handwriting. Turning to the back, sure enough, she was right.

"Mrs. Hermione Granger-Weasley"

Tearing it open, Luna eagerly read the letter for news of the Weasley family. Then she stopped.

"I wanted to tell you this, before you heard it from anywhere else. Neville has gotten engaged. To a Witch named Sarah Duncan. Now she's perfectly nice, but there's something about her that rubs me the wrong way. Ginny doesn't think much of her either, though Ginny doesn't think much of most people!"

Luna stared at the words upon the page. It was sweet, and so very Hermione like to want to warn and protect Luna from this. Luna's heart ached. She missed Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Harry.

Luna scanned the rest of the letter. She had very nearly skipped over the last part of it.

"Luna, please come and visit us. The children would love to see their favorite Aunty, and it's been a long time since your last visit.

Yours,

Hermione."

Luna grinned. Straight away, she penned a reply back to dear Hermione.

"Dear Hermione,

Oh yes, of course I will come and visit! You don't have to ask twice. I miss seeing Rose and little Hugo, and will come whenever you think is best.

Yours,

Luna."

Almost instantly she received a reply from Hermione, who was now on leave with baby Hugo.



"Luna,

Please come tomorrow. Lord know's I'm out of my mind with crazy, staying at home with the baby. And little Rose would dearly love to see you. Shall we say ten?

Hermione."

It was settled. Luna would go and visit one of her dearest friends. Despite the fact that on the surface, it looked like they had nothing in common, Hermione had gornw to love Luna, especially after Luna's support and help during the war. She also adored hearing about Luna's discoveries. And likewise for Luna. She had grown to understand Hermione. Hermione was a serious person, but since the births of her children, Hermione had grown softer, and sweeter in some ways, though she'd denied this was the case.

Luna went to bed that night, feeling happier that she had in a long time.

The next morning at ten, Luna was packed and ready to go. She had left her bags packed, as they had arrived yesterday morning at her apartment. Taking out some floo powder, Luna sent her bags first to Hermione's house, and then she threw the powder in and stated clearly "The Burrow". Green flames appeared to consume her, as she was whisked away.

"Oh Luna, good to see you." Hermione stood before the fireplace, holding a small light-brown haired baby in her arms. The baby – Hugo – looked at Luna curiously. His eyes were wide and a deep blue colour. Then he reached out a tiny little hand. Luna breathed in awe, grasping gently his small finger. "I can see he's already taken a shine to you." Hermione said, smiling tenderly.

"Anyway, come along, I'll show you to your room." Luna followed Hermione down the hall, to a small bedroom. It was beautifully decorated, with light yellow walls. Against one of the walls, laid a double bed, which on top of there was a pretty quilt. Stitched onto it were the names of Ron and Hermione, with Rose and Hugo added to the bottom. Hermione noticed 

Luna's eyes studying the quilt, and chuckled. "Molly made that for us. I think she's left a bit at the bottom to add more names, but that's not going to happen!" Hermione sighed. "Two's more enough for me." Luna smiled, and questioned.

"How come it's not in your room?"

"Ah, right, well, truth be told, Ron and I had an argument about it. I felt that it should be hung onto the wall, it's so pretty. But Ronald wanted to use it on our bed. In the end, he just left it in here." Hermione said still looking at Luna.

"What?" Luna suddenly felt self-conscious. She smoothed her hair down, maybe she had a piece sticking up?

"Nothing. It's just you've grown so much. Not just physically, but there's a difference in your eyes, and your face."

"More wisdom I suppose"

Luna giggled, she doubted that very much. "Well, you look different too. More motherly I guess."

Hermione frowned. "Hmm, I know."

"Not that's that bad thing!" Luna said quickly.

"No, no. You're right, I guess we've all changed. Anyway, I hope you don't mind but I've invited Ginny over for tea, and she's going to bring little Lily with her."

Luna shook her head. "I don't mind, in fact I'm pleased! It'll be lovely to see Ginny again."

"Luna!" Ginny squealed, nearly dropping the small red-headed child in her arms. "Oh, how good to see you again!" Luna leaned towards Ginny, and kissed her on the cheek.

"It's good to see you too. And this must be little Lily!" Luna reached out towards the child.

Ginny passed Lily over, saying "yes, this is her. Isn't she just adorable?"



"Spoken like a true mother." Hermione said dryly. Ginny poked her tongue out.

"I know every mother thinks that. But Lily really is the most adorable child ever."

Luna cradled Lily in her arms. The baby seemed to be studying Luna, taking in every detail. Though Luna knew babies couldn't see very well at birth or for a few months afterwards, Lily seemed to dispel that myth. In addition to the bright red hair adorning the baby's head, Lily also had green eyes, the very shade of Harry's own. Her skin was pale, a milky cream colour. Breathing in the scent, Luna thought that few smells could compare to the smell of a newborn child.

"Now, I've prepared some treats for us. I made a cake, and some drinks if you'll come into the living room please." Hermione said, a tad bossily.

They all trooped into the living room, where the babies were put down for naps into prams.

Sitting down, Luna had time to now look at Ginny. She had certainly changed since their Hogwarts' days. Her red hair had deepened in colour over time, and fine lines now appeared around her eyes. The telltale signs – dark circles under the eyes – showed a lack of sleep. But mostly, Ginny just looked like herself. Still young and pretty, but somehow more self-assured, and adult.

Hermione appeared from the kitchen with a plate of sandwiches, and some butterbeers. Doling them out, soon the three girls were eating and drinking happily.

They laughed and talked loudly about their lives. Finally the conversation winded down after more than three hours.

Ginny looked at her watch, and with a pained expression, "I have to get back home. But before I go, I want to have you both over for dinner tomorrow night. And bring Ron, Hermione."

Luna and Hermione assured Ginny they wouldn't miss it for the world.