See chapter one for warnings/disclaimer/summaries. Every chapter will focus on a different character, i.e. (Luna, Severus, Harry, etc.)
PREVIOUSLY: Dumbledore handed out proposal scrolls from a magical creature(a Blood Dragon) to several individuals. Luna accepted her letter and left that very night, when Samara arrived. Harry made plans to leave the following night. Severus and Minerva have decided to accept as well. Blaise has declined, as he is with Draco. Ron is accepting and Hermione is undecided.
Luna twitched as her warm cocoon shifted ever so slightly and bit back the sleepy murmur of protest that wanted to slip past her lips. Instead, she stretched, luxuriating in the nice warm spot left for her as she roused herself to the land of the waking. The now familiar scent of cherry blossoms and a hint of vanilla, tickled at her nose and Luna peeked open one eye to see if Samara was still in the room.
"Up yet, dearheart?" Samara's warm voice came from the opposite end of the room.
Luna rolled over at once, propping herself up with one elbow to watch this now familiar routine. Samara stepped out from the en suite, toweling her thick hair with one hand and entirely naked, droplets of water still clinging to her smooth, tanned skin. "Morning," Luna said, cheerfully.
"Morning," Samara crossed the room to lean over and share a morning kiss. Her breath was minty and warm, the kiss soothing and sweet. "Sleep well?" She stroked a hand down Luna's sleep rumpled hair, smoothing it back to tuck behind her ear, before brushing gently against her cheek.
"Mmhm." Luna leaned into the touch, sitting up fully as Samara moved away. She stretched, lazily, as the sheets fell away from her own bare form. "What are we doing today?" The previous morning they'd gone for a run and then set about settling Luna's affairs. She had been able to visit her father, who was both thrilled and sad to know that she'd finally reached this stage of maturity in her life. He'd wished her well and blessed them both, offering the small dowry he'd saved since her mother's death.
Samara had not refused it and Luna had smiled when she saw the look of pride on her father's face. The dowry had included a wedding box from her Mum and though she hadn't been able to open it just yet, she was glad to have it. Of course, with all of that, it turned out to be something of an emotional evening and she was quite glad that she did not have to spend the night alone. They'd had an enjoyable night together and at one point, Samara had told her that some of the others had accepted her proposal.
"A bit of dueling, I think." Samara tossed the towel over to the laundry hamper and strolled over to the full-length mirror beside the dresser. "You said you wanted to know at least a few protective spells before we started 'porting all over the place?" One of the first points she'd made absolutely clear to her beautiful Ravenclaw witch, was the necessity of strength and power. If Luna had her strengths, then she'd learn to strengthen her weaknesses as well and in addition to that, she would be learning.
The blonde head nodded, eagerly. "I would very much like to."
"And so you shall." Samara smiled. "Your heart's wish is my desire." She paused, tapping a finger along the side of her jaw. "It should not take long for you to catch on. You are a very quick study. We'll take about, say, an hour or two, perhaps? Then there is paperwork that needs to be filed."
"Before breakfast?" Luna slipped off the bed and rolled her neck around to the side. She stretched forward to touch her toes and then straightened up, swinging her arms to the side.
"It's best to practice them on a very empty stomach," Samara said, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Trust me on this."
Luna smiled back, feeling a tendril of warmth curling happily in her belly. It was nice to hear praise from such lovely lips. It was nice to hear the praise—period. Samara was not generous with her words, but what she did say, counted very much in Luna's eyes already. "If you say so." She teased back. "I guess I can survive."
"I would never deprive you of a decent meal," Samara threw a fond look over one shoulder. "I assure you of that."
"I know," Luna said, simply. "I know." She twirled a strand of white-blonde hair around one finger, smiling when she felt her radish earrings tickle her ears. "Who is coming first?"
"The answer is the same as last night," Samara said, calmly. "I don't know."
"No one replied this morning?"
"I imagine they are all asleep," there was teasing note in her voice. "Or at work or otherwise engaged."
"Did you—I mean, would have-" Luna paused. She sucked in a deep breath. "Did you ask anyone else at Hogwarts?"
"I did," Samara said, calmly. Another moment, passed. "You may ask who, if you like."
"That's fine," Luna said, lightly. "I'll see them when they arrive."
"Indeed you would," Samara turned to look at her, a new warmth in her eyes. She'd read something in Luna's light dismissal and intended to see it straightened out before any others joined them. This special point in her life would not be marred by jealousy or insecurity—not when it was within her grasp to set things to rights. "I believe the first addition is a very special young man, perhaps you may know him."
"Oh?" Luna watched as Samara gestured with one hand and any trace of her shower melted away to dry skin and neatly straightened hair. A smattering of rich scarlet and suede colored scales rippled along the sides of her torso and limbs, covering her back entirely. "Who?"
"Harry Potter."
"Harry?" Luna froze. She almost didn't dare to verify it. "You asked Harry?"
"I did. He accepted."
Luna felt a smile beginning to tug at her lips.
"Friend of yours?" Samara asked.
Luna's shoulders quirked up in a half-shrug. "He was always very kind," she said, at last.
"Good. I am glad." Samara said, simply. "You do know that you can come to me with anything, dearheart?"
"You need them," Luna said, quietly. "I couldn't complain. You've already been very good to me."
"That does not mean that you have no voice or opinion, dearest." Samara leaned into the mirror, examining something along her lower jawline. "You are more than welcome to speak up or speak out and I assure you that I will always listen. You are important. All of you will be important and unique in your own ways."
Luna didn't answer. She simply watched for a moment longer, before she realized that Samara was almost done with her routine. "Can't I do your hair?" She asked, quickly, before the clothing spell completed itself.
Samara blinked in surprise and paused in her silent casting. After a moment, she shrugged and turned to face her bonded lover, as the last bit of the spell washed over her, dressing her comfortable slender trousers and a sleek blouse in her favored colors of crimson and black. A flared overcoat settled over it all and a golden buckled utility belt of sorts. Her boots appeared last, her own dragonhide, with a low heel that was just perfect for her usual adventures.
Walking over to the bed—which was neatened up with a simple snap of her fingers—Samara perched on the edge and tilted her head back. Luna immediately scrambled back onto the bed and scooted around to where she sifted her hands through the silken strands. This was one of the few things she'd missed, especially when she thought of her mother. None of the other Ravenclaws cared to look at her as anything more than an empty-headed annoyance, so she'd never found a friend for this particular girlish pastime.
Her mother had always said that braiding a friend's hair was a way to weave protections into them, according to the strength of your friendship. To do so with a lover's hair, suggested that one could add more love and strength to the relationship, so it would last for many years. Luna did not want to pass up the chance, whether it was true or not. She'd prefer to believe it was true. Her hands, small and delicate, deftly worked through the hair that was a lovely brown-to-black color, twisting, wrapping and twining into an elaborate five strand braid that stopped just above Samara's waist. "Done." She said, softly.
Samara turned, warmth glittering in her dark eyes as she gently gathered Luna into her arms, pulling her onto her lap and thanking her with a kiss. The gesture said more than words could have at that point. Luna smiled into the soft press of lips on her own and hummed happily. The spell practice could wait—just a minute.
After all, Luna was a very quick study.
A/N: Luna's chapter is a bit short, but there's not much more that can happen for her until I get some other characters involved, so hang in there. Harry should be next, I think, if I keep the order of characters so far. Sorry for the long wait! I meant to post this sooner, but RL has been giving me quite a headache. Thanks for reading and the kind reviews/favs/alerts. (and welcome to the lurkers!)
~Scion
