Large pellets of hail pounded against the tent's canvas ceiling, sending ripples down the sides. In one dimly lit corner, Ginny was resting, her eyes closed lightly. The candlelight reflected glaringly in her cherry-red hair. Next to her, Dennis sat, listening to Luna tell a story. And, while he wouldn't admit it, Draco was listening too. He hadn't spoken to anyone since his conversation with Luna earlier that day. With shaking hands, he lifted a cup of steaming tea to his lips.
"...and that is the story of how my father spoke to the fire-tailed oalfingale. It teaches us many lessons, if we are willing to look deeper." Luna smiled distantly, staring into the candle light.
"What lessons?" Dennis asked, pulling a blanket tighter around his thin shoulders.
"I can't tell you that, silly! It would ruin the fun. You have to ask questions and search for answers, deep within the-"
"Luna, you're having a Ravenclaw moment." Ginny's voice called out, a grin etching itself onto her relaxed face.
With a twinkling giggle, Luna poured herself a cup of tea.
"I have a question." Dennis began, cocking his head, sending his golden ringlets dancing.
"That's good, Dennis! If no one ever asks questions, how will we find answers!" She beamed him.
"Er, okay. Can I ask you?"
"That's a strange question." She remarked, fixing her hair back and holding it in place with her wand.
"No! I mean, that wasn't it." He smiled impishly. "I'm just wondering, why do you end every story you tell with those same words?"
"That is a wonderful question! And it has a wonderful answer, too. You see, there are lessons to be learned in every story. My father used to end all of his with that phrase." For a moment, she looked sad, before shaking it away.
"What about true stories?"
"Especially true stories! You know, life is only made up of stories, but think of how much you learn from other people's lives."
"Life is made of stories?"
"Oh yes! That is why it's so important to do the right thing. Because, once you're gone, your story is all that's left, and don't you want to be the hero in your story?"
"I guess so." Dennis said, looking slightly confused. "Good night."
A silence settled over the tent as people slowly fell asleep, but Draco couldn't keep his eyes closed. All he could do was stare at the ceiling, wide awake, wondering why Luna had looked right at him when she spoke those last words.
And why he couldn't stop repeating them in his head.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Ron whispered, stepping over a large tree root and offering his hand to Hermione.
"Why not?" She asked, smiling at him in thanks.
"Well, we don't know who it is we're looking for. It could easily be a Death Eater."
"And that is why we apparated a little ways from the location. If we see them, we'll turn back."
"Well if they see us first, I want you to run and I'll stay and fight!"
Placing her hand on his cheek, she smiled amusedly. "That's very sweet, Ron, but if we're lucky, I don't think it will be necessary."
"Where is some Felix Felicis when we need it." He joked. Then, noticing her downcast expression, he stopped to face her. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I forgot that that would remind you of Harry-"
"No, it's not that. Well, it is, but..." Sighing, she sank down onto a log. "I just feel like, it's been a year, so we should be able to talk about him."
"I...I, er, thought you didn't want to talk about him." Seating himself beside her, Ron wrapped his fingers around her hand.
"I suppose I do, now. I think it's unhealthy to pretend none of it happened. Harry was our best friend, Ron!"
"I know that." A small tear glided down his cheek.
"My best memories are with him and you. I can't forget all of those."
He shook his head.
"This is something we need to talk about." She started to push her hair out of her eyes and Ron reached out to help tuck it behind her ear.
"But do we need to talk about it now?"
"I think so. Especially because...Ginny is a wreck, Ron."
He looked surprised. "She seemed alright to me."
"During the day, yes, but...she doesn't know I know this, she cries almost every night."
"About Harry?"
"About everyone. But, yes, I believe about Harry most of all."
"Well, what do you suppose I should do?" He looked incredibly confused.
"I don't know! You're her brother. You know her better than I do."
"Er, well, I never have understood my sister. But I guess I'll see what I can do. Maybe you could talk to her instead?" His face lit up with hope.
"Ronald Weasley, you're pathetic." She laughed, standing up. "I would think after being my friend for this long, you would understand females a little better."
"I'll never understand girls." He muttered, continuing to walk towards the address.
The woods were dark and damp. Overhead, crickets could be heard, humming and chattering. Together, the couple made their way around large tree trunks and small puddles of water, reflecting the silver moonlight. Eventually, they reached the forest edge.
"This is it." Ron whispered in a barely audible tone.
Lifting her hand to silence him, Hermione drew her wand. "Homenum Revelio." She muttered.
In the distance, on the other side of the clearing, an orange light glowed dully.
"There's someone over there!" Ron whispered, sounding painfully scared. Shushing him, Hermione grabbed his shoulder and pulled him behind a bush.
"Who is Harry Potter's godson?" A hoarse, muffled voice called out from across the campsite. It sounded as though someone was purposefully trying to disguise it.
Ron looked at Hermione with panic in his eyes.
"Teddy Lupin." She called back, deepening her own voice to an unrecognizable state.
A moment if tight silence passed.
"W...who are you?" Ron asked shakily.
"Undesirable #1. And you?"
Ron opened his mouth but Hermione spoke before he could.
"Dumbledore's Army."
"I'm coming into the clearing. I'm unarmed, don't worry!"
Gripping his wand tightly, Ron peered over the foliage. A stocky figure holding its hands above its head slowly became visible. It had very poor posture and walked with a bit of a limp.
"Ron?" a familiar voice said, "Hermione? Oh, bloody billywig, I thought you were dead!"
With a tearful smile, Hermione breathed, "Neville."
"Longbottom, you son of a-" Ron began, but before he could finish, Hermione had grabbed his hand and dragged him to their friend.
A/N Hey! First off, I'd like to apologize for taking so long to post this chapter! I was camping last weekend and then I've had rehearsal for the show I'm in almost every night. I promise I won't make a habit of it. Speaking of the show, it's called Big Fish and I put a small reference from it in the chapter. ;) If you've seen the show, try and spot it.
Anyway, I can not thank you enough for the amazing support you guys have given me. Every time I get a review it brightens my day. You all are awesome people. A very special thanks to, taradaactyl, Ice Ninja Luna, ElsaElphieGinny, ArumaR, notsing, and Riniko22 for reviewing!
