The Return of the Saviour.
The greatest gift.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own the world of Harry Potter in any form, as it belongs to J.K. Rowling.
SUMMARY: After Voldemort hits Harry with the killing curse in a battle at Hogwarts at the end of Harry's seventh year, Voldemort is forced to retreat, as his soul is once again ripped out of his body when the killing curse bounces of the boy-who-lived for a second time. However, life isn't all roses as Harry himself disappeared mysteriously when the curse hit. Three years later, Harry is back, but this time with a new identity and new powers. Voldemort has returned, and become stronger than ever in Harry's absence, and it is up to the boy-who-can't-seem-to-die to put a stop to the Dark Lord, once and for all.
PAIRINGS: Harry/Luna, Ron/Hermione, Remus/Tonks.
…………………
"Quiet down, everyone," Dumbledore said, and slowly, conversation between the members of the Order of the Phoenix died down. "Thank you," Dumbledore continued. "To begin with, I'd like to start this meeting by hoping you all had a very happy Christmas."
There were nods all around and Luna smiled dreamily to herself. After the row with Hermione had passed, and the guests left, she had had a very nice Christmas indeed. Harry had sneaked into her room where they'd proceeded to spend all the remaining hours of the Christmas night talking, laughing, kissing and snuggling.
"I have been doing my best to research the background of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, James Ruoivas," Dumbledore spoke, and Luna sat up a little bit straighter in her seat, worried. "To my great disappointment and worry, I found nothing, and nor did Severus." He sighed deeply. "Considering the luck – or rather lack thereof – we've had with former teachers on the Defense post, I am very concerned. Add to that the fact that Ruoivas is not very forthcoming about himself or his past."
"You don't think he's evil, do you?" Remus asked, a rather incredulous expression on his face.
"Unfortunately, yes, Remus," Albus said, gravely, and there were murmurs of agreement.
"I admit that the lack of information is a disturbing sign, Albus," Minerva said doubtfully, "but don't you think you're jumping to conclusions? From what I hear, the students are learning more than ever this year."
"True, but the same could be said for the year when they had Barty Crouch Junior under disguise," Dumbledore said.
"Never let your guard down," Alastor Moody nodded, his magical eye swirling in its socket. "CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
The Order members, who were more than used to Alastor's ways by now, merely rolled their eyes.
"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed, inclining his head towards the paranoid Auror. "Still, Minerva has a point as well. We must find proof that states Ruoivas is working for Voldemort – "
A snort could be heard, and everyone's heads turned to look at Luna, who simply gave them an innocent look. "What?"
Mrs. Weasley pursed her lips, frowning at her. "Do you find something funny, dear?"
"Oh, no, not at all," Luna said airily, smiling serenely at them all. "But it's so obvious isn't it? For everyone not affected by the Jobblediggers, that is."
Remus coughed to hide a laugh, and Tonks patted him on the back, lips twitching.
"What is obvious?" Ron asked tiredly.
"That Ruoivas is the saviour who has returned to kill Voldemort, not join him," Luna answered matter-of-factly, blinking with her large eyes, as though she couldn't believe Ron even needed to ask. "I find it rather laughable that you're all grasping at straws just because Albus doesn't like not being all-knowing, and that James is more powerful than the Order put together."
"Preposterous," Hestia Jones protested.
"Didn't you see James at the attack of Hogsmeade, Hestia? And have you forgotten the train, or that he cured my lycanthropy?" Remus asked mildly.
"I don't deny that Ruoivas is powerful," Hestia said. "But not more so than the Order together. As for him being the Saviour – that's just something the press made up."
"I am afraid that Luna just might be correct," Dumbledore interrupted, leaving a lot of the Order gawking. "From what I've seen, Ruoivas is more powerful than the Order. Even me. Which is why I am so worried. One cannot gain that much power through natural means. From dark rituals, however..." He let the sentence trail off, leaving the members to come to their own conclusion. "No," he continued when most of the people gathered had grim looks on their faces, "Ruoivas is not to be trusted, nor is he a saviour, even if he had me hoping in the beginning. And even if he's not with Voldemort...well, he might have plans to take his place."
"What are we going to do, then?" Ron asked, not wanting to believe Ruoivas was evil, but not willing to take a risk in trusting him only to be stabbed in the back. "We can't take him down by magic."
"We will just have to find proof, present it to the Ministry, and hopes Ruoivas goes quietly to Azkaban," Dumbledore concluded.
"You're all idiots," Luna muttered, crossing her arms. "James is no more evil than I am."
"Don't you think you might be slightly partial, Luna?" Hermione pointed out. "You hang around with him, all the time."
"Exactly. I know him better than anyone here."
"Or you just might be fooling yourself," Charlie Weasley said. "And if he is a dark wizard...well, there are many ways he could make you believe what he wants you to believe."
"Well, Ruoivas is certainly charismatic enough to make a girl fall head over heels. As the saying goes, love is blind," Mrs. Weasley said kindly.
"You're the ones who're blind!" Luna exclaimed.
"It does not matter at this point," Dumbledore said, sighing. "We will continue our investigation, and until we find something...well, innocent until proven guilty, I suppose."
"Guilty until proven innocent, you mean," Remus asked with a raised eyebrow. "I agree with Luna. I sense no evil intentions from Ruoivas."
"Nevertheless, we can't take the risk, Remus," Dumbledore said. "Luna, as Ruoivas friend, you are in a perfect position to find out if – "
" – No," Luna interrupted, frowning.
Dumbledore blinked. "Pardon?"
"No," Luna repeated. "I will not spy on James."
"Miss Lovegood," McGonagall said. "We must find out the truth. I don't want to believe it either, but we can't take the risk. Think of all the students!"
"James has been nothing but kind to everyone – except those who have not been very kind to him," she added when she heard Snape mutter something from his place in the corner of the room. "I won't spy on my friend. I refuse to sink that low."
"Luna, this is for the Greater Good – "
" – I don't care," Luna interrupted. "You can't force me!"
Dumbledore's shoulders slumped and he suddenly looked very old. "No, we can't," he agreed. "If he is truly on the side of light, no harm done. But in case he's not... Your actions could save many lives."
"And they will. By not spying on James," Luna said, a note of finality in her voice. "All you'll manage to do is push him away. He can end this war! Trust him!"
"Only Harry Potter could," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. "And he lost. I had hoped Ruoivas might have been the one in the prophecy, but I have admitted to myself I was wrong. All Ruoivas can do is to bring false hope, if he is on our side, and if he isn't, all he'll accomplish is more deaths and destruction. Miss Lovegood, please. There is so much at stake here."
Luna stood up. "No," she repeated one more time, disgust evident on her face. "You can do your own dirty work. I won't sink to that level."
And with that, she left the room, slamming the door behind her.
…………………
"I'm sorry they upset you," Harry told Luna, after she'd recounted what the meeting had been about in the privacy of his rooms. "Still, you can't judge them too harshly. They don't know the truth, and from where they're standing, I'm coming off as very suspicious."
"They're short-minded morons, that's all there is to it," Luna grumbled, still in a bad mood.
Harry chuckled. "You're cute when you're pouting."
"I'm not pouting!" Luna protested.
"Oh, really?" Harry asked, amused. "Then, what is this?" He pulled at her protruding lower lip teasingly, and Luna's mouth broke out into a smile.
"Fine. I pouted. A little," Luna admitted, holding up her thumb and index finger as measurement of how much. "Just a tiny bit."
"I love you," Harry mumbled, grinning, leaning down to kiss her. "A lot."
"I love you to, Harry James Ruiovas Potter," Luna said kissing back.
Harry groaned as they pulled away from each other. "Do you have to call me that?"
Luna's eyes shone. "Of course I must."
Harry huffed. "Well, if you insist... What do you want for your birthday?" He asked, changing the subject. Luna's birthday was on New Years day, January first, and Harry wanted to do something really special for her.
Luna blinked up at him. "My birthday..." She smiled at him, taking his hand in hers. "Nothing. I already have everything I could ask for... You coming back to me was the greatest gift I could possibly imagine, Harry. Nothing could be better than that. All I want is to be with you. And possibly something romantic."
Harry sighed ruefully, though he was smiling. "Then be with me you shall. But romantic? Well, I'll do my best, I suppose. I will get you something though," he warned.
"Well, if you could find me a Crumple-Horned Snorkack..." Luna suggested, eyes sparkling teasingly.
Harry grinned widely, and he placed a kiss in the blonde's hair. "I'll see what I can do."
…………………
Luna gasped, clutching at Harry in delight. "You did this?"
Harry grinned nervously, pulling a hand through his hair. "Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it!"
Harry's grin widened even further, glad Luna enjoyed his surprise: A picnic by the frozen Hogwarts lake, courtesy of the house-elves, under the star-filled sky amongst all the glittering snow. The area they were sitting in though were covered in a thick blanket and several layers of warming charms so they wouldn't freeze.
Luna punched his shoulder playfully. "I knew you could be a romantic if you put your mind to it."
Harry blushed.
"Well, let's eat," Luna said, clapping her hands excitedly like a child as she found all her favourite foods and drinks in the overflowing picnic basket. "You've exceeded yourself tonight, Harry," she laughed.
As the night became darker and darker around them, Harry and Luna sat huddled together, eating the food which they both agreed were even better than the dished that had been served in the Great Hall earlier as a New Years meal.
Finally, they were both full, and Harry pulled out a rather soft, but crooked present from the basket, wrapped in blue and bronze paper.
"Harry, you didn't have to," Luna said, but accepting the gift anyway. "Do you want me to open it now, or wait until midnight?"
Harry shrugged. "You might as well do it now. There's only a minute or so left until New Year anyway."
Luna grinned and tore into the paper, her eyes growing almost impossibly wide as she caught sight of the content. "Is this – Oh, Harry!"
The next thing Harry knew was having his lap full of one Luna Lovegood, as the former Ravenclaw threw herself at him and proceeded to overwhelm him with enthusiastic kisses, hugging her gift to her chest firmly.
Harry was more than happy to just lie back and enjoy the feel of her lips on hers. In the distance, over the castle, fireworks broke out, signalling the start of a New Year.
"Happy birthday, Luna," Harry said, stroking Luna's face with the back of his hand tenderly.
"Happy New Year, Harry," Luna breathed, holding the Crumple-Horned Snorkack plushie in her arms even tighter, as the sky was lit up once again, by more fireworks, and flickering stars.
…………………
A/N: See, nagging pays off. lol. I hope you enjoyed the chapter (and the relative quick update, compared to other times...), despite its shortness. Let me just tell you how weird it felt to write a winter chapter in May... Continue to review, and I'll do my best to update quickly!
/Ida