She ran her hands over the velvet box. This had been her mother's, and now it was hers. Her mother had actually touched it! Carefully she opened the lid, and gasped in amazement.

There, sat on top, was a necklace; a silver chain carrying a perfect sphere of…Cornelian! She looked at her father in wonderment.

'Did he know?' Xeno shook his head. 'But, such a coincidence…! How?'

Xeno smiled. 'It's not such a coincidence, really. That was always your favourite when you were little, but we couldn't let you wear it, of course. So, one day I threaded a radish on a piece of string and gave it to you. Oh, you were so proud! You wore it for days, and eventually I made you a matching set of earrings. Just loops of string you could hang over your ears, but you didn't mind.'

She laughed. 'Is that how I started? I don't remember it at all.'

'There was another piece you liked, as well.' He reached into the box, and took out a second necklace, this one carrying oblongs of polished amber.

'Don't tell me. Butterbeer corks?'

Xeno nodded, but there was a shadow of sadness in his face. Luna assumed it was just because of her mother; she knew he still missed her terribly.

'The thing is, I've never seen you drink butterbeer, so where did you get the corks from?

Xeno rested his arms on the table and stared at his fingertips. 'We used to. We'd share a bottle every night once you were tucked up in bed. We called it our "special time". Luna, that's why I wasn't here. We'd drunk the last one the night before, so I went…' His shoulders were starting to heave. 'That's why I wasn't…'

'Oh daddy!' Luna went round the table to hug him. 'There was nothing you could have done. Even I knew it was instant. There was nothing you or anybody could have done.'

'I don't know that. Perhaps, if I'd been here…I don't know.'

'Daddy, look at me. Perhaps, if you'd been here you would have been standing next to her, and I would have lost both of you.'

Xeno was silent for a long time, the conflict of thoughts and emotions clear on his face. Then he looked up, his eyes red. 'I never thought of it that way. I've always thought that perhaps I could have stopped her, saved her.'

'And you've kept this secret and been blaming yourself all these years?' He nodded. 'Daddy, don't, please. It wasn't your fault.'

They hugged for a long while, and Xeno felt the guilt draining from him like water from a bath. All this time he'd tortured himself that he could have done…something, and he had. He'd survived to raise their child.

Eventually he said 'Luna, I'm sorry. This is your birthday, and we are sat here being sad. We will go out for a meal tonight, and you can show off your new jewellery.'

'Oh, can we? And now I'm eighteen, will you take me to a muggle pub to buy me something alcoholic? Rolf wouldn't until I was of age in the muggle world.'

He patted her hand. 'Of course I will. Rolf wouldn't, eh? I always knew he was a decent chap.'

'If a little opinionated?' she smirked.

Xeno waved his hand, and smiled sheepishly. 'Well…I suppose at least it shows he can think.'

-o0o-

They decided to go to Ottery St. Catchpole and made their way to the pub, which also served meals. Once inside Xeno nodded to the Landlord, whom he knew slightly.

'Good Evening, Hector. This is my daughter Luna, she's eighteen today.'

'Congratulation' said Hector. 'You've been away at boarding school, haven't you?'

'That's right' said Luna, with a sideways look at her father.

'Alright for some' said Hector, with a smile. 'I suppose it was all jolly hockey sticks and midnight feasts in the dorm, wasn't it?'

'Something like that' said Luna, returning his smile.

'So, what can I get you?'

'I think I'd like to try a beer, please. That's what my boyfriend (she giggled, to her surprise) drinks.'

'Fair enough, what sort would you like?' That stumped her, and she had to think for a moment.

'I'm not sure. Its dark brown and you can't get it in Norway.'

'Riiight' said Hector. 'Then it's probably not Lager. Try Bitter.' He pulled her a half pint, and got a Gin and Tonic for Xeno, which they took over to a table along with some menus.

Luna sipped her drink and pulled a face. 'I know why it's called Bitter, anyway. Maybe it's an acquired taste.'

Just then the door opened, and Arthur and Molly Weasley walked in. Now the children were off their hands they'd got into the habit of taking a walk together once or twice a week, normally ending up with a quiet drink.

'Xeno! Luna!' Molly rushed over, giving Luna a hug. 'How wonderful to see you both! What brings you here?'

Xeno explained that they were out for Luna's birthday meal, and immediately invited them to join in.

'Are you sure?' asked Arthur, not wanting to butt in on a private occasion.

'Oh, please do! I'd love you to.' said Luna. 'You were so kind to me over the summer.'

The evening was a great success. The meal was no more than adequate, but they shared a bottle of wine, and Luna decided it was better than beer. Then Luna had to tell them all about Rolf, whom Molly had heard about from Ginny. And Molly told them, a little shyly, that she was going to become a grandmother – and Arthur a grandfather, of course.

'Bill, my eldest. You came to the wedding? Next May, which will be nice.' Molly's face showed a mixture of emotions.

They congratulated both Molly and Arthur warmly. It was something to look forward to, and would go a little way to making up for Fred.

As they walked back to the house that evening, Luna thought she had never been happier. She'd had a wonderful birthday, and had helped her father, and Rolf would be here in two months time. Things were getting back to normal.

'Daddy, we really should try to get an edition of The Quibbler out in time for Christmas. We'll start tomorrow.'