A/N - It's about time I got going on this again. Another story (Parallel lives) and quite a bad blcok got in the way, but I've worked out the next bit.

Yes, they were looking forward to summer this year; but for different reasons.

Rolf's name, through his regular articles in The Quibbler, was becoming known. The outlet for his work had encouraged his research, which had given him things to write about…and so on. As his name became known he started to be contacted by various Ministries to answers questions on magical beasts until eventually he got the call he'd dreamed of.

The Norwegian Ministry had asked him to repeat his Grandfather's expedition and conduct another count of dragons, so that they could see if, and how, the situation had changed in the intervening years. He was absolutely ecstatic, his mother less so.

'Do you have to take this work, Rolf?'

'Of course I do, mamma. Don't you see what an opportunity this is? It's a government funded expedition, to carry out important work. I will get a lot of exposure; it will establish me as a major magizoologist.'

'It is dangerous work. Why can you not specialise in something else?'

He took hold of her hand. 'All work can be dangerous, mamma. People who have boring jobs in an office have train crashes, or get run over.'

She knew there was an answer to that, but couldn't think of one, so just looked away. 'Perhaps Luna will not like it.'

He had to laugh. 'Mamma! Luna knows my work. Anyway, with this job, and what comes from it, maybe I can afford to marry her at some time. You want that, don't you?'

Kristine knew she had no arguments that would stop him, so there was no point pretending anymore. She put her face in her hands. 'I worry about you, Rolf. I don't want her to end up like me, with nothing but memories.'

He hugged her close. 'We cannot die unless we have lived first. I have to do this.'

She nodded her head. 'I know. But you know nothing about dragons, do you? That is what makes it worse for me, perhaps.'

'I'm dealing with that one. The Ministry have agreed to fund a study period in Rumania - with my research assistant, of course. What I'd like to do is engage somebody from out there as a technical expert; I think we've got the money available.'

'If you haven't, I will pay for him' said his mother, grimly.

-o0o-

Luna was itching to go away. The new printing press was installed, in an outbuilding so they had more room, and could run 24 hours a day if they needed it to. She had rechecked her sums, and decided they could definitely afford to pay a regular salary. Her father had wanted to know why it was necessary.

'Do we need to get involved with all that? If you need money for anything, you can just take it.'

'I have to know how much I have coming in, daddy, so that I can budget.'

'Budget for what?'

'Outgoings, household expenses, bills, that kind of thing.'

'But we've always managed so far.'

'I know, but…well, things might change. If…say, I had to buy a house…then…'

'But you have a house here.'

'But if I wanted to set up house…we…'

Xeno sat up very straight, with a look of surprise on his face. 'Has Rolf asked you to marry him?'

'Not as such. He says he won't until he can afford to.'

'Very sensible. That is how it should be.'

'The thing is though, daddy, I could afford to marry him, I think.'

Xeno sat back in his chair. 'Aah, I see.' He smiled. 'So you are planning on proposing to him? Will you buy him a diamond ring?'

She laughed. 'No!'

Xeno gave her an amused look. 'Isn't it traditional to give your fiancée a diamond ring? Are you going to ask permission of his mother?'

'Daddy!' Her face grew serious. 'Do you think I should?' She went to sit on his lap. 'Am I doing the right thing? He won't get upset, will he? I mean, he's the man, isn't he?'

'Luna, we live in the 21st century. It isn't like it was in my day. You aren't meant to be the "little woman" at home cooking and cleaning for him anymore. If he objects that strongly, then perhaps you should reconsider.'

'Or wait for him?'

'I don't think so.' He gave her a hug. 'I hope he does agree, and you'll be very happy together. Where are you planning on living?'

'I don't know. That's the other thing; my work is here.'

Xeno nodded and shrugged. 'You know, there is no reason why you have to live here. You could live nearby and travel to here every day, but I think I would like to keep The Tower as the base for The Quibbler. Of course, you could live in his country, as well.'

'But then I couldn't work on it, could I?'

'Well, perhaps. Muggles have these things called "comptuters". So I am told they allow you to send letters, and even pictures, much faster than an owl.'

'But what about you? You'd be all alone.'

He hugged her again. 'You cannot, and should not, live your life around me. Anyway, I went through the baby crying all night phase. If you're going to marry and have children I think it would be better if you had your own house! When are you going to ask him?'

'This summer, probably, whilst we're in Rumania.'

'Ah yes! You're dragon trip. You know, I think there will be some good articles in that. Everybody loves dragons. Perhaps Charlie could write something.'

'Charlie?'

'Charlie Weasley. He works there.'

'Does he? I didn't know that!'

-o0o-

'Can I come with you? Just for a couple of days? Please?' Ginny was thrilled to hear that Luna was going to see Charlie. 'I haven't seen him for ages. Anyway, I won't be able to stay long; I've got to get back at the start of August for pre-season training.'

Ginny had forced her way into the Harpies first team towards the end of last season due to injuries. Now, she was determined to stay there.

'I think that will be alright' said Luna. 'We'll be working though, so it may not be much of a holiday.'

'I don't care, I just want to se Charlie.' She looked at Luna, who was obviously hiding something. 'Not just work though, eh? Do you think anything exciting might happen?'

'We're studying dragons, I expect so.'

'That's not what I mean, and you know it.'

Luna shrugged. 'Maybe.'