End of this part of the story. Next chapter, we begin the fun.

Welcome new readers and thank you to the old readers for sticking around. Mistakes are mine. There might be a few.

Love you all,

D19

Calli stood on the outskirts of the estate. She leaned against a tree with folded arms, eyes closed, and senses outstretched. She knew it would be a small party of their Hogwarts friends as Neville confessed he wanted something intimate, but naturally, Harry The-Boy-Who-Can't-Say-No Potter had to go and invite Sirius, who invited Remus, Andromeda, and some chick he met in Hogsmeade. Calli could feel the magic pouring from the estate, some old and some new. One strand of magic was closer than the others, but Calli remained still and smiled. She was in no danger.

"Taking the scenic route, my dear?"

Calli chuckled and opened her eyes, smile still in place. "Hello, Xeno," she said.

"I was sent out here to check on you by the woman of the house," he joked.

"I'm okay. Needed a moment to myself is all."

Xeno chuckled and held out his arm. "Well, Hermione, if you would like an escort, I offer my services," he said.

She cringed at the name and pushed off the tree. Xeno smirked and led her slowly through the grass toward the gate.

"I like what you've done with your hair."

"I could not go back to that lion's mane," she huffed. "I came across a style that I wanted to emulate and worked all morning to get it right."

"Were you going for a honey brown?" he asked carefully.

"Yes," she said wryly.

"Then it came out perfectly," he said, patting her hand.

Calli snorted and laid her head on Xeno's arm as they walked. She enjoyed his company. He tended to make her feel calm and wild at the same time. Like his daughter. The duo made their way up the stairs but before they could open the door, it swung open revealing an out of breath Neville.

"Oh, thank Merlin, you're here," he panted softly.

"Why? What's happened?" she asked, switching to Hermione mode.

"Harry and Ron keep fighting, Ginny and the Twins won't stop glaring at one another, and no matter what I do, the fights get worse," he whined.

"What do you expect me to do about it?" she asked.

Neville shot her a look and said, "You're Hermione. You fix these things."

"I'm surrounded by children," she muttered.

He opened the door wider and Calli rolled her eyes as she and Xeno followed Neville into the home. Xeno ducked off into the kitchen while Neville led her to the drawing room. As soon as she opened the door, she automatically wished she could blast the idiots to pieces. Ron and Harry were separated by Dean and Seamus. Ginny and the Twins were kept apart by Luna, Hannah, and Susan. Everyone turned to look at her and she bristled. She really couldn't understand how a group of people were so dysfunctional in her absence.

Luna, the Twins, and even Neville could handle a group of Death Eaters better than the Order of the singed chickens.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Ron was being an arse," Harry blurted.

"And that's something new because?" she sighed.

"He was saying that you weren't coming since you'd been dodging his letters for the last two months," Harry snapped.

Ron turned red. "She was dodging yours too! Ever since her parents died, she's been acting like we don't exist," he argued.

"Her parents are dead!" Harry shouted. "You have no idea what that feels like!"

Ron was about to respond when Calli cleared her throat.

"She is standing right here," she said curtly. "And she doesn't appreciate being talked about in third person when she is surrounded by people who are old enough to have a conversation without screaming at one another."

Ron and Harry blushed at the scolding. Calli folded her arms. She took a deep breath.

"I'm confused on how you two have been sending me letters when you don't even know where I live now," she said.

The two grimaced and Calli narrowed her eyes. She waited for one of them to break.

"We've been sending them to your flat in London," Ron said slowly.

Calli caught the flash of anger before she said something she would later regret. "How did know about that?" she asked tightly.

"Um, well-

"We followed you when you left Diagon Alley several weeks ago," Harry said quickly.

Calli twitched. She remembered that day. She saw them, of course, and let them follow her. She did own a flat in London, but it was a safe house, of sorts. Albus would wonder where she lived once the school year started, so she bought the place and made it look lived in should she have any visitors. She stopped by not too long ago and cringed at the amount of mail piled on her table. She was grateful the elves were skilled with getting owls to deliver the letters without too much fuss.

She remembered all thirty letters. By the time she got to Ron's ninth and Harry's tenth, she burned the rest. They were desperate and depressing, and she could live three lifetimes without hearing Harry tell her how much he understood her loss. She blinked and shook her head.

"You two are unbelievable," she seethed. "Instead of giving me time to grieve over the death of my parents, you tracked me down and bombarded me with letters. Of course, I got your letters. All thirty of them! After the fifth one, did it not occur to you that I didn't want to be bothered?"

"Why didn't you just say that?" Ron asked.

Calli glared at him. "I thought the lack of response would've gotten the point across," she said angrily. "And for the record, the only reason I'm here is because Neville asked me to."

Harry's face fell and Calli grew angrier at his wounded puppy act.

"And you, Harry. For someone who understood what I was going through, why would you keep sending me letters, reminding me over and over again I have someone to talk to. I know that! I didn't want to talk to anyone!"

"Yet you answered Neville's letter but not ours," Ron accused.

Calli could see the inside of her head with how hard she rolled her eyes. Neville, thankfully, took over.

"I ran into Hermione at Flourish and Blotts," he said. "We started talking and I asked her if she was still coming."

"But-

"Ron, shut up," Dean sighed. "For everyone's sake, let it go."

Ron clamped his mouth shut but it was obvious he was still angry. Calli smiled thankfully at Dean before she looked at the other problematic Weasley.

"And Ginny, you're fighting with your brothers, why?" she asked.

"That's between me and them," Ginny scowled.

"She saw us hanging with Luna the other day and demanded we tell her about our burgeoning friendship with the blonde fairy," George said.

Luna grinned at the nickname and Calli scrunched her nose.

"Why does it matter if you're friends with Luna?" she asked him.

"Because she's my friend!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Oh really?" Fred challenged.

"What's her favorite color?" George asked.

"Blue," Ginny said smugly.

"Lilac," Fred corrected. "Because it reminds her-

"-of her mother," George finished.

Ginny's face fell. Luna pretended to be hurt by the idea that Ginny didn't know but Calli knew damn well the blonde didn't care. The awkwardness became unbearable before Augusta came into the room.

"Food is ready, and I- oh, hello, Hermione, how long have you been here?" Augusta asked sweetly.

"I've only just arrived, Dowager Longbottom," she said.

"Just in time then."

The statement held so much weight to it that Calli could only nod. Augusta smiled and gestured toward the kitchen. Dean and Seamus were the first to go followed by Ron and Hannah. Susan placed her hand on Luna's shoulder briefly before she ran after Hannah. The twins glared at their sister until she stomped off, dragging a solemn Harry with her. Neville squeezed Calli's shoulder before he took off as well. The twins winked at Calli as they passed, and Calli grabbed Luna's hand before the girl could leave.

"You okay?" Calli whispered.

"I'm okay," Luna said softly. "You were outside so long I was afraid you'd changed your mind."

"Needed a moment to set myself," Calli murmured, staring out of the window.

Luna grinned and moved her head, going to kiss Calli on the cheek. Calli turned her head to do the same. Their lips met in a quick kiss. Unfortunately, as it happened, the door to the kitchen swung back shut.

On the other side, Ginny was both shocked and furious. She walked over to Ron and told him what she saw. Ron told Harry, but was overheard by Dean and Seamus, who told Susan and Hannah, who told Neville. The Twins overheard Hannah and snickered under their breath. Neville's lips twitched but he kept his face free of anything specific. Ron and Ginny were the most upset while Harry was confused.

In the other room, Luna and Calli burst into giggles and wiped their lips.

"I can scratch that off my bucket list," Luna snorted.

"You have soft lips," Calli said.

"Funny, your brother said the exact same thing," Luna murmured.

"Gross."

Luna chuckled and the two walked into the kitchen where they were met with some glares and amused smiles.

"What?" they said simultaneously.

"N-nothing," Susan stammered.

"Okay?" Calli said confused.

Augusta swept back into the room with the adults and everyone gathered around the large table of food. After a quick prayer from Andy, people began to pile their plates. With hamburgers and hot dogs on one side, roasted chicken and potatoes on the other, Calli's stomach seized at the combination. She bypassed the hot dogs after remembering Dan's exploding hot dog prank and took a burger. George came up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned her head just enough for him to know he had her attention.

"How long you and Luna been a couple?" he asked nonchalantly.

Calli nearly dropped her plate in shock. "What on Earth are you talking about?" she exclaimed.

"Apparently, when my darling sister went to tell you two to hurry up, she caught you two sharing a brief, loving kiss," he said.

"Oh, for the love of-" Calli sighed. "Is that why they keep glaring at me?"

"My brother believes you were made for him."

Calli looked at him slowly and narrowed her eyes. George smirked and went back to making his food. The conversation was kept light as everyone got their plates together, and they made their way outside to the patio. Calli sat next to Luna and placed her hand on her knee. Luna paused, a forkful of lettuce on her lips, and glanced at her from the corner of her eye.

"What are you doing?" Luna asked softly.

"Ginny thinks we're in a relationship," she whispered in her ear.

Luna's head snapped to hers. "Are you joking?" she blurted.

Calli squeezed her knee and laid her chin on her shoulder. "Want to play along?" she asked, smirking.

Luna ate her salad and gently patted her on the cheek. Calli took that for what it was and went back to her food. She felt eyes boring into the side of her head but paid it no mind.

Two hours later, Luna could feel three sets of eyes boring into the side of her head. A shadow fell over her, and she smiled up at Neville.

"Enjoying your party, birthday boy?" she said, patting the seat next to her.

Neville, soaking wet from his time in the pool, brushed his hair from his face and said, "I wish it weren't so many people here, but yeah, it's fine."

"If you could have a do over-

"Smaller," he stopped and added, "Or better company."

Luna nodded and leaned back on her hands. "Maybe I can arrange something for next week," she said conversationally.

"Is that so?" he asked.

Luna hummed. Neville glanced around and then looked back at her.

"Your relationship with Hermione is overshadowing my party," he said.

She grinned. "Shame how an accidental kiss could cause so much drama."

"And the hand holding, the whispering, and what not?"

"We're best friends," she said, shrugging.

Neville twitched and coughed into his hand. "Right then," he said. "Well, don't be shy. You either get in the pool willingly or I have the twins toss you."

"You wouldn't do it yourself?" she asked, cocking her head.

"I'm afraid of dragons," he deadpanned.

Luna laughed genuinely. Neville turned, and then he froze.

"Holy shit," he whispered.

Luna twisted around, and her jaw dropped. She wasn't blind. Calli was attractive, but she was struck dumb at the sight of the other girl in a bikini. It was deep red, and it covered enough to be decent. But those muscles and that tan. Luna wished she and Draco had taken Calli and Bellatrix up on their offer to go to Morocco with them. Calli looked up with triumph as she found the sunscreen she'd been searching for in her bag. She then noticed everyone staring at her and she frowned.

"What?" she asked.

That got everyone moving again. Calli lowered herself down and cocked an eyebrow at Luna.

"What did I miss while I was changing?" she asked.

"No one has ever seen you in a bikini. Plus, your hair is catching in the fading sunlight."

Calli glanced down and back up, confused. "I'm still lost," she said.

"Have you seen yourself?" Luna asked dryly.

"Why, Miss Lovegood, are you saying I'm attractive?" she purred.

"Get over yourself," Luna muttered.

Calli broke and laughed as she pulled her hair into a messy bun. Luna picked up the bottle and dumped some in her hand.

"Turn around," she ordered.

Calli followed instructions and bowed her head as Luna rubbed the sunscreen into her shoulders. Once she was finished, she handed the bottle to Calli who motioned for Luna to turn around.

"I can't believe the entire party stopped simply because I have on a damn bikini," she said.

"Just wait until you massage lotion onto your girlfriend's back," Luna teased.

"You do know my actual girlfriend would kill you, right?" Calli asked quietly.

"I'd die a happy girl."

Across the pool, Harry, Ron, and Ginny watched Calli and Luna laugh and put lotion on one another.

"I can't believe this," Ginny hissed.

"This is bullshit!" Ron shouted.

Harry shushed him and rubbed his forehead. "I don't see what the big deal is," he said tiredly. "They look happy."

Ron turned an ugly shade of red and sputtered, "You- she- Hermione can't be gay."

"Why?" he asked, already dreading the answer.

"Because!" Ron argued.

Harry sighed. Ginny groaned when she realized Luna and Calli were on their way over. She elbowed Ron in the side, and when the two girls stopped in front of them, Ginny smiled at them politely.

"What's up, Hermione? And Loon-, uh, Luna," she corrected.

"Nothing. We haven't really had a chance to talk after earlier, and I wanted to apologize for what I said," Calli said slowly. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings Harry. I was angry."

Harry smiled sadly. "It's fine. I guess I was so busy trying to let you know you weren't alone that I missed the warning signs," he said.

"And Ron," Calli started, "you push too much. I know you two are my best friends but sometimes you can be…overwhelming."

Ron huffed and said nothing. Calli glared at him.

"What's your problem now?" she asked.

"Since when are you and Loony all buddy-buddy?" he grumbled.

"And since when are you in charge of who I can be friends with?" Calli said.

"Friends? Really? You're going to seriously stand there and lie to our faces?" Ginny said accusingly.

Calli rolled her eyes and said, "Not that it's really your business who I date, but that 'kiss' you saw was nothing more than an accident. Had you asked instead of spreading it around, I would've told you it was a mistake. Luna and I are just friends."

"Yeah but why?" Ron asked. To Luna he added, "No offense but you're not exactly the kind of person Hermione hangs around."

"As opposed to the great thinker that you are?" Luna asked, her head cocked.

"Least I don't walk around seeing things that don't exist," he snapped.

"Because you're missing what's already in front of you," she replied, her voice no louder than a whisper.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You truly are a fool, Ronald Weasley, if you can't see the damage you've already done."

"Don't sit there and lecture my brother on friendship," Ginny spat. "Especially since you've forgotten all about me and decided to hang with my brothers instead."

"I haven't forgotten about you," Luna said sadly. "You stopped hanging out with me once we got to Hogwarts. Apparently, being friends with Loony Lovegood is almost as bad as being a Slytherin to some people."

"That's bullshit! I hang out with you all the time," Ginny whined.

"When was the last time we had lunch together?" Luna sighed. "Or sat by the lake?"

While Ginny thought of an answer, Calli stared at Harry. He was sitting there sulking. It was pathetic. Calli decided in that moment her next year at Hogwarts would be different. She was no longer going to play meek and nice with the Fool's Golden Trio. Snorting inwardly at her joke, Calli grabbed Luna around the waist. She lifted her off the ground and threw her into the pool, laughing when the blonde yelped in surprise. As Luna came up for air, Calli turned to the three and shook her head.

"Get your shit together," she sighed. "Because I'm not picking up after you anymore."

Harry frowned but before he could say anything, Neville tackled Calli into the water. Luna broke the surface first and cackled when she saw Calli screaming at Neville. The twins jumped in and called for a chicken fight. Calli climbed on Fred while Luna climbed on Neville. George was the mediator.

"I want a good, clean fight," he called out. "First person to knock the other off wins!"

"What do we win?" Luna asked.

"First dibs on cake?" Neville suggested.

"Doable. We accept!" Fred shouted.

George then made a whistling sound with his lips. Calli squealed as she and Luna wrestled for control while Fred and Neville traded good-natured insults. George splashed water to distract them. Calli allowed herself to forget about the others and focus on the people she was close with. Her mental guards remained up, but she let herself relax and have a good time.

Across the way, several of the adults smiled at the scene while Molly seemed annoyed with Andromeda. Sirius was trying to find someone to bet with while avoiding the scathing looks coming from his date. Remus was bored, but had his eyes on Calli at all times to make sure she stayed safe. The other Hogwarts students got stuck on who to root for while Dean was too focused on refilling his plate. Augusta chuckled with Xeno from inside of the kitchen, clinking her glass of Firewhiskey against his.

"To change," she said softly.

"To change," he cheered.

The only people not having fun?

The Fool's Golden Trio.

Once everyone dried off, the remnants of the group stood in the drawing room as Neville and Harry opened their gifts. Luna sat in Calli's lap while Fred and George sat beside them.

"Okay, this next gift is from," Neville paused and said excitedly, "the brightest witch of our age."

Calli winked as Neville picked up a bottle-shaped gift. He ripped off the paper, revealing a very old bottle of wine. Neville was speechless. Calli mistook his silence for something else and cleared her throat.

"You mentioned that you loved to collect old wine, so I-

"I love it," Neville interrupted softly, a teary smile on his face.

Calli breathed a sigh of relief. She'd been having a hard time coming up with a gift when Draco suggested old wine, saying that Neville was always looking for old bottles to try. Calli asked Lucius if she could look in his cellar, the man had far too many, and picked one at random. It was old and had pretty writing on the front so she figured it was a good enough choice.

She had no idea Neville would react like that.

Her heart jumped out of her chest when she noticed Augusta openly staring at her. The older woman cocked her head toward the kitchen. Calli moved Luna to George's lap and excused herself. Once in the kitchen, Augusta pointed at a cabinet. Calli got the hint, opened the cabinet, and gasped. The only thing on the shelf was a half-empty bottle of wine, the same wine Calli had just given Neville. There was dust on it and around it. It hadn't been moved in years.

"Frank was a wine man. He loved to try different wines from different countries. That bottle was his favorite. It went out of stock a year after they were attacked. Neville refuses to touch that one, as it belongs to his father, but I know he's been searching for it, trying to get his hands on one. Up until now, he hadn't had any luck."

"I had no idea," she whispered.

"Why would you, child?" Augusta came close and added in a whisper, "The joy you have brought my grandson is worth more than my neutrality. When the day comes, I shall be with you completely, young one."

Augusta patted her arm and vanished back into the room. Calli closed the cabinet and leaned on the counter. She had just gifted Neville a piece of his father without even realizing it and gained an important ally in the process. Smiling, Calli pushed off the counter and went back into the room.