A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Chapter 21

December 30, 1993

Rotterham, England

Astoria sat in the Solar. She had her Latin book in her lap as she leaned on her side with her legs on the couch. The book had been opened on the same page for a while as she watched more snow fall outside. Small dings on the glass announced the ice pellets in the snow.

Her eyes were unfocused as the snow fell, her mind more on Christmas Eve.

She had snuck a champagne glass or two. Maybe three. Harry had also. She couldn't remember if Luna had.

Harry had been the perfectly handsome gentleman. Luna a beautiful moon beam. Even before drinking the champagne, she had thought that. There had been dancing. They had laughed. Astoria was pretty certain she had shared a dance with Neville. Maybe another boy? She clearly remembered each time Harry's hands had touched her waist and hand while they danced. How could she not with how warm they felt? It had been a warm feeling to see him with Luna. It had been an even warmer feeling when the blonde kissed her, and then Harry. Her insides had flipped by the second kiss.

They had only left the roof when a rather drunk woman with a younger man had come out. They had slunk away as fast as they could, laughing at the mistletoe balls that surrounded them.

Definitely two glasses, probably two and a half glasses of champagne.

Even through her headache Christmas morning, which her mother refused to lessen with a draught, the thought of both of their lips on hers still burned on her lips.

It has been better than she ever thought her first kisses might be.

When Harry had come over for Christmas Dinner, he looked a little worse for wear, which fit her own feelings nicely. It had definitely been another glass after the kisses. Mrs. Potter obviously was as mean as her own mother. Only Luna looked as radiant as always.

Astoria would not meet Harry's eyes, too afraid to see rejection in them, which didn't matter because he wouldn't meet hers either. She felt the heat in her to see them both. It brought out feeling she was so unsure of. The urge to kiss Harry again grew when she opened her present from him. He had made three more hair pieces.

One was a nice Celtic knot. She really liked the one with the three Asters. Her favorite was an owl. It reminded her of Archimedes.

Luna got three also. A dragonfly, a Celtic knot like hers and a kelpie. Luna hugged him and put the kelpie in her hair.

She touched the flower around her neck. Her lips and other parts of her body tingled to think of him and feel his magic touching her. His black hair and green eyes had been in her dreams for days now. The blonde hair girl was just as prominent. It was heightened with Luna as she thought of the times they had shared a bed on sleep overs and gotten dressed, or undressed, in front of each other. She even found herself flush to think of them kissing again, or to watch Luna and Harry kissing. Even more so to wish Harry could sleep over with them...

Luna had done some portraits of her and Harry. It warmed her heart as much as Harry's gift.

She shifted, rubbing her legs together as she thought of the kisses.

The only thing that she was uncertain of was how much those kisses were from the champagne.

She didn't notice her mother until she sat on the end of the sofa. Astoria continued to look out the window, afraid she might betray the thoughts going through her head.

"Care to talk about what is on your mind," her mother asked. "I have seen you on that page for the last hour."

Astoria tried to keep a very calm face. She prayed her mother did not notice. Focusing on the falling snow, she did not look at her mother. "I was thinking about stuff from Hogwarts." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth either.

The feel of her mother's gaze on her made her want to shift. She stilled her body. "That stuff would not include a certain boy with green eyes, would it?"

She looked out the window, resolutely not trying to give anything away. "Harry is not 'stuff'," she said, even though that was exactly what she was daydreaming about.

Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not, but it has not gone unnoticed that you have worn that necklace and one of the hair pieces he made for you every day since Christmas."

She couldn't keep her flush totally down this time. "They are very nice," she said. She didn't realize that she was still fiddling with the necklace.

"I also noticed that you put the portrait that Luna made next to your bed with a bottlecap necklace around it," her mother stated. It was soft and questioning.

"She is my mate," Astoria said. Luna said that often and she felt it was appropriate.

"And is Harry your mate?"

There was a ringing silence as the implication of the word hit her. Luna meant it as friends, but a small part of her thought it might mean more. Astoria hadn't realized it until now. She wasn't even sure if Luna realized it until the other night. Oh, Merlin, what was she doing? She wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Not that she thought anyways.

Her mother must have seen it as her mask dropped. After a moment, she gently patted her leg. "When you figure it out, or if you need an adult to talk to, I am always willing to listen, my Little Aster. If it helps, your father and I approve."

She finally met her mother's eyes. She had much to 'figure out'. The way her mother looked at her, she had a feeling they would accept anything that came in the future.

"When you need to start taking the potion, let me know. I would rather you take what Mrs. Potter or I make."

Astoria's face burned as her mother got up. She was not ready for that.

-oOo-

January 2, 1993

London, England

Harry was nervous. He hadn't seen Astoria or Luna since Christmas. Mr. Lovegood had taken Luna to Poland for a week and he hadn't been too sure if he should visit Astoria.

Christmas day, he had very much wanted to sneak off with Luna and Astoria again, but he felt as though he had done something that changed their friendship at the party. He did not regret it. His first kiss had been brilliant. His second just as nice. The others had made the last few nights full of dreams he had never had before. Very pleasant dreams. Dreams pleasant enough to make him forget about Sirius Black.

That was until they apparated to King's Cross Station. Two Aurors met them at the apparition point. A half dozen patrolled the platform. Four more were on the train.

He had not been able to tell the two girls sitting next to him anything his mother and him had talked about yet. He felt like they should now. Well, he felt he needed to talk about it.

He wasn't sure if Hermione and Neville should know, or that the train was the best place. He kept looking at the people passing by. The doors were locked, but it wouldn't take much for anyone who knew the unlocking spell to enter.

Speaking of their two friends, Hermione was leaning her head against Neville's shoulder as he cradled a new plant he was taking back to school. She looked delighted as she read a book. Neville bashfully pleased.

Harry didn't miss that all three girls wore their necklaces.

Luna was leaning against Astoria, who was a little stiff today. Harry kept a respectable distance as he stared at his transfiguration book. He wanted to be closer to them, but was unsure if he should be. His head had hurt so much Christmas day.

The door rattled and he looked up to see a redhead looking in. "Should I let him in," he asked Neville and Hermione.

Hermione sat up. "I am blasting him if he says anything about you," she said. "I had enough before Christmas."

Harry lifted his wand. "Alohamora," he said quietly.

Ron opened the door. "Hey," he said towards Neville and Hermione. He did not look on Harry's side of the compartment.

"Ronald," Hermione answered in her teachers' tone.

"Ron." Neville nodded. "Have a good Christmas?"

Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. First one at home in three years. Mum made us degnome the garden twice though."

"There saliva is supposed to encourage creativity," Luna said, her head not coming up from the latest Creatures book she had received.

Harry looked at the boy hard when he made a face. Ron caught his eye. "Yeah. Maybe I felt that," he said uncertain. Harry was sure Astoria was glaring at him too.

"What do you want, Ron," Hermione asked.

Ron shuffled on his feet. Harry knew it wasn't just the train making him do so.

"Listen, I know we said some words here and there. I was hoping we could just drop it. I have a cabin with Dean and Seamus. Would you like to join me," he asked uncertain.

"Are you going to apologize," Neville asked.

Ron looked taken back by that. Harry had been around the Weasley's enough growing up to know Ron only apologized when Mrs. Weasley made him. "I just want to drop it. We haven't really talked or done anything in months."

"That is not our fault and I will not just drop it, Ronald Weasley," Hermione said angrily. "You have said some horrid things. Harry and Luna were the only ones that really tried to reach out to Ginny all last year. You and your brothers faded away every time she lashed out at you or asked for help."

Ron turned red. "Ginny was possessed, and this berk and the loon didn't even tell us! When did they ever care for Ginny? He can also talk to snakes. He is a Slytherin in a Raven's mask."

Harry was out of his seat and his fist connected with Ron's face. "Harry, no," Luna cried out as Ron fell to the floor on his back side. He went to hit Ron again and a strong hand grabbed his arm.

"Harry, stop," Neville told him.

He didn't take his eyes off Ron as he sat up. Blood was trickling out of his nose. "You bloody belland," Ron said angrily, wiping at his nose.

"Ron," Neville said and the red head looked up at Neville. "You insult my cousin, Hermione or anyone else in this compartment again, I will not hold Harry back."

Ron looked at Neville as though he had never seen him before. The boy blinked a few times. "Neville, you're my best mate," Ron said pinching his nose.

"Ron, you blame the only people that tried to warn us about Ginny. You called my cousin a trollop and mental. You came just short of calling Hermione a mudblood before Christmas. I will not repeat what you said about Harry and Astoria. If you cannot learn how to apologize, and apologize to all my friends, I don't want you around," Neville told him.

Harry had not heard Neville be so forceful before.

"Harry, don't," Neville said as he went to open his mouth.

He closed it, respecting Neville.

Ron looked shocked. "Well. Well, don't come to me when you have another insane man standing over you."

"He won't need to. He will have us," Astoria said from behind them.

Ron frowned. Before the boy could say anything else, the door to the compartment closed. "Colloportus. Claustium," Hermione said behind them.

He stared Ron down for a moment before the boy bowed his head and walked away.

Harry shook his hand. He didn't say anything as he sat.

"Harry, I'm sorry. He should not have said those things," Neville said.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Astoria said. "Ronald Weasley is just a prat. How is your hand," she asked taking his hand.

"I'm fine," he told her.

Neville let out a breath and sat across from him, running a hand through his hair. "Neville, you did the right thing," Hermione told him.

"Harry, you did the right thing last year," Luna said. Astoria ran her hand over his knuckles and he winced. He had hit Ron harder than he thought.

"I will not have anyone insulting you or Astoria," he told her.

"Luna, do you know how to heal this," Astoria asked.

"Here," Hermione said waving her wand over his hand. "Episky," she said. It only really felt painful when Astoria had touched it, but he still felt it heal.

"Neville breaks enough bones or gets bruises, I thought it would be best if I knew some healing," Hermione said to Astoria's raised eyebrow.

They all looked at the door as it rattled again. A red-faced Percy was standing at the door. "Bloody hell," he said quietly as Percy pulled his wand.

The door opened. "You are not supposed to lock these doors with spells. Five points from each of you."

"Professor Lupin has given us permission," Astoria said to him coolly.

Percy eyed her for a moment. "Did you just get into an altercation with Ron?"

Harry held the boys gaze. "Ron insulted Harry and Luna first," Hermione spoke up.

"Who hit him," he asked. They were silent for a moment before Neville stood up. Percy looked surprised.

"Neville, don't," he told him. Harry stood, stepping up to the much taller boy. "I did."

Percy's lip curled a little. "A week of detention and another five points."

"I am going to contest this to Professor Flitwick," he told Percy, who looked slightly taken back. Harry had a sense the boy was not used to people fighting back.

Astoria said behind him, "I will stand behind Harry's word on the events."

"Harry didn't mean to break his nose," Luna commented.

"I will lodge my own complaint with Professor McGonagall," Hermione said. "This is not the first time Ron has said disparaging remarks of Potter, Greengrass or Lovegood in violation of the Student Handbook."

Percy turned a distinct pallid color. Like most Weasley's, he would not back down though. "Five more points for disrespect to the Head Boy."

Harry curled his fist and Luna wrapped her hands around it. He let out a breath. "If you will excuse us, Head Boy Weasley, we are going to close the door and lock it as allowed by Professor Lupin."

Percy glared at him for a moment before walking away.

"I really hate the Weasley's," Astoria said.

"Fred and George have stuck up for you," Hermione told them. "Even Ginny has asked them to stop."

"I will level either of them if they insult you again," Harry said.

"Harry, they aren't worth it. Hermione, if you don't, I will put the complaint in right after dinner," Neville told her.

She crossed her arms and huffed. "I plan to march up to the Head Table as soon as we get to Hogwarts."

-oOo-

January 8, 1994

Hogwarts, England

"Expelliarmus," Hermione cried out at Astoria. She dove behind a desk that had been kicked over.

The Gryffindor was damned fast and crafty. "Windgardium Leviosa," she flicked her wand at a desk and floated it past the desk she was behind. Hermione shot a few spells at her. "Depulso! Depulso! Petrificus Totalas," she said as she rolled under the desk.

Hermione's eyes widened at how fast the spells came. "Depulso! Stupefy! Stupefy," Hermione cried out, trying to dodge Astoria's spells. The desk deflected a few and bounced them to the side of the room. The second knockback jinx caught Hermione in her hip, sending her flying and sending both her stunning jinxes wide. The desk next to her cracked with the power in the frizzy brunette's spell.

"Halt," Professor Lupin called out as Hermione went to pick herself up. "Very good, girls. I don't want anyone seriously hurt though."

Astoria stood up and brushed down her uniform and skirt. She may have to start wearing the dress pants they were allowed if she was going to copy Harry and Neville by rolling or diving everywhere. Dust was prevalent on her skirt.

Hermione rubbed her hip. "You had some power in that spell," she said to Astoria.

"You said not to hold back. It hurts more when Harry or Neville get you," she said stepping to the side with Luna.

"You did very well," Luna said to them.

She snorted. Hermione was a challenge because the girl thought three steps ahead. It was like playing wizarding chess with her father. If you didn't have a plan, or were not able to think quick on your feet, you got hit a lot.

Luna... where to start with Luna. She had spells that seemed to catch them off guard, she was unpredictable and had a sixth sense of what might be coming. Astoria only got the better of her one out of every three or four times. Hermione had the same issues.

Harry and Neville lined up on the start line, raised their wands and saluted. "Begin," Professor Lupin said.

There arms weren't even down before Harry was dropping. He fell to his knees, rolled and pointed his wand up at Neville. "Wimblemimble," Neville cried out. His spell shot over Harry. Neville stumbled back at Harry's advance. "Stupefy," Harry said with certainty, but no real haste.

It just missed Neville as the boy fell over a desk. It saved him the next spell Harry was already sending his way. "Immobulus!" This one had more power and moved the desk a few feet back with Neville behind it.

Neville scrambled and shot out the side of the desk as Harry advanced on him. "Expelliarmus!" Neville pointed his wand and Harry sidestepped.

"Captis apud funum," Harry called out. "Quis scandalia! Stupefy!"

Harry didn't give Neville a chance as ropes suddenly burst from the floor. "Diffindo!" Neville cried out as he stumbled over the ropes. Harry's second spell went wide, but the stunning curse got Neville.

She just looked on as Luna started to clap. "What was that," Hermione asked. "Those weren't even spells."

"Harry can be very creative," Luna said jumping up.

Harry moved to Neville. "Rennervate," Harry said.

Neville looked up at him. "What was that," he asked.

Harry shrugged before reaching a hand out to Neville. "Uncle Remus said to try something new."

Astoria looked at Harry. She knew most spells had roots in Latin. It had never occurred to her that you could actually use Latin as a spell itself. "Merlin, did he just create those on the spot," Hermione sounded awed.

If she hadn't already liked him, she found she would have fallen for Harry then. She had seen more displays of power from him than she knew what to think of in the last few months.

"Yes, very good, Harry. I must admit I have never really seen anyone do it quite like that. How do you feel? It took longer to cast the spells and I am sure more energy," Mr. Lupin asked.

Harry had already pulled Neville to his feet. "I don't know. It just came to me. I guess it felt like it pulled on my magic a little more."

She shook her head. That was her Harry.

"Now. Luna and Astoria. Face off against Harry, and I think that will be the last of this lesson for today," Mr. Lupin said.

Luna was already on the spot. "Two against one isn't exactly fair, Professor," Harry said. She noticed he switched back and forth between Professor and Uncle in these classes.

"Humor me, Harry," Mr. Lupin said.

Harry gave him a look before shaking hands with Neville and going to his spot. She lined up with Luna. "How do we do this," she asked the blonde.

"Which ever way we can," Luna responded.

Astoria tried not to roll her eyes. She should have expected that from her. "You go left. I'll go straight at him. Try to stun him."

Luna moved her head to the side. "That will not work. It may be better to trip or immobilize him. Short quick spells. And lots of them."

She knew Luna was probably correct. Harry stood across from them. As always, he looked intense during these lessons. After telling them about seeing Black over Christmas, he was more determined than ever to learn this. She would not let him outpace her, but she doubted she would ever be able to do what he just had.

"Begin," Mr. Lupin said.

Harry immediately dove for a desk. "Stupefy! Immobulus! Stupefy," she tried to get out as fast as possible. With speed though, her aim wasn't as great. Luna twirled to the side as a spell split between them. "Glacius! Gelinadus! Stupefy," Luna said as she skipped away.

Harry was casting a few immobulus charms as he ducked their first spells. "Merlin," he cried out as the floor around him suddenly turned to black ice and he slipped. Him falling was what saved him from the other spells.

He waived his wand towards the floor. "Aedificare murum ligneum," he cried out as fast as he could. The floor pulled up into a wall, saving him from the other freezing, immobulus and stunning spells.

She rushed to the side, expecting him to still be on the floor with how he fell. "Incindeo," Harry said. A small ball of fire shot out around the edges of the wall. She stepped back, a small scream escaping her mouth. She had not expected that and they were supposed to be using spells that wouldn't harm anyone.

Luna shot off a few more spells that hit the wall. Her fumble was all he needed. "Stupefy," he called out.

When she was woken up, Luna had a very satisfied smirk on her face. "Time to get up, Little Aster," she said.

Astoria tried not to let her face flush as Hermione looked like she wanted to laugh. "Where is Harry! He was not supposed to use a fire spell."

"He is over there. Luna wanted you to wake him," Neville said with a chuckle.

"Yes. That was a nice match. I did not know you knew some of those, Luna," Mr. Lupin said to her.

"I like charms," she said as though it was all the explanation needed.

She sat up to see Harry frozen in place, as though running. She raised an eyebrow. "What did I miss?"

"After Harry stunned you, these two went for another three minutes before Luna walked him into a perfectly timed full-body bind," Hermione said. "Professor, can you teach us how they do what they did?"

She got up and walked over to Harry. His eyes were able to look at her. "You have been holding back again. I will not be coddled," she told him with some heat. Luna had too, but she found that did not bother her the way Harry did.

"He can't respond if he is still bound," Mr. Lupin said. It sounded like he was trying not to laugh.

"Finite," she said.

"Astoria, Professor Lupin only asked me to try it this week," he told her immediately. She glared at him as he took a step back.

"How do you do that," Hermione asked.

He didn't look away from her until she huffed. "It's like what I do with the runes on your necklace. I have an intention. I use Latin to focus my mind. It is what mum had taught me to, you know, how to control myself" he said looking back at her.

Astoria knew how much he feared to let his power go. Thinking of the dementor, she could understand. Her eyes softened some. "Can you teach us?"

He ran a hand through his messy hair. "I can try," he told her.

"I would caution that for now, Harry. I would think learning how to speak and think in Latin would be required," his Uncle stated.

"Can we start using some of our Rune's study time Friday Morning to spend on Latin," Hermione asked. She was as keen to catch up to Harry and Luna as she could.

"Maybe I should start learning Latin," Neville said.

"Knowledge is not a bad thing," Mr. Lupin added.

-oOo-

January 17, 1994

Hogwarts, England

Luna took the same desk her and Harry always took. Ginevra was sitting with Colin, Liam Yang and Daisy Trask.

"Hello," she greeted them all. She expected Yvette and Jimmy to join them. They were both decent at Transfiguration and joined them once or twice a week now for their study sessions. Astoria was more accepting to let others in.

"Hello, Luna," Colin said happily. He looked like he wanted to say something else but decided against it when Harry gave him a look.

"Luna," Ginevra greeted.

"We are going to the lake tomorrow after lunch. Would you join us," she asked. Ginevra was better.

"Not tomorrow, Luna. I'm going to study with Colin and Daisy," Ginevra told her.

Luna was sad. Ginevra was avoiding her. Luna didn't know what to do or say to let her know she did not blame Ginevra. Luna had said it a few times.

"Ginny, take an hour off. We can help you with the assignment afterwards," Harry said.

"I don't think Greengrass likes me around. We may do the assignment in Gryffindor Tower."

"There should be no snow tomorrow. We can also go visit Buckbeak," she said. Seeing the hippogryph was sad and pleasant.

Ginevra shook her head. "Not tomorrow, Luna."

Yvette and Jimmy sat with them as she expected.

"Did you finish the DADA paper, Colin," Yvette asked as she took out her stuff.

"Yeah, it was pretty tricky to find why a stunning charm doesn't work well on trolls," he said. "Ginny was able to find a good book though. You meeting us after dinner?"

"Yes. I like that braid, Ginny," she said.

Luna scrunched her brow. Ginevra slunk into her chair. She blamed herself from last year. Why would she not talk to her? Luna did not like her hurting still. It had been months and she should forgive herself.

Professor McGonagall walked in. "Quills down. Today we will do something a little different," she told them. "It will be a pop quiz."

Harry looked at her expectantly. As did others in Ravenclaw. "Everyone will get three blocks and I would like your most creative birds. Here is your material," she said summoning a few boxes with various sized objects. There was a collective groan from many students, mostly Gryffindors. They had been working on the spell for two weeks. "Those that successfully get the spell will not have to write an eight-inch parchment on what you did wrong."

That got peoples attention.

"Would you like me to get you some items," Harry asked her.

"Small ones please," she told him. He nodded and came back a few moments later, putting a small watch, an old dog collar and a brass medallion before her. Harry put a heavy rock, a large bottle and piece of scrap metal. She smiled and touched the clock. "Avifors," she said calmly, clearly and with determination. In a second, a small hummingbird was on the table. It started to fly and she giggled as it buzzed her head. She did it twice more, enjoying the little flitty birds.

"Colin, you don't have to wave your wand around. Remember, picture it," Harry coached the boy.

"Avifors," Colin said with frustration.

She turned to see Ginevra with a blue bird, a little rock chit and a robin.

"Mr. Potter, today is a day to focus on your own test. Show me what you would do with the rock," Professor McGonagall said when she stopped by the table.

"What do you want today," he asked the professor.

"Surprise me," she said looking at him. Luna had a feeling the Professor was very excited to see what he might do.

"Avifors," he said. Luna felt the power he powered into it. The spell was usually used to only make small birds. Harry concentrated and she felt pride in him as a large goshawk was suddenly on the table. Her hummingbirds flitted behind her head. The goshawk gave out a call before flying up into the rafters before looking around the room.

Professor McGonagall shot her wand over her shoulder and the rafters grew a cage around the hawk. "I do not want to find feathers and bits around," she said. Luna thought she saw a small uptick to the Professors mouth. She nodded at him before turning to Liam. "Mr. Yang, you are not picturing it properly," she said to look at the poor match box that had grown wings and a tail. It was trying to fly and kept hitting him instead. "You need to concentrate."

"Very good, Ms. Weasley and Ms. Lovegood. Full marks. Mr. Potter, I asked for three. No more raptors."

"Yes, Professor."

"Much better, Mr. Creevey. Ms. Gregor, full marks," McGonagall said before turning to the next table.

"What do you want," he asked her.

"I find flamingos very pleasant," she told him.

Harry touched the rock, and a moment later a flamingo was walking around the isles. No one else made anything near the size. Luna didn't want too. She liked her hummingbirds too much.

When class was done, Harry was called over to Professor McGonagall's desk. The hawk was still above them. The Professor waited for the rest of the class to leave. "Ms. Lovegood, are you going to return those hummingbirds?"

"I rather like them, Professor. Can I keep them for the day?"

Professor McGonagall chuckled. "That is fine, Ms. Lovegood. Very impressive work today, Mr. Potter."

"Thank you, Professor."

"I have never seen any student capable of making an augury and holding it for so long," she said with a raised eyebrow. The bird had roosted in the rafters and sung its melancholy song for almost twenty minutes. Luna had enjoyed it very much and knew Harry had done it for her.

"I had hoped it would last longer, but I couldn't seem to seal the spell like on the hawk or flamingo," he told her looking bothered.

She eyed him for a moment. "I think that is an extra credit you can earn. Explain why were you not able to 'seal' that form? It was also brought to my attention that you may have produced some transfigurations that are rather impressive."

Luna smiled broadly. "Yes, Professor McGonagall. He has made some very special pieces I enjoy quite a bit. He has given some to Astoria and Hermione also."

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "I take it that necklace and your hairpiece are such items?"

"Yes, ma'am."

The Professor Kitty looked at him for a moment as students lined up outside the door. "I think you have been holding back on me. I will not take anything except your best, and will grade accordingly for you. You too, Ms. Lovegood. I have a feeling you have held back at times too."

Harry looked a little abashed. "Professor, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. I don't like to show off."

She snorted. "And doing what you did today was not showing off?"

Her Harry shrugged. "You said you wanted us to be creative and to surprise you. Luna wanted to see an augury and Colin said I couldn't do it."

She shook her head before taking a quill. "Here is a note for your next class in case you are late."

Harry nodded and took the note. Luna took his arm and they were walking out. "Mr. Potter, if that was not showing off, then I think you need to ask your mother what she did in my class second year."

Harry stopped and turned to her. "What did my mum do?"

"Ask her and then give me an eight-inch essay on why it did not hold."

"Yes, ma'am," he said with a smile.

-oOo-

A/N: Notes from CH 20

1) Lily Potter is a researcher and brilliant woman, but I have personally seen when people fool themselves in their grief. It could have been so painful, or there are other secrets to come out at some later points (not year 2), why she is that way. There have also been many great heroes/villains with foils like that. I don't view any character as infallible.

2) Story is AU. I chose six generations to be a full Pure Blood. Gives more a reason to maintain status and why families may interbreed with each other as much as is suggested.