Flash Point

by Lunar.Alpha.Wolf

The end of their catastrophic third year taught the trio one very important lesson, if they were going to survive to see their graduation then they were going to need to take matters into their own hands. H/Hr/L, Ron/?

10. Chapter 10 - New Growth

"Nice night" Ron said bemusedly.

Harry started slightly, shifting from his spot sprawled out across the tiles of the astronomy tower's roof. To his surprise his friend was hovering across from him on a broom with an exasperated look.

"Yeah, lovely" Harry agreed, giving his friend an insolent grin and laying back comfortably.

"When you never came back after dinner, this isn't exactly where I expected to find you" Ron said, "How are you laying like that anyway, shouldn't you be sliding off?"

"Nah, warming, cushioning and sticking charms on the whole roof, I couldn't fall off this thing if I tried" Harry explained.

"Thank Merlin for that," Ron grumbled, sliding off his broom onto the shockingly warm and comfortable roof tiles and laying back next to him. "I wasn't gonna trust that school broom at this height for much longer"

"Fair enough" Harry agreed placidly, his eyes still glued to the twinkling vista above them.

Ron made himself comfortable and ensured his broom wasn't going anywhere while Harry continued to stargaze. Finally the redhead couldn't stand the silence anymore and tilted his head down from the stargazing to look at his best mate side on.

"So wanna talk about whatever has got you up here on Christmas Eve" Ron paused and flicked his wand with a muttered "Tempus" before continuing. "Sorry, make that Christmas day"

"That depends" Harry said with an amused tone, "you wanna talk about how much time you've been spending with padma lately?"

Ron's ears turned bright red in an instant, but to Harry's surprise he was smiling proudly, if a little bashfully.

"I asked Padma to the Ball last week" he explained, "And she said yes"

Harry reached over to thump him on the shoulder with a proud grin, "Congrats mate, she's a nice girl" he paused and chuckled sheepishly, "I mean, she sounds like it"

"Yeah she's great" Ron agreed happily, then shot him a knowing look. "Which definitely isn't the reason you're up here right now, nice try though"

"Worth a shot?" Harry offered.

"Subtlety thy name is not Potter" Ron snarked, "Now come on, I know you like a good brood but you don't usually go so far out of your way"

"I don't brood!" Harry said defensively, but slumped back at Ron's raised eyebrow. "I don't brood much"

"Sure" Ron drawled out, "You haven't done much this year, but to be fair in your current schedule, when was the last time you had a spare hour or two anyway?"

"...fair" Harry conceded, "Besides even with all this" He lifted his right arm up and gestured vaguely, the moonlight catching the shiny scar tissue faintly. "It still feels like this year is mostly going really well, it's just…" He sat up abruptly, resting his elbows on his knees and gazing out over the forbidden forest with a lost look. "Have you ever realised something so completely obvious you can't believe you missed it? Like suddenly realising that grass is green or it's cold in winter?"

Ron joined Harry in sitting, dropping his chin onto his fist and humming in contemplation.

"Just once recently" Ron admitted, "Remember when Luna and Hermione explained how House Elves were created back at the start of the year?" Harry nodded silently, "Well I always thought it would be cool to have one, you know just have something to do all my chores and cook me food whenever I wanted. It wasn't until they were talking about it that it really occurred to me that they were talking about real life creatures. I know it sounds dumb, but the idea that they would have their own feelings and stuff just hadn't occurred to me"

"Funny how stuff like that just hits you huh?" Harry asked quietly. "To be fair to you though, you'd never really been exposed to House Elves before, so you didn't have a great frame of reference"

"Yeah I guess" Ron agreed, "Still, made me reevaluate a lot of what I thought about other magical creatures too" He chuckled softly, "It was definitely a good thing, even if I felt like a right git when it first occurred to me."

"I get that," Harry agreed.

"So what did you suddenly realise?" Ron asked, reaching out to grasp his friend's shoulder. "Trust me, whatever it is it can't be worse than suddenly remembering living creatures have feelings too"

Harry laughed hollowly, "I dunno about that…" he paused and took a deep breath, "So remember the night you first brought Padma over?"

"Hard to forget" Ron snarked gently, getting a tired glare in response and nodding apologetically.

"Well the training I was doing with Professor Flitwick was a kind of multi tasking thing, he has me read stories, or poetry or, on that particular day Sonnets. All while I have to dodge or block spellfire and counter attack while I'm running or working out" Harry explained, not noticing Ron's eyebrows receding into his hair at how intense his casual description sounded.

"Holy shit" Ron blurted out, before schooling his features and continuing as if he hadn't said anything. "Hermione and Luna went with you that day right?" Ron finished casually.

"Yeah, Professor Flitwick put them in my eyeline while I was exercising too so it was another distraction." Harry agreed, "Which he didn't help by having me practise reading a Sonnet about love while I was looking at them"

"Well that's awkward" Ron murmured with a wince.

"He had me repeating this one over and over, kept saying I wasn't getting the feeling right. It wasn't like I had any idea what someone in love should sound like anyway." Harry's gaze returned to the forest and his eyes noticeably softened as a gentle smile tilted the corners of his mouth up. "I dunno what drew my eye to them, I'd been looking past them as much as I could but suddenly I couldn't look away. It wasn't anything I haven't seen before, Hermione just wrapped her arm around Luna's waist and gave her a hug...but suddenly it was just so obvious"

Ron filled the pause as gently as he could, "Yeah?"

Harry's eyes had stopped wandering and he was staring intently at something in the middle distance. "I love them," he said simply. "And I'm completely terrified that if I act on it I'm going to ruin the most important relationship in my life" he paused and shot Ron an apologetic smile, "No offence?"

"None taken" Ron let out a relieved laugh and snarked back, "Honestly mate I'd be flattered, but you're not really my type, too many hard edges"

"Yeah" Harry chuckled, trailing off into a frown. "But yeah, that's why I'm up here, I'm going on a date with Luna tomorrow and Hermione will be sort of tagging along" he paused and shook his head, "When we're together I can just enjoy the moment and I don't think they've realised yet, but I just couldn't get the idea that I might screw up tomorrow...today, somehow and accidentally ruin everything."

"Harry, you have bar none the weirdest luck of anyone I've ever met" Ron said seriously, standing and stretching before grabbing his broom and mounting it smoothly.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked curiously, watching the taller young man drift off the roof on the rickety school broom.

Ron gave him a significant look. "I can't tell you but trust me on this, Hermione and Luna both adore you. If you just act like you usually do you won't screw anything up."

"That's it" Harry asked sceptically, "Just go to sleep and act natural and somehow the fact that I'm the sort of asshole who'll fall in love with two girls at the same time will just fix itself?"

"You're not an asshole for falling in love twice" Ron argued, still drifting gently away from the tower. "You'll be an asshole if you let your doubts stop you all from enjoying tonight, this'll be the first serious dance any of us have been to. That sorta thing is important to girls." he paused and shot an infuriatingly knowing smirk at Harry. "Trust me whatever you're feeling, lean into it"

"What does that mean!?" Harry called as Ron dove for the ground, weaving between towers and disappearing in an instant.

He was tempted for a moment to mount his firebolt and chase down the cheeky bastard but decided against it. Instead cancelling his charms with a quick finite and leisurely mounting his broom, pondering Ron's parting words as he floated down into the astronomy tower.

Six Hours Later

Harry awoke to the gentle murmur of conversation taking place around him and a slight dip in his mattress. With how little sleep he'd gotten though he decided to ignore it and try to keep napping. Unfortunately now that he had registered the voices he couldn't quite tune them out properly. He briefly considered pretending to be asleep and hoping they'd leave him but Luna's voice put that idea to rest.

"Harry" The wisp of a girl said warmly, her voice startling close to his ear. "I heard your breathing change, I know you're awake"

"M'not" Harry muttered in protest, burying his head in his pillow and pulling his thick duvet up to his chin.

Quiet laughter filled the dorm at that and he groaned, realising that there were far too many people there to let him get back to sleep. One bleary green eye opened and he glanced around the room, surprised by the amount of people he could see. Somehow while he'd slept Dean and Seamus had disappeared but in their place Ginny, Luna, Hermione and Padma had all joined Ron, Neville and him in their dorm room. In the centre of the dorm a small christmas tree had been set up as well and was completely surrounded by presents.

The weight he'd felt at the bottom of the bed was Hermione sitting near his feet with her legs curled up under her and a massive grin on her face. Ron and Padma were sitting on the edge of the redheads bed facing his own, the Indian girl looking around the room in fascination while Ron gave him a shit eating grin. Near the entrance to the dorm he could also see Ginny leant up against one of the four poster pillars on Neville's bed while the young man himself tended to the delicate plant on his bedside table. Luna had foregone all sense of decorum as usual and was half kneeling on his bed near his chest and leaning over him. Everyone was clad in warm winter pajamas and were conversing quietly or watching him expectantly.

"...I'm still asleep" Harry deadpanned, resolutely closing his eyes and grumbling good naturedly when he heard Hermione and Ron start laughing.

"No you're not" Luna sang happily, reaching out to poke his cheek repeatedly.

"It's like 8am mate, way too late for a christmas morning!" Ron said while Luna repeatedly poked him.

"Yeah we wanna open our presents!" Ginny called from across the dorm.

Harry groaned good naturedly and sat up, letting the blanket pool in his lap and shuffling back until he could lean against the backboard of his bed with his legs crossed under the warm duvet. Luna sat back on her heels and gave him a victorious smile.

"Alright!" Ron cheered, flicking his wand at the tree and watching the carefully set piles of presents float to their owners. "Presents?"

"Presents!" Ginny called in agreement, snatching one of hers from the air before they could settle in front of her and ripping the paper off with abandon.

Harry laughed as his friends started to open their presents in their own unique fashions. Ron and Ginny tearing the paper to shreds without a thought while Padma and Hermione delicately cut the seams with their wands and slid the gifts out without messing up a crease. Neville seemed to be having fun trying to guess the insides before opening them and judging by the giggles coming from Ginny wasn't doing a great job. Luna hadn't even started yet, seeming content to run her hands along each gift one by one, as if the simple act of having presents was the greatest gift she had received.

Just as he was about to join them Hermione glanced up from a small pile of sugar quills she'd received and he caught her eye. For an instant her warm brown eyes locked onto his and he felt his breath catch. 'They adore you' Ron had said last night, and regardless of any self doubts he truly believed that. So, without much thought he used his free hand to lift his blanket, sending his presents tumbling into the centre of the bed and with a gentle tug dragged the petite blonde into his lap and dropped the blanket over her. Never breaking eye contact with Hermione the entire time.

"Eep!" The normally unflappable young woman squeaked quietly, almost freezing in place when she came to a rest with her head tucked under his chin and her back resting against his faintly muscled chest. Harry wrapped his arm around her tiny waist and held her firmly against him. There was a flash of insecurity in his gut that was quickly stamped out when he felt Luna wiggle slightly and lean back into him with a satisfied sigh.

"I was hoping you wouldn't mind" Harry replied just as quietly.

She hummed and snuggled back into him again, "Not at all"

Across from them Harry hadn't let his gaze wander, bright green eyes locked with shocked brown while he all but enveloped Luna in her arms. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting to see, although he had been dreading plenty. Jealousy, hurt, pain and disappointment were all pretty close to the top of his personal list of worst reactions, although a complete lack of care would have stung too.

Instead it almost looked as if the bushy haired girl was completely enthralled by what was happening in front of her. Her cheeks had turned bright pink and the present she'd been holding had tumbled onto the bed from her hands. The thing that sent a bolt of pleasure down Harry's spine though was the way she had bitten her lip and was leaning forward. As if trying to capture every instant of what was happening in front of her. He was tempted to ask her to join them but before he could a cavalcade of voices broke his concentration.

"Harry I-"

"What is-"

"Where did-"

"Thank you"

It was Neville's voice that cut through the exclamations and Harry gave the slightly pudgy boy a smile, glancing down at the gift he'd given him.

"Where did you get it?" Neville asked carefully, wiping a few loose tears away with his free hand.

"An old family friend told me they were close when I asked who everyone was, I thought you'd like a copy too" Harry admitted gently.

In Neville's hands was a Wizarding photograph of Harry's own parent wedding, specifically of the wedding party. Stood on either side of them, at the end of the groomsmen and bridesmaids respectively were Neville's own parents. The pair were smiling at the camera happily, but every now and then they'd get distracted. In those seconds the pair would lock eyes across the wedding party and share a loving stare before looking back. He was sure Neville would appreciate the small magical flower seeds he'd included underneath it when he noticed them later, for now he was focused on what was important.

He turned to Ginny next and almost chuckled at her trying as hard as she could to be supportive while still looking gobsmacked at her own gift. For the quidditch loving girl he'd actually collaborated with Neville, the other boy getting her the official training guide. While Harry himself, having access to far more immediate resources had bought and shrunk her something to help her get on the team. A simple voucher for the Quidditch Store's mail order catalogue to the effect of the cost of a Cleansweep 10.

"Harry this is too much, there's no way-" Ginny started, her eyes still darting back and forth.

"I already spoke to your mum, and your Dad. I wouldn't say they were completely happy with it but they agreed in the end." Harry interrupted gently, "I know it seems like a lot but...you want to play Quidditch right? Professionally I mean?"

She nodded unsurely, "I do, but…" She seemed unsure how to finish.

"Angelina and Alicia are graduating next year and if you want a chance of getting scouted out of Hogwarts that means you have to be on the reserves next year" Harry explained, "You're a good flyer, and I'm sure you could get on the team using a school broom, but if you want to impress scouts?" He shook his head gently, "You'll be able to shine on that, not just keep up"

There was a long pause where Harry thought she still might reject it before Neville finally tore his eyes away from his presents and leant down to whisper in her ear. Whatever it was he'd said Ginny steeled her jaw and nodded firmly at Harry.

"Thank you" She said happily, placing the voucher very carefully into her pocket and grabbing Neville's free hand again.

"These look expensive," Ron said suddenly, shooting Harry a wry look and shaking out a set of dark blue dress robes. "And if the alternative wasn't so awful I think I'd tell you to bugger off"

"No you wouldn't" Harry shot back cheekily.

"No" Ron agreed thoughtfully and seeming surprised at his own answer, folding them up and placing them with his other presents, "I wouldn't"

Padma cut in next, looking at him carefully, "This is amazing, where did you find one in Britain?" she asked reverently, lifting what looked like a closed Lotus flower made of blown glass out of the packaging.

"What is it?" Ron asked curiously, leaning over to look more closely at her gift.

"It's a 'Lakshmi 's Lotus'" The girl in question explained with an awed tone "It's a magical artifact made in India, once a year on the day of an important festival called 'Diwali' it opens. If you're there when it opens you can drink the liquid that appears there and you'll be granted great luck until the moon wanes that night."

"How does it work?" Hermione asked, intrigued.

"No one knows," Padma said, still rolling the glass flower in her hands gently. "The creation method is a secret"

"Ron deserves the credit for that one" Harry said pointedly, unwrapping a box of honeydukes chocolate and popping a piece in his mouth and offering the next to Luna. "He couldn't stop talking about the cultural stuff you've been teaching him and that's what gave me the idea"

Padma placed the flower incredibly carefully on the table next to Ron's bed and turned the redhead with a sparkle in her eye. Before he could decide whether or not he should be nervous she'd slid closer and leaned up to press a gentle kiss into his cheek.

"I'm glad you've been enjoying our lessons," she said quietly, then turned back to the room with a tinge of red on her dusky cheeks. "Thank you for the gift Harry, it is very thoughtful"

"Is this obsidian?" Hermione asked next, carefully rotating her gift to catch the light. "I've heard it's incredibly sharp if knapped correctly"

"It is" Harry agreed, "It's also been charmed unbreakable so it'll maintain that edge forever, that thing can carve runes into just about anything"

The brilliant smile he got for that explanation made it clear she wasn't upset at the practicality of her gift. Instead she carefully placed the blade back into the small sheath he'd had made with it and placed it next to her. Finally in his lap Luna was rolling what appeared to be a small silver telescope with magical creatures carved into the outer layer back and forth between her fingers. The dirty blonde girl hadn't looked up from it once since she'd seen it, and had avoided looking through the lenses yet, seemingly waiting for him.

"Do you like it?" Harry asked nervously.

"It's beautiful" Luna said dreamily, "What sort of spyglass is it?"

"Well it's actually a custom creation" Harry explained nervously, "I remember you and Hermione were talking about how it's possible the reason you haven't been able to find Crumple Horned Snorkacks might be because they emit a 'Notice-Me-Not' field right?"

Luna turned her big silver eyes up at him in surprise. "You remember that?" She asked curiously, no hint of her rapidly beating heartbeat in her voice.

"Of course" Harry replied with a hint of confusion, "Well it took a bit of asking around, but I found an enchanter that specializes in vision enchantment. Apparently he's the same one who made Professor Moody's eye"

Luna's eyes grew wider and started to shine suspiciously, so Harry started to rush his explanation, terrified she was about to start crying.

"So I commissioned this, see the symbols on the side?" He gently demonstrated, pointing at the various creatures depicted on it. "Each one is a different kind of altered vision, it has an instruction manual for what each one does so all you have to do is press on the right creature and say the right words to change it"

Next to him Hermione was giving him a look filled with something he couldn't identify but was making his stomach fill with butterflies. At the same time Luna had stopped fiddling with her gift and was clutching it tightly to her chest instead.

"I figured it might help you find some of the creatures you're looking for" Harry continued, almost babbling, "I'm sure it won't catch everything, but if it can help you get a little closer I just thought you might-"

"Harry" Luna said with a faint tremble in her voice and he froze, finally looking back down to meet her gaze.

Her eyes were full of unshed tears and he nearly opened his mouth to apologise before he caught Hermione's eyes and remembered the last time this had happened.

"Happy tears?" He mouthed silently, getting a nod and a look he'd only ever seen Hermione shoot a rare book she hadn't read yet.

"Time for Hermione's presents?" Ron asked casually, looking away from the trio with red ears.

Ginny and Neville were watching them curiously as well, both an interesting shade of red and still gripping each other's hand tightly.

"Ahem" Hermione cleared her throat, "yes, these will be from both me and Luna because we both put a lot of effort into making them" Hermione explained, very intentionally not looking at Harry and Luna until her hormones had calmed down.

"Ron, for you we enchanted a proper shirt and slacks with a permanent Purification charm woven into them. If you just run your hands across the front where the stitching is it'll automatically purify your entire body." She explained while gesturing for him to open his gift, "They'll also resist any kind of staining and are mildly enchanted against damage" She paused and gave him a proud look, "Professor Babbling also checked, and they'll pass the required standards to be worn as hospital wear. So they're your first official Healers Clothes, I hope you like them!"

Ron hummed approvingly as he pulled out a white button down shirt and black slacks clearly made of high quality materials. He knew his friends supported and believed in him, they certainly weren't shy about showing it. To see a real tangible sign of that was still something else though, like they thought the idea he wouldn't make it didn't even bear considering.

"They'll size to fit you as you grow too, so they won't need to be replaced when you inevitably get even taller" She snarked with a friendly smile to take the edge off.

"Ginny" Hermione moved on swiftly, getting a pout from Ron for not letting him have a chance to respond.

The girl in question ripped the packaging off her present happily and held up a simple blouse and pair of jeans.

"We weren't sure what you'd like outside of Quidditch gear" Hermione said apologetically, "And that stuff is so regulated we couldn't enchant any of it without getting you in trouble. So we got you those and added some transformational enchantment to them. If you tap the hem or waist of them with your wand they'll cycle through a few different styles and colours"

Ginny smiled happily and shook her head, "You say that like well made and enchanted clothes that look good are a bad present"

Luna giggled, "I told you she'd like it"

"Yes, well" Hermione said, turning pink "Neville, we got you a new pair of Herbology gloves and aside from the usual enchantments we also went a little crazy with the protections. They'll resist acid, sticky sap, barbs, blades, spikes and honestly about a dozen more things with variations on cutting, stabbing and crushing."

Neville held up the pair of rugged work gloves happily, trying them on and checking their dexterity with a grin.

"They're brilliant," He agreed.

Finally everyone turned to Harry who was holding up what looked to the Purebloods in the room like a large dark green robe. He ran a hand gently down the front of it and stopped at the buttons, leaning in to run his eyes over the nearly invisible rune work. He also noted that each button appeared to be sewn on with alternating browns and yellow thread.

"An overcoat?" He asked curiously, draping the large coat over Luna so he could get a better look.

"What's that?" Neville asked curiously.

"It's a muggle coat, a really well made one too" Harry explained, shooting Hermione an appreciative look. "Thank you, I really don't have any proper warm muggle clothes aside from Mrs Weasley's sweaters, I only got summer stuff over the holidays"

"It's obviously not just a coat mate" Ron cut in dryly, "Honestly..."

Harry turned slightly pink and looked up at the ceiling sheepishly, "Well I didn't want to assume" he defended.

Luna and Ginny were openly giggling at him now while Ron and Neville shared an exasperated look. Hermione meanwhile was doing her best to look sympathetic while her lips twitched up every few seconds.

"We appreciate the, snrk-" She held in a chuckle and pushed through "the thought, but no, that isn't just a muggle coat. She rested her hand on top of the buttoned section that was draped over Luna's raised knees. "Professor Babbling was tapped by the Ministry to pitch a design for a new set of Auror Robes and she asked us to assist her with it. They decided her version wasn't cost effective enough, so we asked if we could use the design ourselves"

Everyone but Luna was gaping at her at her by now, alternating between staring at the coat and giving her incredulous looks.

"She agreed, as long as we did the work ourselves" Hermione smiled proudly, "She even said she'd count the result as part of our grades if it worked properly"

"These are Auror rated?" Harry asked in awe.

"Better!" Luna chirped happily, "Professor Babblings version was too expensive per robe to create en masse, so this one is actually a little more comprehensive"

"We modeled it after a double breasted greatcoat, the dark green suits you and the double set of buttons gave us more room for runes" Hermione started to explain enthusiastically. "It looks enough like a Robe most magicals would probably just think it's a new fashion-"

"I would," Ron muttered.

"And obviously it'll fit right in when you're in the muggle world" Hermione continued without acknowledging the interruption. "It's completely resistant to physical impacts, you could take a hit from the whomping willow in that and aside from knocking you about it wouldn't do anything. Fire, water, electricity and acid will all wash right over it, to a point of course. Minor hexes and jinxes also won't be a problem" She paused and shot him a guilty look, "Unfortunately any particularly powerful dark magic will cut through, it will take a bit of the impact off but not that much, sorry"

"Hermione that thing is incredible" Ginny said in awe, "Not even official Auror robes do much against dark magic"

"Yeah I know, I just..." Hermione sighed but then brightened up, "Anyway, what do you think?" she asked, looking at Harry for the first time since she'd started her explanation.

"I love it," Harry answered honestly, squeezing Luna closer with the arm that was draped around her and trying to convey that same affection with a look to Hermione. "Thank you"

The rest of the morning passed slowly, with the rest of their gifts being slowly opened and appreciated. It wasn't until well over an hour had passed that anyone seemed to notice them all missing, which resulted in a less than delicate interruption.

"Merry Christmas Squirts and Squirtettes!" A boisterous voice crowed from the entrance, interrupting the morning with the harsh bang of the door hitting the wall.

The group looked up from their conversation to see Angelina, Alicia, Katie and the twins were gathered up in the doorway.

"Thanks for the present!" The older girl said cheerfully, stepping into the room and gesturing to the dangling earring she had hanging from her left ear.

On either side of her Alicia and Katie thanked him as well, flipping their hair over their shoulders to reveal the matching but slightly varied piece of jewelry. Each was wearing a single golden earring with the shape of a leaping fox carved into a small charm hanging from them. The only difference being each one was in a slightly different posture.

"No problem" Harry said cheerfully, resting his chin on Luna's head happily. "Thanks for the gloves"

"Our pleasure!" Alicia replied for them "Now are you lot coming down for the pickup games or what?"

"Pickup games?" Ginny perked up.

"Yeah" Fred, or perhaps George replied, "The other houses players have been missing getting their butts kicked, so we organised a round robin for christmas so we could all play" The other twin took over, "Are any of you in?"

"I'm in!" Ron exclaimed,

"Me too!" Ginny added, standing and starting to pile his presents up. "Are there any spare school brooms?"

"We'll be trading them out from game to game" Angelina confirmed, "You in Harry?"

"Of course!" He grinned, pausing to look down at the little blonde in his lap. "Wanna come?"

"Sorry, it would be fun but..." Luna said regretfully.

"We made plans with Fleur" Hermione explained, "She said she wanted to help up get ready for tonight, besides" She shrugged, "She's fun to hang out with, did you know she wants to be a curse breaker when she graduates?"

"Get ready?" Neville asked with a horrified look, "It's not even afternoon yet!"

Hermione shrugged and stood, lifting the blanket off Luna and tossing it playfully into Harry's face before pulling Luna to her feet. The disappointed frown on Harry's face as she moved off him sent a thrill of excitement up her spine.

"We won't just be putting makeup on the whole time you know" Hermione explained as she gently fixed Luna's robe and gave her a quick hug. "We're going to go over how different Beauxbatons classes are too"

"I'll see you tonight then?" Harry asked, standing up and gathering his gifts as well.

"Yes, at the entrance to the hall" Luna said happily,

"Have fun!" The pair called over their shoulders as they left through the portrait hole.

"Alright loverboy" Angelina's voice broke Harry's moment of staring and she slung a muscular arm over his shoulder. "I know you love to watch them go, but we gotta hurry if we wanna stomp the Hufflepuffs before lunch"

"Angelina!"

---

That Night

"I genuinely don't understand how this is worse" Harry said nervously, staring at the stairs that led down from the upper floors. "I was less nervous in the bloody tent before the first task!"

"What's there to be nervous about?" Ron asked curiously, picking at a loose thread that didn't exist in his cuffs and admiring the fit of his gifted dress robes. "Thanks again for these by the way, I think Padma might have killed me if I'd turned up in the pink lace"

Harry glanced at the dark blue and extremely well fitted dress robes before returning his gaze up to the stairs.

"Glad you like them. I love your mum mate, but her taste in fashion leaves something to be desired" Harry agreed, bumping shoulders with him.

"I can't stand the waiting" Neville cut in, wiping his hands on his hips to get rid of the sweat for the 10th time since they'd started waiting.

Ron laughed and wrapped an arm around each of the shorter boys, pulling them into his shoulders and shaking them roughly with a synchronised squawk of protest. Harry tensed briefly at the contact and almost lashed out, but reluctantly let his mate have his fun. Neville on the other hand just waved his arms wildly and tried to tug away.

"I can't believe I'm the calm one here!" Ron said boisterously, drawing quite a bit more attention from the sea of people in the entrance hall than he intended. "They'll be down soon, it's not like Ginny or Luna would just ditch either of you" he paused and shot Harry a sly sidelong smile, "Or Hermione" he added in a low voice and grinned wider when he felt Harry tense.

Neville struggled his way out of Ron's grip and nervously straightened his hair, giving the redhead an annoyed look. On the other side Harry had resigned himself to his position, letting Ron act like the big brother he never really got to with his blood brothers.

"I don't think Ginny will ditch me" Neville defended, "It's just nerve wracking! Like what if I screw up and say something dumb, and then the twins will prank me and then you'll-"

"Nev mate" Ron said soothingly, finally releasing Harry and pushing off the wall they'd been leaning against to step in front of the panicking boy. "Look, I haven't asked but I'm guessing the way you and Ginny have been spending so much time together lately you guys aren't going to this dance as just friends, right?"

The slightly pudgy boy turned the colour of curled milk and Harry reached out to pat him on the shoulder blindly. "N-no?, I-I mean yes!" Neville started to babble, looking around like he expected to see the twins descending on them.

Ron chuckled but resisted the urge to reassure the nervous boy physically, rightly assuming it wouldn't be taken the right way at the moment.

"It's okay!" He soothed, "Honestly it's not like we didn't notice you two occasionally holding hands and spending every other minute together. I just wanted to say, you've got our blessing, so don't worry so much about me and the twins okay?" Ron paused and tapped his chin with his pointer finger thoughtfully. "Unless you went and broke her heart or something" he amended, "Then you should be worried"

In spite of the vaguely threatening end to Ron's words Neville visibly straightened and squared his shoulders, looking far more relaxed. "Thanks Ron, that does help a bit" he said gratefully, "I had this image in my head of me dancing with her and suddenly turning into a parrot or something" he paused and leant back into the wall with a groan and buried his face in his hands. "Now I'm worried about what Ginny will do if I screw up, that's worse than the pranking worry!"

Ron shrugged and dropped his hand onto Neville's shoulder sympathetically now that he wasn't wound up like a hunted animal, "Sorry mate, can't help with that one, only bright side I can give you is that she'll probably punch you in the face rather than knee you in the balls if you really mess up"

"He's right" A loud and feminine voice spoke up from behind Ron's back and he spun on the spot in surprise.

"I doubt I'll need to though," Ginny continued sweetly, giving her brother a jab in the ribs and stepping around him as he wheezed and bent double. "Hi Neville, are you ready?"

She was dressed in a deep Gryffindor red dress that fell halfway down her calves and shimmered like dragonscale in the firelight. Her hair had been done up in an elaborate plait and was lined with strands of what appeared to be copper wire at first glance. The combination of metallic glint gave her hair the effect of seeming to be flowing like fire down over her shoulders. Harry chuckled and grabbed his best mate to pull him back against the wall, tutting faux sympathetically at his pained wheeze and giving Ginny an approving grin.

"Y-yeah" Neville murmured quietly, staring entranced down at the girl he still couldn't believe he'd actually gotten to agree to accompany him. He stretched out a hand to take her offered one and let her lead him towards the entrance without a backwards glance. "Seeya guys" he muttered distractedly.

"What was that for!?" Ron called after her half playfully.

"Trying to scare off my date!" Ginny called back, dragging her date into the crowd and disappearing.

"She looked great" Harry mused, "Where'd she get the dress?"

"I owled Bill and let him know she was going to her first dance and didn't have anything to wear" Ron explained, standing from his hunched pose with a ground and rubbing his rib gingerly. "Nev's a good guy, I didn't want her feeling insecure to mess up their night"

Harry paused for a moment to consider that before nudging Ron and smiling proudly, "That's really nice"

"Yeah Madam Pomfrey's lessons on lateral thinking apply to more than just treating patients" Ron mused, "Who knew?"

"It's not just that" Harry said, 'This whole year you've been way more…"

"There aren't a lot of words that can go there that aren't insulting" Ron finished for him, although he looked more amused than insulted. "Look, it's not like I still don't get jealous over stuff, or that I've suddenly stopped wanting to laze around and not worry about study" he paused and looked around to make sure their dates hadn't arrived. "When I asked Madam Pomfrey to take me on as her apprentice it was the first time I'd ever really taken responsibility for anything. I wasn't just asking for a future job, I was taking responsibility for keeping my friends alive."

Harry opened his mouth to cut in but the serious glint in Ron's eyes stopped him cold.

"I know that isn't how you saw it but to me that's what was happening, in my head taking on that apprenticeship was me saying 'next time this happens it'll be up to me'" Ron explained, "And once I did that I found something I love doing, my parents were proud of me and once people found out the way they looked at me changed too. I wasn't just another Weasley, or Harry Potters best mate I was the future healer" he smiled into the empty air happily, "So I've been trying to do that more ever since"

"Take responsibility?" Harry asked curiously.

"Yeah, I can't just coast on other people's effort with my healing, why should being a big brother or a friend be any different?" Ron said proudly, "So when I heard her tell her roommate she was worried her dress would look silly I sent Pigwidgeon out with a letter"

"That's…" Harry started, looking at his closest friend approvingly.

"One of the reasons I said yes" A faintly accented voice spoke up next to Ron, startling the pair from their serious conversation.

Standing to Ron's side in his blind spot Padma had walked up to them without being noticed and was standing expectantly. The young man in question had almost frozen in place once he'd spun to greet her and caught sight of her properly. She was wearing a deep periwinkle and darker blue sari-style dress robe that complimented the darker navy of Ron's robes perfectly. Her hair was done in such a way that a wealth of obsidian black hair fell over her shoulders.

"Wow" Ron whispered, "You look amazing"

Padma giggled and stepped up to trap his loosely hanging arm between hers and pulled him off the wall to stand with her.

"You don't clean up badly yourself" She complimented, running her eyes over his well tailored robes appreciatively before glancing at Harry happily. "See you in there"

Harry waved them away with a smile and even let out a little chuckle when Ron's hand shot up with a thumbs up of encouragement over the top of the crowd. Finally alone though he couldn't help but lean back and let his thoughts wander while he waited. Tonight was the night he'd been both dreading and looking forward to in equal measure for weeks. It had been easy, for a given definition of the word, to hide his little revelation from everyone.

Not that he could take credit for that, the first time Hermione had hugged him after that night he'd frozen half way to returning it. He wasn't sure why but somehow the simple knowledge that he wasn't just returning the affection as a friend made him second guess himself. Thankfully even without him saying anything she seemed to understand, because she just hugged him tighter until he relented. The same thing had happened when Luna had dropped into his lap as she tended to while he was studying in the tent. So in spite of his own internal turmoil it seemed the girls in question hadn't noticed, probably...maybe.

"I am the worst with feelings" Harry murmured to himself, running a hand through his hair and immediately ruining the hair he'd carefully combed into place.

"Oui, zat has been what I've seen so far" A french accented voice agreed casually from the wall next to him, startling Harry violently.

"How do people keep sneaking up on me!" He cried exasperatedly, turning to meet Fleur's amused gaze.

The french witch was all but oozing elegance even while leaning casually up against a stone wall. Her silvery blonde hair was falling in slightly curled waves down around her shoulders and sparkled with inner light in a way he assumed must be magical. Her dress was a strapless affair that looked to be made of spun silver and hung down to just above her knees that swirled hypnotically with every movement. That hypnotism seemed to be working well based on the way Roger Davies eyes were glued somewhere on her that definitely wasn't appropriate.

"I vould say it is because you are distracted" A gruff voice answered from his other side, and this time Harry refused to react, simply leaning back against the wall and shooting his Bulgarian competitor a dry look.

The older man was dressed in a set of truly spectacular dress robes that almost resembled Quidditch leathers. The material coloured to match the Bulgarian flag in deference to the country he was representing, along with his schools crest over his breast. It was a striking outfit and reminded Harry strongly that before being a Triwizard competitor, Viktor was a Quidditch player and celebrity first. Standing casually at his side, a Slytherin girl Harry was only vaguely familiar with was standing regally, her hand resting loosely on his elbow. Blonde hair done up to accentuate her slender features and an ice blue dress complimenting her sharp blue eyes.

"...You did that on purpose" Harry accused him jokingly, getting a grin from the man.

"Da" Viktor agreed happily, "This is my date, Daph-nee"

"Daphne" The girl corrected casually, eyeing Harry curiously. "And I'm sure Potter knows me, we've been in classes together since first year, although I didn't realise you three really knew each other"

"Harry was ze one to warn us about ze Dragons" Fleur explained, stepping up behind the younger man and leaning over him to start fixing his hair as best she could. "He even offered us advice, help he did not have to"

Viktor nodded seriously, "Ve are competitors, but only in the fight, in the preparation ve are allies" he paused and scowled lightly, "Vich reminds me, haff you both solved the egg?"

Harry shook his head slightly before freezing when Fleur made a dangerous noise at him interrupting her work, "Ah, no not yet" he said instead, "We think it's a language, but no translation charms have worked so far"

Fleur shrugged elegantly, twisting her fingers one last time in Harry's hair to leave it a much more agreeably swept back style. "It iz Mermish'' She said simply, patting his shoulder approvingly and letting him put his back against the wall again. "I was going to tell you tomorrow, tonight iz not for worrying" She explained.

Viktor shrugged apologetically and continued, "Listen to it undervater, that is all I vill say"

"Thanks guys" Harry said gratefully, "That's a huge weight off my mind actually, I-"

Whatever Harry had been about to say was lost from one heartbeat to the next, because over Viktor's shoulder he caught a glimpse of his personal heaven descending the stairs. The loud voices in the hall faded into a background buzz and he was only vaguely aware that he'd clapped Viktor on the shoulder and stepped past him without a word. Behind him Fleur's quiet wish for his luck was the last thing he comprehended as he walked purposely to the base of the stairs and the crowd parted like water around him.

Luna was leading the descent and it felt like he couldn't breath while his eyes took in every little detail of her. From the shiny silver buckle on her cream coloured shoes to the unicorn white dress that flowed down from her shoulders to her calves like it was made of liquid starlight. Her hair was done up in a simple plait, but he could catch flashes of multicoloured ribbon woven into the silver tresses that waved behind her as she walked. To his surprise she had also exchanged her usual butterbeer cork necklace with a delicate silver affair that seemed to have blonde and brown thread woven through it.

Behind her Hermione followed almost reluctantly, Luna having a firm grasp on her wrist and almost dragging her down with her. The taller girl's hair had been tamed by some witchcraft and was resting on her shoulders in smooth brunette waves. Her dress was slightly more complicated, with a dark night sky blue strapless dress that was complemented by an even darker shawl draped across her shoulders like the night sky had been woven into fabric. The combination gave the pair a combined look that made him think of the endless night sky and the stars that dotted it. The pair also appeared to be having a slightly heated discussion as they descended, which was why he assumed that didn't notice him until they were almost at the base of the stairs.

"-art should just be the two of you, it's your date" Hermione was whispering urgently.

"This was what you wanted wasn't it? I say this should be all three of us, I'm already getting the first dance" Luna explained calmly, glancing back at her best friend with wide silver eyes. "Except for the parts that have to be just the two of us it's going to be...all...three" Luna trailed off, stopping abruptly and feeling Hermione run into her back gently.

Only a few steps below them Harry stood in awe, his hair swept back by Fleur's careful hand and an adoring smile on his face. The dark green of his dress robes contrasting to his bright green eyes that shone with an emotion Hermione dearly hoped she wasn't imagining. Harry reached out both hands, palm up, to the descending pair in offer. Without a moment's hesitation they stepped forward to meet him, Hermione taking his left and Luna taking his right. They stopped on the last step, the slight rise bringing Luna up to Harry's eyeline and putting Hermione an inch or two above him.

"The sovereign beauty which I do admire" Harry murmured to himself, before shaking off the poetry and hearing the sound of the hall rush back around him. "Hi" he finished sheepishly.

"I heard that" Hermione said quietly, her cheeks flushed with colour. "But 'Hi' works too"

"Hi," Luna agreed with a silly grin, as Hermione unconsciously slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her down the last step with her.

"You look very handsome," Luna said, suddenly breaking the comfortable silence they'd descended into and looking up at Harry innocently. "I told Hermione she looked beautiful earlier too, don't you agree?"

"Like all beauty of the night sky came down to earth" Harry agreed, meeting Hermione's eyes then moving them to meet Luna's silvery orbs as well. "And you're all the enchanting light of the stars somehow standing in front of me" Harry moved as if to step in to draw the brightly blushing pair into a hug when a loud announcement from the entrance distracted the trio.

"Champions and their dates please gather here!" McGonagall's voice echoed around the entrance hall, "Everyone else proceed in and find your seats, the event is about to begin"

Harry sighed disappointedly, not entirely sure why but convinced that something had just been interrupted that he really wanted to happen. "Well that's our cue" He said with a rueful smile, giving Hermione's hand a squeeze and reluctantly letting it go.

"See you in there?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Don't be silly" Luna said confidently, "Hermione will be with us as soon as this first dance is over, and she's taking the second one"

The look Hermione gave Luna was indecipherable to Harry, but apparently it meant something to Luna because she turned bright red. Before Harry could ask though the older girl had swooped in and given the little blonde a delicate kiss on the cheek. While he was still processing how much he enjoyed seeing that she had given him one as well and disappeared into the crowd. The pair stood in silence for a moment, staring at where their mutual friend had disappeared with shocked looks. Only stopping when Fleur stepped between them and where they were looking with an impressed look on her face.

"Zat was magnifique" She said approvingly, giving Luna a once over before stepping behind the pair and putting a hand on both Harry and Luna's back to push them towards the entrance. "Now zat you are both done staring at ze lovely 'ermione..." She teased gently.

At the entrance a shockingly dressed up Professor McGonagall was standing with a small list and watching the dwindling crowd like a hawk. "Glad you could join us Mr Potter, Miss Lovegood" She said firmly. "Now that you're here we just need to wait for these stragglers to make their way in and we can begin" she turned a gimlet eye on a dawdling couple and watched with satisfaction as they hurried by.

"How was your day?" Harry muttered out the corner of his mouth as they were ushered into a line.

Luna hummed happily and gave the arm she was holding a squeeze, "It was nice, Hermione, Fleur and I spent the day playing dress up and testing out your gift"

"Playing dress up?" Fleur said quietly from behind them, sounding scandalised. "We were preparing for ze ball, not simply playing"

Harry snorted a little too loudly and earned a glare from his severe teacher, which he managed to defuse with an apologetic nod.

"We took turns doing each other's hair and trying on your clothes, isn't that playing dress up?" Luna asked innocently.

"Sounds like playing dress up to me" Daphne added smoothly from the front of the line, shooting what could have been charitably called a teasing smile over her shoulder.

Fleur huffed imperiously and turned to her date with an expectant smile, "Zat doesn't sound like playing dress up does eet Roger?

The tall Ravenclaw had already been smiling at her like he couldn't believe his luck, so he had a, rather stupid in Harry's opinion, answer ready.

"Of course not Fleur, whatever you say" he replied in what Harry assumed he thought was a charming manner.

The girl in question made a disgusted noise in her throat and turned back to the entrance with a grimace. Harry smiled sympathetically and turned his attention to the entrance, the room finally empty except for the champions and their dates.

"When you hear the music start you will enter one pair at a time and make your way onto the dancefloor" Professor McGonagall explained "Once you're all situated the music will change and your first dance will begin, I will remind you all that you are representing both yourselves and your schools" A hard line formed in her lips, "In particular the Hogwarts students here are representing 3 of the 4 houses, I expect impeccable behaviour from all of you"

Behind her a lingering note echoed out from the interior and she gave them all a firm nod and stepped aside, letting them march through two by two. The inside of the great hall had been decorated with an endless expanse of white decoration covering enormous dark green pine tree's and elaborate stonework. Tables laid out in neat rows sat to the left and right with glittering silver candles floating around them. A dance floor that was lit by floating willowisps dominated the area in front of the head table, which had been expanded and raised slightly higher. Finally, spread amongst all this nearly the entire student population of Hogwarts waited, with the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations mixed within.

Once they'd made their way onto the floor, there was a brief lull while Dumbledore created the stage the band were going to play on with his usual flair for dramatics.

"Don't worry about them" Luna whispered quietly, drawing his attention back to her from the sour look he'd been directing at the crowd.

"I'm not as good at that as you are" Harry murmured back, "They could at least pretend they're not gawking"

"Mmm, they could" Luna agreed with a dreamy smile "Or we could pretend they don't exist"

A single musical note rang out and Harry moved instinctively, stepping closer and sliding the hand on her hip to her lower back before starting to move.

"I wanted to thank you" Luna said quietly, keeping her eyes locked on Harry's. "For your gift"

"You did thank me, I remember the hug and everything" Harry said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, but you didn't understand why I was so thankful, did you?" Luna answered, taking a half step on the next turn so she ended up even closer, almost pressing against him.

Harry smiled sheepishly and tilted his head from side to side, "Not...exactly" He admitted, "I figured it was just because it was a nice gift"

Luna's dreamy smile sharpened slightly into something more serious, "That was nice, but a broom like Ginny's would have been a 'nice gift' too, but I wouldn't have liked it so much"

"Well yeah of course, you're not all that interested in flying" Harry agreed blithely.

Luna sighed with happy exasperation and moved the hand on Harry's shoulder to his chest, leaving a wake of tingling flesh in its wake.

"Harry, do you believe all the creatures I talk about are real?" Luna asked far more bluntly than her usual. Normally she much preferred to take the subtler approach, but if Hermione's plan was going to play out tonight she needed to know something first.

"I dunno" Harry half shrugged, blushing at how close she'd gotten in the midst of their dance. "It doesn't really matter if I believe in them though does it?" he asked quizzically, "You believe it, and I support you, so I want to help you find them. If you find them I'll be proud of you, and if you don't I'm sure you'll have had fun looking" He twirled her away from him competently then brought her back in close.

"That doesn't really answer the question" Luna whispered, though she started to tinge pink the cheeks at his words.

There were a few turns in silence while Harry gathered his thoughts, though with the music starting to wind down he knew he was out of time.

"I believe with magic anything is possible" Harry said simply, slowing to a stop with the music and ignoring the applause from the crowd. "More importantly I believe in you, I'm sorry if it's not the right answer but it's the truth"

Luna wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed for all she was worth, "No, that's perfect" she whispered.

"-eems like the champions wish to keep dancing!" Ludo Bagman's boisterous voice cut through their moment and Harry realised they'd outstayed their welcome on the dance floor. "That's okay, we have time for a couple more songs before the food is served, join them out there everybody!"

With a cheer of happiness a sea of couples surged onto the floor while a more upbeat song started up. Harry chuckled sheepishly and offered the yellow clad former Quidditch player a thankful smile that got a wink and knowing smile in return.

"Hermione's turn!" Luna said cheerfully, dragging Harry off to the side with a happy smile and no trace of the sharpness he'd seen earlier.

On the edge of the dance floor the brunette in question was watching the crowd with a wistful smile until she spotted them. At which point she perked up like a jolt of electricity had been applied and blushed cherry red. Luna paid that no heed though and released Harry's hand at the border to all but dive into Hermione's arms, giving her a tight hug that sparked something in Harry's stomach.

"You've got this" Luna whispered quietly enough she was sure Harry wouldn't hear.

Hermione enveloped her as well but was nearly shaking with nerves, "Are you sure?" She whispered urgently, "I know it was my plan, but now that we're here you two look like you're having so much fun and I could just-"

"Absolutely not" Luna said as firmly as she could at low volume, stepping back slightly to meet Hermione's eyes. "I agreed to try your plan, you have to try too"

"It was so much easier on paper" Hermione whimpered slightly, "And I'd still be happy if it was you two and I was just close so why take the risk-"

"Hermione" Luna said fiercely, releasing her waist so she could grab her shoulders and give her a small shake "If you don't walk out there and dance with our future boyfriend I'm going to start actually making stuff up just to annoy you"

"...our boyfriend?" Hermione asked, ignoring the shot of dread down her spine at the idea of Luna just saying random words and having to figure out which ones she actually cared about.

"Yes, our, I'm still not one hundred percent sure about the other thing but I'm willing to try." Luna smiled encouragingly and spun them so Hermione was the one nearest the dance floor. "Now I can't believe you're making me be the serious one here, go have fun, I'm getting a glass of punch" She finished before turning and marching off towards a far table in a distinctly un-Lunalike manner.

Harry watched the interaction with a bemused smile, but once Luna had all but stormed off he stepped up behind Hermione and gently rested a hand on her shoulder.

"We can just get a drink if you want?" Harry said gently, feeling a stab of disappointment at the idea.

"Absolutely not" Hermione spun and all but shoved him into the floor with an excited grin on her face.

"I'll be honest" Harry said confusedly as he was dragged into the floor, "The way Luna stormed off I thought you two might have just had a little fight"

Hermione silently rearranged the hand he was resting very properly on her waist until it sat on her hip and stepped right into his personal space. To his surprise the grin hadn't faded and if anything had grown a little manic to match a fire in her eyes.

"She just reminded me I was being stupid" Hermione explained, starting to sway with him to the music. "Made her a little miffed to be the serious one for once"

"She does hate that" Harry agreed, letting himself sink into the sensation of having her in his arms again. "What were you being stupid about though?"

"I won't make her do it again" Hermione promised, leaning in to press her forehead against his with a happy smile. "And I can't tell you yet" she added, her breath ghosting over his lips and leaving a pleasant tingle. "After the ball"

"Promise?" Harry asked nervously, fighting the urge to lean in and capture her lips while she was still so close.

"Promise" She agreed, meaning back and taking a more traditional stance with him. "Now while we're out here, let's do this properly. It would be a shame to let Fleur's lessons go to waste"

In spite of Bagman's words the dancing actually continued on for nearly a dozen songs before he decided to take back control. In that happy half an hour Harry traded back and forth between his date and his 'tagging along' best friend after every other song. For Luna and Hermione it worked perfectly, neither of them having the fitness to keep up with the constant dancing like Harry did. Instead they both took the breaks while the other daned to rest, drink and occasionally decline an invitation to dance by a hopeful boy.

Harry meanwhile was in a blur of happiness that shifted occasionally from a light elfin blonde with a freeness and energy that buoyed him up. To a more reserved and technically correct dance that pulled him back down to earth in a way that made him feel like his heart was ready to burst from his chest. It was also making him warm in ways that had nothing to do with the exercise, which compared to his usual routine was barely a warmup. He was sure they were accidental but the way Luna occasional ran her hands along his chest and shoulders while they danced. Or the way Hermione sometimes stepped closer than necessary and he felt a pleasant pressure he refused to think about pressing into his chest.

Thankfully, before he did something he was sure would get him slapped Bagman finally remembered the plan.

"And that's it for now folks!" He said loudly as the last chord echoed around the hall, standing tall on the stage and waving over the crowd. "We're gonna give the Weird Sisters here a break while we all have some dinner, then we'll be back to dancing the night away!"

The crowd cheered happily, though Harry noticed more than one of the other boys in the crowd looked incredibly grateful for the break. It took a bit of working, but he managed to snag Luna from the crowd and make his way to the champions table, shooting Hermione a regretful look over his shoulder as they went. The girl in question didn't seem the slightest bit concerned though, giving him a wide smile and letting Ron and Padma escort her to a table with them.

The head table was laid out with places for the champions, their dates, all of the teachers who had attended and the ministry officials supervising. Which was why Harry was surprised to see PErcy Weasley sitting up there and holding a seat open for him. Harry shrugged and led Luna over to him, taking a seat and greeting the only serious Weasley happily. Taking advantage of the time it was taking the crowd to settle in to have a quick chat.

"Hey Percy" He said, "What're you doing here?"

"I've been promoted" He said happily, although he was still sitting stiffly and clearly trying to project some sort of authority. "I'm now Mr. Crouch's personal assistant, and as such when he fell ill I took his place as the ministry representative. Honestly it's not surprising, with the world cup and then this, the man has been working simply ridiculous hours. Then after he was forced to free his House Elf after the fiasco at the cup I'm sure that added even more work to his day. Why it's a miracle-"

"He freed his house elf?" Luna cut in dreamily, looking through the menu that was next to the plates but clearly not retaining any of it.

"I-" Percy started, seeming surprised that there were other participants to his conversation. "Well yes of course, honestly the thing was found with a wand. Even if if she didn't actually cast the spell he couldn't have any doubt about his integrity" He puffed up self importantly, "A man's subordinates reflect on his own stature after all and-"

"I'd say his actions reflect more on him than a scared house elf's" Luna cut in again, and this time Harry heard a hint of venom in her words. Not that it surprised him, even he was disgusted with how blase Percy was about Winky being cast aside like trash.

Percy's eyes narrowed and he turned to look past Harry at the wisp of a girl who wasn't even looking at him. "I'm sure you would think so" he said coolly, angry at the insinuation about his boss and idol "But in the heights of the ministry it is one's duty to be as upstanding a wizard as possible. After all if we can't trust our leaders than-"

"I wouldn't trust a leader who would cast me aside if it was inconvenient to protect me" Luna finished dreamily, her voice at odds with her knuckles, which were turning white on the menu she was still pretending to peruse.

"Protecting a house elf at the cost of his reputation" Percy scoffed, "I suppose a Lovegood would put-"

Harry heard the venomous words in something of a haze as they left Percy's mouth. So in the interest of not punching the older Weasley in the face in public he put some rusty diplomacy to work. Reaching up and grasping his shoulder to distract him and smiling as easily as he was able. Unfortunately being that he was pissed off about what was being said about Winky, as well as furious at the disrespect being shown Luna it came out ice cold. Percy turned his eyes to meet Harry, his mouth still open to finish what was surely going to be something vile.

"Now now" Harry said calmly, his voice an octave lower than usual and colder than the snow outside. "Let's calm down shall we, I know you respect Mr. Crouch, but surely you weren't about to say something about my date Percy?" he asked, his eyes flickering with bright green fire.

Percy all but froze in place and turned the colour of porcelain as the blood drained from his face. "Of-of course not" He said with as much confidence as he could muster, "I apologise it must be something I ate before arriving, excuse me" He stood sharply and strode off with shoulders tight.

"Sorry" Harry breathed, turning back to Luna and smiling apologetically. "I know you could have handled him but-" He cut himself off when he caught Luna staring up at him with shining silver eyes and bright red cheeks.

"I could have" She agreed breathily, reaching out to grasp his hand in hers "But just because I don't need protecting doesn't mean it isn't nice"

"Ah-" Harry started, turning a little red himself before he was interrupted by a hand slapping him on the back and chuckling boisterously.

"Vat a spectacle" Viktor rumbled happily, pulling out Percy's empty seat to allow Daphne to sit before dropping into the next seat with a grin. "Who was the fool?" he asked curiously.

"Percy Weasley" Daphne answered for him, shooting him a thoughtful gaze that set him a little on edge. "The former head boy here at Hogwarts, and a bit of a black sheep in the Weasley family"

"Your friend Ron's bruzzer?" A lyrical voice spoke up from the other side, and Harry turned to see Fleur had settled in next to Luna, with Roger on the end of the table after her. "I am surprised he is so...zat"

Harry chuckled and leant back in his chair happily now that he was, mostly, surrounded by friends.

"He isn't normally that bad, just a bit of a stick in the mud" He explained, then frowned. "I've never heard him so hateful about a magical creature either, honestly it's like he didn't care that Winky was a living, breathing, thinking person"

"A lot of purebloods don't" Daphne agreed offhandedly, picking up the menu and actually reading it over. "Technically, in law house elves aren't considered 'People' either, that's probably why he thinks that way something of a rule follower I've heard"

Before Harry could respond to that Dumbledore stood up from his place front and centre on the table and clapped his hands once. A sound like a set of ringing bells echoed out and a twinkling flash of light drew the attention of the entire hall.

"Welcome" He said warmly, a bright twinkle in his wrinkled blue eyes. "To the Hogwarts Yule Ball, an event that I am happy to see everyone is enjoying so far. When I was told that the Triwizard tournament was being held at Hogwarts I will admit I was sceptical. An event that had been cancelled centuries ago due to the toll in blood?" He chuckled good naturedly and waggled his bushy eyebrows. "Not precisely the sort of thing I wanted at our school" there was a brief burst of laughter at that.

"However in spite of the near tragedy ofthe first task, our champions have pulled through. Not just as competitors, but as friends and allies in a way I truly worried would not be the case. Now here we are, French, English, German, Bulgarian, Irish, Scottish and I'm sure I missed a few!" He said loudly, a broad grin almost hidden by his great beard. "We have said before that this tournament was in the spirit of International Cooperation. I feared it would turn us against each other instead, friendly competition turned to tribalism and infighting"

The silence in the hall was deafening, and when Dumbledore lifted a crystal goblet of what appeared to be wine Harry was shocked to find himself holding a similar one. All around the hall students were sitting with glasses in the air, although clearly no one remembered being poured one. As one they held their glasses aloft, entranced by the charisma of the greatest wizard alive today. His flowing white beard and vividly coloured robes gave him the image of an eccentric old man, while his expressive face and twinkling eyes commanded their attention.

"Let me be the first to say, I have never been happier to be wrong," Dumbledore said happily, raising his glass higher. "To our champions, and to us all!" He called and took a deep draft from his glass.

There was a beat of silence while the hall drank as well, but the moment they finished a raucous cheer erupted that spread into thunderous applause. It took a few minutes for the happiness to calm down before Dumbledore could speak again.

"Now before we continue I have only one more thing to say before those lovely menus will let you order from them" He held one up and took on a conspiratorial whisper that still was heard by the entire hall. "The Pork Chops are excellent," he winked and with a shimmer of light a pair of pork chops appeared on his plate.

---

With Hermione - Pre Speech

The moment Harry and Luna had separated to head to the champions table Hermione had been caught up into a small crowd by Ron and Padma. The pair appearing as if from nowhere and happily herding her away towards a table they'd apparently already claimed. She wasn't surprised to find a completely bright red Neville and Ginny along with most of the Quidditch team already present when she got there.

"How much fun was that?" Ginny asked her happily, looking flushed and incredibly pleased while she openly held NEville's hand between them on the table.

"Incredible" Hermione smiled back, giving her a knowing smile and flicking her eyes at Neville, who seemed in his own happy world. "What about you?"

"My toes are only lightly tenderised" She grinned happily and squeezed Neville's hand to show she was joking.

"You looked like you were having fun out there" Angelina interjected cheekily when she took her seat, the older girl shooting her a knowing look. "And not even your date, don't tell me you're moving in on your best friends date?"

Ron took a seat next to her and kept a light grip on Padma's hand when she took the next seat over.

"Lay off Angie" Ron said good naturedly, "I spotted you and Fred 'Dancing' out there, does McGonagall know you wanted an adults only dancefloor?"

The dark skinned girl threw her head back and laughed, shaking out her messy hair and tossing a muscular arm around Fred's neck and pulling him into her chest. Hermione shot Ron a thankful smile and quietly poured herself a glass of water.

"How come you never pull me in there Alicia" George teased gently, getting a much more demure reaction from his date, who reached over and gently slapped the back of his head.

"How about you go join them if you want that" She snarked, messing up his ginger locks with her free hand.

"Ha!" The twin currently being smothered laughed, "No thanks Fred and I share everything already, I won't be sharing my girl" He finished with a shaky attempt at charm. Although based on Angelina's dusky skin darkening further with a blush it seemed to have hit it's mark at least a little.

Next to her Ron choked on the glass of water he'd been drinking from, accidentally spitting it all over the table and coughing violently. She gave him a questioning look that quickly turned to exasperation when he caught her eye and shrugged sheepishly. The rest of the table had thankfully missed it, although the Quidditch players were currently laughing themselves sick at Ron's little spit take.

"Well my lungs are full now" Ron snarked, "But I'm starving, when is this whole thing gonna start?"

Padma giggled softly next to him and looked around the winter wonderland the great hall appeared to be dreamily. Hermione could understand the feeling, aside from anything else going the entire night had barely started and already felt like a romantic fairytale.

"Soon hopefully" Ginny moaned, getting a sympathetic pat on the shoulder from her date.

"Don't worry, it looks like everything is calming down," Neville reassured gently.

"You'll need it too Nev, don't think you're done with the dancefloor tonight yet" She teased.

The slightly pudgy boy let out a theatrical groan and turned to Hermione with a pleading look. "Any chance you could go back in time and get Harry to invite me to train with him?" He asked her pleadingly, "I can't keep up!"

A muffled snort broke his facade and the entire table burst out into gentle laughter, particularly ginny who was leaning happily into the slightly taller boy's shoulder. It was particularly nice for Ron to see, given he knew exactly how hard it was to get Neville out of his shell.

"Trust me Nev" Ron said sagely, "I've seen that routine up close, if you think Ginny's too much, Harry might actually be insane"

"Hey now" Hermione objected jokingly, "He's not crazy he's just…" she trailed off leadingly, "Okay no he's a little crazy" she admitted to a spread of laughter. "But in a good way! He's motivated is all" she amended happily.

"Welcome"

---

With Harry - Post Speech

"Roast Beef" Harry said, touching the name on the menu just in case that mattered and smiling when a well cooked slab of roast, gravy and vegetables appeared.

"Isn't that breaking your usual diet?" Luna asked, happily spearing one of his asparagus while she contemplated her own order.

"Technically, but Flitwick and I agree this is a pretty big night so we're taking one exception" Harry said happily, taking a mouthful and groaning happily. "Merlin I've missed gravy"

"An athlete's diet is hell" Viktor grumbled in agreement, cutting a large piece of a steak off with a hungry look in his eyes.

"Oui" Fleur agreed dramatically, a spoon of a rich smelling beef stew already on her spoon. "It eez always ze worst part, surrounded by ze best food in ze world, and unable to eat a bite"

The champions shared a commiserating look before turning back to their food with varying degrees of grace. Luna caught Daphne's eye, and to her delight the older blonde shrugged commiseratingly and ordered her own food. Beyond Fleur, Roger had ordered the same stew as Fleur and was loudly trying to prove how much he liked the same thing she did. Dinner passed in friendly conversation and Harry found himself surprised to actually quite enjoy Daphne's presence and occasional pointed remark.

Finally, after the entire hall had eaten it's fill and started to grow restless Dumbledore stood again, but instead of another speech he simply held his arms wide and smiled. With perfect timing the band started up again and the teens around the hall shot to their feet in pairs. The quiet roar of conversation turned to a much more active one as people started to yell over the music. At the champions table Harry wished his fellows and their dates a good night and took Luna's hand so they could find their friends.

It didn't take them long, with Ron and Padma the only ones left at the table with Hermione, clearly hanging back until Harry and Luna arrived.

"You don't have to wait around Ron" Hermione rolled her eyes, her back to Harry's approach.

"We're not 'waiting around'" He rolled his eyes right back, "We enjoy your company, and I want to see Harry before he disappears again anyway"

"Perfect timing then" Harry said, sliding Luna into the seat next to Hermione smoothly, but staying standing over them with his hands resting on the backs of the chairs.

"Mate!" Ron exclaimed, standing and enveloping the younger man in a firm hug. "How was dinner in the limelight?"

"Surprisingly good" He said absently, his focus on the nonverbal conversation happening in front of him. "Daphne Greengrass is surprisingly funny, Roger Davies is a twit though so that kind of balanced out"

"He's a Ravenclaw Prefect, that was kind of a given mate" Ron agreed with a laugh, only pausing when Padma loudly cleared her throat next to him.

"Pardon?" She asked archly.

"No, I mean" Ron sputtered, looking to Harry for support "He was-"

Padma's barely muffled snort cut off his rambling and he turned to her slowly.

"You were messing with me" He asked incredulously

"I was" She agreed, a little proudly, "Did I do a good job?" She asked, suddenly sounding nervous. "I've never really, teased someone like that and-"

Ron cut her off with a wide grin and a tug towards the dancefloor, "That was perfect, we'll make a smart arse out of you yet" He glanced over his shoulder at the trio left. "Have fun guys!"

"Shall we join them?" Harry asked, glancing between the pair with him.

"Yeah" Luna said happily, nudging Hermione and giving her a significant look. "You're up first!"

---

2 Hours Later

The night had passed them by in the blink of an eye, and when Harry next looked up from his dancing partner the hall had noticeably reduced in population. He had taken a break with them to share a glass of punch and take a quick rest when he finally looked around and realised a good half of the students had vanished. By his side Luna and Hermione were leaning into each other slightly and clearly completely exhausted.

"Come on" Harry murmured, grabbing them both gently by the shoulder and guiding them to their feet. "Let's get out of here, it's getting late"

"Mmm" Luna mumbled, stumbling to her feet with a yawn and leaning gratefully into his chest to nuzzle gently.

Hermione on the other hand went from drowsy smiles to wide awake in an instant, looking between Harry and Luna nervously.

"You okay?" He asked gently, leading them both out of the hall.

"Yeah, just remembered something I forgot to do" She answered evasively.

"I'm sure it'll be fine" Harry reassured and Luna let out a sleepy agreement from her palace glued to his side.

"S'all be fine Mione" The petite blonde said sleepily.

Hermione smiled gratefully and moved a little closer, grasping Harry's hand instead of letting him lead her by the arm. They passed Ron and Padma on the way out, sitting together near the exit and sharing a quiet conversation over butterbeers. Harry and Ron exchanged a pleased nod and the redhead drained his drink and stood, offering his date his hand.

"I found a really cool secret passage the other day, wanna explore it while everyone is busy?" Harry heard Ron ask as he passed them.

"That sounds lovely" Padma answered demurely, letting her date lead her from the hall without so much as a glance around.

So it was that the five left together, entering the entrance hall and taking a breath of the crispr fresh air flowing in from the open doors. There was a brief moment of indecision before Ron reached out and gave Harry's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"G'night mate" He murmured, then smiled at Luna and Hermione, "Good night girls"

"Night Ron" Harry answered for them, though Luna's sleepy mumble may have been a response.

Hermione simply smiled nervously and used Harry's hand to drag him towards the stairs, seemingly focused on something in the middle distance. Behind them Ron shook his head and gave Padma's confused shrug a smile, before leading her off towards a shortcut.

The walk back to the tent passed in nervous silence, with Luna barely awake, Hermione nervously dragging them forward and Harry's silent contemplation. The last two both unknowingly grappled with the exact same fear, one with indecision and the other with a firm plan that she just had to stick to. Finally they arrived and trooped in in silence, Harry absently locking the entrance behind them, not wanting interruption whatever happened next.

"I'm going to have a quick shower, could you wait here, please?" Hermione asked gently, shooting Harry an unreadable look and dragging Luna into the guest bedroom.

Once they'd shut the door Hermione sat the barely awake girl on the bed and quickly stepped into the attached bathroom. Swapping out her brilliant dress with a set of simple pajamas after a fast shower, before stepping out and waking Luna up enough to get her to do the same. Outside in the living room Harry heard the shower start up and decided to copy that excellent idea, heading into the main bedroom and stripping off. Not wanting Hermione to think he'd left he rushed through a cold shower and threw on a simple singlet and shorts combo. Only just managing to make it back to the couch before a pajama clad Hermione's damp head poked out and saw him sitting there in new clothes. She took a visibly deep breath and strode out, her usual conservative pajamas replacing the gorgeous dress she'd been wearing. Luna followed behind her, far more alert and also now clad in simple full length winter pajamas.

It wasn't until the pair were sitting across from him on the other couch that Harry realised something was going on. Aside from not sitting with him, Hermione was wringing her hands together nervously and Luna was holding a small wooden box almost reverently. Before he could ask though Hermione took a deep breath and caught his eye.

"We had another gift for you" Hermione said seriously, while Luna sat forward and passed it over the table to him. "But we couldn't give it to you, until we'd...until we were in a position to explain it"

"Hermione?" Harry asked curiously glancing down at the rich walnut wood box, only opening it when Hermione gave him a jerking nod.

Inside a simple bracelet sat resting on a simple cotton base, and if it wasn't for one thing he'd have wondered just what was so special about it. Instead he lifted it gently out and held it cupped in his hands reverently, his eyes shooting up to the matching silver necklaces the pair were wearing.

"This thread...It's both of your hairs?" Harry asked curiously, tentatively sliding the beautifully made piece of jewelry onto his wrist and gasping aloud when he felt it connect to his magic and sink in like a missing piece of a puzzle.

Across from him the matching necklaces Hermione and Luna were wearing were lit up with inner light, small motes of light beginning to leak from the silver and float around the room. To everyone's surprise, even without a strong emotional reaction the entire room started to darken noticeably. The room filled with the flickering wisps of light as it had when Harry's emotions had gotten away from him in the forest.

"What is this?" Harry asked carefully, turning to look at the girls when no one answered immediately.

They were both staring around in awe as well, Luna gently cupping a wisp in her hands and Hermione simply sitting slumped against the couch.

"The bracelet is an anchor point for the necklaces" Hermione started to explain, swallowing heavily and glancing around again.

This allowed Luna to take over for her, the younger girl gently squeezing her knee and leaning forward with shining silver eyes.

"The idea is that the necklaces are woven with protective enchantments, but rather than tying them into the person wearing it" Luna gestured meaningfully to Harry's new bracelet.

"They're tied into the bracelet" He finished with an awed look. "So whenever the defensive runes activate it bases the will requirement on…"

"You" Hermione finished for him, smiling weakly. "I know it sounds silly, or even a little damsel in distress ish. But when I was designing the necklaces for protection I just thought 'what's the thing I trust most in the world to protect me'" Hermione started to babble.

"Hermione" Harry interrupted gently, standing and walking around the table to kneel between the pair. "Before you tell me anything else I think I need to tell you something"

He swallowed heavily and reached out to snag one of their hands each, looking between them with trepidation.

"I really appreciate the thought behind this, knowing I can help protect you two even when I'm not there" He trailed off in awe, "It's an incredible gift, and I love it"

Hermione sniffled slightly, "But?"

Harry smiled wanly and squeezed her hand, bringing both of them forward to rest over his thinly clad chest so they could feel his heartbeat.

"But nothing, it's just" He paused and took a deep breath, "I'm stalling, I'm going to be blunt, i'm good at blunt, okay?"

Luna giggled a little wetly and nodded while Hermione simply did so silently, watching him carefully.

"I realised the other day that I have feelings for you" he paused and looked away, almost wincing in preparation for the indignation he knew was coming. "Both of you" he hunched slightly and refused to look up, missing the most wondrous transformation from worry to glee on both their faces. "I know that's not fair, and I want you to know I'd never try to...to"

"Two time us?" Luna asked innocently.

"Never!" Harry burst out, "It's just, I don't want you to ever think just because I have these feelings that I don't want to be your friend" he startled to babble, his prepared explanation coming out in a rush. "But I can't help how I feel, and if you don't want to be as close I get it and i promise I won't make it weird I just kind of need you to...preemptively forgive me"

Hermione finally unfroze and started to lean forward her free hand reaching out to wrap around Luna's waist to make sure she came too.

"Forgive you?" She asked, licking dry lips and starting to feel a burning happiness fill her entire body. "Why would we need to forgive you?"

Harry sighed explosively and finally met her gaze, "If I say something weird, or if I'm too touchy feely or something" He explained, "I just, I've never felt like this and I know at some point I'm going to blurt out-"

"I want to kiss you" Luna interrupted.

"Exactly!" Harry exclaimed, "Just like-"

"Harry, I want to kiss you" Hermione interrupted next, sounding incredibly relieved and a little amused by his lack of realisation.

"Yes, exactly like that" Harry said resignedly, not seeming to notice the exasperated look the duo were giving each other, or that they were both still holding his hands for dear life.

Finally Luna got impatient and reached out with her free hand, sliding it along his cheek and catching his eye when his head shot up in surprise.

"Harry" She said lovingly, Hermione's hand sliding onto the other cheek and ensuring he didn't sink back down again. "We want to kiss you," they said in unison.

Harry would like to say he reacted smoothly to that revelation, or that he even reacted at all, in truth he froze like a deer in the headlights and slumped back onto the carpet with his legs crossed

"Harry" Hermione whispered, sliding off the front of the couch to kneel next to him. "It doesn't matter which one you kiss first, just kiss the other one next"

Luna followed her lead, but instead of the floor the far more playful girls slid off on an angle and ended up sitting sideways in his lap. As usual her feet were resting almost completely in Hermione's lap.

"Kiss her first Harry, this was her idea to begin with" Luna encouraged, gently pushing his chin to face Hermione.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked carefully, staring into Hermione's deep brown eyes with no small abundance of awe.

"If you don't kiss Luna after me, I'm going to be very cross" Hermione admitted, but leant forward expectantly as well.

That was all the encouragement Harry needed, slipping a hand around Luna's waist to hold her close and using the other to reach out and grab the back of Hermione's neck. Pulling her in and feeling her overbalance and slump into him slightly only heightened the feeling of her lips on his. A wild spark of pleasure that started where their lips met and spread through his body like electricity. There was an eternity between breaths while they experimented with slightly different positions, testing how each new configuration felt and tasted before they both drew back with a gasp for air.

While the kiss certainly fried its fair share of synapses and appeared to have put Hermione into a happy stupor, it would be a cold day in hell before Harry forgot Luna Lvoegood. He turned burning eyes on the younger girl in his lap, watching in satisfaction as she squirmed happily, seeming as delighted with him kissing Hermione as if he'd kissed her. He almost asked if she was sure, but the demanding look he got when he hesitated drove that thought from his mind.

Instead he tilted her chin up and his own down, using what little experience he'd just gained to make it as perfect as possible. Their lips met and another warm flare of pleasure lit up Harry's body without warning. Luna's kiss immediately felt different, but no less enjoyable than his one with Hermione. It was gentler, more commanding on his part and certainly he felt more in control of the entire moment. And as much as he'd enjoyed Hermione meeting him as an equal and pushing back, there was something about Luna's surrender to him that made an equal spike of lust jolt through him.

Once again a lack of oxygen reared its head and gently he eased off the kiss, separating with a wet smacking sound and taking a deep breath. In his arms Luna was bleary eyed and as red as a tomato, but that didn't stop her from gasping for breath and shooting him a look that almost sent him back down to kiss her again.

Harry looked up at Hermione instead, and to his gratification she was leaning forward nearly over them and almost panting.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen" She admitted, letting out a small whimper when Harry pulled her back towards him.

"Wait" Luna whispered, not at all surprised when her two favorite people froze like she'd paused time. "Before we continue, there's one more thing" She paused and took a deep breath, looking Harry firmly in the eye. "When Hermione brought this idea to me, there was one more part we're missing"

"It's okay" Hermione interrupted, "This is already more than I ever hoped for we can-"

"We're trying everything" Luna cut in, "Harry" She commanded, completely at odds with the almost submissive feeling he got from kissing her. "Bring Hermione to me"

Harry let out a sharp gasp and glanced at the girl in question, who nodded nervously without taking her eyes off Luna. So rather than pulling Hermione back to him he gently directed her towards Luna. The larger girl was firm when they met, expecting the same sort of feeling as she'd gotten from Harry. Instead Luna was smaller, softer and so much gentler and willing to give up control. Where Harry almost effortless took back control no matter what she tried Luna simply melted under her and she found herself leaning in. Without even thinking she slipped between the slender blondes legs and ended up occupying half of Harry's lap.

"MmmMMmm" The involuntary moan Luna let out when she squirmed and felt something pressing into her from below froze the trio in place and left the room full of the sound of panting.

"T-too fast?" Harry asked, fighting the urge to pull both girls more solidly into his lap and kep going.

"Yeah" Hermione breathed, shuffling off his lap to land beside him and leaning up against his shoulder happily.

Luna meanwhile he buried her face in Harry's neck and watch taking deep cleansing breaths to calm down.

"So you two…' Harry started, not sure how to ask.

"Not until right this second" Hermione said happily, "When I told Luna bout my plan I mentioned I had feelings for her too, but-"

"But I'd never thought about a girl like that" Luna finished for her, "Which now that I think about it wasn't very fair, I'd never really thought about a boy like that either until Harry"

"I'm okay with how it turned out" Hermione hummed happily, then paused and second guessed herself. "I mean, if you're happy then I'm happy?"

Luna giggled and finally got her breath back, leaning up slightly to kiss Harry's neck and shooting Hermione a dreamy smile.

"Fleur told me if I wanted this to work I should try kissing you, see if I felt something" Luna paused and licked her lips, unintentionally squirming in Harry's lap again and earning a pleased groan. "I definitely did, so let's do it, all three of us"

"All three of us?" Hermione whispered, a massive grin starting to spread across her face.

"This is not how I thought tonight was going to go" Harry admitted, leaning down to nuzzle Luna's hair happily. "I didn't even dare imagine that both of you would be interested in me, and i have to admit when Luna asked me to bring Hermione to her I was worried, just for a second"

A flash of panic crossed Hermione's face, but before she could say a word Harry leaned in and kissed her gently.

"I've wanted to do that for so long" He murmured, "but" he clarified, "Once you'd started I was just...happy. I care about you both so much, the idea you care about each other that way too just makes me...happy"

"Me and you" Harry whispered, leaning down and capturing Luna's lips again, shuddering when she let out a pleased moan.

"You and me" Hermione went next, leaning up to kiss him too and pushing back as he pushed forward. The pair enjoyed a brief fight for control until Hermione relaxed and let him leant into her.

"And us" Luna finished, not giving Hermione time to think before darting forward and kissing her as well.

---

AN: And that's a wrap, finally.

I've been struggling with this chapter for well over three months and while I'm still not completely happy (And it still needs some editing and a decent beta tbh) I'm so damn happy to see it out and readable. Thank you so much for the reviews over the last few month, I can't tell you how much it helped to get home from work and have a review waiting, really fired me back up on those sleepy days i didn't want to do anything. As for this chapter, it's the culmination of a lot of relationship stuff that's been happening and i really hope you liked it. Was it realistic? No not particularly, but damn if it wasn't enjoyable to right and I hope equally enjoyable to read.

Coming up next chapter is the second task! Another bastard of a chapter I'm already working on, I hope you all like ice cold Harry and Hermione, cause kidnapping their Lovegood is a catastrophically poor idea.

Oh! And just a heads up, I've reposted the first 9 chapters with some minor editing, nothing worth a reread I'd say but just some corrections and sentencing changes.