Chapter 34

The Here We Go Loop-De-Loo Ending

"Well, I guess it is time to take a walk," said Hermione.

"Yes, I believe it is," agreed Harry.

"I always enjoyed this walk," said Luna. "This is such a beautiful place."

They walked hand in hand, arm in arm up the path. It felt almost like the first time when they crossed the bridge leading to the castle. They stopped and soaked it all in. Their lives were inextricably linked to the school. Now, two of them were going to enter it for most likely their last time. Once they were back in Buenos Aires, they would be adults with a family parallel to a time when Harry was a fifth-year. It was unlikely they would ever return.

They entered the castle and headed to the stairs. The room was located on the seventh floor. It was a chance to enjoy the stairways one last time.

All three of them were quite winded by the time they arrived at the statue of Barnabus the Barmy. They were not in the same shape as when they were students. They looked at each other, none of them able to speak.

After a moment, Harry and Luna joined hands and started walking past the statue and thinking of the request for the room. As they passed by for the third time, the wall began to rumble and a pair of ornate doors appeared. Harry and Luna looked at Hermione. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. They both began crying, as well, as they walked over for a last embrace before opening the doors and most likely disappearing from her life forever.

Several moments later they broke apart. Harry walked over and opened the doors. Luna joined him and they put their arms around each other as they started to step forward. They looked back one more time at Hermione before stepping into the room. A moment later the doors were closing.

'It really happened' is all she could think. "They're really gone. They're really gone."

The next thing Harry and Luna knew they were getting out of their car and walking toward the opera house. This was a big night and everything needed to happen correctly. Harry needed to make contact with his future business partners. Then, they needed to find Hannibal and Clarice so they could escape without being seen. From there, they could start a life of luxury.

They made their way inside and Harry spotted his connection. Harry's Armani tuxedo was perfect. Luna's red Valentino gown was stunning, as were the diamonds on her Cartier wedding set. Harry met with contacts while Luna schmoozed with the other society ladies. Following his meeting, they found their seats for the first act of the show. When intermission was announced, they went out to mingle, but with a purpose.

The foyer of the Teatro Colón was filled between the acts of Handel's Messiah with men of all ages sipping either wine or cocktails and smoking thick, dark cigars in their starchiest of tuxedos accented with either a white or red bowtie. Mixed with them were clusters of jewel-encrusted ladies in colorful, formal dresses befitting the season and their affluence. Even so, Hannibal Lecter stood out clearly, like an emperor penguin surveying his realm among the adélie. And likewise, Clarice was a glowing claret in a bordeaux-colored gown on a silver platter of rosé and chablis.

"There he is," said Harry in a desperate, yet suppressed whisper. "He's over there...there...by the big archway on the left.

'Ohhhh...yessss, I see him," breathed Luna. "And there she is...bringing him a glass of champagne."

"We need to leave before they see us," said Harry as he moved closer to Luna. We can't risk interacting with them."

"Oooo, I agree. Any contact with them could put our whole family at risk," replied Luna, taking his arm.

"Maybe we can slip out amongst the confusion while everyone is returning to their seats. We can get to our car and disappear."

A moment later the gentle chiming of bells and the flashing of the lights signaled the end of the intermission. Harry and Luna watched as Hannibal and Clarice joined the masses moving back into the theater. Then, they began moving in a purposeful way toward the exit of the building.

Once outside they quickly blended into the shadows, moving like two paroled prisoners eager to rejoin the free world. It was just two blocks to the parking lot and freedom from the previous timeline. Two blocks to a new life filled with riches and promise.

"We're going to be rich," said Harry, trying to break the tension.

"Oooo, I like that."

"By this time next year, we'll be ready to move out of our townhouse and into one of those places on the ocean north of the city."

"We will be exceptionally muggly. Can we have a boat?" asked Luna as they crossed the street.

"Yes, we can have any boat you like," replied Harry as their Mercedes came into view. We can have one bigger than the Durmstrang boat, if you want."

It was two blocks back to their Mercedes. They covered it quickly, keeping an eye out for any sign of Hannibal. The victory was at hand.

I am excited," said Harry.

"Me too," agreed Luna. "The future is waiting for us.

"Oooo…" started Luna just as a voice behind them shouted 'Immobulus!'

Their bodies clenched for an uncounted moment, then they turned. Not more than three feet from Harry was Hannibal Lecter frozen in position with a dagger lifted in the air, ready to strike. Beside him was Clarice. She had a white, folded cloth in her hand. A few feet behind them was Hermione Granger, her wand raised and a deathly serious look on her face.

"Hermione!" shouted Harry, his face registering total shock. "What the bloody hell? How are you here?"

"Hello, Hermione," said Luna as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening."

"I feared something like this might happen the second you walked through those doors. I panicked. That's why I ran through them before they closed."

"Brilliant!" blurted Harry. "He had us, if not for you."

"I think he would be preparing to eat me with a Hoc...hoc...hoc...Hochheimer," said Luna, suddenly feeling the impact of the situation as her memory recalled his words from the original event. She collapsed off her high heels onto Harry.

"What's a Hochheimer?" asked Hermione as she took Hannibal's knife and Clarice's Taser and shoved them into a nearby trash receptacle.

"I really don't know," replied Harry as he supported a weeping Luna. "I think it's something to eat or drink."

"No matter," continued Hermione. "I never thought about the people here speaking a Spanish dialect. I had a terrible time finding the opera house, and then the crowd was so big I never saw you until you were leaving. By the time I caught up...well...here we are."

"Thank you, Hermione," said Luna, slowly regaining her composure.

"Yes, just like always. Where would we be without you?"

"Right," smirked Hermione. "But we have got to go before they unfreeze or someone comes along."

"Aren't we going to kill them?" asked Luna. "They wanted to kill us."

"No," asserted Hermione. "You don't want that. You don't want to be part of any of this. Let's go."

"This is our car," said Harry, looking at their Mercedes.

Harry put his arm around Luna and started to open the car door. Hermione took a couple of steps and turned back, pointing her wand at Hannibal and Clarice. "Immuto Obliviate," she said with a determined look and a twist of her wand. A green light emanated outward and surrounded the pair. "You are on your way home. You will not remember tonight. You have never heard of Harry and Luna Potter."

Hermione took Hannibal's dagger and wallet. She also took the cloth from Clarice. She popped the wallet into her bag and tossed the dagger and cloth in a nearby trash bin before hurrying to join the others in the car. A moment later they were pulling out onto the street and heading away. As he looked in his mirror, Harry could see Hannibal and Clarice starting to shake their heads and move a little in search of their senses.

The drive home was subdued as the shock of what almost happened hung over them. Only Hermione was talking, going on about how she supported the decision of Harry and Luna to return here even though she found it surprising.

"I was concerned about the uncertainty of rejoining the timeline in the puzzle," she said. "You knew the stability you had in your real lives. Going back was full of risks. I knew that, but it was your decision. I felt fully functional wands would help, and the thought of being resurrected was appealing. I thought I could let go when you started to open the doors. Then, at the last moment, I couldn't. I had to do something."

Harry pulled into the parking structure for his group of homes. He parked and they got out and headed toward their door.

"Oooo. I hope you like our kids," said Luna.

"I'm sure I will. I bet you are great parents," replied Hermione.

"What happens now?" asked Harry once they found their way inside and sat down on the couch. Thankfully, the children were otherwise occupied in another room playing video games. They had important things to discuss before attending to any social niceties.

"Are we going to move?" asked Luna with an uncustomary seriousness in her voice. "Are we going to lose our lives here? That would be incredibly inconvenient."

"I've been thinking about that," said Hermione. "Technically, I don't think you had an incident with the killer in this episode of the puzzle. You were in the role of victims, not interveners. I was the one who intervened and thwarted the attack. And since I am not part of Team Haruna, you shouldn't be affected by what happened."

"That's right," said Harry, sitting up straight and reaching to take Hermione's hand. "But bloody hell. Now you're stuck in this puzzle with us."

"Yes," said Luna, sounding frightened. "What will happen to you? Will you be gone to some unknown place as soon as you fall asleep? I'm scared for you."

"I don't know," replied Hermione, a tinge of uncertainty in her voice as her hand gripped Harry's a little tighter. "I have an idea. I don't know if it will work, but I have to do it before I fall asleep."

"What is it?" asked Harry.

"Yessss," said Luna. "How can we help?"

"You can't," said Hermione in a serious voice. "You can't dare to get involved. I have to do it alone."

"How will we know if it worked? How will we know if you are safe?" asked Harry as he looked straight into her eyes in a way he had not done since they were alone searching for the hallows.

"I won't be able to bear not knowing," sniffed Luna as tears started to fill her big, silvery-blue eyes. "You have always been one of my best friends."

"Yeah. We saved your life once in this puzzle. We don't want to lose you, again."

"I know where you are. I will find a way to get word to you somehow."

"Promise," said Luna as she extended her hand for a pinky promise.

Hermione made the promise as she stood up. "I have to go before it gets too late."

The three of them shared a tearful embrace at the door before Hermione finally broke away. "Remember, that's an unbreakable magical bond," said Luna as Hermione made her way to the street.

"I'll remember that, Luna. I promise," said Hermione as she disappeared from sight.

"I'm worried for her," said Luna to Harry.

"I know, Jady. But one thing I have learned over the years is to trust her when she says something," replied Harry. "That's all we can do. That's what we have to do."

Luna got up and went into the kitchen. She was surprised and not surprised to see that the children had made a concerted effort to cleanse it of snacks and drinks in their absence. After a moment and a bit of effort, she managed to assemble a pair of mango and orange juices, and some cubes of ham and local cheese.

"This is the best I can do," said Luna as she sat down a tray in front of Harry with the meager offerings. "The kids nearly cleaned us out."

"It's great," said Harry as he took his glass of juice and a few cubes of the ham and cheese. "We can go shopping tomorrow."

Harry and Luna tried to relax as they sipped their juice and nibbled at their snacks. It had been a big day. Harry had made a deal that was going to make them incredibly rich, they had seen half of Handel's Messiah with the creme de la creme of Buenos Aires, almost been killed by Hannibal and Clarice, and were reunited with Hermione. They needed to rest.

The next morning, the family was enjoying a quiet breakfast when the television news came on. The screen was filled with a newsman and a sea of flashing police lights in front of a huge Beaux-Art mansion.

"Isn't that their home, Deer?" asked Luna in a hushed voice.

"I think it is," responded Harry.

The children looked at them with perplexed expressions as the newsman started to speak into his microphone.

"We are in front of the home of socialites Dr. Hannibal Lecter and his mistress Clarice 'Mischa' Starling. Last night, Lecter and Starling walked into a police station and confessed to the murder and cannibalization of several people, some of whom have been on the missing person's list for several years. A search of their residence has yielded several bags of suspected human body parts from a locked freezer according to the lead investigator Lieutenant Arvalo Varela. Members of the staff of the home said Lecter and Starling were pleasant, secretive people who enjoyed dancing together in the ballroom of the mansion, trying to speak new languages, and attending social affairs. All you had to do to stay in their good graces was attend to your duties and not bother them unless summoned. The occasional staff member who upset them disappeared overnight. We'll have more on this story as it develops. This is Gregario Acuña reporting. Now back to Alonso in the newsroom."

Harry and Luna looked at each other with stunned expressions.

"She got them arrested," blurted Harry loud enough to draw the attention of the children.

"Is she gone?" asked Luna.

"Yes...uh...I think so," answered Harry. "She solved the puzzle. She must have gone back to her office or maybe Hogwarts."

"What are you talking about?" interrupted Rhonda.

"Nothing. Nothing. We just know a couple of the people involved in that news story. It's not important."

"It sounds important," said Herman. "We are going to move, again, aren't we."

"I don't want to move, mommy," said Ginille with a quiver in her lip, her eyes looking very serious and a bit frightened.

"Oooo, I don't think we are moving," replied Luna with a note of reassurance as she placed her hand on Ginille's bushy, blonde head.

'We're staying right here for a very long time," reiterated Harry in a confident, cheerful voice.

The next morning, Luna was startled while preparing breakfast by a noise against their sliding glass door. It was an exhausted tawny owl carrying a small package.

"Deer! Deer!," she called out.

What is it, Jady?" came the response.

"There's a peculiar owl with a package at our backdoor."

Harry hurried into the room and pulled the door open. The owl dropped its parcel at his feet and flew off, landing on the railing of their patio.

"What do you suppose it is?"

"I don't know," replied Harry as he picked it up and pulled at the wrappings. We have never gotten an owl here before."

Once the wrappings were broken open, a letter unfurled in front of them. It read:

Dear Harry and Luna,

I hope this letter finds all of you well. The owl was not too keen about entering the Room of Requirement. I think it could sense something was off about it. I am safely home in my proper time. No one even realized their Minister was missing.

I had stolen Hannibal's wallet during the incident. I used his driving license to give the cabbie the address to his home. Lecter was very upset when I appeared at his door so late. However, when he saw I was returning his wallet, he invited me in. He and Clarice were very cordial, offering me a drink and a snack as a thank you. Before long, I think they began eyeing me up as a future meal. It was actually quite unnerving. Anyway, I used the Imperius Curse and they jumped into their car and turned themselves in. As soon as I went to sleep, I woke up in the hallway in front of the Room of Requirement.

I hope this explains why I could not tell you anything about my plan. I was scared that even the smallest amount of involvement of you could have jeopardized your staying there.

I love both of you,

Hermione

The owl tucked its head under its wing as they gazed at it and up to the sky. Suddenly, it disappeared.

"What the bloody hell!" exclaimed Harry. "Did you see that? The owl just vanished. What happened to it."

"It's obvious, isn't it. stated Luna like she was saying the self-explanatory. "It went home, of course,"

"What?" replied Harry, looking confused.

"Hermione said she sent the owl through the Room of Requirement. Once it completed its job, it went to sleep and returned home...just like winning our puzzle."

"Oh...yeah...of course," stammered Harry, amazed at the clarity of Luna's ability to see the truth hidden right in front of his face. "Brilliant, Jady. Both of you. Bloody brilliant."

End of Chapter 34

If you think about it, Hermione did not interrupt yet another random ending. She intervened and prevented the Luna's Luau ending...which several of you did not care for very much.

Hannibal and Clarice were known to enjoy dancing and learning new languages according to the novels.

Beaux-Art is a school of architecture used in buildings and mansions of grand scale.