I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

Last Summer of Peace

The days passed in a grey blur. Conversation around the castle never strayed from Snape or Dumbledore for long, except in the times when Alex and Luna were hidden away in their cave, during which times there was an absolute lack of conversation, the pair simply holding each other in silence for hours. Dumbledore's funeral was held the last day before the Hogwarts Express came early for any students not pulled out of the school the day after the attack by terrified parents. Nearly everyone was there. The Hogwarts students and staff, Madame Maxime, Scrimgeour, Firenze, the Selkies of the Black Lake, the Order of the Phoenix, even Grawp, who was wearing the biggest suit Alex had ever seen. On a much more infuriating note, so was Umbridge, but Alex managed to refrain from cursing her only because of Luna holding his hand and Dumbledore's memory. The centaurs arrived to pay their respects from the shadows under the trees, and a little man in black that Alex didn't recognize began to give a eulogy, only for his words to not reach where Alex and the others sat. Eventually the eulogy ended and brilliant white flames erupted on the marble table where Dumbledore lay, climbing higher and higher before going out and leaving a marble tomb encasing Dumbledore's body atop the table. The centaurs sent a short shower of arrows into the air in tribute, the arrows falling short of the crowd, then retreated into the forest, the Selkies likewise sinking back into the lake. As the funeral began to end, Ron held Hermione as she cried, Luna and Alex held each other, and Harry began to try and tell Ginny that he was breaking up with her. Alex slapped him in the back of the head to stop him. His argument of Voldemort using Ginny was valid, but Alex's argument of that not changing even if they broke up shut Harry's attempts at arguing his point down. Voldemort could use Ginny whether she was single or actively dating Harry. Breaking up would just add more pain to everything. Harry was silent a long while before accepting his reasoning. However, when he told their group, a few minutes later when they were alone, that he was going after the Horcruxes instead of returning to school for his seventh year, he refused to allow Ginny to come, Alex likewise forbidding Luna. Ginny accepted. Luna refused. After arguing it for nearly an hour, they both decided to simply leave the conversation undecided, and instead returned to the castle to retrieve their trunks. The train ride was silent in their compartment, everyone simply holding the person they were with, and when they finally reached the platform, they all found their families waiting, only Harry's not looking terrified, relieved, or anything but impatient.

"I'll see you for the wedding," Harry said to the others, kissing Ginny before walking over to meet his seemingly horrified family.

Ron likewise said goodbye to Hermione before he and the rest of the Weasleys all left. Hermione said her goodbyes as well before parting ways with Alex and Luna. Alex and Luna walked over to where their families were standing together, and April and Chloe instantly pulled them both into bone-crushing hugs.

"We're so glad you're okay!" April said.

"When we got your letter..." Chloe trailed off, wiping her eyes with one of her arms, not releasing Luna.

"We're fine," Alex said, glancing at Luna. "So...what now?"

Luna considered for a moment. "I expect you to show up every weekend. I'll keep a tub of water ready so that you don't have to try and Apparate that far. And every other weekend, we can spend it at the island, if that's alright with you, Dad."

Xenophilius nodded, smiling, and shook Alex's hand. Alex gave Luna a kiss that neither wanted to break before heading for the river with April and Chloe. The next week was terrible. His anxiety about Luna's safety was worse than ever, and by the time Friday arrived, it had become painstakingly clear that she was right. He wouldn't survive his own anxiety if he didn't take her. Finally, a note appeared from the water in front of Alex and he snatched it up, seeing Luna's handwriting simply saying "ready" and nothing else. He said a brief goodbye to his family instantly and dove into the water, using his transportation spell and suddenly being launched out of a metal tub that was barely knee height, meant for laundry. He landed on his feet, sighing, and waved his wand, drying the water up and turning to Luna, who was laughing in surprise.

"That was more dramatic an entrance than I was expecting," Luna laughed. "I'll have to get a bigger bin."

Alex swept her into his arms and kissed her hard instantly, Luna kissing him back. Without either of them speaking, Alex knew she could tell how his week had been, and knew that their plans for the summer had changed. Sure enough, almost as soon as they'd separated and headed inside, Luna asked her father's permission to alternate weeks of her being at the island or him being at their house. Xenophilius agreed with a smile, and Alex hugged Luna tightly.

"You're coming," Alex whispered to her as he held her. "Even if I have to stun you and carry you over my shoulder."

Luna giggled, turning to him and whispering, "Incarcerous would be more fun."

Alex made a small noise as she kissed him again, and Luna grinned into the kiss.

Luna gasped and panted for breath, the ropes binding her arms behind her and her knees to her arms all unravelling and vanishing. She lay there for several long minutes before sitting up and kissing Alex equal parts tiredly and passionately. "I told you it'd be more fun."

Alex chuckled. "Don't expect me to do that all the time."

Luna smiled, picking up the seaweed tea Chloe had left for her and drinking it. "I'd have many questions if you did."

"So would I," Alex snorted, kissing her again. "I love you, Luna."

"I love you, too," Luna smiled.

Alex smiled, tucking his face into the side of her neck, and Luna wrapped her arms around his shoulders, smiling.

"What's going on?" Luna asked.

"There's something I need to ask," Alex said.

Luna pulled back, nodding, only for her eyes to go wide as saucers as he held up a pale ring the same color as her hair with a strips of diamonds crossing it at an angle, giving the appearance of a braid. "What's...What?"

"Not now, but once we're older, once we've both survived this war, will you marry me?" Alex asked.

Luna let out something between a cheer and a shriek, flinging herself at him and kissing him, knocking him onto his back. Without separating from him, she slipped her hand into his, and her finger into the ring, then laced their fingers together before finally pulling away to speak. "I'd marry you now if you wanted."

Alex smiled. "Legally, you're not old enough. But, if it makes you feel any better, we're already about as close to married as you can get with Sirens."

Luna's eyes widened before she smiled and kissed him deeply. Both wrapped their arms around each other, holding each other and not making any plans to let go.

Alex stepped forward, vanishing, and reappeared a few feet later. He glanced down at himself, inspecting himself, and grinned. "That was much easier."

"It looked it," Luna nodded. "I wonder why they teach you to spin."

Alex shrugged. "Maybe it's just easier to get the magic to work that way."

Luna nodded. "That might be. Speaking of magic." She raised an eyebrow, glancing at his bright orange hair. "You've been holding that for quite a while."

Alex grinned. "Finally got the hang of it. I can't hold it for long, and a full-body change is ridiculously hard, but I'm making progress." He frowned as he felt his hair darken back to its natural black. "Slowly."

"And your healing magic?" Luna asked.

"Better progress," Alex said. "It's all charms, which my wand's unicorn colt loves, so I've been getting good with his help. Wandless, I'm a little worse but still not bad."

Luna smiled, nodding. "Good. Now come on. Dinner should be ready soon."

Alex nodded and slipped his hand into hers, both of them heading inside.

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