Chapter 19 - Of Moving Forward
Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze.
Carolyn Gold Heilbrun
It was odd how events settled so quickly. Following the days after Harry's fall from the balcony, Dumbledore had announced to the Great Hall that Snape had decided to take an indefinite leave of absence.
Harry had seen the sadness in Dumbledore's eyes as he watched the majority of the students cheer over the good news. Snape might have been one of the best Potions Masters in all of Europe, but as a teacher he left much to be desired. Snape had sown his seeds of discontent; by taking out his bitterness on students who didn't deserve it.
Harry couldn't blame the students to be happy at the news of the Potions Masters departure; he only wished that he featured as little as possible in the stories that followed.
There was no Snape, no Tonks, no Lupin or Gallagher (as the students knew Sirius). Killian was also absent- had been since Christmas. The last time Harry, or his friends, had seen her was when they'd been picked up from Kings Cross and delivered to Headquarters. She hadn't even been there for Sirius' un-veilment.
Snape had been replaced by someone who was so different from Snape it had made the whole class' jaw drop in disbelief. Horace Slughorn was man who knew how to network. The first lesson had been spent alternating between random bits of information about the potions they were studying and being peppered with questions about any famous and well known relatives each student had. His method of teaching wasn't getting the grades and passing exams. It was to entice them with their very own futures. Harry had been urged by McGonagall to enter the classroom to continue his Potions studies. As Professor Slughorn allowed those with Exceed Expectations in his class, no one could say that Harry had asked for any favours as they all knew that Harry had continued his Potions studies independently. Harry only agreed to enter as it was one less thing Hermione had to do, check on his Potions work for him.
Slughorn had also been quick to invite many, and Harry in particular, to an event known as the Slug club. It was a chance for Slughorn to show off new and potential "acquisitions" to his former associates who continued to exchanges favours with their old Potions Master.
"You know the Slug club's not that bad," Hermione said, trying to convince him to accept Slughorn's invitation.
"And I'm sure I'll have to join one day, but right now I don't have time," Harry told her.
"Why do you keep going anyway? You have even less time than Harry does," Ron said sourly, annoyed as he had not been invited to join any of Slughorn's parties.
"It's useful," Hermione said simply. "Mum and Dad have to go to parties like this all the time. Sometimes they used to take me with them. I didn't like them; they used to think of me like a clever little pet. But networking can gain you some useful connections."
Ron grumbled, reluctantly letting the matter go.
Harry saw the logic in Hermione's words, even if he didn't necessarily want to partake in such networking events himself.
They has been pleasantly surprised at Horace Slugnhorn's demeanour, but Harry felt constantly hounded by Slughorn's attempts to try to harness Harry's fame for himself.
He spent more and more of his spare time with Luna, not that that was a chore, but Luna, who was studying her impending OWLs had little time to spare herself between assignments, revision, the DA and other extra-curricular activities all taking placing the newly established Hogwarts gym. Still, Harry and Luna were quick to take advantage of snatched moments they had together to indulge in kissing, groping and petting.
Harry definitely didn't mind it when Luna practically ripped open his school shirt and caressed his now well defined torso with her hands, lips and occasionally her tongue. It drove him mad sometimes, and Harry cursed his teenage hormones when all blood rushed south of his brain and he had to think of things he'd rather not think about in order to not scare Luna away.
Harry quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts of Luna. It wouldn't do to embarrass himself in public.
Instead he turned his thoughts towards his recovery after his fall from the balcony. It had been weeks before Pomfrey had been happy enough to announce him completely recovered.
Two grievous injuries in the space of a week had not made for pleasant healing. The Hogwarts Matron made Harry drink several vile medicines that he downed with minimal grumbling. He'd been itching to leave the Infirmary towards the end and thinking mostly of all the catching up he'd have to do to get back into shape again.
He had always been on the skinny side, courtesy of his relatives. Although he'd toned his body a little playing quidditch it hadn't been until he'd started jogging in the summer, and later with Killian's version of defence lessons had he truly filled out and bulked up. Harry swore he could feel his muscles melting away as Pomfrey who had discharged him from the Infirmary had refused to let him participate in anything she considered too strenuous - this included quidditch practice as well as anything else that was physical.
It was one of the reasons that helped make his decision to leave the quidditch team. Ron had refused to speak to him for a full day when he'd heard the news, but had quickly forgiven his "betrayal" once he'd been presented with a box of mixed chocolates and sweets in appeasement.
When he'd first been made Seeker for Gryffindor by McGonagall he'd been proud and ready to prove himself. It had been the first time someone had believed him and gave him an opportunity to prove himself. He felt like he'd done that and was now ready to prove himself in other ways. He truly didn't know whether he was capable of defeating Voldemort.
Harry had run away often from Dudley and his gang, always wanting to stand up for himself, only he knew that he couldn't run away from the Dursleys. He'd refused to run when he'd come to Hogwarts. Going back to the Dursleys wasn't an option for him.
The wizarding world had brought him a lot of pain, much more than the Dursleys had, but at Privet Drive he didn't have his friends, or Luna. They were the only thing keep him tied to the world of magic. Harry was seriously considering leaving once Voldemort was defeated; if he could manage the task.
So he concentrated on more important things; learning as much magic as possible and Luna.
He was jostled from his thoughts by a nudge to the ribs from Ron. Ron nodded up at the Head table as they entered the Great Hall.
Following his gaze he saw that Tonks had returned. A grin broke out on their faces.
Tonks, who had always looked vibrant, looked a little pale, but otherwise quite healthy.
Luckily, the last classes were finished for the day, so Harry and the others quickly finished their dinners before rushing off to drop their bags to their respective dorms. Within twenty minutes they were gathered outside the defence office, waiting to be let in.
He held Luna's hand as Neville raised his to knock. They door opened almost immediately; Shacklebolt nodding to them on his way out.
Harry followed in Hermione and Neville with Luna. Ginny and Ron behind them. Ginny closed the door for privacy.
There was a silence as no one knew where to start. Tonks was sitting on one of the office sofas; Moody was sitting behind one desk, leaning back in his chair, legs crossed on the table.
Hermione took the initiative.
"H-How are you feeling Tonks?"
Tonks gave them a small smile.
"Much better, Hermione."
She drew her wand and gave it a wave. Six simple chairs appeared in front of them.
"Take a seat."
"I'm sure McGonagall could have done better, but my transfiguration skills aren't quite master level."
They took a seat, and Harry thought the chair was quite hard.
"We're glad to have you back," Ginny said sincerely.
"Good to know."
"Are you sure you should be back at work so soon?"
"I actually left the hospital a while back. I couldn't come back here straight away, or go back in the field. I've been at the Ministry pushing paper," Tonks said with a grimace.
They made some small talk a little more, eventually the awkwardness petered out and the conversation flowed more naturally.
Moody summoned a house elf and ordered a tea service with some snacks, looking challengingly at Hermione as he caught her disapproving look at both Moody and the house elf.
Hermione flushed and backed down.
"So, Harry, heard you made a lot of students dreams come true and got rid of the dungeon bat?" Tonks started with a smile.
Harry started a little at the sudden turn in conversation.
Ron didn't need any excuse to start into that topic.
"Ron, you don't even have Potions anymore." Ginny butted in cuttingly.
"I'm just expressing the sentiment for anyone who had to continue to suffer under dubious teachings of that greasy git."
"That was a lot of big words for you Ron; did you hurt yourself?" Neville teased.
Ron scowled good naturedly, and a little more of their tension dissipated as they laughed.
"Ron is right there," Tonks said her smile a little more natural now.
"Did you have Snape as your Potions teacher as well?" Ginny asked curiously, as they waited for the house elf set the tea service on a hastily conjured table.
"Thank you Patchy," Moody said as he dismissed the house elf.
The house elf nodded and disappeared with a low crack.
Tonks nodded as she reached for a steaming cup of tea Neville had poured for her. She thanked Neville quietly before continuing; "I only left Hogwarts the year before you lot started your first year; barring Luna and Ginny of course. Snape wasn't as bad then as he was before his sudden departure. He was strict. He was snarky and he didn't hesitate to point out any faults, but from what I've heard he became much worse after you stepped foot in Hogwarts, Harry."
"A lot of students are happy with Slughorn," Neville said into silence that over them.
"He's mostly harmless," Moody inserted, picking up a ginger biscuit as he contributed to the conversation for the first time. He sniffed at it suspiciously before he deemed it all right enough to take a small nibble on the end of it. "You've done well enough to avoid him so far, Potter. You just need to know what you're getting into with him before you shake hands with the wizard."
Harry nodded, having surmised as much for himself.
"I heard he taught your parents Harry," Tonks said.
Harry nodded again, chewing quickly on the chocolate chip cookie he'd picked up.
"He's been trying to use that as a conversation opener to get me join the Slug club," Harry said once he swallowed the cookie.
"When will Professor Killian be back?" Ginny asked, changing the subject.
"She's on an assignment," was all Moody would say before firmly moving onto a new topic of discussion.
Harry and Luna moved carefully through the dense forest. Luna's eyes were blindfolded and smile of anticipation flitted on her lips.
Finally they reached a clearing where Harry had already set up a picnic with enough food to serve six people, plus Ron. Plus a birthday cake, shaped like Luna's patronus, with strawberry frosting. Essentially it was a pink hare, the eyes the same colour as Luna's silver grey. Harry had written Happy Birthday on the hare's belly himself.
He couldn't believe that it had been over three months since he and Luna became a couple. Time had passed quickly and Harry was trying to do something nice for Luna. He had bought her a beautiful locket, with plenty of help from Tonks. The pendant on the locket was a butterfly with the body made of gold; the wings of the butterfly were flecked with miniature stones with colours of red and yellow and pale blue. Harry thought it was pretty and discreet without being gaudy.
He was nervous about presenting it to Luna as he didn't know if she would like it.
He undid the blindfold and took in Luna's expression of delight; happy he'd brought her that little of pleasure.
"Happy Birthday, Luna," Harry wished her.
They took off their shoes at the edge of the blanket and Harry quickly cast a few warding spells that Hermione taught him. This particular spot was private and out of the way, but Harry had spotted a few initials carved into one of the trees that showed someone had discovered this spot at some point. He set up a couple of wards, just in case any other students came wandering this far in. After all, it was a beautiful Friday evening, and there was plenty of time before curfew and he was sure he was not the only one who been taking advantage of the weather to get out of the castle.
They settled down together the blanket, surrounded by dense trees and beautiful flowers.
"This is wonderful, Harry," Luna complimented him.
Harry started pulling the food out of the picnic basket, leaving the cake hidden till last. Harry didn't eat much due to nerves, but he concentrated on making Luna happy. Luna pecked at a little of everything, downing it with a goblet of orange juice.
He brought out the pink hare cake and hoped she really didn't expect him to sing. He lit the candles, and 1 and a 5 with his wand and held it out for Luna to make a wish and blow out.
He pulled out a little knife for Luna to cut the cake with. He took a small piece at the same time as Luna held a piece of her own to Harry. They fed each other at the same time, Luna held onto Harry's fingers longer than necessary, licking the frosting clean by taking his finger into her mouth, and doing then the same to his thumb.
"Luna," he gasped, as her tongue across the pad of his thumb.
He knew he didn't imagine the look of mischief in her eyes.
He cleared his throat as he pulled his hand back from her.
"I have your birthday present," he said quickly to distract himself.
He pulled the small wrapped box from his pocket.
"I hope you like this. It's okay if you don't because I can get you something else," Harry rambled.
Luna silently took the box from him and proceeded to unwrap it.
"I've never had anyone but mummy or daddy give me gifts before," Luna said candidly. "Before I met you, only Ginny was my friend."
Her words brought a lump to his throat. They were so alike in so many ways. He too never had a friend unless he'd met a Weasley. His first gift that he could ever remember receiving was given to him out of charity when Ron had told his parents Harry wasn't expecting any gifts.
No, he immediately corrected his thoughts. Hagrid had given him his first gift. His owl Hedwig is as precious to him as his friends as his friends are.
"It's beautiful, Harry," Luna said as she held up the pendant by the chain.
She handed it over to Harry and turned her back, lifting her long hair out of the way for him.
Harry undid the clasp, trying to remain calm; he was happy she liked his gift.
She leaned back against him once he re-did the clasp.
"I love you," he whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms around her.
She turned around, her eyes wide and surprised. Harry didn't know how to take it, as Luna's usual expression was one of perpetual surprise.
"You don't have to say it back if you don't want to. You don't have to say it because I said it," Harry scrambled to explain, hoping he didn't scare her off.
"Do you mean that?"
"I don't say anything I don't mean, Luna. I'm yours, for as long as you'll have me."
Luna nodded.
"I love you, Harry."
She kissed him, a quick peck on the lips.
"I really liked that cake, Harry. Especially the frosting."
Harry watched as Luna reached for the cake, trailing a finger over the frosting and licked it.
"It tastes really good."
He knew she was teasing him on purpose. She repeated the action and instead of bringing it to her lips as Harry expected she smeared it all over his.
She leaned in and kissed him again as he froze.
"It tastes better this way," she whispered against him.
Her tongue slipped over his frosting covered lips and licked. Harry leaned into the kiss and opened his mouth to slip his tongue over her lips.
He gently grasped her cheeks and deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth as she allowed him entrance. He leaned into her until she way lying down beneath him and continued to kiss her.
He broke the kiss and looked down into her eyes. They were both panting and breathless.
"You still have frosting on your lips," Luna pointed out, and pulled him down to her again. Harry had a smile on his face as he allowed himself to be pulled into another kiss. Harry started kissing her on her lips, deepening the kiss again. He broke it off again, trailing kisses across her jawbone to her neck. He kissed and then licked what he knew to be a sensitive spot just below her ear making her gasp.
His hands trailed down to the edge of her jumper and the t-shirt she was wearing and slipped under to caress his soft warm skin.
They continued to kiss and caress each other, allowing the other to feel more and more of each other. Luna trailed he fingers under the t-shirt he was wearing he broke the kiss to help her take off his top to reveal his bare chest.
He loved it when Luna explored him, even if it made his jeans feel uncomfortable. He and Luna had been getting to know each other more and more physically but they hadn't made that final step yet. Harry never had that birds and bees talk from the Dursleys, but he knew the mechanics. But he didn't want to be a typical hormonal teenager like some boys he knew in Gryffindor Tower and rush Luna.
They had almost come close to having sex a few times, but stopped before they could get that far. His body was ready, he knew, but he wouldn't do anything until Luna was ready.
Luna allowed him to take off her jumper, along with her t-shirt. Like him she was left in just her jeans, plus she wore a pretty yellow bra he kissed along the edge of. He led a trail of kisses her throat, down the valley of her breast and across her flat belly. Her hands tangled in his messy hair urging him on more as he stopped at her jeans.
He enjoyed listening to her gasps and moans. Over the past few months and they explored each other to know exactly what the other liked best.
Luna pushed him away and leaned over him, returned the favour, her tongue trailing down his chest, but unlike him she didn't stop at his jeans. She unbuttoned her jeans and unzipped his fly. He let her pull his jeans and down helped her take them off, leaving him just in his socks. Harry always worn Dudley's old cast offs, but even from a young age he refused to wear his cousin's old skivvies. One of the reasons Harry had wrapped Dudley's belt so firmly around his waist was that he didn't want to reveal his commando state to one and all.
Harry felt a little apprehensive, getting so hot and heavy in the forest where anyone could stumble across them. He had placed wards and spells around them, but didn't want to be disturbed as things were getting interesting. They usually had more privacy in the Come and Go room.
Luna stood up and unbuttoned her own jeans, taking them off quickly to reveal blue panties a long her yellow bra. Harry was sure he had a silly grin on his face.
They lay back down together and continued to kiss each other, and touch as much skin as possible. Harry pressed his body against Luna's, drawing her warmth to him. He slipped his leg between Luna's, spreading hers further. He ground his pelvis against Luna, causing them both to gasp and groan. Her breast pressed into his chest and Harry traced his fingers to the clasp on Luna's bra. He broke off their kiss to give her questioning look. He made quick work of getting rid of her bra and flinging it to the rest of their clothes.
He gently took one and stroked her nipple. He kissed it and licked it and suckled on it, before repeating the actions to the other. Luna gasped and writhed under him. Harry enjoyed driving her mad as she did him. He traced his tongue down her belly again and hooked his fingers under her panties, slowly sliding them off, not even looking at Luna for permission this time. He knew she would stop him when she wanted. They had seen each other naked several times. It was never easy backing off, but he would rather hurt himself than hurt Luna.
He knelt between Luna's legs, enjoying her taste. He licked her again and again as she made soft mewling noises against him, lifting her hips for more.
He stopped, much to her disappointment.
"You okay?" he said, a smile flitting across his lips.
In response she pushed his head back down between her legs. He continued his good work. He knew she getting closer and he worked his tongue faster.
She cried out as she climaxed, and lay panting on the ground, her eyes closed. He lay back down next to her and kissed gently on the lips until she opened her eyes and gave him a dazed.
Harry was proud that he was the one who put that expression on her face.
I did that, he thought smugly and laid back pulling her to him.
They lay like that for a while, Luna naked against him, chest still heaving slightly. He trailed his fingers through her soft hair as he tried to rid of his own erection.
"Harry," she said, lifting her head from his chest and looking up to him. "I want another present from you Harry."
He shifted a little so he looked in her face a little better.
"What is it?" he asked softly.
He really couldn't deny her anything, especially when she was still sitting naked in front of him.
In answer she looked down.
"I want to feel all of you, Harry."
"Luna, are you sure?"
"I made a wish when I blew out the candles, Harry. Aren't you going to make it come true?"
Harry had to smile at that.
"I don't want you to feel like you have to Luna," Harry tried to assure her.
Luna didn't bother answering. He gasped as she gripped him gently and then stroked his length. She bent down her head, her hair tickling his abdomen and kissed the tip of his erection.
He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, trying not to let her get to him.
"Luna, stop," he gasped.
He pulled her up for another kiss and laid her back down next to him. He leaned over, looking into her eyes once more for permission.
"I want this Harry," she told him.
He rolled on top of her, leaning his weight on his elbows, pressing his length at her entrance and rubbed himself against her wetness.
She welcomed him inside her and Harry paused as he felt resistance. She cried out he pushed through and Harry froze not wanting to hurt her more.
He forced himself not to move even though that was what his instinct was telling him to do. He waited for Luna to get used to him before he pulled out slowly.
"It's okay, Harry," she told him.
That was all the assurance he needed to finish making love to her. She met his every thrust, urging him on more but he took his time. He wanted to make this last for both of them.
When they finished one after another, and he lay down next to her, still inside her as he waited for breathlessness to pass.
"That was amazing," Harry said.
Luna gave him a contented smile, closing her eyes and he withdrew from her as she lay down her head on his still heaving chest.
He wrapped his arms around her and planted a light kiss on her hair.
He closed his eyes as well. Making love to Luna was better than everything he had imagined in his fantasies. He was about to get up and start pulling his clothes back on when he realised that Luna had fallen asleep.
He reached for his wand which luckily hadn't rolled far during their love making and silently conjured a blue blanket, the same colour as Luna's panties as it happened and draped it over them both. It was a little awkward to do since Luna was using one arm as a pillow but he managed to cover them both.
There was still an hour and a half to curfew. A smug grin adorned his face as he too drifted off.
Harry knew he had a completely silly grin on his face as he held Luna's hand. Luna had her usual expression and he resolved not to ever play poker against her.
They trailed behind the others, on their way to Hogsmeade to enjoy a day away from the castle. After making love to Luna the day before Harry had carved his and Luna's initials into one of the trees with the others, feeling like a normal teenager for once. He'd stared at the H and L with satisfaction.
He'd fallen asleep in his bed after walking Luna back to her dorm and thought about their time together, how she felt under him and how right being close to her had felt.
He couldn't wait to be alone with Luna again, so he could feel her against him again. He felt her squeeze his hand and he looked at her and saw her mischievous smile.
"Can we go to the quill shop first?" Hermione was asking. "The nib on my old one isn't going to last any longer and I'm running out of ink as well."
No one disagreed.
"I do need more inkpots as well," Luna added. "I like using green and purple for my charms notes. It makes my notes look so pretty."
Harry smiled. He'd seen Luna's notes when they were studying together. Luna liked to decorate her notes with random pictures as well. She was skilled when it came to art; sometimes he just liked to watch her as she drew something.
They walked to the Scrivenshafts quill shop together, where Harry decided to get some more quills for himself as well.
Ron insisted they go to the sweet shop next and they walked agreeably towards Ron's favourite haunt. Harry and Ron spilt off from the group to grab some chocolate frogs.
"You came back from the picnic late last night," Ron commented as he counted his sickles.
Harry tried to hide his grin.
"It was a good picnic," Harry said casually.
"Good food?"
"Yes it was."
"Did she like the pendant?"
"She loved it," Harry told him.
"You two happy together?"
Oh yeah! Harry thought thinking back to what happened after he'd put the pendant around her neck.
"More than happy, Ron. She completes me. Does that sound cheesy?"
"Yes it does," Ron said cheerfully.
Harry picked up a box of every flavour beans, but then decided not to buy it and put it back. He reached for the sugar quills instead.
"You know, Harry, I never thought you would end up with Luna. Remember when we first met her on the train last year?"
"Yeah, I thought she was weird. She still is, it's what I love best about her," Harry said, picking up a packet of sweets.
"You really love her?"
"More than anything. It's like when I'm away from her, I feel restless, directionless. And when I'm with her I feel restless as well, but in a different way. I know we've not been together long, but when I'm with her I feel like we've always been together."
"I didn't know you felt that way," Ron said.
Harry shrugged.
"You guys done?" Harry heard behind him and he turned and saw Ginny with a bright grin. "Yeh, I'm done," Harry said.
"Me too," Ron seconded.
"Are you all right Ginny?" Harry asked, as they made their way to the counter to pay for their things.
"Yeah, of course," Ginny said after a moment.
Harry noticed Ginny held herself stiffly.
They walked back outside and Ginny immediately made her excuses and left the group.
"What's with her?" Ron said, looking puzzled.
Hermione gave him a look and shook her head, "Boys," she muttered exasperatedly and marched on.
"What was that about?"
Harry shrugged and looked to Luna and Neville.
Neville looked thoughtful but didn't say anything. Luna just stared in the direction of Hermione and Ginny.
They continued on, exploring places they already been to before. Harry visiting Hogsmeade village. He liked how open the villagers were and they didn't have to hide their wands or watch their children too carefully because of muggles. The Dursleys had kept him hidden like a dirty little secret as they strained to come across as normal folk. Harry thought back to how Sirius had brooded over the family tapestry and the names that had been blasted off there. Harry could easily imagine Petunia doing the same to the whole Potter family to rid herself of the freaks.
Harry stopped as he realised that Luna had stopped in front of him. Her hand reached to rub the lines on his forehead.
"The wrackspurts are clouding your mind again, Harry. They could easily find a home in the stress lines you keep adding to your head. Then your mind will always be clouded," Luna said in her airy voice.
Harry tried to keep a serious face.
"Don't want that," he muttered as he leaned closer to her.
"No wrackspurts," Luna said sternly.
"Help me get rid of them," he said, pulling her closer.
"This is the best way," Luna informed him, before reaching up to kiss him.
Harry wrapped his arms around Luna's waist, holding her firmly to him as he deepened the kiss. He paid no mind to the catcalls and whistling around him, too busy drinking in Luna.
He was forced to break apart when he heard a loud and deliberate clearing of throat besides them. He let go of Luna and saw Moody was standing quite close, both eyes focused on them.
"Luna was helping me get rid of wrackspurts," Harry said stupidly.
"Was she now?" Moody said, raising an eyebrow.
"All right, move on now. Nothing to see here," Tonks was yelling as she ushered the passerby who had stopped to egg on the snogging teenagers.
"The headmaster has seen fit to allow you students to visit the village; but just because you aren't wearing the uniform it doesn't mean you're not still representing the school," Moody was saying sternly.
"Yes sir," Harry said, trying not to grin.
"Carry on," Moody said, turning away.
"He means walking, not standing there spit swapping," Tonks added helpfully.
Ron and Neville snorted in laughter.
They carried on walking together towards the Three Broomsticks. Harry noticed that the villagers seemed to be in more of a hurry than they usually did.
"It doesn't look like they want to be out in the open for too long," Ron commented, as he too saw the locals scurrying about.
"The village is one of the most popular wizarding places in all of Britain, not to mention so close to the school. It makes a tempting target for anyone wanting to attack," Tonks told them as she walked behind them.
"Voldemort already sent his dementors here last year," Neville added.
"People keep disappearing," Moody said as he followed behind. Harry had thought Moody would be patrolling off elsewhere, but he seemed to have come back. "We don't know who's been captured or killed, or who's gone into hiding. The Death Eaters don't always leave a body behind," he added to Ron's questioning look.
Harry thought back to Sirius' brother Regulus, whose body had never been found.
"We have patrollers everywhere," Moody warned them, "but even so stick together and CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"
Ron rubbed his ear irritated where Moody had screamed into it as the others muffled their laughs.
"Ha ha," Ron grumbled as they walked into the pub where Hermione was already waiting for them.
"I'll grab the drinks," Neville volunteered and took everyone's order. Ron went with him to help carry them back.
"Harry, I need to talk to Hermione about some embarrassing girl things. Do you want to stay and join or go with the boys?" Luna said in her frank sort of way.
Hermione looked torn between amused and uncomfortable but didn't say anything.
"I'll go with Ron and Neville," Harry sighed.
"Will Ginny be joining us for this talk?" he heard Luna ask as he walked away and he decided there were some things he just want to get involved in when it involved his girlfriend, his best friend and his other best friend's sister.
"What are you doing here?" Ron asked "The girls change their mind about their order?"
"Luna shooed me away so she and Hermione could talk about girl things," Harry said as he settled on the bar stool next to them as they waited to be served. The counter was absolutely bustling with customers.
"Girl talk," Neville shuddered.
Harry and Ron muttered in agreement.
"Why can't they be open? You know, just say things clearly," Ron complained.
"Girls put more effort into their secret talks than they do in McGonagall's assignment for transfiguring hedgehogs in pincushions," Neville told them.
"How would you know?" Ron asked.
"I overheard the Patel twins and Lavender and that other girl from Ravenclaw, Natalie MacDonald, talking in the library one day a few weeks back," Neville told them. "They were talking Lavender's boyfriend, Sam something, I think he's a Hufflepuff."
"And?" Harry prompted.
"The horror," Neville shuddered again.
"What?" Ron asked entranced.
"Poor Sam," Neville carried on. "Lavender dissected everything about him. Sam took Lavender for a date to the Astronomy tower to celebrate their one month anniversary and they ended up, you know, doing it, right there."
"You mean they…" Ron trailed off, fascinated.
"Yeah," Neville nodded meaningfully. He leaned in further, and they mimicked him without realising. "Lavender told them every single detail, and I mean, every single detail. She left out nothing. They talked about his technique, his size, his length, his girth," Neville practically whispered as he leaned in a little more.
"Girth?!" Harry yelped before he was shushed by Ron.
Neville nodded sagely.
"They left no dignity for the poor boy."
Harry gulped as he glanced in the direction of the girls. Luna was making expansive gestures with her hands, and Hermione was giggling into hers.
"Luna's different," Harry defended. "What happens between me and Luna stays between me and Luna."
"Of course it does, Harry," Neville said indulgently, as though he didn't want to break his illusions.
Harry wanted to keep their love making private. Harry wasn't the type to brag about a conquest like other boys he shared dorms with. Luna, for all her habit of saying the most obvious things, was a private person herself. He knew there would be certain things she would share with Hermione and Ginny, but what happened between them at the picnic would stay between them. He trusted her that much.
He put Neville's words out of his mind. They finally got served and Harry helped carry their tankards of warmed Butterbeer back to their table.
"Everything all right?" he asked, trying to gauge their moods.
"Of course, Harry," Luna smiled up at him.
Harry couldn't help but smile back.
They carried on chatting and laughing and everything felt so normal that Harry felt like they could forget there a war going on. Ginny didn't join even though they stayed there a little longer, expecting her to turn up. Eventually they decided to make tracks for back to the castle.
They exited the pub and were walking past Zonko's when Harry felt his fake galleon heat up in his pocket. The others felt theirs as well as they all dug into their pockets. The coin continued to heat in his hands but it didn't indicate the direction like last time. They took out their wands and looked around cautiously. The village seemed normal. There wasn't any indication that there an attack, and Harry spotted Moody in the distance.
"Is it malfunctioning?" Ron asked Hermione, as he too tried to determine where the danger was coming from.
"It's not coming up with the initials of the members who activated it, or pointing us in the right direction."
"I don't know," Hermione said unhappily.
Harry gripped his wand tightly and put his coin away.
"Let's move back to the castle quickly," Harry suggested, not wanting to stick around.
Maybe it was because his coin had indicated danger but he felt on edge. No one argued and wands still in hand, they walked more cautiously back towards the castle.
It was more instinct than anything that made Harry duck, hauling Luna down with him as soon as he heard the crack of someone apparating. Neville, who was walking behind them, instantly raised a shield after he saw Harry and Luna go down. Ron followed his lead and Hermione ducked to avoid another curse after she heard Ron yell.
From there on everything seemed to be in chaos. The five students stood back to back as they'd practiced many times, snapping off spell after spell to ward off attacks from opponents they couldn't see.
They heard screams of villagers and heard more cracks of people apparating and disapparating.
"Reducto!"
"Crucio!"
Somehow Harry knew that this was the real thing. A real Death Eater attack and not a staged one like the Chamber of Secrets. None of the Death Eaters stood around to chat or taunt or make any demands. They attacked and caused as much chaos and mayhem as possible.
Harry snapped off spell after spell, feeling the sweat running down his face already. He felt a stinging hex hit get past his shield and hit leg and he cried out in surprise. He incanted a particularly strong severing curse and smiled in vicious satisfaction as it hit its target.
The group seemed to have drifted a little away each other and Harry tried to spot the others in the mess of people.
He sent a strong banishing curse towards three Death Eaters who were making their way towards another group of students not far from him. He spotted the Andrews brothers who gave him a nod of gratitude before going back to defending themselves.
He spotted Luna and Ron together and made towards them, dodging curses. He felt the ground shake before he could get anywhere near and looked to see the source of the spell.
He swallowed as he realised that it wasn't a spell that had caused the ground to shake. It was the footstep of giant and it was heading straight towards Luna.
He almost yelled out her name before common sense prevailed and he realised he would most likely distract her than warn her. He ran faster towards her, dodging curses and weaving in and out of people's ways. He tripped over debris and jerked back to avoid bits of wood raining on him. He felt something graze his temple and was dazed as he opened his eyes saw a huge branch had landed beside him. If he'd been a little more to the left it would have landed straight on top of him, turning him into a Harry pancake.
He climbed to feet, swaying a little, but carried on running towards Luna. The ground kept shaking as the giants stomped their way into the village. They roared in rage as witches and wizards shot their spells at them.
"Luna!" he screamed as he saw as the giant closest to her knocked his club into a house and a ton of bricks rained down on her.
A spell hit him in the back and he fell to the ground, hitting his head hard. He felt a trickle of blood down his temple and tried to get back up. He took a vicious kick to his ribs that knocked the breath of out him.
"Luna," he gasped, as he lay his eyes on her. He saw her taken by Death Eaters as they disappeared.
He took another kick to his head and he turned on his back to try to defend himself. Cruel brown eyes stared down at him from behind a Death Eaters mask.
"Sleep tight, Harry Potter," the voice mocked and the last thing Harry saw was a green light headed towards him.