Teddy is thrilled when the news comes that Luna, her father, and Rolf are planning their return to England. In the days leading up to her arrival, he is a mess of excitement, unable to sit still for long before he's off again, running around the house and causing seemingly endless trouble. By the time an owl flies through the window with a letter informing them that they are back on British soil once more, Harry and Hermione are well and truly exhausted from dealing with the young boy's constant energy. But not even fatigue can impede Harry's happiness at the idea of seeing their friend again.
They're having a lazy afternoon, teaching Teddy how to play a new board game, when a low, pleasant buzzing noise alerts them to Luna's arrival on the doorstep. Knowing that Kreacher is up in Regulus' old room, Harry hurries there himself, pulling the door open to let the younger witch in.
A look of surprise flitters across her face as her fist slowly lowers from where it was evidently poised to knock on the cool wood. "Hello."
"The wards let me know you were here," he explains, answering her unspoken question, before stepping forward to hug her. "How was Vietnam?"
Luna gently tightens her arms around him before pulling away. "Excellent. The culture was stunning, and we met so many lovely young people while we were there. We found quite a few native magical creatures while we were there, too, which was a wonderful thrill. I would love to go back someday."
"That sounds fantastic." He isn't aware that what he's feeling is a sense of longing until he catches the undercurrents of it in his words, but by then it's too late to regulate it.
"You should consider going on a holiday, Harry," she advises him, as observant as always. She makes as if to move through the doorway, so he takes a few steps backwards to let her through before closing the door behind her. "Have you ever been overseas before?"
He hesitates. "No."
"Have you ever wanted to?" she asks delicately.
Harry pauses to seriously consider it. It has crossed his mind before, especially when he thought he was going to die, but it has never been something he has had a particular interest in. Still, hearing about Luna's work trips has been filling him with a half-formed curiosity to see some of those places for himself. "Yes," he admits.
"Then you should go."
"I wouldn't know where to start."
"Close your eyes." Despite feeling like a bit of a tosser, he does. "Picture yourself overseas somewhere. Anywhere."
The image of a tropical beach comes to mind. He's lying on the warm sand, watching Teddy line a sandcastle with misshapen shells. Luna is helping him with a soft smile, and Hermione is halfway through a book on the history of werewolves, and the Weasleys are all splashing about on paddleboards in the shallow water. The fresh smell of saltwater settles around them.
"We're on the beach," he says, sensing that she is waiting for him to speak. "It's warm." His eyes open. "The Weasleys were swimming, and Hermione was reading, and you were helping Teddy build a sandcastle."
Luna falls silent for a few moments. "I was there too?"
He nods. "Of course."
"That… Thank you, Harry. That's very sweet of you."
"It's nothing." Shrugging offhandedly, he explains, "I wouldn't want to go overseas if my friends weren't there as well."
An understanding smile tugs at her lips. "I understand. I think about all of you whenever I go away for work."
The idea of Luna travelling to exciting new places yet leaving her thoughts behind with her friends reminds him of the beautiful paintings he saw at her childhood home. "Do you still draw? For fun, I mean, not for work."
"I don't think I'll ever stop."
"Can I see them sometime?" Immediately worried he's overstepping, he adds, "Even just one. If it's alright with you."
She barely even hesitates. "I can bring a sketchbook over tomorrow. I need to see Rolf in the morning to talk about work, but I can come over after that."
Worry niggles away at the edges of his brain, but he pushes it aside. Her phrasing seems a little peculiar to him, but perhaps that's all it is: her phrasing. Besides, Luna has never been one to follow the crowd, so it could very well just be the way she does relationships. He settles with saying, "That sounds great," because he has no idea what else to do.
"Is Teddy home today?" she eventually asks.
"What? Oh. Yeah. Yeah, he is. Teddy! Luna's here!"
An overjoyed shriek and the sound of pattering of feet reverberate through the hallway, and the young Metamorphagus is soon sprinting straight at them. "Luna!" he calls out, rushing into her outstretched arms. "You're back!"
"I am." Her soft laugh tinkles like wind chimes caught in the breeze. "How have you been?"
"Great! Want to see my Christmas presents?"
"Sure. But would you like to open this first?" She pulls an immaculately wrapped parcel out of her pocket and hands it to him. The paper is bright blue, with yellow fireworks bursting into light across it, and a thick red ribbon ties it all together. "I hope you had a very Merry Christmas, Edward Lupin."
A/N: I hope you all had – or are having – a happy Easter!