'What do you mean, you and Ron are going to the ball with other people?' Harry asks the next morning at breakfast, leaving his spoon resting in his cereal bowl. To be fair, this is inevitable now they've broken up, but he thought it would take longer.

Hermione takes a slow drink of water, clearly thinking through her reply. 'Fred and I think it's time to tell people we're dating, and Ron's going with a coworker. But we can ask to share a table, so we can still all spend the evening together.'

'Ron knows about Fred?' Harry raises his eyebrows. He was starting to think they wouldn't tell him until he essentially figured it out for himself. 'How's he taking it?'

'Awkwardly. He doesn't like it, but he understands.'

Harry nods. Back in sixth year, it was painful to know Ginny was seeing other people, even before he knew he fancied her. Broken up or not, moving on or not, it has to be tough for Ron and Hermione to see each other with someone else. 'Then it'll be nice for us to have that time together.'

That's only half-true.

It's probably what they all need, Harry included: a chance to build a new normal.

But it also means he'll be the fifth wheel. Hermione and Fred both love dancing; there's no way they'll sit out the whole night. And if Ron's date convinces him to get up as well, Harry will be left on his own.

It really is a shame the ball will go too late for Teddy. Needing to supervise his godson would be an excellent excuse to avoid talking about Voldemort's death and stave off unwelcome advances, especially now that word has spread about him and Caitlin breaking up.

Then again, Teddy isn't the only person he can invite.

'I'm sorry,' Hermione says, and Harry realises that the silence has dragged on.

Harry shakes his head, a smile tugging at his mouth. 'It's alright; I have an idea. Can you watch Teddy for a while?'

That's how he finds himself sitting in Luna's living room, surrounded by colourful plants and over a dozen sketches of magical creatures. Her research notes are spread out across the side table, and a light, sweet scent wafts over from the nearby flowers.

For the second time in his life, Harry asks Luna to attend a function with him as a friend. The question feels natural and easy, and if he had any doubt in his mind, it would have faded when she beams.

'I would love to.' Luna's grey eyes sparkle. 'I quite enjoy going out with you as a friend.'

'Me too,' Harry says truthfully. So many people avoid Luna, dismissing her as eccentric or mad. Little do they know how much they're missing out on. 'There's a dress code, but I don't mind if you don't want to follow it.'

'Just owl me the details.'