Luna was on a mission with a fire of determination as she stomped over the hill to the Burrow. Luna wasn't particularly close to the family but she was to a girl who was apart of that family. A girl with flaming red hair and a spirit like a fire cracker gone all topsy turvey. Most would be nervous to storm up to someone's house uninvited at the beginning of dawn. However not Luna. Not today.
The burrow was a tall brown house with floors unevenly magicked one on top of the other. It wasn't luxurious but all who arrived felt a sense of warmth and comfort. Except for Luna as she felt before not today. As she arrived to the door of the quite home everyone still in bed she saw a freckled faced boy about 16 sitting in a chair on the porch. He looked like he hadn't been sleeping much lately the dark purple circles hung deep under his eyes. The boy was none other than Ronald Weasley looking worse for wear and dumbfounded.
Luna however exhausted marched right up to him.
"Good morning Ron." She said no hint of lightness in her voice taking the boy aback.
Luna never sounded angry nor serious.
Ron stuttered speaking looking at the white blonde haired witch with hair down to her waist with striking silver eyes.
"Blimey Luna what in the bloody hell are you doing here." He looked down at the sky blue ripped up pajamas with burns in the top and very short cotton shorts. "And in your nighty."
Luna whose impatience was growing held up a hand saying. "Enough Ronald I don't have time for this PLEASE go get your sister... NOW."
The red head boy looked shocked taken aback. Unknowing of it was in annoyance or just shock at her new found tone he got up slowly making his way in the house leaving her on the porch. It wasn't more than 10 minutes before a girl in a multicolored knitted robe had rushed through the door her flaming hair wild. Luna felt a strong surge for the first time that morning of some sense of relief.
Ginny took one look at the girl and put her arms around her. She started stroking her hair like her mother used to do to Luna when she had a bad dream and was upset.
"What's happened Luna." asked Ginny softly. "Why didn't you owl me before coming? What's wrong?"
Her best friend seeing right through her causes the weight to crash on her once more and Luna burst into tears. She began to speak rapidly.
"I don't know what happened Gin. He pushed me through a wardrobe but it transported me to the old family cottage. He drugged my tea. I couldn't floo back to help him. Oh God Ginny it was horrible. The whole house was destroyed. He's gone. I can't believe he's actually gone."
Ginny pulled back to look in the blonde girls face a look of fear and shock.
Luna knew her verbal vomit was probably hard to understand but she couldn't help it.
"Whose gone Luna." Ginny asked? "Who came?"
Luna mustered up her nerve and said the words outloud. "My dad. My dad is gone. It was..." she stuttered. "It was Death Eaters." She said as she started to shake again.
Next thing she knew the Ginny was screaming in the door. "Mum! MUM! We need help."
Within seconds a late middle aged Witch with a wave of her wand appeared at the door. Mrs. Weasleys' hair wild everywhere looking ready to fight. Noticing the scene was safe and seeing Luna she lowered her wand.
"Girls get inside." Said Mrs. Weasley "I'm going to start some calming tea." she looked sternly at her daughter. "Ginny get her a blanket. She must be freezing. The poor girl looks to be suffering from a case of shock." She said bringing Luna in the door. "Let your brothers know we have company. Please. Before they traumatize the poor girl further."
Ginny led Luna to and old worn out brown chair that was surprisingly comfortable and quite amazing. Luna felt as uf she could sit there forever. Ginny then left to go get the blanket and the boys. Luna heard the tea kettle whistling. She closed her eyes and for a minute imagined none of this had happened. That it was her father making their morning tea and she'd open her eyes and be in the sunroom with a book on her lap. As Luna opened her eyes to no such luck she saw Mrs. Weasleys' kind face bending down in front of her to be on eye level.
"Here's your tea lollie." She said kindly handing her an old cup. "Drink then we will talk."
The day continued on in what felt like high speed. She told Mrs. Weasley everything who then sent her husband to report to the ministry where he worked as well as the Order.
After telling the little she knew Mrs. Weasley had asked her in fear and concern. "And you saw them the Death Eaters? "
Luna had shaken her head no. "He got me out before they made it in the door. I know because I heard her laugh." she said quitely. "Bellatrix Lestrange..."
Before lunch the ministry had arrived and interviewed her. They examined what was left of the house which honestly wasn't much. They began telling her they'd find somewhere or some long lost relative for her to stay with. That they would find her father. Luna didn't believe them. she had as littlr trust in the minstry as her father. always out to protect their own asses.
Mrs. Weasley stopped the ministry aid right then and there holding up a hand to silence him with a look of insulted rage on Lunas behalf.
"Nonsense. She isn't staying with a stranger." Mrs. Weasley huffed with venom. "She just lost her home and the only family she knows. She's staying here. She can room with Ginny until school starts back in a week."
Luna had looked up at her then grateful as the aid tried to explain that she needed a guardian.
Mrs. Weasley frowned and in a no nonsense tone spat. "She needs no guardian. Her father IS NOT dead! So until you have him FOUND she's fine here. Harry Potter stays at this house and if I can watch 7 boys all summer I can handle one more girl."
The aid had instantly backed down. Most likely from fear of the mothering Weasley. As the day continued to pass Kingsley and more Arours arrived. Shortly and not speaking to Luna directly they gathered. It made her feel better so many people wanted to help. But make no mistake she would be the one to find him.
Lunch had finally arrived and sitting on the table was a copy of the Daily Profit and awful wrag of a paper usually headlined by writings from a dumb blonde bitch. The headline read. It Has Begun.
Author of the Quibbler and a heavy known supporter of Mr. H. Potters house was destroyed last evening. One of many who have spoken out against the Dark Lord to go missing this week. It seems that the tides have begun to change and the war is upon us once more. Muggle slaughtering and violence continues to rage through Britan. Is anyone safe?
Luna put the paper back down where it had been laying and sat down looking out at the Weasleys' garden. She pulled out a golden coin marked DA that her and her friend had held onto and sent a quick message to Neville Longbottom. She would be speaking to him soon she knew. He may be clumsy at times but they boy was brave and loyal. Luna needed him.
The Weasley twins had spent most of the day feeling sorry for the small blonde and trying to make her laugh. They'd made poppers that streamed colors of golden and pink glitter. This irritated the gnomes in the garden causing them to go bezerk and bite Luna. For once she didn't smile or talk about the benefits of said bite as she usually would. Fred being the most attentive of all made sure she never ran out of the calming tea. They'd sit on each side of her on the couch telling funny stories until she dozed off for a bit. She swore at some point Fred was stroking her hair as she'd fallen to sleep. Her head falling into his lap. She was sure that was just her imagination she though.
She awoke on the couch burritoed in a blanket and a pillow suddenly under her head. It was the sound of the fire place blazing with floo that had woken her. It was nearing night and the sun was starting to set through the window when a very upset and panicked Neville Longbottom arrived in the fireplace.
"Where is she?" She heard a boy demand. "Where is Ron? Is he with her?"
Luna snorted as she sat up. Like Ron would try to care for her. It had been obvious to her for years Rons feelings for Hermione and he rarely did a decent job at even comforting her.
Ginny must have met him first because she heard her tell Neville that Ron had left that morning to go meet Harry. To update him on the newest development. Harry had been at the Grangers helping Hermione pack before their planned trip to the burrow. Really anything to avoid the Dursleys early but there was also safety in numbers these days. Ginny had no idea why they still hadn't returned yet. Neville sighed and went immediately to meet Luna.
He walked over to the sleepy looking girl sitting near the top of her head at a space left.
"Hey Luna." he said sheepishly. looking at the beautiful girl. "Sorry it took so long. I'd left my coin in my room. My gran had me cleaning out the attic. You know how Gran is. he said scratching at the back of hus head. "That witch is scary."
Luna yawned smiling lightly. "It's no problem Neville. I'd knew you'd be here when you could."
Neville was taken aback. The soft airy tone to her voice was gone. Replaced by something new that he didn't quite understand.
"We still need Hermione." Luna said soundly. "I want to go back to the house and search for clues. There's something the ministry isn't telling me and I need a spell only she can do."
"What kind of spell?" Neville said quizzically with a serious look on his kind face.
"It's spell to replay the attack." she said factually showing exactly why she was indeed a Ravenclaw. "I need to see what happened and why. Honestly it's the only way I'll possibly have a chance to find him Nev." She said sadly. "I have to find him. He's all... he's all I have left." She said feeling a sudden sting she hadn't felt in years causing her to think for the first time in many years deeply about Pandora her mother.
Eventually the golden trio arrived looking ready for action with Harry slowly approaching. Hermiones' charmed satchel in his hand.
"Hi Luna." he said sitting beside her and pulling her into a side hug. "I'm so sorry. All these people in danger for supporting me and now... now my friends." He said looking down at the ground.
Luna smiled sadly at him. "Harry this isn't your fault." and she meant it. "My father has been against them since the first war. My mother was too. I don't blame you. I didn't call you here for that. I just need your help." she finished.
"I'll help in anyway I can." Harry said a look of determination. "But first this is for you." he said handing her the satchel.
"Harry... but what is this?" Luna said quizzically pulling a book from the satchel. As she looked down she saw it was one of her new books for that year. Her father and Luna had been planning to pick up her supplies later that week.
"It's all your supplies. Everything you need." montioning at the bag. "I figured you wouldn't want to get out and pick up all the supplies after this. Honestly I wouldn't." he said looking Bashful.
"But Harry." Luna spoke softly "I haven't even had time to go to the bank. I need to pay you back."
He stopped her right there. "No Luna this is a gift. he said firmly. "I don't want your money. I just wanted to help in some way. I have more money than I could ever need." Harrys family had invented a beauty potion years before his birth. "I'd do the same for the Weasleys if they'd ever let me." Luna knew the Weasleys never wanted to accept the boys money.
Neville laughed at the sight. "Well Harry that kills my gift. he turned back to Luna. "Just so you know there's a tab for you at the robe shop whatever you need it's under our name." He smiled continuing. "My grandmother insisted. She also thought you were about the same size as my mom was at your age. She went into muggle London to get you some replacement clothes. I think she'd always wanted a girl to dress." he sighed. Thinking about his parents always made Neville sad. "That's also what took me so long. She insited I go so I could show her what you like." He said blushing. "I hope you'll like them." he finshed firmly.
Luna felt overwhelmed with so many generous gifts. She hadn't even thought that all she had left were the clothes on her very back. It made her feel so much gratitude in her friends. She may have been picked on by her own house but she had better friends than any. She'd find a way to return the favor some day.
She went up to Ginnys' room where a trunk with her name lay and opened it to find light jeans and shirts in blues, greens, and yellows. A few pairs of shoes and much more.
She picked out a pair of light washed bellbottoms. They hadn't been in style since the 70s and looked slightly worn but she loved them. She put on a flowy long tank in yellow and a pair on slip on yellow shoes and returned downstairs. Neville gawked at the sight then smiled.
"I'm suprised you picked those. There so old but my grandmother was sure you'd like them. he beamed. They were my mothers." He said smile blazing.
Luna smiled back at the boy. "They fit just right. Like home. Speaking of home." she said looking serious. I think It's time to go now everyone is here."
In the room sat Ginny, Hermione, Neville, Harry, and Ron.
Hermione was the first to speak up.
"Neville told me about the spell you wanted Luna." She looked serious. "I can do that. You might not like what you see. I've seen Death Eaters destruction first hand."
Luna looked back sadly at the girl. "I have to know Hermione."
Everyone gathered their things and just as they were about to walk out the door there was a loud pop of apparation and Fred Weasley stood before her. Dressed for a cold night he stopd firmly. "You're not going. Not without me."
The others looked at him surprised but Luna just inclined her head as if to say ok. She could use his humor to light her dark after what she was soon to endure. The group finally set off into the night.