Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
Ch.3
The next couple of weeks passed without incident. Luna had decided that she should stay with her father only as long as was necessary, and with that intention she began looking for a flat. Of course this was easier said than done since her father certainly wasn't helping the process. He seemed to have foul opinions about all the places she visited. This one was too big or that one was entirely too small. He even had the audacity to claim that one apartment was too far away! As the day of her appointment with Dumbledore drew nearer, Luna began to look forward to it with increasing anticipation. Yet, her departure didn't arrive soon enough, because the day before she was to see Dumbledore, Luna and her father had a most explosive row.
"DADDY! You are an able-bodied person who can take care of yourself!"
"Luna honey I haven't seen you for SIX YEARS! Don't you even want to consider that little place on Meandering Boulevard? You're right, I am able-bodied and I can and do take care of myself (no thanks to you), but you have been gallivanting in the muggle world without a care in the world. I was only hoping that you would have missed me enough to at least consider living close to home."
"Oooh Daddy, don't you understand? I HAVE been living on my own, without help for six years. Why should I digress now?" Luna couldn't force herself back into her father's grip; her life as a muggle had taught her how much she enjoyed freedom. Yet her father had a point, she hadn't been around, and she was sure that he was being sincere and not just inhibiting her. However, she was also certain that her dad would rather have her live in an area that she felt comfortable in, and a block away from him just wasn't comfortable. Fortunately, her dad must have been thinking the same thing, because the next moment was filled with their apologies and was entirely too jumbled to fully understand.
The next day could have been just as tempestuous had it not been for a most unexpected visitor. Luna was cleaning up the breakfast table while her father continued to chastise her for not finding a way to Hogwarts.
"I told you last week that you should have sent an owl to Dumbledore enquiring as to how to reach the school. I'm surprised you forgot to do so."
"Daddy, I did send an owl. Dumbledore hasn't responded yet." Luna was getting worried since she had indeed sent an owl almost a week before. Maybe she had mistaken the day of her appointment, but that seemed unlikely since her father insisted that he had heard Dumbledore say Tuesday, two weeks from Luna's arrival.
Placing the last plate magically back into the cupboard, she almost dropped it after hearing the door chime sound. Hastily racing to the door, a gnome figurine was forced to jump out of the way as Luna nearly tripped on it as she made her way from the back of the house. But out of all the people she expected to be calling on her father, the least likely stood on the front step.
"Apparently Dumbledore couldn't send you written instructions to Hogwarts, so instead he sent me."
"Ron! Dumbledore... wait, you are taking me to see Dumbledore?" Luna had almost slammed the door assuming Ron wanted to deliver a message from Harry. She couldn't understand why Ron appeared to be running Dumbledore's errands.
"He knew that I would be in your area and asked me to come and escort you to Hogwarts," Ron said this matter-of-factly as if this explained everything. Yet, Luna was still confused, but acted as if her questions had been answered. Peering at his right hand, she noticed an envelope.
"Oh, Dumbledore also asked me to deliver this note to your father. I guess he wanted it to seem that I was doing something of importance."
"Er... why don't you come in while I get ready?" Luna couldn't help but think of Hagrid; had Ron taken over his job?
Stepping over the threshold, Ron placed his broom in the broom-rack, where Charlie, Mr. Lovegood's smoky cat, slept. Charlie of course yelped loudly and sprang from his temporary resting place, startling both Ron and Luna.
"Oh, don't worry about Charlie," Luna's father said, "He wasn't expecting visitors. Would you like a spot of tea?"
"Thank you Mr. Lovegood, but if I'm not mistaken, Luna needs to be at Hogwarts soon," Ron replied while Luna simply collected her handbag and cloak.
"Okay, Daddy, I should be back soon. Can you –"
"I'll be fine Luna, you said it yourself just yesterday." her father wailed as he ushered her and Ron out the door again. "Oh, wait one second, accio cleansweap." They could hear a closet snap open and shut, and a couple moments later they saw a broom heading towards his hand. "I assume you'll be needing this?"
"Thank you Daddy," Luna said brusquely. She kissed her father on the cheek and headed away from the house. As she was getting on her broom, she had to ask, "What exactly do you do for a living Ron?"
"Teach Transfiguration. Only staff members know how to get to Hogwarts; that's why I'm here," Ron said as he mounted his broom.
"Really?"
"Haha, Luna, I'm usually the one that is gullible; of course other people know how to get to Hogwarts." But that's not what Luna had questioned. Ron, a teacher, and Transfiguration no less.
"How do you like teaching Transfiguration?" She just couldn't or wouldn't believe that he could teach such a difficult area of magic.
"It's okay. There is something to say for friends though. Harry has been helping me since I got the job. I have a slight suspicion that he helped get me the position in the first place." They both kicked off and Ron kept going on a bit about his job until he realized Luna had fallen behind. She couldn't help but think of Harry. She asked herself all sorts of questions: what if she saw him, what would she say, what would HE say, would he say anything? Before she knew it, she had a wild vision of Harry in her mind of him fighting between tears of joy and indifference when he would finally set his eyes upon her. She hadn't been paying attention to her speed and height, and was forced out of her scrutiny when Ron double backed and began calling out to her.
"Luna, LUNA! YOU NEED TO GO HIGHER," Ron yelled as he pointed up towards the clouds. She sped up and gained altitude, and she was soon gliding along next to Ron. Flying close to her, Ron asked, "Are you sure you know how to fly that thing," he seemed to think that she was having trouble handling the broom. "Can you go any faster?"
"I'm going as fast as I can, and apparently as fast as this broom can." She tried to make the Cleansweap go faster, but her attempt nearly threw her into Ron and she slowed down some more to gain control. "This is just a Cleansweap. What are you flying?"
"Oh my traveling broom, a Firebolt 500. I don't like using my quidditch broom for anything but quidditch."
"Oh, that's lovely. I see my father's behind in the state-of-the-art brooms as usual." Both Ron and Luna laughed at this. They stopped abruptly, realizing that it had been six years since they laughed like that together, and soon they were laughing even harder thinking they both forgot how good of friends they had become at Hogwarts.
"Do you remember when we became friends?" Luna asked once she regained the ability to speak.
"Are you kidding me? That was probably one of the most embarrassing days of my life. I actually thought you fancied me," Ron said turning slightly red.
"Yeah, but I had always assumed you were as bright as Crabbe and Goyle, but after –"
"Wait, you thought I was stupid?" Ron asked defensively before, it seemed, Luna could finish her comment.
"HA! You were always so gullible."
Well... I assumed you were recalling an actual thought."
Hmm... maybe I was."
"LUNA!"
"Okay, okay I will keep my sarcasm to a minimum for your sake."
"What did you think of me?" Ron questioned Luna as the mountains surrounding Hogwarts came into view.
"Honestly, I never try to formulate opinions of people until I know that my opinion won't need amending later. Not that my way is very reliable, but at least I give everyone at least two chances to prove their personality to me. So in answer to your question, I hadn't any opinion of you until we got to know each other."
"Oh thanks. I think."
Luna laughed at this. She nearly gasped the next instant because Hogwarts had come into view. She looked fondly upon it as she and Ron descended towards the grounds. So many memories danced in front of her eyes when all of a sudden she was torn out of her reverie.
"LOOK OUT LUNA! THE WHOMPING WILLOW!"
Luna brought her broom up trying desperately to fly high enough so the deadly branches of the Whomping Willow wouldn't make contact with her. Yet, just as her heart rate returned to normal, one of the branches tore at her robes and she was flung from her broom where she... landed softly on the perfectly trimmed grass, well out of the willow's reach. Puzzled, Luna got to her feet, brushed herself off (thought she would have to buy new robes), looked around for Ron, and saw that Dumbledore stood near her tucking his wand back into his robes. He winked at her.
"Thank y-"
"Luna! Are you alright? Let me go get Madam Pomfrey."
"It's all right. I'm okay. Dumbledore just saved..." but as she turned around to point him out, she realized that he had disappeared.
"I think that fall effected you more than you say it did, I haven't seen Professor Dumbledore at all."
"I tell you he was just here!" Yet Ron still insisted that she should see Madam Pomfrey just in case.
"Ron, I am NOT delusional! I know that Dumbledore was there; I would still be crumpled on the ground had he not!"
"Okay, I see your point," Ron said hastily as he thought of something he knew he needed to tell Luna.
"Oh yeah Luna. Um... your broom... after you fell, it flew into the Forbidden Forest," saying this last bit as if it were a hot potato, Luna grinned and shook her head.
"At least now my dad will have to buy a new one." At that, both Ron and Luna laughed until it hurt their sides.
As they walked towards the castle, Luna suddenly remembered the conversation they were having before being attacked by the Whomping Willow. "Ron, I've never thought ill of you, even when I found out that you were "in the broom closet" so to speak." She grinned sneakily at Ron.
"In the closet?" he asked defensively while blushing slightly.
"You know, you and Miss Granger. I never told you this, but I saw her and you snogging once when you thought that no one was around."
"You WHAT?"
"I thought it was always childish of you two to keep your relationship secret. What gossip you deprived the students of Hogwarts." She smiled trying to act innocent and sincere, all the while trying to egg him on.
"I just... we... I mean, can you blame us?"
At this point Ron's cheeks matched the color of a quaffle, deep maroon.
Laughing softly, she told him that it made perfect sense. By now, they were standing in the Front Hall. Seeing as how they were going in different directions they said their goodbyes.
"Ron!" Luna called as he walked toward a staircase," you wouldn't happen to know what the password to Dumbledore's office would you?"
"Butterfinger. Whatever that is." "Hmm" Luna thought. She recalled Harry telling her how Dumbledore had always had a propensity for muggle candy, yet it still surprised her to blend her two worlds.
*** "Oi, Luna, just remembered." Ron was panting as he ran to catch up with her. "I was to escort you TO Dumbledore's office, I nearly forgot!"
"Well, we couldn't have that now could we?" Luna laughed at Ron as they made their way up to the headmaster's office.
"Butterfinger," they both said simultaneously, and the gargoyle statue sprang to life. They positioned themselves so when the stairs that rose up to Dumbledore's office stopped, they would be but a few steps away.
"Please, come in," they heard before they had an opportunity to knock. Entering the headmaster's office, they noticed a sort of plaque sitting, if you consider suspended in mid air sitting, next to Dumbledore.
"Thank you Ronald for escorting Miss Lovegood to my office." Luna sniggered and glanced at Ron thinking he obviously did not appreciate the use of his proper name as he stood there beet red fascinated by his shoes. Dumbledore looked down and noticed the tear in her robes, and with a flick of his wand he muttered "reparro" and the tear was gone.
"Now, I'm sure you both are wondering what this plaque is, or rather why it is suspended in mid air." Both Ron and Luna nodded. "I have in my hand the letter of commendation for Luna's assistance in defeating Tom. This plaque is an outward representation of this letter. The Ministry sees this plaque as an extra special thank you... it seems that they wanted to make sure that you felt commended for your work." Luna blushed slightly; they really needn't bother she thought. "I have it hovering so you could see it upon entering this office. It will station itself on any wall of your choosing, and once it is passed onto you, it will not move unless moved by you. Ahem, Thank you Luna Louise Lovegood, from the Ministry of Magic.... and from myself especially."
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore." Luna was handed the letter, and to her astonishment, the plaque moved so it was hovering next to her.
"That is not all we are here to celebrate," continued Professor Dumbledore. "It seems that Ronald will soon be leaving Hogwarts for more fulfilling pursuits." Dumbledore smiled while Ron looked thoroughly confused. "Congratulations Ronald Weasley, the newest keeper for the Chuddley Cannons!" What could have been mistaken for confusion, Ron stood there without saying a word. At once his face lit up and before he knew what he was doing, Ron hugged Dumbledore!
"Sorry Professor Dumbledore I didn't –"Ron began as he pulled away quickly. But that next instant, Dumbledore had Ron in a bear hug, and when he finally let go, Luna lunged at Ron to give one herself. Ron was near tears when Luna let go; he had never been so happy his entire life. It was as if all his trouble, being the last boy in a long line of overachievers, was swept aside in an instant. Ron was speechless.
"Since Ronald needs a few seconds to regain his ability to speak, I need to ask you a favor," Dumbledore began once more as he turned his focus from Ron to Luna.
Yes, Professor?"
"Ronald's departure comes at a most precarious time, since the start of the quidditch season is at the same time as the start of Fall Term; I am one staff member short." Luna couldn't believe what she was hearing. Dumbledore pressed on, "If I remember correctly, your Transfiguration scores were the best Hogwarts has ever seen, even compared to Miss Granger." Ron shifted his weight slightly at this, he could remember all too well how Hermione had taken the news that her record breaking OWL's were beat just the next year by Luna (and again when Luan took her NEWT's). Ignoring Ron, Dumbledore finally asked, "Would you mind taking over for Ronald?"
Luna was dumbstruck; she immediately began to refuse, but Dumbledore pointed out her current situation ("I understand that you are stuck with your father for the time being?"). She said she wasn't sure if she could teach wizards. Yet Dumbledore assured her that wizards are a lot like little kids, and since she had been a teacher to young children in the muggle world, this wouldn't be much of a stretch. He also assured her that any of the staff would be happy to lend a hand if she needed it. Finally, looking at Ron nod vigorously Luna said, "Yes, all right, I'll do it."
"Great! You can move in immediately, and I'm sure Ronald would be more than welcome to show you the ropes."
Luna and Ron were about to head out when Luna thought of something. "Prof... Headmaster," she smiled weakly, "you planned this, I mean, you planned Ron and I coming to your office together and you asking me to take Ron's job once you informed Ron of making the team?" Luna asked quickly.
"Yes, Luna, and I now know you will be successful here having found me out." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he bade them goodbye.
*** "I suppose I should take you back to your father's so you can pack and get back here?" Ron asked as he and Luna walked away from the gargoyle statue.
"I think I will walk to Hogsmeade and apparate. I still need to pick up things at Diagon Alley... like a new broom," Luna replied becoming a little scared at what she had just agreed to do.
"Oh, if you are going to do that then you might as well stop by Ginny's house before you go."
"Why don't you come with me, I'm sure you will want to see them," Luna said assuming the sharp twinge in her stomach meant she didn't want to be alone with Ginny and Harry.
"Um, Ginny and I aren't on the best of terms at the moment, but I'm sure Neville and Ginny would be happy to see you. Ginny had always been one of your good friends right?" Ron asked. Obviously he didn't know what had happened between Luna and Ginny.
"Wait, Neville Longbottom and Ginny?"
"Yep, for four years now. They already have a girl and another on the way." At this point, Luna couldn't utter anything audible, Neville and Ginny? It just didn't seem possible. Finding her voice, she asked Ron to take her to Ginny's home, she had a bone to pick.
***
Turning around, Luna noticed Ron had disapparated already. The walk from Hogwarts had only increased her resentment towards Ginny. She knew she couldn't have handled Harry and Ginny together, but Neville and Ginny seemed exponentially worse at that moment. She walked up and rang the door chime to Ginny and Neville's home. Almost immediately, the door opened, and realizing who was glaring at her, Ginny tried to close the door. Luna caught the door and forced herself into the house. A child instinctively clamped onto Luna's leg.
"Come her, Georgana," Ginny called to the little girl. She couldn't be older than three, but you could already see both Ginny and Neville in her face. Surprisingly though, she didn't have Ginny's red hair. Instead, it was a dirty blonde, and it didn't appear to come from either parent. Luna smiled weakly, she almost felt envious remembering her raven black locks.
"Hello, Luna," Ginny muttered tentatively.
"Hello." Luna quickly remembered her dispute with Ginny. At this point, she was seething. "How are you?"
"Fine."
"How is Harry?"
"He is good, I really wouldn't know."
"You wouldn't? Last time I saw you, it seemed as if Harry's well-being was at the top of your list."
"Oh, he's like a big brother to me. I...I got over him a long time ago."
"How long ago?"
"Um....my....er....third year at Hogwarts."
"Huh, really?"
"Yeah," Ginny said now bewildered because she was completely lost as to what Luna was getting at.
"The last thing you said to me Ginny," it took all her might not to scream the next few words, "is that you still LOVED HARRY!"
"I just wanted to see how good of friends we were. I had just seen Harry kiss you." Ginny began to understand. "I didn't think that you truly cared for him."
"You didn't what? GINNY! I left the wizarding world so you and Harry could be together. I sacrificed my happiness for you!" Luna began to weep softly; she hadn't felt this kind of pain since she left the wizarding world. She absolutely hated Ginny at that moment.
"You should have known that your friendship meant more to me than anything! The fact that you were willing to put that on the line for some stupid test proves that we were NEVER friends!" With that Luna turned on her heel and left the house.
Ch.3
The next couple of weeks passed without incident. Luna had decided that she should stay with her father only as long as was necessary, and with that intention she began looking for a flat. Of course this was easier said than done since her father certainly wasn't helping the process. He seemed to have foul opinions about all the places she visited. This one was too big or that one was entirely too small. He even had the audacity to claim that one apartment was too far away! As the day of her appointment with Dumbledore drew nearer, Luna began to look forward to it with increasing anticipation. Yet, her departure didn't arrive soon enough, because the day before she was to see Dumbledore, Luna and her father had a most explosive row.
"DADDY! You are an able-bodied person who can take care of yourself!"
"Luna honey I haven't seen you for SIX YEARS! Don't you even want to consider that little place on Meandering Boulevard? You're right, I am able-bodied and I can and do take care of myself (no thanks to you), but you have been gallivanting in the muggle world without a care in the world. I was only hoping that you would have missed me enough to at least consider living close to home."
"Oooh Daddy, don't you understand? I HAVE been living on my own, without help for six years. Why should I digress now?" Luna couldn't force herself back into her father's grip; her life as a muggle had taught her how much she enjoyed freedom. Yet her father had a point, she hadn't been around, and she was sure that he was being sincere and not just inhibiting her. However, she was also certain that her dad would rather have her live in an area that she felt comfortable in, and a block away from him just wasn't comfortable. Fortunately, her dad must have been thinking the same thing, because the next moment was filled with their apologies and was entirely too jumbled to fully understand.
The next day could have been just as tempestuous had it not been for a most unexpected visitor. Luna was cleaning up the breakfast table while her father continued to chastise her for not finding a way to Hogwarts.
"I told you last week that you should have sent an owl to Dumbledore enquiring as to how to reach the school. I'm surprised you forgot to do so."
"Daddy, I did send an owl. Dumbledore hasn't responded yet." Luna was getting worried since she had indeed sent an owl almost a week before. Maybe she had mistaken the day of her appointment, but that seemed unlikely since her father insisted that he had heard Dumbledore say Tuesday, two weeks from Luna's arrival.
Placing the last plate magically back into the cupboard, she almost dropped it after hearing the door chime sound. Hastily racing to the door, a gnome figurine was forced to jump out of the way as Luna nearly tripped on it as she made her way from the back of the house. But out of all the people she expected to be calling on her father, the least likely stood on the front step.
"Apparently Dumbledore couldn't send you written instructions to Hogwarts, so instead he sent me."
"Ron! Dumbledore... wait, you are taking me to see Dumbledore?" Luna had almost slammed the door assuming Ron wanted to deliver a message from Harry. She couldn't understand why Ron appeared to be running Dumbledore's errands.
"He knew that I would be in your area and asked me to come and escort you to Hogwarts," Ron said this matter-of-factly as if this explained everything. Yet, Luna was still confused, but acted as if her questions had been answered. Peering at his right hand, she noticed an envelope.
"Oh, Dumbledore also asked me to deliver this note to your father. I guess he wanted it to seem that I was doing something of importance."
"Er... why don't you come in while I get ready?" Luna couldn't help but think of Hagrid; had Ron taken over his job?
Stepping over the threshold, Ron placed his broom in the broom-rack, where Charlie, Mr. Lovegood's smoky cat, slept. Charlie of course yelped loudly and sprang from his temporary resting place, startling both Ron and Luna.
"Oh, don't worry about Charlie," Luna's father said, "He wasn't expecting visitors. Would you like a spot of tea?"
"Thank you Mr. Lovegood, but if I'm not mistaken, Luna needs to be at Hogwarts soon," Ron replied while Luna simply collected her handbag and cloak.
"Okay, Daddy, I should be back soon. Can you –"
"I'll be fine Luna, you said it yourself just yesterday." her father wailed as he ushered her and Ron out the door again. "Oh, wait one second, accio cleansweap." They could hear a closet snap open and shut, and a couple moments later they saw a broom heading towards his hand. "I assume you'll be needing this?"
"Thank you Daddy," Luna said brusquely. She kissed her father on the cheek and headed away from the house. As she was getting on her broom, she had to ask, "What exactly do you do for a living Ron?"
"Teach Transfiguration. Only staff members know how to get to Hogwarts; that's why I'm here," Ron said as he mounted his broom.
"Really?"
"Haha, Luna, I'm usually the one that is gullible; of course other people know how to get to Hogwarts." But that's not what Luna had questioned. Ron, a teacher, and Transfiguration no less.
"How do you like teaching Transfiguration?" She just couldn't or wouldn't believe that he could teach such a difficult area of magic.
"It's okay. There is something to say for friends though. Harry has been helping me since I got the job. I have a slight suspicion that he helped get me the position in the first place." They both kicked off and Ron kept going on a bit about his job until he realized Luna had fallen behind. She couldn't help but think of Harry. She asked herself all sorts of questions: what if she saw him, what would she say, what would HE say, would he say anything? Before she knew it, she had a wild vision of Harry in her mind of him fighting between tears of joy and indifference when he would finally set his eyes upon her. She hadn't been paying attention to her speed and height, and was forced out of her scrutiny when Ron double backed and began calling out to her.
"Luna, LUNA! YOU NEED TO GO HIGHER," Ron yelled as he pointed up towards the clouds. She sped up and gained altitude, and she was soon gliding along next to Ron. Flying close to her, Ron asked, "Are you sure you know how to fly that thing," he seemed to think that she was having trouble handling the broom. "Can you go any faster?"
"I'm going as fast as I can, and apparently as fast as this broom can." She tried to make the Cleansweap go faster, but her attempt nearly threw her into Ron and she slowed down some more to gain control. "This is just a Cleansweap. What are you flying?"
"Oh my traveling broom, a Firebolt 500. I don't like using my quidditch broom for anything but quidditch."
"Oh, that's lovely. I see my father's behind in the state-of-the-art brooms as usual." Both Ron and Luna laughed at this. They stopped abruptly, realizing that it had been six years since they laughed like that together, and soon they were laughing even harder thinking they both forgot how good of friends they had become at Hogwarts.
"Do you remember when we became friends?" Luna asked once she regained the ability to speak.
"Are you kidding me? That was probably one of the most embarrassing days of my life. I actually thought you fancied me," Ron said turning slightly red.
"Yeah, but I had always assumed you were as bright as Crabbe and Goyle, but after –"
"Wait, you thought I was stupid?" Ron asked defensively before, it seemed, Luna could finish her comment.
"HA! You were always so gullible."
Well... I assumed you were recalling an actual thought."
Hmm... maybe I was."
"LUNA!"
"Okay, okay I will keep my sarcasm to a minimum for your sake."
"What did you think of me?" Ron questioned Luna as the mountains surrounding Hogwarts came into view.
"Honestly, I never try to formulate opinions of people until I know that my opinion won't need amending later. Not that my way is very reliable, but at least I give everyone at least two chances to prove their personality to me. So in answer to your question, I hadn't any opinion of you until we got to know each other."
"Oh thanks. I think."
Luna laughed at this. She nearly gasped the next instant because Hogwarts had come into view. She looked fondly upon it as she and Ron descended towards the grounds. So many memories danced in front of her eyes when all of a sudden she was torn out of her reverie.
"LOOK OUT LUNA! THE WHOMPING WILLOW!"
Luna brought her broom up trying desperately to fly high enough so the deadly branches of the Whomping Willow wouldn't make contact with her. Yet, just as her heart rate returned to normal, one of the branches tore at her robes and she was flung from her broom where she... landed softly on the perfectly trimmed grass, well out of the willow's reach. Puzzled, Luna got to her feet, brushed herself off (thought she would have to buy new robes), looked around for Ron, and saw that Dumbledore stood near her tucking his wand back into his robes. He winked at her.
"Thank y-"
"Luna! Are you alright? Let me go get Madam Pomfrey."
"It's all right. I'm okay. Dumbledore just saved..." but as she turned around to point him out, she realized that he had disappeared.
"I think that fall effected you more than you say it did, I haven't seen Professor Dumbledore at all."
"I tell you he was just here!" Yet Ron still insisted that she should see Madam Pomfrey just in case.
"Ron, I am NOT delusional! I know that Dumbledore was there; I would still be crumpled on the ground had he not!"
"Okay, I see your point," Ron said hastily as he thought of something he knew he needed to tell Luna.
"Oh yeah Luna. Um... your broom... after you fell, it flew into the Forbidden Forest," saying this last bit as if it were a hot potato, Luna grinned and shook her head.
"At least now my dad will have to buy a new one." At that, both Ron and Luna laughed until it hurt their sides.
As they walked towards the castle, Luna suddenly remembered the conversation they were having before being attacked by the Whomping Willow. "Ron, I've never thought ill of you, even when I found out that you were "in the broom closet" so to speak." She grinned sneakily at Ron.
"In the closet?" he asked defensively while blushing slightly.
"You know, you and Miss Granger. I never told you this, but I saw her and you snogging once when you thought that no one was around."
"You WHAT?"
"I thought it was always childish of you two to keep your relationship secret. What gossip you deprived the students of Hogwarts." She smiled trying to act innocent and sincere, all the while trying to egg him on.
"I just... we... I mean, can you blame us?"
At this point Ron's cheeks matched the color of a quaffle, deep maroon.
Laughing softly, she told him that it made perfect sense. By now, they were standing in the Front Hall. Seeing as how they were going in different directions they said their goodbyes.
"Ron!" Luna called as he walked toward a staircase," you wouldn't happen to know what the password to Dumbledore's office would you?"
"Butterfinger. Whatever that is." "Hmm" Luna thought. She recalled Harry telling her how Dumbledore had always had a propensity for muggle candy, yet it still surprised her to blend her two worlds.
*** "Oi, Luna, just remembered." Ron was panting as he ran to catch up with her. "I was to escort you TO Dumbledore's office, I nearly forgot!"
"Well, we couldn't have that now could we?" Luna laughed at Ron as they made their way up to the headmaster's office.
"Butterfinger," they both said simultaneously, and the gargoyle statue sprang to life. They positioned themselves so when the stairs that rose up to Dumbledore's office stopped, they would be but a few steps away.
"Please, come in," they heard before they had an opportunity to knock. Entering the headmaster's office, they noticed a sort of plaque sitting, if you consider suspended in mid air sitting, next to Dumbledore.
"Thank you Ronald for escorting Miss Lovegood to my office." Luna sniggered and glanced at Ron thinking he obviously did not appreciate the use of his proper name as he stood there beet red fascinated by his shoes. Dumbledore looked down and noticed the tear in her robes, and with a flick of his wand he muttered "reparro" and the tear was gone.
"Now, I'm sure you both are wondering what this plaque is, or rather why it is suspended in mid air." Both Ron and Luna nodded. "I have in my hand the letter of commendation for Luna's assistance in defeating Tom. This plaque is an outward representation of this letter. The Ministry sees this plaque as an extra special thank you... it seems that they wanted to make sure that you felt commended for your work." Luna blushed slightly; they really needn't bother she thought. "I have it hovering so you could see it upon entering this office. It will station itself on any wall of your choosing, and once it is passed onto you, it will not move unless moved by you. Ahem, Thank you Luna Louise Lovegood, from the Ministry of Magic.... and from myself especially."
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore." Luna was handed the letter, and to her astonishment, the plaque moved so it was hovering next to her.
"That is not all we are here to celebrate," continued Professor Dumbledore. "It seems that Ronald will soon be leaving Hogwarts for more fulfilling pursuits." Dumbledore smiled while Ron looked thoroughly confused. "Congratulations Ronald Weasley, the newest keeper for the Chuddley Cannons!" What could have been mistaken for confusion, Ron stood there without saying a word. At once his face lit up and before he knew what he was doing, Ron hugged Dumbledore!
"Sorry Professor Dumbledore I didn't –"Ron began as he pulled away quickly. But that next instant, Dumbledore had Ron in a bear hug, and when he finally let go, Luna lunged at Ron to give one herself. Ron was near tears when Luna let go; he had never been so happy his entire life. It was as if all his trouble, being the last boy in a long line of overachievers, was swept aside in an instant. Ron was speechless.
"Since Ronald needs a few seconds to regain his ability to speak, I need to ask you a favor," Dumbledore began once more as he turned his focus from Ron to Luna.
Yes, Professor?"
"Ronald's departure comes at a most precarious time, since the start of the quidditch season is at the same time as the start of Fall Term; I am one staff member short." Luna couldn't believe what she was hearing. Dumbledore pressed on, "If I remember correctly, your Transfiguration scores were the best Hogwarts has ever seen, even compared to Miss Granger." Ron shifted his weight slightly at this, he could remember all too well how Hermione had taken the news that her record breaking OWL's were beat just the next year by Luna (and again when Luan took her NEWT's). Ignoring Ron, Dumbledore finally asked, "Would you mind taking over for Ronald?"
Luna was dumbstruck; she immediately began to refuse, but Dumbledore pointed out her current situation ("I understand that you are stuck with your father for the time being?"). She said she wasn't sure if she could teach wizards. Yet Dumbledore assured her that wizards are a lot like little kids, and since she had been a teacher to young children in the muggle world, this wouldn't be much of a stretch. He also assured her that any of the staff would be happy to lend a hand if she needed it. Finally, looking at Ron nod vigorously Luna said, "Yes, all right, I'll do it."
"Great! You can move in immediately, and I'm sure Ronald would be more than welcome to show you the ropes."
Luna and Ron were about to head out when Luna thought of something. "Prof... Headmaster," she smiled weakly, "you planned this, I mean, you planned Ron and I coming to your office together and you asking me to take Ron's job once you informed Ron of making the team?" Luna asked quickly.
"Yes, Luna, and I now know you will be successful here having found me out." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he bade them goodbye.
*** "I suppose I should take you back to your father's so you can pack and get back here?" Ron asked as he and Luna walked away from the gargoyle statue.
"I think I will walk to Hogsmeade and apparate. I still need to pick up things at Diagon Alley... like a new broom," Luna replied becoming a little scared at what she had just agreed to do.
"Oh, if you are going to do that then you might as well stop by Ginny's house before you go."
"Why don't you come with me, I'm sure you will want to see them," Luna said assuming the sharp twinge in her stomach meant she didn't want to be alone with Ginny and Harry.
"Um, Ginny and I aren't on the best of terms at the moment, but I'm sure Neville and Ginny would be happy to see you. Ginny had always been one of your good friends right?" Ron asked. Obviously he didn't know what had happened between Luna and Ginny.
"Wait, Neville Longbottom and Ginny?"
"Yep, for four years now. They already have a girl and another on the way." At this point, Luna couldn't utter anything audible, Neville and Ginny? It just didn't seem possible. Finding her voice, she asked Ron to take her to Ginny's home, she had a bone to pick.
***
Turning around, Luna noticed Ron had disapparated already. The walk from Hogwarts had only increased her resentment towards Ginny. She knew she couldn't have handled Harry and Ginny together, but Neville and Ginny seemed exponentially worse at that moment. She walked up and rang the door chime to Ginny and Neville's home. Almost immediately, the door opened, and realizing who was glaring at her, Ginny tried to close the door. Luna caught the door and forced herself into the house. A child instinctively clamped onto Luna's leg.
"Come her, Georgana," Ginny called to the little girl. She couldn't be older than three, but you could already see both Ginny and Neville in her face. Surprisingly though, she didn't have Ginny's red hair. Instead, it was a dirty blonde, and it didn't appear to come from either parent. Luna smiled weakly, she almost felt envious remembering her raven black locks.
"Hello, Luna," Ginny muttered tentatively.
"Hello." Luna quickly remembered her dispute with Ginny. At this point, she was seething. "How are you?"
"Fine."
"How is Harry?"
"He is good, I really wouldn't know."
"You wouldn't? Last time I saw you, it seemed as if Harry's well-being was at the top of your list."
"Oh, he's like a big brother to me. I...I got over him a long time ago."
"How long ago?"
"Um....my....er....third year at Hogwarts."
"Huh, really?"
"Yeah," Ginny said now bewildered because she was completely lost as to what Luna was getting at.
"The last thing you said to me Ginny," it took all her might not to scream the next few words, "is that you still LOVED HARRY!"
"I just wanted to see how good of friends we were. I had just seen Harry kiss you." Ginny began to understand. "I didn't think that you truly cared for him."
"You didn't what? GINNY! I left the wizarding world so you and Harry could be together. I sacrificed my happiness for you!" Luna began to weep softly; she hadn't felt this kind of pain since she left the wizarding world. She absolutely hated Ginny at that moment.
"You should have known that your friendship meant more to me than anything! The fact that you were willing to put that on the line for some stupid test proves that we were NEVER friends!" With that Luna turned on her heel and left the house.
