Disclaimer: Same as before

A/N: I think this is one of my favorite chapters so far and shows a lot of Luna and Ron friendship and their banter is a lot of fun to write! I hope that you enjoy it!

Ch. 4

"Alright Ronald what will I be learning today?" Luna asked with a smile as she straightened her new black robes.

She had been "training" with Ron ever since she had accepted the job to take over for him. The last three weeks had become a routine; she would meet Ron at the pitch and watch him/ help him prepare for his first practice with the Chuddley Cannons, he didn't really need her help it was mostly for the company. Then they would go their separate ways and meet up in McGonagall's old classroom, Luna's new room, and go over what Ron had taught in different classes. But today she could tell would be different, Ron had created a large space in the center of the room, and there was a large basket laying the middle. Luna had no idea what Ron might be getting up to.

"First of all do NOT call me Ronald!" Luna smiled serenely while rolling her eyes, "second of all we are getting back to the basics of transfiguration."

Luna crossed the room and sat atop of the desk. Surely Ron remembered that transfiguration had been one of her best subjects second only to charms!

"Now Luna pay attention! I am going to change this apple into an orange," Ron had picked up one of the fruits from the basket and was now standing in the middle of the room.

"Really? I hadn't guessed!" She said sarcastically. Either Ron thought she was serious or was just planning to ignore her sarcasm for the time being. Since he just plowed right along she assumed it was the latter.

"I think its best to just point your wand at it and think 'orange, orange, orange'."

"Orange, orange, orange?" Luna said with a smirk.

"Yes, now watch carefully." Luna could almost see Ron saying that over and over again in his mind, and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. About 5 minutes late Ron had a lovely orange to show for his efforts.

"See? It's as easy as that!" Ron smiled at Luna, "Would you like to try or do you want me to demonstrate again?"

"No, I think I'll give it a shot." With a snap of her wrist the orange floated over from where Ron had been holding it into Luna's open palm. "So I just think apple, apple, apple. Right?" Luna stated innocently. Ron nodded quickly. Luna pointed her wand at the orange and with 2 seconds it had returned to its previous state.

"Can I try transfiguring you into a chair now?" Luna asked sweetly.

"I guess I deserve that," Ron laughed, "I had forgotten about you transfiguration prowess. I suppose we could just talk instead." Luna smiled as she began to move the chairs around the room, using wand less magic.

"So tell me Ron, how in the world did you end up being transfiguration professor, it was never your forte."

"Well that is a long story," Luna quirked her eyebrows at him, "but I suppose we have plenty of time."

"That we do!"

"Actually after the war, I began working in the muggle department with my father and Hermione at the Ministry of Magic. That's when I began to really see Hermione in a more romantic light."

Luna snorted and muttered, "broom closet" under her breath.

Ron ignored it and continued, "Anyway we began dating. One thing led to another and before I knew it we were practically living together, so I thought it might be best if we move in together." Ron looked lost in a memory, "apparently my mum did not like that idea."

What Ron then accounted to Luna she would never have thought Mrs. Weasley could have done to any of her children. Ron informed Luna that Mrs. Weasley was so upset with her son's lack of propriety that she refused to allow Mr. Weasley to keep working with Ron. This ended in a large debate within their family everyone having their own opinion and not being afraid to voice it. For this reason Dumbledore hired him as the transfiguration professor until the next Quidditch tryouts.

"Even though Hermione and I are engaged now Mum has still been awfully stubborn about it. Father can't even get her to admit that it's gone on for too long!"

"Wow." Was all Luna could say.

"Yea, family dinners are completely awkward what with mum seething at the head of the table and barely looking at Hermione and me!"

"Wow Ron, I didn't even imagine it could be that bad!"

"Didn't Ginny give you the specifics?"

"Umm Ginny and I didn't talk for too long." Luna said softly remembering their row.

"Yeah well, she's on mum's side but at least she doesn't treat me like a leper!"

Luna gave a small smile and offered the only advice that seemed fitting, "everything will work itself out in the end." Ron just sighed.

"I hope so."

"Well on a brighter not, when's the wedding?" The grin that broke out on Ron's face showed just how deeply he cared for Hermione.

"We have it set for December when Quidditch is on break."

"Congratulations Ron, I am very happy for you." She said sweetly.

"Well it's getting late and I have to get home. I will pop by in a few days during you lunch hour so you can tell me how like teaching. Don't forget to watch out for that prat Lila Morphran!"

"Don't worry about me so much Ron, I'll be fine!" Luna smiled as she walked down the corridor to her rooms that were beginning to feel more and more like home.

*** Luna checked her appearance in the mirror one final time before heading to the dining hall where most of the other professors were already seated. She adjusted her flowing dark blue robes made out of crushed velvet with silver stars embroidered on the hem of the robe. She made sure that the plaits she had put into her bun weren't crooked before she donned the matching cap.

She nervously chewed on her bottom lip as she grabbed her wand and practically ran out of the door. After all it wouldn't do to be tardy for the very first dinner of the year, especially one where she was going to be introduced as the new transfiguration teacher.

Luna reached the doors for the dining hall and removed her wand from behind her ear. "This is it." She thought as she pushed the door open and tried to walk over to the professor's table with confidence in her step. She had nearly made it without making a fool of herself when she tripped over her robe. Luckily someone was there to make sure she didn't fall.

"Easy there! Wouldn't want to hurt yourself!" came an easy laugh.

"Malfoy!" Luna breathed as she spun around, "Umm thank you."

"Your welcome – Lovegood", he said with a smirk, "Still a bit of a klutz I see." Malfoy stated after they had made it safely to their seats.

"Still a bit of a prat", Luna retorted with a smile, "Nice to see some things haven't changed." At first there was an awkward silence before Malfoy broke out into a smile. Well more of a smirk.

"No, not everything has changed." He nodded.

Luna looked around at the different professors; Snape was staring straight ahead at the entrance to the dining hall. Flitwick head of Ravenclaw house and charms professor winked at her. Hagrid smiled warmly and Dumbledore as always just smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. All of a sudden Dumbledore clapped his hands and the doors to the Great Hall opened leading in the children who scurried to their tables and awaited the sorting of terrified first years.

Luna pretty much tuned out the sorting of the new first years, she supposed she should have been paying attention to see who's children they were and if she had known their parents in the past, but she had seen every single sorting when she had attended Hogwarts. She would never forget her sorting; it was the same year that Ron and Harry crashed into the whomping willow with the flying car.

Dumbledore clapped his hands after the sorting was complete explaining to the students about certain things that were forbidden such as brooms for the 1st years unless there were special circumstances.

"Now I know that you have seen some new faces and the lack of some familiar ones. Professor Weasley has retired his position as transfiguration professor in favor of becoming the newest keeper for the Chuddley Cannons."

A murmur could be heard throughout the Great Hall. Ron had been the longest lasting transfiguration professor since Minerva McGonagall. Ever since Professor McGonagall had accepted the honor of becoming Minister of Magic the position of Transfiguration instructor was regarded as jinxed.

"Incidentally the woman who had replaced Professor Weasley indefinitely is Professor Luna Lovegood of Ravenclaw house." Dumbledore said over the cheering at the Ravenclaw table.

"Indefinitely?" Luna thought.

"Well, I guess you are a long timer huh." Draco said with a smirk. Luna smiled weakly.

By now the rumors were spreading through the hall like wildfire.

"I heard she was in the war." "I heard she suffered the Crucio Curse!"

"Her hair used to be blonde!"

"I heard she had a tryst with Professor Potter." Came a rather loud voice from the Gryffindor table.

Draco quirked his eyebrows at Luna's beet red face with that comment.

"We were only friends I swear!" Luna whispered to him. At that Draco exploded with laughter earning several strange looks from the faculty.

"Ah yes Professor Malfoy, you had an announcement to make to the students?"

Draco sputtered for a little while standing and Luna had trouble containing her mirth. It was apparent by the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes that he was gaining a great deal of amusement from Malfoy's mutterings.

"Umm...umm...returning students have a test tomorrow!" he sputtered quickly as he took his seat again.

Dumbledore smiled as Draco regained his composure.

"One last announcement before dinner can commence. Professor Potter is still in Italy but will be in here in time for classes tomorrow. Now if there are no further announcements, dinner is served."

"What's Harry doing in Italy?" Luna asked Draco.

"Oh," he snorted, "he's on holiday with his girlfriend Parvati Patil."

"Parvati Patil?!" Luna said fiercely, exhaling sharply.

"I know!" Malfoy exclaimed, "Even I think Potter can do better than THAT twit!"

Luna chuckled at this. Malfoy was proving to be more and more engaging as time passed. Anyone could see the warmth and sincerity in his eyes but he hadn't changed beyond recognition, he was still sarcastic and quick-witted matching Luna quip for quip.

"Oh! I forgot to ask! Now that Professor McGonagall's not here anymore who is the head for Gryffindor house?" Luna asked Malfoy between laughs.

"Who do you think?" Draco said with a smirk. "Harry Potter of course!"

Luna began laughing at the indignant look on Draco's face. She couldn't help wondering how Snape and Harry got on given there past dealings with each other and made a mental note to ask Draco about it later. While Draco continued to rattle on about different students Luna was only half listening to him. Her mind was lost in thoughts of Harry.

She had definitely missed him, the way he would smile at her when they were working on homework together, the way his green eyes flashed whenever he was angry, his impetuous behavior that would earn and lose more points for Gryffindor than she could count! But mostly she missed his laugh- though it was infrequent his laugh was for lack of a better word beautiful. She would never forget all the time that they spent together her 6th year walking around campus holding hands and talking, he would confide his greatest fears in her and she would bear the burden whenever he allowed her too. The last memory that crossed her mind was when he kissed her at St Mungo's.

FLASH BACK

She had just awoken from the coma Bellatrix Lestrange had tortured her into and Harry was sitting by her bedside.

"Luna! You're awake!" He exclaimed rushing to her.

"Harry?" she croaked, "why is my hair dark?" she asked looking at her reflection in the mirror from across the room.

"Ah yes, well that's a side effect from the potion Hermione came up with to help cure Crucio. She doesn't know if its permanent yet." He said enveloping her into a hug.

Luna held him tightly and could feel him shaking with fear in her arms. Then all of a sudden his eyes locked with hers and their lips met with a searing kiss. Warmth seeking warmth, lips bruising, tongues dueling for control. Finally they broke apart for much needed air. Their eyes locked once again.

"I can't lose you," he said softly.

"You won't." She whispered back.

End Flash Back

"Luna are you listening to me?" Draco asked snapping Luna out of her reverie. She was luckily saved from response by Dumbledore requesting that the staff meet in his office for a brief session.

When they reached Dumbledore's office Luna and Draco immediately chose the plush chairs at the far end of the semi circle. Dumbledore began giving out last minute details for the teachers about O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S. and what would be imperative to add to the curriculum.

"Now before we adjourn for the evening I would like to welcome Professor Lovegood to Hogwarts, I trust if she has any concerns then one of us will be readily available." He stated coolly. "Any questions before we retire?"

"Headmaster!" exclaimed Snape, "What will happen should Potter miss his first classes tomorrow?"

"Severus, I am completely confident that PROFESSOR Potter will be here and fully capable to instruct tomorrow." Dumbledore looked around the room as though reading everyone's thoughts and expressions. Which was quite possible since he was a master at legilimency. Luna was thanking her lucky stars that she had mastered occlumency and legilimency.

It seemed that Dumbledore was done scrutinizing them and bade them goodnight. Luna and Draco exited together heading toward their rooms for the night.

"Well I guess Harry and Snape don't get along? Luna questioned.

"Snape still feels he should teach Defense Against Dark Arts, but the headmaster has yet to give him the position."

"I wonder why?" Luna voiced her thoughts aloud.

"Oh well that's easy actually – Snape is brilliant at potions Dumbledore wouldn't be able to find anyone who has Snape's mastery, it would be incredibly difficult to replace him."

"Well I suppose that makes sense. But tell me more about this Lila Morphran. Ron mentioned her to me saying she was – well he called her evil." Draco began laughing uncontrollably.

"Ah yes, Miss Morphran," he began, "She reminds me of me when I was at Hogwarts."

"Oh good God!" Luna gasped with horror.

"She's not all that bad but she seems to have it out for Transfiguration Professors."

"Why?" Luna asked shocked.

"Oh well about a year ago Professor McGonagall came and taught in place of Weasley while he was ill. The rumor is that McGonagall had her do a simple transfiguration in front of the class and she couldn't do it."

"Why would Professor McGonagall have her do anything in front of the class? I don't recall her doing that when were students."

"Yes but we were all to terrified of her to act out and talk back in class."

"She talked back to Professor McGonagall?" Luna asked openmouthed.

"Well that's the rumor." Draco said with a smirk.

Luna knew she was going to have to be careful with this student. If almost all the professors thought she was bad news then that couldn't be a good sign.

"Don't worry about it so much Luna, I'm sure everything will work itself out in the end!" he said comfortingly.

"Thanks."

Soon they had reached Luna's room. Draco told her that he would stop by after his final Herbology class tomorrow, just to see if she had any questions. And with a brief look he walked down the hall. Luna leaned against her door and sighed. Did she really just have moment? And with MALFOY no less!

Luna shook her head in an attempt to shake off the tremors that were traveling through her body. She quickly looked back at Malfoy's retreating figure and her lips curved into a smile. Life at Hogwarts was definitely going to be interesting.

A/N: Well there is only ONE way for me to know if any of you actually like this story and that would be for you to review so PLEASE!!!!!! If anyone has any suggestions or things that they would like to see in the story drop me a line at my email addy with the subject heading FANFIC IDEAS! Hehe! Oh and I am already working on Chapter 5 so that should be up sometime this weekend!