Chapter 6

AN: Yes I am finally updating

It was time.

Harry was ready.

He was prepared.

He was panicking.

He had talked to Ron, his understanding, wonderful best friend who after having laughed for 10 minutes or so had actually told him something quite helpful – this was a time when elder brothers could be helpful. This was that no matter how all important this seemed, no matter how much he convinced himself that the world would come crashing to a halt with trumpets and horsemen and rains of blood, Luna would seem completely normal. Or calm, Ron had amended after thinking for a moment.

So Harry was now strolling along the street to the Weasely's shop in what he felt was a manly, controlled way ready to look for… Oh no. Harry realised he hadn't a clue what he was looking for. He had screwed up. He should turn around and go back to the castle. But then Luna would think he had stood her up. Maybe he should tell her he was sick. A sickness that had no visible symptoms yet prevented him from going out. Except he was currently outside. And there was Luna. She looked pretty. And she had seen him, so there would be no problem because he was blushing so hotly that he would spontaneously combust and solve his problem. Visions of Luna throwing herself weeping on his coffin leapt unbidden into his mind.

It occurred to Harry that if Voldemort was reading his mind right now he would probably decide he had nothing to worry about.

"Hi Harry", Harry let out a distinctly girlish squeak. "Are you ready to go look for the Low Bellied Brampfwurzel, only we should leave quickly as we may have to walk quite a way out as they don't like crowds and we need to be back fairly soon if we want to get any Christmas shopping done." Harry helplessly followed the blonde girl, his eyes transfixed on her face.

"Should we be watching Harry and Luna's date", said Neville doubtfully, "I mean isn't it sort of private."

"Don't be ridiculous", Ron said airily, "We're his friends, it's our duty to keep an eye on him, make sure everything's going OK…"

"Make fun of him when it doesn't", his girlfriends disapproving voice said from where she and Ginny were window shopping at Madame Malkin's.

"Oh come on" Ron laughed, "he was so nervous I had Madame Pomfrey ready with a stretcher in case he fainted, and he went so red it looked like Pansy had coated him in her lipstick"

"Yes" his sister added, "Because you were the definition of cool on you and Hermione's first date". Even Hermione couldn't stifle a snigger at that memory, even as she watched her hapless best friend get led away entranced by the puzzling girl, before turning to her boyfriend "Anyway, lets go, we'll meet you all later".

"Doesn't this seem callous to you", Neville said, "With everything that's happening that we're just sat here talking about Harry's love life – I mean I know Harry deserves – needs – some relaxation, but aren't there more important things going on"

"We can't just spend all our time waiting in fear, sometimes we need to just be happy". Ginny glanced at her brother who had wrapped an arm around Hermione and suddenly had it brought home to her how much her brother had been through, even as he walked off with his girlfriend.

"Harry", a familiar voice called, as he entered the bustling joke shop, Harry turned to see Angelina Johnson behind the counter. As he struggled his way through the many crowds, delighted to see the old Quidditch Captain. As he reached her, Luna floating behind him, Fred made his way over and hailed him loudly, as the popular Weasely twin seemed to be fighting off congratulations from half the school and its teachers about the large diamond on Angelina's hand. "Business booming is it Fred", Harry grinned.

"Oh yes", boomed the red head "George and Lee are frantic at Diagon Alley, help yourself to anything Harry".

"Thanks", Harry grinned "have you seen Ron"

"He said he'd see you at the Three Broomsticks", Angelina called, surrounded by squealing seventh years. Harry flashed a grin at Fred and turned to find Luna and...

"RUN"