Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

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Chapter II: Lunatic Liam.

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"Knockturn Alley?" Hermione looked at her friend with great distaste. Both women were looking at the entrance to the dregs of the wizarding world. They have agreed to start early but either of them was reluctant to enter the most horrid place they have ever seen. The last time either of them was there they almost had gotten themselves killed in pursuit of a story.

"They say that the only one who knows how to contact these hunters is Lunatic Liam," Luna said cringing. Hermione was concerned when she saw her reaction.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Lunatic Liam is a bit... odd," Luna said much to Hermione's surprise. If Luna thought someone to be odd, it was saying enough.

"How so?" Hermione asked.

"I'm not sure," Luna sighed. "I can't quite place it."

"Can we even trust his words?" Hermione asked almost apprehensively. Luna looked at her with a sad smile.

"As you did believe me, we can trust him," she said. "Being loony tends to make people ignore you. And that is how he survived. Being invisible while you are actually there." Hermione understood her friend's words. During their school days, not many people made Luna their friend. In her sixth year, only Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley became close friends with Luna. After a while, Hermione accepted her as well.

Plus she valued Luna's judgment in aspects she came to view as ludicrous. It seemed like Luna has an explanation for everything not matter how farfetched it would seem. And most of the time, she turned out to be correct.

Hermione suddenly became sullen as she remembered her two friends. She could not believe that Ginny was gone. It had been three years but she cannot accept the fact that Malfoy had killed Ginny.

It was a sad day for everyone. Mrs. Weasley was heart broken for she will never see her little girl again. The brothers were merciless as they hunted down the remaining Death Eaters and almost torturing them before bringing them to the Ministry.

And Harry, was devastated. HE was prepared to share what little life he had left with her. But, like everything he held dear, she was taken away from him. The Aurors quickly hid Draco Malfoy from Harry's wrath even though they thought he did not deserve to be protected from a raging wizard.

Only Luna Lovegood was able to tame him. She had approached him and gently held his hand. Instantly, Harry broke down in tears as he fell to his knees and buried his face on Luna's abdomen. And like a mother to a child, Luna stroked his hair as she slowly sat on the floor, gently bringing the grieving man with her.

Despite their loss, they had each other.

And then Harry disappeared two weeks after Ginny's funeral, not having said a word. But oddly enough, he sends Luna flowers on her birthday and Christmas.

That was the only contact they had of Harry. Hermione knew that Luna was still in love with her best friend's fiancé. Hermione sighed as steeled her nerves for the upcoming trek.

"Where is he anyway?" Hermione asked but before Luna can answer, a voice surprised them.

"Young mistresses looking for Liam? Yes? Yes?" a voice almost hoarse and old and a bit cheery in an eerie manner while hissing said. "Liam is Mistresses' servant. Yes? Yes?" Hermione looked at the man I surprise. His hair and long beard was grayish and shaggy. He was slouching and had a long staff to help him walk. His robes were patched, dirty and mangy. All in all, it was easy to ignore such a gnarlish creature. His hair covered his eyes so she couldn't figure out what color they were, nor did she care. Indeed, he could be invisible even though he was in the middle of the street.

"Yes," Luna smiled as she handed the man a flask. The man quickly gulped its contents. After ingesting the liquid, the man sighed and burped.

"Liam is grateful. Yes. Yes," he said as he looked at the two women expectantly.

"That's a magical flask, Liam," Luna said. "Just tell it what you wanted to drink and it will fill itself to the brim." Liam suddenly whelped in glee.

"Oh! Liam is not worthy of your kindness. Yes. Yes," he kneeled and kissed Luna's shoe with such vigor that it looked like he was smothering her shoe.

"Will you help us?" Luna asked. Liam suddenly got off his knees and bowed repeatedly to them.

"Liam help Mistresses. Yes. Yes," Liam said and looked at them in pride. "What Mistresses want, Liam gets. Yes. Yes. But Liam must warn Mistresses. Yes. Yes. Dangerous task they ask. Yes. Yes."

"We know, Liam," Luna smiled as she looked at Hermione who was clueless of what was going on.

"Then Liam will protect Mistresses. Yes. Yes," he hissed. "No one will harm Mistresses. Yes. Yes. Liam will see to safety. Yes. Yes."

"Will you really protect us, Liam?" Luna asked sweetly. Hermione didn't know how the man would protect them both.

"Liam will. Yes. Yes. Friends of scarred one. Yes. Yes," both women was puzzled by his words.

"Scarred one?" Hermione asked. Liam suddenly placed a finger on his lips to hush them.

"Walls many ears. Yes. Yes," Liam said. Luna nodded as she looked around. "Meet later. Yes? Yes?"

"Where?" Luna asked.

"Hogs Head. Tonight. Yes? Yes?" He whispered. Luna nodded and Liam bowed. "Go now. Evil eyes see. Yes. Yes." Liam scampered into Knockturn Alley leaving the bewildered reporters standing at its entrance.

"Odd is an understatement, Luna," Hermione said as she looked at her friend.

"Yet, he is reliable," Luna smiled at her. But great minds think alike however different they might be.

They both thought about Liam's words.

Who was the scarred one?

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End of 2

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A/n: Please do not hate me. Thanks.