Chapter XVI: Dinner Arrangements

Harry was uncomfortable.

Hell, that was an understatement.

He never felt this nervous since his first date with Ginny. And was he truly in a date? It was just dinner, wasn't it?

Looking at Luna over his menu, he became entranced.

Luna being Luna was reading the menu upside down, concentrating at her choices. Her wand was tucked behind one of her ears and what's weird was a black and red rose was intertwined around the wand giving it a flare of design.

Harry was unnerved by the rose. Luna had given the first rose to Jäger as a token of friendship. Actually, it was to bribe him into not killing Harry. But she noticed another rose growing on Harry's dagger where Jäger and Hermione's blood mixed.

The rose was a symbol of failure to Harry. Failure in keeping his temper in check. Failure in protecting his friend.

But what Jäger said made him think. He said that the rose might help Harry in attaining peace of mind. Or rather, in attaining some sense of self-control. It should be a symbol of humility and not failure.

And as always, the Hunter had a point. He really must pay attention with his teachings for it may help him become a better man.

Or a man worthy of being loved.

"You are berating yourself again Harry," Luna said in a teasing tone. "I thought the whole concept of this dinner is for us to relax."

"I'm finding myself at odds end," he sighed. "Jäger didn't kill me."

"I have a feeling that Jäger only kills to lessen the pain of his human victims," Luna said, her eyes not leaving the menu. "I don't know why, but I have a feeling that someone 'drafted' him to help you."

"Drafted?" he asked incredulously.

"Hired, engaged, employed, conscripted, recruited, enlisted... he has been terribly patient with you."

"Don't remind me," he moaned. "I feel like a heel every time I remember. Can we please change the subject into something... pleasant?" with that, Luna sighed sullenly.

"There is a shortage of pleasant topics today, Harry. With the ravages of war, we are still rebuilding."

"Okay," he accepted that fact. "Can you tell me about... well... the Weasleys?"

"They are fine, considering."

"Enlighten me." Harry cringed awaiting the news he dreaded.

"Mr. Weasley has been appointed the position of Head of Muggle relations. Professor Dumbledore, who is minister of magic by the way, saw the potential of Muggles as allies in our fight against the dark. I think Jäger is a prime example of that project."

"He's not exactly muggle," he argued.

"Rumor has it the Professor enlisted the help of the hunter to form a task force in fighting the Dark Forces."

"It has always been only me and Jäger," Harry said. "I never saw any evidence of this task force."

"No offence Harry, but you're a little dense is some areas," she said as she turned the page of her menu. Harry cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment.

"Moving on," he prodded.

"Mrs. Weasley still misses Ginny," she said quietly. "But she assured me that she would survive. She told me that she saw her in a dream and that Ginny assured her that she was fine. She still is miffed that you never owled her.

"Bill has been missing for months now after a cave-in in Egypt."

"I've heard," Harry sighed.

"Charlie's still taking care of dragons. Almost got his testicles bitten off. Fortunately, he was fast. The twins kept their shop running. They said that laughter is the only way out of misery."

"And Percy?"

"Strangely, he manages and operates one of the twins' branch. He said he needed to see the smile on other people's faces for a change."

"Everyone's tired of war," Harry said as he closed his menu with a snap. "I'd be lying if I said that life doesn't sicken me. There are days that I wished I was with Ginny." Harry suddenly heard an all too familiar cocking of the gun.

At first, he thought that Jäger had overheard him but then he looked up, what he saw surprised him.

Luna Lovegood was aiming a double-barreled pistol at him while her gaze was still on the menu.

"Jäger was kind enough to lent me this," she said. "Since I don't know how to aim, this is the most suitable choice."

"I bet it is," he said dryly. Smiling, Luna uncocked the pistol and hid it from view. "He is a very dangerous man."

"And I am a very dangerous woman," she glanced at him from her menu. "You really shout stop that 'I-am-responsible-for-the-world's-suffering' rant. It's getting tired."

"It probably is," Harry sighed. But then, a thought struck into him. "You're not really going to shoot me, are you?"

Luna gave a cryptic giggle that sent his nerves of the fritz.

"Better order, Harry," she smiled as she called the waiter.

...

Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing in front of the mirror. She couldn't believe she was seeing her own reflection. Indeed, she couldn't determine if her eyes were playing tricks with her.

That is, until the mirror spoke to her.

"You look like a jewel, love," it said.

"It's a little tight," she said but in truth, it fit nicely.

Hermione was wearing a black velvet sleeveless dress with long gloves that covered most of her arm. She had a long scarf that was ties loosely on her neck and flowed down her back. The slit of her dress reached mid thigh and showed a good amount of flesh.

She could not believe that Jäger could choose something like this for her. It was luxurious, it was elegant, it was...

"Beautiful," Hermione turned towards the owner of the voice and found the object of her distraction leaning by the doorframe. He was wearing a black tuxedo but his bowtie loosely hung around his neck. His hair was sleek and brushed back that he resembled the ones he had sworn to hunt. If she didn't know any better, she'd say he was one of them.

"What are you doing in here?" she asked as she blushed. It was his gaze that made her hot. It was like he was undressing her with his gaze. She felt it but he seemed indifferent.

Inwardly, she smiled. She was beginning to understand him. Even a bit.

"It fits perfectly," he smiled. "Did anyone tell you you're irresistible?"

"My fiancé did," Hermione smiled sullenly as she looked away. "But thank you. Your attempt of flirtation, flirts me,"

"And you're worried it would be something more?" he smiled. But he had regretted to cause her sadness earlier. He felt like a heel in doing so. But with her smile, he realized that it all was fine.

"I'm not ready for 'something more'," she said. "Another time, perhaps."

"Perhaps," he said but not discouraged. "In that case..."

"Hold," she said as she walked towards him. She gently placed her hands on his chest making him swallow. Then she took his bowtie and tied it perfectly. Happy with her work, Hermione looked at his bowtie and smiled.

"There," she said. Jäger sighed and shook his head.

"Couldn't help yourself, could you?" he asked.

"No," she smiled. "You look perfect."

"I was born to be," he said sullenly. "At least, that's what they say."

"So, where to? I don't think Diagon Alley has a restaurant grand enough to be seen in these," Hermione said but noticed a conspiratorial smile upon his lips.

"We're not going to Diagon Alley," he said as he bowed. "We are having dinner in the heart of London."