Disclaimer: The characters and their world are the property of J.K. Rowling, various publishers and Warner Bros. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: My special thanks to aliceravenclaw and John Adams for all their help in beta reading this story and keeping me on character with Harry and the gang. Also for their many suggestions that made this story better than it would have been.

CHAPTER 3: STRENGTH UNITED

Sleep did not come easily to Harry Potter that night, and by midnight he stopped trying. Thinking perhaps a bite of food might help, for sixteen year old boys are always hungry, he trudged downstairs looking for the leftover turkey from dinner. As he passed the door of Edward Lovegood's study, he noticed the flickering light of the fireplace. Peeking inside he saw Luna's father settled in an overstuffed arm chair going over some papers.

Looking up from his work, Edward Lovegood smiled at the young man standing in the doorway. "Good evening, Harry, I thought I might be seeing you tonight."

"You did…why?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Well, when I said goodnight to Luna she told me about your outing to the Rain Cave. I remember the day, almost thirty years ago, when Luna's mother first took me there. I couldn't sleep that night either."

"Luna's mother took you to the Rain Cave?

"Yes, Harry, when I was not much older than you are now. I first met Elizabeth Shaw in my sixth year; she was in Ravenclaw and I was in Hufflepuff. By summer break I was hopelessly in love with her. Her parents invited me to spend the summer here with them, and one rainy day she took me to the Rain Cave."

"But what does it all mean?"

"It means that Luna, like her mother, believes in honesty. You two are becoming closer, and she wants you to know the truth about herself." Seeing Harry blush slightly, he hastily added, "It's alright Harry, I know you and Luna are fond of each other, and I couldn't be happier. Luna's been alone too much of her life."

The older man then motioned Harry to a comfortable chair opposite him. "This story started a thousand years ago, when conditions were bad for our kind throughout Europe. It was called the 'Burning Time,' and groups of Witch Hunters searched every town and village for magical folk. The Shaws were driven from village to village until they finally came to this forest. At that time a family of Wood Nymphs lived here, one of the last family bands in Britain. The Shaws asked if they might stay and make their home here, and the nymphs agreed.

Do you know anything about Wood Nymphs, Harry?"

"Only that they're supposed to be extinct."

"Yes…extinct," Edward Lovegood said sadly, "extinct for almost eight hundred years….They were remarkable creatures, Harry. Their whole world revolved around protecting their forest and the creatures that inhabited it. Back then men had even less regard for the natural world than they do today. They cut down whole forests, hunting animals to extinction and blighting the land in every way possible. But for some reason the nymphs welcomed the Shaws, and invited them to build their home in the meadow, this home.

For two hundred years the two families lived here peacefully, working together to protect the forest. The Shaws established the magical wards, designed to keep out both muggle and magical folk. But the time of the nymphs was passing, and eventually only a handful were left. It sometimes happens like that, Harry," Edward said sadly. "Their time had simply passed. As each nymph died she was laid to rest in the little valley near their home; and from each grave sprung a wild rose bush. It's said in the family that so long as there are roses in the valley, the spirits of the nymphs remain to protect the forest.

One night the last nymph came to this house to say goodbye, passing on the responsibility for the forest to the Shaws. The next morning they found her dead in the cave. The Shaws regard the protection of this forest as a sacred trust; and to consecrate this trust, every child of the family is born in the nymph's cave. As a parting gift, the nymphs endowed their cave with some of their own magic. Each child born there carries some of that magic with them; that's what makes Luna so uniquely herself.

Do you understand what I'm saying, Harry? Luna is the last of the Shaw line. Her life is bound to this forest. She must always return to it, as her children must. Any man who loves her must understand and accept that. I was raised in Diagon Alley; my father owned a shop there. I was expected to take over the family business. I had to decide what I wanted more, and I chose Elizabeth."

Harry sat silently for several minutes before looking Edward Lovegood squarely in the eyes. "Thank you, Sir, now I understand."

"You're welcome Harry. I generally work late at night. If you every feel like talking, about anything, please come down."

It was nearly 2:00 A.M., but Harry felt he could sleep at last. Thinking about what he had been told, he found that he respected Luna even more than he had before.

- o -

The next morning, as they were eating breakfast at the kitchen table, a dark object screeched through the kitchen window. It looped around the kitchen twice before landing on the table.

"Oh, isn't it adorable," Luna gushed at Ron Weasley's hyperactive owl.

"Oh yeah, adorable," Harry answered smiling, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Harry removed the parchment and began to read, his smile was soon replaced with a frown.

"Dear Harry,

I hear you're stuck at Loony Lovegood's this summer. How about escaping and joining us for the rest of the summer. Hermonie and Neville are staying here until term starts. We can play some Quidditch.

P.S. I don't know how you've stood it.

Ron"

Harry didn't realize it, but Luna had been reading the note over his shoulder. He could see that she was on the verge of tears.

"I'll understand if you want to go, Harry, really I will. I know he's your best friend, and you must be terribly bored here."

Harry stood and took hold of her hands, focusing her eyes onto his. "I'm not in the least bit bored and I have no intention of leaving here one minute before I have to. And one more thing, you are my best friend!" Luna's eyes widened as he spoke, and Harry realized that he meant every word of it. "Do you have a quill and some parchment?"

She brought some over to him from the sideboard, and he began to write:

"Dear Ron,

Thanks for the offer, but I'm very happy here. I would love to see you, but I'm going to stay here the rest of the summer. As for Luna, she's wonderful. You shouldn't call her names, she's a good friend.

Harry"

And then he got an idea. "Luna, could we ask them to come over for a picnic? I'd love to see them."

"That sounds wonderful, Harry."

Quickly he added a postscript to his note: "Why don't all of you come over for a picnic on Monday. I promise you it will be a day you'll never forget." He quickly attached the note to the small owl's leg and sent him on his way.

"Would you like to go for a swim today?" Harry asked.

Luna immediately brightened and gave him a dazzling smile. "I'd love to."

- o -

But Ron was not smiling when he got Harry's note, in fact, he was extremely worried.

"There's something wrong, Hermione, I just don't get it. Harry always spends the end of summer with us. And what do you think he means by saying Luna's wonderful? Could she have put some kind of a spell on him?"

Hermione looked at him in exasperation, "Well I seriously doubt that. And the only way you're going to find out is if we go. I want to see Harry."

"It's just that she's so…well…loony."

"I advise you not to say that in front of Harry; he seems to have taken quite an interest in her."

Ron looked absolutely shocked by Hermione's remark, but with a sigh agreed to the picnic.

He hastily wrote an acceptance note for all four of them, and sent it off.

- o -

Later that evening, after Luna had gone to bed, Harry made his way downstairs to Edward Lovegood's study. Seeing Mr. Lovegood sitting at his desk, Harry knocked on the frame of the open door.

"Good evening, Harry. Come in and sit down." Luna's father waved him to a comfortable chair by the fire, as he himself got up and took a chair opposite.

"Excuse me for interrupting, Mr. Lovegood, but may I have a word with you," Harry asked nervously.

Puzzled by his formality, and trying to put the young man at ease, he responded, "I always have time to talk to my friends, Harry. And please call me Edward, my father was 'Mr. Lovegood.' I prefer to use first names."

"I know this is not my place, but could I talk to you about Luna?"

"You can talk to me about anything, Harry."

"Thank you, Sir…err, Edward. I've become very fond of Luna this summer, and I was wondering if something couldn't be done to make her time at school better. In order to carry out her mission, she's allowed herself to be abused and ridiculed by most of the school, especially those people in her own house." Edward Lovegood looked especially distressed by Harry's words. "Luna has taught me that I need the support of my friends, and Luna needs that same kind of support."

"What are you asking of me, Harry?" Edward Lovegood asked, distress clearly evident in his voice.

"I know I have no right to, but I'm asking you to let her other friends know the truth about the two of you. She needs them to understand and support her. I trust them with my life, and I believe you can trust them as well."

Edward Lovegood leaned back in deep thought. "You may be right, Harry. But the decision is not mine alone, I must consult with Albus." Using his wand he immediately extinguished the fire and threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace. As the green flame shot up he leaned into the fire and clearly asked for "Professor Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts School." Professor Dumbledore responded immediately, and Luna's father asked if he could join them for a few minutes. A minute later Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the flames resplendent in dark blue robes decorated with silver stars and moons.

"Won't you please have a seat, Albus, we have something we need to discuss," Edward said, motioning to a comfortable armchair next to Harry's.

"Before we start, Professor Dumbledore, I want to apologize for my behavior in your office last term. I was wrong, and I'm very sorry."

"You've changed, Harry," responded Dumbledore thoughtfully. "I too am sorry, you're becoming a man and I was still treating you as a child. I'll try to do better in the future."

"I also want to thank you for allowing me to come here for the summer. Spending time with Luna has really allowed me to get my life back on track."

"Yes, she's a remarkable young woman, Harry. I'm very glad you know the truth about her, she needs your friendship as much as I think you need hers."

"That's why we've asked you here, Albus," Edward Lovegood interjected, "Harry feels that the secret should be shared with the other students who visited the Ministry. In this particular circumstance I agree with him."

"Luna's taught me that our strength lies with our friends, Luna needs friends that know the truth and will stand by her."

Dumbledore thought about this for a long minute, and then agreed. "But I want to be present when they are told, so I can impress upon them the importance of keeping the secret."

"They'll be coming over for a picnic on Monday; could we tell them then?"

"Very good, I'll be here at ten."

The next morning Harry told Luna what he had done. At first she was somewhat apprehensive about it, fearing that her ability to help might be impaired, but Harry managed to convince her otherwise. By the weekend she was as excited about it as he himself. "It will be so nice to have some girl friends that I can really talk to; not that I can't talk to you, Harry."

"It's alright, I understand completely," Harry replied, pulling her onto his lap and kissing her neck.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville went by Portkey to the Lovegood home early Monday morning. They were weighed down with a large picnic hamper sent by Molly Weasley. Ron was having trouble concentrating on Harry's "problem" with Luna while the fragrant aromas of home cooked chicken and Blackberry pie was emanating from the hamper.

But the sight that greeted them when they appeared in front of the Lovegood cottage snapped Ron back to reality. Harry and Luna were standing out front holding hands and smiling.

"He's not under a spell, eh. Well what do you call that?" Ron muttered to Hermione. And even she looked a bit worried at his broad smile.

As Luna led then towards the house, Ron held Harry back. "Don't worry, mate, we'll find a cure."

"A cure? A cure for what?" Harry responded, thoroughly confused.

"Loony's put some kind of a love spell on you. But we'll find out what it is and break it," Ron said reassuringly.

Harry's eyes blazed with anger, and Ron stepped back in shock. "Don't call her that," Harry snapped savagely. "And I'm not under a spell."

Now Ron was the one who was confused. "Well if you're not under a spell, then what's up with you and Loo…err, Luna?"

"The same thing that's up with you and Hermione, but I'm not embarrassed to admit it."

"I…I don't know what you're talking about," Ron stammered. And then, quickly changing the subject, he asked: "But why Luna Lovegood, she's not really very pretty? You can do a lot better than her."

The anger once again rose in Harry's eyes and he said defiantly "There's no one in the world better than Luna, and to me she's beautiful. Don't say anything more, Ron. You're going to feel bad enough when Dumbledore tells you the truth."

"Dumbledore! Is he here?"

"Right inside waiting for us."

As they entered the living room of the Lovegood home, Ron was embarrassed to see that everyone was waiting for them. In addition to his friends, Professor Dumbledore and a grey haired man, whom he took to be Luna's father, were seated there.

"Good morning, Mr. Weasley. Thank you for joining us," Dumbledore said with a smile, motioning to a seat next to Hermione. Harry took a seat next to Luna on the sofa. No one in the room failed to notice that he took her hand. Professor Dumbledore and Edward Lovegood glanced at each other and smiled.

"Last term I made a serious mistake. I treated Harry as a child, and not as the young adult that he has become. I failed to recognize that this is your war as much as it's ours. The outcome of this conflict will dictate your futures. Last week I apologized to Harry, and today I want to apologize to you."

"The six of you have formed an unexpected, but a very powerful team. The future of our cause may very well rest upon all of you remaining united as a team. Such an alliance requires complete trust and honesty. That's why Harry requested your presence here today. It's time you learned the truth about the Lovegoods and their contribution to our cause."

"This is Edward Lovegood, Luna's Father," Professor Dumbledore said, laying a hand on the man's shoulder. "He has been a member of the Order of the Phoenix since the first war. Using the extensive contacts of the Quibbler, he's been able to gather valuable information on Lord Voldemort and his activities. At the same time, he's been able to keep the magical community informed of the truth of what's going on."

"And now you need to know the truth about Miss Lovegood as well," he said, smiling at Luna. "Would you like me to tell them, Luna?"

Luna nodded to the Headmaster.

"Miss Lovegood has been fighting a very lonely part of our war, but a very important part. For the past few years she has been playing a role for the school; one that has allowed her to gather important intelligence for the Order, but at the same time has subjected her to the ridicule and abuse of her fellow students."

"You asked her to do that?" Hermione asked in outrage.

"It's never been a question of asking, Miss Grainger; we've never been able to stop her. I've spoken to her on numerous occasions asking her to leave this work to the adult members of the Order, but to no avail. Miss Lovegood, if you haven't noticed, is a very strong and determined young woman. And at times her information has proven extremely valuable. But now I think she can be even more valuable working as a part of your team. I feel that Lord Voldemort is preparing a major offensive, and I believe that you can profit from her unique instincts. You would be very wise in following them." Dumbledore looked very pointedly at Harry.

In the past such a pointed remark would have gotten a rise out of Harry, but now he just nodded his head and smiled. Professor Dumbledore didn't need to tell Harry to listen to Luna; he had learned that lesson on his own.

"I hope you all understand that this information is strictly confidential. No one outside this group may know about it. Does anyone have a question? No? Well then enjoy your picnic; you have a lovely day for it."

The four of them were so shocked at this point that they had too many questions to narrow it down to just one, but there was one more revelation to come.

"There's something I need to tell you as well," Harry began, "so there'll be no more secrets between us. Last term all of you thought that the prophecy at the Ministry was lost. Well it wasn't. Professor Dumbledore was present when it was first made, and told me its contents." He could feel Luna squeezing his right hand supportively. "It said that either Voldemort or I must die at the hands of the other, we can't both live. That means I have to be either victim or murderer. I just wanted you to know that if you stand with me you're standing with a marked man."

When he finished speaking Luna leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and whispered, "I stand with you." His other friends immediately made it clear that they stood with him also, to the end.

With tears of gratitude in his eyes, Harry suggested that it was time to go on their picnic.

When the teens had left for the forest, Professor Dumbledore took Edward Lovegood's hand. "Now I'm certain we're going to win."

Luna led the teens out into the forest, with Harry and Ron bringing up the rear with the hampers. Ron hadn't said a word since their meeting with Dumbledore, and he looked very self conscious.

"Uh…Harry?"

"Yeah Ron."

"You were right…about Luna….Sometimes I'm such a git!"

"It's alright, I'm glad you know the truth. And Ron, I think you should talk to her too. She read your note last week….I think it hurt her."

Ron winced at the thought. "I'll talk to her today," he promised.

On the way to the waterfall, where they would have their picnic, Luna led them to a shady little glade. She surprised Hermione by asking her to close her eyes. Ron noticed the wide grin on Harry's face as Luna led Hermione into the glade; the others following close behind. Luna reached into a clump of bushes and gently removed something brown and furry, and placed it in Hermione's arms. The older girl opened her eyes to see a brown and white creature with a small crumpled horn in the center of its forehead.

It's a Snorkack, isn't it?" Hermione asked in awe.

"One of the last," Luna answered softly.

Later, as they were leaving the glade, Harry saw Hermione give Luna a tight hug, smiling as tears poured down her face.

After a cool swim and a good lunch, the six teens stretched out on the beach and relaxed. Harry noticed that they had all paired up, he and Luna, Ron and Hermione, and surprisingly, Ginny and Neville seemed quite close.

Later in the afternoon Ron and Luna had a serious talk together, at the end of which Luna kissed him lightly on the cheek. Ron was blushing like a beet, but seemed much happier with himself.

Later, as the six of them walked back, they all agreed that they had never had a better day. Somewhere along the way Luna asked if they would like to spend the night; to which the response was an immediate yes. Luna's father was delighted with the idea, and arranged to excuse himself early to work in his study, leaving the teens in possession of the living room. They talked and laughed until well past midnight.

Hermione was up at the crack of dawn the next morning, happily examining the books in the Lovegood's library. Luna had given her permission the night before and Hermione was delighted with the opportunity. She was amazed at some of the rare volumes, including some very rare papyrus scrolls from wizards in the Egyptian New Kingdom Period. The library also contained Merlin's original spell books and a diary of Rowena Ravenclaw.

"It's really fantastic," Hermione gushed, as Ron had to practically drag her into the kitchen for breakfast.

"Yes, Monie, I know," he said in a bored tone of voice, "But you have to eat now."

While they were sitting at the table eating, a large Barn Owl flew in through the open window with their school letters. Ron, Hermione and Ginny had all been named school prefects and Harry had been named as Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. At the bottom of each letter was a note written in gold ink stating that third-year students and above would need dress robes for a Yule Ball.

Luna, who had never had dress robes, said she was going to have to get them.

"My old robes are too short. Why don't the two of us go together? We want our robes to complement each other, after all." And then after a slight pause for effect, Harry asked sincerely, "You will go to the Ball with me, won't you?"

Luna blushed sweetly and answered, "I'd love to."

"Will you go with me, Hermione?" Ron asked; a bit embarrassed that Harry had put him on the spot without any preparation.

Hermione was shocked, "Ron, you're not going to wait until the last minute this year?"

"I guess Harry's a good influence on me."

"Well I guess he is. I'd love to go with you."

Everyone now turned to Neville, and they were all surprised when he confessed that he had already asked Ginny, and that she had accepted. "I wasn't going to risk someone else asking the prettiest girl in school first, and I figured we were due for another Ball this Christmas." Ginny turned pink at his complement, but leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Harry glanced over at Ron, concerned about his possible reaction to this news; but he was pleased and was surprised to see a smile on his friend's face.

They spent the rest of the day at the pool by the waterfall. All except Hermione, that is. Nobody could pry her out of the Lovegood's Library. As they got ready to go home that afternoon, everyone said how much they had enjoyed their visit. Before leaving Ron suggest that they all meet at Diagon Alley the next morning to buy their books and school supplies. Harry was delighted at how close they had all become.

- o -

That evening, when Edward Lovegood returned home, he had a very worried look on his face. After dinner he called Harry and Luna into his study, and closed the door. The two teens sat next to each other on the sofa, while Mr. Lovegood sat across from them in an arm chair.

"I've just learned some troubling information about Lord Voldemort," he began gravely. "And Professor Dumbledore wanted Harry told immediately. My agents on the Continent have reported the recent disappearance of several renowned alchemists, as well as several members of their families. In addition to that, a number of noted historians, specializing in early Greek and British history, have also disappeared under similar circumstances. Members of the Order and the Ministry of Magic are working on this, and are providing protection to other likely targets. We've also learned that Voldemort is searching for magical relics connected to early Greece and Britain. We really don't know what he's up to, but we know it's not good."

"Have you had any recent dreams or visions, Harry? Anything that might give us a clue as to what he's after?"

"No, I've had nothing but good dreams since I've come here," Harry responded, glancing over at Luna.

"There's one other thing, but I have no idea if it has any real significance at all. A number of rare books on the Arthurian Period have been disappearing from Muggle and magical libraries over the past month. The pattern of these thefts seems to indicate a high degree of organization."

As they got up to leave the room, Edward held Harry back for a moment. "I need to speak to you privately tonight, will you come down later?"

Harry nodded.

- o -

Later that night Harry went down to Edward's study, and knocked on the closed door.

"Come in Harry….Please close the door behind you."

As Harry sat down opposite Luna's father he noticed that the older man's face was pale and drawn. "Is there something wrong, Sir?"

"Yes, Harry, I'm afraid there is," the older man replied gravely. "There's something more that I need to tell you….Something I didn't want to mention in front of Luna. This afternoon I also learned that the two agents that provided me with the information about Lord Voldemort's activities were found tortured to death. I'm reasonably sure that before they died they revealed my part in gathering this information. That means Voldemort will be looking for me very soon."

"How soon?" Harry asked in shock.

"I really have no idea. But if there's one thing I've learned about him, it's that he doesn't act impulsively. He'll take his time with planning, and then act decisively."

"Then I'll stay here with you," Harry said firmly.

"No! It's important that you go back to school and complete your training. I don't want you or Luna here. I've taken all possible precautions and Professor Dumbledore has assigned several members of the Order for my protection."

"Why don't you come to Hogwarts with us? You could publish the Quibbler from there, and you would be safe."

"I can't run away and hide, Harry." Edward said sadly. "I have a job to do, just as you do. If he comes for me I'll face him, and I pray I'll make my daughter proud."

"But I don't want anything to happen to you," Harry said, his voice cracking and tears rising in his eyes.

"Well don't put me in my grave quite yet," Edward responded with a grim smile, "I'm still planning on bouncing my grandchildren on my knee someday….But just in case I can't, I want to ask you to watch over Luna. Arthur and Molly Weasley have agreed to raise Luna as one of their own children should the need arise; but she needs more than that, she needs you Harry."

"I'll always be there for Luna, I promise you," Harry said with grim determination.

"That's all I needed to hear. Now I can do as I must."

As Harry stood up to leave he suddenly turned around and looked at the older man. "Please don't leave us," he said, and then quickly left the room.

Edward watched him go and smiled to himself, then said under his breath: "If I had a son…"

- o -

As Harry lay in his bed later that night, staring at the ceiling, he knew he would never be able to sleep. The silver moonlight flooded into the room through the open windows, making it almost as bright as day. Harry turned over to face the door to Luna's room. How could she ever stand her father's death? In his heart he knew that she couldn't, she loved him too much. Harry made up his mind to talk to Dumbledore as soon as he returned to Hogwarts; there had to be something more he could do.

Suddenly the door swung silently open and a dark form entered his room. Harry recognized it immediately as Grimmy as she walked over to the side of the bed. The wolf put its front paws on the side of the bed and pulled herself up until she was hovering over Harry. She looked down at him and whimpered with concern. She then dropped down and ran back to the door, turning back at the last minute to look at him. The message was clear, and Harry jumped out of bed and followed.

As he peered through the open door into Luna's room he saw her in her bed bathed in silver moonlight. He could hear her sobbing, and see her trembling slightly. He silently walked over to the side of her bed and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?" he whispered. As she looked up at him he could see silver tears on her cheeks, and his heart cracked. He sat down on the bed and took her in his arms. She buried her head in his chest and continued to cry, her warm tears soaking his pajama top. Harry gently stroked her back and kissed the top of her head as he tried to calm her down. Finally she was cried out and there were only sobs left.

She pulled back and looked up into his face, her eyes red from crying. "I'm alright now Harry. I really am."

"You know, don't you?"

"I was in the kitchen making him a cup of hot chocolate; he does so love it. I heard the two of you talking through the flue in the kitchen fireplace. It's connected to the fireplace in his study."

"Look Lu, you could talk to him. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore would let him publish the Quibbler from Hogwarts. He would be safe there."

She smiled at him wistfully, and laid a gentle hand on his cheek. "I must let him do what his duty requires." She said sadly. "And I must never let him know that I know."

Harry looked into her silver-grey eyes and marveled at this young girl. "You're so brave." He whispered, and kissed her gently. As he stood up to leave he looked back into her sad eyes, knowing full well that she wouldn't sleep a wink. Her eyes held such courage and such sadness that it tore at his heart. She was still holding his hand.

He stood there for a minute, thinking, and then said: "Move over." She looked up at him questioningly for a moment, and then smiled slightly and scooted over. Harry lifted the covers and climbed in beside her. He wrapped his arms around her protectively and she laid her head on his chest. Just as she was drifting off to sleep she whispered: "Thank you, Harry."

As Harry himself was falling asleep he made up his mind that he wanted Luna to always be a part of his life.

- o -

When Harry awoke the next morning he found that he was looking into a pair of beautiful silver eyes.

"Good morning, sleepy head," she giggled. "I didn't think you were ever going to wake up."

Harry yawned and stretched, bring an arm down around Luna's shoulders. "I didn't want to wake up," he said sleepily, "I always sleep so well when I'm with you."

Luna smiled, and colored slightly. "Well, it's time to get up. We're meeting Ron and Hermione at Diagon Alley in two hours."

"Aw, can't we sleep for another hour." He said, giving her that sad puppy-dog look that always melted her heart.

"Well, okay. But I think that I should tell you that Dad sometimes likes to look in on me in the morning."

The look of shock and fear that appeared on Harry's face was something that Luna would always remember. The young boy practically flew out of the bed, caught his foot in the ruffle of the bedspread, and fell face first on the floor with a loud thud.

Harry looked up from the floor where he had fallen and saw Luna on the bed, rolling back and forth, laughing uncontrollably. She was pointing at him with one hand and holding her midsection with the other, laughing until tears ran down her face.

"What's so funny?" He managed to spit out, as he slowly got to his feet.

"You are!" She managed to gasp, her eyes sparkling with tears of mirth. "You looked like a frightened Snorkack. You know Dad always goes to work at seven, and now it's nearly nine," she giggled, pointing at the clock on the bedside table.

Harry looked first at Luna, then at the clock, and then back at Luna. Then he started to laugh as well. She had gotten him, and she had gotten him good.

"Alright Lu, you got me." Harry said, standing over her. "Now it's my turn," and with that he dived onto the bed and started to tickle her. They rolled around on the bed laughing for some time until they stopped and stared into each others eyes.

"Do we really have to go?" Harry asked.

"If we don't, they'll come looking for us," answered Luna breathlessly.

"Well. If we must we must." Then after a pause he observed, "I see you're feeling better this morning."

Luna looked suddenly quite embarrassed, and lowered her gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry, Harry." She mumbled. "I lost faith in Dad…and…in you. I was very wrong. I know Dad will come through this alright, and I know that you'll win in the end. I have faith in you." She said with conviction, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "And Harry…thank you for last night."

Harry pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "I love you so much, Lu."