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 5: FLIGHTS OF FANCY
Harry came down to breakfast a little early on Monday morning; his first class was Advanced Potions with Professor Snape and the last thing he wanted was to be late. He sat down next to Hermione and instinctively looked over at Ravenclaw table. There he saw Luna sitting alone, none of her Ravenclaw housemates wanting to have anything to do with her. Harry felt his temper rising, but he was determined to control it. He got up and walked over to where she was sitting, gave her a warm smile and extended his hand to her. "Come over and have breakfast with us," he said gently. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Prefect, stand up and start to walk over. Harry cast her a dangerous look and she froze in her tracks. She must have realized that discretion was sometimes the better part of valor, because she quietly returned to her seat.
Luna gratefully took Harry's hand and they walked back to Gryffindor table together. Just as they sat down, Ron Weasley came in through the heavy doors and took a seat with them.
"You're going to be late for class this morning." Hermione told him in a scolding tone of voice.
"Oh no I won't, I have a free period this morning. But I'll be thinking about you and Harry, down in the dungeon with Snape." Ron replied, looking rather smug.
"What are you going to do with your free period?" Harry asked with envy.
"Well I wanted to practice some Quidditch, but there's no one to play with. So I guess I'll just sit around the common room."
"I'll play with you." Luna volunteered.
Ron looked at her rather dubiously, but then remembered that she was his friend now. "Sure, that would be great." Ron said.
So as Harry and Hermione walked over to the stone steps that led down to the dungeons, Ron and Luna went up to their dormitories to get their brooms. They met in the courtyard and walked out to the Quidditch pitch together. Looking over at the broom that Luna carried on her shoulder, Ron thought in despair, 'This is going to be terrible, she's got an old Clean Sweep 5. She'll be lucky if she can get it off the ground.'
Luna's broom was uniquely her own. It was painted bright orange with yellow stars, and was indeed an ancient Clean Sweep 5, a broom that hadn't been manufactured in more than thirty years. And yet she carried it proudly as they walked together.
"Why don't I play Keeper and you play Chaser, and you try to get the Quaffle past me." Ron suggested.
Luna agreed and picked up the Quaffle. She then mounted her broom and took off. Ron took up his normal position at the hoops.
Luna soared high into the sky and came sweeping down at high speed towards the goal. She was aiming at the top hoop, and Ron prepared to block. Then, at the very last moment, she dropped vertically down five meters and shot through the bottom hoop. Ron couldn't believe it, how had she done that? Was he really that out of practice?
"Let's try that again, shall we?" Ron called out.
Luna zoomed down to the ground and picked up the Quaffle. She soared halfway down the pitch, turned around, and headed back. This time he was ready for her tricks, as Ron centered himself in the middle of the goal. She flew swiftly towards him, and then he realized in shock that she was flying upside-down! Yet she continued straight as an arrow, until Ron was certain that they were going to collide. Suddenly she shot up into the sky. Ron rose with her, trying to figure out her maneuver. Then in horror he realized what she was doing. She was trying to execute a tight 360 degree inside turn, one of the most difficult maneuvers in Quidditch.
'She'll never make it.' He thought in horror. 'That Clean Sweep will stall out halfway through the turn.'
But she continued the maneuver, rotating on her broom as she did so. She came out of her turn ten meters below Ron and threw the Quaffle through the bottom hoop. Ron came zooming down beside her, completely overwhelmed by what he had seen.
"That was the most incredible thing that I've ever seen." He blurted out. "All the books say that maneuver is impossible with a Clean Sweep. How in the world did you ever learn it?"
"I've practiced Chaser tactics in the meadow at home since I was a little girl. My Mother was a Chaser for Ravenclaw; and I had hoped to get on the team too."
"Well why aren't you? Ravenclaw could really use you."
Luna looked down at her hands and replied sadly. "I signed up, but they said they didn't want me. They wouldn't even let me try out."
Ron remembered how badly he had treated Luna the previous term; and now to hear how her own housemates treated her made him feel terrible. Reaching over he put his hand on hers and said gently: "We practice three times a week. Will you come out and practice with us? I could really use your help."
"I'd like that." She said softly.
"Would you like to try it again?" He asked. "This time I'll be ready for you."
"Sure." She replied. She picked up the Quaffle and shot back up the pitch. It was at that moment that Ron saw Malfoy walk onto the field below, watching them.
'Oh, great! Malfoy will never let me live this down.' Ron thought, eyeing Luna as she flew down the pitch. He felt rather certain that Luna was likely to score on him again.
When she returned she was using a rolling tactic that Ron had never seen before. She looped up ten meters and then down ten meters as she swiftly approached the goal. At the last moment he caught her eye and she nodded downwards. Somehow he knew that she was signaling the bottom hoop. Just as she reached the top of her next loop she threw the Quaffle down at the bottom hoop. Ron shot down and caught the Quaffle at the last second. He threw it back to her and she soared back down the pitch.
When she came back it was straight as an arrow and at top speed. Ron watched her face and saw her indicate the top hoop. At the last moment she dropped several meters, a move that Ron mirrored, and then just as quickly jumped upwards and took her shot. Again Ron was there and caught the Quaffle. He realized that she was deliberately making him look good in front of Malfoy.
Luna circled around and came up beside Ron as he shouted down, "What do you want, Malfoy?"
"Just a little walk," Malfoy responded casually, and walked back towards the castle.
"Thanks." Ron said sincerely, smiling at Luna.
"Your welcome" Luna said softly. "We better start back; second period will be starting shortly."
"Yeah." Ron said reluctantly. They walked back to the castle together, talking about Quidditch the whole way. Both of them had enjoyed the practice immensely, and agreed to meet again the following week.
- o -
When lunchtime arrived Ron and Harry made their way to the Great Hall, where they sat down on either side of Hermione, Ginny and Neville sat facing them.
"How was your flying practice with Luna?" Were the first words out of Hermione's mouth.
"Absolutely fantastic!" Was Ron's immediate reply. "I've never seen anyone that can fly like her. She has an old Clean Sweep, and she did things with it that I thought were impossible."
"If she's that good, why isn't she on her House team?" Hermione asked.
"She applied for it, but they told her she wasn't wanted, they wouldn't ever let her try out." Ron replied with a touch of anger. And then, looking over to Ravenclaw table, he asked: "Where is Luna, anyway?"
Ginny spoke up sadly. "She's scrubbing the floors in the Potion's Lab, and she has detention the next two nights. Lisa Turpin deliberately upset Luna's cauldron on the floor. Snape saw what really happened, but he punished Luna because of what happened to Malfoy." Looking over to the Ravenclaw Table, Ginny pointed. "There's Lisa now, smirking."
Both Ron and Harry started to rise, but Hermione put a firm hand on each of their shoulders. "This one's mine. Let me have a little talk with Lisa." She said grimly, and they all watched as Hermione sauntered over to the Ravenclaw Table and sat down next to the younger girl.
"So, how has your day been going, Lisa," Hermione began cheerfully.
"Uh…fine," she answered warily. It was very unusual for Hermione Granger to sit down at another House's table and start a casual conversation, and Lisa hardly knew the older girl.
"That sure was funny what happened to Draco Malfoy on the train, wasn't it?" And then, looking over at the Hufflepuff table, Hermione continued. "I never saw Justin laugh so hard before….You kind of like him, don't you?"
Lisa didn't reply, but was even more nervous about where the conversation was going.
"That was quite a little spell that was used on Draco, but it didn't have much staying power. Madam Pomfrey simply used the counter curse and he was back to normal. But I've been doing some work on it, so now it should take about thirty days to wear off."
"Thirty days!" Lisa exclaimed in horror. "But you…you wouldn't use it; you're a school Prefect."
"Yes, that's true. But you have to remember that my best friends are Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. We do everything together; it's just that I'm smart enough not to get caught. We have another close friend at school also. Luna Lovegood is a very good friend of ours. There's nothing we wouldn't do for her, and nothing we wouldn't do to anyone that would hurt her."
Lisa turned as white as a sheet. "I…I don't know what you mean." She said in a shaking voice.
"Oh, I think you do. And I'll tell you exactly what you're going to do." Hermione replied, no longer smiling, and now with a definite edge to her voice. "You're going to go right down to the dungeon and tell Professor Snape that it was you who knocked over Luna's cauldron. Either that or you are going to spend the next month as a donkey, starting right this minute. Which is it going to be?" Hermione had withdrawn her wand from her robes and was now staring daggers at the young girl, and obviously meant business. Lisa looked absolutely terrified as she got off the bench hastily and literally ran to the dungeon stairs.
Harry and Ron were watching all of this from the Gyffindor table, and wondered exactly what Hermione was saying to the obviously frightened girl.
"What did you say to her?" Ron asked in amazement.
"I just suggested that some of Luna's friends might not like it if she was punished for something that someone else had done. She was really quite agreeable about it."
Harry and Ron looked at her suspiciously, and then said together: "Sure, Hermione."
A few minutes later Luna came bouncing into the Great Hall and sat down next to Harry. It turned out that Professor Snape was so furious about having to reverse himself that he gave Lisa a week's worth of detentions.
"It was really quite strange." Luna said in a perplexed tone of voice. "Lisa seemed almost happy about it."
"Well imagine that," Hermione said, expressing some mock surprise.
- o -
A few days later Harry had the opportunity to see what a good flyer Luna was. Professor Snape had taken twenty points from Gryffindor because he claimed that Harry and Ron were talking too loud in the hallways, and Harry was furious. Only the day before Snape had taken ten points from Gryffindor because Harry hadn't set up his cauldron fast enough.
When they reached the top of the stone steps Ron and Hermione turned towards the Great Hall for lunch, while Harry walked towards the stairs leading to Gryffindor tower.
"Where are you going, mate?" Ron asked. "It's time for lunch."
"I need to relax; I'm going for a fly." Harry responded.
Ron started to follow him, but Hermione put a hand on his arm. "He needs to be alone," she whispered.
Harry knew he had to relax, and for Harry Potter relaxing came easiest on a broom. The freedom of flight always brought him a sense of peace and well being. As he walked to the Quidditch pitch, his Firebolt on his shoulder, he was thinking about how good it would feel to slip the bonds of earth and soar up into the clear blue sky. As he looked up from his daydream he saw someone flying high above the pitch.
From where he was standing Harry couldn't tell who it was, but they were very, very good. He watched in admiration as the person on the broom made high speed turns and loops. As the figure executed an almost vertical power dive towards the earth, Harry was shocked to see a mane of dirty blond hair flying out behind her. Yes "her," for the person who had shown such incredible grace and flying ability was none other than Luna Lovegood.
She zoomed down and landed right in front of him, out of breath from her flying. Her face slightly flushed, and her long hair in disarray; but at that moment Harry thought that she was absolutely beautiful. In her hands an old Clean Sweep 5 which had been painted orange with yellow shooting stars.
"That was incredible, Luna. Ron told me that you could fly, but I never dreamed that you could fly like that."
"Thanks, Harry." She said shyly. "Daddy doesn't really trust the floo network, so when I was little we rode our brooms everywhere."
"I envy you. It only seems that I'm really happy when I'm on a broom…" and after a moments reflection he added rather boldly, "or when I'm with you." Feeling the beginnings of a blush creeping onto his face, Harry hastily changed the subject. "Weren't you afraid of being seen, when you were little, I mean?"
"No, Daddy always put a disillusionment charm on us, so we could fly anywhere we wanted."
"When I saw how easily you rode the Thestrals last term I should have guessed that you were an experienced flyer."
"I feel so free up there, with the wind whipping my hair, I just love it." She said with enthusiasm.
Some people might think that a strange remark, but Harry understood completely. "Would you like to fly some more?"
"I would love to."
They pushed off from the ground and rose into the blue sky side by side. Harry began a series of complicated maneuvers, but Luna kept right up with him. He was really amazed at the performance she could get out of her old broom, and he couldn't even begin to imagine what she could do with a really good broom.
Then Luna asked if Harry had ever played 'Follow the Leader.' He confessed that he hadn't; as he never had friends as a child to play with. Luna didn't have friends either, but had seen the other children play. Now she challenged Harry to a game, and he eagerly accepted.
Mounting her broom, she soared off in the direction of the Forbidden Forest with Harry right behind her. Luna used the trees as an enormous slalom course, weaving through the tree tops at breakneck speed in tight turns and loops. Harry managed to keep up with her the whole time, marveling at her skill. She finally led him back to the Quidditch pitch, after having a wonderful time.
"Now it's my turn." Harry said, with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I think we need some cooling off." They both took off again and Harry led Luna out over the lake; he made an enormous 360 degree loop at high speed and swept in just inches above the water. The slip-stream from his broom sent a fine spray of mist back at her. He could hear her shrieking with mirth as she followed him, and he moved lower to increase the spray, soaking the hem of his robes in the process. He turned to look back and was shocked to see that she was gone.
At that moment he heard Luna call his name. Turning, he saw her directly in front of him, just inches away. She had accelerated over him and dropped down in front. She looked back at him mischievously, and then she dipped the toe of her shoe in the water. A heavy spray of water shot back and soaked him.
"I'll get you for that!" he shouted, laughing the whole time. She veered hard to the right, but he stayed right with her. Both of them laughing loudly as they swerved in and out, and then down low over the water. They were playing as children, something they had never had a chance to do before.
They little realized the number of eyes watching them from the shore, some benevolent and some not. Professor Dumbledore was watching their fun from the bank, and was enjoying the game as much as the children were. Professor McGonagall stood at his side.
"They fly well together, don't they," he said in a wistful tone.
"Yes they do," McGonagall answered solemnly. "This is what you wanted for Harry, isn't it?"
"This is what I wanted for both of them."
Professor McGonagall looked out over the lake again just as Luna shot a Reductor curse down into the water, sending up a fountain of spray behind her. Harry plowed through it, soaking himself to the skin. His laughter could be heard coming acorss the lake as he dodged two other fountains that Luna had caused. A smile crept over McGonagall's wrinkled old face. "Yes, I see now. I understand."
A little further along the shore stood Draco Malfoy, looking at the pair in an anything but benevolent way. At first Malfoy had been delighted that Harry Potter had chosen Loony as his girlfriend; and took every opportunity to spread disparaging gossip about their relationship. But it was now clear that his efforts had achieved nothing; Harry Potter looked happier that Draco had ever seen him. It was time for a change of strategy, but one that would have to be carefully planned. In spite of his bold words in public, Malfoy knew that Harry Potter was clearly a stronger wizard. The last thing the blond-haired boy wanted was a confrontation in which he would likely loose. But as he watched the two teens playing over the lake, he felt certain that he was up to the challenge.
After a great deal of fun the two teens were finally exhausted. Harry and Luna hovered side by side above the water, Harry facing north and Luna south. They were both soaking wet, their robes saturated and dripping, but with wide grins on their faces. Harry reached over and gently brushed a long strand of wet hair away from Luna's face, looking deep into her silver eyes.
"Thanks." he whispered.
"For what?" she replied uncertainly.
"For always being here when I need you, for always being my friend."
"I'll always be your friend, Harry."
He hadn't even realized it, but as he was speaking he was leaning further and further out, until their lips met in a gentle kiss. Soon it became a different kind of kiss than they had ever experienced before, and they both felt a deep passion come to the surface. They separated for a moment, stared deep into each others eyes, and then leaned in to renew the kiss.
At that moment, however, fountains of water began to erupt all around them, and Harry almost fell off his broom in confusion. They looked up to see Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny sitting on brooms above them, their wands drawn and laughing uncontrollably.
"Sorry to interrupt, mate." Ron shouted down with glee. "But it looked like the two of you could use some cooling off. Besides, we couldn't let you have all the fun."
With wide grins, and but a single thought, Harry and Luna attacked. In the wild melee that followed all six teens received a good soaking; but had so much fun.
After an exhilarating day of flight, the children were exhausted, bedraggled and soaking wet; but oh so happy. None of them could ever imagine having a better day, as they walked back to the castle laughing and giggling. As they approached the steps Harry saw Cho Chang and Mandy Brocklehurst eyeing Luna disapproval. Harry put an arm around her shoulders protectively; but as he did so he saw the wide smile on her face. 'She doesn't care what they think,' he realized, and suddenly neither did he. They walked past the two sour faces laughing.
In the weeks that followed Harry and Luna flew together often, and they found that they were very well matched on their brooms. On a broom, Luna was every bit as competitive as Harry was. Together they executed dazzling maneuvers in perfect harmony. And as they spent more and more time together, their relationship changed from a very close friendship into something much deeper.
- o -
That night at dinner there was more than a little laughter at the Gryffendor table, as one by one each of the teens recounted their favorite part of the 'battle.' The other Gryffendors joined into the laughter with a will, as many of them had watched the melee from the shore. Once again Harry insisted that Luna join them at the Gryffendor table. She couldn't help but enjoy herself, surrounded by people who accepted her as a friend. It was a new and very pleasing experience for her. If she noticed the scowls coming from Ravenclaw table she gave no hint of it.
"If she likes her Gryffendor friends so much, why doesn't she transfer to their House? We don't need her," Mandy Brocklehurst said angrily. "No true Ravenclaw would make such a spectacle of herself as she did today."
"Well maybe we can help her along," Cho said mysteriously. "Just give me a little time."
After the laughter died down the conversation turned to the subject of the first Advanced Defense Class, which was scheduled for that very evening in the Room of Requirement. They all eagerly looked forward to the first session, and speculated on what kinds of things they were going to learn. But Harry's mind was working along a different track.
"You know," he said thoughtfully, "I bet Moody's planning some kind of surprise for us tonight."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"Well you know what his favorite two words are, don't you?"
"CONSTANT VIGILENCE!" Ron boomed out, in a gruff imitation of Mad-eye Moody. Both Luna and Ginny broke out in giggles.
"Well, what can we do about it?" Neville interjected.
"Maybe," Luna began dreamily, "we should surprise him."
They all turned and looked at her with surprised interest. She leaned in close to them and began to whisper. As she was finishing, Harry glanced up at the High Table. Professor Moody was involved in an animated discussion with Professor Dumbledore while Tonks was involved in a much more subdued conversation with Professor McGonagall.
The six teens quietly got up from the table and went up to the Gryffindor Common Room. Ginny and Neville settled comfortably on the sofa, for their part of the plan was still some time away. Harry went up to his room and got his Invisibility Cloak; and then he and the other three went up to the Room of Requirement. Harry and Luna covered themselves with the Invisibility Cloak while Ron and Hermione used a disillusionment charm on each other; feeling the cracking egg sensation as the charm activated. And then the four waited in silence.
About thirty minutes later Moody and Tonks entered the room. They looked around carefully to make sure that it was unoccupied, and then they both mumbled a spell that made them invisible. "We'll just see how really prepared they are," Moody said gruffly.
A few minutes later Ginny and Neville entered the room and seated themselves in comfortable chairs before the fire. They casually talked about a number of things before Neville finally asked, "How do you think Professor Moody will react when he finds out that Harry and the others won't be here tonight?"
"Well why don't you ask me yourself, Mr. Longbottom?" Moody growled out, as he and Tonks became visible again. "Not very vigilant, if we had been Death Eaters, you and Miss Weasley would both be dead right now."
"No, I don't think so," Harry declared, as he pulled the Invisibility Cloak off himself and Luna. Ron and Hermonie materialized on the other side of Moody, their wands drawn. "…I think they would have been quite safe," Harry concluded.
For a moment no one was quite sure how Professor Moody was going to react to this, but then a large smile broke out on his face. A smile on his scared and distorted face made him look even more terrifying. But Moody clapped his hand on Harry's shoulder and said, "Well done, very well done indeed." That gesture caused them all to relax.
"Whose idea was this anyway?" he asked gruffly. They all pointed at Luna. "Ah, Miss Lovegood, Professor Dumbledore told me you were a very clever witch. I see he was not mistaken."
With the tension broken they all seated themselves before the fire. "I'm afraid I'm not very good with the formalities of teacher-student relations, and I'm not going to try. We're here to teach you to stay alive. You've already passed the first test, but there will be others to come. Let me explain exactly what we're going to do this year."
"We will spend our first two weeks preparing you for the Challenge Tests for your defense classes. Tonks will work with Miss Lovegood and Miss Weasley on their OWLS and I will work with the rest of you to challenge your sixth year test. Between what you've learned in your defense club, and what we will show you over the next two weeks, you should have no trouble passing."
"After you've passed your tests, Professor Dumbledore wants you all trained to Apparate; its absolute critical that you have this ability with what the future holds."
In spite of the delighted looks on the faces of the others, Hermione Granger looked quite concerned.
"Doesn't the law say you have to be seventeen years old?" she began timidly. "None of us are old enough."
"That's quite correct." Moody continued, quite impressed with the young woman's knowledge. "Normally you would indeed have to be seventeen years old to take your Apparation test. However, Professor Dumbledore has received special permission from the Ministry for you six to take your test as soon as your training is complete. Once you pass you will be issued special Apparation Certificates."
"I've heard of people splinching themselves on their first try at Apparation, is there any danger connected to this?" Neville asked somewhat apprehensively.
"No, none at all." Tonks answered reassuringly. "Those who were splinched did not receive adequate training. But I assure you that will not be the case with you six."
"Once you received your certificates," Moody continued, "we will begin the actual Auror Training Course. It will include a variety of advanced defensive and offensive curses, an introduction to wandless magic, for those with the aptitude, and conclude with training on killing curses. This last part of the course will be strictly voluntary. We also have a surprise planned for you, but that will come later in the term."
"Tonight we will begin with an examination of the fifth and sixth year course work, so we can understand exactly what we need to work on."
And with that they began to work. All of them were surprised and disappointed when, three hours later, Professor Moody told them that it was time to call it a night. But he made them feel much better when he told them how pleased he was with their progress. As they walked back to their dorms after class was over they all raved about what a great class it was going to be and how they were all looking forward to the next session.
- o -
A few days later Harry and Hermione were in Advanced Potions when Professor McGonagall entered the room. She looked very tired and quite pale, and every day of her seventy-some years old.
"Excuse me, Professor Snape, could I see you outside in the hallway for a moment?" She asked.
As he stepped out of the classroom he instructed the students to continue working on their potions, and Harry was certain that Snape was looking directly at him. A few minutes later Professor Snape returned, looking rather paler than normal, Harry thought.
"Miss Granger and Mr. Potter are excused from the remainder of the class." Professor Snape said tersely. "Please gather up your books and leave as quickly as possible."
Confused, the two teens collected their books and quietly left the room. Professor McGonagall was waiting in the hallway with Neville and Ginny.
"What…" Harry start to ask, but Professor McGonagall held up her hand for silence.
"Miss Lovegood and Mr. Weasley. Do you know where they are?" She asked, the strain evident in her voice.
"They said that they were going down to the pitch to practice some Quidditch." Harry responded.
"Please go and get them at once and bring them to Professor Dumbledore's office."
Harry didn't have any idea what had happened, but he knew it must be terribly serious. He ran up the stairs, out through the front doors, and all the way down to the Quidditch pitch. Ron had just successfully blocking Luna's shot on goal when he arrived. Seeing Harry below them, they both flew down to greet him."
"Did you see that block, mate, I…" But Harry cut him off before he could say another word.
"Not now, Ron. Professor Dumbledore wants to see all of us in his office immediately. Some- thing happened!" The three of them raced across the grass and up to the castle. As they approached the stone gargoyle that guarded Professor Dumbledore's Office they saw Professor McGonagall waiting for them. She quickly ushered them onto the moving stairs and they all went up to the office.
Entering the office they saw a grave Professor Dumbledore standing behind his desk. Ginny, Neville and Hermione were already seated as he motioned the new arrivals to empty chairs. The Headmaster looked very old and tired as he started to speak.
"I've called you here to advise you that Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters have launched multiple attacks on prominent wizarding families around the country. A number of people have been killed and many others have been taken to St. Mungos Hospital with serious injuries.
"Our families…are they alright." Ginny asked trembling.
"Yes, Miss Weasley, all of your families are fine. It appeared that Lord Voldemort selected families who were more or less unprepared. These attacks seem to have been intended to generate a maximum amount of terror. Members of the Order were not targeted, probably because they would have been better able to resist."
"Do we know what his motive was?" Harry asked.
"We're not sure. It may have been done simply to prove that he could do it, to further discredit Fudge and his administration. Or it may have been done to frighten people into submission, and lessen public support to those who resist Voldemort. On the other hand, it might have been a diversion, to divert our attention from his real objective."
"What can we do?" Hermione asked.
"There's very little any of us can do right now. Continue your training and keep your eyes open. What we need is more information. Are you still following Mr. Malfoy?"
"One of us is following him day and night."
"That's good, but two might be better. Mr. Malfoy might be our best chance to learn more about Lord Voldemort's activities. But you must be very careful; this is a very dangerous game we are playing."
At that moment a green flame blazed up in the fireplace. They all turned in that direction as a figure stepped out of the flames. It was Bill Weasley, looking grimmer than Ron and Ginny had ever seen him. He nodded to them as he walked up to Dumbledore's desk.
"There's been another attack," he said sadly, as he handed the Headmaster a slip of paper. Dumbledore read the note and then sagged down in his chair. He lifted his eyes from the paper and sought out those of Professor McGonagall.
"The Ingoldsby home near Aberdeen has been attacked." He said gently.
They all heard Minerva McGonagall take in a sharp breath. "And Lark?" She asked in a trembling voice.
"I'm very sorry, Minerva," Dumbledore answered sadly.
She covered her face with her hands and began to weep, her shoulders shaking with grief. Luna, who was sitting next to Professor McGonagall, got up and went to her. She put her arms around the older woman's shoulders and held her tightly as she cried.
There was complete silence in the room as everyone stared at the two. It would be almost funny if it wasn't so tragic. Stern old Professor McGonagall crying on the shoulder of tiny Luna Lovegood.
"Miss Lovegood," Professor Dumbledore began softly. "Could you please take Professor McGonagall down to her rooms, and will you please stay with her? I'll ask Madam Pomfrey to come up."
Luna nodded as she led the older woman from the room.
"Minerva was raised by the Ingoldsby family. She and Lark Ingoldsby were like sisters. They came to Hogwarts together and have been terribly close their entire lives. I can't imagine anything that would hurt her more." Dumbledore explained.
Then, with more resolve, he turned to Bill Weasley. "I want all members of the Order, and their families, moved to Grimmauld Place. Expand the building if you have to, but there must be no exceptions. Miss Granger's parents must also be taken there. Sooner or later Voldemort will turn from innocents and attack our people. Also, please ask your brother Charlie to arrange his leave of absence; I think we're going to need his help soon."
"How is Fudge reacting to this?"
"You know Fudge." Bill responded. "He's panicking. He wants to reduce protection on primary targets and spread Aurors around the country to respond to future attacks."
"That's ridiculous! Even if we had a hundred times as many Aurors as we do, we still wouldn't have enough to guard everyone. All that would do is set up the Aurors we do have as easy targets. I need to talk to him at once.
Then turning to the five teens he said sadly. "I'm afraid it's starting, we all need to be prepared for anything from here out." With that he dismissed them.
They made their way down to the Gryffendor common room. After what they had heard, even Hermione didn't feel like returning to class. They sat talking in front of the fireplace until late in the afternoon, when Luna finally returned; using the password that Harry had shared with her.
"Madam Pomfrey is with her right now" she said, obviously quite tired, "She gave her a dreamless sleeping potion that will allow her to get a good night's rest. I'm just going to grab a bite to eat, and then I'm going back."
"You're tired, Luna." Harry said with concern. "Madam Pomfrey can take care of her now. You need to get some rest."
"No." Luna declared, more forcefully than she had intended. "I need to be with her." And then looking into Harry's eyes she added more softly, "Harry, I do."
"Alright, then let's get you something to eat."
All six of them went down and had dinner together. They told Luna everything that Dumbledore had said after she and Professor McGonagall had left the room. "He said Professor McGonagall was raised by the Ingoldsby family, and that Lark Ingoldsby was like a sister to her." Hermione said.
"Yes." Luna said sadly. "Minerva told me that they were very close. Lark was the only family she had left. Her parents were killed when she was five and the Ingoldsbys took her in and raised her as their own.
"Don't let Professor McGonagall hear you calling her by her first name," Ron warned.
"It's alright, she said I could. I've got to get back now." With that she got up and hurried out the great doors and up the stairs.
The next morning when Minerva McGonagall awoke she found Luna sleeping in a chair next to her bed. She smiled at the sleeping child, thinking how nice it had been of her to sit up all night. Then she noticed two large vases of beautiful roses at the foot of the bed. One had a note signed Albus and the other was signed by Harry and his friends. Yes, she realized she still did have family.