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 9: BEWITCHED
Harry and Ron sat in the Gryffindor Common Room playing a game of Chess. It was the night of the Yule Ball, and they were all wearing their dress robes. Harry in particular looked rather dashing in his Royal Blue robes with silver fastenings. The months of Quidditch practice and defense training had helped Harry to fill out considerably; and lately he was getting more than a few appreciative glances from the girls of his own and other houses. But none of that really mattered to Harry, he only had eyes for one girl; but where was she? Luna had come over early in the afternoon, and she and Ginny had been cloistered up in Hermione's room ever since. 'Why did it always take girls so long?' Harry wondered.
"Checkmate." Ron called out. Harry looked down to see Ron's Queen decapitate his last major piece, a very trembling Knight. It was Harry's third loss in a row, and his chess pieces were beginning to threaten a mutiny.
Sitting on the table next to Harry was a package wrapped in silver and green paper and a crystal vase containing two dozen perfect silver-pink roses. Ron looked at them enviously, and realized that he really should have gotten Hermione something.
"You know, Harry." Ron began, waving at the roses, "It's just a dance. Don't you think you're going a little overboard?"
"No." Was Harry's simple response, the slightest of smiles creeping onto his face.
"I know what you got her for Christmas, and then this on top of it. Aren't you worried about spoiling her?"
"Luna?" Harry asked incredulously. "Absolutely not."
Ron shrugged his shoulders. "Want another game of chess?"
"Sure." Harry responded. As they began to set up the board for another game, Harry caught Ron's eye. He nodded in the direction of Neville Longbottom, and Ron glanced over. Neville was sitting nervously in a chair by the fire, looking up at the bronze wall clock as it ticked off the seconds. Both boys knew that Neville was terribly fond of Ginny, but that he was having a real problem with his shyness. Neville wanted so badly to say and do just the right things, and the strain was beginning to show. Harry had told him to just relax and let it happen, but that was easier said than done.
Harry looked from Ron's eyes over to Neville and then down at the chessboard. Ron thought for a moment and then got the idea.
"Hey, Neville." Ron called. "How about a game of chess. Harry isn't much of a challenge and it will take your mind off…err, things."
"Um…Okay." And Neville stood up and changed places with Harry.
As Harry watched Ron and Neville begin to play, his thoughts drifted to how differently things had developed for the six of them. Ron and Hermione had liked each other since third year, but had wasted two years in constant bickering. They were both strong and independent people, with very different personalities. Their relationship, until recently, had seemed more like a struggle for control than a romance. In the last six months, however, they had finally begun to relax and accept each other. Harry wondered if it wasn't the war against Voldemort that finally made them realize that time was precious, and not to be wasted.
Neville and Ginny had a completely different problem. For them it was not a question of aggressiveness, but one of shyness. They clearly liked each other very much, but feared doing or saying the wrong thing. Neville had gained a great deal of confidence over the last year, but he was very inexperienced with girls. But Ginny was patient and gentle, and Harry was sure she would bring him around in the end.
Harry could understand Neville's fears all too well. His own experience with Cho Chang had been very similar. Neither of them really understood what the other needed or wanted. Harry understood now that it wasn't all her fault; she just wasn't ready to move into another relationship so soon after Cedric's death. If Harry had been more patient and understanding he might have been able to help her through her grief. Still, he was glad things had gone the way that they had; now he had Luna, and she was absolutely perfect for him.
He thought back to their early days together. Luna had made it so easy for him. He never felt that shyness around her that Neville felt with Ginny, nor the frustration he felt with Cho. Wondering why that was, Harry came to the conclusion that it was because they had become best friends first, and fell in love after. Remius Lupin once told him, when talking about Harry's parents, that it is always special when best friends fall in love; the trust is always there. He only realized now how true Lupin's words were.
It was at that moment that Ginny came down the stairs from the girl's dormitory. Neville looked up from the chessboard and was stunned by how nice she looked. He went over and took her hand gently in his and said, "You look incredible."
Ginny blushed bright red, but whispered "Thank you," and kissed him on the cheek, causing him to blush as well. Harry knew that the two of them would make it, it was clear that they were right for each other.
"Where's Luna and Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Hermione is just finishing Luna's hair. They will be down in just a minute." Ginny responded.
"She didn't need to go to so much trouble. There's no way Luna could be any more beautiful to me than she already is." Harry said sincerely.
At that moment Luna and Hermione came down the stairs. Harry took in a deep breath when he first saw her. It was like he had never really seen her before. To Harry, Luna was bewitchingly beautiful, looking so much like her mother that it startled him. Harry took another deep breath, to find his voice, and stepped forward and took her hand in his. In the most serious tone he could master he said, "Well, you've done it to me again."
Luna looked quite uncertain as she responded, "Did what?"
"Proven me wrong. I was just telling Ginny that there was no way they could make you more beautiful than you already are, but I was wrong. You've never looked lovelier."
It had been a long time since Luna blushed around Harry, she knew him too well for that kind of shyness, but at that moment she did. Then she gave him a dazzling smile and a kiss on the cheek. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other in shock; they could never have imagined Harry Potter saying anything so sweet and romantic.
Harry picked up the wrapped present and handed it to Luna. And then, much to Ron's surprise, Harry handed the roses to Hermione. She accepted them uncertainly, and came close to tears as she read the card. It said: "With all my thanks to the best dance teacher, and the best friend, in the world. Harry." She smiled widely and gave Harry a big hug.
Then Luna handed her present to Ron. The note read, "To a wonderful friend who helped me when I needed it, love Luna." The box turned out to be a case of chocolate frogs. Ron blushed slightly pink as he kissed Luna on the cheek, and then turning to Harry he said. "Don't forget, mate, I have a dance with this lovely lady tonight."
"You do," Harry responded. "But just one."
Then Harry reached down and picked up a small white box, and handed it to Luna. Through the clear lid she could see that it contained three perfect orchids, two in light blue to match her robes and one in the purest white. With a loving smile she asked him if he would please pin them on for her. As he pinned the corsage to the shoulder of her robes he kissed her gently on the cheek and told her again how beautiful she looked.
Neville and Ron handed Ginny and Hermione similar boxes, and received kisses from the girls as they pinned them on. Although, the way Ron's hands were shaking, Hermione was certain he was going to stick her with the pin.
The three boys had discussed corsages weeks before, and Neville had volunteered to have orchids sent from his greenhouses at home. He had been raising orchids since he was a young boy, and was very proud of some of his rare specimens. Madam Sprout had offered to make them up for her favorite student and his friends, and everything went off perfectly.
A smiling Luna took Harry's arm and they headed out the portrait hole, with the others following. As they reached the bottom of the grand staircase, Harry and his friends joined the throng of other students waiting for the great oak doors to be opened. The Ball was to start promptly at eight o'clock, and so the six mingled with the other students and waited. As Harry glanced around the room he received a sudden and unexpected shock. There, across the room, he saw a smirking Draco Malfoy leaning against the wall staring at him. He had his arm around Pansy Parkinson, and whispered something in her ear. Then the two of them sauntered over.
"Potter and Lovegood, I see that the two of you are still together. A perfect match if I ever saw one." Draco said sarcastically.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Harry said through gritted teeth, his hand tightening on the wand inside his robe. At that moment Luna laid a gentle hand on his arm and he relaxed ever so slightly.
"I can ask anyone I want to the Yule Ball." Pansy sneered. "So naturally I invited Draco."
"That's only because no one else would take you." Ron interjected.
"You want this out right now, Weasley?" Draco demanded angrily.
"I think I'd count my numbers first if I were you, Draco." Hermione said sweetly. "You're a bit outnumbered."
Malfoy looked at the six determined faces in front of him and decided that she might be right. "Another time, Weasley; there will be another time."
At that moment the great oak doors opened and the students flooded in. As they entered the Great Hall, Harry noticed it was decorated very much like his first Yule Ball. Twelve beautifully decorated Christmas Trees lined the walls, and Holly and Mistletoe hung everywhere. A light snow fell from the starlit sky of the magical ceiling, disappearing the moment it touched anything solid. An enormous Yule Log burned brightly in the great fireplace, making everything warm and cheerful. A hundred fairies criss-crossed the hall, leaving trails of red, blue and silver stars.
Everything was the same, and yet, looking down at Luna, Harry realized how completely different it was. Luna's eyes were even wider than normal, if that was possible, as she took in the beauty of the Great Hall at Christmas. Harry remembered, much to his regret, that Luna had missed his first Yule Ball. She had told him how she had sat at the window of her dorm room and watched the couples in the garden below. This year, with Luna, everything was new and magical.
They selected a table near the front of the room. Harry, on his very best behavior, carefully pulled out her chair so Luna could sit down. When he sat down next to her, he saw her waving up at the High Table. He turned to look and was surprised to see a familiar grey-haired man waving back at his daughter. Edward Lovegood was seated at the faculty table next to a smiling Professor McGonagall. She was dressed very stylishly in wine-colored robes and had silver combs in her hair. She didn't look at all like the stern head of Gryffindor House that Harry knew.
Looking along the faculty table Harry noticed a number of new faces, and next to Professor Dumbledore, a familiar old one. There sat Grizel Dane, who Harry remembered from the Hogmead Autumn Faire, talking animatedly with a smiling Professor Dumbledore. The old man's eyes were twinkling like they did in the past, before Voldemort had returned, and Harry couldn't help but smile.
"It looks like our headmaster has a date." Ginny giggled.
"A perfect date." Luna corrected dreamily, and Harry couldn't agree more.
The most surprising sight of all was Professor Severus Snape. No one could remember Professor Snape wearing anything but black, but here he was dressed in rich Turquoise colored robes with silver fastenings. His hair was clean and nicely styled. And the greatest shock of all, he was actually smiling at Madam Pomfrey, who sat by his side.
At that moment Professor Dumbledore stood and raised his arms. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen," he began. A hush fell over the room and all eyes turned towards the Headmaster. "I would like to welcome all of you to the Hogwarts Yule Ball. This year you will notice something different, I have invited the faculty to bring guests of their own, so we can all enjoy the Ball. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our special guests, the Weird Sisters and The Moonspinners."
Harry looked over to the stage and saw two very different bands. The Weird Sisters, dressed in multi-colored metallic robes, played the most contemporary of wizarding music, aimed primarily at a teen audience. The Moonspinners, on the other hand, was a classical string orchestra specializing in ballroom pieces. They were dressed in formal black concert robes, which couldn't have clashed more with the colorful dress of the Weird Sisters.
"Music is a magic all of its own, and we hope you will enjoy both of the styles that will be presented here tonight." With that remark Professor Dumbledore took his seat and the Weird Sisters began playing their first number. After they finished, the Moonspinners played their first number. The music couldn't have been more different. The first was rather loud, and very contemporary; while the second was a soft and romantic waltz from the previous century. The teachers and their guests took to the floor for the second piece. Few students choose to participate, as this form of dancing was foreign to them. Instead they sat at their tables and talked or stared open-mouthed as their instructors waltzed around the dance floor. Two of the few students who did choose to dance were Harry and Luna; their first dance together had been a waltz, and they rather liked them.
They didn't realize it, but as they danced together the two teens received more than a few appreciatively glances from their fellow students; just as they had when they flew together. Harry waltzed Luna dazzlingly across the floor with a grace that surprised everyone; except perhaps Professor Dumbledore. From the broad smiles on their faces everyone could tell they were having a wonderful time. Their unlikely relationship was now accepted by half the school; although those in Ravenclaw still thought Harry was crazy, and the Slytherins thought he was merely showing off.
Dancing near to Edward Lovegood and Minerva McGonagall, the two smiled at each other knowingly. The older couple seemed to be having a wonderful time.
Glancing over, Edward Lovegood smiled at the two teens. "Be careful, Harry, dancing to this kind of music your fellow students might think you a bit odd."
Harry smiled back at the older man. "That's okay. Most of them think I'm rather odd already."
Luna whispered something in Harry's ear and he smiled; partly because her warm breath tickled and partly because it was a good idea. Harry stopped dancing and tapped Edward Lovegood on the shoulder. "May I cut in, Sir?" He asked, a bit uncertainly.
Luna put her arms out, and her father, smiling broadly, took her in his arms and began to dance across the floor. Harry, a good deal more self-consciously, put his arms around Professor McGonagall, and began to dance. The student body stared on in complete silence, totally shocked by what they were seeing.
"That was a very nice gesture, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall said, a smile on her face.
"Thank you, Professor. But, uh…is this proper?" Harry asked uncertainly.
Smiling warmly she answered. "Yes, Harry. Tonight it's quite proper, and I thank you for asking me." And then, after a moment, she added. "You've really matured in the past few months; Luna has had a profound influence on you."
With that Harry relaxed, and really enjoyed the rest of the dance.
After the second dance concluded, Professor Dumbledore announced that dinner would then be served. Golden plates appeared in front of each student along with a small menu card. Harry remembered the procedure from his last Yule Ball, and explained it to Luna. She was intrigued by the system, and called for Roast Beef, mashed Potatoes and Peas. Harry thought this an excellent choice, and asked for the same. The house elves had done themselves proud, and Harry made a mental note to go down to the kitchen and congratulate Dobby. Just as they were finishing, Draco Malfoy strolled casually over to the table.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Ron demanded.
"Just to ask how your dinner was. You may not realize it, but you did me a favor when you helped get me expelled. It was only after I left school that I really started to learn the important lessons, the ones that will really matter. I have you to thank for it; you can be sure I won't forget." He said maliciously, a gleam in his eye.
From out of nowhere Luna asked Draco, "Did you ever read Animal Farm, by a muggle writer named George Orwell?"
"What did you say?" Draco asked, somewhat unnerved by her change of subject.
"Animal Farm. It's a book by a writer named George Orwell. Did you ever read it?"
"What….No….What has that got to do with anything?" Draco responded, now completely confused.
"Well you really should, you know." Luna said in her old misty way. "It's about this group of evil pigs that were trying to take control of the farm they lived on." Then she tilted her head to one side and looked at the blond headed boy very intently. "You know Hermione, Draco would look very interesting as a pig, don't you think?" With that she took her wand out and held it in her hand thoughtfully.
The blood drained out of Draco's face and he became deathly pale. "You stay away from me… you…you freak!" He shouted in horror, backing away from the table. Not watching where he was going, the terrified boy stumbled over an empty chair and fell to the floor in a heap. Glancing up he saw Luna smiling at him mischievously, and waving her wand back and forth. He scrambled to his feet and stumbled backwards towards the door, the whole room laughing at this most comical scene. As he ran out of the Great Hall a flustered Pansy Parkinson followed him, looking completely humiliated.
Everyone at the table was still laughing when the Moonspinners began to play their next number. Harry got to his feet and was about to ask Luna for the dance when Ron beat him to it.
Looking at Harry in a mock serious manner, Ron asked. "May I ask your lovely and talented partner for the next dance?"
"Why of course you may, my good sir." Harry responded with a flourish of his hand. "If I may ask yours?"
"But of course." Ron replied, with a gallant bow.
Luna and Hermione were both laughing as the two boys led them onto the dance floor, accompanied by applause from some nearby Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs who had witnessed the Draco Malfoy affair. The Ravenclaws and Slytherins were too shocked to say or do anything.
It turned out to be a wonderful night, and one that they would always remember. After the last dance was over Harry walked Luna back to Ravenclaw Tower. It was late, but he really didn't want to say goodnight. It had been a perfect night with the perfect girl; but he also felt a strange sadness. Something in the back of his mind seemed almost fatalistic about this night, and he desperately didn't want to see it end. When he tried to look to the future it was so uncertain; would they ever have a night like this again? Luna seemed to understand and feel the same way; she took his hand, and looking deep into his eyes, suggested a visit to the Astronomy Tower to look at the stars. Harry eagerly agreed.
It was a cold, blustery night on the tower; but thanks to a warming spell and their winter cloaks they barely felt it. They sat together on the battlement, and held each other tightly. Six hours later, as the first pink light of dawn showed in the eastern sky, they were still there. Very reluctantly they left this special place and returned to their dorm rooms to pack. Edward Lovegood had invited Harry to spend the Christmas holidays with them, and he had eagerly accepted. The train would be leaving early, and they still had much to do. When Harry kissed Luna at the entrance to the Ravenclaw Tower, it was with more passion than Harry knew he possessed. Desperately clinging to his shoulders, Luna seemed to understand what neither of them could express in words. They were defying both the Fates and the future; they could only be certain of this one moment in time, and they both wanted to take the full measure of it.
- o -
The return trip to King's Cross the next day was quick and enjoyable. The six teens had gotten a compartment to themselves and occupied their time with exploding snap, chess, and excited talk about Christmas. Molly Weasley had invited the Lovegoods, Longbottoms and Harry to come to their home on Christmas Eve for dinner and opening presents, and everyone was excited.
For Harry, the Lovegood's home always felt warm and safe and secure, like the home he had always dreamed of. Grimmy met them at the front door and escorted them up to their rooms, wagging her tail madly. A fire was burning in the hearth as he entered his bedroom; the weak winter sun coming in from the west facing windows gave the ancient wood paneling a particularly warm glow. He stretched out on his bed to soak in the warm feeling, just for a minute, and fell asleep. He was awakened with a start when both Luna and Grimmy jumped into the middle of his bed.
"Wake up, sleepy head." She exclaimed. "You promised Grimmy and me a run in the woods, and we want it, now!"
Grumbling something about hyperactive females, Harry dragged himself out of bed and followed them down the stairs. When Luna and Harry changed themselves into their Animagus forms, Grimmy didn't know what to make of it. They still smelled the same, but they looked completely different. But Grimmy was a smart wolf, like all of her kind, and she adapted quickly. Soon all three of them were out in the meadow running and playing and having a wonderful time. They continued until it had become completely dark outside, and even longer. Finally Edward Lovegood had to call them in, they had a big day planned for tomorrow and they needed at least a little rest.
- o -
Harry and Luna were having breakfast in the Lovegood kitchen the next morning when they heard a knock at the back door. Harry had reluctantly agreed to go to Diagon Alley with Ron and help him find a Christmas present for Hermione, and he expected that it was him. He was surprised when Luna returned with Ginny and Hermione, who sat down at the table and started to help themselves to his blueberry waffles. Harry smiled good naturedly, and put in another batch of waffles.
"What are you two doing here?" Harry asked.
"While you're helping my brother with his Christmas shopping, the three of us are going through the Lovegood library looking for Avalon," Ginny said with a grin.
"Harry, can you do me a big favor?" Hermione asked, a serious look on her face.
"Sure."
"Try to steer Ron away from more books."
"I thought you loved books."
"I do, but I'm sixteen years old now. Maybe he could get something just a little bit romantic."
Ginny's eyes twinkled mischievously. "I know what he can get, Harry. Before school started Hermione and I were at Diagon Alley. She saw a lavender silk nightie at a shop called the 'Pink Witch' that she really liked."
Hermione turned bright red and gave Ginny a dirty look. "Harry, don't you dare!" She exclaimed. "I said a little bit romantic, but nothing like that."
Ginny then looked over at a smiling Luna. "Well maybe if Hermione isn't interested, you might consider it for Luna."
Without the trace of a blush Luna responded. "Harry knows I only sleep in flannel nightgowns."
"With little purple Snorkacks on them." Harry added with a grin.
At that moment there was another knock at the door. Ignoring the shocked expressions on the faces of Ginny and Hermione, Harry got up to answer the door. It was Ron and Neville, and after Ron had gorged himself on three of Harry's blueberry waffles, they left for Diagon alley.
As Harry had promised, he steered Ron away from Florish and Blotts and into a boutique for teenage witches called "The Pretty Witch." Both boys felt highly uncomfortable, but Harry had good luck immediately. Right inside the door there was a display of Cashmere sweaters. He got one in lavender for Hermione and one in pink for Ginny. He knew the girls would love them; they were soft, pretty and feminine.
Ron continued to search as Harry excused himself to do some other Christmas shopping. He got a Broomstick Servicing Kit for Ron at Quality Quidditch Supplies and an Asiatic Mimbulus Minbletonia for Neville. Neville already had the European variety, but Harry knew he wanted an Asiatic variety as well. Just as Harry was about to go in search of Ron he felt something strange. He felt himself being drawn into an alley next to Quality Quidditch Supplies. At the end of the alley was a faded sign that read "Precious Things." For some reason Harry was drawn to the shop.
As he entered the door the dust from the floor swirled up into the air. The dappled sunlight coming in through the windows reflected off the particles, giving the interior a misty and unreal appearance. Harry began to casually wander around the shop, looking into the many glass display cases. He wasn't quite sure what kind of a shop it was. There were charms and talismans that appeared Middle Eastern, masks and ebony statues from Africa, and medieval armor and weapons that were obviously European.
As Harry looked around he was unaware of a pair of eyes that watched him from a shadowy corner. Once they had been bright blue, and quite intense; but now, with age, they had softened and became a more lavender color. The old man watched appraisingly, and then smiled slightly, his ancient face crinkling as he did so. 'Yes, he's the one,' the old man thought, and stepped out of the shadows.
"I've been expecting you, young man." The old man said, in a voice that still carried strength, despite his age.
Harry nearly jumped out of his skin as he spun about, pulling out his wand as he did so. He was instantly ready for anything. Anything, that is, but what he saw. The old man before him was thin and drawn, and his hair, long past grey, was snowy white. Despite the ravages of age, his face reflected courage and determination, and his eyes were filled with compassion.
"Your reflexes are quick, young man; but unnecessary. I'm an old man and can do no one any harm."
Harry looked into the gentle eyes and felt shame. "I'm sorry, sir. You startled me."
"It's quite alright. It's best to be vigilant. There is evil abroad in the world, and you have a dangerous mission." Ignoring Harry's startled expression, the old man turned to the counter and picked something up. Then he turned back and slowly made his way across the shop to Harry.
"These are meant for you, Harry…" the old man said in a haunting voice. "And for she who loves you."
Without even looking at the boxes Harry asked, as if in a trance, "What do I owe you?" Strange, because somehow he already knew there would be no charge.
"The cost has long since been paid." The spectral figure said, smiling sadly.
Harry stared at the old man's face. He wanted to engrave every line, every wrinkle, on his mind, so he could never forget. Somehow he knew this was a most important meeting; a meeting beyond time.
"Thank you." Harry said, almost reverently, and extended his hand.
"No, Harry…" The old man said, firmly gripping the boy's hand. "Thank you."
In a daze Harry left the shop and returned to Diagon Alley. He sat on a bench outside of Quality Quidditch Supplies. He sat there for a long time, looking down at the two ebony boxes in his hands. As his wits returned to him, he slowly opened the larger of the two boxes. It contained a finely crafted silver necklace inlaid with dark blue stones. It was a moon and stars motif, and Harry thought it very beautiful.
The second, smaller box contained two rings. Each was finely crafted of gold and silver, and was inset with a small turquoise stone. It was clear that one was designed for a man and one for a woman.
Harry knew that these were terribly expensive. There was no way he could accept them; and yet somewhere in his mind he knew they already belonged to him. He walked back up the alley to the shop, and found that the door was locked. Peering in through the dirty windows, Harry saw that the shop was now completely empty, everything had vanished. Glancing down at the floor, he saw only his own footprints in the dust.
Returning to the main part of the alley, Harry entered Quality Quidditch Supplies and asked to speak to the manager. A stylishly dressed wizard came out from the back of the shop. "May I help you, Sir?"
"Yes, I would like to ask you about the shop at the back of the alley."
"Shop? What shop?" The wizard asked, clearly perplexed.
"It's called 'Precious Things.' I'm trying to find the older man that runs it."
The manager looked even more perplexed. "Precious Things? That shop has been closed for almost twenty years. Its owner was killed by You-Know-Who in the first war. It always had a bad location; the owners have never been able to rent the property since."
Harry thanked the man and left, more confused than ever. He was deep within his own thoughts as he returned to the Lovegood home, the two small boxes in his pocket. For some strange reason he felt he could trust the old man who had given him the unique objects; though in these dangerous times he really couldn't understand why. Nevertheless he fully intended to discuss the whole incident with Edward Lovegood later that evening.
As he walked into the entry hall he saw Ginny crossing ahead of him carrying a small tray of sandwiches. She squealed when she saw him, grabbed his hand, and dragged him into the library.
Luna and Hermione were sitting at the table concentrating on a large, black leather bound volume. The second he entered Hermione exclaimed excitedly that they had found something important. As Harry sat down and looked at the book Hermione began to explain what they had discovered.
"You know that legend says that the mists of Avalon can only be raised on one day of the year." She explained excitedly. "Well this is Merlin's actual spell book, and it says here that the spell to raise the mists can only be cast at dawn on the Festival of Beltain. That falls on May 1st. Beltain was one of the most important of the Celtic festivals."
"We also learned that the sword is bound to Avalon by an unbreakable charm. Only a knight of pure heart and spirit can take the sword from where it lays." All three girls looked at him expectantly, and Harry had the uncomfortable feeling that they expected him to be that knight. There was more information contained in the book, but it was in some kind of a cipher, and would take time to work out.
Without waiting for Harry to absorb these first bits of information, Hermione preceded with the next bit of shocking news. "There's one other thing. We already knew that the spell could only be cast by a Priestess of the Goddess Brigit. We found out that those women all came from the same family, and were supposed to be related to the goddess by blood. It doesn't give the name of the family, but it does say that they were known to have bright silver eyes and had a very close affinity to nature."
Harry looked over at Luna in shock and surprise as she smiled back at him shyly.
"You don't mean that…"
"Well we don't know for sure." Hermione interrupted. "But it certainly seems to fit. We're going to go through some old family documents and see if we can confirm it."
This worried Harry. If Voldemort ever found out that Luna could raise the mists, it would make her a prime target. Then he had a thought.
"Luna, besides your father, do you have any other family?"
"My Mother's brother is the only one I know of. He married an Austrian woman when I was a little girl. They live somewhere near Salzburg. We haven't seen them in several years."
"Do they have any children?" Harry asked, his concern growing.
"Yes, they have a little girl. Her name is Freda, and she must be about eleven or twelve years old. You don't think that Voldemort might…" Luna asked in horror.
"I think we need to contact Professor Dumbledore immediately." Harry answered tensely.
Harry put in an immediate floo call to Professor Dumbledore, and within five minutes he was seated in the Lovegood living room. He was most impressed as the girls told him what they had discovered; but his expression turned grim when Luna told him about the possible Lovegood connection to the Priestess of Brigit.
"You've all done very well," Professor Dumbledore said with a grim smile. "I'll have members of the Order contact your uncle immediately, and see to it that he and his family are moved to a place of safety. With your permission, I'll also make a copy of this spell book, so experts in the Department of Mysteries can also work on the cipher. We'll also have genealogists study Luna's family history to determine if there's a connection to the Goddess Brigit; somehow I have a feeling that there is.
- o -
Later that night, after dinner, Harry went to see Luna's father in his study. The two ebony boxes in his pocket. He had decided to give Luna the necklace for Christmas, but only if he was certain that it was safe. As he sat down opposite the older man, Edward Lovegood could see the very serious expression on Harry's face.
"How can I help you, Harry?"
"Something happened today at Diagon Alley that I can't explain, and I want to talk to you about it." Harry said, taking a deep breath. "I was shopping with Ron when something seemed to come over me and draw me into a strange shop, one that I had never noticed before. The wizard, I guess he was the owner, gave me these." Harry said, handing Edward Lovegood the two boxes. "He wouldn't charge me for them; he said 'The cost had already been paid.'"
Edward Lovegood opened the larger of the two boxes and gasped at what he saw. He ran his fingers across the silver necklace, as if compelled to touch it to prove that it was really there. Then with trembling hands he opened the smaller box. Harry noticed the color drain from the older man's face. For several minutes neither of them said anything, but Harry was visibly shaken by Edward Lovegood's reaction to the contents of the boxes.
Finally Luna's Father began to speak in a somewhat shaky voice. "You say these were given to you at a shop in Diagon Alley? Can you describe the shop, and…and the man that gave them to you?"
As Harry spoke he was well aware of how intently Edward Lovegood was gazing at him. "The shop was called 'Precious Things,' and it was located at the end of an alley near Quality Quidditch Supplies. The man appeared to be quite old, ancient really. He had snow white hair, lavender eyes and was quite thin."
"That was my Father, Harry." The older man said without hesitation. "Luna's grandfather."
"But didn't you tell me Luna's grandfather was dead?"
"He is dead, Harry. He died three years before Luna was born. He died in his shop facing Voldemort. My father was one of the first members of the Order; he fought against evil all of his life. Voldemort hated him."
"Your Father is a ghost?" Harry asked in shock.
"No Harry, not a ghost. Not my Father. A ghost was someone that was afraid, for whatever reason, to move on from this life into the next. My Father was never afraid of anything." Edward Lovegood said, a strong note of pride evident in his voice. "No, Harry, somehow he managed to come back from wherever he was to bring you these. He must have thought it so important that not even death could stop him. That was the kind of man my Father was. I've always regretted that he never saw his granddaughter."
Harry suddenly remembered something that the old man had said during their meeting. "He told me that 'These were meant for me, and she that loves me.'"
Edward Lovegood smiled slightly, "Then he knows he has a granddaughter, that explains it."
"Explains what?" Harry asked, rather confused.
Edward Lovegood showed Harry the two rings. "It explains these. I haven't seen these rings in six years, since Luna's Mother was killed. He must have been holding them since then. These are my family's Pledge Rings, Harry."
"What are Pledge Rings?" Harry asked curiously.
It's an old custom with some wizarding families. I'm afraid few practice it today. These rings were given and accepted as a pledge of eternal love, Harry. I gave Elizabeth this ring when she was sixteen."
"So it's like an engagement ring?"
"No, Harry, its much more than that. These rings are given to bind one soul to another. It's a bond that doesn't just last for a lifetime, it lasts for eternity. Marriage is a legal contract that unites two people for a lifetime; but these rings create a union for this lifetime, and all that comes after it. Our parents, hers and mine, considered us to be truly married from the day that we first pledged each other, even though we didn't marry until Elizabeth came of age"
"Do you really believe it lasts forever?"
"Yes, Harry, I know it does. I can feel Elizabeth with me every day of my life, as if she had never died."
"But why did your Father give them to me?"
"Isn't it obvious? From wherever he is, he must feel that you and Luna are right for each other….And frankly, so do I." Then, seeing the look on Harry's face, he added. "Don't worry, Harry, this isn't the kind of decision you have to make today. In fact, it's probably the most important decision you'll make in your life; one that lasts for all eternity. Take your time thinking about it; and when the time comes, I think you'll know it.
A bit embarrassed, Harry changed the subject. "What about the necklace?"
"It's a most remarkable piece of jewelry, and one of the rarest treasures of antiquity. It's called the 'Shield of Selena,' and was made in ancient Greece. My Father spent most of his life searching for it, and finally found it near the end of his life. According to legend, it was made by the Olympian god Hephaetus for the lovely Selene, Goddess of the Moon. He was ugly and lame, but she could see the beauty in his soul and fell in love with him. This necklace was a wedding present for her, and was endowed with magical powers to protect the wearer against all forms of evil."
As Harry went to bed that night he had much to think about. He was sure that he loved Luna, and that she loved him. But a decision like this, one that would last for all eternity, was too much for him. He was only sixteen years old and he knew so little about the real world. He decided to follow Edward Lovegood's advice, and wait until he was sure.
As he lay there thinking about it, the door to Luna's room opened silently. A small figure, clad in a long flannel nightgown, peered in at him.
"Are you awake, Harry?" Luna whispered.
"Yeah," was his hoarse reply.
"I'm lonely, can I come in." She said in a voice like a frightened little girl.
Harry smiled to himself and thought. 'She must have seen the light under the door and knew I was worried. She's always near when I need her.' And then he threw back the covers and called her over.
Luna bounded into the room and hopped into bed, snuggling up against him. He nearly leaped out of the bed when he felt her freezing cold feet against his.
"Your feet are freezing." He exclaimed in shock.
"Well, you keep a girl waiting and you have to expect to pay a price. Besides, warming my feet is your job." She said, and pressed her cold feet against his leg.
Wincing in mock pain, he exclaimed. "And I thought fighting Voldemort was rough. Oh well, I guess a hero's job is never done."
She rolled her eyes at him, but then smiled. Soon they fell off into a peaceful sleep.
The next night it was Harry that knocked on Luna's door. "I'm lonely." He said, trying to look as sad as possible.
As she threw back the covers she gave him a wide grin. "Well, I guess I'll just have to take care of you then." She said in a serious tone of voice. "Hop in, I'm getting cold." As he was falling asleep, Luna snuggled close to his chest; Harry decided that this was an arrangement that he could easily get used to. He decided that it was no longer an issue of whether he would pledge himself to Luna, merely of when.