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 John Adams for her friendship and help in beta reading this story, and for keeping me on character with Harry and the gang. Also for her many suggestions that made this story better than it would have been.

CHAPTER 14: SUMMER OF SURPRISES

The Orkneys are a small group of islands off the northern coast of Scotland. For some, the windswept, treeless islands seem bleak and forbidding. But for a young witch and wizard in love, the lonely islands held a unique beauty all their own. Spring comes late to the Orkneys, but when it does the hills are ablaze with the pink and white flowers of wild Heather, giving it the appearance of a fairyland. It was during this special time of year, in early June, that Harry and Luna arrived on the islands.

The correspondent from the Orkneys, who had informed Edward Lovegood of her sightings of the Artic Tweisel, was a lone widow, Mrs. Abigail Minnet. She had lived in a small cottage at the base of Ward Hill, on the Island of Hoy, for almost forty years. She had been absolutely delighted when she learned that Edward Lovegood would be paying her a visit, for in that lonely corner of Scotland visitors are few. She offered to enlarge her cottage to allow Mr. Lovegood and his party to stay with her; but he was afraid that the odd hours they would be keeping would disturb the old woman. Instead, Edward Lovegood elected to set up their base camp a little further up the hill, near a small spring.

Mrs. Minnet was pleased to discover that Harry Potter was a part of the expedition. She had followed his exploits for several years, having been an Ministry Auror herself many years before. After she and her husband had retired, they were determined to escape the crowds and noise of London, and here in the Orkneys they found the peace and solitude that they sought. They both loved the stark beauty of the islands, and after her husband died she chose to live on there alone; except for a half dozen rather protective cats. In so many ways she reminded Harry of Mrs. Frigg.

Both Luna and Harry were delighted to learn that Edward Lovegood had brought Grimmy along for the expedition. Actually, he had little choice in the matter. The large black wolf and his young niece Freda had become practically inseparable in the month she had been at The Meadows; the wolf sleeping protectively on the foot of her bed every night. Edward decided that this extra degree of security was just what the young girl needed, and wasn't about to separate the two. In the Orkneys, Freda and Grimmy occupied one tent, Harry and Luna a second, and Edward Lovegood the third. It was an arrangement that suited them all.

The search for the Artic Tweisel was entirely a nighttime undertaking, because the animals were strictly nocturnal. They would return to camp each morning at dawn, and after a quick nap, the three teens and the wolf were usually up and exploring the island; meanwhile Edward Lovegood would Apparate to the Quibbler offices in Diagon Alley to take care of running a newspaper. A part of each day became the ritual of afternoon tea with Mrs. Minnet, and the teens eagerly anticipated it. They very much enjoyed the company of the older woman, and the wonderful stories she told of Hogwarts when she was a young girl. Harry was a bit surprised when she told them that before becoming Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore taught Transfiguration. For some reason Harry had always thought that Professor Dumbledore would have taught Defense Against the Dark Arts, as he was so adept at both offensive and defensive magic.

Mrs. Minnet remembered Professor Dumbledore well; and the three teens learned that his teaching style was anything but conventional. She remembered one day in class when two boys were arguing loudly about Quidditch. Professor Dumbledore asked them politely to save the disagreement until after class, but when the disruption continued he waved his wand and turned the two into potted plants. He sat the two pots on either corner of his desk and admired them. Then he remarked to the class about how nice they looked and said that he might enjoy them for a week or two before changing them back. Mrs. Minnet said that they could see the two plants visibly tremble, but the rest of the class loved it. After class he did change them back and suggested that in future they save their disputes for non-class time; advise that they took without argument.

Mrs. Minnet, in turn, greatly enjoyed the stories that Harry and Luna told about attending Hogwarts in the present. Stories about playing Quidditch, exploring the Dark Forest, and especially about their adventure on the island of Avalon. Freda was quiet during most of these conversations, but both Harry and Luna knew how much she was looking forward to the start of classes in the fall. Her parents had home-schooled her in Austria, and now she was looking forward to making friends with children her own age.

Another reason that they all enjoyed the tea so much was that Mrs. Minnet made the best shortbread cookies that any of them had ever tasted. One day, in exchange for her kindness, Luna brought a tray of Chocolate Snorkacks, which she had somehow managed to bake in camp. The old woman thought that the chocolate confections were wonderful, and after a lovely tea, the two women exchanged favorite recipes.

- o -

During the first few days of the expedition they made no Tweisel sightings at all, but the three teens were having way too much fun to worry about it. Their rambles around the island had turned up a number of interesting stone circles and burial mounds, which Luna found of particular interest because of their ancient rune carvings. Occasionally, the three would visit the medieval village of Kirkwall, where the three received many curious glances as they wandered along its ancient cobbled streets. Of course, the fact that a large black wolf accompanied them wherever they went might account for the strange muggle reaction.

There were two springs on Ward Hill; one was quite near their camp and the other further up the hill. Each evening, just after dark, Luna and Harry would make their way up the hill to a Heather-blind that they had constructed overlooking the spring. They would spend the rest of the night watching for activity. Luna's Father and Freda watched the spring closer to camp, in case the younger girl got tired during the night.

Frankly, Luna and Harry were having a rather hard time watching for Tweisels with all the other distractions. The nights were clear and crisp, the moon was full, and the lights of the village of Kirkwall flickered in the distance. It was all just a little too romantic for them to resist, and far too often they found themselves gazing out over the moonlit bay instead on concentrating on the spring.

Then one night Harry heard a slight rustling in the bushes near the spring. He gently nudged Luna and pointed to the place. A few seconds later a shadowy creature emerged from the bushes and timidly approached the small pool of water. At first Harry thought that it was just one of Mrs. Minnet's house cats out for a nightly hunt; but then he realized that this animal was too large to be a house cat. It was at that moment that Harry realized that he was indeed looking at an Artic Tweisel, and he felt a rush of intense excitement. Luna must have realized it at the same moment, because he felt her squeeze his hand. They sat together in the darkness for the next thirty minutes as two more Tweisels came out of the bushes and joined the first. After they had quenched their thrust from the spring, the Tweisels began to romp and play on the bank like kittens; never aware that two smiling teens were nearby watching them. As the first pink rays of the sun began to show in the eastern skies the Tweisels returned to their burrows, and the two teens hurried back to camp to tell the others. They were all too excited to sleep, and Edward and Freda insisted that they recount every detail of what they had seen. The next night all four of them were concealed behind the blind when the three Tweisels returned.

Over the next two weeks they counted a total of eighteen different Tweisels, identifying each by the slightly different patterns of black spots on their coats. In addition to these, Edward Lovegood was certain that there were kittens back in the burrows which were too young to come down to the spring. They made careful notes on what they saw, on the behavior of the animals and about their relationships with each other. There were clearly superior and subordinate Tweisels, and the roles of each seemed clearly defined; but in general they all seemed to coexist as a happy family.

- o -

But it wasn't all work for the three teens; there was a lot of play as well. One day Harry and Luna got out their brooms and invited Freda to go flying with them. They were shocked to learn that Freda had never been on a broom in her life. Her parents felt that flying in the mountains, where they lived, would be too dangerous; so she had never learned. Harry and Luna decided that this was a situation that required immediate correction.

"Well for right now you can ride behind me on my broom." Luna said encouragingly, and mounted her broom well forward to make room for the young girl.

With some apprehension, but determination nonetheless, Freda climbed on behind her cousin and wrapped her arms tightly around Luna's waist. Harry put a special cloaking spell on the three of them; one that would allow them to see each other, but not allow others to see them. And then they took off for a smooth flight around the island. Soon the young girl was asking for more and more speed, and they began to have some real fun. Harry took the lead and led them down low, skimming just above the sea, and then they would shoot upwards when they came to an island. He could hear Freda screaming with delight just behind him and realized that she was going to enjoy flying as much as he and Luna did.

When they returned to camp Freda was overwhelmed by how wonderful the flight had been, and eagerly looked forward to learning to fly on her own. Both Harry and Luna thought that their Firebolts might be a bit much for the young girl to start on, so Luna Apparated back to her home at The Meadows and brought back her old orange Clean Sweep. Freda was absolutely thrilled when Luna gave it to her as a gift, and said she would treasure it always. They started their very first training session later that afternoon, with Harry and Luna flying on either side of the young girl as she rose into the sky. By the end of the day she was flying completely on her own, and Harry could see that she was a natural.

A few days later Harry overslept, and when he awoke he found that Luna was already gone. Edward Lovegood pointed Harry to a trail leading to a cliff overlooking the sea.

"Freda wanted to go flying and Luna agreed to go with her," he said, as Harry grabbed his Firebolt and started up the path.

A few minutes later Harry came to Luna sitting on a rock along the trail with her broom lying on the ground beside her. She was so engrossed in watching her young cousin, who was joyously flying high above her, that she didn't even hear Harry approach.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Harry asked, as he sat down close beside her

"I was just thinking about someday teaching our own children to fly." She answered, smiling at him shyly.

Harry put an arm around her back, pulling her in closer to him. 'That's a rather nice thought,' he said to himself. Then to her he said, "You're going to make a great Mum, and if they're anything like you they will need very little teaching."

She looked over at him and said mischievously. "And with you as their Dad, I know they're going to keep me on my toes every second."

He gave her an innocent look, that didn't quite come off, and then gave her a hug. The two of them sat close together and watched the young girl flying above the rocky cliffs all morning, getting bolder and bolder with her maneuvers.

"You know, she really is quite good." Luna said in admiration.

"I guess it runs in the family," Harry replied affectionately, and then added, "You know, the Gryffindor team is going to need a new Chaser next term. What do you think about Freda, if she gets sorted into Gryffindor that is?"

"Harry, that would be so nice," Luna replied happily. "When we get home I'm going to start working with her on Chaser tactics."

"You can count me in."

A few days later, when Harry and Luna were just emerging from their tent in the morning, Harry heard a high-pitched "Weeeeee," as Freda shot by over his head on her broom.

He hit the ground hard upon hearing her cry, and as he looked up he exclaimed, "She nearly took my head off."

"I think you'll live," Luna giggled as she looked at Harry on his hands and knees.

"Let's get her!" Harry shouted, and the two teens grabbed their brooms and shot off in pursuit. A wild chase resulted, as well as a high-spirited game of Broom-Tag.

- o -

That night at dinner Edward Lovegood outlined his plan for relocating the Tewisels. It was important that it all be handled as gently as possible, and that they not be disturbed in the slightest.

"Hagrid is preparing transport crates and special bait, and he'll be bringing them up here sometime next week, then we can begin our part of the operation." He explained.

"What kind of bait do you use?" Harry asked, concerned about the rare animals.

"No need to worry, Harry. It's very mild, and we've used it many times before. It's the very mildest of sedatives combined with a consumable Portkey. This will allow us to transport the Tweisels here to camp, and then return half the population back to their burrows. We'll send the other half to the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts and the forest at "The Meadows." There the population can grow in a protected environment away from inquisitive muggle and magic folk. Mrs. Minnet has offered to watch over the colony here, and keep any inquisitive muggles away."

On the appointed night they spread the bait under the Heather bushes around the springs and then returned to camp. Two days later the Portkey was activated and they were all delighted when forty-eight of the rare animals appeared on the grassy slope in front of their camp, all peacefully sleeping. Edward Lovegood said he and Freda would take twelve of the animals back to "The Meadows," and asked Harry and Luna to deliver the other twelve to Hogwarts. He said with a smile that the Headmaster had a rather important matter to discuss with them.

When the two Apparated to the coordinates that they had been given, they were surprised to find a landscape which greatly resembled the Orkneys; right down to the flowering Heather. They were greeted by Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, and most surprising of all, by Hermione Granger. Professor Dumbledore congratulated the two teens on their success finding the Tweisels, and explained that they were on the far side of the Forbidden Forest.

"Even you and Miss Lovegood haven't managed to walk this far…yet." The old man said with a smile.

He waved his wand and the twelve Tweisels disappeared from their crates to reappear a second later in new burrows that had been specially prepared for them. When they awoke from their long nap they would have no memory of what had happened, and would resume doing what Tweisels do.

After escorting the three teens to his office, the Headmaster began to explain his reason for wanting to see them.

"I know you're wondering why I've asked you here on this fine summer's day, but it is a matter of some importance. Each year, after the end of term, the professors and I meet to discuss the position of Head Boy and Head Girl for the upcoming term. But this year we are in a rather unique quandary, as we find that we have two girls equally deserving of the position. This is the first such occurrence in the thousand year history of the school, but we feel that the two of you can share the responsibilities without difficulty.

Both Luna and Hermione were too surprised to speak, so the Headmaster continued. "Miss Granger is scholastically the brightest witch that Hogwarts has seen in more than a century; and that combined with the assistance that she has given to Harry has more than earned her the position of Head Girl. And Miss Lovegood played an indispensable role in the defeat of the Dark Lord in the Battle of Avalon; and the peer tutoring program that she instituted has resulted in substantial scholastic improvement for the school, as well as uniting its four houses. There was simply no way for us to choose between you. So this year we have selected two Head Girls."

"Harry, you have grown a great deal in the past two years. Your creation of the DA last year, and your continued support for it, has greatly strengthened our world's determination to fight the Dark Lord. It may interest you all to know that a full ninety-five percent of returning students have applied for DA membership. You were the almost unanimous choice of the faculty for the position of Head Boy, and I always felt your potential would lead you there."

Harry was absolutely struck dumb by the revelation that he was to become Head Boy, especially considering his less then perfect record over the past years.

"Are you sure there's no mistake, Professor?" He asked disbelievingly.

"Quite sure, Harry." Dumbledore said in a reassuring tone, explaining that the qualities that are looked for in a Head Boy were quite different from those of a Prefect. "Your Father was also Head Boy, but was never a Prefect."

After a pleasant chat, Professor Dumbledore escorted the three students up to the newly created eighth floor of Gryffindor tower, where their new quarters were located. Down a center aisle were three doors, each bearing a gold plaque, "Harry Potter" and "Luna Lovegood" were on one side of the aisle, and "Hermione Granger" was on the other.

Professor Dumbledore escorted them through Harry's door first. They entered into a nicely appointed study that was well illuminated by large leaded glass windows. A warm fire was already burning in the fireplace, around which were arranged comfortable arm chairs and a small sofa; on the other side of he room was a writing desk flanked on either side by oak bookcases.

Harry strolled over and read some of the titles: Quidditch Strategy and Tactics, by O. C. Beesomble, Dark Spells and Curses, by J. W. Wickerwire, The Seeker: Key to Quidditch, by Minerva "Lightning" Spellcaster. Harry looked back at Dumbledore questioningly.

"Professor McGonagall tried to select titles that you would find interesting." He replied to the unasked question.

Passing through to the bedroom they found that it also had a fireplace, as well as a large four-poster bed and large glass windows. The colors were done in Gryffindor gold and scarlet, right down to the gold and scarlet bedspread. A private bath completed the quarters. As they returned to the study, Dumbledore led them to a different door than that through which they had first entered. Passing through they found themselves in another study, this one also warm and comfortable but decorated with pictures of strange and unusual animals. Luna recognized most of them immediately, and felt immediately at home. This set of rooms was appointed exactly the same as Harry's.

As they passed out into the hallway, Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry and Luna and smiled. "I understand that the two of you are pledged, so I'll leave any further arrangements up to you."

- o -

"Is the Dark Lord comfortably settled at the Mountain Chalet?" Laxsor asked his servant, who had just returned from escorting Voldemort to his new place of exile.

"Yes, Master; and much relieved to be away from here." Mallick replied with a smirk.

"He didn't seem to have a very pleasant visit, did he? Ah, such a pity," Laxsor said mockingly. "And our House Elves at the Chalet?"

"They will report his every move and every visitor to you, Master. Nothing that the Dark Lord does will escape their vigilance. However, it's a pity that his nightmares have come to an end, I was rather enjoying them." Mallick said malevolently.

"Ah, my old friend, what kind of a host would I be if I deprived my guest of his dreams? When my Grandfather first built the Mountain Chalet he had Dream Stones incorporated into the foundations. Many were the enemies he drove into madness sleeping beneath that roof. No, the Dark Lord will continue to dream; for what, after all, is a man without his dreams?"

His Master's dark sense of humor never ceased to amuse Mallick, and he looked forward to his next visit to the Dark Lord, to see the tangible results of a continuous diet of nightmares.

"Now we need to move forward with our planning. I need to learn more about this young wizard, Harry Potter. It's been a long time since you've gone on a mission for me, my friend, but I think that time has come." Laxsor declared.

"Do you think Master Potter would care to meet Eva?" Mallick asked, a look of pure evil in his eyes.

"I'm sure any seventeen year old boy would, but perhaps the time is not yet right for Eva. I think perhaps Eric might be a better choice; a boy of seventeen might get close to Master Potter without arousing jealousies."

The Metamorph smiled in eager anticipation. And as his Master spoke his long grey hair shortened, and turned to a soft auburn; the bent, aged body became straight and muscular; and the dry, parchment-like skin became subtle and tanned. Now, in place of the bent and aged servant, there stood a young and vibrant seventeen-year-old boy.

Laxsor inspected him appraisingly, and took note of the cold blue eyes. "The eyes are not right, they are still too severe. I need…" And he hesitated with distaste before using the offensive word. "I need more innocence." Suddenly, Mallick's eyes became softer and gentler, and took on the color of hazel green.

"Excellent! Exactly what I want; this is what we will do. I will arrange for you to start school at Hogwarts in September. We will make you a Dutch transfer student from Beauxbatons Academy. Once there, I need you to learn everything you can about Harry Potter. I need to know about his friends, his plans, his strengths and his weaknesses, but most of all I need to know his fears."

"If I could be placed in the same house as Harry Potter I could more readily gather that information, Master." Mallick suggested.

"Very true…" Laxsor said deep in thought. "So we would need you placed in Gryffindor house. And it would be better if the Hogwarts Sorting Hat did not know of our, err… history together. I'll plant temporary memories and traits in your mind that will mask your true memories, and should provide you with the qualifications necessary for assignment to Gryffindor house. Those memories and traits will disappear immediately after the sorting ceremony."

"What if they check with Beauxbaton Academy?"

"Have no fear there, my friend. I will plant permanent memories in the minds of the teachers and Head Mistress. They will remember you as one of the finest students to ever attend their school. You will be welcomed at Hogwarts with open arms. Once there you will begin to gather information on all aspects of Harry Potter's life. I also learned from Tom's dreams that the Dark Lord still has one loyal agent remaining at Hogwarts, a Ravenclaw named Mandy Brocklehurst, who has been funneling him intelligence. I wish to know everything possible about her activities. Do nothing to hinder either side, yet. We will remain neutral until I decide how we will play the game."

"Do you think I might have the opportunity to play some Quidditch?" The Metamorpf asked wistfully.

"As the champion seeker for Durmstrang, I can understand your desire to get back in the air, my friend. In fact, it might work to our advantage if you were to secure a position on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. It would place you into close proximity to Harry Potter and his friends, and at the same time allow you to get back into the air."

As Mallick left his master he was eagerly anticipating his mission. Not only because the act of going undercover always set his blood racing and his pulse quickening, but also because the opportunity to play Quidditch again was a rare treat. Years before, Mallick had been Durumstang's champion Seeker for three years running. He had heard that Harry Potter was very good, and now he would have the opportunity to see for himself.

- o -

Harry and Luna returned to the Lovegood home in late June, and as always, it was like coming home to Harry. He found that his things had already been moved into Luna's bedroom and Freda occupied his old room. The rest of the month was spent in lazy walks through the woods, swims at the pond, and Quidditch games over the meadow. Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville became regular visitors, so scratch games of Quidditch became a daily routine. During these games Freda began to show a natural ability in the Chaser position, and with Luna and Ginny to train her, her abilities developed rapidly. All six teens dearly hoped that the young girl would be sorted into Gryffindor House; what a team they would have. And it certainly appeared that Gryffindor was her destiny, for her flying showed a courage and daring that fully matched Harry and Luna's.

Luna had taken Freda to visit the Rain Cave on the first rainy day after their return, promising her a truly magical experience. Harry had wanted to go along, but chose instead to remain at home and watch the falling rain from inside; this was a special time that the two girls needed to share alone. Harry understood that this was a unique part of Freda's heritage, and she needed to understand and appreciate it. She had last been in the Rain Cave on the night that she was born; but later she told them that it had felt like she had always been a part of it.

Two weeks later Luna kept her promise of the previous term, and invited her other friends to the cave one rainy morning. Hermione Grainger was as excited as a nine-year-old child, and Ron could barely restrain her as they followed the winding trail deep into the woods. The overarching canopy of green foliage, high above their heads, effectively prevented the first rain drops from reaching the ground; but the rolling thunder could be heard distinctly above them. At last they crested a small rise and descended into the Valley of the Wild Roses. Both Hermione and Ginny gasped at how beautiful the valley was; literally a blanket of bright colors. It had a strange and haunted feeling, but was reassuring as well; it was a unique feeling that none of them would ever forget.

As they entered the Rain Cave, the new visitors marveled at the beauty of the white and rose quartz of the walls, but more than that by the strange feeling of tranquility and peace that the place possessed. Hermione, of course, knew all the facts about the geologic features; but even she seemed to have lost some of her self-assuredness as she explained to the others how quartz was formed. Suddenly, the walls around her began to shimmer, and she stopped speaking in silent awe. Harry couldn't help but be amused; he had never seen anything that could cut Hermione off when she really got going, but the wonders of the Rain Cave certainly did.

As the rain outside intensified, so did the shimmering of the walls; and then the sound of the gentle voices began to be heard. Without a word or a sign, the six teens settled down on the soft moss and listened in rapt silence. At some point during the afternoon they found that they had all joined hands, none of them remembered exactly when; but it was comfortable and they remained that way. As they walked back after the rain had stopped, lighting the path ahead of them with their wands, it was with a sense of peace and serenity that few people ever know.

- o -

Harry and Freda both had their birthdays in July, his on the 31st and hers on the 23rd. It just didn't make any sense to have two separate parties only a week apart, so Luna decided to combine the two. The party was mainly for Freda, to have the opportunity to make friends with other children her own age. It was decided to have a picnic in the meadow, and Luna had invited several of the younger students she had met during her tutoring sessions.

A week before the party, early one Tuesday morning, Harry and Luna flooed to Diagon Alley; ostensibly for the purpose of buying a birthday gift for Freda. But Harry had two other reasons that he kept to himself.

The two walked down the narrow cobbled street, hand in hand, and enjoyed the crisp morning air, as well as the many unique sights and smells of the alley. Harry felt the ancient iron key in the pocket of his jeans; the key that he had gotten from Luna's Father the night before. He felt that it was important that Luna visit her Grandfather's old shop, though he couldn't really explain quite why. Somehow he wanted the old man to know that his granddaughter was being well taken care of. Luna was completely mystified as he led her up the disused side alley next to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Then she saw the faded sign for "Precious Things," and a wide smile appeared on her face, and she hugged Harry's arm tighter.

Pulling the iron key from his pocket he inserted it into the ancient lock, and turned it with some difficulty. The door swung inwards with a loud creaking sound, and the two teens stepped over the threshold. The minute they entered the empty shop they both felt a strange, but somehow comforting presence. Harry took Luna's left hand in his, so whatever spirits might remain in the shop could see the Pledge Rings on their fingers. It had been overcast all morning; but suddenly a ray of bright sunlight broke through the gloom, flooded through the dirty windows, and illuminated the interior of the shop. Both Harry and Luna felt that the old man knew and was happy for them.

As Harry was leaving, he turned back to the empty shop. "This time we'll win!" He said with determination, and with light hearts the two teens returned to the alley.

Before they looked for a gift, Harry said that he needed to stop at Gringotts and refill his money bag. He led Luna up the marble steps and into the elaborate lobby. Walking up to one of the goblin tellers, he asked directions to the goblin in charge. The teller studied Harry intently for a moment, with the less than happy expression that goblins always seemed to wear, and then directed him to a raised desk at the far end of the lobby. As the two teens approached, a goblin with a long, thin nose and bushy eyebrows looked up from his work and viewed them appraisingly from behind his half-moon shaped glasses.

"My name is Harry Potter." Harry said in a respectful tone. "I was told that you would have some documents for us to sign."

A glimmer of recognition appeared in the goblin's eyes and he nodded briefly and then began to thumb through the parchments that littered his desk. Luna laid a gentle hand on Harry's arm. "What documents?" She asked curiously.

Harry knew that the time had finally come. He looked down at Luna lovingly. "You're my wife, aren't you?"

She smiled dreamily at his words. As often as he had called her "his wife" over the past two months, she never tired of hearing it. Nor did she ever tire of calling Harry her "husband." While they had not yet gone through the formality of a wedding ceremony, they both believed that their pledge united them more than human words ever could.

"Yes, I'm your wife," she said lovingly, as she gently slipped her hand into his.

"Then what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine. Right?"

"Err, yes," she answered a bit uncertainly.

At that moment the goblin found what he was looking for. "Here it is, Mr. Potter. It's all as you requested. Will you and your wife will please sign at the bottom of the parchment?" He asked, as he handed the parchment, quill and ink over the counter to Harry.

"What is it?" Luna asked curiously.

"It's to put your name on our account." Harry replied

Dutifully Luna signed the document and Harry passed it back to the goblin. He in turned passed a small, gold key back to Luna. Then they went down into the vaults and filled their money bags. Luna knew that Harry had some money, but never dreamed of what she saw in their vault.

"Well, at least I know you didn't pledge me for my money." He said jokingly.

"No," Luna replied, a mischievously grin on her face, "I pledged you because you're such a good kisser."

Harry tried, and failed, to look shocked. Then pulled her close and gave her one of his 'good kisses.' Then, arm in arm, they walked back to the alley, Harry guiding her in the direction Quality Quidditch Supplies. He had an idea for Freda's birthday present, but felt it was something that the two of them needed to discuss.

"You know," he began uncertainly, "if Freda is going to play Quidditch in the fall, she's going to need a new broom. What do you think about a new Firebolt as a birthday present from the two of us?"

"It's an awfully expensive present, don't you think?" Luna asked tentatively.

"I don't think so. The prices have really dropped since the new Firebolt Plus came out, and it's been a great broom for me."

Luna hugged his arm tightly. "Then I think it would make a wonderful present."

They went into the shop and began to look at the various broom displays. As Luna saw Harry linger over a display of Firebolt Plus brooms especially designed for Seekers, she made a mental note as to a possible Christmas present for him. Finally they located a display of Firebolts that had been customized to the needs of Chasers. Luna selected an oak broom with a slightly reduced handle length, which would be easier for the young girl to handle. After it was gift wrapped, Harry took his wife out to lunch as Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. As they prepared to Floo back to The Meadows, they both agreed that it had been a lovely day out.

The day of Freda's birthday dawned bright and clear, with a gentle breeze that would keep it from becoming too warm. Harry gazed out his bedroom window at the grasses of the meadow, swaying back and forth gently in the breeze. The gentle movement of the grass reinforced his impression that the meadow resembled a peaceful green sea, with gentle waves and flowing currents. The view always made him feel at peace, and it was one of the things he loved most about the house in the woods.

Luna came up behind him and put her arm around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. "You never get tired of looking at it, do you?" She said dreamily.

"No, it reminds me how lucky I am, and how beautiful the world is." He responded, kissing her gently on the forehead. The two remained in each others arms for a few more minutes, watching the peaceful meadow, as the sun rose in the east.

"We better get breakfast," Luna suggested, taking his hand. "It's going to be a busy day." And together they walked down to the kitchen and together made breakfast for the rest of the family.

As the delicious scent of waffles and eggs drifted up the stairs the two teens heard the sounds of someone moving about, and a few minutes later Grimmy and Freda came bounding down the stairs and into the kitchen.

As the young girl piled her plate high with bacon and waffles, slipping a few pieces of bacon under the table for Grimmy, she asked excitedly, "When are they coming?"

As Luna gently calmed and reassured the excited child, Harry couldn't help but be impressed; and thought about what a wonderful mother Luna was going to make.

- o -

Most of the preparations for the picnic had already been made, and it was just a matter of waiting for the guests to start arriving. Luna and Harry had invited some of the second and third year students that they had gotten to know during the tutoring sessions. They thought that this would give Freda a chance to meet children her own age, and make some friends before she started at Hogwarts in September.

The shy thirteen and fourteen-year-olds began to arrive in late morning. One of the first was Andrew McDonnell, who lived only a few kilometers away in a neighboring village. He and Freda seemed to take an instant liking to one another, and Luna noticed with satisfaction that they spent most of the day together. Freda absolutely loved her new broom, and gave all her new friends the opportunity to ride it. Later in the day, while the younger children were playing Quidditch in the meadow, Luna had an opportunity to give Harry his present.

Her present to him was something incredibly simple, yet something that he would treasure all of his life. It was a single sheet of parchment carefully folded within a sheet of blue parchment and tied with a ribbon. When Harry opened it, he really didn't understand what the contents meant. It was simply Luna's book list for the following term. He looked at her curiously, and then looked back at the parchment more carefully. Then he realized that the heading at the top of the page read "Seventh Year Booklist." Seventh year? But Luna would only be in her sixth-year the coming term.

Harry was thoroughly confused until Luna took pity on him and explained. For the past three months, with the help of Minerva McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore, Luna had been challenging and passing her sixth-year classes one by one. She had done this so she could share seventh-year classes with Harry and they could graduate together. Only a few days before she had completed her last test in Transfiguration. Ron and Neville had helped her by distracting Harry so she could Apparate to Hogwarts and take the test. Professor McGonagall had rushed through the results and sent her the notice of passing along with her seventh-year book list.

Harry was absolutely delighted with the "gift," because for the life of him he didn't know how he was ever going to handle a whole year of Luna being in school after he graduated. He honestly doubted he could be separated from her for a week, let alone for the months that her seventh year would entail. It also explained how Luna could have been made Head Girl, even though she was technically only entering her sixth-year; Professor Dumbledore must have anticipated her passing all of her tests.

- o -

Late in the summer, Mallick paid one last visit to Voldemort in the chalet that Laxsor had given him. Laxsor wanted to learn how his "guest" was doing, and what effect the diet of nightmares had on his mind. He had to be careful, for although he wanted to torture the Dark Lord, he didn't want to drive him over the edge into insanity. Sane, the Dark Lord might still be able to provide Laxsor with the Veil of Death.

Mallick observed with satisfaction that the Dark Lord had appeared to age several years since their last meeting, a few weeks previously, and now appeared in a near frantic condition. Nevertheless, he retained his sanity, at least for that moment.

"Has Laxsor developed a plan for the destruction of Potter?" Voldemort demanded, a note of desperation clearly evident in his voice.

Judging by his fearful state, Mallick thought it best to reassure the Dark Lord at that point. "My Master's plan is developing well, but before it can be completed he needs to know more about Harry Potter and his weaknesses. My Master begs you to be patient, and has asked me to assure you that the plan will soon be complete. From here I leave for Hogwarts as a student; and there I will learn the information that my Master needs."

"You Mallick, you are going to Hogwarts?" The Dark Lord asked, the information seeming to calm him somewhat.

An evil smile formed on the old servant's face as he replied, "Yes, Lord Voldemort. It should be most amusing." Then, changing the subject, Mallick asked, "How does the recruitment of new Death Eaters proceed?"

"Well, very well." Voldemort answered hastily. "When the plan is ready I shall have a force sufficient to carry it out."

Mallick knew that this was a lie, for his master had carefully spread the word among the dark wizards of Europe that Voldemort was a beaten man, that he had abandoned his Death Eaters to their fate, and that he had fled Britain like a coward. Laxsor suggested that any who would join the Dark Lord would likely share a similar fate. Voldemort hadn't been able to recruit a single new follower, and Mallick knew that he actually had only a handful left; two with him in Germany and three still in England.

After Mallick had taken his leave, Draco Malfoy asked the Dark Lord a question. "How can that old man go to Hogwarts as a student?"

Looking at the boy with contempt, Voldemort replied. "Mallick is an extremely talented Metamorph, and can take the form of almost anyone he wants. And I believe that I see the germ of Laxsor's plan. One of Mallick's most convincing guises is that of a sweet, innocent sixteen year old girl named Eva; a girl that could melt the heart of any young boy. I wonder if Laxsor's plan isn't to use her to alienate young Potter from his friends. Dividing to conquer is an old ploy of Laxsor's." As the Dark Lord spoke he never noticed the look of shame and humiliation on the face of his young follower.