A/N
I know, strange. Two chapters posted in one day? This time, we get to see another friend join our four.
The Sign
Chapter 9
Luna
"Well, so now we wait." Harry was pleased with their progress. "What's next?"
"I don't know about you, but I'm starving." At Hermione's hmph, Ron turned and asked, "What. It's half one already. I'm hungry."
"Let's just go home, maybe we can scrounge up a sandwich." Ginny tossed papers back on the table.
They stepped out of the floo, only to see Luna Lovegood sitting at the kitchen table, crying. Molly was encouraging her to drink some tea.
Ginny rushed and knelt on front of her friend. "Luna? Why…what's wrong?"
Luna said not a word. She just sat in a stupor. Her eyes not really seeing through her tears.
"Luna, talk to me. Tell me what's going on." Insisted Ginny. Hermione sat next to Luna, her hand rubbing her back.
"I…" Luna struggled to get words to form. "I needed to be with someone. I'm sorry. I have no where…"
"Dear, dear, of course you came to us. Tell Ginny what you told me." Molly laid her hand on the bony shoulder.
"My dad. It's…He…He died." Luna broke down and burst into tears. Her body slumped in on itself as she was wracked with sobs.
"Oh Luna. That's too, too bad. I'm so sorry." Ginny held her hand tighter and laid her forehead against Luna's knees while Molly lifted a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it over to the grieving girl.
Molly nodded to the boys, "The tea is cold, would you make some more?" Ron was about to say she could just wave her wand, but then he saw his mum eye the cupboard that normally held her calming tonic. They got the hint and put the kettle on. She nodded again when Ron held up the bottle. Ron splashed a generous amount of this fortified tonic, made of wine mixed with a mild sleeping potion, into a large mug then poured tea over it. The tray was set at Molly's elbow by the time Luna's cries started to settle.
"Hush, child. Drink up before you talk. Take your time. We're here." Molly placed the mug into her shaky hands, continuing with the soft murmurs.
Luna took a small sip, looked at the mug and gulped greedily. "Daddy was in…Azkaban." She took another gulp and steeled her courage to continue. "He was released three days after the battle. So sick. I've… been at St. Mungo's since. He never woke up. I never got to say we won. He never knew I was safe." She shoved the mug back into Molly's hands and dissolved back into tears.
"Shhh. He knows it now, dear. He knows it now." Molly waved her wand to the kitchen dresser. Out flew several cloth napkins. One was given to Luna, replacing the sodden handkerchief. The others were stacked on the table near the tray.
"Luna, do you have any family? Anyone we need to contact for you?" Hermione asked gently.
"No. There's no…no one. I'm alone." Luna could barely make herself heard. Her sobs had made way for hiccoughs and stutters.
"Well, you have us now." Molly patted her shoulder and smoothed the matted hair. She kept petting Luna until the shakes and shudders eased. "When was the last time you've eaten, dear?" She asked softly.
Luna just shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Yesterday?" She finished the tea and set the mug on the table.
To Molly, this was a cry to arms. She pulled herself up and gathered leftover food from the previous night's dinner. With a wave of her wand, the pie was warmed and fresh. She sliced a slab of bread off the loaf and slathered butter on top. "Now eat up. Your dad was a good, caring man, and he loved you very much. He would never want you to go hungry. Eat for him."
Luna reached out and took a small bite. She gave Molly a small tentative smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I…I don't even know why I came here. But thank you." She took another bite.
"You came here because you needed us. That's why. You'll stay with us until you get straightened out." She calmed Luna's objections. "Sh, you can't be alone at a time like this."
The plate was half cleared when Luna pushed it away. Her face fell back into a shocked state. "What do I do now?" She whispered to herself.
"Well, one thing is you're going to go upstairs, have a long hot bath, and crawl into Ginny's bed. You need a long sleep now. She'll lend you some things. Come on, Let's get you set up." Molly urged her up and the four women slowly walked up toward the rooms above.
The boys, at a loss of what to do, could only look on at the ancient magic of women pulling together, holding up one another in times of need.
Harry felt guilty. He knew Mr. Lovegood was taken right after they had blown up his house and fled. Were the trio the last non-death-eaters he ever laid eyes on?
"Even now, another death. How many more?" Harry asked Ron, quietly.
"I don't know. But I bet he won't be the last."
00000000000
An hour later, Ginny and Hermione came back down. Ginny had her arms laden with blankets and pillow. "Mum's up there with Luna. I'm sleeping down here tonight." She explained. "She gave Luna a bath and wants her to sleep. She wants us to stay quiet so not to wake her." She piled the bed linens onto the floor and curled next to Harry on the sofa. Ron handed the girls plates of the reheated pie before sitting down.
Hermione perched herself on Ron's lap and took a bite. "Did you notice? She was wearing the same clothes she wore at Malfoy Manor. She admitted she has nothing else. All her clothes, her school trunk, even her home. All gone. Ginny has some things for her to wear, but tomorrow, Molly's going to go shopping for her. Harry, I hate to ask, but Molly really doesn't have enough…"
"She'll have what she needs. I have a bag of coins in my room, she can have it. I'll cover the funeral too. I'll take responsibility." Harry leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.
"Harry! It's not your fault." When he didn't respond, Hermione continued firmly. "The fault lies with an ash pile in the bottom of the ravine, where he will stay forever. Thank you for the money, but it's not your fault." Hermione glared at Harry.
His only reaction was to nod while staring at the wall.
Ginny stood up, waved her wand at her dish and it flew off to the sink. She pulled Harry with her towards the door. "Come on, let's go out, clear our heads."
She led him straight to the small shed. She reached in and handed him one of their old brooms. "One on one." She said shortly. They flew. High, fast, not really caring who has the quaffle. Chasing around the perimeter. Getting the fog out of their brains while flying through the clouds that were turning darker as the afternoon went on. After an hour, Ron flew up to join them. Hermione got another letter from her folks and was writing back. He felt he had best give her some space.
They played one on one with Ron as the only keeper. In time, Hermione came out and watched from a blanket spread on the ground. Molly stood on the back steps and watched for a short time until raindrops started falling in large splats. With a wave, she reminded them to come in soon. Dinner will be ready, and Daddy was on his way home.
After eating, Harry drew Molly aside and handed her the bag of Galleons. He ignored her objections. "Take it. Get her whatever she needs. If you need more, let me know. Also, I'll take care of the funeral costs. Don't let her worry about it." He walked away, leaving Molly stunned, yet very proud of the young man who will soon be another son.