For the next several days Harry was anxious. Luna was at best unpredictable and Harry didn't really feel any sort of tone conveyed through his correspondence with the girl. He just wasn't sure whether she'd be angry, happy, or somewhere in between. He'd thought of all the possible conversations they could have during tea and no matter how much Sirius told him he was overreacting, Harry still worried. It felt like someone was continually punching him in the gut. He was going to explode from eagerness to talk to Luna. Finally, it was Saturday and Harry prepared his mind for whatever Luna could say to him.

Harry never liked apparition and side-along apparition was even worse. Harry was glad he had a light breakfast because if he ate any more, he would display to Sirius what food looked like after it had partially gone through the digestive system. Although he did not vomit, Harry's face blanched and he felt sickly. However, his symptoms were not just due to side-along apparition. Even after all the mental preparations, Harry did not feel ready to have tea with Luna Lovegood. Suddenly, he was shoved forward by his godfather. Harry definitely was not in the mood to be teased by his godfather, giving him a quick scowl.

"Go get her, tiger!" Sirius called to Harry, who was slowly approaching the strange house, "And don't worry! I'm sure she won't hate you too much!" He called one final taunt before disapparating. Harry made a face and a rude gesture to the spot where Sirius had just been. Shaking off his nerves, he rapped his hands against the door. He heard a muffled scuffling behind the door and in a flash, Luna stood before him.

"Hullo Harry." Luna greeted. Harry smiled weakly, still feeling a little nauseous.

"Hey Luna. I like your house." Harry said politely, trying to ease the awkwardness he felt with small talk.

"I do too, I would be rather put out if I didn't like my own house. I'd certainly not enjoy leaving Hogwarts." Luna observed. Harry snorted. Harry felt the butterflies in his stomach disappear and he smiled.

"I suppose it would, wouldn't it?" Harry agreed. Luna nodded. An awkward silence fell between the two and Luna smiled dreamily and Harry forced himself not to bolt. Apparently, the awkward feeling was only felt by Harry because Luna seemed totally oblivious of any such feelings. When Harry felt he should speak Luna giggled.

"Anyways, let's get inside, It's very rude to leave guests outside." Luna ushered Harry inside and sat down at a quaint table inside an indoor patio. The light filtered through the glass and shone with light tints of blue, red, green, and yellow. Luna poured both of them teach and plopped two sugars into hers. Harry personally preferred no sugar and so took a sip of the dark liquid. It warmed his cheeks and he couldn't help but smile.

"So Harry, what did you want to talk about?" Luna asked, "I mean, I thought you would have immediately declined the letter, completely trusting in yourself."

Harry blushed a little, "Well thank you Luna, but this is a little difficult for me. I want to stay in France but Voldemort is lurking in Britain and I don't think he is going to stop whether or not I face him in Britain." Harry didn't notice but Luna was thinking hard on this. Usually she didn't have to deal with such weighty subjects and issues. She didn't think Harry would appreciate any references to mystic animals that may or may not exist so she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She had Harry's full attention.

"Honestly, I don't think you should feel forced to go to Hogwarts simply because Professor Dumbledore wants you to and the possible chance that Voldemort will return and wreak havoc. And even if he does return, I'm sure Britain wouldn't crumble to dust in just a day. We're tougher than you think." Luna expressed. Harry was a little stunned at the odd girl's level headedness. Harry knew she was right.

"Well... Thanks! I mean, erm, thank you Luna." Harry said. Luna nodded. "I still am not totally sure though. Maybe I just doubt myself? It's very weird to feel both like the world is in your hands and and completely powerless at the same time." Harry admitted.

"Sometimes that's good. You can't always get what you want, but what you want isn't always what you need, I learned that from my mother before she died." Luna said, feeling a wave of sadness hit her. Harry pitied her and Luna smiled. "I can tell you want an easy solution but I don't think that's what you need. Sometimes adversity is a good thing." Harry nodded.

"You're right, Luna. However now I need to make a decision." Harry said seriously. After a few minutes of silence, Harry shook his head, "I think it would be best for me to stay at Beauxbatons. Thanks Luna, you're pretty smart." Luna blushed.

"Yes well, I couldn't very well let those nargles keep you like this!" Luna said, changing subjects very quickly. Harry chuckled and sipped his tea.

"So, since we have the rest of the afternoon to talk, how is your creature hunt with your father?" Harry asked. Luna's eyes widened and she started going on and on about different fantastical creatures roaming on the planet. Harry thought that while Luna was very odd, she was certainly one of the best friends he's ever had.

Soon, the afternoon had come to an end and Luna walked Harry to the door. Leaving the Lovegood household, Harry felt very happy. He now knew he would stay at Beauxbatons and he was very excited to tell Fleur. Sirius popped out of thin air and smiled, waving at Luna. Grabbing onto Harry's shoulder, the two wizards apparated out of England and back to France.

"So kiddo, have you made up your mind?" Sirius asked Harry as soon as they arrived at home. Harry nodded.

"I'm gonna stay at Beauxbatons. While Voldemort may start to get stronger, I don't think he'll be able to rise any time soon what with us arresting Pettigrew and his baby-ish body dying." Harry confirmed. Sirius grinned.

"Well I gotta say it is a relief to know you'll be so close to home. I thought for awhile there I'd have to sneak into Hogwarts as a dog!" Sirius joked. Harry laughed and swatted him.

"You would do no such thing!" Harry said with a fake scowl. Sirius raised his hands in surrender.

"Whatever you say, Harry."

Fleur had talked to Harry more now that he confirmed he was staying. He hadn't really realized how protective of her friends Fleur was until he saw her attitude flip. It was nearly the end of Summer and Harry went to some wizarding shops to pick up supplies for the coming school year. Fleur was accompanying him as well to buy some things that she needed for her new job. Apparently she was interested in the field of auror. She had begun starting training and she loved the rush. It had reminded her of the Triwizard tournament, or at least the fun parts, anyway. Harry wasn't sure himself but he did enjoy flying quite a bit, maybe a pro quidditch seeker?

Harry laughed and talked with Fleur as they did their shopping. They entered the bookstore, Tanguay's Tomes. Inside, books lined all the walls. The only break between bookshelves were windows and a door near the back of the store. It smelled strongly of old books and Harry loved it. He quickly moved through the familiar store and bought the required books. Although he bought the books he needed, he stayed a little bit longer to Fleur's annoyance but he could not help himself. Books fascinated him and he felt he could relate to Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Ever since his first year at Beauxbatons, he loved this store greatly and he did miss it while he was at Hogwarts.

Suddenly, Harry felt a chill run down his spine. He turned to see a black robed man enter the book store and immediately hid behind a bookshelf. Fleur hid next to him, her eyes filled with urgency. The man's wand was in his hand, pointing at the cashier. "Where," the man said in a cool and calm voice, "is Harry Potter. I saw him walk into this store and my master wishes to see him, personally. Point me in the right direction and I might not kill you." The man threatened. His silvery white mask glinted off the flickering light, making him look even more threatening.

Harry caught the clerk's eye with a pleading expression. Seeing the shift in his eyes, the man turned and fired a red curse at his face. "Reducto!" The man shouted fiercely. Harry ducked just in the nick of time. Books exploded into shred and some of them caught fire. Harry gripped his wand tightly and looked to Fleur. Both stood up at the same time and fired.

"Aqua eructo!" Fleur shouted. A torrent of water blasted from her wand.

"Bombarda!" Harry shouted. Blinded by the water, the man was blasted by the explosive curse. He was thrown through the window, spluttering and in pain as the curse had shattered a few ribs. He looked on the pair with hate and pressed his wand to his forearm where a tattoo of a skull with a snake exiting it's mouth was. Suddenly, there were a few more pops and more deatheaters appeared. Harry knew his odds and so fired a confringo into the group. Many scattered which gave Harry and Fleur time to escape through the broken window.

The pair weaved in and out of fearful bystandards, shooting curses behind them with only glances back to make sure they didn't hit any innocents. Curses wizzed by their head and shoulders and the army of death eaters blasted their way through the crowds. "Fleur! Why haven't you apparated us out of here?!" Harry shouted, passing a fleeing couple. Fleur glared at him and sent a fireball straight into the crowd of deatheaters.

"Do you zink I am stupid? Zere are appartion wards up! We just have to outrun ze magical field!" Fleur yelled back. Harry nodded and sprinted even harder. After what seemed like an eternity of screaming people and curses, Harry was finally hit. His right arm burned and he shouted in pain. Fleur didn't see him until she turned, a few meters ahead, desperately firing curses to defend Harry. However her efforts were futile, the deatheaters seemed to just keep on coming and were not below using the bystanders for shielding.

"Here it is! The end of the field! Come on!" She yelled desperately. Harry could barely hear. His ears were ringing and it felt like his arm was on fire. His mouth was open in a silent scream as he felt the pain build and build. He couldn't take it anymore. The death eaters were on him now. They pointed their wands at him and under their solemn masks, Harry saw snakelike grins of devilish men. Before he was knocked completely unconscious by the monsters, he managed to mouth the word "go" to Fleur. She was crying fiercely and sprinted forward at the crowd. She wasn't fast enough though. With the crowds running at her, she could only push so much and avoid being trampled. The last thing he remember was hearing a lot of pops and one last scream.

"Harry!" Then, the Boy-Who-Lived knew no more as the world faded to black.