There was something perceptibly different about Luna's third kiss with Harry. The first had been abrupt, but also hesitant. An impulsive move from Harry that shrank away in confidence the moment he pressed his lips against hers. The second had been anticipated and a bit methodical, with not enough time to explore beyond that as Peeves had rudely interrupted them.
But on the third try, it was pure emotion prompted by both Harry and Luna toeing the line of a love confession. He had been impulsive again, yet unlike their first kiss this one carried no hint of apprehension, and she made a little noise of surprise when his lips found hers. From there it became like a dance, Harry's hands settling on her waist and her arms reaching around his neck while their mouths moved in a sort of rhythm that although new, felt instinctive. A building excitement slowly filled Luna, and it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. Without a doubt, this kiss surpassed their first two considerably, and Luna sensed Harry felt the same. That unseen thread tying them together was now wrapping itself around their bodies like a protective barrier.
And for a moment Luna wondered if she should attempt breaking that barrier before someone noticed she and Harry were no longer taking a simple stroll around the house. The thought was fleeting at best, with little hope of gaining traction in a mind overwhelmed by so many new sensations, and soon enough it left, along with all the other pointless ideas that had nothing at all to do with kissing Harry. Clearly, that was the only thing that mattered to her at this moment in time.
But then outside forces took over and without warning ripped apart their bond. Harry pulled away first after a rather obnoxious voice interrupted them, and Luna followed his lead, ending what she could honestly say was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Perhaps even on the same level as the first time she tamed a spotted rockwhim. Luna bit her lip as she tried to hide a sheepish smile at how her ruminations had connected taming a wild magical creature with kissing a boy. But on second thought, perhaps the two weren't so dissimilar. When they were alone again, she would have to tell Harry and maybe he would laugh. Luna enjoyed when he did that and was getting better at gauging what he found amusing. For now though, they had company, and Luna used her mitten to wipe away the remains of Harry's kiss on her lips before gazing up to see who had cut short their intimate moment by sneaking up on them.
At first, Luna was relieved to see it wasn't anyone she knew personally, but that didn't mean the two men weren't recognizable. Harry appeared to not like one of their visitors in particular, or maybe the irritated look on his face was because their kiss had been interrupted. Either way, she decided to intercede. If the Minister of Magic was there to bother Harry, Luna most certainly would do her best to keep that from happening.
"Were you invited to lunch too? Well, I'm afraid you're both late. We've already finished eating," Luna said, hoping to divert Rufus Scrimgeour's attention away from Harry. She didn't actually think they were there for lunch. The Ministry of Magic rarely had the best intentions regarding those they were sworn to protect. Especially Harry. Luna had even convinced her father to run a story a few months back detailing their most recent unethical dealings.
"We didn't come here to eat," The Minister stated, proving Luna's theory correct while also ignoring her. His eyes were ice cold and focused solely on Harry. "I came to have a chat with Harry here. And Percy …" he looked back at the wizard he'd come with, "is here to visit his family. No need to bother them with my presence, Percy, since Harry is already outside. Why don't you go say hello and …" His cold eyes flicked Luna's way, "take her with you."
Harry bristled at the Minister's words, but Luna was unperturbed. Having heard much worse insults in her life, a simple tonal change on a word was tame in contrast. "Sir, my name is Luna Lovegood," she asserted with an air of confidence. "And I've already said hello to The Weasleys. It would be redundant to do so again. Annoying even. And I do know annoyance well as I seem to provoke that emotion in others from time to time. For instance, I am able to tell you are annoyed with me at this very moment." Luna had altered her tone on the word you to mimic the way Scrimgeour had said her, and Harry softly chuckled. The sound of his laugh spurred Luna on. "Besides, I am sure Harry would like me to stay. Am I right?" She glanced in his direction, Harry gave a quick nod, and Luna sent him a reassuring smile before turning back to the Minister. "See, Mr. Scrimgeour, I am right."
Silence spread between the four of them while the Minister looked over Luna with a sharp eye. When he finally spoke it was to say her name slowly and with recognition. Putting pressure on his walking stick, he leaned in closer. "I know that name. Your father is Xenophilius Lovegood of the Quibbler."
Luna nodded and held her chin a little higher. "Yes, he is."
Scrimgeour's expression relaxed, which wasn't all that comforting when you took into account his already naturally severe facial features. "Like father, like daughter, I suppose. He too likes to speak his mind, and most often it's about not liking me." Scrimgeour mentioned this as if it were some amusing tidbit and Luna sensed it was a taunt meant to imply no one took her father seriously.
"I think you give yourself too much credit, Mr. Scrimgeour. His last issue was about the bumbling borks and their underground network of tunnels used to smuggle magical stones, not Ministry politics. Although I will admit that we do love our freedom of the press at the Quibbler."
"Indeed." This time Scrimgeour's voice lacked humor.
"So, what is it you want with Harry?" Luna continued. "Since you were so keen to get him alone I'm assuming it must not be anything that would be in Harry's favor. Why else would you need the secrecy?"
The Minister's forehead creased as his bushy eyebrows rose slowly. Luna wasn't sure if she had crossed a line, and for a moment her bravery wavered in the face of his incredulous expression. "A friendly chat, that's all. Hardly worth all this fuss you young girl are making," he said.
Luna pulled in a breath. All outward signs were directing her not to provoke the Minister any more than she already had, but it also wasn't in her nature to put faith in only what she saw. Luna tended to listen inward, since her intuition usually spoke more clearly, and this time it was reiterating that principle she chose to live her life by.
It's better to be honest. Always.
Luna expelled the breath she was holding and narrowed her gaze at the Minister. "Mr. Scrimgeour, I do not believe you are being entirely truthful. A simple chat would not require myself or Percy Weasley to leave. I can see you want Harry's help, perhaps in a Ministry matter, but I don't believe he will want to give you that help. Did you happen to read his interview in the Quibbler where he detailed his distrust in your system of governance? I would take that as a hint to where Harry stands concerning whatever it is you want from him."
Luna swallowed her fear as the Minster's glare deepened at her accusation. She did not want to cower in the face of his attempted intimidation, not when she had faced much worse in the Department of Mysteries. Harry had been with her during that fight with the Death Eaters and he was with her now. She tried focusing on his presence beside her, and then suddenly, as if her thoughts had traveled to Harry through their connection, Luna received a burst of courage when she felt Harry's hand grasp hers. Gently he squeezed it as if to say I'm here, and before Scrimgeour could reply with the angry retort she saw blazing in his eyes, Harry spoke first, "Luna's right!" She could see his temper simmering just below the surface, almost like an aura surrounding him, and she squeezed his hand back, hoping to impart some courage. It seemed to do the trick, because after a short pause Harry added rather forcefully, "You're lying. And I won't help you. No matter what it is you want. So you can shove off for all I care."
Standing beside Scrimgeour, Percy Weasley stared wide-eyed at Harry like he had grown a second head. Luna checked; he only had one and concluded it was more likely that Percy's shock was a product of viewing Harry's bravery in the face of someone as powerful as the Minister of Magic.
Even Scrimgeour was struck by his bold display and the quiet that followed was icy, but it thawed instantly when Mrs. Weasley came running out of the house seconds later shouting, "Oh, Percy! I heard someone yelling, looked out the window and saw you, but didn't believe it until ..." her words trailed off into unintelligible sobs as she threw her arms around him. Luna thought she heard, "You're here! You're really here!" a few times as Mrs. Weasley showered her son with kisses. Percy meanwhile had swapped his shocked face for a mortified one.
After that, any talk relating to what the Minister of Magic had actually wanted from Harry was delayed as they were all ushered inside, much to the annoyance of Scrimgeour. And considering Luna was an expert at recognizing that emotion, she could definitely see that the Minister was very annoyed at having been interrupted by Mrs. Weasley.