[AN: Hi all, I just wanna wish everyone happy holidays as they draw ever closer! I wanna say I enjoyed writing this chapter, I hope you enjoy reading it. I want to dedicate this chapter to Looney-kba & Soaker, as they helped me write this chapter- whether it was through inspiration or encouragement. As always, I appreciate the reviews- in a world where HP/GW is the norm, any encouragement is loved and well received. As far as the delay on this chapter goes: I'm getting married in 2 days, so I've been a little busy lately, but this story has not been far from my mind. I'll get the next chapter up sometime next week, hopefully by Sunday the 25th. Let me know how you like it.
Disclaimer : I do not own HP, see original disclaimer. I get lots of enjoyment out of this, but I aspire to get no money from this or any other story I author on III: A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Harry awoke the next morning with Luna breathing steadily beside him, she had kicked off her pink shoes and they too, like Luna, were laying on their sides. Harry admired how Luna slept, he even dared himself to think of how she might like the upstairs bed a little better; but then came to control his thoughts. After all those battles with Occlumency, he had best know how to master himself, he thought as he silently crept up from the couch.
He scratched his head and yawned sleepily as he tiptoed into the kitchen , where Kreacher was tiptoeing on a three legged stool, whistling lowly as he sprinkled green herbs into a stew. "A pleasant morning, Master Harry." Kreacher croaked, as he hopped off the stool and went to pull out Harry's chair for him.
"Good morning, Kreacher." Harry said scratchily, and he cleared his throat as the House Elf poured him out a bowl of steaming broth.
"To ease your throat, Master." Kreacher then happily pranced off towards the stove, to return the black pot to the heat.
Harry gave his thanks and began to sip on the broth, thoroughly enjoying the meal Kreacher had prepared. It wasn't long before Harry heard a resounding knocking on his front door and scolded himself for forgetting. Ron was supposed to stop over , but surely it wasn't that late? Harry panicked and took his wand, and quickly muttered "Muffliato" towards Luna direction; smiling as she continued to dream.
Kreacher made an attempt to get the door, but Harry forestalled him. "Please Kreacher, I'll get it, you've done a terrific job this morning, please, go polish the Mistresses' frame, Ok?" Kreacher smiled broadly and quickly reached under the sink to gather his prized cleaning supplies.
Ron greeted Harry warmly as the bitter cold air invited itself into Harry's home. "Ooh Harry, is that Kreacher's cinnamon crème broth?" Ron said, carelessly laying his well padded jacket on the ground just beside the coat hanger. Harry took notice of Ron's carelessness and picked up his coat with a sigh.
"Business still going well then with George?" Harry inquired as he hung up Ron's coat and headed into the kitchen. Ron had already helped himself to a bowl of broth and had sat down next to Harry's chair, Harry sat down next to him and began to sip on his piping hot broth.
"Mmm yeah, oooch!" Ron jumped, as the broth burned his tongue, he reached for a nearby glass of water that had previously belonged to Harry. "Yeah, business is going really well. Mum is still working on all the proceeds from Fred's charity, donating them to some of the new first years." Ron's scarred face had a shadow fall upon it at the mention of his fallen brother.
"George still getting on?" Harry approached carefully.
"He's still laughing, but I can tell he's not the same."
"Mmm…" Harry acknowledged, unsure of where to go next.
"How was the concert?"
"It was great fun, we had a real nice time."
"Who did you get to go with you?" Ron reached across the table and poured himself another helping of water, as he scooted in closer to the table.
Harry felt a little nervous, he hadn't meant to get to this point so quickly. After all, he and Ginny had only separated a few months ago. Would Ron still be upset about him moving on so quickly? "Well , I know how well Luna likes them, she went with me."
Ron nearly spurted hot broth all over Kreacher's polished table. His normally pale face flushed with colour and his eyes bulged out, as if they were snitches looking to escape a hand. "Looney!"
Harry fixed Ron with a piercing stare, Harry was in no mood for Ron's continued degradation of Luna. "Yes, Ron, Luna. She and I had fun."
"Great. What should I tell Ginny when she asks me about this?"
"The truth. We're apart, she should be able to cope, Merlin knows she's handled tougher times than knowing I went to a concert with Luna."
"I can't believe you Harry. You just broke up with her for the second time, don't you realize she's crazy for you?"
"She's crazy for the idea of me, Ron. She doesn't know me like …."
"Like Looney Lovegood?"
"Stop calling her that."
"It's true though."
"No, Ron. She fought in the battle of Hogwarts, and she held her damned ground. She fought bravely, just like the rest of us." Harry defended her, feeling his blood grow hot as his fingers pressed deeply into the woodworks.
"Look at her dad though, he turned traitor on all the wizarding world!"
"Are you saying you wouldn't have done the same had Hermione been in danger?"
Ron continued to turn an admirable shade of red as he spooned more broth into his mouth, finally muttering something about her.
"Sorry, Mate. Couldn't hear that last." Harry pressed him.
"I said, Hermione can take care of herself. Looney did what, fight off some lackey Death Eaters?"
Harry stood up, and withdrew his wand and pointed it at Ron, it's tip already glowing yellow. "Do not call Luna that again, Ronald, or I swear on Merlins' crusty beard, I will have you."
Ron seemed cowed by the confrontation and muttered a quick 'sorry' before returning to his meal.
"Now then, how are you and Hermione?"
"Her parents are back if that's what you want to know."
"Yes, and how did meeting them go?"
"Fine."
Harry had learned a few days earlier that Hermione anticipated introducing Ron to her mother and father, intent upon taking him home as her war-hero boyfriend.
"Well…what did they think? Are you two going to be dating?"
Ron dropped his spoon in the bowl and it made a clattering noise before dropping into the liquid. "No, Harry. We're not." Ron spoke viciously as he looked at anything but Harry.
"No?" Harry was curious. "Why? What happened?"
"Don't wanna talk about it."
"Ron, I'm your best mate, you can tell me."
"I'm supposed to tell you my secrets, when you haven't even shared the fact that Looney Lovegood is asleep on your couch, where you undoubtedly were mere minutes ago? Isn't that right?" Ron's face was pure red now, he was on his feet and his wand was clutched in his white hand.
Harry spoke without thinking, words issuing from his mouth almost faster than his wand could work. "What Ron! Does someone have to die in battle to have your respect!?" Harry slashed the air with his wand, casting a slug regurgitating curse with all his might. "That spell should be familiar Ron! It was the spell you attempted to use to defend the girl you loved!"
As Ron's reddened face turned purple, he doubled over, searching frantically for a bucket before the slugs started coming. He failed.
"You are incorrigible! Damn it Ronald! Get over it!" Harry paraded around the room, admiring how the slugs came not only from Ron's mouth, but his nostrils as well now. "Yes, Ron. If you must know, Luna spent the night here, it was late by the time we got back. Do I honestly need to remind you of how many Death Eater's are still on the loose!?"
"You're wrong for her. Ginny. Not that girl!"
"Ginny is wrong for me, Ron. She has only ever seen me as the Poster boy, the one who defeated Voldemort all those years ago! Now that I've finally gotten rid of him her fascination has only increased! I would love to be with Ginny again, but I want to know the real her, I don't want another fan-girl!" Harry was sweating now, as he shook his head in disbelief at his friend.
"It's never been like that Harry." Ron vomited a particularly large slug after saying this, and it plopped onto the floor with a satisfying "pliuck!" Kreacher poked his head around the corner, his hands holding a cloth.
"Ron. Granted your understanding of girls has increased to a level of competency that most first years possess notwithstanding, Ginny does see me as a hero. She needs to see me for who I am, and I want to give her a chance to see that. But before she can ever overcome her fantasies, she needs to know the real me." Harry waved his wand and reversed the nasty spell he had cast.
Ron looked up at him, eyes red and puffy from exertion. "Fine, Harry. You break her apart again, and I'll split you into more pieces than…well..you know."
"VOLDEMORT!" Harry yelled, scaring Ron into a hunched position.
"Yeah. Him."
Ron made an attempt to exit the kitchen, and surreptitiously glanced into the still sleeping Luna, and gabbed his coat off the rack. "I'll be getting on then , Harry. I don't want to start another fight. Seems to be all I'm good at these days."
"That and eating everything in sight." Harry murmured, it was a shame Ron didn't hear it, Harry thought.
Ron went to give Harry a pat on the back and a hug, his face lowered sheepishly. "Look mate, I just want to see you happy. If Luna can give you that, fine. But don't close yourself out to Ginny forever, she's the best girl I know- she's your other half mate."
"You just love making these jokes about fractions don't you, Ronald?"
Ron grinned and put on his jacket, and uttering his goodbyes, he appirated away once he was on the first step of 12 Grimmauld.
Harry walked into the room where Luna was still slumbering peacefully, the Muffliato charm working wonderfully even during his shouting. Harry reached into a closet, remembering how years before he had cleaned it of Doxies, and brought out another blanket for Luna. He placed it upon her and turned to leave the room.
Harry went into his private study, that was adorned with Sneakoscopes and Foe Glasses, complimentary of the will left by Alastor Moody. Harry sat at his mahogany desk and withdrew a quill and parchment. On the parchment he began to scribble a note to Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
Things went as expected, he was despondent as per usual. Apparently he is still upset about your parents' comments. I don't know why he didn't see the humour in it, honestly. The way he eats, you'd think he would take their comment as a compliment. "You'll eat us out of house and home before the Christmas meal even begins!" I laughed so hard when you told me, to think, he must still be oblivious to all his eating. I agree with you, when you do get together, put him on a diet.
Yes, I did ask Luna to go with me, we had an excellent time…by the way, sorry about how Ron will show up, do burn this part of the letter after you read it, wouldn't want him to see. You were right, Luna did admit to it, loving me I mean. I'll learn to listen to you one of these days. It's good to hear that Ginny is taking some time off from dating guys. She is strong, I know that when we do get together next time, it will be for the right reasons. Don't tell her how much I miss her, it wouldn't do for her to know such things.
Congratulations on the acceptance into the Ministry! I'm sure Mafalda would be proud to have you as her successor. I'll still be using Wulfric to send this, …he's still having trouble finding me at times, but with an owl so young, what can you expect?
Hoping to hear from you, and see you soon
-Harry
P.S. I'll be sending my gift to you soon enough , hope you like Pear Trees.
Harry sealed up the scroll and summoned his new snowy white owl to his side, clicking his fingers together crisply. "Hello Wulfric." Harry petted his new owl as he tied the scroll to his outstretched leg. The owl pecked him and set off towards his special exit at the topmost portion of the house.
Harry watched as the owl left him and felt himself suddenly want to be holding onto Luna, as thoughts of Hedwig came back to him.
"Hagrid! We have to go back!"
A flash of green light.
"Hedwig! No!"
"Confingo!"
Harry remembered that awful night, and could no longer resist the urge not to lay down and hold Luna. She stirred as he laid down next to her and her bright, although sleepy eyes, looked up at him warmly. "Oh, Harry. Isn't this pleasant?" She asked, and although it was rhetorical, Harry uttered an answer all the same.
"Oh yes, very comfortable indeed." Harry nodded.
"Harry, it's almost Christmas time, you know. We only have a few more days. What do you think about going shopping for presents?"
"Oh yeah," Harry said awkwardly as he massaged her blonde hair.
"What do you think we should get for Hermione?"
"How about a partridge in a pear tree?"
Luna cocked her head to one side and a curious expression fell on her face. "What's that?"
"It's a Muggle Christmas Carol. The twelve days of Christmas."
"But Harry, surely Muggles can count…unless they're part of the Grim Claw Clan…, there's only one day of Christmas."
Harry laughed, and quickly stopped himself. "Please, forgive me Luna. I'll explain."
Her eyes grew wide and she sat up, crossed legged and her hands folded in her lap. She nodded and urged him on. "Do tell me, please." She smiled.
"In Muggle homes, they sing a Christmas carol called 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', and it tells of presents given during the twelve days between Christmas and the days Muggle wise men gave presents to a Muggle named Jesus. He's a very respected Muggle leader."
She nodded in understanding. "Kind of like Stubby Boardman?"
Harry laughed, and nodded his head. "Yes, in fact, he had even more influence that Stubby."
Her eyes grew even more wide and she dropped her jaw in amazement. "Wow."
"But yes, one of the presents listed in that song is a partridge in a pear tree, a partridge is a bird. That represents the man Jesus, that's all I know, after that Hermione could probably tell you the rest. But it was my way of joking, Hermione would have understood and found it funny."
"Ok then, we'll get Hermione Jesus. Surely there are pictures of him." Luna nodded and got up quickly, eager to get to shopping.
Harry nodded in his amusement and took her hand, together they departed to go Christmas shopping for all their friends. Where they would find a picture of Jesus, Harry hadn't a clue, but it didn't matter; the longer they shopped- the longer he got to be with Luna.