Chapter fifteen: Grocery stores; the new single's bar.

It had only been a week since they had all moved out; only a single week alone with Kreature in that huge empty house, and Harry wasn't sure how many more weeks like that he could survive.

What did heroes do after they were done saving the world? Was growing out your hair and experimenting with facial hair all he had left?

Getting a dog might be a good idea; a nice large, black, dog. Harry's stomach tightened.

"Is there something wrong with those pears?"

"Um…" Hjarry jerked out of his reverie to face across the basket of pears to Luna Lovegood. "Hello Luna, no I don't think; I was just thinking."

"Because epears often serve as homes for pelizey shorts." She continued, her voice falling to a direly grave note.

"Well, I didn't see any." Harry was too distracted to find Lana's lunacies in the least bit annoying, or amusing; actually, he didn't really have time for them this morning.

"Well, see you around?" Harry dropped several pears into his shopping bag and moved on to a display of carrots; whatever Kreature was useful for, Harry certainly was not about to trust him with food shipping.

The muggle grocery store was good enough for Harry, and he wasn't all that sure how wizards bought their food, and muggles didn't recognize him.

"Are you alright?"

Harry blinked; he had been staring at the carrots for two or three minutes. Why was Luna in a muggle grocer store? Maybe he was hallucinating…

There was Luna, smack dab in the middle of a muggle establishment; dressed in blue jeans and a vividly orange t-shirt no less. But, there was no doubt about it, she was there; Harry resisted the urge to pinch himself.

"I'm fine," and at her skeptical look he added "really."

"If you say so; are you doing anything tomorrow night?"

"No; wha-" Harry was about to ask her exactly what had brought her to this somewhat uncharacteristic location, but Luna interrupted him again.

"Perfect, I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron at the moment; why don't you stop by for dinner tomorrow night about…" Luna trailed off in thought, and Harry could do little more then stare in shock. "Six O'clock?"

"Um; sure."

"Lovely." With a smile and a light touch on the arm, in passing, she walked out of the grocery; while Harry wasn't tingling, he did feel an urge to smile after her.

The rest of his shopping was overcast in a haze as Harry wondered what exactly had just happened.

All that morning's angsting about being along, and who other then Ron and Hermione were sitting on his stoop when Harry did arrive home.

"Harry!" Hermione was on her feet in a moment, as Harry climbed out of the taxi; her arms thrown about him in an energetic hug,

"'ello." 'Twas the day for him to be stunned speechless; Ron grabbed his two bags of groceries and they escorted him up the doorstep.

"So, how has living all by yourself been like?"

"It's been different. But in a good way; I guess I'm just nervous about the dinner thing as well." Harry added the last in a rush at the sympathy that darkened Hermione's face, sending a tingling finger of guilt down his spine.

"I guess you don't have a date then." Rom mussed, breaking the silence that pervaded the monstrous and empty house.

"Maybe he's going with someone else." Hermione countered, as if she knew more on the subject then Harry did.

"I don't; is it really necessary?" As usual, girls, even just talking about them, sapped all his energy. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"It's probably expected; traditional. But, don't feel any pressure at all." Hermione shrugged, trying to make sense, of what Harry viewed as, one of the universe's unsolvable mysteries.

Ron was saved from contributing further by a strategic exit to the pantry,

"That really relieves the pressure." Harry rolled his eyes; flopping into a kitchen chair, he dropped his torso across the table. "Who would I take anyway?" He realized his mistake a split second later, as light dawned across Hermione's face.

"You could ask Luna." Hermione suggested, leaning over Harry.

A/N thank-you to everyone who reviewed; it's nice to know certain friends of mine who want to read the story aren't just refreshing the pages over and over to up my hits.

(They're posing as other people at the very least  )