A big Weasley grin to anyone who reviewed my last chapter, thank you :D
I don't own anything...yet!
Luna ran out into the alleyway behind Weasley Wizard Wheezes, leaving Ginny to make her way to Hermione's house.
She saw George in the distance, getting further away from her. Breaking into a sprint; Luna sped down the alley, and called out to him.
George was torn as he heard her calls; a part of him wanted to turn around and let her run to him, while another part of him wanted to apparate far away; where his emotions could only affect him and not those around him.
''George, please'' Luna ran around him and came to a halt; stopping him in his tracks. ''George, what's wrong?''
''Nothing's wrong. In fact everything's perfect.'' George spat, looking over her shoulder rather than her face.
''George, don't be like this. Talk to me.''
He finally looked at her, although when Luna saw the look in his eyes; she may have preferred it if he hadn't. ''Why? It's not as if I'll be able to talk to you when you're off at Hogwarts while I'm here.''
''Why are you acting like this?''
George simply shook his head; as if he was trying to shake something out of his mind. ''Because it made you so happy.''
Luna was taken aback by this. ''I'm sorry?''
''You were so happy that you were going back, and all I can think about is what it's going to be like not seeing you everyday!'' George shouted at her. However, after a few deep breaths, he seemed to regret what he had said. His voice and expression had suddenly become sad and vulnerable. ''I'm sorry''
Luna took a step towards him and placed a hand on his cheek. ''What's wrong George?''
''When you moved into the Burrow, it was as if I was being given the one thing I needed to stay sane, and the idea of you being taken away...it just got to me, I'm really sorry Luna.''
''It's okay, I completely understand.'' Luna put her small hands into George's larger ones and gently swung them. ''George if you need me here, then I'll stay here.''
''Really?''
''Of course. If there is anything I have learned from the war; then it is that there is nothing more important than those you care about.'' As Luna smiled up at George, he thought about how important she had become to him, as well as how selfless she was, how selfless she always had been...and why she deserved to finally do something for herself.
''Luna, I don't want you to not go because of me. If you want to go then I'll be happy for you, and I will support you in everything you do.''
George's sudden change of attitude left Luna confused, ''But you were so upset before.''
''I know, but your happiness is more important.''
Luna walked into George's embrace and held him tightly. ''Are you sure because I'll stay if...''
''Luna, it's about time you were selfish; this is something you want to do for yourself and you deserve that.'' George spoke into her ear as he held her in his arms, never wanting to let her go.
''I don't want to leave you George, but it's just that I really hated the fact that in never finished school, and I've always hoped that I would get the chance to go back. Unlike you, I planned on finishing my education.''
George chuckled into her hair, ''that's true, and we can make the most of the next three weeks before you go. Besides, once you're there; there's Hogsmeade weekends, we can write to each other everyday, and Mum will definitely want you at the Burrow at Christmas.''
''Thank you...'' Luna hugged him even tighter ''...for supporting me.''
''You're welcome, but you're also suffocating me so...' George took Luna's arms from around him and put one down by her side, he took the hand of the other arm in his own hand, and led her back to the shop.
After a hectic afternoon at Weasley Wizard Wheezes, George and Luna finally apparated back to the Burrow at around six o'clock.
''George. Luna. Could you come in here please.'' Arthur's voice came from the kitchen.
''Blimey. What's going on?'' George asked as he arrived in the kitchen. Crowded in the room was; Arthur Molly, Ginny, Ron, Percy, Harry and Hermione.
''Well son, me and your mother have been considering something for the last few days, and following Ginny's news about the school reopening, we decided to go ahead with our plan.'' Whatever fate awaited the Weasley clan, Arthur seemed almost giddy with excitement. ''Since Ginny, Luna and Hermione will be leaving in three weeks, and Harry and Ron are going to begin Auror training soon, we thought that it might be a nice idea for us all to go away and spend some time together.''
''Away. Where to?'' Ron asked, not entirely enthusiastic; his dad believed that Oxford Street was one of the incredible wonders of Muggle civilisation, and if they were taking a day trip to the Muggle part of London, Ron wasn't going to even pretend to be enthusiastic.
''Well Hermione spoke so fondly of Australia after she went to retrieve her parents. So we were thinking of going there.''
Everyone looked to Hermione. ''It really was beautiful. Of course, we would have to be amongst Muggles for the entire time, so there would be no magic.''
Both George and Ron made sounds of disapproval regarding the 'no magic' part of the holiday, while Luna, Ginny, Percy and Harry seemed rather excited about the prospect of going away.
''Sounds nice. I would like to travel somewhere when I'm not being hunted down by the whole of wizarding kind.'' Harry said, realising that it would be his first ever proper holiday.
''George will it be alright for you to close the shop for a week.'' Athur turned to his second youngest son.
''Don't see why not. The real business will start flowing a week or so before Hogwarts opens again anyway.''
''Wonderful, so if I take a holiday from work next week, will we be all ready to go on Saturday.''
A general sound of agreement came from everyone in the room, delighting Arthur and Molly.
''Oh, and remember then, that you will all have to be up early on Saturday morning.'' Molly added.
''Oh no, why? It will only take a few seconds to apparate there, why do we have to get up early?'' Ron complained; he was not a morning person.
''No son, were not apparating.'' Arthur said, a big smile emerging on to his face.
''Are we going by the Floo network?'' Luna asked. Arthur shook his head.
''Well how on Earth are we going to get there then Dad?'' Percy asked, hoping that the answer would not be 'we're going to walk there'.
''If we are going to holiday like Muggles, we are going to travel like Muggles.'' Arthur stated, leaving Luna and all the other Weasleys (excluding Molly) completely confused. Harry and Hermione shared a look and chuckled.
''The first part of our holiday will be to experience travel by aeroplane.'' Arthur stated with a huge enthusiastic smile. When none of his children or Luna responded, he looked at his wife.
''Lets leave them to it Arthur.'' Molly said, putting her arm through her husband's, and leading him out of the kitchen.
George and Luna shared utterly bemused looks, Percy and Ginny ran off to see if they could find out information for themselves, while Ron looked to his girlfriend and best friend.
''Harry, Hermione. What the bloody hell is an aeroplane?''
Next chapter; The Weasley's get ready for take off, and Luna worries about whether she really can leave George to go back to Hogwarts.
R & R