I have updated later as I hoped I could gain a few reviews, but I can only say a thank you to ninjacat5 for a review on the last chapter. I'm going to start slowing down updates in regards to how many reviews I get, as I can see that you guys are still reading; but I'm not getting the feedback that encourages me to write.
I understand that some of you will have more important things to think about, but here in not-so-sunny England, we are just beginning our Xmas holidays and I'm sure most of you will be too; so I'm hoping that that may bring some more time for you guys to review, as I love writing this story, and as of now, things are going to get much more interesting...hopefully. PS I will be giving shout outs to reviewers at the beginning of chapters, so maybe that will encourage you.
Okay on with the show...or story. I still own nothing...but maybe JK Rowling will be feeling generous this christmas...
Luna found herself handling the shop alone on the quietest day of the week; the rush for Hogwarts supplies had come and gone in the previous few days, and with her return to Hogwarts just three days away, Luna felt increasingly unhappy about the idea of returning. Luna's unhappiness had only been increased by George asking her to look after the shop alone while he made some errands. In the last week and a half, George had only been apart from Luna when they were asleep.
Luna sat behind the cash desk, flipping through the day's copy of The Daily Prophet as she waited to serve any customers. The bell above the door chimed, signalling somebody's arrival in the shop; it was George.
''Where have you been?'' she asked, not bothering to conceal the boredom in her voice.
''You'll find out in a minute'' he was wearing his mischievous grin and was holding something behind his back.
''What is it?'' Luna was forced to wait for a reply, as a woman and her son came to the desk.
George watched them leave after being served by Luna, and then brought out behind his back; a small tawny owl in a cage, and placed it on the counter. ''Ta daa''
''George you bought me an owl.'' Luna smiled as she looked into the cage; her boredom had changed suddenly into joy.
''Technically it's for me too; our own personal messenger. I thought it would be easier than borrowing Errol or Pig'' George guessed by Luna's expression that she appreciated the notion.
''He need's a name, or is it a she?'' She asked excitedly.
''He'' George answered.
''Ummm...Brian''
''Brian. Brian the owl'' George didn't sound to on board with the idea.
''It was the first name I could think of.''
''A hundered thousand names in the English language and the first one you think of for an owl is Brian.'' George smiled and shook his head. ''Ah well I haven't got any better suggestions; Brian it is.''
''Hello Brian'' Luna waved at the bird and opened his cage. He hopped on to the desk, before flying out of one of the shops open windows. ''Does he know where he's going?''
''Yeah, got it sorted while I was at the bird store.'' George checked that no one was still shopping and then locked the door for lunch break. ''So not long now''
''No'' Luna's mood went down quickly; she had not been able too stop herself from constantly counting down the time until she and George would be apart.
''But we have Brian...'' George paused, still very unsure about the choice of name. ''...and he'll be able to help us to talk everyday.''
''Everyday? George, I will have to do some work as well.''
''So?'' George put his arm across Luna's shoulders and pulled her into his side as they walked up the stairs towards the flat. ''If you don't write back to me everyday then I will be forced to come to that school and see for myself that you are okay.''
''Is that meant to be a threat? Because that only encourages me to not write back to you.'' Luna teased.
''That's the idea.'' George winked.
Three days later
''It's nice to see that we're going to be on time for once.'' Arthur shouted over the busy crowds of Kings Cross Station, as the Weasleys, Luna, Harry and Hermione worked their way towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten; it was the first time that the family hadn't had to run most of the way due to their late arrival, the giant clock on the platform told them it was ten to eleven.
''Okay, here we go. Ginny, Harry after you.'' Molly said as she and Arthur moved aside from the barrier, Harry and Ginny, who had been right behind them, ran towards the brick wall. As soon as they had vanished, George and Luna had followed, then Ron and Hermione, and finally Arthur and Molly went through themselves.
There was no doubting that platform nine and three quarters was quieter than any of the group had ever seen; it was by no means empty, but there was a clear absence of numbers.
''Blimey, looks as though there will be enough room for you all to have a compartment to yourselves'' Ron commented as he noted any familiar faces walking on to the train.
''It seems so strange, not going with you and Harry.'' Hermione's pained expression at leaving behind the man she loved was only too familiar to Luna, who had seen it in the mirror all day.
''It'll be alright'' Ron reassured her. ''You've got Luna and Ginny, and I'm sure I just saw a few of the old Gryffindors get on the train.''
''Yeah, I tink I just saw Lavender Brown get on board.'' Ginny joked, smirking at Ron.
Hermione looked as though she wanted to punch a brick wall. ''I swear to Merlin, I will end up killing her if we have to share rooms again.''
Taking in Hermione's angered expression, Ron turned to Ginny. ''Thanks for that''
As he began his attempts to soften Hermione's temper, Luna was pulled aside by George.
''I was wondering if I could give you something before you go?'' George asked, once they were able to talk without his family listening in.
''Of course'' Luna looked at him, curious as to what else he had got for her.
From his pocket, he pulled out what looked like a necklace chain; hanging from it was a silver door key.
''A key, what's it for?'' Luna asked as she took the key and looked too see if she could recognise where it came from.
''It's the key to the flat above the shop.'' Luna looked up at him; her eyes wide with surprise.
''Why are you giving it to me?''
''I've been thinking about moving back in; most of my stuff is still there, and I'm going to be working most days now anyway, besides the Burrow is just an apparition away.'' Luna still looked confused, so he elaborated. ''I don't know if things will be too different there for you, or if you just aren't happy there...but if you ever want to come home early; then I want you too use that key to come straight home to me first.''
''Oh George'' Her already fragile emotional state was shattered, and she threw herself at George with tears rolling down her face. ''I don't know what to say''
''You don't need to say anything; as long as you know how much I love you, and that I'm going to miss you so much.'' As she was hugging him, Luna could not see George's face, but if it looked as sad as his voice sounded; then she didn't want too.
''Luna, sweetheart, you need to be getting on the train.'' Molly called reluctantly; the sadness on George's face broke her heart.
As Luna pulled away, she saw tears in George's eyes; this only increased the number falling from her own.
She used her thumbs to wipe away the tears under his eyes, before kissing him softly on the lips. As she did, George took the key and put the chain around her neck; so that the key hung around her neck like a necklace.
''This will remind you that you'll have a place to stay whenever you come home to me.'' he whispered. ''I love you Luna''
''I love you too'' Luna used all of her strength to pull away from him, before joining Hermione and Ginny, who were equally as emotional as she was. The three boarded the train without looking back, knowing that if they did, they wouldn't be able to go.
As they walked down the carriages of the train, they were called by Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, who invited them to join them in their compartment.
''Seamus, didn't you finish last year?'' Hermione asked, trying to rid any tears that were still on her face, while putting her bags up on the side.
''No, Mum wouldn't let me, not with Dumbledore dead; she was convinced that it would be dangerous.'' He replied. ''But Dean wrote to me a few weeks back and told me he was coming to finish his final year, and Mum let me come back too.'
After a couple of minutes of catching up, the sounds of the engine were heard. Dean and Seamus had already said their goodbyes and stayed where they were, the girls got out of the compartment and walked to the window; looking over the platform where the Weasleys and Harry stood.
Luna smiled softly at George, who was stood by Ron. He waved to her and smiled sadly back at her. Hermione burst into a fresh set of tears as she saw Ron, while Ginny shouted 'I love you' at Harry. Molly also had tears on her face as she waved at the girls, while Arthur looked proudly at them.
As the train finally pulled away from the station, Luna moved away from the window and back towards the compartment; as she did so, she held tightly on to the key hanging around her neck. She knew that whether she stayed at Hogwarts for a day, a week, a month or for her entire final year, she would always have her home to go back to; because she knew now that her home was with George.
As George watched the train pull away, he thought of his dream; it didn't matter that in reality he was surrounded by his family, he felt just as lonely as he had in his dream when he had been stood at the platform alone. She had become his everything in the last few months, and she had always been so close by, but now she already seemed to be a million light-years away.
Next chapter; Luna arrives back at Hogwarts, notices some changes and meets a mysterious Ravenclaw who seems a little too interested in her.
I understand that Brian is just the most random name I could have possibly picked for an owl, but I was watching Family Guy as I was thinking of names, and Brian just stuck; I thought that it might just be weird enough to make sense.
I don't want to beg as much as I did at the start, but please, please, please review. Okay that wasn't much better, but maybe if I say it a lot it will be subliminally entered into your brains ;^)