CHAPTER 6: Surprises

Harry and Hermione apparated to the door of a modest one story flat in the suburbs of London. There was a shiny car in the driveway and the lawn was well cared for. It looked very average. There was not a hint that two of the oddest magical people they knew lived inside.

They walked up the driveway, hiding the 'Mimbulus mimbletonia' behind their backs, and knocked on the door. They heard a momentary flurry of movement from inside and the door opened to reveal Luna Lovegood.

'Harry! Hermione! How lovely to see you,' she said. He voice had lost the mystic, distant tone it had had at Hogwarts. She had filled out considerably, and she looked much more down to earth, though her eyes still held a hint of the dreamy look. 'Please, come in.'

Hermione hugged Luna warmly and Harry smiled happily at them. They were ushered a sitting room filled with odd-looking plants but, Harry was happy to see, there was no 'Mimbulus mimbletonia' among them. They sat on a plain, puffy green couch and Luna went to get Neville.

'Harry! Hermione!' he said, helping Harry to his feet and pulling him into a hug. Harry hugged the man back affectionately and sat back on the couch. 'What's up, you guys?'

'Well, you know that we took Ron's…death a little hard,' Harry said, cringing a bit. 'But now we are moving on and, to celebrate our mourning leave, we decided to reunite with some old friends,' Harry explained. 'We got you something,' he said happily, taking the 'Mimbulus mimbletonia' out from behind his back.

Neville gasped. 'Oh, Harry, you shouldn't have! How did you know I needed one? How much did this cost? They're supposed to be expensive,' he jabbered, seemingly overwhelmed with gratitude. Harry smiled at him and shrugged.

'There are certain advantages to having a scar,' he said, shaking his hair out of the way. Neville nodded, still gaping at the odd plant he had wanted for so long. 'You had one in fifth year and I knew you liked it so much that you probably wanted another one.'

'We have something to tell you as well,' Hermione said, interrupting the boys little reunion. Harry looked at her lovingly and put his arm around her. She rested her head in the crook of his neck and looked at the couple across from them. It took a moment, but Luna caught on.

'Oh, Hermione, I'm so happy for you!' she cried throwing her arms around Hermione and hugging her tightly. 'You've started dating?! How sweet is that! And you're okay with it?' she asked, surprised that Hermione was dating so soon.

'Harry says it's what Ron had wanted. Ron told him that, if he couldn't be there for me, Harry should. It was really sweet and probably the nicest thing he had ever done for me,' Hermione explained, tears in her eyes despite her smile.

'Neville, Luna, what was it you wanted to tell us?' Harry asked, putting his arm back around Hermione's shoulders and looking at them expectantly. Luna put her hand on her stomach and they both smiled mysteriously.

Hermione gasped and put her hand over her mouth. 'Really!?' she asked, ecstatic by the look on her face. They had lost Harry in the process and she rolled her eyes. She whispered in his ear, 'Luna's pregnant,' and then beamed at Luna.

'Oh!' Harry said, smiling at them both. Neville was looking smug and happy and Luna was practically glowing. 'Congrats, Neville! You're gonna be a DAD!' he yelled, pulling Neville into another hug. He slapped him on the back and laughed a bit. 'I wish you both luck. I know you'll be happy,' he said certainly.

'Oh, Luna, we have to have a baby shower and we've got to do it soon,' Hermione was saying, kneeling in front of Luna with her hands on the other girl's knees. 'We'll get Ginny and Lavender and Parvarti and everyone we can think of to come and we'll all bring you presents to help with the baby and me and Harry will be glad to baby-sit any time you need us to,' Hermione assured her.

'What?' Harry asked, alarmed at the idea of being responsible for a baby that wasn't even his. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and turned back to Luna.

'I'll baby-sit anytime you need me to,' she said, then added in a whisper, 'Boys. They're absolutely useless.' She giggled and Luna nodded. 'Anyway, we need to call Ginny and see how many other girls we can get a hold of. Ravenclaw girls, too, an any other girls you wish to invite.'

'What about us?' Neville asked, sounding offended at being left out of the plans.

'Boys never come to a baby shower,' Hermione said obviously. 'It's a girl thing. Boys go to bachelor parties where they go out and enjoy their last night as a free man before they get married. You are getting married, right?' she asked, Luna. She nodded and smiled at Neville, her smile full of love and devotion.

'Well, nice seeing you,' Harry said, clapping Neville on the back again. 'We'll get together with Dean and Seamus to talk over plans for a bachelor party. Good luck, mate.' Neville nodded and smiled at him.

'We have to get home,' Hermione bustled. 'We'll see you later. I'll come over soon to help with plans and I'll bring Ginny, okay? Do you guys still have your DA coins?' Luna nodded, positively beaming at her. 'Good. We'll tell you the date we're coming by that. See you then. Good luck!' Hermione called, waving as the walked down the drive. Luna and Neville stood in the doorway, his arm around her waist, waving back at them. Harry took her hand and they disapparated.