Chapter Three
Out of all the spells he'd learn during Auror training, Harry couldn't for the life of him figure out why he hadn't remembered a summoning charm of some sorts that could bring Ginny to him. He'd broken three quills sending Howlers to Hermione's house with no prevail, and try as he might he couldn't break her Anti-Apparition charm. She was awfully handy around the house. He was mentally listening places Ginny might have gone when a firework exploded in the foyer. He'd been meaning to disable the "doorbell" George had secretly installed last time he'd come over, which caused Catherine Wheels to circle the air every time someone came to the door. He waved his wand angrily as he got up to see who it was.

"Harry! How have you been?" Neville Longbottom's dark hair was damp from the rain, which was tormenting Harry every time he ventured outside. He couldn't get the picture of Ginny running into the storm, tears running down her cheeks out of his mind.

"I've been better," Harry admitted truthfully. He stepped aside to allow Neville entrance to the Sitting Room. Neville had been away for a few days on some expedition with Ernie Macmillan. They were extremely interested in visiting some wizard in Nepal who was growing gravity-resistant trees.

Neville was oblivious to Harry's mood, instead switching to firing questions about recent goings on. "Have you seen Luna lately?" he asked curiously. Harry wasn't surprised with the sudden change of subject to Luna, because she was just about the only one who didn't realise that Neville was crushing on her... hard.

"No more than usual. I have to see her later about some meeting I supposedly have with Kingsley," Harry said distractedly, still listing places in his head. He doubted Ginny would be anywhere in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. If she was at the Ministry Harry would probably know already which didn't leave many other places he could think of. All of a sudden it shot into his head and he was shocked he hadn't thought of it before.

"Listen, Neville. I have to get to work. We could catch up later if you want?" Harry said hurriedly, anxious to get rid of Neville so he could prove his theory correct.

"Sure, I have to go see Gran anyway," Neville said cheerfully. He turned on the spot while Harry was already racing upstairs to get his Firebolt.

***

It was a Monday morning in early November which meant the holiday season was closing in and Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was bustling as usual. Skiving Snackboxes were disappearing off the shelves faster than usual which had George crazily busy with back orders. The blonde haired man with a thin pale face and a black cloak didn't look out of place among the customers. Draco didn't draw his wand until he was at the counter but the gesture didn't go unnoticed.

"Mr Malfoy, always a pleasure. What can I do for you?" George said pleasantly. He put down the clipboard and quill he was holding and looked up into the snarling face before him.

"You can leave Luna Lovegood alone," Draco growled. George's expression immediately darkened, his mouth set into a thin line.

"She is none of your business," he said coldly.

"Do you want to take this outside and I'll show you what my business is." George grabbed at his robes for his wand when his assistant Carla called to him from the back room. As good an opportunity this was to disappear as any, George shut the door in Malfoy's face and locked it with a wave of his wand. Luna was standing in front of his desk, a headset around her neck. Even with her blonde hair piled on top of head messily and her blouse soaked from the rain she still looked so beautiful that George wanted to throw his wand on the table and scoop her into his arms.

"Are you okay?" she asked in alarm, a lock of blonde hair falling into her eyes. She brushed it away absentmindedly but it fell down again so George stepped forward and pushed it behind her ear.

"I'm fine," he reassured her, but she still looked worried. She threw herself into his arms and grabbed his arm tightly.

"I didn't think anything of it at first. Draco's been annoying me for weeks because I wouldn't go to dinner with him and I thought he would just give up eventually. But then he started sending me notes and showing up at my house. I didn't know what else to do," she sobbed.

George didn't have experience in the whole girl's emotional thing, but he tried to comfort Luna as best he could. Both were so caught up in the moment that they didn't notice Neville standing by the door. By the time Luna saw him he'd already disappeared into the sea of customers and out the door.

"Neville?" Luna questioned to herself in confusion.

"What?" George asked. He held Luna at arms length and looked into her silvery blue eyes.

"Neville was just here but he stormed out for some reason. I wonder why," Luna said thoughtfully. The last thing she'd heard about Neville was him going to Nepal with Ernie Macmillan. Now he was obviously back in town and something had stirred him up.

***

Hermione walked quickly down the hall on level one, heading for the office next to the Minister for Magic's. She was carrying a stack of parchment as a cover but she actually had to talk to her best friend urgently. The door was ajar and Luna's desk was empty. She walked over to the desk and found a rolled up scroll of parchment with her name on it.

Hermione,
I had a feeling you might stop by this morning and I'm writing this very quickly because I have to get to Diagon Alley. Draco Malfoy's been harassing me again so I went to rescue George before he tried to duel him in the middle of the shop but I should be back soon. Actually, I'll meet you at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch. What time is it now, 10? Okay, twelve I'll be at the Leaky Cauldron. See you then.
Luna

Hermione tucked the scroll into her robes and hurried back out of the room. While she was here she might as well see Kingsley about her new department placement.

"Hermione, how are you?" Kingsley said kindly. The thing Hermione loved about the Minister for Magic that he was always caring and considerate, no matter how bogged down he was with running the wizarding world.

"I'm fine, thankyou. I actually came about my new placement."

Kingsley nodded understandably. "I thought you might be. I was actually going to come and see you about that," he said amusedly.

A swarm of butterflies immediately converged in Hermione's stomach. What could be so important about her department placement that would make the Minister for Magic want to come and see her personally about it?

"Congratulations Hermione, you're the new Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement."

***

Harry hoped that Ginny would be around here somewhere as he Apparated into the Forest of Dean. They'd picnicked there on many occasions and considered it their special spot. Sure enough, as he looked up at the tree that held Moody's magical eye he could see the familiar mane of flaming red hair.