SEVEN

The bike ride back into greater Hangleton took longer, but seemed much easier, having completed his task. The man at the hire desk was surprised to see Harry back so soon, but was brushed of easily.

'There are more hills than I expected.'

Apep's bite had hurt more than he thought it would, and while it was only a dry bite, so no poison, it seemed to be getting very inflamed. Harry mentally thanked the spirits that he only had to peddle with his legs (not necessarily the norm for him, having learnt at the Weasleys) as he finally made it back into town.

But then, this was the reason Harry had wanted to go for the ring just before visiting Luna. He trusted her above anyone else, and if things had gone terribly wrong, there wasn't a set of hands more capable as far as he was concerned. Not to mention that Xeno had been an Unspeakable, and would (despite probably blaming some obscure creature) have managed any healing pretty well, or in the very least known who to contact.

As it was, Harry might have to take advantage a little bit.

Arriving back at the train station, Harry slipped into the alcove but instead of paying to receive a pinch of floo powder, he reached into his pocket and pulled out Luna's note. Attached to it was a small pouch of violently pink powder. Harry sighed, but threw it into the flames.

'Rook Beginning.'

Harry arrived in dark red flames, and was spat out upside down into the Lovegood lounge room. Harry was actually capable of landing that on his knees at least, but it had taken almost three years of visiting frequently to manage, and he didn't want to give himself away. Laying face down in the carpet he let out a deep moan, and contemplated if the resistance was worth it. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud 'Squee!' followed by a small Luna throwing herself onto his back.

Forcibly reminding himself that this Luna was twelve, Harry tried desperately hard not to be turned on, and disentangled himself quickly. In the process he had to lean fully on his injured arm, which drew most of his attention away, as it buckled under him and he ended back on the floor. Harry shut his eyes and groaned.

He opened them a moment later and had to stop from groaning again. Both Luna and Xeno were leaning over him with wide and slightly out of focus eyes.

'Welcome to out home, Mr. Potter. Would you like some tea?' Xeno asked, obviously used to people arriving on the floor. Harry couldn't decide whether to laugh or groan again. He settled for a light smile. It was nice being back here.

'Tea sounds lovely.'

'How do you take it?'

'A dash of cream and two salt cubes please.'

Xeno nodded, then wandered off. Harry was left with Luna giving him a strange look.

'It's nice to see you too, Lu.'

'I didn't know you liked salt in your tea?' Luna questioned.

'Hmm.' Harry ignored the probe. He was all for not letting on he'd visited before, but the food was his limit. He had discovered (purely by accident) that the trick to Xeno's cooking was to add salt when you expected to add sugar, and visa-versa. It felt wrong to give away such a strong clue, but the food went from rivaling Hagrid's cooking (or worse), to being surprisingly good, and Harry would be staying for almost two weeks.

'How have your holidays been? Shall we sneak in a look at your rainbow grass before your dad comes back?'

Luna's face switched to a smile. 'Oh yes. It's attracted all sorts of attention.'

'Oh?' Harry couldn't see how, as there was a small wood and quite a distance between the house and the road.

'Yes, both a new variety of mosquito's and the red-furred bini-mustela seem very interested.'

Harry snorted.

'Okay now I know you're pulling my leg. Fred and George have been interested in grass?'

'Well, more the colour changing properties, although I did catch one of them eating some.'

'I thought they were in Egypt?'

'They got back on Tuesday.'

'Excellent.'

'I am not at all sure if you are being sarcastic.'

'And I am not at all sure if you really caught Gred eating grass.' Harry paused as they opened the door, 'It is wonderful.'

During their banter Harry and Luna had made their way out to the small patio and Harry could easy survey the handy work across the whole lawn. It wasn't what he had pictured in his head. As a whole the grass looked to be a kind of pinky-purple colour, but upon looking closer, Harry discovered that each individual piece of grass was a different pastel colour. It really was an amazing charm.

'You should take some back for Flitwick in a pot.'

'Maybe I could just borrow the charm and-'

'No.'

Luna pouted, but Harry was going to put his foot down. 'I like the Hogwarts grass the boring green that it is.'

'Fiiine.' Luna pouted some more.

Harry grinned. It was good to be home.

Harry settled in to the Lovegood residence with the ease of his true self, but he seemed to be accidentally impressing both Luna and Xeno in the process. For the most part he'd managed to pretend to be ignorant, but he'd forgotten that the toilet moved according to the day of the week, and had just switched automatically, and he had easily found everything in the kitchen when he made lunch on the second day, forgetting that it wasn't normal to arrange the kitchen alphabetically instead of by use.

He did have a bit of a scare when on the second to last day Xeno announced that he had discovered Harry's secret.

'What?' Harry asked amused, but a little wary.

'You're a time traveler!' Xeno grinned. Harry's blood suddenly ran cold, and he had to put all of his effort into his mask to keep his face from reacting. Internally he was definitely panicking.

'Wh- what?' He cursed himself for the stutter.

'Yes. It all makes sense.' Harry was calculating which was the nearest exit point, but his panic was derailed by Xeno's next thought.

'I wouldn't have been able to send myself back, after all.'

'I didn't-… wait, what?'

Xeno smiled on oblivious. 'So, which year do you hail from, and how long ago did I discover the crumple-horned Snorkack?'

Luna looked up curiously from the puzzle she had been doing in the corner.

'Ah, I'm afraid I'm not-' Harry broke off as Xeno looked very upset. 'That is, er… I'm not allowed to… tell you?' Harry sighed internally at himself, man he was a push over. 'It would ruin the space-time-continum.' He continued, making the second part sound far more confident, and far less like a question.

'Oh. Oh, I suppose that makes sense.' Xeno nodded. 'It is a great relief to know that I still knew that I would feel better for knowing… or even not knowing, but knowing at some point I'd know.'

Harry stared at Xeno for a long moment before shaking his head. It was rather sad that he followed that.

The whole visit passed far too quickly for Harry's liking. They didn't really do much, but even that was rather nice. Harry helped Luna move her bedroom furniture around so she could start painting her roof next summer. He couldn't decide if he preferred it with, or without his face. Apparently the room couldn't either.

'It hasn't told me what it wants yet.'

'What hasn't?' Harry asked, moving another pile of books.

'The room silly. I know it will come to me, but for the moment it is happy half-finished. It used to have faerie tale creatures, but I'm getting too old for those.'

'You are?' Harry frowned, that didn't sound like Luna at all, she loved her creatures.

'Oh yes, I know how to recognize which real creatures they are based off now.' Luna said, skipping across the room to move the pile of books Harry had just moved back to where they had been.

Harry smiled, Luna seemed to keep forgetting they were moving things away from the walls, not just cleaning up or reorganizing.

It took a few days (quite a lot of which was spent going in circles) to finish arranging the room, but after that they spent almost every day outside exploring the Lovegood grounds, or walking into town. Harry brought his broom out one morning, but letting Luna on it was a mistake, as she didn't seem to grasp the concept of breaking. Partly for his broom, but mostly for Luna's sake, Harry vetoed any more flying. Harry did finally meet Hedwig, but she didn't recognize him at all, and he had to pretend he'd left something at the main house in order to get away from the owl that didn't know who he was. He didn't know why, but for some reason it was harder than seeing faces he recognized, but didn't recognize him.

For the first time (ever), Harry's summer holidays seemed to rush by, and he didn't have a calendar marking down the days until school went back.

The last morning of his visit found Harry and Luna lying on the front lawn making daisy chains. Harry's was bright pink (due to the patch of coloured grass he'd sat next to), and he was constantly trying to convince Apep that he wasn't a damn girl!

.:You're wearing a bright pink halo of flowers:.

.:Men can wear pink!:.

.:Suuure they can:.

'I think you should make Apep one next Lu.' Harry said grumpily. Apep spluttered, but Luna took it all in stride.

'I don't think he'd like that Harry.'

.:See, the girl has sense:.

'Besides, it wouldn't match the baby-pink jumper sleeve I'm getting him for his birthday. You've taken all the pink flowers.'

Harry burst out laughing. Apep's response was far less friendly.

'What is he saying?' Luna asked curiously.

Harry glared at Apep. 'It isn't appropriate language for your ears.'

.:Enough!:.

Apep just grumbled then slithered off to try and find some prey to chase. Apparently the colourful grass attracted field mice too. Harry slumped back down and shut his eyes, just basking in the morning sun. He hadn't felt this at-peace in a long time.

Luna seemed content to sit in silence with Harry (something Harry had greatly appreciated after growing up pretty much alone, then at the other end of extremes with a loud Ron and Hermione), but after a little while she spoke.

'Mum used to do this with me.' Luna still sounded broken. It made Harry's heart clench.

'I'm sorry Lu.'

'I haven't done it since just before she died.'

Harry rolled over and looked at her. Luna still had her vague look, but it was more in line with the Luna Harry had met after four years of being alone in Ravenclaw, rather than the one from this timeline.

'Do you miss them?' Luna asked suddenly.

Harry clenched his eyes shut and cringed. He didn't want to respond, it wasn't fair that Luna would have her moment ruined, but he couldn't lie to her. He could never lie to her.

'They aren't dead.'

'What?' Luna asked calmly, but it was odd hearing an undertone disbelief in her voice.

'They aren't dead. They just-' Harry increased his occlumency walls to their fullest and closed down on all of his emotions. 'They just didn't need me.'

He opened one eye to look at Luna, and startled to see her crying. He sat up and pulled her into a hug. 'Hey now.'

'But-' Luna looked even more lost, and Harry cursed himself for not lying. Sometimes he forgot that Luna was only twelve. Eventually Luna cried herself out, and they were left with Harry hugging her lying in the sun. Even though it had made her sad, it was a relief for Harry to have told her.

'Do you want to talk about it?'

'Not really.' Harry didn't. It would just make him angry and Luna even sadder. That did make him think though, 'Do you want to talk about your mum?'

Harry knew that Xeno had been a total mess after Luna's mum had died, and hadn't really been there for his lost little girl. Harry thought Xeno was a little less odd (or at least less distant) in this timeline, but couldn't be sure why, as his letter obviously hadn't worked, as he knew Luna's mum had still died.

'N- no… I… we got to talk about it a bit before she passed away.'

Harry frowned, and was glad Luna couldn't see his face. 'What?'

'We were very lucky.' Luna squirmed a bit, but when Harry went to release her she tightened her hold. 'Some unnamed seer foresaw mummy's death, so she knew to ward the potion lab before the explosion.'

'Oh.' Harry's frown deepened. If they had got Harry's letter, and had put up precautions, then why had it still happened?

'We got to say goodbye.'

'Oh.' Harry felt rather useless, not being able to think of anything else to say.

'She wouldn't go to St. Mungos. Daddy thinks she was making something illegal, but his oath won't let him talk about it.'

'His Unspeakable vow?'

'You know far too much, Harry Potter.' It was Harry's turn to try not to squirm, though he was pleased to note Luna had a bit of a teasing in her voice again.

'Would you like to see Mum's lab? Actually, we have a gift for you.'

'Oh?'

Luna wriggled out of Harry's hold, and with a fair amount of regret, Harry let her go.

'Is that the letter of the day? O? I wonder what the number is?'

Harry gaped at Luna for a moment. 'Have you been watching Sesame Street?' He demanded.

Luna frowned. 'What is Sesame Street? If it is what it sounds like then we should go, and take Daddy. He loves Sesame seeds!'

Harry couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. 'Never mind. Sadly it isn't.'

Luna pouted. 'We should build a street out of Pumpkin seeds. Now that would be tasty.'

'I don't know what you magicals' thing is with Pumpkins, but-'

'But you're magical too!'

'Lies.' Harry laughed and stuck out his tongue. The mood had shifted entirely, and didn't shift back until later that evening after dinner (Pumpkin pie, and Luna kept making smug faces at across the table as Harry enjoyed it).

'We still have to give Harry his birthday present Daddy.'

'Ah yes, you're leaving us tomorrow, aren't you?'

'Yes, unfortunately. I told the minister I'd stay at the Leakey for the last few days of the summer holidays, and I need to get my school gear.'

'Very well, we'll head down after tea.'

Harry was slightly confused, but forgot about it almost instantly when Xeno started explaining that he'd seen Molly in the village that afternoon with the twins, who had apparently been stuck on chore duty permanently, as Molly was still annoyed about the flying car incident. She seemed to be regretting the punishment however, if Xeno read things correctly, as the two of them had managed to somehow explode a container of flour all over the young shop clerk while helping with the shopping. They had then proceeded to tell the poor girl that she was being silly, and things would be much better with eggs and sugar. Molly had just managed to stop them cracking an egg over her, but hadn't managed to avert the upended jar of sugar.

Xeno told the story in such a no-nonsense way, that Harry thought his sides were going to split open because he couldn't stop laughing. Xeno's slightly puzzled look only made it worse.

Harry was still giggling when he was led to a door that hadn't been there in the original time-line. Harry now figured it would lead to Luna's mum's potions lab.

He was close. It led to her potions stores. Harry couldn't help but gape.

'Wow.'

Luna grinned from beside him. 'Mummy was amazing, wasn't she?'

Harry couldn't do anything but nod. He felt a pang of regret that all this had been lost in the original timeline when the Rook exploded during his escape during the war. The room was huge, and filled with jars of (based off some of the labels closest to him) very obscure and very hard to get potions ingredients.

Veela fire. Veela saliva. Veela hair. Grindylow teeth. Moon frog eyes. Unicorn dust.

Right there, in those first six jars, was about nine or ten thousand galleons worth of ingredients.

'Wow.' Harry said again.

We'd prefer if you didn't mention this to anyone, obviously.' Xeno said lightly.

Harry held out his wand arm, wand half drawn. 'I swear it.'

Xeno raised one eyebrow, but tried to brush it off. Harry didn't budge. Xeno gave in and shook Harry's hand, wrapping Harry's wand between their palms. It was a half vow, and the origins of the unbreakable vow. Back in medieval times they had used a holly branch, but now any wand would do. Xeno didn't know that Harry's wand was made of holly, so the bond would be extra strong, but Harry didn't mind. Voldemort would literally kill for a store like this, not to mention many others the same. Hell, Snape would certainly think about it. The bond wouldn't have any negative effects on Harry, but should he tell, but Xeno would know immediately, and would be able to ward, or move, the store. It did have the added advantage of adding to Harry's already excellent Occlumency barriers (hey, Harry was a Slytherin now!).

Harry was quite surprised to be being shown this now, considering the Lovegoods didn't feel they had known him for long. But it was nothing to what came next.

'We would like to give you one jar of your choice as a gift.' Xeno said it completely calmly, but Harry's world felt like it was spinning.

'I couldn't.'

'Of course you can.'

Harry doubted them for a moment. He pointed to the nearest jar of Veela fire. 'You do realise that that jar, right there, is probably worth almost eight hundred gelleons?' Perhaps they didn't know?

'Did you want that one? It's very useful.' Xeno replied unconcerned.

Harry turned to Luna, hoping for a rational view. He was disappointed. Luna grabbed his hand and skipped across the room, dragging Harry with her. She stopped on the adjacent wall, in front of the (enormous) collection of liquids. Reaching out she took a tiny vial of silky white substance, and handed it to Harry.

'I think this one would suit.'

Harry tore his eyes away from her and glanced down at the vial.

Pheonix Tears.

'I really couldn't.' Harry said again, but he had to struggle to hold his mask up and stop the longing from showing through. He would be able to get an immunity bite from Belleza.

'They are the only known antidote to Basilisk venom.'

Harry looked up at Xeno startled, how had he known Harry was thinking that?

'You killed the Basilisk that petrified my only daughter.'

Harry felt terrible, and handed the vial back to Luna immediately.

'I'm afraid I didn't. She won't ever attack anyone again, and in fact was being forced to in the first place, but I couldn't kill her.'

Xeno gave Harry a very long look. 'Lulu says you can speak to snakes.'

'Yes, Sir.'

Xeno nodded. 'Pheonix tears will suit you well. Come on, you have to pack.' He took the vial back off the shelf and slid it into Harry's hand before stepping out of the room. Luna grabbed Harry's free hand again and dragged him back out too.

'But I didn't-'

'You'll upset us if you don't take it.' She whispered, before giggling, then saying in a louder voice, 'Come on, your trunk is in shambles and Tom is expecting you.'

Completely thrown for a loop, and his brain not functioning, Harry startled. 'Voldemort's what?'

Luna gave him a very odd look (which always made Harry squirm coming from her),

'Does the Dark Lord run the Leaky Cauldron now? That would explain a lot about the floo taxes from Diagon Alley.'

'It would indeed dear, how curious.' Xeno nodded.

'Ah-' Harry cursed himself internally, but thankfully Xeno seemed to go off on a tangent.

'Did you know that regular floo powder is made from crushed up Deetlebungs. They are actually endangered and I have been partitioning the International Board of Magical Transportation for some time now.'

'Ah-'

'They should switch to flee powder.'

'Is that what you use?'

'Yes. It's made from unicorn dust. Nasty little things.'

'Unicorns?' Harry asked completely confused.

'Of course! They are pure evil. Only interested in virgins, indeed.'

'Ah.'

'Is R today's letter Harry?' Luna asked. Harry sighed and started dragging Luna to his room so he could pack. He loved them dearly, but gods they gave him a headache.