And here we are, at the end! Thank you for reading, and I hope you've enjoyed it. Special thanks to Lisa/q-sama for being my soundboard/beta throughout.
"I am much too hot," Ginny declares, setting a jug of Pimms down on the table. The Muggle drink is Dean's contribution; he says it tastes like summer, but Luna can't help but question why there seems to be a fruit salad in the jug. What manner of creature is Dean hoping to attract?
"Come over here," Harry instructs, holding a hand out to Ginny. "I've got just the thing to cool you down."
Ron's lip curls at this. "Do you mind - that's my sister!"
"I was talking about a Freezing Charm," Harry answers, but Ginny giggles at whatever else he whispers in her ear. The group have of course already set up Cooling Charms outside, but the sun persists in burning away their efforts.
Luna lies down on the grass in the Burrow's back garden, letting their words wash over her and is grateful for the small breeze Hermione produces with her wand. It is a Dumbledore's Army reunion of sorts. They try to get together, all of them, at least once a year. It is becoming increasingly difficult to schedule with their jobs; they are already restricted to school holidays, because of Neville. She suspects that soon, it will be impossible. But it is nice whilst it lasts.
"Luna, your dog is going for my mum's vegetables again."
Well. It had been nice.
"Come here, Sunbeam," she calls, wishing she had left him with her father. Sunbeam rushes over, and does a thorough job of licking her face. "Good boy."
"Why'd you name it 'Sunbeam'?" Seamus asks. They have all probably been wondering, but have likely chalked it up to one of her many eccentricities. It is handy, she finds, to be considered eccentric. You seem to have to answer to people less. She doesn't think she is really very eccentric at all, but she is in the habit of allowing people to believe what they want to believe.
"I didn't," she responds, sitting up to fill Sunbeam's bowl with water again. It is the truth. If she could rename the dog, she would. McGilligan, in one of his periods of being amused by Luna's name, had called the Crup 'Sunbeam'. Sunbeam had barked, and the name stuck. No amount of treats or pleading swayed the dog; thus, Sunbeam he remains. Luna supposes she shouldn't complain. It is in the dog's nature to be loyal, and that is precisely why he hasn't left Luna's side since she first picked him up.
There is a companionable silence now, and Luna conjures a small shade for Sunbeam. Overhead, she can see clouds passing by - a Thestral, a sheep, a school of Gulping Plimpies.
"Walkies, Sunbeam!"
Luna looks up at Ginny in dismay, torn from her cloud-watching. 'Walkies' happens to be one of the few words Sunbeam recognises, and he reacts instantly by leaping about and yipping in delight. It is too hot for this, evidenced by the groans from the rest of the group.
"C'mon, Luna," Ginny says with a grin. "Walkies."
Luna drags herself up into a sitting position, rubbing her face. Trying to ignore her puppy (how can he still be jumping up and down in this weather?), she sweeps her hair back off her face, and sticks her wand in to secure it in a knot.
She thinks Ginny most likely has a reason for dragging her away from the others, and so she says nothing, happy to amble along beside her joyful dog until Ginny sees fit to break the silence. There is no telling what manner of creature they might happen upon in this weather. If they make it down to the river, she might finally catch sight of a Dabberblimp. Her father has seen evidence of them all over the area, and so it is only a matter of time before they see one. Perhaps, though, Dabberblimps are even less fond of the humidity than Luna.
"You never told me about your date with Dean."
Luna squints at Ginny, unable to ascertain anything from her friend's tone. "Did I not? Do you mind?"
"No - no, it's not that. I just thought... well, we're friends, aren't we? I thought you would have told me if you liked Dean in that way."
"I didn't think of it like that," Luna says honestly. "I guess I was trying to find out if I did like him in that way."
"And?" Ginny prompts, nudging Luna.
Luna smiles, following her dog along the path to the river. "No. It was the same for Dean as well. It was fortunate, because I wouldn't have wanted to make things awkward between us."
Ginny frowns at Luna. "That's a surprise. He's liked you for ages."
Luna is disquieted by this revelation. Dean hasn't said anything to her, hasn't treated her in any manner other than their usual. The information is worse somehow coming after her realisation of her feelings for Rolf. Of course, Ginny could be wrong, but then, she is close to Dean.
As if she can sense Luna's train of thought, Ginny asks gently, "Luna? Is there someone else?"
"How did you know you were in love with Harry?" Luna enquires. It is partly a feeble way of deflecting attention, but only partly.
They are almost by the water, and Luna calls out a warning to prevent Sunbeam diving straight in. She notices that Ginny has not answered her question immediately. Has she said the wrong thing? Ginny is usually quick to tell people when they have offended her.
"I was ten years old," Ginny says wryly. "I saw him on a station platform, and I just - was. It didn't help that no boy would come near me because of my brothers when I was younger, and then Harry went and saved my life. I tried to get over him, and eventually it turned out that I didn't need to." She picks a stick up from the ground, and throws it for Sunbeam to chase. "He asked me to marry him. Harry, that is. Ron knows, but I want to be able to tell all my brothers before we go public with it."
Luna clears her throat, finding her mouth suddenly dry. This is the beginning of it, then. When they all start to grow up. She doesn't mind, really. Not when it's Ginny. "Congratulations!" she says, flinging her arms around her oldest friend.
Ginny hugs her back, and is beaming when she pulls away. "Thanks, Luna. It's been a funny old time, hasn't it? You know, I keep thinking about that trip we had to Romania. It wasn't so long ago, really, but I feel like a different person."
"I do, too," Luna confesses. "That trip made me realise how important proof is for some people. If I could only find a Snorkack-"
"They are such secretive creatures," Ginny says solemnly. "Luna, have you seen that Rolf fellow recently?"
"Not since the final," Luna answers, picking up another stick for Sunbeam. It is the truth, though it feels like a lie. She doesn't think dreams or journals count.
"I could be wrong," begins Ginny, and a sense of foreboding stirs in Luna's stomach. Could be Wrackspurts, of course. She has forgotten to wear the charm today, and she could easily have swallowed one. "But isn't that him?"
Luna drops the stick intended for Sunbeam; the pup pounces on her feet instead. She is distracted for a second, and then Rolf is there.
"I'll stay if you want me to," Ginny offers quietly, but Luna shakes her head. She knows it will be easier (better?) just the two of them.
Or, just the three of them. Ginny attempts to slip off with Sunbeam, but the dog puts up such a fuss at leaving Luna with a stranger that eventually, she is forced to release him. It gives the pair a focus point at least, rather than leaving them standing around awkwardly. Rolf bends down to make friends with Sunbeam, who is reluctant for a mere second before trying to lick Rolf's face off.
"Some guard dog you are," Luna remonstrates, lifting up Sunbeam. "Hostile until somebody tickles your belly, hmm?"
Rolf grins. "You can't blame the dog. I give excellent belly rubs."
She frowns at him, because it isn't as though their fight didn't happen, and his face becomes solemn once again.
"May we sit?" he asks hopefully, indicating the grassy bank behind him. "You don't have to - you can go back to your friends whenever you like. I shouldn't have surprised you. All I meant to do was stop by your house, just to see, and your father pointed me in the direction of the Burrow."
Luna sits, letting Sunbeam curl up in her lap. Rolf will think that a Kneazle has crept away with her tongue (Luna is always very careful about protective charms when Crookshanks is nearby, though Rolf won't know that), but she cannot think of anything to say to him.
They've picked a shady spot, thankfully, because she couldn't have handled the sun much longer. Rolf looks up and down the path to check they are alone, before Transfiguring an acorn into a bowl for Sunbeam, and filling it with water.
"I'm sorry about last time, Luna. I didn't mean to interfere - I know what that's like. Granddad was always dropping in when I was at work. It took me years to be known for myself. Even now, I'm thought of as a Scamander first. And McGilligan is good. He trained me."
His words bring to mind Luna's own uncharitable comments, and her cheeks burn. "I'm sorry for what I said, too. I was angry, and I don't always think when I'm angry."
He chuckles. "Who does? Friends again?" Rolf sticks his hand out, and for a second, maybe because of Ginny's earlier nostalgia, Luna is transported back to that hot sticky day in Romania. She shakes Rolf's hand, conscious that hers is clammy. He doesn't release her fingers, and she finds herself looking directly into his eyes for the first time since they sat down. She swallows - he is awfully close. "Luna. I've missed you a lot. I - why don't you tell me what you've been up to?"
Luna is disconcerted, because she was sure that he had meant something else. Now, he has let go of her hand, and she can't quite figure out what has gone wrong. This is what comes of leaving Wrackspurt charms on the bedside table. Daddy has tried to warn her. "Well, I got a puppy," she says, and Sunbeam wriggles about on cue, tumbling off her lap. She laughs, and some of her nerves ease. "I think Daddy likes him, really, but he was most upset when Sunbeam chewed all his Snorkack figurines. They howled at the moon together last night." The memory makes her grin; at the time, she laughed until her sides ached. Daddy was quite put out, and told her she would no longer be invited to howl with them.
"'Sunbeam'?" Rolf queries, reaching across to scratch Sunbeam behind the ear. He quirks an eyebrow at her, and it occurs to her how well travelling suits him. His hair is curling at the nape of his neck, and the Brazilian sun has tanned his skin several shades darker. "Don't tell me you let McGilligan name your dog; isn't it bad enough he calls you that?"
"How do you know McGilligan calls me Sunbeam?" Luna asks, surprised. She cannot recall seeing Rolf in the office since she was assigned to McGilligan.
There is something in Rolf's sideways glance, and something more in the way he says, "Because I ask him about you."
Wrackspurts are definitely squirming in Luna's stomach now. She isn't sure what she wants to do with this information, so she pets Sunbeam, who doesn't make any uncomfortable comments, and who definitely won't leave her for Brazil in another fortnight. Rolf busies himself in the heavy silence by plucking daisies from the ground and threading them together.
"How do you find my notes?" He is not looking at her, but rather at the ever-growing chain in his hands.
"Messy," Luna jokes, because it is the kind of flippant remark that everybody in the office makes about Rolf's notes. She regrets it as soon as she says it, though, because it is also the kind of remark she doesn't like other people making when she wants honesty. "I think they're wonderful, Rolf. They make me feel like I'm there with you."
His fingers still, then he deftly completes the circle with a knot. "McGilligan has asked if I would consider taking you along for the rest of my trip."
The humidity is suddenly unbearable. She pulls her wand out of the tangle in her hair, and checks for Muggles. Not able to trust her voice, Luna casts a non-verbal Cooling Charm, letting her hair settle around her face. "Oh." It is close, so close to their argument before. This time, she trusts that he isn't meddling.
"He says we've worked well together in the past, and he'd like to see how you go. He says you're to continue to write up my reports, because he's damned if he's going to waste days deciphering my handwriting." Rolf runs a hand through his hair. "Luna, you know I want you with me, but if you'd still rather not, I can talk to McGilligan. See who else could take you."
Images of snakes, Curupiras, all the undiscovered animals waiting to be found in South America dance before Luna's eyes. Daddy has told her that she should be off having adventures, and she's sure he will look after Sunbeam until they get back. "Okay."
"Okay, you want me to talk to McGilligan?"
"Okay, I'll come with you," Luna corrects, pushing him gently.
He captures her hand again before she can withdraw it, his face oddly serious. Tingles spread down her arm; she is not concerned about pulling free this time. "Okay. There's something else, and I'd appreciate it if you could stay quiet whilst I'm talking, or I'm not sure I'll get to the end. If you don't want me to bring this up again, I won't, but - I like you, Luna. Ever since France, when you were feeding the Palominos. Maybe ever since Sweden, when you came out covered in mud from head to toe, and told me you didn't need rescuing."
Even if Rolf hadn't requested that she be silent, she isn't sure she could say anything to that. In Sweden, in France, she remembers disliking him intensely. All that time. It is a lot to process. She realises that in considering her own feelings, she has never thought he might reciprocate them.
He rushes on. "I tried not to. Merlin, I think when I was the age you are now, you would have been starting Hogwarts. I can't seem to help it, though. When we argued, I just - I can't tell you what it meant to me, that you were reading my journal entries. I wrote them for you; all of them."
"You're not very good at this," Luna says frankly, because one of them should. "I like you, too. I don't see it matters how old you were when I started Hogwarts."
A grin lights his face. "All right, Luna-my-Luna. As ever, you make an excellent point." He kneels beside her, and crowns her with the daisies. Tenderly, he tucks a loose piece of hair behind her ear. "Let me see if I can put this any better."
Luna discovers to her delight that there are ways in which Rolf expresses himself very well indeed.
In the future, there is always a Crup bounding around, and a pair of boys, one dreamer and one trickster. There's a home near her father, which blooms in the sun, and another in the tent pitched all over the world in search of its wild secrets. For now, there's the lazy summer afternoon, and Ginny's glee when she finds they've stolen away, and hours upon hours of making up for all that time apart.