Chapter 5: Full Swing
Only 3 weeks till Christmas, the holiday cheer is already in full swing. I pick up the Daily Prophet, and I re read the front headlines again. Xenophilius Lovegood The editor of The Quibbler has gone missing, they believed by some left over Death Eaters not yet caught by the Ministry of Magic. Poor Luna they took her out of Herbology to tell her. She had missed our class while speaking to Professor Dumbledore that night. She arrived in Potions the next day actually looking sad for once. I've already asked Professor Dumbledore to take her to my house for the holidays, as darken as my house may be, its better for than her by herself that and she's never stayed before.
"You must allow me to take her for the holidays' I say to the headmaster first chance I get." "I must? It is not my decision, it is not unheard of when a teacher takes a student home with them, rare but not unheard of. I never knew you'd take a shine to Ms. Lovegood, Severus." Albus said amusingly. "I have not taken a shine to her, Headmaster! I just know what its like to be alone on Christmas that is all."
Albus nods in understanding. "You know you and her have quite a lot in common. She understands more than you think Sev sev" replies Albus with a bemused look on his face.
I..How... Did...You know about that name? Have you been spying on me? Snape replied. "Oh Severus, I need not to spy on you when you are such an open book to begin with. Now I believe you have a lesson with Ms. Lovegood, you don't want to keep her waiting, let me know her answer too though I already know what it well be. With him chuckling amusingly he left the room.
"Luna, come here." I motion for her to sit across from me at the desk. "Yes Sev sev?"She says. I clear my throat and begin. "I wanted to see if you were alright with what been happened to your father?" She looks downwards and sighs. Yes I'm fine, he'll be okay. He's strong enough to withstand anything, Professor Dumbledore believes they took him for what he wrote in The Quibbler, while you know you was in charge and the fact that I got away from Malfoy Manor bothered them even more. As she says this a smile appears on her face. "You're the first person to have asked that I don't mind them asking." "Well then I have a question then for you, under the circumstances with what has happened, the Headmaster has allowed me to ask if you would like to come spend Christmas with me at Spinner's End? I can understand if you don't want too, and rather spend it here. I just thought." An even bigger smile appears on her face, as if I've just offered her 1000 galleons. "Really! You mean it? I'd love too! Oh thank you Sev sev! She runs into my arms to give me a hug, I stand there in shock for a moment and I gently lay my hands on her back. "Sorry Professor."She says laughing and backing away.
OoO
"All set?" I ask her. She smiles at me, with her truck all packed for the holidays. "Yes!" "Sure you have everything?" She nods. "I was thinking if you wanted or needed to grab anything from your house, would you like too?" I ask her. "Oh yes please Sev sev! She jumps up and down. I smile. "Alright, alright we'll go there first". "Just let me shrink your trunk" I hand it to her and watch her put it into her pocket. "Now since no one is staying this winter besides a very limited number of the staff, Professor Dumbledore has lifted the Anti-Disapparition Jinx for the staff to leave faster. Hold tight on to me, were going to do side-along apparition."
We arrived inside her Kitchen. "Are you okay? It takes some getting use too I'm afraid." I watch her sway for a minute and stand straight up and smile. "Yes, hold on I just want to get something from my bedroom, I'll only be a minute." I watch her run up the stairs. I see something coming from the hill, I realize its not something but someone, In a death eater outfit. I begin to call Luna, "LUNA, LUNA! YOU NEED TO GET DOWN HERE NOW! WE HAVE TO GO NOW!" I run up the spiral staircase towards her bedroom. The first thing I see is a muggle painting of her and Potter, The two youngest Weasley's, Ganger, and Longbottom, typical of Luna to use muggle paints instead of magic. I then hear someone call out. "Do you see them?" "Luna?" I whisper.
"Yes Sev sev?" She says walking out of closet. "Do you have what you need? We have to go NOW!" Without waiting for her reply I grab her arm and Apparate us to Spinner's End.