The Calm Before the Storm
The rest of the reunion was spent playing wizard's chess after the girls returned from their lengthy bathroom excursion. Or, more accurately, it was spent enjoying the long-awaited downfall of Ron Weasley at the hands of Dumbledore. But regardless of the specifics, the time spent by the old gang, hidden away by the library walls, was an unforgettable one, and even as the stars began to come out and eyes began to close, the energy and warmth of companionship still hung in the air throughout the night. Dumbledore and Luna sat together, soaking it all up while the others were sound asleep.
"Am I a terrible person?" Dumbledore asked, his question breaking through a silence that had been hanging in the air for several minutes. He didn't even question that the girls had solved his tragic mystery.
"Well, sir," Luna said, "you did possibly let out some of the most powerful evil forces in the universe for your own personal gain just when the memory of Lord Voldemort is starting to fade from everyone's mind."
Minutes passed slowly by, like molasses dripping down the side of a glass, as the two forced themselves to stare out the windows in uncomfortable silence.
"But I suppose we can just chalk that up to old age."
At that, Dumbledore's whole body started to convulse with laughter. He struggled not to make too much noise and wake up the others.
"You're a special one, you know that. The world needs a couple more of you."
Luna's face became dead serious, "I'm not so sure that the world could handle that though sir."
Their laughter continued all throughout the night, lighting up the darkness of reality with a miniscule, but radiant light. Soon, the six wizards hiding in their cozy, secluded fortress would have to face the world, but in this moment, friendship was the only concern, the only item on the agenda.
In the distance, a dark cloud creeped toward Hogwarts, rumbling ominously with thunder. It would soon prove quite useful that the usual crowd of students was home for the summer.