The Dark Order Chapter 4

Luna Lovegood sat behind the large wooden desk in her office. She stirred a glass of a steamy purple drink as she contemplated the old friend standing before her.

The headmaster's study was largely as Harry remembered it from his too-frequent visits during his time at Hogwarts. Among the notable changes were several pale blue rugs under eccentric furniture, a number of wearable magical devices which looked to be put together from old pieces of silverware, and where there was once a bowl of particularly pernicious licorice snaps, there was a small silver tray of individually-packaged pudding cups, as though the grocery store now delivered via owl-drone.

Harry, by now far too comfortable with Luna by now to even feign interest in the goblet of purple beverage Luna had poured for him, simply watched her watch him.

The sun was setting and brilliant red streamers of light poured through the window behind her, wreathing her in more mysterious light than she already seemed to radiate.

At the current, seven aurors were scouring the grounds and corridors of Hogwarts, attempting to devise a strategic plan for the protection of the castle.

Harry had been filling Luna in on what had happened at the ministry, and the names of the witches and wizards protecting her castle. Although he did his best to emphasize the importance of the auror's presence, she seemed convinced that Hogwarts would have no need for the aurors, and instead routinely interrupted him to discuss the flock of harpies that Hagrid had recently managed to bring to the forest.

Not entirely convinced of the importance of the assignment either, Harry could do little to convince her to stay on topic.

"Well, alright Harry." she said finally, "The aurors are welcome to stay, but they mustn't disturb the students. They will be lodged in separate accommodations adjoining the castle. Oh, and of course they'll have to stay out of the forbidden forest!"

Having not expected Luna to be such a stickler for rules, Harry decided it was a fair compromise and agreed nonetheless.

There was a lull in the conversation, the kind that always accompanied time spent with Luna, wherein she crossed the room to refill her goblet with the odd purple concoction again.

Perhaps sensing his weariness, Luna placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's still too early to tell." she assured him. "When you let the mud of your mind settle, the water will be clear."

Harry smiled up at her. "Er, thanks Luna" he said.

Her kind, if not proverbial, words seemed to draw out what was truly on his mind. "So…when the minister asked me to station some men here, he seemed rather insistent that it be effective immediately. You haven't an idea-"

"-why he might want to have ministry men on the grounds?" she interrupted, as though she had been wondering the same thing, or waiting for him to ask.

Harry was relieved that she also thought it was irregular. "Yes. Of course, he would want them to be here when students arrive." he said.

Luna nodded noncommittally. "Yes." She said dreamily, but didn't elaborate.

"Well, this does seem like an exciting time." She added finally.

Harry inclined his chin, thinking that he wouldn't quite use the word exciting. Nevertheless, it was clear he wasn't going to get much more out of the headmistress.

"Well, I think I'd better be getting back home. Thanks for working with me on this." Harry stood and made for the door.

"You will come to dinner this weekend?" he asked. "Ginny will feel much better if you do." He would feel much better if she did.

Luna agreed, and with that Harry swept from her office.