DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$ from this…

A/N: I can see from the reviews both leading into the last chapter and following it that there are loads of Luna fans out there. I admit I am one of them. She was the most interesting undeveloped characters in Canon. So much potential and so little usage. One must think why use her at all? At least the way JKR did?

I stand by my last A/N: Luna was not insane. She had suffered too much loss at too young an age and built a persona that shielded the real Luna from pain and loss - a persona that was not unassailable, just nearly so.

I also am not a fan of the sex pot Luna. I believe she was a free spirit and under the right circumstances would have had an open mind. But I also believe she was not and could not be promiscuous. Forward? Yes. Promiscuous? No.

I like the notion that she's an anti-Hermione. Hermione is the scientist type. Luna is more the philosopher / theology type. One needs proof, the other faith, yet both are scary smart. I hope: (1) their edges will be off in this fic, but (2) they will be what they are as well.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: REFLECTIONS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1988 - POTTER HOUSE, LONDON, U.K.

Throughout most of his former life, there were three days each year that had become a time for reflection for Sensei. One was October 31st, the date his parents were murdered and the date which set the whole thing in motion. Another was his birthday and he had quietly celebrated what would have been his 169th this past year. The final was today, New Year's Eve. While Sensei may have been an avatar, he had not lost interest in the world around him and admitted to himself he wondered just what sort of an impact his being here had on the people he wanted to help and the world at large. As such, he was an avid reader of the papers, although he often needed help to turn the pages. Thus he had stood witness to what he now considered surprise after surprise.

All Sensei had really done to change the time line was delay Harry's departure from the library some seven months real time. That was all he could truly take credit for. True, he had provided information that led to the arrest of Peter Pettigrew and had encourage Harry and the others to befriend Neville and Luna. But he could not make them do anything with that information. His one act was done solely because he wanted young Harry to have a better life than he had had. In that regard, it was a resounding success. This Harry was still the nice, polite and humble lad Sensei had been, but he was also loved, cared for and quite capable now of reciprocating such emotions, something it took Sensei years if not decades to achieve.

It was sheer luck Harry had fallen down in front of the Granger's car that day. Luck that brought Harry and Hermione together years before they would have met otherwise and both children had clearly benefited from their meeting and now deep friendship. Two lives had improved markedly within minutes. Luck had also brought Clarice into Harry's life, an event that never happened the last time. Sensei could not say for certain, but he doubted his being here led to the death of Clarice's adoptive parents. That probably had happened the last time around as well. Sensei wondered what kind of life the Clarice had before. All he knew was how it ended. Still, something told him that this Clarice was better off than the girl from Sensei's timeline.

Sensei had discouraged any relationship with the Weasleys and had been ignored. The three Weasleys who were part of the children's circle of friends were in many ways very similar to the ones he had known. What was missing was Ginny's infatuation with Harry. It just was not there this time and probably never would be. True, she did like Harry. However, she was not obsessed with him. To be honest, she was far more interested in hanging out with Clarice. Clarice was a girl who was developing a keen interest in Quidditch, giving the two girls common ground. Fred and George were still Fred and George. Ron - well Ron was improving. He was still grounded but apparently was learning to read and according to Ginny might even be beginning to like it. The only reason that Sensei believed the Weasleys this time were different was because of the blood wards. Whatever had been part of a scheme to get Harry Potter the last time was only in its infancy when the wards reached full strength and Molly, who may have been the architect last time, now had no interest in one Harry Potter. She liked the boy. Sensei was pretty certain she had the last time too. She just didn't seem to have any ulterior motive this time.

Neville and Luna had been pleasant surprises. They were both the same children he remembered and yet very different. Luna was still very open minded and a free spirit, but she lacked the infinite sadness Sensei had remembered. This Luna was a fun girl that people enjoyed being with and she liked to make them laugh. Her eccentricities this time were drawing people to her because you never knew what she might say next and it was always either insightful or hilarious. The other Luna's personality had driven people away and led to her being a victim of bullies and means spirited children.

Luna and Ginny were friends again. Neither knew why they had not been. Ginny thought her mother had something to do with it. She remembered her mother saying that she could not play with Luna anymore. Her mother never told her why, just saying that a wise man told her it was the right thing to do. That was then, now two years ago. Now her mother could not remember why she had interfered. It made no sense to her at all.

While Neville was not the most confident young person in Harry's group of friends, he was not the shy and retiring boy he had been before. He and Luna were now regulars at Potter House and were part of the "Weekend Warriors." Neville was actually showing he was quite the capable young wizard and this had clearly helped him and his notion of self worth. The fact that his best friends knew about his parents seemed to help too. All four of his best friends - which included Luna - had visited Neville's parents with him on a few occasions.

His magical prowess had already earned him respect from his Gran. Within a couple of weeks of meeting his new friends, while the number of spell effects he could perform were limited, he was adept at the ones he knew and would not hesitate to use his skills at home. The first time he summoned something to him in his Gran's presence, she had asked about it and he told them his friends had taught him how to control and use his magic. He admitted there was still loads to learn for all of them, but he was trying to be the best he could be as a wizard. His Gran was so proud of the boy she had feared was a Squib, she built him a huge greenhouse. Neville's love for plants was the one constant between the two timelines.

It was so different the last time, Sensei thought. Ginny had married Harry for all the wrong reasons. They both did try to make it work, but they were both miserable almost from the beginning which had resulted in more pain and heartache for both of them. Ginny was one of the first casualties of Voldemort's third rise. She was not a target, just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Perhaps that was for the best, Sensei thought. Whatever problems Harry and Ginny had, no one could say that Ginny was not a wonderful mother to her children. All three died violently some years later and Sensei knew that would have destroyed Ginny had she lived. Hopefully this Ginny would find her true love and would be spared that life.

Sirius Black was no longer in prison. A free man, he still lived with the Grangers and acted as the kids minder. He did not mind at all. The fact was he had already applied for the position as a Magical Minder at the Watanabe School for the next summer. He was quite wealthy and his reconciliation with his Grandfather meant he would remain wealthy. One day he might want a job. His timeline was next fall at the earliest. By then the kids would have taken their N.E.W.T.s and would be considered adults in the Wizarding World, but Sirius was in no hurry on that front. He was engaged now to Sophie Tompkins. They had not set a date as of yet, but it would probably be in the fall as well. Sophie had applied for a position as a Healer at the Watanabe School. The couple considered themselves a package deal in that regard. Sirius had commented he might one day seek permanent employment as a stay at home dad, but again, that was ages away. This Sirius Black was a much happier man than the one Sensei had known, another positive change.

With the reunification of the two Marauders, Remus Lupin had also seen a change in his life as well. In the last timeline, he had gone from menial job to menial job for years. Now he was an Agent with Office W in MI-5 in charge of the Greyback case. That and he recently started seeing a witch who worked in his MI-6 counterpart. Yet another life had improved from the last timeline.

That delay at the Library had inadvertently, yet directly changed so many lives, mostly for the better. It had been an object lesson in the law on unintended consequences. All Sensei really intended to do was help Harry. He could not at that time foresee a way to help any of the others so soon. Yet that had happened. But as surprising as the more direct effects of that day were, the indirect ones were astonishing to say the least. The obvious one was the death of the Dursleys. But that paled as compared to the indirect effect his actions had already wrought in wizarding Britain.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1988 - HEADMASTER'S QUARTERS, HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY.

Good riddance, 1988, Albus Dumbledore thought as he sipped a brandy and willed the clock on the mantel to strike midnight. 1988 was without a doubt the worst year the man could remember in almost a century. About the only good thing to say about this year was that he had survived it somehow. But that was all.

The first crisis arouse in May. It was about the guardianship of a boy named Harry Potter. Dumbledore recognized the name as one from a long list of children from that time who are or were Wards of the Wizengamot, although beyond that he had no recollection of the boy. The news had broken that the boy had been murdered by his Muggle relatives with whom he had been sent to live after his real parents had been murdered in the war. No one remembered circumstances of the murder, after all that was a time when many were winding up dead. Death by Death Eater was the leading cause of death in magical Britain in 1981. Moreover the specifics of how the boy became an orphan were really unimportant. The Wizengamot formed of committee, conveniently when Albus was out of town, to investigate the circumstances of the boy's demise.

The investigation opened in early July with a witness from the Department of Mysteries, Hall of Records to present the boy's background. Harry James Potter, born July 31st, 1980, was the eldest child and only son of James Charles Potter and Lily Marie Potter nee Evans. James, then age twenty, was the Heir Apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, one of the most wealthy and highly respected of the Old Houses in Britain. His wife was a Muggleborn, but she was a highly accomplished witch in her own right. She finished Hogwarts first in her year and as Head Girl and had recently graduated third in her class from the Auror Academy when she became pregnant with her son. The archivists were able to verify that the boy was alive and had a sister, also alive, named Clarice Lillian Potter, born July 12th, 1981. They established that at the time of James and Lily Potter's death, Harry and Clarice had living relatives. On their father's side were Charles and Samantha Potter, their grandparents who passed away about two years ago and Sirius Orion Black, their godfather and second cousin. One their mother's side was Mike Evans their muggle half-uncle, an employee of the Muggle British Government married to a witch and father of six magical children and Petunia Dursley nee Evans, Lily Potter's older sister, a Muggle married to a Muggle.

The committee then moved to a Muggle site in London as there would be a series of witnesses who were Muggles. First were some teachers from a Muggle school who testified as to the boy's classroom performance. All were horrified to learn of the abuse he suffered. He did not exhibit the signs of an abused child. They were all contrite and all felt they had let the boy down. The boy had been a model student and a joy to teach if a bit quiet and was going to be advanced a grade before the next school year. This was a child one could be proud of knowing, they all said.

The teachers were followed by a parade of Muggle Police, Doctors and Nurses and one Social Worker. They detailed the injuries the child had suffered over the years and who the child lived with. The testimony made many on the Committee physically ill. Albus remembered in particular the testimony of some Muggle woman named "Gail" who was a Nurse and an Officer in the London Metro Police and an expert in child abuse cases.

"Detective Sergeant Nelson?" the lead investigator asked.

"Gail's fine," the Muggle replied.

"Gail then. We've hear a lot of testimony regarding the abuse this boy had suffered. What is your role with the Metro Police?"

"I am a fully qualified pediatrics nurse. When I was working as such, I found I had a talent for talking to children who were victims of domestic violence and getting them to open up. Most do not do so ordinarily. They tend to blame themselves for what has happened to them. The Metro saw that I could get them to open up and hired me as an officer for abuse cases such as this."

"And you spoke with this boy?"

"Yes Sir. He was quite open about it in private. The abuse he suffered at the hands of his Uncle was … horrible. Worst case I've been involved with. Pity the bastard had the gall to die in a house fire."

"And the Aunt?"

"Which one?"

"The one the boy lived with?"

"Abuse victim as well. Don't ask me why."

"Did she engage in such pugilistic tendencies with the boy?"

"The boy said she put on a show when her husband was around, but never really hit him. When the fat git was away, the woman would try and tend to the boy. But don't get me wrong, she made no real effort to safeguard the lad. She was a punching bag as well and was inclined to support her husband's predilections in regards to the lad if it meant she would avoid a beating."

"So she was abusive as well?"

"Impossible to tell. We have no idea what she might have been like without her husband. Everything I saw suggests she was a victim as well."

"You said which one when I asked about the Aunt. What did you mean?"

"The Uncle had a sister who was almost as bad as he was. She confessed to beating the boy. Idiot. Didn't even ask for a solicitor. Said the boy deserved it 'cause he was a malcontent, I believe she said. She confessed to setting her bulldog on the lad too. Again, she said he deserved it."

"Where is she now?"

"Prison. She was convicted of child abuse and cruelty to animals. She also confessed to drowning dogs that didn't measure up, suggesting her brother should have done the same with the boy in question. She's eligible for parole in about five years. That's assuming she lives that long."

"What do you mean?"

"Conviction for child abuse is almost a death sentence. The system won't kill them, but their fellow prisoners will given half a chance. I wouldn't be surprised if her cellmate smothered her in her sleep. Assuming said cellmate was not also a child abuser. The most violent of murderers hates a child abuser. Even amongst the worst of our criminals, crimes against children are unforgivable. Many child abusers die in prison. Had this been a sexual abuse case, chances of the perp living to see the outside are about nil."

"What became of the boy?"

"He's with a foster family," Gail said. "Lovely couple. They have a wonderful adopted daughter who got on famously with the lad. Really helped him deal with things. He also is reunited with his younger sister."

"And how did that happen?"

"Coincidence, really. His sister was adopted as a baby. Can't say why they were separated. That should not have happened but…" she shrugged. "Her adoptive father passed away about two years ago. Cancer. While little Harry was in hospital, she and her Mum were in a car crash. Mum was killed. She was injured and sent to the same hospital. Their records were compared and we saw to it that the foster family took both in. Social Services has checked up on them occasionally and they are said to be doing quite well. Tragic situation, but a happy ending."

"How prevalent is this type of behavior - child abuse I mean."

"Rare. To the degree we are here talking about, maybe one case a year nationwide and most of those end in the child's death. Less than one case out of a million, really. Abuse enough for us to take notice, one case in several thousand of kids. Still. One case is one case to many. Every professional who works with kids is trained to look for signs of abuse. Even then, we can't spot them all. We do try 'though."

"What causes such abuse?"

"Mostly one of three things: drinking, drugs or the abuser was himself abused as a child."

"Socio-economic status?"

"No direct correlation," Gail answered. "It seems to be slightly more prevalent in the lower classes, then again so is drug and alcohol abuse."

"And Mr. Dursley?"

"Upper middle class. He was an executive in a fairly successful manufacturing concern. Made a decent living by any standard but not rich. No history or drug or alcohol dependency."

"So what caused him to do this?"

"He was a bully as a child. Aside from that, I have no idea. Again, there is no true profile - no one size fits all of abuser."

"Anything else unusual about this case?"

"Many things. The kid has no record at all before primary school. He had no NHS card before then. No medical records or shot records at all. It was as if he had dropped off on their doorstep and they ignored their duty."

"How so?"

"Even if that is what had happened, under the law they had to report the change of custody to Child Welfare. Never did. The first time he really turned up on radar it was almost too late."

"What would have happened?"

"If they wanted custody of the child, they would have to go through an evaluation process. They would have had a series of interviews and tests. There would have been inspections of their home life even before the child was placed."

"Inspections?"

"They visit the home, look around, ask questions. They go in assuming the worst."

"The worst?"

"That the couple will be - er - ill prepared or ill willed in regards to the child. Any evidence that they might be and the deal is off."

"They had a son, you know."

"Not relevant," Gail said. "They could have been abusing him too. Having your own child is not a factor in the evaluation. True, it makes an evaluation easier as the people tasked with it would be looking for signs of abuse or neglect. Easier to spot if there's already a vic.

"Even after placement, there would be periodic inspections to check on the child. That never happened here."

"He has been placed since, right?"

"He has."

"And that family?"

"Couldn't have kids of their own. Mother was injured as a teen and lost her ability to bare children. They signed up to adopt and were fully vetted. Social Services has checked on the girl frequently. They are wonderful parents. Main reason why he and his sister were placed with them so quick. I can tell you, Social Services would love to have more parents like those two to place children."

"Frequently?"

Gail nodded. "Least three times a year."

"Even though they've adopted?"

"They were also on the list for further adoptions. So they were constantly vetted."

"Did they adopt these two?"

"No. There are, I am told, legal issues of inheritances involved. They are foster parents. But the boy and girl are thriving under their care and Social Services sees no reason to place the children anywhere else. It's a good match, it seems."

"Thank you, Detective Sergeant."

Dumbledore did not understand the importance of Detective Sergeant Gail Nelson's testimony at the time. The next day, the Committee reconvened in the Ministry for Magic, but the Muggle testimony had dominated the press. The papers were full of editorials and letters to the Editor crying out why? Where was the wizarding world when one of their children was being abused? There were Purebloods calling for open warfare on the Muggles, but most the wizarding world was now asking whether they cared for their children as much as the Muggles did? Where was their social services for this boy? How many other young witches and wizards were victims of such abuse? In a rare moment of total hubris, Dumbledore never saw the next hammer before it fell. The next day, he - the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot - was called to testify!

"So," the Lead Investigator asked, "as Chief Warlock, what is your relationship with underage Muggleborn children and magical orphans?"

"As to Muggleborns in general, I am their magical guardian at law," Dumbledore said. "They are wards of the Wizengamot. As to magical orphans, it depends. If their parents failed to designate a magical guardian, I can assume that role - otherwise it passes to their next of magical kin."

"So a Muggle could never serve as magical guardian?"

"The law does not recognize that right," Dumbledore said. "I tend to defer to their Muggle guardian, though."

"And what about children such as the boy at issue?"

"If they do not have a designated Magical Guardian or a close magical relative who is of age, able and will to serve as such, that duty falls to me."

"Did he and his sister have a designated magical guardian?"

"As I recall the Will was sealed. They may have, but the Will was sealed."

"Why?"

Dumbledore explained that during the last War it was not an unusual practice to seal a Will if the Testator had been murdered. Early in the War, Voldemort and his followers murdered wealthy witches and wizards to gain access to their wealth and fund their cause. A law was enacted that would Seal the Will and without distribution until the youngest probable beneficiary came of age. If there were no children, the Will remained sealed until such time as the last possible beneficiary then alive had passed away. This law had the desired effect as the murder for inheritance stopped.

"And in sealing the Will, we cannot know who the potential Magical Guardians are?"

"That too was part of the plan," Dumbledore said. "Most of those children would either be sent to live with a magical relative or became Wards of the Wizengamot. This was to deprive the Death Eaters of possible future recruits."

"Did the Potter children have any living relatives at the time?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "As I recall, Sirius Black, his grandparents the Lord and Lady Black and his mother."

"Weren't Lord and Lady Potter alive as well?"

"I believe you established that, but that is not my personal recollection. I was unaware of their status at the time."

"And made no effort to find out?"

"Not that I recall."

"So, Potters aside, there was the Blacks. Why did you assume guardianship?"

"The Blacks were too close to the Death Eaters. Sirius was believed to be one. His younger brother was one. His mother was a major supporter."

"And his grandparents?"

"Their allegiance was not known."

"So you assumed Guardianship over the two infants?"

"I did."

"Why were they split up? Why was the girl adopted by a Muggle couple and the boy sent to live with his Maternal Aunt?"

"I don't specifically recall," Dumbledore said.

"Have you had any contact with the girl?"

"Never. Someone else handled the adoption."

"Who?"

"I believe it was Sirius Black. I may have assigned him the task to determine if he had turned."

"How would you have known?"

"He would have killed the girl if he had."

"Yet he didn't."

"A fact I only learned recently."

"So, you set the girl up for murder? A two month old baby?"

"Exposing Death Eaters was for the Greater Good," Dumbledore sighed.

"And what of the boy? Any contact with him?"

"Five minutes or so when I left him with his relatives."

"That's it?"

"That was all that was necessary."

"Have you made any effort to check on either of their well being?"

"I had no idea what became of the girl," Dumbledore said. "As for the boy, there was a neighbor who lived nearby who sent regular reports."

"And what did she report?"

"I don't recall. If something serious was happening, she would have flooed me."

"Did you ever check up on the boy yourself?"

"I saw no reason to."

"You were his guardian!"

"I'm also a busy man. There was no smoke. No reason for me to get involved in the life of the child more than I already was."

"So you never suspected the abuse?"

"I never considered it a possibility. She was his Aunt. I cannot understand how she could have allowed that to happen."

"I see."

To say that the hearing had gone down hill from there was an understatement. Professor McGonagall followed Dumbledore and told of how she had spent a day observing the Dursleys and had told her boss in no uncertain terms that it was a bad placement to say the least. She admitted she was already a magical guardian over another child, one whom the Potter children now lived with and it was revealed she was very involved with that child's life from the outset. Even during the school year she managed to visit at least every other week. She now did that for all three.

"Do the Muggle parents know about magic?"

"They do and have since before I placed the girl with them?"

"Why did you place the girl?"

"The girl's natural parents were still in school. I knew the Muggle couple and had known them for a few years. They were unable to have children of their own and were already on the list for placement. I merely sped the process along."

"Had you any concern about them…?"

"I would never have placed the girl with them."

"Do the children know about magic?"

"Yes. They live in both worlds. All of their friends are magical."

Minerva was careful not to reveal too much, but her involvement as a guardian stood in stark contrast with her boss. That was the main reason she agreed to speak.

Mrs. Figg was also questioned. She was able to turn over some seventy letters she had written to Dumbledore over the years complaining about the physical condition of the boy. She was told that she must be imagining things and was dismissed out of hand by the Leader of the Light.

Dumbledore had hoped this inquiry would be limited to this one child. He harbored no ill will towards the boy. It was not the boy's fault he had lived such a life and at least to himself, Dumbledore knew that boy's fate was avoidable and he had failed him. Unfortunately, the investigation then looked into several score of other children or former children who are or were at one time Wards of the Wizengamot. If anything, Dumbledore took more interest in Harry Potter than any of the others. The only ones he could even recall were the ones who eventually entered Hogwarts, and not even all of them. It was soon clear that Dumbledore had done little more for any of his charges than sign some paperwork now and then.

A lesser person might have taken offense at Minerva's involvement. Dumbledore did not. While he had not known she was a magical guardian, it was clear she took that role to heart. In regards to the placement of the boy, she had not said anything he had not heard before from her. She was clearly an example of how to be a proper guardian to at risk children.

Dumbledore was never asked and he would never have admitted why he failed to act on behalf of his charges. His first guardianship had run its course long before he became Chief Warlock. He had taken a personal and active interest in that orphan's life. He had hoped that Tom Riddle would grow into the son he never had. Instead, his first effort at rearing a child had produced Lord Voldemort.

If his tenure as magical guardian had not been enough of a headache, the exoneration of Sirius Black was another nightmare. It did not go as bad for Dumbledore as the child welfare case, as the press called it, but he did not get favorable press on the Black matter either. Black was the only person sent to Azkaban without trial. Dumbledore had taken it as a matter of faith that Barty Crouch and the Auror's had incontrovertible evidence of Black's guilt and accepted that under such circumstances it was not necessary to waste the resources of the Ministry or the time of the Wizengamot on a trial. Besides, Voldemort was gone. Dumbledore felt that retribution was not in the interest of his Greater Good. This also explained why many Death Eaters never stood trial for their crimes.

Needless to say, Dumbledore was crucified in the Press. His Greater Good was now a term that was associated with child neglect, abuse and all forms of immoral behavior. The thought that a child should be made to suffer for this Greater Good was too horrible to contemplate.

The Black Case led to numerous other investigations and ultimately trials. Barty Crouch was found to have aided his son in escaping from Azkaban and while the notorious Death Eater was under a form of House Arrest, the nation was shocked that the man who had been in charge of Law Enforcement would do such a thing. His excuse that it was the wish of his dying wife did not earn any sympathy. Barty Crouch Jr. was back in Azkaban and sentenced to the Dememtor's Kiss - effectively a death sentence. The former head of DMLE was sent to the prison for a five year term.

Most of the Death Eaters who had avoided prison years ago were not so lucky this time around. Scores were finally tried and convicted of their crimes. The only one who managed to avoid a lengthy sentence was Lucius Malfoy. He had proven instrumental in identifying unknown Death Eaters and had done so in exchange for a four year sentence. Severus Snape had avoided prison altogether, but that was only because he had been tried before and acquitted based upon Dumbledore's testimony.

The fallout from these scandals vexed the once respected Leader of the Light. He had managed to keep his positions as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards by calling in every favor he had. As Chief Warlock, he had been censured and stripped of his ability to act as a magical Guardian, but much to the consternation of his enemies, had not clearly violated the law such that he could be removed from office. He retained his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts in part because the investigations did not find any abuse of this position. Still, he was now politically a dead duck. It would take him years to repair the damage to his reputation from the last few months of scandals.

The Wizengamot had passed a bill he had strenuously objected about. No one was listening. The bill was called the Magical Child Welfare Reform Act. It established a new department in the Ministry for Magic tasked with ensuring the well being of every magical child in Britain. A magical child without a magical guardian, including all Muggleborns, would be assigned one by the Department tasked with overseeing their well being. The department had the authority to remove abused children from their homes and place them with approved, caring magical families. Arthur Weasley was named head of this new department.

The clear winner of the scandals of '88 was the Minster for Magic. She had used the press and public outcry to clean house within the Ministry. By the end of the year, many senior Ministry officials were out on the street. She sacked them for everything from gross incompetence to outright corruption. In doing so, she eliminated virtually every real threat to her position as the Chief Executive.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1988 - ROOKERY, OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE, DEVON, U.K.

"Luna?" he asked.

"Yes Daddy?" the little girl replied.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Daddy. Just thinking."

"You sure? You look like the Wrackspurts have clouded your mind."

"Maybe just a bit, but I am thinking."

"About what, my Snow Flower?"

"My last birthday."

"And what about it?"

"Before my last birthday, I was sad, Daddy. I had no friends. Then Harry, Hermione and Clarice showed up for it and it was the best birthday I ever had. I now have loads of friends and am learning all kinds of new stuff. Did I tell you about the British Museum?"

"You did in deed, Luna. I think you liked that more than the moving picture shows."

"Yeah. They have loads of magical stuff there and don't even know it. And then there was the Tower of London and…"

"You like the Muggle stuff?"

"Some of it is brilliant, Daddy. It's all interesting. I'm learning so much."

"And what is this project you're helping them with?"

"Oh that. Well Neville and I go with them on Thursdays to the Department of Mysteries…"

"Really? They let you in? Have you seen any heliopaths?"

"We don't get in the super secret places, Daddy! We go to the Hall of records and look stuff up."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Births, deaths, marriages and stuff."

"Why?"

"Harry, Hermione and Clarice never knew they were magical. They're trying to find out who their ancestors were."

"And you?"

"I'm doing the same thing, when I am not helping them of course. It's interesting. I'm learning lots of stuff. I only wish…"

"What My Dove?"

"They went to that school in Japan. You know? The one where they learned all that stuff they're showing me?"

Her father nodded.

"Did you know they teach more there than at Hogwarts?"

"Really?"

Luna nodded. "If I wanted to, if I went there, I could be a spell crafter like Mummy in four years! They have a masters in some kind of Zoology - I think that's the word…"

"It is."

"I could get that as well. That way I could help you guys."

"Really?"

"Yep! I got a catalog if you want to look. They also teach non-magical stuff. A couple of summers I could also be studying advanced Muggle things like - I don't know… Did you know they teach journalism?"

"What's that?"

"Newpapers and stuff. How to write for them. How to run them."

"Really?"

"Yep! If I learned all that stuff, I could be helping you and Mummy by the time I'm thirteen!"

"Funny you should mention that, Dove."

"What's so funny about that?"

"Well, your Mum and I were talking. That school is a lot of money, but not too much for us so…"

"So?"

"We already sent out an application for you to attend next summer."

Luna through herself into her father's arms. "Thank you Daddy!"

"But you must promise to study hard."

"Don't worry. I will."

"I have no doubt."

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1988 - LONGBOTTOM MANOR NEAR COLNE, LANCASHIRE, U.K.

"Neville? Where have you been?" Augusta Longbottom asked as her eight year old grandson entered the Manor seemingly covered in dirt.

"Greenhouse," Neville said.

"Doing what?"

"That plant Uncle Algie got me for Christmas. Still trying to figure it out," Neville replied.

"The one he brought back from Assyria?"

"That's the one," Neville said. "Mimbilus Mimbiletoma."

"And what's to figure out?"

"You have any idea how magical this plant is, Gran? I swear if I had enough of it I could … it's amazing! Need to learn more potions though."

"Why is that?"

"This one plant could replace half of the plant based ingredients we use. At least that much! But I really need to be good at potions to find out for certain."

"And if you cut it all up?"

"I've already figured out how to grow more. I got about seven little ones growing while I try and figure out the bigger one."

"You do?"

Neville nodded. "A small cutting of healthy root is all you need to start a new one. I figure in a few months I could have twenty or so growing. Not idea how long before their big enough to work with, but I don't mind."

"Best thing that ever happened to you," Augusta commented.

"What's that?"

"Harry and his friends."

"Yeah. They're great. I've learned so much."

"You like learning?"

"All of it," Neville said. ""Even the Muggle stuff."

"I've read that book you gave me," Augusta said.

"Which one?"

"The one about that school in Japan."

"Can I go?"

"I was thinking," Augusta said. "It's very expensive, but I think … I've already applied for you for next summer."

"Thanks Gran!" Neville replied with enthusiasm. "I'll try really hard! I'll do my best and better!"

"I know, Neville. But there is one thing I want you to do for me when you're there."

"What's that?"

"They teach magic there we don't teach here. I want you to find out if they know magic that can help your parents."

"Harry already said he would ask, Gran," Neville admitted for the first time.

"I sure he did. But you know more about them and their condition than he does."

"I'll ask."

"Good."

"Thank's Gran."

"I may not have said this enough, Neville. But I am proud of you and I'm sure if your parent's were here with us, they would be proud of you too."

"Thanks."

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1988 - THE BURROW, OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE, DEVON, U.K.

"You wanted to talk?" Molly Weasley asked her daughter.

Ginny nodded. "Why did you stop me from seeing my friend Luna?"

Molly sighed. "For some reason, I do not remember all of it. I don't know why I don't. I do remember Professor Dumbledore told me that you and Luna could not be friends. He said it was for the Greater Good."

"Yet now? Now you don't mind?"

"A lot has come out about his Greater Good, Ginny. A boy was tortured for years for his Greater Good. I no longer trust him. Not when it comes to children at least. You want friends, he can rot. Do you know he said more than just Luna?"

Ginny shook her head.

"He said you were not allowed any friends until Hogwarts."

"But that's ages away!"

"I know."

"Why did you believe him?"

"Don't know. Just did. But that was then and this is now. You want friends, I am not going to stop you."

"Did he ever say why?"

Molly shook her head. "He might have. I don't remember."

"So you don't think Luna is evil?"

"What makes you say that?"

"That's what you told me when you said I couldn't play with her any more!"

Molly started to cry. "Oh my Dear Baby! I - I don't know why I said that! I didn't mean to…"

"Mummy?"

"You're my girl, Ginny. You deserve all kinds of friends and Luna is not evil."

"But you said…"

"I listened to Dumbledore then."

"Do I have to go to Hogwarts?"

Molly nodded. "I wish your Daddy and I could sent the lot of you to that other school. We can't afford it."

"Harry said they were trying to work on that," Ginny said. "Won't have it worked out this year, but he said there may be a way. If there is can I go?"

"I will think about it."

"Thanks Mum."

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1988 - POTTER HOUSE, LONDON, U.K.

Harry lay on his bed staring at the ceiling thinking about all that had happened in the last real year. A year ago he had slept on a slab of plywood in a cupboard under a stair. Now he lay in a huge bed in a room that he was sure was almost the size of his last house. A year ago, he would have been looking at the stairs overhead hoping someone would take him away. That had happened! He now had a family! A real one!

Sensei had made this all possible, Harry knew. But that was all Sensei had done. Possible is not reality. You make reality, one of his teachers in Japan had said. This was now his reality. He was a wizard. But far more important was that he now had friends and a family. Across the hall dwelt his best friend in the whole world, his first friend Hermione. Someday, he thought, when we are older maybe we can be more for each other? He really did not want to dwell on that bit. Still everyone thought so already. Clarice lived across the hall as well. His sister! His girls, his thoughts added. He now had two wonderful adults whom he saw as parents in the Grangers. Then there was Sirius, a mentor and friend and mischievous Uncle, even though he really was a cousin. Remus also lived here. He was more the kind teacher. While he was busy with his MI-5 stuff, he made it a point to show up for the weekends.

Harry, Hermione and Clarice still had not found their Common Form Animagus, but Harry knew something about his. It flew! He could not wait but knew it would take time before he could transform and far more time to master his form. Still … a year ago none of this was possible. Harry was happy, another thing not possible a year ago.

"Harry?" a voice called from the door.

Harry looked and saw Hermione standing there.

"Are you okay? You're not sick, are you?"

"No Hermione. Just thinking."

"'Bout what?"

"How much my life changed this last year. How much better it is than even my dreams."

"I've been thinking that too," Hermione said with a blush.

"You have?"

Hermione nodded. "They're waiting," she said.

"For what?"

"For us to join them and ring in the new year!"

"Really?"

Hermione nodded. "Oh, and you'll have to kiss me," she added with a deep blush.

"Why?"

"It's a tradition and Mum says you'll have to."

"I don't mind," Harry said softly. "Do I have to kiss Clarice too?"

"She's your sister."

"That's what I mean. Cheek maybe, but ..eww!"

"You coming?"

"Yes," Harry said. He walked over to Hermione and took her hand in his as she led him down to the main room where the others were waiting to ring in 1989...