Author: Luckner
Disclaimer: The characters and their world are the property of J.K. Rowling, various publishers and Warner Bros. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Note: Thanks very much for all of the reviewers who had such positive comments about the last chapter. I was beginning to think that I might be taking this story in the wrong direction, but your positive response showed me that was not the case.
I want to give credit for the delightful idea of Luna's reindeer hat to michelle-31a in her classic story Luna's Year.
CHAPTER 15: SHARING SECRETS
As late fall progressed into winter the students of Hogwarts began to spend more and more of their free time indoors; usually near the warm fires of their common rooms. But every rule has its exception, and even in icy December Harry and Luna found walks along the frozen shores of the Black Lake an almost irresistible temptation. Heavy winter cloaks and frequently renewed warming charms proved an effective deterrent to the frigid winds blowing off the frozen surface of the lake.
A few weeks before the Christmas holidays, on an icy cold night, the two teens were sitting warm and cozy in the Gryffindor common room. Outside one of the worst blizzards in a century was battering the stout walls of Hogwarts Castle, and the mournful howling of the wind could be faintly heard even through the thick stone walls. As they watched the cheerful crackling of the fire they both contemplated the coming of the holidays, which would be spent at Luna's home in Devonshire. Professor Dumbledore had been reluctant to agree to Harry's visit, but conceded to their demands when he realized that his opposition would prove futile. The old headmaster realized that his control over the young man was fast slipping away, but that the raven-haired boy seemed to be doing rather well on his own.
Harry noticed Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley were sharing a large overstuffed chair nearby, speaking in soft tones punctuated by occasional laughter and giggles. The two of them were on the same path being traveled by he and Luna, and Harry was happy for them. Suddenly he was pulled out of his reverie by angry words coming from the table shared by Ron and Hermione.
"Ron, I've had enough!" The young girl shouted, slamming her books down on the table. She stood up, white with rage, and stormed out of the common room.
"But Hermione, I'm sorry." Ron called plaintively after her, and rushed out to follow.
The four remaining teens looked at each other sadly. This confrontation had been building for a long time and they all knew that it was bound to happen sooner or later.
"They're just not going to make it," Ginny said with a note of sad resignation.
"Perhaps we can help them," Luna said thoughtfully.
"It's just Ron, he's such an insensitive git," Ginny declared in frustration.
"No, it's both of them. Ron is still a boy who needs time to grow up, but Hermione's part of the problem too. She's looking for perfection and setting standards that are impossible to meet. Ron needs to become more thoughtful and Hermione more tolerant. They both need to change," Luna declared wisely.
"But they won't," Neville said sadly.
"Not without our help," Harry declared forcefully, as he entered the conversation for the first time.
"But what can we do?" Ginny asked conspiratorially.
"We need to make them realize how much they need each other. It might not always appear that way, but they really do like each other. You and I can talk to Hermione while Harry and Neville speak to Ron," Luna advised.
"They won't listen," Neville declared.
"They might if we can make them realize what they would be loosing," Luna declared. The four teens moved close together and began to formulate a plan that they hoped would help the situation.
Meanwhile, Ron was chasing Hermione down the hallway. She didn't even know where she was going; she was just so furious that all she could think of was getting as far away from Ron Weasley as possible. Suddenly someone grabbed her arm from behind and pulled her to a halt. Spinning around she found herself face to face with the one person at Hogwarts that she would least like to see at that moment.
"Let go of me Ron!" She screamed as she pulled her arm away from him. She was so angry at that moment that she could have cursed him without a second thought.
"Hermione, I'm sorry…" he began apologetically. It was absolutely the wrong thing to say at that moment, and Hermione struck him with a stinging slap. The boy staggered back against the wall and stared at her in horror.
"I'm so sick and tired of hearing that same thing over and over again; that's all you ever say. It's just not going to work for us. Will you please just leave me alone?" Hermione begged as tears ran down her cheeks.
She turned and ran away; completely ignoring the startled looks on the faces of her fellow students. Ron sank down to the floor in total shock as he touched the red mark on his face. His shoulders sagged in defeat as he realized that it was over.
A few minutes later Ron returned to the Gryffindor common room, an angry look on his face. If that was the way that she wanted it then it was just fine with him; the school was full of girls for him to pick from. Looking at his friends sitting by the fire, he decided that their sympathetic looks were the last thing that he needed at the moment, and turning on his heel he rushed up the stairs to his dorm.
"So, when do we begin," Neville asked as he watched Ron storm up the stairs.
"Well certainly not tonight; let's give them a day or two to cool down," Luna said wisely.
And try they did, for the two weeks that followed the explosion the four teens tried everything that they could think of; but nothing worked. Ron and Hermione were furious with each other, and refused to talk about the matter with anyone. But more than that, they religiously avoided contact with each other. Harry began to worry that their friendship had been permanently damaged, but Luna pointed out that only time could heal some wounds. Still, it was stressful for everyone involved. The two teens would sit at opposite ends of the Gryffindor table for meals, and their friends would have to alternate sitting with one or the other to show that they were not taking sides.
And then the situation grew even worse when Ron started to shamelessly flirt with the other girls in Gryffindor House; but he only did it when Hermione was around to see. He seemed to be trying to convince himself that he really didn't need her, but Harry knew how depressed Ron was when he was in their dorm at night. Hermione was sad and depressed as well, but she concealed it better as she immersed herself in school work. They all knew that something had to be done but it was something that the two teens would have to do for themselves; their friends only hoped that it would happen soon.
- o -
But not everything was dismal as the last days of the term ticked away. Harry and Luna continued to experiment with their new powers, and almost daily discovered something new that they could do. They were surprised to find that the magic didn't work exactly the same for both of them. Harry found he had a real gift for handling lightening and by extension weather in general. As he experimented he found he could create amazing atmospheric displays with his lightening. And using his gift as a weapon he was able to hit his targets with pinpoint accuracy. He didn't realize until later that the lightening displays were visible from Hogwarts Castle, and had some of the students absolutely terrified.
Luna discovered that her gift centered more on the control of life forces and nature, which didn't surprise Harry one bit. She could grow a tiny acorn into an enormous Oak tree in but a single day, and the shores of the Black Lake were soon covered with drifts of spring and summer flowers.
Then one night in their beds Harry and Luna discovered the latest of their powers. Earlier that evening the two teens had been atop the Astronomy Tower enjoying the stars and a few kisses, and had only gone to bed when they realized how late it was.
"I wish we were still together," Luna thought from her bed in Ravenclaw Tower.
"So do I," Harry responded as he started to drift off.
"Ah…Harry. Should you be here?" He heard a familiar voice ask. He opened his eyes in shock and discovered something warm and soft in bed with him. At that moment he heard the word 'Lumos' and he found himself staring into the bright silver eyes of Luna Lovegood.
"What are you doing here Luna?" He whispered hoarsely.
"Um, actually this is my bed, Harry." And it was at that moment that the young boy realized that the bed curtains were Ravenclaw blue.
"What are you doing in there Looney?" He heard the sleepy voice of a girl demand.
Harry's first instinct was to get up and tell the girl off for her nasty remark, but then remembering where he was he thought better of the idea. Meanwhile Luna had put a silencing charm on the bed so they needn't fear being overheard.
"What am I doing here?" Harry asked in near panic.
"Well you did say that you wanted us to be together," Luna answered logically.
"But how?"
"I think we just learned something new about what the medallions can do," she said conclusively.
But at that moment Harry's mind wasn't interested in the powers of ancient medallions. It was fully occupied with how warm and soft Luna was as she lay beside him, and he realized that if he didn't return to his own room immediately he might not be able to.
"I better get back," he said reluctantly.
"I guess," Luna responded with a bit of sadness.
Harry closed his eyes tightly and willed himself back into his own bed.
"Ah, Harry; you're still here," Luna declared with a slight note of humor in her voice.
"Give me a minute here," he said as he concentrated harder still, squeezing his eyes tightly shut.
After a few seconds he opened his eyes and sighed in frustration as Luna lay there smiling at him.
"I'm in so much trouble," he said as he looked around in panic. "Maybe I can sneak back," he said conspiratorially as he started to slip his legs out of bed.
"I don't think that's a good idea. We Ravenclaws tend to study late in our common room, and going down the girl's stairs you would be rather conspicuous. Besides, some of my roommates are very light sleepers," Luna explained.
"Well what should I do?" He asked in confusion.
"Let's go to sleep and worry about it in the morning," Luna declared with a yawn as she laid her head down on her side of the pillow.
Somehow Harry couldn't take the possibility of being caught in the girl's dorm as casually as Luna, but as he didn't seem to have a choice in the matter he laid back on the pillow. As he looked at Luna sleeping beside him his stress seemed to flow away and he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
"Harry…Harry it's time to get up," Luna said softly.
"Too early, just ten more minutes," the young boy mumbled sleepily.
"Are you sure you want to be here when my roommates start getting dressed…my 'girl' roommates?" Luna asked causally.
After a few seconds Harry's eyes snapped open. "I've got to get out of here," he declared urgently.
"That might be a good idea; why don't you try it again? Close your eyes and will yourself back to your own bed," she directed with mock seriousness.
This time when Harry opened his eyes he was relieved to find Gryffindor crimson bed curtains, but he did miss Luna lying by his side.
"I miss you too, but I'll see you at breakfast….By the way, the next time you come for a visit please warm your feet first, they were cold last night," she sent mischievously.
"I'll try to do better," he answered, the smirk on his face evident in his words.
- o -
When he reached the Great Hall for breakfast he discovered that twelve great Christmas trees had been set up overnight, and Professor Flitwick was in the process of decorating them. The tiny Charms professor used his wand with great dexterity as he carefully levitated each antique ornament into the perfect location. Luna and Ginny were sitting at the Gryffindor table in a whispered conversation when Harry joined them and reached for a piece of toast from the tray in front of him.
"Good morning Harry, how did you sleep last night?" Ginny asked innocently.
Harry blushed slightly and glanced over at Luna. 'Did you tell her?' he asked her through their connection.
'Of course not; it was just an innocent question, don't act so guilty.' Was the reply he received back.
"Uh…yes, I slept quite well," he replied, after he had regained his composure.
Ginny had noticed the blush, his delay in answering and the look he had given his girlfriend and figured that something was going on. But before she could ask another question Neville sat down beside her and occupied her full attention.
But while most of the students were marveling at the beauty of the Great Hall at Christmas time, it was yet one more reminder to Harry that he had not yet found a Christmas present for his girlfriend. He wanted it to be perfect and show her how he felt, but finding the right gift was proving impossible. The second Hogsmead Weekend was coming in four days, and that would be his last chance to shop before the holidays began.
That night sleep simply would not come to Harry as he worried about the situation. He searched his mind and found that the girl who occupied his thoughts was peacefully sleeping in her own bed, blissfully unaware of the agony he was going through. Suddenly a familiar image came into his mind and he couldn't help but smile. A mid-twenties version of Luna was playing with their two children in her meadow in Devonshire, and having a wonderful time. His attention was drawn to the ceramic daisy necklace that she was wearing. He remembered in their vision that Luna had been examining the necklace and remarked at how pretty it was. She assumed that she would receive it sometime in the future and was looking forward to it. 'The necklace would make a wonderful present,' he thought to himself. Even years later Harry wondered if Vivienne hadn't really sent him the image to guide him with his problem; he rather thought that she had.
And then another thought came to the young man. When the two teens had first experimented with their new powers, along the shores of the Black Lake, Luna had created a small patch of daisies. In spite of the cold and snow the flowers had flourished; probably because of their magical origins. A necklace made from those flowers would have a double meaning: a reminder of their future together and the unique magic that they shared. It was just three days until the next Hogsmead Weekend, which would give him enough time to gather some of the flowers and hopefully find a jeweler to craft the gift.
The two teens had discovered that with a good deal of practice they were each able to close off a small portion of their thoughts from the other, and both were respectful enough not to attempt entry. Harry was especially grateful for this discovery, because in recent weeks some of his thoughts about Luna had began to reflect the fact that he was a normal teenaged boy. He was somewhat relieved, and a bit shocked, when Luna explained that girls had those thoughts as well; but were better at concealing them. Now, in addition to certain embarrassing personal feelings, he was able to keep the secret of Luna's Christmas present.
Early Saturday morning, and through the greatest of personal efforts, Harry awoke long before dawn. Searching his mind he discovered that Luna was sleeping peacefully in her own bed. Dressing quickly, and throwing on his warmest cloak, he descended through the darkened castle and out into the night. Using the light from his wand, and the little additional light provided by the new moon, he followed the trail along the lake to the secluded cove where they had first tested their powers. There he found the circle of daisies that Luna had created a few weeks earlier. In the starlight they seemed to give off an almost florescent glow, and the young boy wished that his girlfriend was there to enjoy them with him.
Putting aside his dreamy thoughts he gathered together a sizable bouquet of flowers and then, using a shrinking charm, reduced them to a more manageable size. He placed the flowers in a small, padded box and slipped it in his pocket. Returning to the castle without being seen he showered quickly and went down to the Great Hall for an early breakfast and to await the arrival of his friends.
He sensed Luna waking up and her realization that he was already eating breakfast. 'What's going on?' She sent innocently.
'About what?' Was his equally innocent response.
'You and Ron are usually the last ones to make it down, and today you are one of the first.'
'Just excited about Hogsmead, I guess,' was his quick answer.
'Okay, I'll be down in a few,' she replied.
A few minutes later Luna entered the Great Hall for breakfast and Harry was pleasantly surprised to see that she wasn't wearing the regulation school uniform. The forced conformity that the uniform represented didn't fit his idea of Luna at all.
Instead she was wearing her pointed witches' hat with reindeer antlers; and in keeping with the season one bright red Christmas ornament hung from each antler. She also wore a plaid skirt of wonderfully clashing shades of orange and blue and a purple sweater with orange and red Snorkacks embroidered on it.
Hogwarts girls who were conscious of fashion visibly trembled as Luna walked by, or turned to whisper to their friends in horror. But if some students regarded Luna as a 'fashion train wreck,' Harry was certainly not one of them. He regarded her outlandish outfits as one more indication of her strong sense on individuality, and he admired her for it. She didn't care what others might think; her choices were always her own.
She sat down gracefully beside Harry, the ornaments on her hat swaying gently back and forth, and kissed a smiling Harry Potter on the cheek.
"Wearing your favorite hat I see," he declared with a grin.
"Just dressing up a little; you did say we were eating in Hogsmead today," she replied.
"Yes I did," he replied as he reached for another piece of toast.
Ginny and Neville joined them a few minutes later and the four friends agreed to walk into Hogsmead together. They waited to ask Ron and Hermione if they would like to come along, but neither teen ever showed up.
"This really has to stop," Ginny said in annoyance. Since the two had split up they had both made a conscious effort to avoid each other, and as an unforeseen consequence they were also seeing much less of their other friends. Hermione had apparently taken up permanent residence in a secluded corner of the Hogwarts Library while Ron spent most of his time hanging around the Gryffindor common room.
"It'll take time," Luna said wisely.
They finally gave up and walked into Hogsmead together, splitting up upon arrival to do their Christmas shopping. They agreed to meet at noon and have lunch together at the Three Broomsticks.
As Luna walked away from the young man and in the direction of some shops on the edge of town, she sent him a message through the connection that they shared: 'No peeking now, Harry."
'The same goes for you,' was his thought in return, and he turned and walked towards the small jewelry store that Lavender Brown had told him about two nights before.
As he approached he saw Hermione Grainger sitting on a bench nearby. She looked rather lonely and sad, and Harry immediately altered his course to talk to her.
"Hi Hermione," he said cheerfully.
"Oh, hi Harry," the girl responded absently, and then she looked past him to see if there was anyone else there.
"Why didn't you wait for us?"
"I thought that Ron might be with you and it might be…awkward," she answered with a touch of embarrassment.
Harry's cheerful mood changed instantly. "No, I don't think he came," the boy replied soberly.
That information seemed to make the young girl feel even worse, and she looked down at her hands in her lap. "What are you doing?" She asked tentatively.
"Christmas present for Luna," he answered simply.
"Could I come along," she asked meekly.
"I'd like that," Harry answered, realizing how fragile Hermione was at that moment.
"Thanks," she said gratefully as she stood up.
As she walked with Harry she realized that he was going to the small jewelry shop across the street. "Oh Harry, you're not going to get her jewelry? You two have only been together for six months…." But at that moment she realized that she was nagging and immediately regretted her words. "I'm sorry Harry; I know that Luna will love whatever you get her."
Harry just smiled at her knowingly and held the door open for her to enter first. As the two students entered the sales clerk looked up in annoyance; he was trying to complete his inventory before the Christmas holidays and the last thing he needed was penniless students taking up his valuable time. 'Probably just a cheap friendship ring or charm bracelet,' he thought to himself as he laid his work aside.
"May I help you?" he asked in a none too friendly way.
"Yes, I understand that you can make custom jewelry," Harry said politely.
Sensing a possible sale, and realizing that some students did have money, the clerk plastered a fake smile on his face. "Yes sir, we do very fine custom work. If I may suggest, emeralds and diamonds make a very attractive combination," he said hopefully as he showed the young man a particularly stunning necklace.
Harry never noticed the horrified expression on Hermione's face, or the struggle that she was fighting against telling him outright that such a gift was totally inappropriate. He didn't notice because at that moment he was extracting a small box from his pocket.
"No, what I would like is to have these transfigured into ceramic and made into a necklace and earrings," he said and laid a small bouquet of perfectly preserved yellow daisies on the counter.
The clerk looked down at the flowers with utter contempt, as if the very idea of such a childish gesture was beneath the dignity of his establishment. "I'm afraid that flowers as jewelry have been out of style since the 1970s, I'm certain that the young lady would appreciate something more in fashion," the clerk said smoothly.
Hermione snorted loudly at the remark, drawing the clerk's attention.
"No, this is for someone special, and she makes her own fashion," Harry declared, trying to be patient.
"I'm sorry Si, but this is really not the kind of work…." But at that moment Harry turned his head slightly and the clerk caught a glimpse of his scar. Suddenly his whole attitude clanged and he took the greatest of interest in his new customers.
"Yes Sir, whatever you would like Mr. Potter," the man simpered.
Harry was beginning to like the clerk less and less, as once again he saw how his notoriety could change the way people treated him.
"How much," he asked curtly.
"Oh, no charge Mr. Potter; it will be our honor," the clerk declared.
Harry sighed and wondered if there might be another jewelry shop in Hogsmead, but before he could say a word Hermione spoke up.
"Please Sir; Mr. Potter wants a fair price. He wishes nothing that he hasn't paid for.
The clerk suddenly realized his mistake and tried to make amends; the last thing he wanted to do was offend this young man who had become such a hero to his world. "Would you like the daisies set in silver or gold?" He asked hastily.
Harry thought for a moment and felt the warmth of the medallion lying on his chest. He also remembered that the ancient Celts regarded silver as a symbol of purity, and he answered with conviction.
"Silver please."
"Our charge would be four galleons." And then seeing the doubt in the young man's eyes the clerk hastily added: "That is the same amount we would charge any of our other customers."
"Thank you, when can I have them?" he asked with relief.
"Our silversmith is in tonight and I can have them delivered to you in the morning."
Harry thought for a second and decided that he didn't want this particular package delivered in the Great Hall. "Could you have it delivered to Professor Remus Lupin instead?" He asked.
"Of course, Mr. Potter," the clerk responded as he relaxed a bit.
Harry paid the man and was turning to leave when something else caught his eye. It was a small walnut jewelry box with a mother-of-pearl inlay of the moon and stars.
"How much is this?" The young man asked.
"We sell those for four galleons each. There's a craftsman here in Hogsmead who makes them for us. He insists on doing it the muggle way, but his work is superb," the clerk said.
"I'll take it," Harry said as he set the box and four galleons on the counter.
A few minutes later and the two were again standing on High Street. "I think Luna will love the necklace," Hermione said confidently.
"I know that she will," Harry answered with certainty.
"I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I thought you were going to buy her something expensive with diamonds or rubies," Hermione explained apologetically.
"Diamonds aren't for Luna, and never will be," Harry said wisely.
"You know her so well. She's so lucky to have you," the girl said in admiration.
"No, I'm the lucky one," he said as his eyes scanned the street in search of his girlfriend.
At that moment Luna was in a small bookshop at the other end of town, paying for a very important gift. The cost was only three galleons, but it was something that Harry would treasure all of his life.
"I'm going back to the school," Hermione said, deep within her own sad thoughts.
"Won't you stay and have lunch with us?" Harry asked hopefully.
"No, I have some studying to do," she replied evasively.
"Hermione, you can't keep on like this," he said.
"I know, I just have some things that I need to work out," she insisted as she turned and walked in the direction of the school.
With a sigh Harry went in search of his other friends.
- o -
As Harry was walking down the street he saw Ginny Weasley sitting on a bench outside the Post Office, a sad look on her face. There was no sign of Neville anywhere, and Harry knew immediately that something was wrong.
In his mind he asked a question: 'Luna, are you done with your shopping yet?'
'I just finished; no peeking now,' was the happy reply.
'Can you meet me in front of the Post Office? I think we have a problem,' Harry thought.
'I'll be right there,' came her sober reply.
Harry walked over to the youngest Weasley and sat down by her side. "Are you alright Ginny?"
She turned to look at him and he could see tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry Harry, I'm alright."
"No…no you're not; where's Neville?" Harry asked with concern.
"He's inside sending an owl to his Grandmother. He wants to visit his parents as soon as he gets home for the holidays. He visits them every chance he gets; he spends hours telling them everything he's done at school. I just can't bear to think of him sitting there all alone; but I just don't know how to help," she declared as tears started to flow down her cheeks.
"Maybe Harry and I can help," Luna declared as she sat down on the other side of the young redhead.
'How can we help?' Harry asked through the link he shared with Luna.
'By taking her to see the 'Lady;' it helped you, didn't it?'
"Luna, that's brilliant!" Harry shouted out loud and startling Ginny.
A moment later Neville joined them in a very depressed state. Ginny stood and took his hand, trying to be as supportive as possible.
"If you two would be willing to skip lunch today we have a very special friend that we would like you to meet," Luna said with a grin.
The two teens agreed and were more than a little surprised when Harry and Luna led them away from Hogsmead and back towards the castle. Their sense of mystification grew as they passed the castle and followed the overgrown trail that skirted the Black Lake.
"Just where are we going," Ginny asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"You'll see," Harry said mysteriously.
The landscape was bleak, grey and cold; and both Neville and Ginny felt their pre-holiday depression growing. An icy wind came off the lake causing Ginny to shiver slightly, and Neville put an arm around her shoulders to share a little warmth.
Turning a bend in the trail both Ginny and Neville stopped suddenly at a most unexpected sight. There, next to the path, was a tiny patch of bright orange flowers that stood out boldly against the grey landscape that surrounded it.
Ginny was surprised but Neville, who knew all about plants, was absolutely shocked.
"This can't be," he said as he walked forward for a closer look. Without even thinking he dropped to his knees on the muddy ground to examine the orange poppies more closely.
"Maybe just an early spring," Harry suggested coyly, exchanging a mischievous grin with Luna.
"You don't understand. These desert flowers won't even grow on this continent," he declared in amazement.
"Well things change," Harry said knowingly, and winked at his girlfriend.
It took a real effort to pull Neville away from the orange flowers, and then he only agreed on the promise that he could examine them more closely on his way back. Neither teen realized it at first but the temperature was steadily rising, and they absently took off their heavy winter cloaks and carried them over their arms.
Then the four walked over a small rise and were confronted by an unbelievable sight. The shore of the Black Lake ahead of them was awash with deep drifts of spring and summer flowers creating a palette of color that any rainbow would envy.
Both Neville and Ginny stood staring at the sight for several seconds before either could speak. When words did come Neville could whisper only a single one: "How?"
"Luna got a little carried away," Harry answered with a smirk.
"Well you helped," Luna declared in mock outrage, but there was mirth in her voice.
"What's going on here?" Neville demanded.
"Just a little gardening," Harry answered innocently.
"But this is impossible," the boy sputtered.
"Is it getting warmer?" Ginny asked in confusion as she removed the sweater that she was wearing under her winter cloak.
"Harry's gotten much better at localizing the effects of his weather changes," Luna declared proudly in answer.
Ginny and Neville stared at their friends in bewilderment, and then the pieces began to fall into place.
"It was you! You were the one who created that heat wave," Neville declared as the realization hit him.
"Well yes; but I've gotten much better at regulating it since then," Harry responded with a touch of embarrassment.
"I thought it was You-know-who," Ginny said with amazement.
"We had better leave our cloaks and sweaters here," Luna said as she stopped by a large boulder. "It will get a lot warmer from here on."
"Warmer!" Neville and Ginny responded together.
"Well I thought that we might want to finish up the day with a swim; but first we have a remarkable woman that we want you to meet," Harry declared.
Ginny and Neville were too dazed to say anything as they followed their friends and tried to process what they had seen so far. They crested a small hill and looked down on a small spit of land projecting out into the lake. The two gasped in renewed wonderment as they stared at a garden of color the like of which the world had never seen before, and in the center stood the three standing stones that comprised the ancient shrine.
Harry and Luna led their friends down the slope and instructed them to sit on the stone bench and close their eyes. They followed the instructions in shocked silence and almost immediately fell asleep.
While their friends were peacefully dreaming in the shadow of the ancient stones, Harry and Luna walked down to the lake and sat by the shore.
"I hope she can help them," Harry said sincerely.
"I know that she can," was Luna's positive response.
They sat and talked and sometimes just gazed out at the water, and the two felt completely at peace. Aside from Luna's home on rural Devonshire, Harry had never known such absolute peace in his entire life. After a while Ginny and Neville came down and sat in silence beside them, and Harry could tell by the looks on their faces that they had found peace as well.
"Thank you…thank you both," Neville said solemnly. "I saw my parents; they told me that they loved me…and that they were proud of me. They've heard every word I've spoken to them over the years."
They could see that the young boy was on the verge of tears, but this time they were happy tears.
"I understand Neville; I felt the same way when I spoke to my parents," Harry said sincerely.
"Who is she…the lady in white?"
"It was Vivienne; some people call her the Lady of the Lake," Ginny said knowingly.
"That's right, but how did you know?" Harry asked in astonishment.
"When I was a little girl my mother told me all of the old stories; but I always thought that they were just make believe," Ginny replied.
"No, they were true; she's the last of the Celtic goddesses," Luna said a little sadly.
"She said she was going to send us a vision tonight. She asked if we wanted to see the past, present or the future," Neville said in wonder.
"And which did you chose?" Harry asked.
"I wanted to see the future," Ginny replied with a slight blush.
"And I wanted to see it as well," Neville said in support his girlfriend's choice.
"That's what we choose as well," Harry said with a smile.
"She sent you a vision? What was it?" Neville asked excitedly.
"Our children," Harry said as he put an arm around Luna's shoulders and she snuggled into him.
"Your children!" Ginny declared in shock.
"Yes, we'll have a son and a daughter," Luna said dreamily.
"That means you'll marry," Neville concluded in amazement.
"It certainly does," Harry declared happily.
"Oh Luna, that's wonderful," Ginny declared as she hugged her friend tightly. "I wonder what will happen to us."
"I think you'll find out tonight. But I have a feeling you'll be happy with it," Harry answered with a smirk.
"Ah…may Ginny and I come and visit the shrine again?" Neville asked his friends hopefully.
"Of course you can, Neville. I'm sure the Lady would appreciate a visit whenever you have the time," Luna declared with a twinkle in her eyes.
It's also a nice place to be alone with someone special," Harry said as he put an arm around Luna's shoulders.
Ginny and Neville both blushed slightly at the suggestion, but nodded their heads in agreement.
With that the four teenagers relaxed, and taking advantage of the summer-like temperatures finished the day off with a swim before returning to the castle at twilight. All four were confident that the future held good things for them.
