Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the Property of JK Rowling

A/N Enjoy Chapter Two!

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Snow Angels

Chapter Two

The Weasley's

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George hesitated nervously, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He knew he was going to have a few questions to answer, where had he been, why had he left…most of all…how had he run across Luna Lovegood?

It was not that he was ashamed to have the family know that he had spent the last hour with her; far from it. It was more that Luna had never had a problem with being blatantly, even brutally, honest. He was feeling a little sheepish now over his initial notion that Luna had been an angel circling about the deserted, snowy streets of Diagon Alley and it was exactly the sort of knowledge he knew his brothers would love to get their hands on. There were several years of back-revenge to be paid after all.

"George?" Luna looked up at him in the dim light from the kitchen window. He had hesitated a moment too long and now Luna had taken on a worried look of her own. George kicked himself; he knew Luna had her own reasons to be worried about being there, unfounded though they were.

There was no way his family would hold her responsible for what her father had done the pervious spring. Xenophilius Lovegood turning Harry, Ron and Hermione over to the death eaters was no less than what they would have done had it been Ginny imprisoned in Malfoy Manor…Harry had told them he would have expected nothing less. Yes, the Weasley's had always loved him as if he was their own. Yes, they would have given him anything.

"In matters of life and death…" He had said with a matter of fact shrug, "…blood come's before sentimentality."

"Maybe you should take me back." Luna fidgeted at his side and George felt a twinge of guilt for having been responsible for making her more nervous than she already was. "My just barging in like this…it doesn't feel right."

"I told you…" He smiled and let go of the knob to take her hand in his again. "They will be happy to see you."

"I'm not so sure. My father…"

"You have nothing to worry about." George gave her hand a tight squeeze. "I promise."

He gave her a reassuring smile before reaching for the knob again, this time he twisted it without the slightest hesitation…let the cards fall where they may.

"George!" Molly let out a loud squeal and rushed across the kitchen to embrace him. "I've been ever so worried! Where have you…"

She stopped abruptly, her soft brown eyes locked with the silvery blue of Luna's over George's shoulder.

"Well!" Molly pulled away from George, a happy expression lighting her face. "Look who we have here! Luna dear…how nice to see you!"

"Hello Mrs. Weasley." Luna's smile was guarded. Mrs. Weasley had always been warm and welcoming…it was the other Weasley's she was wary of…the ones she barely knew. A moment later Ginny came racing around the corner, her smile wide and brilliant. Harry, Hermione and Ron followed her by a step or two, looked shocked but thrilled by her sudden appearance.

"Luna…it's so wonderful to see you again." Hermione sighed when she at last had her turn to hug her. They had not seen each other since Fred's funeral. The day after Hermione had gone to Australia to bring her parent's home and ended up spending a fair share of the summer. Mr. and Mrs. Granger had become quite fond of Australia and decided not to return. The time since had been busy with selling their house and dental practice in London and reestablishing themselves in Melbourne…with a little help from the ministry of Magic.

"Oh, you too." Luna sighed and let Hermione go. Harry quickly took her place and then even Ron took a turn. When she had been thoroughly hugged, Arthur took her cloak and Ginny pulled her into the sitting room.

George stayed behind; he figured his mother was sure to have a million questions for him and it might perhaps be best to conduct the inquisition with a bit of privacy…besides, with Luna out of hearing range, he might be able to keep his silly Angel ideas out of the explanations.

His mother had other plans.

"George, there is some hot cocoa left in the kettle. Why don't you warm some for yourself and Luna, you must be frozen solid after being out in that snow."

Molly didn't give him a chance to answer; she turned away and joined the others in the sitting room where they were gently drilling Luna on how she and George had come across one another.

'Wonderful' George moaned softly and tapped the kettle with his wand; waiting for the backlash. His parents would wonder if he had lost his mind. There would be loud guffaws from Harry and Ron. Ginny and Hermione would giggle and then make snarky little comments. Percy, he knew, wouldn't laugh…not loud enough to be heard anyway. He would snicker, he would smirk; and then, when George had done something to annoy him and there was no one else around to hear…Percy would slip in a subtle but deadly slam. That had always been Percy's way…the deceptive little sneak.

George poured the cocoa into tall, heavy stoneware mugs…his ears still perked for the word angel; yet it had not come. He breathed a sigh of relief and stepped down the small step into the sitting room. It appeared Luna had used a bit of discretion after all; she had left out that part of the story.

"Thank you." Luna smiled at him warmly and took the mug of steaming cocoa; the instant heat felt wonderful on her frozen fingers and she wrapped them tightly around the mug.

"You're welcome." George smiled back. His eyes had taken on a definite twinkle; even he knew it without being able to see it. He felt a slight annoyance when he realized that both seats beside her were taken… and the ones next to those….even the space on the floor in front of the sofa was filled by Ron lounging on his side.

George did his best to not let his disappointment show and crossed the room to sit in the one empty chair…the one that was as far away from Luna as possible. He couldn't resist the slight glare he gave the four who sat around Luna on the sofa…it just wasn't fair; he was the one who had invited her after all.

"Go on Luna." Ginny gave Luna a look of encouragement. "Finish telling us."

"With my father gone and our house destroyed I didn't have anywhere to go. I am only a few weeks from being seventeen; the Ministry didn't feel a need to put me with a temporary guardian for just the holidays; too much paperwork I suppose. Instead, they rented a flat for me in Diagon Alley… above the apothecary. It has been fun really, buying things to decorate it and my own furniture."

Ron and Harry looked at one another and stifled grins; if Luna's taste in furnishings was the same as her taste in everything else, her flat was sure to be quite interesting. Catching their snickers, Ginny sent them a glare that would have peeled paint from the walls.

"Well, as I said..." Luna looked up at George nervously, she was pretty sure he would want her to keep this part of the story as vague as possible. "I couldn't sleep, so I took a walk and ran into George. That's it really."

Hermione, always the clever one, looked back and forth between George and Luna. Her story seemed right as rain …on the outside….but she knew Luna was leaving something out. Hermione had known Luna Lovegood far too long to believe anything involving her could be so uncomplicated. Luna's answer was far too simple…which was odd enough…but George looked far too relieved that her answer had been so uncomplicated.

"That's just wonderful." Molly's voice was pleased. She had always been very fond of Luna Lovegood and that had not diminished in the least with the knowledge of what had occurred during the war. If anything, her appreciation of the girl had increased. Molly couldn't imagine what it must have been like…imprisoned in Malfoy Manor all those months; a breath away from Voldemort himself. "How nice that you ran into one another."

Her tone promised George plenty of questions later.

"Yes, sorry as we are to hear you were all alone…" Arthur said cheerfully "it seems to have turned out quite well. We are happy to see you again Luna."

Ginny reached over and took Luna's hand giving it a tight squeeze. She felt a slight bit of annoyed anger at her best friend. It had only been two days since the two had returned from Hogwarts together on the Hogwarts Express; Luna had not bothered to mention that she would be spending the holiday all alone. It was so like Luna; not telling people everything…but then again…had she ever asked where Luna was spending the holiday? Ginny had known that Luna believed her father to be dead, she also knew that Luna had no other family…she should have known. Ginny realized that she had been remiss, but that did not mean she could not make up for it now.

"But there's no reason for you to stay alone." Ginny said stubbornly "You could come and stay with us."

"Oh, no…I couldn't…"

"That's a lovely idea!" Molly exclaimed loudly. She had always been the 'the more the merrier' type, particularly around the holidays. She also knew full well how hard this first Christmas without Fred had been on the Weasley's…and it was only the week before. Molly Weasley was a smart woman; things were only going to get worse the closer it got to Christmas proper. The idea of Luna sitting all alone in her flat; spending her first Christmas without her father with no one to help her through it…it was unthinkable and was certainly not to be allowed.

"No, really…I couldn't intrude."

Percy had been listening quietly. He barely knew Luna Lovegood. She had been considerably behind him in school…only a second year when he had been a seventh; there had never been reason for them to interact. Of course he knew of her, they were neighbors after all, but she was so much younger than him that he had never paid her the slightest bit of attention before…not even enough to notice that she was different than Ginny's other friends.

Obviously, he knew of what her father had done during the war…everyone knew that thanks to that nosy old cow Rita Skeeter. Percy did not have a doubt that the Percy of old would have hated the idea of her spending the holidays at the Burrow with his family; he would have been pompous, indignant and enraged, he would have made a big scene and demanded she leave. However, he was not the Percy of old anymore. That Percy had died the summer before…the moment his brother had died.

"Why not?" Percy asked softly "You're welcome here, no one should spend Christmas alone. Particularly not someone in mourning."

He meant every word. Percy had spent three Christmas's without his family, instead he had dined at the homes of three Ministers of Magic. Stiff, formal affairs that were memorable only for the fact that, despite the honor of being at the ministers table, he had missed sitting around the table for Christmas dinner in his Weasley sweater.

"I don't have any of my things…and…"

"I can loan you something for tonight." Ginny had turned her look on Luna again. "And, we can pick up some things for you tomorrow. In fact, we…" She motioned to Harry, Ron and Hermione "… are all going in to help George in the shop, you can come along too."

Harry chuckled loudly from her other side. "If you don't mind looking ridiculous…"

He trailed off when Luna started to laugh loudly. He felt slightly foolish…this was Luna he was talking to, of course she did not mind looking ridiculous.

"Because it would be the first time I looked ridiculous?" She grinned "But…could you tell me specifically why going to work in George's shop would make me look that way?"

"He's making us wear costumes." Ron leveled George with a semi-glare. If it were not for the fact that they were being well paid, he would have told George just where he could stuff the damned costume.

Luna looked over at George, her eyes glowing. "What sort of costume?"

"There's a selection." Hermione jumped in. "Snow elves, Angels, Santa's helpers in short little skirts and Lederhosen…"

"Harry looks cute in the Lederhosen." Ginny giggled

"They're ridiculous." Hermione rolled her eyes. She was only going to help Ron out…she didn't need the money…he did.

"I've expanded the shop a bit." George spoke up in his own defense since no one else seemed to be planning on it. "I have a line of Children's merchandise, for the littler ones…toys that do cute little things. Parents bring the kids in and the kids love the costumes."

"Oh." Luna nodded "That's a wonderful idea George." She flashed her brilliant smile again and George was thankful that he was sitting…Luna's smile was bright enough to put the sun to shame.

"Now let's see…" Molly tapped her chin with a finger. "Where will we put you? Ginny and Hermione are already packed in her room. I could put you in Charlie and Bills old room tonight...but Charlie will be arriving tomorrow and I would hate to uproot you."

"Put her in my room mum." George spoke up.

The room went deadly quiet and George blushed three different shades of red ranging from pink to puce.

"That's not what I meant." George backpedaled quickly before a hundred wonderful images had a chance to jump into his mind. "I'll share with Charlie and Luna can have my room."

Luna hesitated. She had not even agreed to stay yet and already she was causing a disruption.

"Oh…please, don't go to all this trouble for me."

"I think that's the best solution George." Molly nodded, totally ignoring Luna's protests. The Weasley's fell into a discussion of other small changes that would be needed to expand the Burrow to include another person and Luna sighed, a sense of invisibility falling over her as she sat back against the sofa cushions. Hermione laughed and took her hand.

"Come on, I'll show you George's room."

"Hermione, would you mind putting fresh sheets on the bed?" Molly called after them.

"Of course not." She smiled over her shoulder and lead Luna to the linen closet in the hall where she pulled out a set of crisp white sheets and fluffy blankets. Hermione nodded to the stairs for Luna to follow

"Once they get an idea in their heads, there is no dissuading them." She smiled, her eyes dancing with mirth. "Just smile and go along with it."

Luna pasted a bemused smile on her face.

"You really are welcome you know." Hermione turned into a room on the second landing. "George wouldn't have brought you here if he had thought you wouldn't have been."

"It's very kind of them…considering."

Hermione tossed the sheets on one of the beds and looked at Luna sadly.

"You're not still feeling bad about that are you?"

"Yes…and no. It's hard not to feel bad. It was such a horrible thing my father did, even if he did have a good reason for doing it. " Luna shrugged and sat down in the chair that sat at the desk under the window. The top was covered in large scratches, scorch marks and burns. In fact, when she looked around the room she noticed that a great many spots on the walls were as well. Seeing the directions her eyes had gone, Hermione laughed.

"Fred and George." She shook her head and began to strip the bed. "It is a wonder the house is still standing at all."

"I remember how funny they were ..." Luna smiled and ran her hand over the desktop. "… when we had all those Dumbledore's Army meetings. They made all those Skiving Snackboxes too that we took to get out of classes with Professor Umbridge."

"Oh yes, they were always quite creative." Hermione paused with the old sheets in her arms and sighed sadly. "Brilliant really. I never gave them enough credit."

"The shop must be doing very well, now that the war is over."

"It certainly is! Ron and I have been helping out while we wait until we can take our N.E.W.T.S. Since the war Diagon Alley has been able to go back to being itself again…no one has to be afraid anymore. It's wonderful; almost like the place I remember first seeing when I was eleven. Almost."

Hermione smiled sadly and Luna understood. There were obvious exceptions. Mr. Fortescue had never been found, and Mr. Ollivander had given up his wand shop to his son. Luna did not want to think about the way things used to be…it was too much like thinking about her father; about the fact that he was never coming back.

"Has Harry been helping in the shop too?" Hogwarts had been rife with rumors of what 'the famous Harry Potter' was doing since the war ended, ranging from being a resident at St. Mungo's ward for the incurably insane to waiting for his appointment as Minister of Magic. Luna had known it was neither, she knew Harry better than almost all of them and though she hadn't spoken to him since a few words after the funerals that summer, she reckoned he was just taking a nice long rest from it all.

"Ginny told us there have been rumors, some pretty good ones too." Hermione laughed "She wasn't trying to keep secrets, Harry just asked her to keep mum about him. He just wants some privacy for a change, you know?"

"Of course I understand." Luna didn't blame Harry in the least. Besides, she and Ginny had totally different schedules, they didn't see each other much at school…they had hardly had time to talk when they did.

"Harry has been working with Kingsley reorganizing the department of Aurors. The entire department was corrupted, sorting out those who had been imperioused from those who were lying and really on Voldemorts side was a nightmare. In the end they had to use Veritaserum on the lot of them to get to the truth."

"That must have been wretched, sorting through all of that."

"Oh yes." Hermione nodded "Harry was miserable for weeks, not so much because of having to sort it all out, but there were still death eaters out there who had escaped. Taking time out to sort out the good from the bad gave them a head start."

"There are still death eaters out there then." Luna said plainly…it was not a question, rather a statement based on lingering fear.

"They have found a few." Hermione nodded and put the dirty sheets in the clothes hamper on the landing. "Not many survived the battle of course, but it is hard to say how many may still be out there when there is no way of knowing who they all were. All of Voldemorts inner circle is accounted for. The Malfoys are the only ones in Voldemorts inner circle who survived the battle, Mr. Malfoy was returned to Azkaban to finish off his sentence for the Ministry break in. All that leaves is his little fish…the lackeys."

"That's a relief." Luna tried to work up a smile though she was feeling anything but relieved. She had seen first hand what the lackeys were capable of. "Oh, let me help you."

She stood and grabbed a corner of the sheet that Hermione had been struggling to fasten around the corner in its elastic clamps. Molly Weasley was an old fashioned sort of woman…she did not bother with things like fitted sheets. Instead, she used flat sheets that were held in place with elastic clamps.

"Thank you." Hermione lifted the corner up high so Luna could clip the clamp in place that would secure the sheet. "Ginny told me that Fred and George tried buying Mrs. Weasley a bunch of fitted sheets last Christmas but she refused to use them." She laughed and let the mattress fall back into place, then lifted the other corner.

"That's because mum is unbearably stubborn." Ginny spoke from behind them as she entered the room, a purple nightgown in her arms. "This should fit you. I hope it is okay."

"It will be fine." Luna gave Ginny a warm smile. They were going to so much trouble for her…too much trouble really. Luna had never been the type to like being the center of lot of fuss. "You shouldn't being going to so much trouble on my account."

"Really Luna…" Ginny gave her an incredulous look. "It's just a nightgown."

"You're forgetting about the fresh sheets, George being uprooted from his room and who knows what else over the next week."

"Two weeks." Ginny corrected.

"Two…?"

"There are two weeks until we go back to school."

"Oh, no…Ginny, really… I can't put you out for so long."

"Merlin's fat arse Luna!" Ginny cried in exasperation, she sounded incredibly cross "Would you stop going on about putting us out?" Across the room where she still struggled with a corner, Hermione had begun to smirk. "You are starting to be annoying. We want to do this, so stop taking away our fun"

"Well…I…I'm sorry." Luna was chagrined with herself. She had not thought that her statements about putting them out might be annoying. "I just don't want to…"

Ginny rolled on her heels and turned towards the door. "Go to bed Luna, George needs us at the shop by eight-thirty."

"Told you." Hermione smirked at her and offered her a corner of the sheet. "Once the Weasley's get an idea in their heads…"

"Yes, I'm starting to get that." Luna had an oddly bewildered look on her face and Hermione could not stop herself from laughing. They clamped the last corner of sheet to the bed then went to work on the rest of the bedding, a second crisp white flat sheet was laid atop the first and tucked in at the foot, then a trio of fluffy blankets was covered heavy quilt.

"It gets a bit drafty under the windows." Hermione explained. "You'll be warm and toasty with all these blankets."

Luna's eyes drifted to the bed against the wall on the other side of the room; she did not have to ask to know …

… no one would ever sleep in that bed again.

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Chapter Three Preview

Luna works her first

day in the shop and the two share a romantic lunch…

until something…or rather someone…

get's in the way.

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