Disclaimer: I do not, in anyway own the wonderful world of Harry Potter, or Charmed. I am just dabbling in the world they left for us.

(thanks to HarryPotter'sCharmed, you were the Very first reviewer I had for this story. Thanks so much!!!)

Chapter 47

Your future is set…

Luna Lovegood dropped her trunk on the Ravenclaw fifth year girl's dormitory floor with a gigantic thud. All the other girls looked up, some squeaked their surprise. Luna didn't notice. Instead, she drifted to her four-poster, pulled back the curtains and inspected them. Then she moved on to the blankets, taking each one by one and shaking it lightly before gently tossing it aside. She fluffed and scanned the pillows, then stood back and sighed.

"Good, no nargles. They always hide at the beginning of term though. I suppose they'll find me soon enough."

Slowly, serenely, she turned and floated back through the door, heedless of the stares and giggles the ushered her out.

Neville Longbottom hefted his trunk up the dormitory steps. A couple of first year boys came barreling down, shoving him against the wall as they passed. He sighed. Instead of calling after the boys, he started up the stairs again.

He walked to this bed and set his trunk down then turned. Harry's trunk was already by his bed unopened. Ron's things were strewn about.

That train ride is always so exhausting, he thought. He took Trevor the toad out of his pocket, sedated by some clever mix of herbs so that he would not hop away, and set him in the drawer of the nightstand. As he lay down, the events of last year made him shutter under the covers. His mother's lifeless eyes flashed in his mind. They'd stood up to more. He would not give in.

He drifted off to a troubled sleep.

"But Gin, what if it makes you invisible? Or infects you with a magical disease for which there's no cure? What if it calls the Yeti down from the mountains to kidnap you and roast you alive?"

"That's ridiculous, Luna, I don't think you can charm a bracelet to do such things." Ginny whispered across the aisle, "Or at least I hope not."

"But that's just it, you don't know," Luna whispered back.

"No, that's why I have to meet him. Otherwise I'll never know."

"If he's even human. What if he's a house elf, or a half-goblin, or… or even a vampire!"

Luna looked up as Professor Sparks came toward the third row. "Is there a problem professor?"

"Do you ladies have a fascinating insight into this silencing potion that you'd like to share with the class?" she asked in reply.

Luna looked thoroughly confused. "No, professor, why do you ask?"

The potions mistress shook her head, "Miss Lovegood, please return to your potion and allow Miss Weasley to return to hers," she said, then looked up to the class, "I will examine your potions for marks in five minutes! Hop to it!"

As the professor in her bright robes returned to the front of the class, Luna leaned toward Ginny.

"I bet he's a Yeti."

"Well hurry up, Longbottom! We haven't got all day to get these pumpkins harvested!"

"Yes… Professor…" Neville said, struggling under the weight of a particularly large gourd. He hadn't imagined that Professor Sprout's idea of a private lesson meant doing all the chores necessary to prepare for the Halloween feast. Even though he loved Herbology, his orange load threatened to make the decision to add this to his classes regrettable.

When he finally set the giant pumpkin in the cart, the Professor thumped him on the back. "It really is great to have a strapping young lad here to lend an elderly lady a hand. You've picked quite a few splendid ones; I daresay we'll have our sweetest pumpkin juice in years."

Neville managed a smile. He pumped his arms a bit as he followed Professor Sprout toward the greenhouse. He was getting stronger. Perhaps one day soon he would be dueling Harry Potter who was rumored to have trained all summer while somehow not violating the restrictions for under age magic. After the Department of Mysteries, he didn't doubt it. He'd done some physical training himself. Still no match for Harry, he thought.

The bell sounded and Neville looked up toward the castle. Luna Lovegood was walking down toward the greenhouse with Ginny Weasley. He swallowed hard. Another piece of last year came back to him.

Professor Sprout nudged him and he jumped. "She's sweet enough, though batty," she said, "Hurt her, and I'll make sure a baby mandrake screams in your ear."

When the ball had been announced, Neville completely blinded sided Luna with an immediate if stuttered invitation. Not knowing what else to say, she said yes. A few weeks showed her that she made the right decision. She encouraged him and even helped him train throughout the tournament. He tutored her in Herbology and helped her keep her DADA skills sharp. They fell into a comfortable routine of eating together at meals and reading articles from the Quibbler in the evenings. Soon, even Luna's active imagination couldn't fathom her world without him.

"You just look completely in love, Luna," Cho gushed on the evening of the ball as she pulled a halo of wispy blonde hairs out of Luna's tidy bun.

"In love?" Luna blinked in the mirror.

"Indeed."

"Oh," Luna's mind drifted off for a moment. When she came back, she knew what she wanted to do. When Cho pronounced her hair finished, Luna skipped out of the Common Room with a fistful of Quibbler magazines.

"That Flynn sure is a good dancer, huh?" Neville said as he and Luna walked arm in arm out of the Great Hall. Tired students were drifting and dancing down the corridor toward their beds after the ball.

"Yes, who knew Yetis could dance."

Neville laughed low and was pleased when Luna giggled and leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment. They had enjoyed each other's company all evening despite the almost mangled spotlight dance for the final two duelers. He wasn't used to such attention, but Luna had borne it all with her customary grace and genuine innocence. He was sure he'd never find anyone like her to stand beside him like she had tonight, or like she had at the Ministry. When they got to the Ravenclaw tower entrance, they stopped and made small talk as the crowds dispersed.

"Luna," he finally said.

"Hmm?" she replied as she fussed with her purse for a moment.

He pulled a small, wrapped box from his pocket, "Ha-ha-… happy Christmas!"

"Oh!" she said, "How sweet, Neville, thank you! And Happy Christmas to you too!" She handed him a slightly larger package wrapped in old Quibbler pages.

He laughed low again and smiled. Luna beamed. He put the package in his pocket and took her hands. "Thank you, Luna Lovegood." And before he knew what he would do, he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Oh, my," she said, blushing beat red.

He could hardly believe it himself. He quickly picked up the package, said "G-g-goodnight," and ran toward Gryffindor tower at top speed.

The Room of Requirement was silent for a moment as Harry's words sunk in to the crowd. He had been going like this for nearly six minutes. The inspiration was contagious, but fear hung thick in the air and the students sat like statues, daring someone else to move first. Neville moved to stand but hesitated. Luna slipped her hand in his.

"Wh-what if we have to do what we did last year? What if it-it-it comes down to that?" he asked her quietly.

"I think that's what he's counting on, Neville. We're going to need everyone."

Neville squeezed her hand. "Then someone has to begin it."

She squeezed his back.

"Together, then?" he asked.

Luna finally looked toward him, calm as usual. "Yes, of course. Always."

Neville found her gaze, his left hand found her face, and his lips found hers. The holidays had not diminished the affection that had been initiated after the ball. This time there was no surprise in her response. Trust lingered when their first, short kiss ended. Hand in hand they stood up together and marched confidently to the front of the room where Harry stood waiting. Neville took the quill but waited to sign. Instead, he stood to his full height and turned to speak to his friends.

"Last year the Ministry ran a smear campaign against Harry and the Headmaster and even tried to control Hogwarts with a toad-like lackey. Yes, the DA was started as a way to practice the practical side of defensive magic, but it was also preparing us for the war that was and still is brewing behind these walls. So if Harry asks me to sign a bit of parchment that he has said has no jinx on it, then I will take him at his word and sign it," he looked toward Luna, "in hopes that I can learn to better defend those whom I care about deeply."

"Thanks, Nev," Harry said.

"No problem." His eyes still trained on Luna.

Luna signed the book quickly and reached for Neville's hand as he announced, "You see, there is nothing to worry about." He found her eyes, smiled, and reached for her too, "There is no jin…"

As soon as she took his hand, they were gone; Together.

~hpgw~

Hogwarts:

Headmaster,

I was hoping to take some of your time to have a chat about one of your professors. I know that you are a busy man, but i can assure you that it should not take too long. As I have such a flexible schedule I will leave it to you to decide the time of our meeting.

Ezekiel

Head of the Department of Mysteries

Albus Dumbledore read the letter over again. He had not been contacted by the Department of Mysteries in a very long time. 'He should be here soon' the Headmaster mused as he set the letter down. When he looked back up he came face to face with the man who had asked for the meeting. Hiding his surprise behind a smile he greeted the figure who sat before him.

"Ezekiel, how are you doing on this fine day?"

"I am doing quite well Albus, and how about yourself?"

The Headmaster just smiled even wider, "I am very well, thank you. However, I might be doing even better if you would tell me how you manage to appear in the manner that you do."

"Ah, but that would be telling. And you and I both know that there are some mysteries that need to remain just that; mysteries." Ezekiel countered with a knowing smirk.

"Indeed my friend. Now, you said that you wished to speak to me about one of my professors." Dumbledore said as he repositioned himself in his chair.

"Straight to the point as always I see," Ezekiel said off-handedly, "I merely wanted to check on my apprentice, Dargus, how is he doing?"

Albus Dumbledore gave a slight chuckle "Come now Ezekiel, you really expect me to believe that you, the head of the most secretive branch of the Ministry, are here to check up on one of my professors. What is the real reason you came here today?"

"Not all of us have ulterior motives and speak in the cryptic manner and half-truths you seem to be so fond of Albus." Ezekiel replied coolly.

"I have information, from a reliable source, that there is a prophecy that crossed your desk recently." Dumbledore said, not bothering to acknowledge what the man sitting in front of him had just said. "What information does this prophecy contain?"

"And I will have you know that your informant has been dealt with, having had their memories of ever working in my Department forever wiped from their minds. And what makes you think that I would tell you the contents of the prophecy, seeing as what you did the last time a prophecy found its way into your lap."

"I did what was needed for the greater good…"

"You mean taking a young boy, a baby no less, and putting him with people who hate the very idea of magic."

"And just look at the young man who he has become. He has friends is very healthy and trusts me; you cannot sit there and tell me that it was wrong for me to do what I did." The Headmaster said getting frustrated.

"So he trusts you enough to go into hiding, away from your influence and where he can be happy. You are pushing him Albus and if you keep going at the rate you are, like using force to keep him under your thumb, then you are going to push him away as you did with another young boy." Ezekiel replied, equally frustrated. "You do remember what happened to that young man don't you?"

Anger flashed in the Headmasters eyes at Ezekiel's jab at his mistake that resulted in the creation of the most feared Dark Lord. "I will not stand for you to come into my office and point out my mistakes. You were only here to inquire as to how Dargus is doing…"

"I was here to ask about how my apprentice was doing. However, it is you who turned the conversation away from its intended purpose. And if you try to deny that, then shall we pull out that pensive of yours?" Ezekiel said cutting the Headmaster off.

"Your apprentice is doing well, however, I do think that it will only be this year that he is going to be able to teach." Albus Dumbledore commented, with no emotion in his voice.

"This was also something I was going to be bringing up in this meeting." Ezekiel said as he stood to leave. "I do hope you know what you are doing Albus. While what you do is for the 'Greater Good', you of all people should know that there are many paths that lead to the greater good and it is our choices that define us. However what will happen in the end will happen. Your future is set Albus Dumbledore and there is nothing you can do to change it." And with a flourish of his robes, Ezekiel was gone from the office, leaving the Headmaster to slump back in his chair.

~hpgw~

A shadowy figure silently appeared in the darkened corner of the sleeping child's room not daring to make a sound……yet. As the figure stood there looking about the room a single thought went through their head. 'This should be easier than I thought, although I like a good challenge'. In one swift movement the figure brought up their hands, palms facing the ceiling, and began to chant in a language that had long since been lost to the world.

"Ipse a um evoco autem ab evocati ab dominatus

Tegere tectum ipse um adsiduitas ab dies fasti evanidus diem ex die

Aperui ab mustus a um tutela capitulum

Ab accipio ceptum adeo accedo cedere nunc in posterum spexi!"

A silvery, black glow surrounded the shadowed figure and the child, pulsating as the chanting drew to an end. Once the pulsing of the glow had ceased, the unknown figure stepped out of the corner and came closer to the unaware, still sleeping, child.

"Tomorrow, oh yes tomorrow, you shall begin to learn and take your rightful place in the world."

A/N: Today May 25th, 2009 along with chapter 47 marks the two year anniversary of this story. And while there is still plenty, and I mean plenty (a ton) more to come, I am very much aware of the end that seems to be looming on the horizon. But talk like that is better left for when those last moments are upon us. I hope you all liked the chapter. We have caught up with Neville and Luna, witnessed the not so good meeting between Dumbles and Ezekiel, and to top it off an unknown figure.....again. Stay tuned for the next chapter, chapter 48, because we will be seeing another face that has absent for quite some time. Thank you all who read and review this story! It is because of you all that I am always eager to write and post the next chapter.

Thank You All,

Mudbloodpotter.