A/N

A little remark about Albus and the ring. Contrary to what AdonCa wrote in his review, in my opinion Albus didn't put on the ring DESPITE Cullen showing the repercussions of his former actions but (at least partly) BECAUSE of this heart-rending experience. For decades he was able to mostly forget about his late sister and all the other humans that had suffered under his actions. Now all this came back with vehemence. He wants to apologize and starts with the most important person: his sister. He wants to apologize and explain his reasons. He hopes for absolution. His mind is a tad befuddled right now and he'll need some time to regain his composure. This is at least part of the reason why he continues to make error after error. You'll see the next serious one in this chapter.

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Of Absolution and Healing

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Ministry of Magic – Department of Mysteries

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Croaker poured some apple juice into a tumbler, remembering that Cullen didn't share his enthusiasm for green tea. Out of the corner of his eye he watched him take a box from his bag and put it on the table. It was a wooden box, some kind of teak wood, measuring around eight to ten inches on each side. There was a ribbon covering the gap between lid and case, inscribed all over with tiny silvery runes.

The young man had demanded a meeting only an hour ago and had been quite adamant about its importance and urgency. Croaker allowed him to enjoy his juice before he gestured towards the box and smiled. "I like guests bringing me gifts, especially if they look so fascinating."

Cullen's smile was tiny but still there. So this was serious but not too troubling, Croaker mused. The young man stared at the box for a while, and cleared his throat before he explained: "only Filius know about this, Croaker. I put damn much trust in your integrity. Do not disappoint me."

Croaker nodded gravely. As he tried to put his hand on the box, Cullen stopped him. "I mean it, Croaker. I don't know the workings of this madhouse. Can you ascertain that only you will be able to get a hold of this? Can you promise me that only you will examine it, that you won't allow anybody – be it a corrupt Minister, a meddling Headmaster or Voldemort himself – near this box until I return to destroy its content?"

He'll destroy it right now if I can't promise this, Croaker realized. However, he took his time to think about it. He would have to take extra precautions. Not even the other Unspeakables could be allowed to know about this. He knew that Fudge, Dumbledore and Voldemort all had sympathizers in his Department. It was possible, difficult but possible. Slowly he nodded: "I promise."

That he took his time instead of immediately answering convinced Cullen more than any rash assurance. He let go of Croaker's hand. "I only allow this to happen because I understand the importance of an examination. It's beyond my abilities and even Filius has only limited knowledge and experience with something like this. Severus… would be in too much danger and it would put him in a difficult situation even knowing about this artefact."

"That leaves only me," Croaker smiled darkly.

"Indeed," Cullen agreed. "I'll give you forty days to perform an examination. "

Only now did Croaker open the box. Carefully he removed the rune ribbon and lifted the lid. In the box was a single item of incredible beauty. He had seen pictures of this item and even seen Rowena's statue back in the Ravenclaw Tower wearing it, decades ago when he had been a Ravenclaw himself, but never hoped to actually see it one day. "Is this…"

"The diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw," Cullen said gravely. "And another one of Voldemort's Horcruxes."

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Hogwarts – Headmaster Office

.

"I still can't believe how incredible stupid you were."

A fuming Severus Snape wasn't a nice sight, but Albus realized that he deserved it after the stunt he just pulled. His mood won't get better when I tell him about my plans, Albus mused sombrely.

"I had to risk it, Severus," he futilely tried to placate him.

"Why?" Severus growled. "Why did you have to…" he waved towards the dark, bony hand "to throw away your life like this?" He was always enraged by blatant examples of stupidity and this was nothing else than stupidity in its worst form. For years he hadn't seen Albus like a friend. He didn't like him. He didn't especially trust him, especially not with things like hope, friendship or any other positive feeling. However, he knew that they still needed him. Albus was a very powerful wizard with an incredible knowledge about the most obscure things. He had lived for more than a century, experienced things that would make others wet their pants all over, and met and befriended all kind of people and creatures all over the world. They may hate and despise him, but they sorely needed him. He couldn't simply die, not now.

"I won't live for long anymore, Severus." Albus voice was full of sorrow and for once Severus believed this emotion to be true. It didn't ease his mood.

"No, you won't" he growled. "Not by acting stupidly and recklessly like this, old blundering Gryffindor that you are." One week ago, Albus had called Severus to show him what would happen upon putting on that damned ring. What did he expect? Rainbows and birdsong celebrating him while he wore Slytherin's ring? Merlin, it was a damned Horcrux. How could he be so…

For days he had tried everything: decursing, potions, hell he even thought about amputation. However, it was far too late for that. The curse had already spread through his body. He could slow its effect but nothing more.

"I had to see her, Severus. I had to beg for her forgiveness."

Severus frowned deeply. He could connect to that feeling. Sorrow and regret were two emotions he shared with Albus. He had done many wrongs in the past, did many stupid things and got her killed in his eagerness to please his master. What would I risk to get the opportunity to speak with Lily again, even if it's only her ghost and it's only once? To apologize to her, to beg for her forgiveness? Severus sighed. I would risk my life as well.

"And did you succeed?"

"Yes," despite the pain and knowledge that he would die before the school year ended, Albus' face actually softened into a smile. "She was there, Severus. She spoke with me. She accepted my apology."

Severus felt a mix of envy and happiness. Yes, he was happy that Albus got this chance. If it was actually true. He wasn't too certain about this whole Resurrection Stone story. And Albus' face… his eyes… Severus simply wasn't certain how much was reality and how much only imagination born out of heart-felt desire. It was obvious how harassed Albus was by the experience. Perhaps it only happened in his muddled mind. But he didn't have the heart to express his doubts. Let him have this little happiness, Severus thought. He paid for it dearly enough already.

.

"How long…" Albus actually fumbled with the words. Even he, despite all age, experience and self-control, felt the iron hand of fear creep in his heart.

"Six months," Severus answered gravely after a moment of pondering the question "nine at most, if you carefully use the potions and avoid any strenuous efforts."

The statement wasn't a surprise to Albus but still was difficult to hear. He wouldn't live to see the graduation at year's end. He had to prepare everything for the time after. Albus sighed. This won't be easy.

"Severus…"

Severus narrowed his eyes. He could feel it in his bones. "I won't like this, will I?"

"I fear… not," Albus nodded slowly. "My death… it could be an opportunity, too, in a way."

"Opportunity? How could your death be an opportunity?"

"You remember our last conversation? The one with young Mister Malfoy?"

Suddenly he understood. "You mean about his task to kill you? Nothing has changed, Albus. Draco won't…"

Albus stopped his tantrum. "I understand this, Severus. I won't force him. However, we could use it nonetheless."

"Explain," he demanded darkly. He felt the urge to strangle the bastard but for now controlled it, if only barely.

"What if you tried to convince Draco to do it?" Albus gestured Severus to let him continue. "You weren't successful, but not because Draco turned a traitor. He's a boy, frightened, unable to kill me. You could plead for… leniency… towards him and his mother."

"The Dark Lord wouldn't fall for this. It would appear like weakness."

"Not when you have something to offer in return. Not when you kill me."

From one second to the next, blood started to pound in Severus ears, drowning out any word Albus said, even his own thoughts.

"…when you kill me…" *thump*

"…he couldn't deny…" *thump*

"…young Draco… safe…" *thump*

Without a word Severus turned around and walked away.

"It would ascertain your position and gain you his complete trust. We'll need you more than ever after my death, Severus… Severus?"

The door closed with a bang after the potions master and left Headmaster Dumbledore alone in his office… alone with his incredible ideas.

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Hogwarts – near the kitchen

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It was late at night, nearly midnight even, but the young man felt that his mind would need a few more hours to be weary and tired enough to find sleep. The last few days and weeks had been stressful, for his mother far more than for him. After the disturbing conversation with the headmaster – a conversation that showed him a side of his godfather he hadn't expected, a very vulnerable and caring side, – they got a flight of guest rooms near the Hufflepuff dorms.

Hufflepuff, Draco groaned, why Hufflepuff?

Naturally, he exactly knew and understood the reason, even appreciated it if not openly – never openly. It was simple, actually: the Hufflepuffs were the students least likely to attack his mother or him. And an attack was regretfully a very real possibility. Professor McGonagall had changed his class schedule according to Steward Cullen's wishes. Mostly it was to avoid bringing him together with his 'old friends' in any lessons that offered occasions to attack him. There wouldn't be accidents on the Astronomy tower; no explosions in the potions lab; and no stray hexes in DADA training sessions. It couldn't completely be avoided to put him in the same room with other Slytherins but the danger of some accident in History of Magic or Ancient Runes was far smaller than in other classes.

And the reason for his late-night excursion? His mother was unable to find sleep – again. Since their arrival at Hogwarts her nerves had been tense. It was no secret to Draco that his mother expected some kind of retribution for their betrayal. He could only hope that the protection of Hogwarts was as good as the Headmaster always claimed it to be. He hated the thought of his mother getting hurt only because she wanted to protect him.

There is the painting, Draco thought as he at last stood in front of the painting Vince had described a year ago. Dumb as he was, Vince was stubborn and persistent with regards to his stomach's needs. It was like he had a sixth sense in his search for additional snacks. He found the hidden entrance to the kitchen last year and told him about it. If Draco had only listened more closely back then.

"You have to rub the pear in the fruit basket," a high-pitched voice startled him. Draco whirled around, his hand going for his wand. He relaxed as he only saw Dobby watching him warily. He didn't call me 'Master Draco', Draco realized. It was only a small thing but a big hint of how much things had changed. Without uttering a word he tested the advice and… the door opened. He pondered about whether he should thank Dobby but the house-elf had already departed into the kitchen without looking back. Only the twitching of his right ear unveiled his tenseness. Draco followed him and looked around.

Half a dozen hose-elves were still working, mostly cleaning but a few preparing tea or small snacks for some late awake inhabitant of the castle. Draco watched them for a while and smirked as he noticed one of them wearing an S.P.E.W. badge. He hadn't expected to see one of those ever again.

"I can't believe it; the Mudblood is still…"

"Don't use that word," he was interrupted by an angry voice, telling him that Dobby was still around. "Bad word for nice Misses."

For a moment Draco got angry, but the last days had been disturbing enough to hold him back. So instead of lashing out he only frowned. "Mudblood or Muggleborn," he grumbled "it doesn't change the fact that she's silly about this spew nonsense."

"It's S.P.E.W., Master Draco," a far older voice corrected him.

He turned around. Somehow Matron Mathilda had silently entered the kitchen without him noticing and was now watching him closely. Surprisingly there was no hate in her eyes but only mild interest. Draco bowed slightly: "good evening, Matron Mathilda." If his godfather was polite to this old house-elf, it was perhaps a wise thing to do the same.

"And while a few of her ideas may be nonsense," Mathilda smiled indulgently "they show that she has her heart in the right place. She's willing to learn, willing to listen." She scrutinized him for a moment. "Are you willing to learn too?" Without waiting for a response – as if the answer wasn't of any interest to her but only for him – she wandered away.

Was he willing to learn? Draco wondered. More importantly: Was he able to learn? His mother had asked him the same question a few days ago and he was still uncertain about the answer. Changes were difficult, often painful. The world had been clear for the past sixteen years. Friend and foe, worthy and unworthy, pure and unclean – there had never been a doubt in his heart. And now? Everything was changing. The most important change however had been that he now was allowed to even have those thoughts. For sixteen years his father had been his guiding star, not allowing him any divergence, any personal thoughts on matters big or small. Think, speak and act as I would, everything else is wrong. Everything he did, every word he said, had always been to please him. And now his mother demanded from him that he made up his mind on his own.

He had a choice now. That had been the one important lesson of the last weeks. A choice meant possibilities but responsibilities too. He couldn't hide behind his father anymore. He had to stand up for his own. For the first time in his life Draco felt insecure.

"For Mistress Narcissa;" Dobby's voice broke his line of thoughts as the tiny house-elf pushed a tablet into his hands. Draco noticed sandwiches with cress and cinnamon tea. His mother more than once complained about not getting the right stuff anymore since his father had driven away her favourite house-elf.

"You still remember."

"Mistress Narcissa was always nice to me."

Nice, Draco wouldn't call nice how his mother treated her house-elves. Certainly she didn't treat them as equals, but in comparison to the treatment they got from his dear father it could be called polite. Little gestures, Draco realized. House-elves lived to serve, something the Mud… the Muggleborn still had to accept. But nonetheless they had feelings, emotions.

"Thank you, Dobby." Dobby's eyes widened comically. "Mother missed your cress sandwiches dearly. Perhaps you could bring her some from time to time. I'm certain she would appreciate it." His ears twitched again and Draco left without another word.

He didn't say yes. But he didn't say no either.

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Hogwarts – room of requirement

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She was nervous and perhaps rightfully so. She didn't understand how Cullen's abilities worked and not knowing something caused her brain to go into overdrive. Hermione sighed and pulled herself together. She had personally greeted the attendants, every single one of them. Matron Mathilda was sitting at the edge together with Ginny, who was eager to watch what would happen to her in a few days. The room's appearance was the same as at the last time she had been here a few days ago. Cullen was kneeling at the altar in front of… how did he call her? Mother Rosalia. He is praying for her assistance, Hermione realized. Uneasily she wondered: Will we need her assistance?

"Everything will go alright, dearie," Hermione allowed her father to pull her into his arms. His presence was a more than welcome surprise. Most of the others she knew as well, knew their reasons for helping. Cullen had even told her about his plans to teach Marius Black more about his Templar abilities – him and none else than Argus Filch, the morose caretaker. She could only hope that it would change him as well, his grumpy heart and sullen behaviour. Hermione understood why he acted like this after years of insults from students, teachers and parents alike. But partly it was his fault too. There were reasons why most squibs worked in the Muggle world. It was certainly easier and better for your self-confidence and inner balance. Did they insult him because he was grumpy or was he grumpy because they insulted him? It was the question about hen and egg all over again.

"Please take your place, Hermione," Cullen interrupted her musings. With a curt nod Hermione acknowledged the order and stepped into the middle of the Pentagram. Cullen would be at her side, the five squibs in the corners of the sign with her father right in front of her. The Templar had explained beforehand that the Pentagram had no special meaning in his culture. He only chose it to evenly arrange the five squibs around her.

I've never seen him so calm, so content, Hermione mused as she watched her father taking his position. He looks… happy.

She had been full of doubts about his participation in this endeavour, but seeing him like this convinced her that everything would be alright. Apparently the meditation and hours spent in prayer had been good to him. Ben Granger had never been an especially pious man. Two visits a year to the Anglican church of the neighbourhood had been more than enough for him. He always tended more to the humanistic view of his college education. Still something about these hours spent with Cullen and the other squibs obviously touched his heart.

"Sit down."

Hermione took her seat on the ground, with only a small blanket below her. Her feet were bare as was most of her chest. With only a bikini top for modesty, the scar was plainly visible as was the scar on her hand. It was a reminder of her detention with that toad. Hermione remembered all too well her conversation with Cullen about the scar.

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Flashback

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"Will the ritual vanish the scar on my chest completely?"

"I'm not certain," Cullen admitted. "I expect it to happen but I can't promise. The scar is the result of a curse and the ceremony is meant to drain the remains of that dark magic from your body. However, it is a dry run for this circle. You'll have to wait and see. In any case it should become better than it currently is – fainter."

Hermione hoped for the best. She knew that the scar would have been far worse without Cullen's immediate attention back at the Ministry. Still, the faint scar disturbed her, especially after the admiring looks she got from Harry wearing her bikini this summer. Her mother had explained to her that attractiveness was for the most part to feel good and self-secure in your own body. Thanks to the scar she still lacked in that regard.

"There is another scar, Cullen. I think it's cursed, too. Madam Pomfrey tended to it…"

She lifted her hand and showed him the scar. I shall obey my betters, was visible there.

Cullen frowned. "I thought only Harry had such a scar."

"No," Hermione shrugged helplessly. "Only his is the worst as he got the most detentions."

"How many?"

"Detentions?"

"Students," Cullen growled.

"Around a dozen, most of them Muggleborn. And then there was the one big detention with all D.A. members she caught."

"And nothing happened after that? She wasn't prosecuted?"

"No," Hermione shook her head. "Professor McGonagall couldn't do anything about it and later… we dropped the matter after she was gone."

"She shouldn't go unpunished. She'll only continue with her ways... Next time she'll be even worse."

"You want to do something about it?"

"I will," Cullen declared and Hermione didn't doubt him. Hogwarts declared him protector of the students and unlike the staff he took his job very serious.

I can't wait to see what happens, Hermione grinned mischievously.

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End of Flashback

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"Close your eyes and relax." Cullen told her and took a seat in front of her. Hermione decided not to have a last look towards her father so as not to distract him. She closed her eyes and tried to steady her breath as Cullen had told her.

"This will be cold and tingle a bit. Don't flinch and try to stay calm. Only open your eyes and move again when I'll tell you to."

Hermione nodded curtly and continued to breathe evenly. She heard him stir something. It sounded like someone working in a potions lab. A weird smell was in the air, acrid like one of those remedies against a cold.

"Dear Andraste…" Cullen started and five voices repeated the singsong. Hermione recognized her father's voice. And that shrill one was Petunia Dursley – soon to be Petunia Evans again according to rumours. The grumpy one of Filch she would recognize everywhere. She halfway expected him to call for Mrs. Norris any second.

"…hear my prayer…"

Cullen moved and Hermione somehow knew that the noise was him dunking a brush into the… whatever he had mixed in that bowl.

"…help me in this hour…"

Softly he took her hand in his and turned it around to have the scar in plain sight. She could feel the calluses from endless training hours with his sword.

"…help this girl in her need…"

It was cool as he started to put some paste on her hand, the bristles of the brush tingling on her skin.

"…help me ease her pain…"

Hermione felt her hand getting warm. She had to concentrate not to pull back, to stay eyes closed and her breath calm.

"…take away the curse lingering on her skin…"

He started to write something on the skin around the scar.

"…and make her skin unblemished again, as a reflection of her pure soul…"

Do I still have a pure soul, Hermione wondered? However, she didn't doubt that Cullen had a very special ability that allowed him to see far more than any other human she knew. I have to trust him in this.

"…dear Andraste, hear my prayer."

Cullen stopped as did his choir of five. Hermione's eyes stayed closed, and she 'listened' into herself. She felt something happening to her hand, felt something leaving her, like blood dripping from her skin. After seconds… minutes… hours she felt Cullen clean her hand with a moist cloth. She could feel his contentment as well as the satisfaction of the five squibs around her.

"It worked," Ginny yell-whispered.

"I'll continue now with your chest," Cullen explained softly. "It will tingle and burn a bit more and I'll have to repeat it a few times for the best effect."

Hermione nodded simply. She would endure this happily if it helped – her and Cullen's circle to prepare for Harry.

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Ministry of Magic – DMLE

.

"I'm sorry, Steward Cullen," Amelia stated with open regret in her voice "but I fear I can't do anything about it."

"What do you mean?" Cullen growled. His face was a mask of fury and neither Augusta Longbottom nor Andromeda Tonks, who accompanied him as magical guardians of Neville and Hermione, looked any happier. "This… woman" it wasn't difficult to notice that he actually had some completely different and very unflattering word in mind "harassed students because of their heritage. She cultured bullying and fear at a place that should have felt like a home to them. And she tortured nearly thirty students with a magical item that is illegal even according to your own laws."

"Blood Quills, Amelia," Augusta supported Cullen whole-heartedly. "She used blood quills on them."

Silently Andromeda put pictures on the table, pictures showing scars on many hands, from faint ones of those students that got only detention once to the blaring red one on Harry's hand. Despite treating it with Dittany the lines were clearly readable: I shall not tell lies.

"Neither Dittany nor the usual healing spells and potions were able to remove them," Augusta fumed. "Without Steward Cullen's help they would be scarred for the rest of their life." To Cullen's relief, the purging had been a complete success. Hermione's hand was free of scars again as was her chest. You had to look very closely to see the last remains of the injury. After a conference with the four house heads and Augusta in her role as a governor, they agreed on helping the other afflicted students over the course of September.

An additional 'patient' was added to the already long list after Hermione's subdued admission of what she had done to Marietta Edgecombe. She had underestimated the impact of her hex and so far hadn't been able to reverse it. Reconciling the two girls wouldn't be an easy task but something Cullen wanted to tackle nonetheless.

"I know that, damn it," Amelia smashed her fist on the table. "I know that. My own niece was a victim of hers. Believe me: I would love to see her in some deep pit of hell for doing this to our children. But I can't." She looked Augusta straight in the eye. "You knew better than me about the current dispute at the Ministry. Fudge's chair is wobbling right now. There are rumours about a no-confidence vote and Scrimgeour is making his round to get support for pushing him into the Minster's chair. Fudge would have to agree to an investigation and he'll never do that, especially not now. Right now nobody wants to listen to the complaints of some parents or children; nobody wants to get on Umbridge's bad side. This stunt with the Centaurs got her many sympathies and she still has far too much influence; she has far too many politicians in her pocket, be it through past deals or simple blackmail. Even I have no chance to press charges, not now and perhaps never."

"Then I'll have to find another way," Cullen growled, a tad calmer now as he understood Amelia's precarious situation.

"Let me know if I can help you," Amelia announced. "I would like to be able to look into Susan's eyes again without feeling ashamed."

Cullen nodded with a tiny smile. "I will get back to you."

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Ottery St. Catchpole – The Rook

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"The two of you should return to Hogwarts," Cullen stated calmly while helping the twins with their preparations. The Lovegoods would return from their excursion later this day and Cullen, with a little help from Ginny, had convinced the Weasley matriarch to prepare a little welcome back party for her neighbours. The house was mostly ready, everything clean and the meal prepared and waiting under a stasis spell. Ron had – not without much grumbling – weeded the garden in front of the house. The twins announced something called magical firework and Cullen was eager to see their talent in action. He had heard quite a few stories about their pranks already – mostly from the house-elves of Hogwarts – but had never seen them in person.

"Why?" Fred asked, while George only frowned. Both had only laughed about Professor McGonagall's letter, her invitation to return and sit their NEWTs.

"You were nearly done with your education before that Ministry bitch tried to chase you off, weren't you?" Around the three of them he allowed himself to speak more openly about the toad.

Both twins nodded. "Only two months left…"

"…before taking the exam."

"I heard as much. And I heard you're bright enough to easily sit your exam successfully."

"The question stays: why should we?"

"We have other plans, you know?"

"Plans we don't need any NEWTs for."

Cullen sighed and nodded slowly. "I understand. You intend to open that prank shop. You have the brains, the ideas and the money, thanks to Harry."

"He told you?"

Cullen nodded. "I spoke about it with him and Hermione."

Fred groaned; George muttered: "she certainly argued in favour of our return."

"She actually did," Cullen grinned.

"No surprise there."

"She's perhaps right about it," Cullen argued. "However, her reasoning was perhaps a bit different to what you'd expect. It wasn't about a proper graduation or for you to have a backup should you not be as successful as hoped with the shop."

Fred raised one disbelieving eyebrow.

"Alright," Cullen admitted with a grin "perhaps it was that, too. But mostly it was about your mother."

"What about her?" George asked feeling somewhat uneasy. Molly Weasley hadn't been happy to hear about their sudden departure. The twins had to think long and hard to remember ever seeing her so disappointed.

"You know it would mean much to her," Cullen calmly explained. "This… household, family, her children… that's her life. She's not like Hermione, Luna or even Ginny. Your mother has no other aims in her life than rearing her children, making her family happy and seeing them succeed in their life. One year ago you started your seventh year. Don't you think she has been dreaming about your graduation this whole time? She wanted to see you up there, getting your diploma. She wanted to see that smile from Minerva, happy to get rid of you but sad at the same time that Hogwarts will be more boring without you." Both twins smiled thoughtfully at that. They could actually imagine such a reaction from their head of house. "I understand why you left the school that day. But your mother: I think she sees that day and especially your decision not to return this fall as a personal failure."

"Do you really think so?" George asked. His twin looked very thoughtful right now.

"I have a suggestion," Cullen responded instead of directly answering. "Close your eyes. Try to imagine both of you together with your mother. Open your heart and try to imagine her face when you tell her that you'll return, if only for a few weeks, and that you'll sit your NEWTs. How does she look? How does it feel? Answer this question, not to me but to yourself. Then and only then decide about Professor McGonagall's offer to return to Hogwarts."

Cullen had no doubt what they would decide. They were good boys in the end and loved their mother dearly. Perhaps I'll get a jumper too this Christmas.

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"WELCOME BACK!"

Cullen didn't know who looked more surprised: Luna or her father Xenophilius. While Xeno had a 'doe caught in headlight' look, Luna instantly got weepy-eyed. To actually have friends, someone aside from her father who cared about her, cared enough to anxiously await their return, it was nearly too much for her.

Cullen felt anger rise in his heart. Ginny had told him about the past, how the Ravenclaws had treated the girl, ridiculed her for her silly ideas and hidden her shoes. Watching Luna's reaction now was proof that Ginny hadn't exaggerated one bit. He never told the girl, but she had one of the brightest and purest auras he had ever seen. He could watch her in wonder for endless moments. It felt so wrong thinking about anybody hurting her. Ginny rushed to her friend's side and hugged her, while her mother watched the girls proudly. The whole work had been worth it, seeing them like this. Even Ron stopped to grumble, if only because of the prospect of getting some cake in the near future.

"Let me help you with your luggage," Cullen offered. They left Xeno with Molly, Ron and the twins. Ginny lead the way with Luna at her side, while Cullen easily carried the bags. He only allowed Luna to take her worn satchel that moved a bit from time to time. I wonder if she actually found one of those creatures. The stairs were narrow and twisted, but Cullen liked the house. It was so different to the cold and clean Circle Tower. It was a real home. There was sorrow in the house, yes. No wonder with Luna's mother dying here in her lab six years ago. But Cullen could feel it too, the love Selene Lovegood left behind to protect her family even from beyond the grave. The Fade was near, Cullen could feel it. But unlike at most other places, here he felt no danger about it. It was like her ghost was shielding the house and driving away all ill-meaning spirits.

"What's that?" Ginny gestured towards the ceiling in Luna's room. Luna only smiled softly.

Cullen looked up and saw a kind of coloured and inscribed ribbon connecting six pictures, pictures showing the happy faces of Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Neville, Ron… and him. Luna was actually very proud of the drawing. She created it before her departure with her father, the pictures of the Ministry adventure fresh on her mind.

"Friendship," Ginny read the word written onto the ribbon.

"It's beautiful, Luna," Cullen admired her handiwork and he meant it. It was quite obvious that Luna had far more artistic talent than him.

"You are my friends, aren't you?" Luna asked timidly.

"No we aren't," Ginny shook her head, hastily adding as she noticed Luna's hurt look "we are more than that: we are best friends forever."

She had barely a moment to prepare herself before Luna jumped her and nearly knocked her down with her embrace. Cullen watched them with a thoughtful look: best friends forever indeed. His welcome present burned in his pocket. I have to speak with her father, he decided.

.

"What are your intentions regarding my daughter?"

The Weasleys had mostly departed. Only Ginny was left. She would stay overnight with Luna, supposedly talking about the excursion. In the background the wireless was still playing. Cullen had even tried to dance a bit with Molly, Ginny and Luna; trying being the decisive word. He had many talents but dancing wasn't one of them. Being graceful was different. However Molly and Ginny had endured it – both being used to dance partners with clumsy feet – and Luna had looked like being on cloud nine.

Cullen knew that Ginny wanted to speak with Luna about the healing he had planned for her. She felt anxious and wanted to beg her friend to be there as well, as a kind of moral support. It would be good for her, Cullen agreed, it would be good for both of them.

As Cullen didn't answer immediately, Xeno continued. "She told me about your letters and I've seen her write to you. I've seen her face reading your letters. It was very unlike to the ones she got from Hermione and Harry." Xeno wasn't a very attentive man. His thoughts mostly revolved around the Quibbler or some fabulous creature. However, even he noticed how Luna's mood changed every time she got a letter from this young man and how many started letters got crumpled until she was content with the result. The thought of his little moon growing up frightened him.

Cullen blinked. He knew what he wanted to ask the man, but his tongue was like magically tied right now. Luckily he was too distracted by the conversation to note that they weren't alone anymore. Luna had wanted to ask her father about when he intended to visit Diagon Alley with her and now was standing right around the corner, listening closely, her heart bumping rapidly.

"I… I don't know, Xeno," Cullen whispered in the end, causing Xeno to frown and his daughter to mimic the gesture. "I'm certain that's not the answer you wanted to hear, but… this is very difficult to me. I may be twenty but in a way I have even less experience than Harry."

Luna barely suppressed a snigger. Harry – Harry of all people, just the boy who needed years to notice Ginny's crush and who would presumably need another year until he recognized Hermione's feelings.

"You have to understand that for the past seven years I belonged to the church, belonged to the Maker and Andraste with body, heart and soul. There was no space for girls. If I stayed there, I would have taken my vows next summer after my twenty-first birthday. My Commander wanted to promote me to the rank of Templar-Sergeant as soon as possible, a rank that demands certain vows, one of them being the vow of celibacy."

Xeno nodded curtly. Half of what the young man told him he didn't understand, but he had heard about this celibacy thing somewhere.

"With my arrival here, so much has changed. I have a new task: to protect the students of Hogwarts. I'm not certain how long I will be needed at that place. I don't know how long I will stay or if there is even a way for me to ever return home. If you ask me about my intentions, I simply have to say: foremost I want to be Luna's friend. I really like her, care for her. Being near her makes me calm and happy like I've formerly only been while praying."

This was more serious than Xeno had expected. The young man sounded very serious. Still, there was the question of his age. "You're twenty; she's only fifteen."

"I know; she turns sixteen in a few months, doesn't she?" Xeno nodded. "Back home, it's not unusual to marry very early. My mother married my father at the age of fifteen and was barely sixteen at my birth. You realize that according to my experience, Luna is a woman already and no more a girl."

Xeno paled a little. In the magical society engagements were often announced very soon, but even young married couples were eighteen at least, the husband often more leaning towards twenty-five. "So, you want to court her?"

Luckily both men moved a bit around, covering the noise of Luna's little hiccup.

Cullen shook his head: "it wouldn't be fair to do that. With my future so uncertain, I can't…" Cullen stroked his hair with a nervous gesture. "Luna deserves a mate who's there for her: today, next week as well as next year. I can't promise that. However, I would like to spent time with her, naturally in a completely appropriate manner. When my future is clearer to me, I would like to repeat this conversation. Would that be alright for you?"

Luna held her breath. She didn't doubt her father's love but right now it could cause a problem if he saw Cullen as a danger to her honour.

Xeno looked Cullen straight in the eye, nothing of his usual dreamy state perceptible. "I want your promise that you'll always treat her respectfully. Until her next birthday you won't be around her without a third person. And you'll explain to her how you feel, your doubts and reasons for acting like you intend to do." Far softer he continued. "I have no doubt, Cullen: she cares for you. I don't want that she gets her hopes high only to be devastated later."

"I understand, Xeno. I promise to do that."

"Alright, son," Xeno put his hand on Cullen's shoulder. "Then I allow you to spend time with her. But don't you forget: should you ever hurt her, I'll send her friends after you."

Cullen's pale face told Xeno how right he was to assume, that the imagination of an angry Harry, Hermione and Ginny was frightening enough even for Cullen.

Very silently, but with a dreamy smile on her lips, a blond-haired girl slipped away to tell her friend some incredible news.

.

"That was very nice of you," Ginny said softly. Cullen and she were watching Luna who was dozing right now on a couch, a soft blanket gently draped around her and her left hand near her face. She had been staring at it until her eyelids dropped and sleepiness won over her wish to stay awake. Around the wrist she wore Cullen's present, a bracelet created from silver coins, each bearing the depiction of another creature from his Thedas home. None of them were known to Luna or Ginny but some of them actually looked like one of the many weird creatures she was often speaking about. "Most people make fun of her stories about Crumple-horned Snorkacks, Nargles and all the other creatures she believes in."

"I would never do that," Cullen growled quite convincible. His eyes softened as he looked at Luna again. "She would never lie to me. She believes in them. She cares for them. She doesn't hurt anybody with those stories. To mock her would simply be wrong." With a smile he continued: "and in a way it's easier for me."

"How so?" Ginny wondered, feeling happy that Cullen thought this way.

"I'm new to this world. I'm not constrained by experience and knowledge. I assume it's much more difficult for someone like Hermione to believe Luna than for me."

"You're right about that," Ginny grinned. "But she's softening up. Nobody can resist Luna in the long run."

"No," Cullen agreed. "Resistance is futile."

.

A/N

A bit more Luna at last. Next time: Start of the new school year.