Working for the Dragon

Chapter 16. Epiphany

The beauty of spring brought along happiness with it, this time around. My family was back!

Yes! The Weasley's were back from an extended vacation of catching the Quidditch World Cup in Bulgaria. Apparently, Spain had returned home with the World Championship trophy with England a close second.

With the entire family back, I felt complete. At the same time, the entire house was in chaos. Mum immediately set to work; clearly my cleaning skills were not up to standards. Mikayla, Hermione started work in the kitchen while I helped Phlegm – I mean, Fleur put little Victoire Amanda to sleep.

The boys were told to degnome the garden while Dad headed off for grocery shopping at Diagon Alley. He had officially decided to retire though he remained a respected, behind-the-scenes Ministry official.

Spring cleaning, completely suits the season.

While in the kitchen, I kept up with the gossip and the stories of what had occurred at the Quidditch World Cup.

"Oh Ginny! We got your favourite player's autograph and a magical bobble head of Sid."

Sid Umralkrov was my favourite player from the Bulgarian Quidditch Premiere League. He played Seeker for Krev United.

"Really?" I brightened up enthusiastically as I stirred a cauldron of piping hot soup.

"Yep." Hermione nodded her head absentmindedly as she chopped onions. –"We met Viktor too."

Damn! I would have killed to see Ron's expression upon meeting his former idol and his wife's ex-boyfriend. It would have been priceless.

Maybe even worth… actually, nope. I'd rather spend time getting to know the mysteriously sexy Draco Malfoy.

"I didn't know you liked Viktor, Gin" Hermione happened to glance my way, seeing me fan myself immersed in hot thoughts of ravishing….

"What!" I nearly dropped the ladle spoon I was using stir the pot, in shock.

"Well, you were swooning." She shrugged while the rest of my sisters-in-law smirked at me.

This was how the house felt on a typical weekend where everyone came over from their respective homes to get together and have dinner. They had to unpack and get back to their routine lives but they chose to come over and keep me entertained with antics and stories from the Quidditch World Cup.

My family was the greatest.

Right now, with all the scrutinizing going on. Not really.

I could feel blood rushing to my cheeks. Viktor Krum, seriously?

"No, I was fanning myself because the steam from the soup was getting to me." I avoided meeting their gazes and continued with my work.

"We can switch places if you like, if Ron walks in, he is probably going to think that I am sniffling because I am upset with him." Indeed, Hermione did look like she spent a good hour sobbing her woes out when in actual fact it was caused by the onions.

"When does he never think you are angry with him, Hermione?" I rolled my eyes sarcastically, taking her place and continuing with chopping the onions.

"The last time I got angry was… Hmmm, when he stuffed a snowball down my sweater." Hermione replied, thoughtfully.

Too much info. I grimaced.

Judging by the looks that my sisters –in-law were giving me, I am pretty sure that they did not believe my explanation.

"So how is work, Ginny?" Mikayla asked as she reached for a glass of iced water.

"Work is great." I replied, concentrating on making my chopped onions looked as even and neat as Hermione's. That girl was such a perfectionist.

"How are the people at work?" Alicia asked slyly.

"Great." I said a fond smile spreading across my face as I thought of Draco in his uttermost handsome glory.

"Is it one of those 'there-is-a-hot-guy' great or 'I-seriously-love-my-job' great?" Mikayla questioned carefully.

"First option" I answered her, without thinking.

There was a squeal in the kitchen, making me snap right out of my daydream.

All the girls came and gave me a big congratulatory hug.

"That's great Gin, who is the bloke?" –

"Don't let your brothers find out... You know how protective they are of you." –

"That's fab, Gin. So are you having an affair with him? Is he hot?"

"I'm so happy for you! We were wondering how you would react when you inevitably found out that Harry is dating Luna."

At first, I was overwhelmed with such enthusiastic responses from them. The last one just snapped me out of my reverie.

"WHAT? Harry and Luna are together?" My mouth dropped open in shock.

I felt as though someone had poured a glass of ice cold water on me, as though someone had slapped my face. Luna was my best friend along with Channy.

We were a trio. That went against our friendship pact. It was in the Girble – The Girl Bible.

Hermione's wide smile faded upon seeing my impassive expression. Or else least, what I hope was impassive.

"When did this happen?" I wondered even though I shouldn't have.

It was obvious. Harry had been in Bulgaria and so was Luna. They would have definitely met, nature would have taken its course and they eventually would have hooked up. Which they did.

So why was I so stunned?

Harry and I were not meant for each other, we had already established that after the Great War. I treated him like a brother, sometimes a confidant when no one else was around.

So why was I so affected?

Luna was my best friend. She had always been there for me through thick and thin, from the very first year of Hogwarts. Our friendship actually went way before that. We were diaper buddies, having known each other from birth.

So why this feeling?

I felt empty. Was it because everyone around me had someone to hold on to and I had no one? Was that the reason? Or did I never get over Harry? Or because Luna had broken the friendship code and gone out with my ex-boyfriend turned god brother?

So many emotions, so much of confusion.

"Are you alright, Gin?" Hermione looked at me carefully. I had been unnaturally quiet. The chatter in the kitchen had died down. I suppose everyone was expecting me to have a mental breakdown over Harry's love life.

"I am fine. Just shocked. How come none of these came out in the World Cup gossips in Witch's Weekly?" I would have definitely recalled if that had been printed out. No doubt, Audrina would have taken some time out to screw my brains with that little bit of news as well.

"You are joking right?"She looked rather worried that I may have lost the little bit of sanity I had left in me over this little piece of news.

"I am fine, Mione. Fit as a fiddle." I replied impatiently.

Deep down inside, I wasn't. Not devastated, just not pleasantly surprised.

When I finally had some time to myself later, I took a short walk around Ottery St Catchpole, the nearest muggle village to the Burrow. The friendly muggle children waved at me as their mothers sat out on the porch having the afternoon tea with scones and cakes.

It never occurred to me that Harry would end up with one of my best friends, Luna. They belonged together, now that I analysed it, I was amazed that I had never seen it before.

Harry, made life complicated while Luna simplified things. They balanced each other. All this while, when they were friends, she somehow managed to take his pain away. When he felt misunderstood or angsty. I could only watch and wring my hands in frustration at the amount of angst he bottled up within himself.

She was wise, he was gallant. They were like the Yin and Yang couple. Made for each other

But still, Luna…. Harry?

Sitting down on a bench in the village playground, a fond memory began to find its way around my head. The one of me and Draco in the park, I couldn't help but smile to myself.

And it was then that I knew that it didn't matter. The news about Harry and Luna getting together, it made me realise something else.

That I cared deeply for someone else, definitely way more than I had anticipated. That was the epiphany, my epiphany.

I ship Harry/Luna. They clearly belong together! (:

Its a short chapter & not one of my best. Not bubbling with inspiration yet.

Having holidays again, so expect more updates till late October.

Thanks for the love for the previous chapter! 3

Reviews please!

XOXO