The next day Harry and Ron got their first impression of Tonk's mum as Potions Professor. They made their way into the potion classroom and sat down, looking at the front of the class expectantly.

"Good afternoon," Professor Tonks said, standing up after everyone had come in. As it had at the feast the day before, her upbringing was showing. She looked polite, stood with a straight back and she looked every part the older sister of Malfoy's mother she was. Except even now her smile seemed more genuine than he would ever expect to see on the face of Narcissa Malfoy.

"My name is Andromeda Tonks." She looked over at some noise that came from some of the Slytherins. "I was a Healer, for about 10 years. After my child was born, I changed careers toward potion brewing. Ever since I worked for multiple different Apothecaries, a job that is much more compatible with raising a child."

She stepped a bit closer to the students.

"Today we start with a theoretical lesson, a recap of the first term if you will."

With that their Potions class started. And just like Slughorn had a completely different teaching style from Snape, so did Professor Tonks from both men. She was patient, gave hints if someone couldn't think of the right answer and wasn't afraid to give compliments. At the same time, there was a sternness to her disposition. But like McGonagall, this seemed to be because she wanted everyone to perform their best.

Two days later, Harry left Ron and Ginny in the common room to head to Professor Tonks' office. Unsurprisingly, she had chosen to not use Slughorn's old office. She hadn't even chosen an office near the dungeons. Her office was on the third floor.

Harry knocked and waited for the invitation before he opened the door.

He walked in and looked around curiously. It was always interesting to see the way a professor chose to decorate their office. It often said something about the kind of person they were. Harry hadn't known what to expect but it certainly wasn't that the office would look so pleasant and welcoming. It looked like a home.

Granted, the only office he had ever visited had been those of Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lockhart, Snape, Lupin, Umbridge and Slughorn. None of them would ever create an atmosphere such as this. Maybe the office of Professor Sprout had this kind of homely feel to it as well.

There were flowers in vases placed on side tables draped in cloth. There were photo's on the walls that showed what Harry presumed was Mr Tonks, Tonks's father. Harry could also track the growth of Tonks herself through some of the photos.

"Ah, Mr Potter. I'm happy you could find some time for me, please have a seat," Professor Tonks said warmly, indicating the chair.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I asked you to come here," the new Professor began. Harry thought he saw something flicker in her silvery eyes. "I was hoping to talk to you about some family matters."

"Family matters?" Harry said in surprise. "Did something happen with Tonks?" he asked in alarm.

Professor Tonks shook her head. "I'm sure you have noticed that she's been quite down lately, but that's not what I meant."

When Harry didn't say anything, because he honestly didn't know what she was talking about, Professor Tonks continued.

"The Headmaster informed me that Sirius made you his heir," Professor Tonks said delicately. "Wouldn't you say that makes us family?"

Oh.

She continued. "My husband and I have never been members of the order," she whispered conspiratorially, "but the Headmaster visited us after you helped Sirius escape and informed us of the truth. I always thought there was something fishy with that story, but I never would have thought…" she trailed off.

"Did you know Sirius well? We never really discussed your family," Harry said.

Professor Tonks sighed, the grief clear on her face."Sure, I knew him well, he was my cousin after all. The Black family is quite known for having, ahem, great relations between cousins," she pulled a face like she was smelling something foul and Harry was immediately reminded of Malfoy's mother. She wore that face most of the time he'd seen her.

"I was in my sixth year when he came to Hogwarts and was sorted in Gryffindor," she explained, "I will never forget the silence that followed that proclamation, nor Sirius's expression."

"Was he happy?" Harry asked curiously.

"Not necessarily," Professor Tonks said, "It's hard to explain to an, excuse the term, outsider. Sirius knew from a young age that he was different from the rest of our family, even different from me. We both might not have believed in the extreme views the rest of our family held, but at least I still fit in well with Slytherin, much better than the rest of the houses. Sirius never did, and never would have."

Harry must have unconsciously pulled a face because the Professor tutted. "Yes, I was, and still consider myself, a Slytherin through and through. Is that a problem, Mr Potter?"

"No, no," Harry hastened to say, "it might've been last year, but through the HA I have met some Slytherins who are nice, not like Malfoy and his goons."

Professor Tonks raised an eyebrow. "You do realize that being Sirius' Heir, you have become related to Draco? At least, to some extent?"

This time Harry consciously pulled a face, "I know, I try not to think about it."

"Speaking of Draco, do you know why isn't at Hogwarts?" she asked carefully.

Harry hesitated. "Well, I think," he stressed, "that he was the one to plant the poisoned mead with Slughorn, and that Voldemort is keeping him away from Hogwarts."

She looked sad then, "That poor, poor boy…" she said with a great sigh, shaking her head.

"Well, anyway, to get back to Sirius," she said after a minute, "I think he expected he wouldn't be placed in Slytherin, secretly maybe even hoped for Gryffindor, but he was at the same time quite aware of the repercussions. He was lucky that my elder sister had just graduated the year prior, she would have been relentless."

"I can imagine," Harry growled, his anger spiking when he thought about Bellatrix. He hadn't even noticed Professor Tonks refusing to say Bellatrix's name.

"Not that she didn't try to make every family gathering a living hell for him, of course. The only thing I regret in the way I ran away with Ted, is that it meant I wasn't around to protect Sirius more. He told me after he had run away himself he didn't blame me at all, but still…" the Professor let out a shuddering breath and reached out to grab a tissue, dapping it at her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mr Potter, what must you think of me," she apologized with a watery smile.

"It's okay, Professor Tonks," he said honestly, and then he chuckled. "I'm sorry, but 'professor Tonks' sounds really weird, I'll have to get used to it," he apologized, recognizing it'd be rude to chuckle in response to her emotions.

"Well, considering we are related to an extend, you can call me Andromeda, if that's better," she said waving his apology away with a smile.

"Only if you call me Harry," Harry said, smiling back.

"Alright, Harry, as I said, I wanted to discuss some family business," Andromeda said, the smile back on her face. Harry nodded, waiting patiently.

She suddenly looked a bit nervous. "I have been thinking, and I apologize if I'm overstepping my boundaries, here," she said carefully, "but I was talking to Ted about this and I realized that if Sirius hadn't gone to Azkaban and he had been the one to raise you, I would have been like an aunt to you." She perched forward on her chair. "I always knew something wasn't right with how Sirius went to Azkaban, but I just thought he had succumbed to the family madness. Merlin knows, most of our family is insane. But knowing he is innocent, and knowing I didn't do anything to help him when was stuck in the horrid place," she shivered.

Like Ginny sometimes did to him, he reached out to grab her hand and squeezed it.

"Have you ever talked to Remus Lupin?" Harry said, "I'm sure he'd understand these feelings quite well,"

Andromeda frowned, "No, I haven't talked to Remus since before Sirius went to Azkaban, it's, well, frankly, I don't know why. I discussed it with Ted but Nymphadora seemed quite adamant it would be of no help. It's like she did not want me to talk to him," she said leadingly.

"Because she likes him?" Harry asked, without thinking.

"So she does! I knew it!" Andromeda said, her eyes wide.

"Wait!" Harry said in alarm, "I'm not sure she does! Ginny said Tonks did, but I don't know for sure!"

A Slytherin through-and-through indeed, Harry mused.

"It's alright, Harry," Andromeda soothed, "Nymphadora never could keep a secret from me. The real question is why Lupin doesn't like her back, she's great!" she finished with a passion. Harry smiled at the love Andromeda clearly had for her daughter.

"But," she continued, "what I wanted to say, if Sirius hadn't gone to Azkaban, I like to think we would have regarded each other like cousin and aunt. And as you are now a Black by inheritance… Well, let's just say, I'd like us to get to know each other a bit better," she finished and looked at Harry, awaiting his response.

But Harry wasn't sure what to say. Did she want to be like an aunt to him? Harry's experience with aunts wasn't particularly good. But Andromeda had already proven to him that she was far nicer than Petunia had ever been.

But, how did you just accept someone as an aunt? Harry felt like it was way too soon to tell whether he liked Andromeda that much, even if he did understand why she felt the need to approach him like this. He would have done the same thing.

Apparently, he had been quiet too long, because Andromeda smiled and patted his hand.

"We could just share a dinner in private once a fortnight to start with? We could ask Nymphadora to join us if she's at Hogwarts that day?" she proposed.

"Sure," Harry said, smiling politely. At least with Tonks there, he knew he would have fun.

- In Her Memory -

When Harry came entered the Gryffindor common room after their talk with Andromeda, he spotted Ron and Ginny sitting in a quiet corner, talking to each other. Ginny was sitting with her legs crossed, petting a purring Crookshanks, who covered her entire lap.

He walked up and sat down with them "Hi, Ron, Ginny,"

"Hey, Harry," Ginny said, smiling at him. Ron nodded in greeting.

"What are you two doing?"

"Oh, we were just talking about how Ron's doing," Ginny said, looking at her brother, who looked at his shoes instead.

When he didn't say anything, Ginny sighed. "Slow progress, but progress," she said to Harry. "Where'd you come from?"

"I went to talk to Professor Tonks," he said, smiling as he said the name.

"Oh, right, what did she want?" Ron asked curiously.

"She wanted to talk to me about 'family matters'," Harry shrugged, "she said that if Sirius hadn't gone to Azkaban she would've probably been like an aunt to me and because I inherited from Sirius, she wanted to get to know me because we're sort of family now,"

"Harry, that's great!" Ginny beamed.

"I guess," Harry said, shrugging again.

"Oh, shut up, Potter, you moody git" Ginny laughed, reaching over to punch him on the shoulder. "You're allowed to be happy, you know?"

"I don't have a good track record with that," he countered, smirking at her.

"Oh, yes, never mind this war going on," Ginny said, rolling her eyes, "if you are ever happy, we'll know the world is truly ending."

Harry laughed but stopped when he saw Ron's face.

"Could we please not joke about stuff like that?" Ron grumbled.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other. Harry was aware that he and Ron did not always have the same sense of humour, but he was only now beginning to notice that Ginny liked her humour on the darker side as well. He shrugged then.

"Oh, Ginny, did you speak to Luna about her plan?" Harry asked, changing the topic. Now he was speaking to Ron and Ginny both, he wanted to inform them about the plan to go back into the Chamber of Secrets.

"Luna constantly has new plans, Harry, you've got to be more specific," Ginny said dryly.

"Right, well," Harry said, and he cleared his throat, "She asked me to accompany her into the Chamber of Secrets," he said softly, not taking his eyes off Ginny.

"Ah, that plan," Ginny said quietly, after a moment.

"Yes, and Dumbledore and I wanted to go down there anyway, to check for clues, you know," Harry said, "and you both can come along if you want to, and Dumbledore was going to ask Bill to come as well."

Ginny exhaled slowly. Harry saw Ron looking at her as well. "You don't have to, of course," Harry continued, "but I wanted to tell you anyway, so you can make your own decision."

A hint of smile made its way to her face and Harry smiled.

"When do you want to do this?" Ron asked.

"Not sure, Dumbledore said to tell him whether you two were in, but I doubt it'll take months," he said.

"There's another excursion we're doing, that I haven't told you about, actually," Harry said, remembering. "Dumbledore and I are going to visit both Godrics Hollow, and Gringotts on February 1st."

"To visit, you know?" Ron said quietly. Harry nodded. Ginny reached out to squeeze his hand, and Harry made a point to look her in the eye before he squeezed back.

They were silent for a moment then. Harry took the time to look around the common room. Dean and Seamus were talking with Parvati and Lavender, as they usually were. Neville wasn't there, Harry thought he probably was at the Green Houses. A couple of first years were talking in squeaky voices. Harry couldn't quite tell what they were talking about, but it seemed they were discussing an accident that happened in their charms class.

Then his eyes roamed over to where Sophie and Lily were doing their homework. At least, Sophie was. Lily met his gaze and frowned. She looked miffed with him. She averted her eyes and looked back to her work, her demeanour stiff.

"Noticed that, have you?" Ginny said quietly to him.

"Is she mad at me?" Harry asked in surprise.

Ginny sighed, "You, or at Luna? I'm not sure,"

"Because of the article?" Ron asked Ginny, then he turned to Harry, "I thought you asked her whether you could take Luna?"

"I did," Harry confirmed, frowning a bit himself. Had he somehow misinterpreted Lily's answer? "I'll ask Luna, I don't want to be the reason they're arguing," Harry said. He would feel terrible if Luna's relationship with Lily would suffer because of him. Luna deserved all the happiness in the world.

"Speaking of relationships, how are you and Dean?" Harry asked Ginny.

"Oh, you know," Ginny said, looking at Ron carefully. Ron either got the message, or he didn't want to hear about Ginny's relationship with Dean anyway, as he stood up. "I'm heading to bed, busy day tomorrow," he said, yawning.

"Every day is busy," Harry remarked.

"Only more reason to get my beauty sleep," Ron said, winking at Harry.

"Right, then you'll need every second you can get, mate!" Harry chuckled as Ron flipped him off. Ginny stood up on her chair to hug her brother, displacing a hissing Crookshanks. She whispered something in Ron's ear. Ron nodded to her, and then made his way up to their dorm.

Harry wondered what she'd said but it wasn't his business to know. Ginny jumped down and took the chair that was closer to Harry's. Crookshanks looked at her for a moment and then jumped back onto her lap.

"So, I know you know fuck-all about relationships," Ginny started. Harry snorted his laughter, making Ginny smirk at him. "But I think I need some male input, anyway, and I'd rather not talk about this with my other male friends," she said.

Harry raised an eyebrow at her, "So, I'm just one of your many male friends, am I?"

Ginny grinned, "Yeah, Potter, you're nothing special, remember that," she teased.

"Hey!" Harry mocked protest, "I'm the Chosen One, remember!"

"It must be hard for you," Ginny said in a mock serious tone, "to be chosen by a guy, rather than a fit girl."

They both laughed.

"But, er, Dean?" Harry prompted.

"Right", Ginny said, "so here's the thing," she looked around and whispered, "I think I'm going to break up with him,"

"Oh?" Harry said, intrigued. He wasn't quite sure why he was so intrigued.

"Hold on a sec," he said, quickly casting a Mufliato around them. "There. So why are you thinking about it?"

"Thanks. It's nothing big or anything," Ginny said frowning, "just a lot of small things. Some of them aren't even that big of a deal outside of that context. For example," she stopped for a moment to think, "he insists on doing stuff like opening doors for me."

"Isn't that what a boyfriend is supposed to do? Be a gentleman?" Harry asked surprised.

"Well, that's what my friends all say, well aside from Demelza that is," Ginny said, "but I can't help but be annoyed by it."

"Does it have to do with what we talked about on New Year's Eve?" Harry wondered out loud. He figured Ginny was someone who didn't want help. She wanted to do things on her own.

"Probably," Ginny sighed.

"Does he know what happened?"

"Of course not, Potter," Ginny snorted, "Do you think I'm stupid? I don't want his pity."

Harry frowned. Surely Ginny couldn't hide an entire year in her conversations with Dean. "Why would he pity you? If he's anything like me, he would just realize how strong you are!" Harry said.

Ginny stared at him. Their eyes met and then she whispered, "He isn't anything like you."

Harry suddenly realized it was quite warm where they were sitting, but it could just be the blush that was creeping onto his face.

Then Ginny broke the spell by clearing her throat, "He also seems a bit afraid of my brothers, you know," she said, looking at her nails. "He only wants to snog when he thinks Ron won't see us." She rolled her eyes.

"That's not true, though," Harry said, "I remember you two snogging as if your life depended on it at the party after we defeated Slytherin."

"Potter, you pervert! Watching, were you?" Ginny said laughing. "That's right! You did say you thought Dean was fit, didn't you!"

"Oh, shut up, Weasley," Harry said with disbelieving laughter. "I just meant that everyone could see you two there, so he clearly doesn't mind that much."

But Ginny just waved that argument away, "Men may say they have principals, but you only have to whisper in their ears and they'll do anything for you," she said.

Harry's eyebrows shot up, "Who told you that?"

"My Grandaunt Muriel," Ginny said and she winked at him. "Oh, yeah, you haven't met her yet, right?"

"I probably will at the wedding, right?" Harry asked.

Ginny couldn't hide the distaste on her face.

"Oh, come on, Fleur's not that bad. You're just mad she's taking Bill away," Harry said, challenging her to contradict him.

But Ginny didn't do that, "Well, yes, I guess that's sort of true, he is my favourite brother, but I also just don't like Fleur," she with finality.

When Harry wanted to argue, she interrupted him. "You just like her because she's a Veela!"

Harry shook his head. "No, that's not it. I'm not Ron," he said with a wink. "Veela's honestly don't do much for me, not after I experienced them at the Quidditch World Finals."

"No blondes sashaying through your dreams, then?" Ginny asked with a smirk.

Harry blushed again but responded anyway. "I wish my dreams were that pleasant."

Well, that brought the mood down nicely.

"But you really got to give Fleur a chance, she's nice once you get to know her," Harry continued then.

Ginny shrugged, "I'll have to, haven't I? I'm not going to convince Bill to dump her."

They were silent again. Harry looked around the Gryffindor common room to see they were now alone.

"So, er, did you need any actual advice about what to do with Dean?" Harry asked.

"No, I just wanted to see what you thought, which was unsurprisingly little," Ginny said teasingly.

She stood up and so did Harry. She looked at him. "Thank you, Harry, for, you know, thinking of me when Luna asked you to go down to the chamber. I think," she swallowed, "I think want to join."

"No problem, Ginny. We're all in this together, you know." It was true. The war would touch them all one way or another. But Ginny and he and Ron, and Neville and Luna to a lesser extent, were involved much more directly.

Then Ginny stepped forward and hugged him. Harry stiffened.

When Ginny let go, she looked at him sadly. "I guess we'll have to work on that, Potter." With that she quickly made her way up to her dorm room, leaving Harry alone in the common room.

He sat down in his chair.

Ginny had hugged him. The last, and only girl, that had hugged him had been Hermione. It had taken at least a year before Harry had felt comfortable enough to hug Hermione back when she initiated it.

For some reason, he didn't want it to take that long for him to be comfortable enough to hug Ginny back.

- In Her Memory -

The next two weeks passed by rather quickly. Harry had been testing the Instant-Letter and they seemed to work quite well. The Twins were now using them to send Harry jokes every day. The HA had spent the first two lessons practising everything they had done before Christmas. Quidditch had started up again. Harry, Ron and Ginny had decided to use the first week back to just get back into the swing of things. The January weather wasn't really suitable for flying, but, as Ginny said, Slytherin and Ravenclaw always had a match in January, so there was no reason not to fly. Good flyers could fly in any weather, she'd said.

The emergency law Dumbledore had spoken about, was passed in the second week. As part of a larger emergency packet concerning both restrictions and the loosening of existing restrictions, Witches and Wizards who weren't yet 17 could now legally apparate, as long as they could prove sufficiently that they did so because of a direct danger to their life. Because of this change in regulations, the scheduled Apparation classes would be given to 4th and 5th years as well, for those who were interested.

During the first dinner he shared with Andromeda, she explained that most young witches and wizards did not yet have the skill and power to actually apparate. This was why the age was set at 17. But in times of war, there were always bouts of accidental magic that made people do things they normally couldn't. This law would hopefully go a long way to give people more ways to escape dangerous situations.

Even though Harry's experience with side apparition wasn't very pleasant, he was still looking forward to trying it out. Considering his bad luck, he'd probably need to be able to apparate before the year was done. And if he could, he would be able to visit the Burrow more easily, at least after he had turned 17.

Dinner had been pleasant as well. Andromeda told him about how she met her husband, some stories about Sirius, but mostly tales of Tonks. Harry had been surprised to learn that she had dated Charlie Weasley for a while. They had broken up when they realized they were better as friends. She also told him how it was difficult to raise a young Metamorphmagus.

Tonks had learned very early on that if she wanted something, she should transform her face slightly, so she looked more like either her mother or father, depending on who she was talking to. Harry had laughed. Why use puppy eyes, when you could transform your own to match your parents' partner? Much more effective!

Harry also got an answer to something that he had been wondering about since Ginny had commented on it. What did Tonks actually look like? Did her powers stop when she was sleeping or unconscious, for example?

Andromeda explained that they did have somewhat of an idea. When Tonks was just a baby, the first colour her hair had shown was a light brown colour, like Andromeda's hair. But even that could, in theory, not have been her actual hair colour, but a subconscious mirroring of her mother. The same was true with her eye colour. It was likely that she resembled her parents, after all.

Something Harry hadn't considered was how her Metamorphmagus ability had increased her clumsiness. Apparently, she had inherited that particular trait from Ted but it was exacerbated by the fact that her legs weren't the same size from day to day. Luckily, the shoes she wore prevented her feet from subconsciously growing too large.

But what Harry thought sounded even rougher, was how Andromeda described Tonks's later years at Hogwarts. Harry had never thought about it, but being a Metamorphmagus in a school filled with randy teenagers sounded like absolute hell. Harry thought he could relate to being noticed for something you had no hand in. Well, as far as being the Boy-Who-Lived, that was. He couldn't deny that he had built up his reputation even more over his Hogwarts years.

Harry also took the opportunity to ask her whether she'd be willing to give Healing lessons to the HA. She had trained as a healer after all, and Madam Pomfrey still couldn't teach structurally. Andromeda accepted, saying Dumbledore had told her that Harry would probably ask, and she said she was going to take January to brush up on her Healing magic, and then start giving some lessons on Tuesday.

Harry had walked away from the dinner feeling glad he had accepted her invitation. He was by far not comfortable enough to actually think of her as an aunt. But it was fun just talking to someone who didn't want him to do anything or want anything from him. Remus was like that as well, but even he came with his own issues. In that regard, Andromeda was somewhat of a clean slate

January also brought news for the gossip-mongers at Hogwarts. Ginny had indeed decided to break up with Dean, and they seemed to have parted ways on friendly terms. Even if they had, Dean did seem cold towards Harry and Ron. Ron didn't say it out loud, but Harry could see he was secretly relieved. Even more so when Ginny said she probably wouldn't date again any time soon. There was just too much going on at the moment, she'd said.

Harry, remembering what Remus had told him last summer, frowned at this. He rather felt that it seemed like giving in to fear to not live your life because of Voldemort lurking outside. However, Ron rightly pointed out that Harry did the same thing constantly. Harry thought his situation wasn't quite comparable to Ginny's, but he did see Ron's point.

A less-expected break-up happened a couple of days later.

Harry had already felt like something was amiss when Luna had missed the Tuesday session of the HA. She hadn't missed a single one up until that point. When they finished up, he waved for Ginny to wait for a minute.

When only Ron, Harry and Ginny were left in the Room, Harry asked Ginny if she knew where Luna was.

Ginny frowned, "I haven't seen her at all today. She even missed Ancient Runes this morning." They all looked at each other. Then, it was Ron who asked the question. "Do you think anything happened? Should we go look for her?"

Ginny bit her lip. "We'd better. The issue is, Luna knows a lot of secret hideaways at the castle. All that wandering she does, you know?"

Harry grabbed the Map from his bag and together they searched for a dot named Luna Lovegood. If what Ginny said was true, there was a small chance she had found a place that wasn't on the map. But the map came through this time. Luna was in a small chamber on the west wing of the third floor.

They made their way over to the third floor. The entrance seemed to be behind a portrait that Harry wasn't familiar with. Luna, of course, had probably talked to more portraits at Hogwarts than any student ever had.

The haughty-looking witch in the portrait looked at them with disdain. She was sitting on a chair in front of what seemed to be some sort of garden.

"Yes? Can I help you?" she said lazily.

"Uh, yes, we're looking for our friend Luna," Ginny said.

"Are you?" the witch in the portrait said. "And what does that have to do with me?"

"Have you seen her? We haven't seen her the entire day, we are worried about her."

"And what is she to you?"

"She's our friend," Ginny said with a frown. "Now, could you help us, or not? We know you're guarding an entrance."

"My, my," the witch said slowly, reaching over to grab a fan and waving it in her face. "Such a temper, how unladylike."

"I'll show you how unladylike I can be if you don't open up right now!" Ginny bit out.

The witch in the painting just raised her eyebrows, so Harry stepped in.

"We haven't seen Luna this entire day, she even missed something she would never miss if she was okay. So we are worried and want to make sure she's alright. Could you help us," he quickly looked at the nameplate under the painting, "Mrs Selwyn?" He smiled brightly at her.

The witch looked at him and increased the movement of her fanning. "Well, well, well, at least someone has some manners," she said from behind her fan. Harry thought she was using it to hide a smile.

"I may or may not have seen this Luna you are searching for. Either way, I doubt you will find out how to get past me."

"They won't need to," a soft voice said from behind the portrait. It sounded unmistakably like Luna's voice, but it missed its characteristic dreamy tone.

The witch in the painting turned around in her painting and said, "Are you sure, my dear?"

"Yes, they are my friends," Luna said, and as the witch turned around the portrait swung open to show Luna. She looked like she hadn't slept much, even if she was still in what Harry thought were her night pyjamas plus a sweater.

"Oh," she said in surprise. "Hello, Ronald, I didn't expect you to be here," she said, looking at Ron. "Are we friends too?"

"Uh, sure?" Ron said bewildered.

"Okay, then you can come in as well," Luna said with a small smile on her lips. It didn't reach her eyes.

"Speaking of," Harry said, as they climbed into the small entranceway, "What is this place, Luna?"

"It's a safe haven for maidens in need of one, as Mrs Selwyn explained to me, " Luna said, as they came into a very small room. The only things in there were a couch, a fireplace, and a window overlooking the Hogwarts grounds. The four of them wouldn't fit on the couch, so Harry remained standing as the others sat down.

"A safe haven?" he asked. He wondered how and why the Marauders had known about this place if that was the case.

Luna nodded, looking at her hands.

"Are you in danger from anyone, Luna?" Ginny asked worriedly.

"Just myself," Luna said cryptically, now staring into the fireplace.

They were quiet for a long moment. Ron was twiddling his thumbs, clearly unsure of what to do or say.

Ginny, on the other hand, wiggled closer to Luna and put her arm around her shoulders. "You know you can tell us anything, right Luna?"

Luna nodded. "I…" she began, then she stopped again. She turned around and looked Ginny in the eyes.

"Did you ever consider being in a relationship with both Dean and Harry at the same time?"

Ginny spluttered, Ron almost fell from the coach, and Harry was sure he had misheard.

"Because apparently, that's not okay," Luna said in a tone that could only be described as bitter.

Ginny looked at him and raised an eyebrow, even if she was blushing a bit. "No, Luna, I haven't ever thought about that. I take it you have?"

"No," Luna said, "Dean is nice and all but the way you said he snogs sounds unpleasant."

Ron made a grunting noise and Ginny rolled her eyes. Both at Ron, Harry thought, and in fond exasperation of Luna missing the point of her question.

"What I meant was, have you ever thought about having a relationship with multiple people, Luna?"

Luna wiggled a bit in place, still frowning slightly. "Yes," she said.

"And who told you that that isn't okay?" Harry continued.

"Lily said so," Luna mumbled sadly.

"Did something happen between the two of you?" Ginny said softly, stroking Luna's hair, "Harry and I noticed she's been looking grumpy since we came back from Christmas."

"We had a fight," Luna mumbled, now playing with a new bracelet she'd been wearing since Christmas.

"About?"

Luna shot a quick glance at Harry but kept her focus on her bracelet. But Harry got the point.

"So, it was the article, right?" he said angrily. "I swear I'll get that cow somehow," he muttered.

"She didn't like the way Skeeter talked about you and Harry?" Ron clarified.

Luna shrugged, "She came back from Christmas with a nasty Jezens infection. I should have realized it wasn't the right time to tell her…"

"Tell her what, Luna?" Ginny said, grabbing Luna's hand.

"She asked about the article, whether I thought Harry Potter fancied me and Ginny Weasley. I said I didn't think Harry Potter fancied me, but that if he did, I'd be willing to invite him in because he is very nice."

"Invite me where?" Harry asked nonplussed, skipping over Luna's compliment.

"Into her and Lily's relationship, right?" Ginny said, kicking Ron with her heel when he made a disbelieving noise. "I'm guessing Lily didn't like that very much?"

Luna shook her head, making her hair hang in front of her face, almost like she was hiding.

"What did you tell her?" Ginny said. Harry decided to just let Ginny handle it from her, she was far better at it than either he or Ron.

"I told her I don't really understand why most people only have one partner. Isn't it better to love many people?" She looked up then and looked at Ginny earnestly. "Right?"

"Well," Ginny said slowly and carefully, her eyes wide, "I think, if that's how you feel, there's nothing wrong with that. If it makes you feel any better, I am not surprised in the least that you feel that way."

Luna smiled fleetingly. "Lily doesn't agree. I think she doesn't want to "share", but it isn't sharing, it's multiplying!"

"And that's okay too, right, that she doesn't want to … do that?"

"Yes, but I hoped…" Luna said, her lower lip trembling.

"Was she mad at you?" Harry asked. He didn't think Lily was someone who would be, she seemed quite open-minded herself, but if she had been, Harry was going to have some words.

Luna shook her head, "No, but she was overcome with Aemulors, I could see them flying around her."

Then, Ron, ever the subtle one, asked, "So did you break up?"

Luna's lower lip trembled even harder, while Harry shot Ron an exasperated glance. Ginny looked cross as well.

"I'm not sure," Luna said, her usual dreamy voice nowhere to be heard. "But I'm not sure I want to be with someone so close-minded," she said, with a frown on her face. "I thought she'd be different," she whispered, and she wiped the back of her hand over her eyes.

Seeing her tear up, Harry scooted a bit closer to the couch and grabbed her hand, trying to soothe her like she had done to him after he had cursed Malfoy. Harry thought about what Luna had said. In comparison to Luna, Lily might indeed be close-minded, but Lily herself was quite open-minded compared to the average person, be they magical or muggle. Luna was just out there, and he could see that being an issue in building relationships. Luckily, their little group didn't have a problem with it.

They sat there for the next half an hour, talking about this and that. Harry couldn't help but wonder whether he would ever be so lucky to find love. At least, Luna and Ginny had their entire lives in front of them to find it. He wasn't sure whether Ron would ever truly get over Hermione and the infinite could-have-beens. But Harry was living on borrowed time, it felt. Every day the clock ticked closer to the inevitable end, where he would either defeat Voldemort or die trying.

But if he had learned one thing from Ron's burnout, it was that it was important to just sit down with your friends. The end was coming, and even though Harry was going to do everything he could to make sure it would end with victory, he knew what Dumbledore would say.

If love was the "power he knows not" then it meant he had to take time out of his schedule to be with his friends. So he called for Kreacher, got some Butterbeers and snacks, and gladly did so with three of his closest friends.