"I can't believe it. My letter made it." Seamus began to cry. "Did Paul find you guys?"
"Paul's been hurt." Luna explained. "The Banshee got to him. He's in St. Mungos." Seamus looked shocked and upset.
"Seamus. What happened to you?" Harry asked.
"My grandfather. He was searching for a rumored ancient magical artifact in Flowerbourne Castle for his research when he stumbled across a Banshee's lair. It was guarding the supposed artifact. When it saw him it pursued him relentlessly. He apparated back to his home, But the Banshee could still track him. I was there when he returned. The Banshee attacked. I drew out my wand and fired off a Bombarda spell but I missed. It lunged at at my grandfather striking him right in the stomach. Even though he was in great pain he managed to raise his wand and fire off a Defendo spell. It sliced off the Banshees left arm. It fell back and began squirming in pain. I ran over to my grandfather and help him to his feet. He was hurt really badly. We fled outside. Once we were safe and hidden I wrapped up his wounds, but he was fading fast. I cast a basic healing charm to stop the bleeding, but the Banshee was still chasing up. It followed us everywhere we went. No matter how far we apparated away it always found us." Seamus explained. "I happened so fast I... I couldn't react in time. The Banshee found our hiding place. My grandfather was already weak from his stomach wound. It slashed at him. He was dead. I couldn't save him. It's all my fault."
"Don't be silly Seamus." Luna comforted him. "There's nothing you could have done."
"So Seamus. Why is the Banshee still coming after you?" Harry asked. "It seems like it was after your Grandfather not you."
"Once you anger a Banshee it comes after your family. They're relentless creatures." Seamus explained. "I Believe if we can find the artifact and destroy it it'll also destroy the Banshee."
"But Harry killed the Banshee. At Paul's house after he was attacked." Luna said.
"You can't just kill a Banshee. You must destroy what it guards. Otherwise it can regenerate." Seamus explained.
"So what are you going to do?" Asked Harry.
"I need to destroy what is guards. Too many lives have already been effected by this horrid creature, I can't let anyone else get hurt." Seamus said. "So, are you guys with me?"
"Of course we are." Harry replied. Luna nodded in agreement.
"So what do we do now? Where do we go from here?" Asked Luna.
"We need to return to Flowerbourne castle as soon as possible." Seamus said. "But I'm so exhausted. I haven't slept in days."
"We could stand guard while you take a nap." Luna said.
"Yeah, you need to be well rested if you wanna tank on the Banshee." Harry added.
It was a little past midnight when Seamus fell asleep. He had instructed Harry and Luna to wake him when the sun comes up. Harry and Luna stood guard underneath the starry nights sky. Thankfully the coast was clear for the time being. Harry and Luna sat upon a tree stump. She rested her head on Harry's shoulder.
"You think Teddy's alright at the Weasley's?" Luna asked. "Do you think he misses us?"
"I'm sure he's doing fine. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are great people." Harry replied. "I'm sure Teddy misses us though. We've always been with him since the battle of Hogwarts."
The hours seem to fly by. Ever twig snap or rustle of the grass spooked Harry and Luna. They investigated every single noise they heard but every time it was nothing. The sun was starting to peek through the branches of the trees. Harry woke up Seamus. As soon as Seamus woke up the three of them apparated about a mile away from the castle as to not alert the Banshee if it was nearby. Seamus drew his wand and lead the way.
"It could strike us at any moment. Be ready." Seamus said. Harry and Luna pulled out their wands and followed close behind. As they drew closer Harry grew nervous. He thought he could hear a strange growling noise coming from the castle and he was not alone in this fear, Luna and Seamus could hear it too. It was probably in there recovering from its fight with Harry and Luna earlier in the evening the three of them thought. As they crept closer and closer to the noise they came to a small wooden bridge. They needed to cross it to get to where the noise was coming from. It was a pretty scary sight though since the bridge was around twenty feet from the ground. Harry went across first. Luna and Seamus cringed at every creaking and cracking sound the old boards where making. Seamus scurried across next without problem. Lastly it was Luna's turn. She tip toed across the first half of the bridge when a couple of the planks gave way. Luna fell though the bridge and began plummeting towards the ground. In the last seconds before impact Luna was able to draw her wand and cast a spell softening the blow. Her legs got bruised pretty bad but otherwise was fine.
"LUNA!" Harry shouted. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?"
"I think I'm fine. Just a little sore." Luna replied as she was standing back up.
A loud noise cut Luna off. The Banshee was alerted to their presence.
"Luna stay right there. We'll find a way down." Harry said with a panic in his voice.
Seamus and Harry ran down a giant spiraling stone staircase in an attempt to reach Luna but it lead to a maze of doors and hallways that lead to even more doors and hallways. Luna stayed put so Harry and Seamus could find her easier, but to her horror she could hear the Banshee coming closer and closer. She looked up at nearest castle guard tower and peering out the window staring right at her was the Banshee. Luna drew her wand and took a deep breath. The Banshee jumped out of the window and flew right towards Luna.
Luna fired a Diffindo spell slicing the Banshee right in its chest but it didn't seem to slow it down. It flew right into Luna and struck her right in the chest and sent her rolling across the cold wet castle court yard floor. Harry and Seamus saw this scene play out from a balcony window two stories above. In a panic Harry jumped over the balcony railing with no regard for his own safety to help Luna.
"Harry no!" Yelled Seamus.
Harry landed hard on the ground breaking his left leg, but it didn't stop him. Harry mustered through the pain to get to Luna. Once Harry was close enough he raised his wand and yelled "Depulso!" sending the Banshee flying off Luna. She scrambled to her feet and stumbled towards Harry. Meanwhile Seamus rushed thorough the Castle trying to find a safe passage down to regroup with Luna and Harry.
Harry fell to the ground and grasped his broken leg. The realization of what had happened and what he had done finally sank in. Luna didn't have time to check on him though. The Banshee rushed towards Luna. She raised her wand and cast Incendio at the Banshee stopping it in its tracks and set it ablaze Harry forced himself to focus through the siring pain in his leg for a brief moment in order to raise his wand and cast Sectum sempra. The blade of magical energy sliced the burning Banshee right in the back, but it didn't seem to faze it as much as it did back at Paul's house.
"It must be the castle." Luna surmised. "It's strongest on its home turf."
While Luna and Harry dueled it out with the Banshee Seamus came to a door at the end of a long damp musky hallway. The rotten oak door creaked as Seamus slowly pushed the door open and peeked his head inside. The coast was clear. It didn't lead to a way out to Harry and Luna but a small room. Seamus could feel a great magical aura coming from inside the room.
"This is it." Thought Seamus. "The artifact the Banshee is guarding must be in this room."
Seamus looked around the room. He noticed a window on his right. Quickly Seamus ran over to it to see if he could see Harry and Luna from there. Harry and Luna where still in the castle courtyard exchanging blows with the Banshee. Luna was helping Harry walk as he fired off a plethora of spells. Without wasting anymore time Seamus began scanning the room for the artifact. His eyes settled on a small brown crate on the far side of the room. He walked carefully over to it with his wand drawn. Once close enough Seamus reached out his right leg and flipped the lid open with his foot. Inside the crate was a potion bottle filled with a thick red brew and a carved stone doll with glowing green gemstones embedded into it . Seamus stepped back a safe distance from the crate. He raised his wand and yelled "BOMBARDA!" The crate and the rest of its contents exploded into several pieces scattering around the room.
Seamus ran back over to the window to see if destroying the artifact had indeed had an effect on the Banshee. He saw Luna and Harry had been backed into a corner by the creature, but something was amiss. The Banshee began writhing in pain as if it was being eaten alive from the inside. Harry and Luna seized the opportunity, they raised their wands in unison and both casted Bombarda. A giant explosion engulfed the Banshee. When the smoke cleared they saw a near death figure, limbs and torso badly damaged from the blast. The beast slowly raised its head up towards the castle tower window where Seamus was standing and peered directly into his eyes. As it stared at Seamus the Banshee began burning up from the inside. And just like that their nightmare was over. A huge sigh of relief washed over the three of them.
"We... we did it Grandpa." Seamus though.
After it sank in that it was finally over Luna's attention turned to Harry and his broken leg. She leaned over and pulled up Harry's pant leg. It was black and blue and bent in an unnatural direction.
"Harry that looks nasty." Luna sounded concerned. "It was awfully silly of you to jump from that high up."
"I know. It was a split second call." Harry said as he groaned in pain. "I didn't want you to have to fight it alone."
"I appreciate that Harry." Luna said as she pulled out her wand. "Just promise me you'll think a little longer next time."
"I will. I promise." Harry said.
Luna gave Harry a kiss before saying. "Sorry love, but this might hurt a bit."
"Brackium Emendo." Luna said while waving her wand over Harry's broken leg. Harry cringed in pain but it was quickly over. Luna had healed Harry's broken leg. He stood up and tested out his newly fixed leg.
"T hanks Luna. You're a life saver!" Harry said.
Before Luna could reply a loud crack startled them.
"Nice to be able to do that again without worry." Seamus said appearing next to them.
Harry walked over to him and grabbed his hand and gave it a firm shake.
"Can't believe we did it mate." Harry said.
"I couldn't have done it without you two." Seamus started to tear up. " I might have died just like my grandfather."
They all took a moment to collect their composure and reflect on their adventure. They all sat down to the castle courtyard ground.
"So whats next for you Seamus?" Asked Harry.
"I'm gonna go visit Paul at St. Mungos and help him get his life back in order. It's the least I can do to repay him." Seamus said somberly. "After that I don't know."
"If you need anything just let Luna or I know. We'll help you out where we can." Harry told Seamus.
"Thanks mate. I owe you guys a lot." Seamus thanked them. "I'll come and visit you guys and little Teddy once I square things away with Paul."
"So, whats next for you two." Seamus added.
"Finally gonna settle in to my job as an Auror." Harry replied.
"I'm gonna continue my magical beast studies." Luna said. " I learned a lot about Banshee's on this trip. I can't wait to see what else is out there."
After a while of chatting Seamus said "I better get going to . Take care friends."
And just like that Seamus apparated away. "Well, I guess we should be getting back too." Said Harry
"Right. I miss our baby boy, and our bed." Luna added.
Hand in hand Luna and Harry apparated to The Burrow. Luna knocked on the door. Molly Weasley answered it.
"You guys made it back!" Molly sounded excited at first until she noticed the cuts and bruises all over the pair. "You guys look awful. What the heck happened?" Molly asked.
Just then Arthur walked to the door standing behind Molly. He was holding Teddy. Arthur and Molly invited the pair in. They sat down at the kitchen table and recounted their adventure in Ireland.
"Goodness. I'm glad you guys are alright." Molly said as she waved her wand to repair their torn clothes and pour them some tea.
The tea was the best thing either of them had ever drank probably helped by the fact they hadn't had much decent food in days. Luna walked over to Arthur and he handed Teddy over to her. She gave Teddy a kiss on the forehead as he slept. Harry and Luna thanked Arthur and Molly for everything they had done before saying their goodbyes. It was late and they were both exhausted and Harry had to start his new job soon. Needless to say neither Harry nor Luna would ever forget their first big adventure as boyfriend and girlfriend.