"I wouldn't have believed it either—not in a million years," Hermione said between shaky breaths. "But Bellatrix used the Cruciatus Curse on me. And of all people, Draco stopped her—with a Stunning Spell."

Everyone stared in disbelief, but Hermione continued, her voice still trembling.

"He said it was madness. That they'd all gone too far. Then—Bellatrix turned the curse on him. And Narcissa... she used Avada Kedavra on Bellatrix."

Luna smiled in spite of herself. So Draco had truly chosen their side.

Hermione let out a bitter laugh. "If anyone had told me that Malfoy would take a Cruciatus Curse for me, I'd have said they'd either had too much Firewhisky or gone completely mental."

Ron blinked. "Yeah. I would've said the same thing." He reached out and gently rested a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, let's get inside. I'm sure Fleur's dying to make you a cup of tea."

Hermione nodded and stood, following him toward the house. Ollivander and Griphook went with them, but Harry lingered behind, sitting beside Luna on the soft hillside.

"Your face is back to normal," Luna observed.

Harry instinctively touched his cheek. "Oh—good." He chuckled, then turned serious. "But hey... back in the cellar—I never got to finish what I wanted to say."

Luna turned toward him, her expression soft and curious. Harry blushed.

"I thought, for a long time, that we were just friends. Good friends. But the truth is... you've been this quiet strength in my life. You've brought me comfort in ways even Ron and Hermione haven't. You understand me, Luna. And sometimes that terrifies me, but it also draws me in."

He looked out over the horizon, the sea reflecting gold under the evening sun.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is... I love you. I want nothing more than to hold you, kiss you, and call you mine. But there's so much at stake. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. And I don't even know if I, or anyone who's stood by me, will make it through this."

He turned to her again, sorrow shadowing his features. "I don't even know if all of this, the war, the pain, everything I've done to get here, will be worth it in the end."

Luna reached out and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Fighting for what you believe in is always worth it," she said in her soft, dreamy tone. "Even if we don't survive, I believe we'll meet again—beyond this life."

She smiled slightly. "I think of it like this: Water tastes sweeter when you're parched. Your bed feels softer when you're exhausted. Food is better after you've been sick. I imagine peace will feel like that—after all this darkness. And it will end, Harry. One way or another. And when it does, whether in this world or the next, the joy will be greater because of what we've endured."

Harry stared at her, her words settling deep into his soul.

"I love you too, Harry," she whispered. "And no matter what happens, I want you beside me. You're fighting for the same world I am."

He paused, then smiled slowly. "You're a strange, incredible witch."

Without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her.

His fingers wove gently through her hair as Luna returned the kiss.

Draco's kiss had felt dangerous and unpredictable, like being hit with a Stunning Spell while drunk on mead. But Harry's kiss was something else entirely. It was warm, grounding, like curling up with a good book and a mug of hot butterbeer in the Ravenclaw common room.

She didn't know how long they kissed, only that when they finally pulled apart, they were breathless and laughing.

"So," Harry said between chuckles, "does this mean... you'll be my girlfriend? For however long—or short—it may last?"

Luna giggled, her eyes shining.

"What do you think?"