The Come and go room, 5th of June 1998

Luna Lovegood was and is not many things to many people: daughter, Loony, resistance member and wonderfully for her even friend, but the most important really is that she is.

It was nice being invited with everyone to the Room, though Harry really needed some help with his décor choice. No colour nor a dirigible plum bush in sight! She could probably loan him her book on the Do's and Do Not's for a magical friendly home, though it really wouldn't be very Harry Potter of him if he changed now, would it?

Harry was in a corner, pretending to busy himself with the Room as if it wasn't obvious how nervous he was. Hermione was nervously tapping her shoes since she entered, her wrackspurts were extra fizzy today. Ron was standing by close to both but equally ready to go to either. He really was like a big red guard dog, maybe he was one in another life? Ginny was looking relaxed on her sofa, though Luna could see how on edge she really was. She always did try to pretend everything was fine, how silly it sometimes seemed, but then again it did cheer her up every time. Neville sat square in centre, he really did grow into his roots. There really weren't any more mind-micking emotogons distressing him.

Harry finally turned around after Hermione sighed for the fifth time, his face was scrunched up as if he had eaten a lemon. Their earlier inquiry on his hospital visit obviously the issue at hand.

"Harry, I know you like to take your time with opening up when it comes to your health, but please we've been here for ten minutes." Hermione was much displeased if her voice was any indication and Harry only sitting down and putting his head in his hands probably didn't help much.

She looked at him properly for the second time today, after all why look at only him when there's a whole room? As always, Harry was accompanied by a positively lovely menagerie of floating creatures lazily going around his head. His wrackspurts were present, though less in number and much calmer than she'd ever seen them. It was obvious why though, back at the battle he had over 30 ebonmare bitterwings, now only five kept close to him with one looking quite tired at that.

"So you only have five days left it seems." Harry jolted at her statement, looking at her with his signature peculiar look whenever she surprised him with something he thought uncomfortable. Really, she liked how open he was but he really should open his eyes more.

"What do you mean by five days Luna?" Neville broke with his newly steady voice. Everybody was now looking at her. Well, everybody except Ginny who always was more open to her observations, now sitting up looking at Harry with unconcealed panic.

"Your head has been very peculiar in their rotation Harry. Why your wrackspurts and..."

"Oh God, not this again!" Hermione stood up quickly, easily dismissing what she couldn't see.

"It's just more talk of her imaginary creatures, nothing important. What we should be discussing is Harry.." "I'm dying."

A hush rolled over the room, like a cold wind had blown in. Hermione's voice silenced quickly now, her face fully on Harry again.

"I'm...not sure how you know Luna." Harry was looking at her with his personal mixture of confusion and relief. He really was bad at talking. Perhaps she should have said something sooner.

"Two days ago Mungo's ran tests, kept me overnight 'til yesterday morning. I'm dying and they don't know why or how long exactly I have. Could be a few days, could be a week, could be more." The doubt was gone now from his eyes, determination set in while he looked at everyone. She could see everyone's mind racing at the news.

Hermione did what she did best, brain calculating all she knew and came up with the logical answer before even a few seconds were allowed to go by. "The killing curse, in the forest, it's still killing you. You didn't deflect it, you somehow stalled it." Her voice was shaky but her conclusion wasn't. Luna didn't speak on how wrong she was, it wouldn't help in the moment. Everybody understood what was important even if she didn't say that Harry didn't stall anything. Harry Potter was already dead, had been for a month, and his time awarded for his deeds was running out.

Harry just nodded, probably reaching the same conclusion yesterday. Neville and Ron were stunned into silence, Ginny was openly crying the moment Hermione started talking.

"There must be a way to keep it going, right?" Ron shakily asked Hermione, sure she would have all the answers he needed. "I mean if the curse hasn't done what it's supposed to yet that means it can be stopped for you mate. You've always caught trouble but you've always pulled through somehow." He was probably talking more to himself than Harry but it had the desired effect on the others.

Neville stood up, also looking at Hermione. Ginny was crying still, her face getting closer to her hair in colour but she could see a glint of strength there. Hermione was already muttering to herself, listing oh so many books from the library as if all she needed was hidden a page or two away.

"I dunno, Ron, even the healers were stumped. They said they'd try but they're not optimistic." An ugly, sardonic smile crept on Harry's face, she really didn't like when he looked like that.

"I WON'T ACCEPT IT! There's going to be a way. You will not die Harry James Potter!" With her words Hermione stormed out, bushy hair tingling with zaps of her magic, a lioness on the move. Ron stood dumbstruck for a moment, looked at Harry, their eyes communicating something she'd never know before following out.

Ginny threw herself at Harry, clutching at him as if he'd disappear at any moment whispering, "Not fair." into his chest. Neville got out of his stupor, iron determination setting in. He came over, put his hand on Harry's shoulder and spoke with only a small hitch in his voice. "Anything you need I'll help, alright mate?"

Harry could only nod with Ginny still tightly on him and Neville slowly walked out, not before he squeezed her shoulder. He really had strong hands now.

Luna looked at Harry, calm as he could be. She smiled at him with what she thought was an appropriate smile. Seems it was since he smiled back, his real lopsided one now. She stood up and left the room, this wasn't her moment after all.

The Grounds, later

Working on the castle was always rewarding but she was tired now. She let herself be guided by her feelings. She wasn't feeling like exploring at the moment. Wasn't really the day for it. She decided to make sure the thestrals weren't hungry, Hagrid was very busy with the castle after all, even with one hand still broken due to dark magic. Getting some raw meat from Tifty, she set off towards the secluded corner near the lake she knew they liked at this time of day. Hopefully the battle hadn't ruined it, she didn't have the time to check up 'til now.

The ground grew less even, the foliage more bushy and less damaged by spellcasting as she entered the Forbidden Forest. She could feel the air was as calm as ever, like the battle never happened. It didn't surprise her, age made places less mutable after all. When she reached her destination she saw the flock all together, gathered around something curiously. Even surrounded by all of them she could make out Harry's wonderful untidy hair, sitting by and looking out into the lake while scratching a foal beneath the chin. He really did look like a Greek tragedy hero sometimes.

He snapped his head in her direction, looking much like a deer would in the woods. He relaxed when he saw her, though he really should try and release that tension.

"Luna, you really do have a knack for finding me when I go alone somewhere." He said it with mirth and tapped the ground next to him. It still made her warm, having someone besides Daddy be genuinely happy to see her. She tossed the meat she had, letting the herd have their fill before sitting down. The lake really was beautiful at this hour.

"Hermione interrupted you before you could say something about my wrackspurts?" He was trying, he really was. He still didn't believe them real but in a way him trying was enough.

"Oh yes, they're being quite lazy. Probably not enough thoughts for them to eat compared to usual. I'm glad you're not distressed Harry, many would be in your situation."

They sat together in silence for some time, cool breeze under shade like the forest itself was trying to give them peace. Perhaps it was. After a bit Harry seemed to have decided he was willing to talk.

"I saw them you know. Sirius, my parents. Even Tonks and Remus showed up. Dumbledore made sure I found the stone when I needed it. I don't know if it was to make sure I had peace or to make sure I didn't run."

"Doesn't really matter does it? In the end you were probably just happy to see them right?" And she could see he was, his wistful expression telling her more than words.

"I know you said you miss your mum. I could probably find the stone again. Help you see her if you want?" He looked at her, openly honest in wanting to give her some happiness.

"Oh no, no need. I do sometimes get sad but it's less now that I have all of you. I'll see her again someday. I imagine I'll miss other people more actively after everything that's happened." Her words clouded his eyes, guilt filling them. Oh dear not what she intended.

He hugged her around her shoulder, he was quite warm. She liked when people hugged her.

"I'm sorry, Luna. I wish I could stay but..." "But you can't. It's lovely we got some time with you but I can see you're mostly ready."

He sighed, using his other hand to muss up his hair. "Explain that to Hermione. She hasn't left the library in five hours and won't listen to anyone. Some would tell me I'm giving up but I can sort of just feel it you know? That it's ok."

She pressed more into him, head now under his chin. She could feel his steady heartbeat. She didn't want to let him go, he was her second friend after all. But she knew it was selfish. Harry Potter was tired since she met him, going along with a strength to rival her storybooks in order to make sure his friends were safe. The biggest threat was gone, he could feel they could handle the rest. He trusted them fully, more than he trusted himself. He could finally rest.

"I am going to be sad. Of course I am." She could feel a tear go down her cheek. "But I would be sadder seeing you miserable. Shuffling where you shouldn't be. I don't want my friends being sad."

"I'm going to try my hardest to make the most of it and make sure everyone is alright. That's if I can make Hermione look up from a book for more than five seconds..."

He squeezed her shoulder, trying to convey his conviction. It was a nice gesture but unnecessary. She knew he would try his hardest like always.

"Could I ask you for a favour Luna?" She looked up at him, his face now as calm as the lake. Her heart still hurt, but it lessened when she saw how peaceful he looked.

"Why, of course Harry! I'm told friends regularly do those for each other." He had a look of confusion for a second before it cleared, she saw the pity in his eyes he usually got when she said something he didn't expect. It didn't matter, she had friends now.

"I want you to be what you are. Stay what you are. And when the time comes, I want you to tell me and your mum about all the creatures you discovered since we last talked. Is that alright?"

He could sometimes be so terribly sweet. She nodded, a watery smile enveloping her face.

"Thank you, Luna Lovegood." He said, facing the lake once more, relaxing as much as he could.

"You're very welcome, Harry Potter. It was a pleasure being your friend."

AN:

This chapter will probably be the one I have the most trouble writing. Luna is unique in her perspective. It's hard to strike a balance of whimsy and smarts without making her different from the books, especially since we never hear her thoughts. It's hard but she is my favourite for a reason.

I hope I made her recognizable and would love to hear what people think I got wrong and right about her.

See you soon for the next shade.