FicWad

Chapter 10 – Broken Hearts and Promises
. . .

Fear. It clutched at Harry's heart as he sped through the floo network, passing numerous glimpses of other destinations. Never before had a floo trip seemed so long. The thought that Andi might be hurt frightened him as his mind provided him with visions of Death Eaters seeking revenge and using his family to get it. So concerned was he that he wasn't even angry, though he was certain that would come later.

Now the only thing on his mind was Andi and her wellbeing. Perhaps that's why it was understandable, that upon stepping from the floo into St. Mungo's, that Harry wore an expression comprised of disbelief, confusion and dawning relief when he saw Andi there waiting for him. Before the witch could say anything Harry had crossed the distance to her and wrapped her in a hug that would have done Hermione and Mrs. Weasley proud. "Oh thank God you're alright!" he said softly as he held her.

Andi was completely taken aback by the hug and for a moment didn't know what to do. It had been a long time since anyone had hugged her like that after all. Ted had been on the run for some time and Dora had been off hiding with Remus, leaving her pretty much alone. Then they both had gotten themselves killed. Hesitantly at first, and with slightly reddening cheeks, Andi returned his hug. "Why ever wouldn't I be?" she finally asked, not having lived Harry's life where those closest to him were often the ones hurt and hence not understanding his concern.

Harry leaned back but didn't release the witch just yet. "I received a note from a Healer Roberts saying that my presence was required here. As you're the only person here I know I thought that maybe Death Eaters had…," his words trailed off as even the thought of what could have happened choked him up. Once he had gained some measure of control once again he continued. "The people dearest to me are all too often hurt," he explained. "I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."

Andi was truly touched by the young man's heartfelt words and a bit surprised that Harry considered her one of his dearest. It was nice to have someone care for her. She had been alone and caring for Teddy for so long now that she had nearly forgotten what it was like to be cared for herself."I'm fine, Harry," she assured him. "If something were to happen I would expect you to take care of Teddy and not run off and do something foolish!"

Harry was by far too relieved that she was alright to say anything and simply gave her a sheepish grin, knowing that he probably would do just that. Hermione had more than once commented over the years on how he just rushed in without thinking things through first. Still not sure just how we survived everything, he thought. In his head he suddenly heard an echo of Professor McGonagall's voice from first year saying 'sheer dumb luck'. The young wizard simply gave a nod in reply to the voice as well as Andi's comment.

Seeing Harry agree, Andi continued. "Healer Roberts asked me to come and get you as he is aware that we are family. He's a brilliant healer but pants at just about anything else from what I can tell. It probably never occurred to him that his message could have been worded differently," she told Harry as she stepped back from his embrace. She was just a bit shocked to realize that she rather missed the warmth of his arms around her.

Taking Harry's hand in hers, Andi turned and pulled him to her side even as she raised their clasped hands and settled her free hand over them. "Harry, this isn't going to be easy," she explained as she led the confused wizard down the hallway. "What you're about to see will be rather unpleasant but he is insistent that he speak with you right now."

"Who?" Harry asked, grasping the hand in his firmly as if he was afraid to let it go ever again. Even though he knew she was never in any danger the lingering traces of fear still held him as tightly as he held onto the hand in his. If Andi is alright then who could possibly need me here?

"Xenophilius Lovegood," Andi informed him as she steered them through the halls.

"Mr. Lovegood?" Harry parroted back. "Luna's dad?He's here? What could he possibly want with me?" Harry wondered if this was what Hermione had hinted at in her letter when she said that Luna had issues at home.

"I'll let Healer Roberts explain," Andi replied as they turned a corner and saw a green robbed healer waiting for them.

"Mr. Potter? I'm Healer Roberts," the man said as the pair approached. Roberts was a thin man with a bit of greying at his temples that gave him a rather distinguished appearance. Thoughtful eyes sat behind dark rimmed glassed which seemed to accentuate the narrowness of the man's face. "Sorry to call you out like this at such a late hour but he was adamant that you be here now," he told Harry as he held out a hand in greeting

"That's alright, Healer Roberts," Harry said, accepting the offered hand and giving it a firm shake. "Mr. Lovegood is a friend. How is he?" Harry enquired in a concerned voice. Xenophilius Lovegood had once tried to hand over Harry, Ron and Hermione to Death Eaters but it had been in an attempt to save his only daughter, Luna. The three had later discussed the matter and had decided that no one needed to know about the betrayal. Luna was their friend and under different circumstances they would have gladly given themselves up to save her.

"I think I had best return to my duties," Andi cut in with, only to see a glint of fear in Harry's eyes. Andi was once again touched at how he cared about her and was clearly alarmed at letting her out of his sight. "Harry, let me know if there is anything you need," she told him as she gave the hand in hers a squeeze of reassurance to let him know she was fine before she released it.

"I will," Harry assured her, his hand feeling colder already. "Thanks, Andi," he added before giving her a parting peck on the cheek. He would rather she stay but realized that she had her own duties to perform as an intern.

Roberts thanked the witch as well before turning back to address Harry's question. "It isn't good, I'm afraid. We've done everything we can for him and frankly it isn't enough," the healer offered candidly."His magic is killing him. I'm afraid that when it comes down to it, he has lost the will to live and his magic is working on that intent to make it happen. It's only a matter of time now. I'm actually surprised he has lasted as long as he has," the healer stated before he gestured towards the nearest door, "Shall we?"

It was with a bit of trepidation that Harry gave him a nod and followed the man into the private room. What he saw there he was ill prepared for. Xenophilius Lovegood lay within a bed of pristine white sheets and seemed to nearly blend in as he himself was so incredibly pale. The most shocking aspect of the man in the bed was just how much he had wasted away. Harry thought that he looked more like an Inferius than a living person.

The wizard, whom Harry knew to be vibrant and full of life at one point, was nothing but a shell of the man he used to be. The man's hands, where they rested upon the covers were skeletal in appearance with the dark purple veins running just under the skin being clearly visible. The blonde hair that so matched Luna's hung lank and scraggly upon the pillow. Harry couldn't be faulted for thinking he looked like one of the Inferni rather than one of the living as he truly did. This was not the Xeno Lovegood he knew as this man looked aged and withered well beyond his possible years.

"He's been here for several months," Healer Roberts spoke up, just above a whisper. "His daughter Luna was here every day and sat with him. That seemed to help some. When September arrived he insisted that she return to Hogwarts and complete her education. Without her here by his side his condition rapidly deteriorated," explained Roberts.

The young man sat in the chair that was next to the bed and for along moment all Harry could do was regard the man who was the father of someone he was possibly falling in love with. Why didn't Luna tell me? Harry wondered. She sat here all summer long by herself and watched him get worse? The man's heart went out to the petite Ravenclaw witch, suddenly thinking she had far more courage than he had ever shown, even when he fought Voldemort. "Mr. Lovegood," Harry finally spoke.

Near translucent eyelids fluttered for a moment and then slowly opened. Eyes as blue as glaciers focused on the occupant of the chair. It was a long moment before they finally seemed to recognize someone was seated there."I was dreaming of my Pandora and Luna when she was little," said Xeno in a cracked and tired voice. "It was a rather pleasant dream," he added, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards in as much of a smile as he could manage at the time. "Who are you?"

"It's Harry, Sir," Harry provided. "Harry Potter."

"Yes, yes, Harry," Xeno said as he made to hold a hand out to the young wizard who was quick to grasps the trembling member and hold it in what he hoped was a comforting manner. "I'm sorry, Harry. So, so very sorry," said Xeno. "They took my Luna because of what I've been writing. They took my Luna and I don't know where she is, what they've done to her. But they might give her back to me if I - If I... I must save Luna you see. I cannot lose Luna too. You must not leave."

Healer Roberts spoke up softly from the foot of the bed. "His mind wanders at times. It's not uncommon for someone so close to death to slip into their past and confuse their memories for what is really happening around them."

"It's alright," Harry said to Luna's father as he cupped the man's hand with his other, much as Andi had done to his moments before."Luna's alright. We saved her. She's in school at Hogwarts. Perhaps we should fetch her for you? I'm certain she would wish to see you, Sir."

"That's right, you saved her, Harry," Xeno agreed as his eyes became more focused. "You saved my little Luna even after what I'd done to you and your friends. It is a debt I must repay," the dying wizard told the man beside him, seeming to grow a bit stronger as he realized he had a purpose he had as yet to complete.

"There's nothing to repay, Sir," Harry assured him."I care about Luna a lot and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her."

Xeno wasn't apparently having any of it though. "I won't be able to rest properly till I have repaid the debt I owe you, Harry," the tired voice explained. "My Luna will be all alone when I am gone as we have no other family. My Pandora has already left us both and now I must leave Luna as well," Xeno said as a tear trickled down his pale cheek.

"As long as I'm alive Luna will never be alone, Sir," Harry corrected him, hating to see the man in such obvious pain. "I will always watch out for her and she'll always have a home, Sir."

The ill wizard regarded Harry rather strangely for a long moment."Do you mean that, Harry?" he finally asked only to receive a sharp nod from the seated man. "Will you give her shelter and hearth?"

"For as long as she needs it," replied Harry.

"Will you protect her as if she were your own?" Xeno asked.

Harry understood these were serious questions and so he gave a serious answer. "With my life if need be, Sir."

"Would you share with her the bounty of your family?" the dying wizard pressed.

"I will, for as long as she requires it!" Harry readily answered.

"Swear it!" Xeno demanded, his grip upon Harry's hand growing tighter in desperation, as he realized he might still do one great deed for his beloved daughter before he died.

Harry wasn't sure what exactly was happening here but even he knew that it was something of importance. Swearing anything in the Wizarding world was not something done lightly as there could be long lasting and far reaching consequences. It was an unbreakable vow that had led Professor Snape to killing Albus Dumbledore after all. Still, it was apparent to Harry that Luna's father was not far from death and he found he couldn't deny the man a dying wish.

"I, Harry James Potter, swear to look after Luna Lovegood. I offer her hearth, family, protection and to provide for her for as long as she has need of it. Thus do I swear upon my magic!" Harry proclaimed.

"Then in payment of my debt I, Xenophilius Lovegood, give you that which is most precious to me, my daughter, Luna. I furthermore name Harry James Potter, heir to all that I own. Thus do I swear upon my magic, witnessed by Healer Roberts."

"So I have witnessed," Roberts answered.

The hand Harry held, as well as his own glowed a light golden color as the pact was accepted by their magic. To say that Harry was stunned that the man would name him heir was an understatement of near monumental proportions. "Sir, I appreciate the offer but feel that I mu…," Harry started to decline only to realize that Xeno was unable to hear his words, having passed on to the next great adventure.

Healer Roberts pulled forth his wand and verified that the wizard was in fact deceased. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter. He must have been holding on long enough to speak with you. It seems to have taken the last bit of strength he had out of him," he said to Harry as he laid a sympathetic hand upon the younger man's shoulder. "Would you like us to contact his daughter?"

"No," Harry said rather sadly as he slipped his hand from Luna's father's. "I'd better do it. It will be hard enough coming from someone she knows." How am I ever going to tell her? Harry asked himself, feeling as if there weren't enough words in the Queen's English to convey how sorry he was.

"I understand," Roberts replied. "I'll see that his body is prepared. Contact us once the funeral arrangements have been made." Harry thanked the man before he left St. Mungo's via the floo.

-oOo-

Hermione Granger gave the map in her hand one last look before tucking it away. Ahead of her it had shown a broom cupboard in which a pair of fourth year Hufflepuffs were no doubt diligently working at their current endeavor. That endeavor being snogging judging by how their small footprints on the map had kept on overlapping one another. Hermione was kind enough to knock on the door rather than just yanking it open. "It's almost curfew time," she said to the closed door.

It was only a few moments before two rather disheveled and very embarrassed Puffs appeared. "Really, Jessy, I would have thought better of you," Hermione scolded the girl. "And you Bradley, should know how to treat a girl properly. A broom cupboard? Honestly," the Head Girl asked in disbelief only to notice Jessy turning an even brighter shade of red.

"I told you it was a barmy idea to begin with, Jess," said Bradley.

"You didn't seem to against the idea when I suggested it," Jessy quipped back a tad disappointed that her boyfriend seemed to be pushing all the blame off on her.

"Snogging my pretty girlfriend in eighty cupboards?" Bradley asked with a snort of disbelief. "I'd have to be mental not to want to do that with you, Jess," the boy offered, earning himself a forgiving smile from the blushing girl next to him.

"Eighty cupboards?" Hermione asked in confusion.

"It's a legend in the Hufflepuff House," Jessy was quick to explain. "If you kiss the one you love in all eighty cupboards at Hogwarts then it is true love and you'll be together forever," she told Hermione with a large smile and a shy glance to her side at the boy with them."We're only on number forty-three, ourselves."

"I'm not even certain there are that many cupboards in Hogwarts," Hermione told them.

"Ernie and Janice said they've found seventy-nine so far," Bradley offered, chiming in at last. "So far no one has been able to locate the last one."

"Sounds to me like the Hufflepuff boys figured out a way to get more snogging in is all," Hermione replied with a knowing smirk.

"That's not true!" Jessy exclaimed, coming to her boyfriend's rescue. "There was a couple several years back who found all eighty of them!"

It all started to make sense now to Hermione. The boys concoct a story so that the girls will let them get in more snogging. To make the story sound authentic they added the fact that a couple found all eighty of the cupboards not too long ago. Even she had to admit that last part was a nice touch."If that's true then who were the couple that found all eighty?" Hermione enquired, certain they wouldn't have names to provide to her.

The two fourth years turned and looked at each other as they tried to recall the names of the couple. Hermione was certain that she had them till Jessy looked up at her. "I don't recall the boy's name but the girl's last name was Tonks."

Bradley snapped his fingers as he remembered, "Nymphadora Tonks! That was her name," he exclaimed.

"Tonks?" Hermione parroted back. Having known the woman she could very well see Tonks doing something like that. The witch was a very free spirit after all and gave the impression of liking to have a good time."Yes, well be that as it may, you can check this one off your list I would assume?" Both younger students blushed as they suddenly recalled what they had been caught doing. "Hurry back to your House as it is almost curfew time," she told them. "Don't let me catch you stopping along the way to add another cupboard to your list or there will be detentions!"

Hermione watched the two of them run off hand in hand and couldn't help but smile at the picture of young love. Her thoughts of course led her to think about Harry, though in truth she had been thinking about him all day as it was All Hallow's Eve, traditionally not a good day for her best friend. Hopefully that will change to boyfriend come the holidays, she mused with a wide grin at the thought. "I hope he's alright," she mumbled to herself as she reached out and closed the broom cupboard door, the grin slipping from her face to be replaced by concern for Harry.

Eighty cupboards? she pondered as she continued down the hall. I wonder if Harry and I could find them all, she thought to herself only to feel her cheeks heat into a blush. The young woman's mind went to work trying to puzzle out where the eightieth cupboard could be when she recalled the Room of Requirements. With that memory came the recollection of Professor Dumbledore telling a tale of needing a chamber pot and a room full of them appearing.

"That must be it," she said aloud as she slipped the Marauder's map from her pocket and looked for the next cupboard. Still partially distracted by thoughts of Harry and cupboards, the map tumbled from her grasp and fell upon the floor. With a slight growl at her own clumsiness Hermione reached down and retrieved the dropped item. Reading the map over to find where she was once again, having lost her place, she noted a name that couldn't possibly be there approaching the main doors of the castle.

Quick as a flash a grin spread across her face and then she was off and sprinting down the hallway. The excited Head Girl rounded the final corner only to see her best friend whom she had been missing for the past two months. "Harry!" she exclaimed joyfully as she barely slowed her pace before launching herself at the wizard. In her excitement due to Harry being there Hermione failed to even notice that he had been speaking with Headmistress McGonagall.

Harry barely had time to open his arm sufficiently before they were filled with Hermione. "Hey, Mione. I was hoping to see you," Harry whispered emotionally into her ear as he hugged her so tightly that he swore he heard Hermione creak. Holding the witch in his arms afforded him a moment's peace amongst the emotional turmoil he was currently experiencing. Harry realized that he had missed her far more than he thought as it felt so incredibly good to hold her once again.

Hermione couldn't believe how great it felt to have Harry's arms around her. The fact that he was nearly crushing her to him only made it all the more wonderful in her mind as it showed that Harry had missed her just as much as she had missed him. "Hey, Harry," she whispered back, enthralled by the sound of his voice after not hearing it for so long."I've missed you so very much!"

Minerva allowed a small smile to slip out upon seeing the two friends greet each other. As the moments lengthened and neither appeared to be willing to let the other go any time soon the older witch politely cleared her throat to remind them that she was there. Sadly that seemed to have little effect. "Miss Granger, nice of you to join us," she finally had to say before the couple finally separated except for holding hands with their fingers entwined.

"Headmistress! Sorry, I didn't see you standing there," Hermione stammered, embarrassed for not having noticed the older witch.

"Clearly," Minerva replied in her usual prime and proper tone though there was a definite sparkle of humor in her eyes. "Why am I not surprised that Mr. Potter is barely through the door and yet somehow here you are, anxious to greet him."

"I just happen to be in the area," Hermione lied, her eyes looking aside at Harry who was currently holding her hand tightly. She noted the slight squinting of the wizards eyes and the rather pained looked upon is face. If anyone knew Harry it was Hermione and she could clearly see that the man beside was distressed. "Is something wrong," she asked, coming right to the point.

"Would you be so kind as to fetch Miss Lovegood and bring her to my office?" Minerva requested of the school's Head Girl.

"At once, of course, Headmistress," Hermione replied as she gave Harry's hand a small squeeze before releasing it and hurrying off to do as requested.

Minerva started walking, Harry falling into step beside her."I'm almost afraid to ask what brings you here Mr. Potter," she told him, knowing full well the man's propensity for attracting trouble from his years attending Hogwarts as well as his letter stating he couldn't return to Hogwarts. It must be something important indeed to drag him here at this hour, she thought.

Upon arriving, Harry had only been able to tell the Headmistress that he needed to speak with Luna before Hermione had shown up. As they made their way to the Headmistress's office Harry relayed what had transpired at St. Mungo's to the older witch, leaving out the oath part but telling her that he was now Luna's Guardian. "I thought it best that she heard it from someone that she knows."

"Xeno was a good man," McGonagall offered as they stepped into her office. "After his wife Pandora passed away he became a bit unhinged," she told Harry as she took her seat behind her desk."That woman was everything to him till Luna was born and then they both were. His wife was the one to suggest that he start that paper of his. A shame that their printing press was destroyed when their house collapsed."

"Sounds like you knew the Lovegoods fairly well, Professor?" Harry enquired.

"Pandora was a good friend of mine," Minerva answered."We spent a great deal of time together as we both loved being witches. She was a brilliant, kind hearted woman," McGonagall stated as her eyes took on that reminiscent vacant look which people get when they are recalling the past. "She loved to create new spells and had the mind set to do it. One day a spell went awry and she couldn't control it. I was ever so saddened by her passing. Luna, the poor dear, was right there and saw it all too."

"I'm sorry, Professor," Harry offered upon hearing the heartfelt emotions in the usually stoic witch's voice. "Once the arrangement are made I'll see that you're notified."

"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Minerva replied with just before there was a knock at her door. Harry stood and turned to face the door as Hermione, followed by a slightly confused Luna, entered.

Upon seeing Harry, Luna's confusion turned to joy as a smile spread across her face. He couldn't wait to see me again, was the first thought that crossed her mind. That thought alone was enough to nearly cause her to be walking on clouds once again. "Harry! What a wonderful surprise!" the petite witch said as she crossed the distance to him, stopping just short of hugging him as she realized that the headmistress was there watching them. "Miss me?" she teased.

"Luna….," Harry began only to have his throat choke with emotions. He knew that what he had to tell Luna would be devastating to the small witch. It was breaking his own heart at just the thought of having to hurt her this way.

"Harry?" asked Luna, sensing that something wasn't right. She could see the pain in Harry's eyes as he struggled to tell her something. The witch wasn't in Ravenclaw for nothing. It didn't take her long to figure out what could possibly be so difficult for Harry to say. "It's Daddy, isn't it?" she asked only to see Harry give a slight nod."When?" Luna voiced. It felt as if she had been punched in the chest by a Hungarian Horntail's massive head and she wasn't at all certain she would be able to draw her next breath.

"About an hour ago," Harry managed to get out as he reached out to her. Luna fell into Harry's waiting arms even as she herself fell apart and broke down into tears. Harry slowly lowered the distraught witch to the floor, never letting go of her, not that he could have with the grip Luna had on him. It was only a short moment before Hermione joined them both on the floor, wrapping her arms around Luna from behind in an effort to comfort her friend.

Some time passed before McGonagall spoke. "Perhaps it would be best if you escorted Miss Lovegood to the Hospital wing," she suggested. "I'm sure you recall where it is. Poppy can give her a calming potion. Perhaps a dreamless slumber one as well," the Headmistress added as an afterthought.

Harry couldn't miss how Luna's hold upon him tightened at hearing the older witch's words. "Professor, I don't believe it would be in Luna's best interest to leave her alone at this time."

"I will stay with her," Hermione was quick to offer."She can even stay in my rooms with me."

"Thank you, Hermione," Harry replied with a small smile of appreciation. He knew that Hermione would offer to help in any way that she could. It was one of thing he loved most about her. "You have your Head Girl responsibilities to see to and won't be able to be with her always. She needs someone with her constantly right now."

"What are you suggesting, Mr. Potter," McGonagall asked, suspecting she already knew.

"I think it would be better if Luna were to remain with me for now," Harry replied, confirming the Headmistress's suspicions.

"How long do you think it will be for?" McGonagall enquired as Hermione looked on in disbelief. The young Gryffindor witch couldn't believe what Harry was saying or the fact that the Headmistress was apparently agreeing with his request.

"I don't know," Harry confessed. "I've never had to do this before. A couple of weeks perhaps?" he suggested, thinking that it shouldn't take too long to make the funeral arrangements. The harder part would be afterwards, getting Luna back up on her feet once again.

"I can extend to her a leave of absence but not for much longer than that, Mr. Potter," McGonagall informed him.

"Harry, you can't just take her," Hermione said, finally giving voice to her confusion at what was happening right before her.

"Actually I can," Harry explained. "She's my responsibility now as I'm her guardian." Harry leaned over and gave Hermione a chaste kiss on the cheek before he scooped Luna up into his arms and stood. "I best be getting her home," he said to McGonagall before a thought crossed his mind. "Winky!"

There was a soft pop announcing the arrival of the house elf."Master Harry has called for Winky?" the well-dressed elf ask before noticing the distraught witch in her master's arms. It was clear to the elf that the girl was heart-hurt and in great pain. It was no surprise to the elf that her Master was willing to help the witch in his arm. He is a great and kind wizard, Winky thought.

"Yes. I need you to bring Luna's stuff from the Ravenclaw dorm to the house as she'll be staying with us for a bit," Harry told the elf.

"Where would you like Winky to put her things?" the elf asked, noticing that the two other witches present seemed to be eyeing the dress she was wearing.

"We'll figure that out once I get there," Harry answered only to see the elf pop away to do his bidding.

"Was that a dress she was wearing?" McGonagall asked after the elf left. In all her years it was the first time she had actually seen an elf in proper attire. The Headmistress filed the fact away for later consideration considering the large population of elves that worked at Hogwarts.

"Yes. Dresses for the women and tails for the men," Harry stated, feeling that explained it rather nicely. "Professor, may I use your floo?"

"Certainly," the Headmistress answered with a gesture to towards the fireplace which magically expanded to allow for use other than just communication.

"Harry," Hermione called out. "I'll send a copy of class notes and assignments over. If you need anything. Anything at all…for Luna I mean. Let me know, alright?"

"You'll be the first to know," Harry assured her just before he disappeared into the floo network and was gone.

-oOo-

Harry stepped from the floo into the living room of Westfield manor only to see both Daphne and Tracey still up and apparently waiting for him. The hour was late and Harry had thought that they both would have been in bed by now or else he would have used the floo connection to his room upstairs instead.

"How's Andi?" Daphne stood and asked at the same time. The young woman had been beside herself with worry for the older woman who was fast becoming a close friend. Tracey stood beside Daphne, almost as concerned.

"She's fine," Harry assured her. "My presence wasn't called due to her."

Assured that the older woman was well, Tracey eyed the witch in Harry's arms and recognized her as Loony Lovegood. "Loony Lovegood?Bringing home strays now are we?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Harry's eyes were smoldering with anger as they turned to regard the auburn-haired witch who had just spoken. "She's certainly more welcomed than some, especially as she just lost her father!" he spat out angrily before apparating himself and Luna up to his bedroom. Harry walked over and tried to set the witch down upon his bed only to discover that Luna had no intention of releasing him just yet. Left with little choice Harry settled himself upon the bed next to Luna and held her as she cried herself to sleep.

The first few days at Westfield Manor Luna had been inconsolable and wouldn't let Harry out of her sight for longer than it took to use the loo. The young witch slept in Harry's bed, curled into a small ball with Harry's arms wrapped around her. Her sleep was sporadically broken with bouts of tears. Harry did his best to console her, often going without sleep himself to watch over Luna. More than once he had dozed off only to awake to the soft whimpering of the young witch who was crying in her sleep.

On the day of the funeral Luna had seemed to regain a measure of control, managing to get dressed and make it through the small ceremony. Professor McGonagall had arrive with Hermione who was given special permission to attend. Ron and Ginny both sent letters of condolences as they were unable to attend due to their schedules. Molly and Arthur Weasley were there as they had known the Lovegood family for some time. The funeral for Xenophilius Lovegood took place a week after his death where he was laid to rest beside his wife and life partner, Pandora Lovegood, in the back garden behind the rubble that had once been the Lovegood's home.

In the week since the funeral Luna had withdrawn into herself, refusing to leave Harry's room. In contrast to before she now seemed to want to be alone and no longer clung to the wizard. Truthfully she was indifferent to his presence as if it didn't matter if he was there or not. Harry once again resumed his normal activities visiting Black Manor as well as paying a visit to Gringotts to see what there was of the Lovegood estate. Harry had no intentions of doing anything with it but rather would hold it in trust for when Luna was of age and he could hand it off to her instead.

Stepping from the floo Harry looked around and spotted Daphne seated in a chair with a book opened before her. "Good book?" he asked conversationally as he made his way over.

Daphne looked up and offered Harry a bright smile, doing her best to offer him some cheer. The past two weeks had been rather depressing around the manor. Tracey remained holed up in her room, fearful of Harry's anger as he had yet to forgive the witch for her crass words on the night of Luna's arrival. Even an offer of a shopping trip hadn't been able to dislodge her friend from her quarters. Andi, between work and school, was hardly ever home for longer than it took to see Teddy, sleep and freshen up.

"Well enough I suppose," Daphne replied as she set the book aside. The witch took a good long look at the man standing before her. The dark circles around Harry's eyes gave her cause for concern as it showed that he wasn't getting nearly enough sleep. The past few days he had been rather busy and had been in and out of the manor multiple times. Daphne couldn't help but worry about his health. The young witch stood and crossed the short distance between them before suddenly hugging Harry.

Harry froze at first at the unexpected intimate contact with the witch but slowly his arms slipped around her waist as he buried his face in her hair as he pulled her flush against his body. "What's this for?" he asked after a long moment of just enjoying being held and the warmth of another living being.

Daphne's arm's tightened slightly as his words brushed against the bare flesh of her neck. "You just looked like you could use it," she finally replied in a soft whisper. "I'm worried about you, Harry. I think you're running yourself ragged. You're not eating enough or getting enough sleep I'll wager. Are you?"

Harry's grip tightened as well as he held on for another few seconds trying to absorb the peace and comfort he felt right at that moment. Here I thought my life would finally settle down with Voldemort gone, he mused. The young wizard finally leaned back a little and kissed the startled witch on the cheek affectionately."Thank you Daphne. I think you were right and I did need that," he offered, avoiding her questions in the process.

"Anytime, Harry," Daphne manager to stammer out even as she felt the heat rise up in her cheeks.

"Any sign of Luna yet?" Harry enquired as he dropped his arms and stepped away from the witch forcing her to let go as well, abet reluctantly.

"Not as yet," Daphne answered, missing his warmth already. "Different people take longer to grieve, Harry. Luna didn't even get to properly say goodbye to her father so I'm certain she's feeling as if there were things let unsaid between them both. It's not as if she can say them now after all."

Harry froze and just stared at Daphne for a long moment."What did you just say?"

"I said she's still grieving," Daphne answered caught off-guard and a startled by the intensity of his gaze.

"No, after that," clarified Harry.

"That she couldn't speak to her father now?" Daphne said in a rather questioning tone, uncertain just what he was getting at.

Harry's face broke out into a huge grin just before he scooped Daphne up in his arms, spun her around once and planted a kiss on her lips before setting her down again. "You are a bloody brilliant witch!" Harry exclaimed before he raced from the room towards the stairway.

"I am?" Daphne barely managed to get out, finding that her very breath had been stolen away apparently. One hand slowly rose and touched her lips where she could still feel the warmth of Harry's lips upon hers. She had never imagined that their first kiss would be in such a manner, and she had given it a great deal of thought. It wasn't so much if it would happen but rather when. Daphne had it all worked out on just how she would respond too. I didn't even kiss him back, she suddenly realized to her consternation.

Harry nearly flew up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Upon reaching the third floor he quickly made his way to a door at the end of the hall. This door was unlike others in that there was no apparent doorknob on it. Harry paused and set his hand upon the door and pushed it open as it yielded to his magic. A brief stop at his desk and the wizard hastily made his way to his own bedroom.

The room when he entered it was dimly lit by a stray beam of sunlight that had fought its way through the small parting of the curtains over the window. Harry quietly walked to the side of the bed and seated himself. Luna rolled over to regard him when she felt the mattress shift from his weight. "Hey there," he said with a small crooked smile. "How are you today?" he asked as he reached out and removed a stray strand of nearly white hair from before her eyes and tucked it tenderly behind her ear.

Rather than answer his question Luna said, "You don't have to stay with me here, Harry. I'm certain you have far more important things to do with your time."

"Right now you're the most important thing in my life," Harry told her sincerely as he gently caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. "I've brought you something," he told her after they had stared at one another for a few moments. Harry took something from his other hand and gently pressed it into Luna's. "I hope it will help," he said as he leaned forward and kissed her brow. Without further words he stood and quietly left the witch alone in his room.

Luna stared at the door Harry had disappeared through and a part of her wanted to run after him and hide within his arms. A rather larger portion of her just wanted the world to go away and leave her be she hurt so badly. She felt terrible that she had fled to Hogwarts, leaving her father to die all alone. That and the fact that she didn't get to tell him that she loved him one last time, ate at her night and day.

It was several minutes before the witch's curiosity got the better of her and she took a look at what Harry had given her. Luna stared at the large black stone for a long moment before she suddenly sat up in bed in disbelief. "He couldn't have!" she said aloud as she looked at the Resurrection Stone in her hand. Luna grasped the stone so firmly it nearly cut into the palm of her hand as she thought of her father. A spectral form slowly appeared and soon resolved itself to be Xenophilius Lovegood.

It was many hours later, well into the wee hours of the morning, when Harry looked up from the book he was reading as the library door opened. He was only slightly surprised to see that it was Luna standing in the doorway. It was apparent that the witch had showered and changed as she was dressed in a yellow nightgown that reached to the floor and had kittens running about it as they chased each other. The kittens were actually running about the witch's body as they played.

Harry gave Luna a warm smile which seemed to be all the encouragement she needed to enter the rest of the way. The petite witch crossed the room, a stuffed animal in the form of a white cat, dangling from one hand. Without a word she climbed into Harry's lap resting her head upon his shoulder and snuggled in as she hugged her stuffed cat. Harry simply set the book aside before slipping his arms about Luna and pulling her in tightly. "Alright there, Luna?" Harry asked after a bit.

"No," Luna answered with a slight shake of her head where it rested in the crook of Harry's neck, "but better," she admitted.

"Anything I can do for you?" Harry enquired.

"Just hold me," Luna managed to get out before a quiet little sob escaped her.

Harry rested his head against hers. "For as long as you need me to," he assured her, and so he did as the girl in his arms cried the last of her tears on his shoulder.

"Thank you Harry," Luna finally said after some time had passed and her body had ceased to quiver as she cried herself out. The witch slipped the stone into Harry's hand, returning it to him in the same manner in which he had given it to her.

Turning his head slightly, Harry kissed her just above her ear."I didn't do anything," he replied modestly. Harry was glad that he had spent the several hours it had taken to find the stone out in the forest where he had dropped it that day. As if I would leave a powerful artifact like that just laying out there for anyone to find!

Luna lifted her head and looked him in the eye. "That's not true. You always do something and it always makes me feel better. I don't know how you manage it or how I can ever repay you," she told him as tears still trickled down her cheeks.

"There's nothing to repay, Luna," Harry replied. "I care about you so sitting by and doing nothing when you're hurting really isn't an option for me," he explained.

"You're far too noble, Mr. Potter," said Luna as she smiled through her tears.

Harry gave a crooked little smile, "I'm just me." Anything further he was about to say was halted as Luna leaned in and kissed him fully upon the lips. It took a second but Harry's instincts took over and he soon found himself kissing the witch back. This is the second time you've had a first kiss with a crying witch, as small voice in the back of Harry's head mentioned.

It was a need for air which finally halted their first kiss."A noble wizard deserves a noble reward such as a witch's first kiss," Luna managed to get out between drawing desperately needed air into her lungs as the first genuine radiant smile since that night in McGonagall's office appeared upon the witch's face.

"Remind me to be a bit more noble more often," Harry replied, still a bit stunned that Luna had kissed him. Luna's cheeks blushed brilliantly at hearing his words and the young witch buried her face once more in the crook of his neck in an attempt to hide the fact, but Harry had already seen it.

The two sat in comfortable silence for several minutes. "So, when shall we get married?" Luna asked.

Harry's mind shutdown. "What?"

"You can't expect to kiss a girl like that and then ask her to let you go can you? You need to take responsibility for your actions," Luna said in a serious tone, trying desperately not to laugh as she could hear Harry's mouth open and close without any words issuing forth.

"I…I can't?" the stunned wizard finally managed to say in a squeaky voice.

"Certainly not," Luna assured him, thankful that her face was hidden from his view. "I'm a soiled woman now. You took my first kiss. Will you simply cast me aside now like yesterday's rubbish?" Luna pressed her advantage.

"Of course not!" Harry managed to say, his arms tightening bout the witch in his lap a bit possessively. "I would never do such a thing to you, Luna!"

The smiling Ravenclaw lifted her head and once again kissed the man with her. "Ever the noble wizard," she said when she could speak once again. "It's fine Harry. I was just having a go at you is all," she told him. If she hadn't known better she would have thought Harry appeared disappointed by her words. "Besides, I know that I'm not the only witch in your life."

Harry certainly didn't know how to respond to that. The thought of marrying Luna wasn't unappealing in the least. It would most certainly always be an interesting time with her around, he thought amusedly. Harry realized that she was right though, there were others to consider as well. Not that he was any more certain of where he stood with them than he was with where he stood with the witch in his lap. "So what then is this?" he asked, grasping his Gryffindor courage and jumping out on a limb.

"I don't know," Luna told him honestly. For all she knew this could simply be a byproduct of having lost her father and wanting a male figure in her life. Considering that she believed she had loved Harry before her father died she didn't think that was the case but she was too emotionally unstable at the moment to know for sure. She certainly hadn't intended to kiss Harry upon entering the library, it had just sort of happened. The second kiss was with full intent however, of that she was most certain.

"I won't say it's nothing, however I have enough on my plate at the moment without adding to it," Luna said. "I don't think I'm emotionally ready yet, Harry. Maybe after the holidays, once I've come to terms with Daddy's passing and everything else we can see where we stand?" Luna hesitantly asked.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief at her words. That should give me plenty of time to figure out what I've gotten myself into, he thought recalling his oath to Luna's father. "Whatever works best for you, Luna," Harry replied sincerely. "Though I certainly wouldn't say no to another kiss now and then either."

Luna giggled, having rather enjoyed their kisses as well."I'll see what I can do about that," she answered. Her father had told her everything of course just a she had written previously and told him all about her date with Harry and what a perfect gentleman he had been. She had always had an open relationship with her parents so it wasn't hard at the time to tell her father that she had fallen in love with Harry Potter. She never thought for a moment that he would use that knowledge to force Harry into marrying her.

The young witch had been absolutely furious with her father's ghost when she discovered what he had done. The last thing she would ever want was to trap Harry into a marriage against his will. She knew she loved Harry and could tell that he had feelings for her as well. Luna was afraid that if Harry found out just what her father had done that he would be so mad that he would want nothing further to do with her. If that were to happen she well knew it would break her heart.

As long as he doesn't fulfill the next requirement we should be fine, she thought to herself. He has already given me his protection as well as provided me with a hearth by allowing me to live here. I just need to keep him from sharing his families bounty with me is all. Simple right? Luna realized that if Harry did that then the magic would see to it that the final requirement was met…providing her with a family. I'm not ready to be a mum just yet!

Pushing her thoughts aside Luna climbed out of Harry's lap and taking his hand in hers she pulled until he stood as well. "Come my noble wizard. Let's get to bed before the night is completely over." Seeing the man's questioning look Luna decided that she needed to be a bit blunt."You will sleep in the same bed as me tonight, Harry, and you will hold me tightly as I don't want to be alone right now."

"If that's what you need," Harry slowly replied. He was rather reluctant to sleep next to the witch, having only just discussed their fledgling relationship. It's not even that, Harry realized as nothing would be decided till after the holidays. Still, it was all well and good to sleep with Luna when she needed him to but it appeared to him that she was doing better now. It had been her condition that had no doubt kept his teenage hormones at bay all this time he reasoned. Now, feeling that she was on the mend, he couldn't help but recall what a fetching witch she was.

"Tomorrow we can see about getting me my own room," said Luna as she turned to walk towards the door dragging a reluctant Harry behind her who was trying not to stare at her bum and failing spectacularly. "You know, the sooner we get to bed the sooner you get your goodnight kiss." Luna squealed in surprise as Harry scooped her up into his arms and apparated them up to his bedroom, hormones and all.