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Disclaimer: This story is based on characters, ideas, and situations created by JK Rowling and owned by her and her publishers. I own the original elements & characters. No money is being made by me, and no trademark or copyright infringement is intended.



Chapter XIX



The Grangers followed their usual Christmas routine. They arose fairly early and had a light breakfast, and then drove off to a large church in the fens, Fenchurch St. Paul's, where they could enjoy the end of the Christmas peel on one of the finest rings of bells in England. A patron had left a legacy, and every Christmas, New Year's, and Easter there was bell ringing from midnight until 10:00 am.

Hermione did cast a longing look at her presents, especially a set of small boxes from Harry, but went along. She did love the bells.



"That was a wonderful breakfast, Dobby," Remus said.

"Perfection," Harry agreed.

"Can we open presents now?" Sirius whined.

"What?" Harry asked. "We're not going to wait for Hermione and Luna to come around after noon?"

Sirius growled.



"Luna? Luna!" Lionel frowned, and wondered why his daughter was being so quiet. He shrugged and decided to look over some copy which had come in for the next edition of the paper.



"If I had known Christmas meant so much to you, I'd have gotten you more presents," Harry said.

"No, no," Sirius protested. "These are enough, trust me."

"Didn't Harry get you anything?" Remus teased Padma.

"Some lovely gold jewelry, but considering that the jewelry is all I should be wearing to show off the full effect, you'll please excuse me from showing it."

"Maybe you can get some for Tonky," Sirius teased. Remus rolled his eyes.



Lionel went up the stairs to the small loft where Luna's room was. He knocked on the door. "Luna! Aren't you going to eat before. . . ." His voice went quiet as the door swung open and he saw that Luna was gone.



Hermione was just unwrapping her first present when the flames in the fireplace went green, and Lionel's face appeared. "Hermione Granger!"

"I'm here, Mister Lovegood," Hermione answered.

That allowed him to actually see into the room. "Is Luna there?"

"I haven't seen her, why?" Hermione asked, worried.

"She's already gone and she didn't say goodbye," he said. "That's very unlike her. I don't have Harry's floo address and calling his name didn't work. Could you check with him?"

"Alright," Hermione said. "Expect us in a few minutes."

"I'll clear the wards," he agreed.



Hermione stepped through to Grimmauld Place and rushed up to find Harry.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked as she burst into the room.

"Luna's father flooed us and told me that she's missing," Hermione said, panting. "Is she here?"

"I'll locate her in a second. How did he floo you, and how did you get here for that matter?" Harry had been planning on going to get her.

"Oh, the Ministry came by and hooked up the fireplace the other day," Hermione said.

Harry and Remus exchanged a look.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione, they don't just hook people up, at least not for more than a day or two," Remus explained. "An adult witch or wizard has to authorize a permanent connection."

"Then how. . . ?" Hermione went pale.

"Sirius, could you please let the aurors know? Remus, you tell Dumbledore. Padma, you have your wand?"

Padma nodded and pulled her wand out.

"Since there wasn't an attack last night, it will likely be tonight," Harry said. "Come on. I want you two to come with me to Hermione's. Get your parents ready to move back here for the night. I'll go on to the Lovegoods'."

"But where is Luna?" Hermione asked, knowing Harry's link would find her unless she was under heavy wards.

"She seems to be upstairs. She must have come through during the night. I'll go find out why she would do that without telling her father, then come back to your parents' place and we'll bring them back. Take some floo powder."

"We have some. . . ."

"There are floo powders which, when used repeatedly, can leave a trail," Remus said. "Take ours."

"Right," Padma said. "Come on, Hermione. There may be no time to lose."

That shook Hermione, and the two teens left. Sirius was already coming down the stairs, dressed to go to the Ministry.

"Dobby! Winky!" Harry called.

"Mister Harry!" they chorused.

"Winky, defend Luna until we return. Dobby, pop over to the Grangers' five minutes after Hermione arrives. Defend."

"Yes, Mister Harry!" the elves proclaimed.

"Let's go!"



"Oh, there you are, Harry. Any idea where Luna is . . . urk!" Harry had lifted the larger man off the floor and pinned him to the wall.

"Luna is asleep in a spare bedroom, and she placed 'notice-me-not' and silencing wards around it so we wouldn't know she was there. What did you do to her?"

"I realized something last night," the now-terrified Lionel managed to say. "I never realized how seriously Luna takes The Quibbler."

"She doesn't take the paper seriously so much as she takes YOU seriously," Harry snapped at him. "I can imagine how you felt when your wife died, but Luna saw it happen. You mostly withdrew in your grief, and from then until she went to Hogwarts, all she had was your partial attention and her imagination, and her imagination played on the pages of The Quibbler. Anything that took her wonderful, beloved father's attention away from her must be important and therefore true. When the students at school made fun of The Quibbler, she had to defend it, because that was defending you, and you were all she had left."

Harry dropped Lionel. "If you said moon calves shat snorkacks, then that must be true. And then last night, you calmly tell here that the whole thing is a joke, and you wonder why she's upset?"

"That's not what I told her, and it's not a joke," Lionel said. "I can't tell you the details, but it's a way for people to exchange confidential information across Europe, information that their Ministries don't want out. About half our stories are like that."

"So that article saying Stubby Boardman was Sirius. . . ."

"Really meant that Black was innocent, in hiding, hadn't been seen in months, and known to be associated with the Order of Phoenix."

"Well, that might earn you a bit of a reprieve after she calms down," Harry said. "Now, it looks like there might be an attack on the Grangers. Be careful."

"The wards here are good," Lionel said.

"They might be attacking through the floo," Harry warned.

"If anyone but Luna or I come through, they'll be in for a surprise." Lionel frowned. "How did you get here? I was just going to suspend the wards."

"It's a secret," Harry said. "Just be careful. I'll warn the Patils, and move back to the Grangers."

"Remind Luna that I do love her," Lionel said. "You might also want to take her presents." Lionel pointed to a small pile near the fireplace

"I shall do both." With that, Harry took them and disappeared without a sound.



Ten minutes later, Harry appeared in the Grangers' parlor. Kingsley Shacklebolt was there with three other people Harry didn't know.

"The Grangers already leave?" Harry asked, taking the auror aside for some privacy.

"They have," Kingsley said. "Their floo powder was contaminated. I sent Tonks and two others to the open station in Diagon Alley. That should erase any traces of Miss Granger's trip to Black's place. The description of the floo worker who visited matches Pettigrew."

"I didn't know they had to send a worker," Harry said.

"They don't, if it's actually done from inside the Ministry, as it's supposed to be done. When you're hooking up an illegal fireplace, though, then you usually do."

"Right," Harry said. "Remember, if Voldemort himself shows up, there's still one more Horcrux to go before he's mortal."

The large auror nodded. "Any leads?"

Harry shook his head, "Only that if anyone knows where it is other than Snake-lips, it's likely Pettigrew."

"In that case, we'll try harder to catch him alive," Shacklebolt declared. "And I wouldn't be surprised if they were just trying to track you down."

"And just leave a pair of Muggles alive who produced one of the smartest and most talented witches this century?"

"Good point," the auror had to agree.

"Sorry to ruin your Christmas," Harry called over to the group of aurors who had been giving them some privacy.

"Mrs. Granger said we could eat their Christmas dinner if we finish it and clean up," one of the others said.

"Joyce and Kevin are working on it," another added.

Harry again thanked the group, and went back to Grimmauld Place.

The two younger aurors shook their heads. "I never would have believed I'd be reporting to a Fifth year," one said. "And less that I didn't mind doing it."



Harry popped back to Grimmauld Place, to see that the Grangers still had a small pile of presents to open, which they had brought with them. Harry took Padma and Hermione aside to explain to them what had happened.

Harry looked at Hermione, who dropped her eyes in shame.

"I know," she said. "I wouldn't make fun of her, honestly, Harry."

"But you do feel a little smug?" Padma asked gently.

"I do," Hermione agreed. "Still, she's proven herself right more often than not. And she's seemed a bit more focused, less . . . dreamy."

"Her worldview expanded to things beyond her school work and the paper," Harry said. "She stepped outside her imagination. Still, that world, which had a lot more truth in it than we suspected, but less than she believed, has turned to ashes for her. She feels betrayed by her father. It's up to us to provide support."

"And we will," Hermione affirmed.

"Go to her," Padma said. "And get her to move into your suite of rooms."

"Suite?" Hermione asked. "You're not staying in the same room?"

"No, I took over the suite Mister and Mrs. Weasley had," Harry said. "Bedroom, bath, and a dressing room. Dobby redid the furniture in the dressing room, and enlarged the bed."

"How large?" Hermione asked.

"Large enough for four," Padma assured her. She turned to Harry. "Perhaps you should fetch the missing one, my lord."

"Perhaps I should," Harry agreed.



Harry and Luna hadn't been intimate since the previous Friday. Therefore, while he had been able to find her, he could not read her emotions. When Harry dispelled the wards, however, he could hear that Luna was crying. He knocked.

"Harry?"

Harry eased the door open. "Hi," he said softly, closing the door and walking towards her.

Luna was laying cross-ways on the bed on her back. The covers were wet from her tears and there was a pile of dirty handkerchiefs on the bed as well. Harry finished coming over and sat on the bed. "Rough night, I take it," he said.

"I just can't stop crying," Luna sobbed. "I've cried so much, I'm surprised there's enough moisture left in me to cry some more." This was said haltingly, and the tears still ran down her face.

Harry took Luna's hand and then projected a thought. Winky popped in with a tray, three bottles, and a glass. She also took away the sodden pile of linen. Harry lifted Luna to him and hugged her tightly. "I can't imagine how you feel," Harry told her as she sobbed on his shoulder. "Don't think I love you one bit less, that I respect you one bit less, that I need you one bit less."

"Really?" Luna asked in a lost little voice.

"Really," Harry answered. "Hermione and Padma feel the same way."

"Hermione doesn't feel, well. . . ."

"A little," Harry agreed. "But only a little. She's more ashamed of feeling that way, because she loves you dearly. Now, may I hit you with a cheering charm?"

Luna nodded her head like a little girl, and Harry hit her with the charm. As he did so, Luna's handkerchiefs reappeared, clean and folded. Luna had to immediately use one to clean up and blow her nose.

"Here," Harry said, filling and handing her the glass. "You need to drink this, and then at least the bottle of water."

Luna took a sip and smiled a little. "Pomegranate/kiwi. How did you. . . . Oh, of course."

"You drank it while you were nursing, because you said it soothed your nerves," Harry said. "Now, close your eyes."

Luna did so, and Harry placed his thumbs just underneath them. When he removed them a few moments later, most of the puffiness and redness were gone.

"Thank you," Luna said.

"I love you," Harry said. "I didn't know about your father's coded messages. I never knew."

"I'm glad," she said. She took the bottle of spring water and drank it done in less than two minutes. "Everyone else is down stairs?"

"Including the Grangers. Pettigrew hooked up a floo connection to their house. They might have planned an attack, or they might be trying trace a link to me by using doctored floo powder. Most likely both. I warned your father and the Patils."

Luna merely nodded.

"Here, I gave something similar to Padma."

Luna opened the box and saw a red gold ring set with a large star sapphire. Luna slipped it on. "And Hermione?"

"I have a diamond ring for her," Harry answered.

"Then hit me with another cheering charm, and then let me pee. Then we'll go entertain the Grangers."



The girls enjoyed showing off their rings to each other, and everyone seemed to enjoy their presents. Still, the event of the morning of course cast something of a pall over the proceedings. However, the dinner was proclaimed a great success.

That evening, Sirius tried to get the Grangers to try fire whisky (stopped by Remus and Hermione, who pointed out the dangers of the fire part of the component on the Muggle system). Sirius therefore dug out an old bottle of Warre's port, dating from before World War I. Dobby opened and decanted it perfectly, to the applause of Dan Granger, who knew how difficult it would have been to have done it so well without magic. Even the teens were allowed quarter glasses of the nectar.

To their collective surprise, Tonks arrived around 9:45 to announce that the Death Eaters had attacked a little before 9:00. The Lestrange brothers had led in five recruits, two of them Seventh year Slytherins, one a Seventh year Ravenclaw. The other two were recent Slytherins. All of them were captured.

"What are they going to be charged with?" Harry asked.

Tonks frowned. "Why entering into a Muggle house with intent to do grievous harm."

Harry turned to the Grangers and said, "Remember, you put the house into Hermione's name, and all that is on file now."

Tonks and Sirius grinned.

"I don't get it," Hermione said.

"It wasn't a Muggle house, it was a magical house," Harry said. "The penalties are much harsher." He turned to Tonks. "You will also find that the goblins did this and charged my estate, because Hermione is my promised Bondmate."

Tonks smiled even more before she said, "And you are the Heir of an Ancient and Most Noble Family."

"Actually, my father was the Heir of four Noble or Most Noble families. I can prove I am more than that." Tonks had to transform her face a bit just so she could grin more. "Plus, being the magical heirs of Merlin and Slytherin count, too."

"Harry, if you didn't have three women, I might consider moving from Wolfie here to you."

"Harry!" Hermione begged, needing to know what was going on.

"You are under the protection of seven recognized Magical Houses," Sirius said. "That means they are facing seven counts of breaking into one of Harry's properties by proxy."

"If they don't cooperate, they face the Kiss," Tonks agreed.

"You think you can trust the dementors?" Harry demanded.

"To do this? Yes," Tonks answered.

"And if we were just random Muggles?" Dan demanded.

"If they had killed you, the same," Tonks said. "Since they were caught as they were, three months."

"You were right in your assessment of the wizarding world," Emma said to Harry.

"I'm surprised they don't claim Imperius," Padma said.

"If they do, I can raise their Marks," Harry said. "Taking the Mark has to be voluntary, and they also have to commit a murder to get it. Maybe I should do it anyway."

"Maybe you should," Tonks agreed. "I'll tell Kingsley to expect you tomorrow morning."

"You mean something happens fast in the magical world?" Dan asked sarcastically.

"What passes for justice does," Sirius said bitterly. "They'll be tried within a few days. If they're sentenced to the Kiss, they'll be soulless within a week."

Tonks turned to the Grangers. "You do realize that it will be unsafe to go back there."

"We had guessed that," Dan agreed.

"Make sure all that, including that they'll be moving, is in The Prophet," Harry said. "Did you check out their practice?"

"Not a trace of magic," Tonks said.

"Tell the press that we're considering moving to Australia or Canada," Emma said.

"You are?" Hermione asked.

"Considering, yes; actually moving, no," her mother answered.

"Good idea," Tonks said. "Good night all."

To the mocking whistles of Sirius, Remus escorted Tonks back to the floo. Tonks gave her cousin a two-finger salute.



The Grangers were not overly pleased that the four teens went off to bed together, but they had to acknowledge there was little they could do about it.

Harry, Hermione, and Padma quickly stripped and then stripped Luna. Harry made slow love to her aided by Padma and Hermione, and afterwards Hermione and Luna 69ed, in part so that Hermione to show her love for Luna and in part because Hermione craved the taste of the semen what was inside her. Harry then made love to Luna a second time, but this time held off his ejaculation when she had her orgasm and instead came on Luna's eager lips, so that she and the other two girls could kiss away the results before they went back to making love.

When they finally fell asleep, that was how they slept: Harry and Luna intertwined, as well as Padma and Hermione.



Two mornings later, a worried Hermione found Harry doing his Tai Chi. "Harry, did you and Luna make love again last night?"

"Yes, why?"

"Did you spank her?"

Harry frowned and stopped. "You know she likes being spanked. I was on my back, and she was facing away so I could spank her while we made love. Why?"

"Because Luna had me paddle her yesterday morning for nearly twenty minutes, and she had Padma cane her yesterday afternoon," Hermione said. "I only thought to ask Padma and now you because I saw that the essence of murtlap is almost gone now."

"Luna must be using pain to deal with her father," Harry said, to which Hermione nodded. "If she asks for pain again before we return to Hogwarts, we'll need to have a talk with her."

Hermione agreed, and they were glad that Luna did not ask any of them to be spanked for a few weeks, when she fell back into her old routines.

Still, Harry was resolved to keep an eye on her.