Harvest Moon

Sorry this is so short, everyone. Been working on a particularly nasty case and haven\'t felt the inclination to write anything. Thanks to Taz for the constant prodding on the subject. I appreciate it.



***



Luna caught up to Harry as he was leaving the building.



“Exactly where do you think you’re going, Harry?” Luna asked, voice mild as usual.



He turned and glared at her. “I am going to get a warrant, as I’m sure you’re already aware,” he said testily.



“I’m aware. I just think it’s a mistake right now.”



“What the bloody hell would make you say that?”



“Simple. First, if Hermione and Draco haven’t managed to solve this yet, you know you don’t have a vampire’s chance at the beach at noon of doing it. Certainly not alone. Secondly, if you lock up the bait somewhere, no matter how badly they’ve annoyed you, you lose that angle. Third, Tazura is willingly putting herself out there to draw the killer out.”



“I will not put someone in danger just to solve a case, Luna. You know me better than that,” he said frowning.



Luna smacked him on the head with the Quibbler. “Think, Harry. It’s obvious he’s after Lucius for whatever reason.”



“He left Tazura alive on purpose. To toy with Malfoy and make him worry about those close to him.”



“Now you’re getting it,” Luna said with a smile. “Now, you know that she’s his business partner and friend. But I think our killer has bigger fish to fry. Meaning . . .”



“Meaning he’s likely to leave Tazura alone and go after someone closer to Malfoy. Like the younger Malfoy or . . .”



“Or Hermione,” Luna said. “You might want to try working with them for a change.”



Harry sighed heavily. “I hate it when you’re right, you know that.”



Luna shrugged. “I’m aware.” She started back into the building before glancing over her shoulder at him. “You know, I miss the boy who lived,” she said, almost sadly. “I think the man who defeated Voldemort lost a lot of that creative spark he had before.”



“I’m the same person I was before, Luna,” Harry remarked, trying hard not to think about the implications of her words.



“No. You aren’t, Harry. The person I knew at Hogwarts would have instantly been up for the party as a chance to lure the killer out. See what made them tick. He would have been leading the charge, not worrying about proper protocol. Not that my opinion matters terribly much. It’s just a thought.” With that she made her way back into the building, leaving him to ponder all that she had said to him.



Luna wandered back to the assembled group near Tazura’s hospital room. She caught Draco’s eye and he detached himself to go over to her.



“Well?” he asked.



“Well what?” she asked serenely.



“Did you talk him out of . . . whatever?”



Luna shrugged. “With Harry one never knows until the end result is evident. If I did happen to do so, I believe I’m owed a favor of epic proportions. In whatever form I choose.”



“As in slap John Deere across my ass and ride me up and down the lawn?” he asked suggestively.



“You wish, Dragon.”



***



Liren waved a hand over the scrying mirror, causing it to go to its’ standard black. He leaned back in the chair, pondering his next move.



“I believe I have a party to go to,” he mused aloud.



“I\'m not sure that\'s wise, Liren.”



“Why not, my angel?”



“They\'ll be on guard for you now,” she pointed out. “They\'ll be watching every thing and everyone very carefully from this point on.”



“I know that, my angel. That\'s what makes it so much fun.”



“If they catch you . . .”



“Rest easy, my angel. They haven\'t caught me yet nor will they anytime in the near future.”



“Don\'t be overly sure of yourself, Liren. Lucius isn\'t stupid and neither is that . . . girl he\'s with.”



“True enough,” he said thoughtfully. “Again, that is what makes it all the more entertaining.”



“Just be careful. I don\'t think I could bear losing you again.”



He smiled and took her face in hand. “You\'ll never lose me again, my angel. I swear it.”