Promises & Reunions

“Luna? What’s going on?” Harry and Ginny both spun to look at the door. Hermione was standing next to Luna, looking down at the younger girl in confusion. “What are you doing out here? Where are Harry and Ginny?” Hermione asked.

“Oh, I’m quite sure they’re in there,” Luna answered, gesturing vaguely at the door. “But the door was closed when I arrived, so I thought they might need the privacy.”

“Oh, yes,” Hermione muttered, turning to face the hidden door and rolling her eyes. “Privacy to shag, I suppose.” She reached out and pounded on the blank wall. “Harry! Ginny!” she snapped. “Put your clothes back on and open the door!”

Harry, who in fact had almost all his clothes back on again by that point, turned to Ginny, who was already fully dressed. “Hermione sounds really tonked about something.”

Ginny shrugged. Checking Harry was completely re-clothed, she pulled open the door. “Hi, Hermione,” she said. “Hi, Luna. Why aren’t you two at work?”

“Oh, daddy is busy preparing a special edition,” Luna answered, standing up and smiling. “About the two of you and your marriage. He was a bit disappointed when I told him it was ridiculous, like you said. Anyway, he suggested I take the day off.”

Ginny, who was used to Luna’s rambling answers, nodded. She stood aside as Hermione impatiently stepped through, shooting Harry a dirty look. “What about you, Hermione?” Ginny asked as Luna stepped inside as well. “What-”

“I,” Hermione interrupted acidly, “was sent home because the manager was tired of his employee constantly causing disruptions! I was harassed from the moment the doors opened! I even had to Apparate back to Fred and George’s!”

“But- but why?” Harry asked. Then understanding dawned. “Oh…it’s because of me and Ginny, right?”

“It’s common knowledge I know you,” Hermione confirmed shortly. “The second someone recognized me I didn’t get a moment’s peace! I didn’t get a single thing done in three hours!”

“Er…sorry,” Harry mumbled. “You know, we didn’t mean for it to happen that way.”

Hermione glared at Harry before sighing. “I know. But there’s no sense in trying to hide it any longer. It seems the whole Wizarding world has accepted your marriage as fact already.”

“Damn.” Harry collapsed in his chair. “Well, I guess we’d better write an announcement then, or crazy stories will really start flying. Luna, if you contact your dad quickly, can you get him to hold off on the special edition until we get the announcement to him?”

“I’m certain I could,” Luna agreed pleasantly. “I’m sure daddy will be thrilled to print your true story again.”

“Harry, you promised your story to Rita Skeeter!” Hermione admonished.

“No he didn’t,” Ginny corrected with a smirk. “He promised her an exclusive interview after Voldemort’s been defeated. What happens before isn’t part of their agreement.” She smiled warmly at Harry. “I agree completely, Harry; let’s give the story to the Quibbler. But no details, okay? Just a short announcement.”

“Absolutely,” Harry agreed. Ginny pulled her chair around beside Harry while he Accioed quill and parchment, and Hermione and Luna sat and waited until they’d hashed out a short announcement. “Here,” Harry said, handing the rolled-up parchment to Luna. “Get this to your dad now.”

“Wait, Harry!” Hermione said crossly. “I did have a reason for asking Luna to come find you, you know!”

“You asked her to find me? Why?”

Hermione huffed in exasperation. “The book, Harry! Sawol Immortalis!”

“Oh…right. Sorry.” Harry turned to Luna. “Luna, there’s something we need your help with, for the Army.”

“All right,” Luna said amiably.

“And you can’t tell anyone about it, Luna,” Ginny added. “Anyone, not even the other members of the Army. We’re only telling you because we need help with languages. But it’s very dangerous, which is why we want as few people as possible to know. Only the four of us will know, and we can only discuss it in this room.”

“And you can say no right now,” Harry added. “Ginny’s right, it’s incredibly dangerous knowing this stuff; if you’d rather not, we’ll stop right here.”

“Oh.” Luna nodded her understanding, looking uncharacteristically serious. “All right, I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

Taking a deep breath, Harry began telling Luna about the Horcruxes. Ginny and Hermione helped, and Luna interrupted every now and then with shrewd questions. The benefit of telling Luna such an amazing tale was that she had no problem believing it; Harry was certain by the time they were through, Luna not only understood the situation but respected its significance. “It makes a certain amount of sense,” Luna observed, fixing her wide-eyed gaze on Harry. “From your descriptions of him before, Voldemort has some serious issues with self-worth. He would do anything to make himself live forever.”

“That’s exactly what he’s done,” Harry confirmed, smiling at Luna’s self-worth comment. “Or at least, he thinks he did; we’re going to make sure he fails.” He stood up and walked over to the chest, and tapped it with his wand. “Horcrux,” he said, and the chest opened. He pulled one of the drawers out and took out the priceless book. “This is it,” he said needlessly, placing the book on the table in front of Luna. “What do you think?”

Luna opened the book to the first page and squinted at the ancient writing. “Hmm, how odd,” she said eventually. She looked up at the others. “Have you read any of this yet?”

“I managed to translate the chapter list,” Hermione said hesitantly. “But only because it looks so much like English in some places. But the rest was too much for me,” she added, sounding ashamed.

“It is kind of like English, and kind of like Latin, too; the two are very similar,” Luna said, returning her eyes to the page. “That’s why I said it was odd; it’s like some strange amalgam of languages. This part here even looks a bit like Greek,” she finished, pointing to a few words.

“Really?” Ginny asked, trying not to be too disappointed. She’d known the odds were slim that Luna would be able to simply spout out the translation, but she’d been hoping anyway. “Are you going to be able to translate it?”

“Oh, probably,” Luna said offhandedly, “but it might take a while. Is there anything you’d like me to find out first, like details on those Horcrux things?”

Harry caught Hermione’s stricken look. “Yeah, look for information about curses that affect memory,” he said.

“Oh, do you think that’s in here?” Luna asked.

Ginny nodded. “Some of the chapter titles mentioned it.”

“Do you think it will help Ronald?”

“That’s what we’re hoping,” Hermione whispered.

“All right. May I come in here to study this when I have the time?”

“Of course,” Harry said, nodding emphatically. “You’re kind of our expert on this, Luna. Any spare time you have, I’d like you working on this, and if you need any help, just ask. But make sure you don’t say anything to the others. And close the door when you’re working. And seal the book back in that chest before leaving. And make sure not to tell anyone how to open the chest.”

“Certainly.” Luna’s eyes darted to Hermione for a moment, but only Ginny noticed. “Hermione,” Luna asked casually, “would you help me with the translating? I heard you’re very good at Ancient Runes, so you might see things I don’t. If you have the time.”

“Yes, of course!” Hermione exclaimed, and Ginny hid a smile. While she knew it was true that Hermione would be a great help with the translation, Ginny was certain that Luna had asked mainly because she knew how much Hermione missed Ron. Luna was undoubtedly unusual, but she had a good heart.

After sealing the book back in the chest, the four friends headed down to the kitchen, and Luna Flooed back to Fred and George’s so she could give her father Harry and Ginny’s announcement. Harry, Ginny and Hermione sat down for lunch. They were joined sporadically by other members of the D.A. on their lunch breaks from work. As Harry and Ginny were finishing up, Lee came through the Floo. “Ah, is that lunch? Excellent!” he exclaimed, plopping down next to Ginny and helping himself. Then he seemed to remember something, and dug into his robes. “Here,” he said, handing a letter to Ginny. “Fred gave it to me for you.”

Ginny turned the letter over, and she gasped when she recognized the handwriting. “Harry,” she whispered, leaning over to him, “come upstairs with me, will you? Grab Hermione too.”

Confused, Harry nodded and turned to Hermione, who was on his other side, and relayed Ginny’s request. Soon the three of them were up in Harry and Ginny’s room with the door soundly shut. “What is it, Ginn?” Harry asked nervously.

“Nothing,” Ginny replied, trying to sound casual. She indicated the letter. “I just…this is from Bill,” she told them.

Harry’s eyes widened. “I guess he got your letter,” he muttered.

“Yeah. And I thought…” Ginny trailed off nervously.

“What is it?” Hermione asked tentatively. “Do you think he’ll disapprove?”

“I don’t know,” Ginny admitted. “He’s always been really protective. I thought maybe I’d better get away from the kitchen in case-”

“In case you don’t like what he said,” Harry finished for her.

“Would you rather I-?” Hermione indicated the door.

“No!” Ginny said quickly. “Just- don’t go, okay?”

Harry heard the barely-concealed panic on the edge of Ginny’s voice. Bill was her oldest brother, and Ginny had looked up to him all her life. “It’ll be okay, Ginny,” he said quietly. “Whatever he wrote. Go on.”

Swallowing, Ginny nodded, and cracked the seal of the envelope. She unfolded the parchment with slightly shaking hands, and taking a deep breath, started to read. Harry and Hermione watched her nervously for any indications; when she looked up, despite the tears on her cheeks, the smile Ginny wore made it clear that the letter wasn’t a condemnation. “It’s okay,” she said jubilantly, rushing over to Harry and hugging him tightly. She thrust the letter at Hermione. “Go on, read it aloud so Harry can hear.”

Hermione nodded, and began reciting the letter:

Ginny,
I got your letter, but not until shortly after mum informed me – very loudly, I might add – that you went and got married to Harry.

Not that it’s exactly a shock to me – I’ve gotten to watch you moon after Harry for years. But to get married? And if what I overheard mum yelling at dad is true, you pulled over a real fast one on them. I must say, I’m impressed; this is a hell of a lot bigger than anything Fred and George ever pulled off!

I’m worried about you, Ginn. Personally, I think you’re crazy to get married so young. I understand you were dating Harry for a while last year at Hogwarts, but it hardly seems like enough time to know you want to spend the rest of your life with him. Not that I think Harry’s a bad bloke – but let’s face it, he’s not got the greatest prospects in the world.

That’s one of the things mum’s been shouting about, by the way. She thinks Harry’s going to get you killed, or get killed himself and break your heart. She had a lot more to say, as I’m sure you’ve guessed; I won’t repeat the more horrible things, but just so you know there was some utter bollocks mixed in about disowning you. Don’t panic, though! She’s not going to, it was just one of the many things she chose to shout about, each less likely than the last. As furious as she is right now, you know mum puts a lot of stock in family… obviously, or why the hell would she have bothered with that prat Percy? I did tell mum I thought she was overreacting to the whole thing – you should have seen the tirade I got for that! And dad’s reacting as badly as I’ve seen him. I can hardly believe it, but he actually looks mad, and you know he hardly ever does that.

It doesn’t matter. I think I get why you did it, aside from how you’ve been chasing after Harry for years. I can’t blame you for wanting to help fight You-Know-Who, or for wanting out from under mum’s thumb. I think it was a bit of an extreme way to go about it, but…it worked.

For what it’s worth, I’m happy for you, even if I’m worried and have a few choice words for Harry. And if Harry does break your heart, I’ll break him. But you were never going to have a simple, ordinary life anyway, that was obvious. And after what happened to Ron…well, in your shoes I’d probably have done the same thing. Fred and George, Charlie and I are still fighting for the Order, and I wouldn’t expect any less from you; I’m really proud to see my sister put herself on the line for what’s right. (Speaking of Charlie, he asked me to add his own comment: “She’s bloody bonkers, but she’s got real style. A Weasley with style, who would’ve believed it?” I’m pretty sure that translates as “Good on you.”)

And by the way, mum said she’d forbidden you from coming to mine and Fleur’s wedding – well the hell with her. It’s my bloody wedding, and I’m not getting married without my little sister there! Fleur agrees with me, although she told me to tell you she’s upset that one, you didn’t have us there, and two, you beat us to the altar! You better be here for our wedding, Ginn, and bring that no-good husband of yours; Hermione too, if she’s up to it. September 8, don’t be late.

You’ll probably want to steer clear of the Burrow until then, though; the rumors are flying, and the house feels like it’s under siege! Tonks and Moody showed up and helped me cast a bunch of Repelling Charms to keep the reporters away, as well as hopefully stopping any hostile attacks on the family of Harry Potter’s wife. But if Harry starts feeling guilty about that, hit him!

No matter what mum might be yelling, Ginny, you’re my family and I love you. I’ll see if I can work on mum and dad; and if you need anything I can help with, just let me know and I’ll do what I can.

- Bill


P.S. – September 8. Or else.


By the end of her recitation, Hermione was crying as well, and Harry felt tears prickling his eyes. Ginny looked up at Harry, and then slapped him on the arm, hard. “Ow!” he exclaimed, rubbing the spot she’d hit. “What was that for?”

“That was for feeling guilty about putting my family in danger, like Bill said.”

“But I wasn’t!”

“Yet,” Ginny said firmly. “Consider that smack preemptive.”

Hermione smiled sadly. “You’re in good spirits, Ginny, considering what Bill wrote about your parents…”

Ginny shrugged dismissively. “I knew about that already. I was just worried that Bill would…think less than me, or something. I should have known better; he’s not exactly the conventional type.”

“He is marrying a Veela,” Harry mused. “Looks like you’ll have to get along better with Fleur now.”

Ginny snorted. “If she kisses you on the cheeks again, she’s going to have a bloody unpleasant wedding night.”