Harry Potter and the Power of Emotions

Chapter 19: Curiousity

It had promised to be a long and exhausting holiday, but it turned out very differently. Mr. Lovegood wasn't at home that much. He was working on The Quibbler at the office, more than Harry had expected him to, considering it was the Christmas Holidays.

"The Quibbler is his life," Luna said one day when they were talking about it. "I know he can be really exhausting, but since Mum died The Quibbler and me are the only things he has got left."

"I guess that's why he likes me so much, is it?" Harry asked

"He likes you because you are nice, Harry. Not because you are my boyfriend!" Luna answered.

"Have you had many boyfriends?" Harry asked suddenly, never realizing that he hadn't asked that before.

"No. When I was younger I had a crush on your friend Ronald. But when I saw him with Hermione... I knew that he wasn't right for me, and besides, something happened. I fell in love with you."

"As you may know, I've only dated two girls before you. Parvati and Cho. Neither of them were right for me. You are, Luna. And I love you," Harry said honestly. He kissed Luna, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"I love you too, Harry," she said.

For a while they sat like that, enjoying each other.

Finally, Harry said, "Did you know, Hermione dumped Ron for Malfoy."

"Yes, I knew. Draco is quite handsome. The trouble is that he thinks the whole world thinks that, too, and wants to be with him..."

"Good one, Luna!" Harry sniggered.

***

Harry and Luna spend time at the Weasleys every few days, for Harry wanted to practice some Quidditch and Luna loved to watch the Weasleys and Harry fly. On other days they went with Mr. Lovegood to the office in Diagon Alley. Harry found it amazing to see how the magazine worked. And how many staff there really was; how much was needed before an edition could actually go to print.

The Quibbler was working on an edition about Muggle ways to fly. It included a story about some Greek guy named Icarus, who had made wings of feathers and wax. And when he could finally fly, he flew too close to the sun. The wax melted and Icarus fell into the sea.

There were stories of stuff Muggles called drugs, that made them feel they were flying.

"I was talking to this Muggle a while ago and he said something about 'Don't drink and drive home, but get stoned and fly home.' It's just strange to see what things they made up to fly with," explained Isaac. "You should see those things they call airplanes, big stupid things." "Wizards and witches used to be more careless. I heard the Muggles talk about witches flying brooms, and flying carpets out of the Middle East. Some even say they saw or read something about flying red busses and flying beds. Even flying vacuum cleaners, well, at least I think they called them vacuum cleaners. It's a Muggle way of clearing up dust."

"The Muggles think it's just a strong tale, a legend," Harry said. "I grew up with Muggles, you know."

"And Daddy, I know that already. I'm taking Muggle Studies," Luna said.

"You were?" Isaac asked. "Oh, I must have been too busy with the magazine."

"It's my OWL year... Harry's been helping me with my Defense Against the Dark Arts..."

***

Mr. Lovegood got an invitation to spend Christmas at the Burrow with the Weasleys. He happily went in on the invitation. Arthur was fond of Muggles and could perhaps help him with the next edition of the Quibbler.

Isaac Lovegood also knew it was Dumbledore's wish to protect Harry as much as possible. And he was curious about why Dumbledore wished to do so... if Harry was a risk to the well-being of his little girl! Dumbledore wasn't going to tell him, and Harry seemed to have no intention at all to tell him. Maybe Luna would tell... in due time. It could even help the Quibbler. The interview with Harry had been a big hit. Maybe Harry would be willing to give an interview for the second or third time... making the magazine a hit again...