Que Sera Sera

"Liquorice! You never told me that part!"

"What do you mean, you didn't know that part?" Mrs Weasley, on her part, had begun to swell with suppressed laughter and rage alike. "How could you allow this to happen on such an important occasion, to jeopardise..."

What could possibly be jeopardised was left in the dark as even Molly Weasley collapsed into giggles with the rest . Hermione muttered a timely "Scourgify!" before attacking her liquorice wand.

George handed Harry his real wand with a deep bow, showering the air with golden sparks that, fortunately, caused no damage.

"Time to go now," growled Moody, causing the group to draw in great gasps of air in an attempt to ease the stitches in their sides.

Within five minutes, they had Apparated together to the Burrow, with Ginny and Luna smirking quietly at their successful attempt (they had received their licenses only the previous week).

"Hi, Harry!" chorused a group of male voices - it was Bill, Charlie, Percy and Remus, all greeting him with equal enthusiasm, rushing forward to embrace him or clap his back.

Once Harry had extricated himself from the tangle of limbs, he was somewhat surprised to see a tall gentleman looming in front of him. The slightly protuberant eyes and curly blonde hair branded him as Luna Lovegood's father.

"Harry Potter, I believe. Lawrence Lovegood, Luna's father."

"Pleased to meet you, sir," he replied automatically, adding hurriedly, "I must thank you for publishing my interview in your magazine."

"Nonsense, dear boy, the pleasure was all mine. As I am sure you know, it was a sell-out! And, Mr. Potter, do feel free to drop in at the Dovecote sometimes. It is barely a half-mile from here."

"I will, sir, as soon as possible," Harry finished, before Fred and George Weasley could succeed in making him burst out laughing with their impersonations of what Harry supposed was a Crumple-Horned Snorkack just behind Mr. Lovegood's back.

Hermione, Luna and Ginny were already beginning to assemble tablecloths and crockery in preparation for a Weasley supper par excellence, while the elder Weasley boys reduced the size of the tables in order to carry them outside and then restored them to their original sizes again once they were in the garden (sorry, I thought this needed a bit of explaining).

After the sumptuous banquet that had included bowls of potato salad, delicious chicken pie and a scrumptious trifle and Mrs. Weasley's inimitable home-brewed punch, Harry found himself dozing in his chair, surrounded by the pleasant, relaxed familial atmosphere that was the substance of his dreams.

Visit to the Dovecote:

Within the week, the young schoolmates had tired of staying cooped up indoors, and decided to take a stroll "wherever their whims might lead them." As a matter of fact, both Ginny and Hermione had a very good idea as to where their whims should lead the group.

And so, before he was even aware of such conspiracies, Harry found himself staring at a plaque, which read -

"The Dovecote."

By the time he had managed to reattach his jaw to his face, he beheld Luna Lovegood herself, in a light blue frock, wearing a smile that put the sunshine to shame.

"Oh hello, everyone!" she exclaimed, her voice sending sparks through Harry. "Come in, I've been baking Black Forest in case you're interested..." she said, causing Ginny to throw an exasperated look at Ron's slavering mouth.

"I suppose Ron will refuse to stir until he's eaten twice as much as is good for him," called a voice - Larry Lovegood, undoubtedly.

Harry should have heard Hermione whispering, "I don't think someone else will stir till forced to, either," into Ginny's ear, but the aroma of freshly baked pastry had already engaged his attention.

Within minutes, they were all tucking into some of the best pastry they had ever tasted. Luna was glowing under the praise, as she was kept busy supplying the boys with diversely shaped, yet perfectly baked chunks of creamy sponge.

"Luna, you've outdone yourself! GIMME THE RECIPE!" called Ginny.

"Is there some way you can bribe the school elves into letting you use the kitchen supplies?" Ron enquired, to which Hermione commented, "If only more of them were like Dobby, freedom would be a sufficient bribe!" Ron choked.

Harry was laughing to himself at their bickering, wondering when Ron would get his act together and pop the question. But then his eyes caught those of his placid young hostess, and they both felt their colour deepening perceptibly. Somewhere on the borders of his consciousness, he could feel Ginny's broad grin.

"Luna," he called softly, somehow managing not to call her 'Lunes', which was how he habitually thought of her nowadays. She came to him, cake and knife in hand. "Put those down for a moment, won't you? Ginny and Hermione can manage. Come show me those flutterby bushes."

"They aren't blooming any longer, I'm afraid."

He gave her a beseeching look that tore her defences apart.

"You might see a few of the last blossoms, though."

They strolled in the garden, not needing to talk, simply basking in the sunshine of each other's presence. Harry slowed, causing Luna to look back enquiringly at him. He smiled at her, mouthing, "I've missed you." He added, audibly, "Missed this all my life, I guess." The fresh air, someone to share it with, someone I can speak to without words. He knew she understood, and she squeezed his wrist lightly in reassurance.

Quite soon, though, a lively breeze ruffled their hair, breaking the quiet communion they had been sharing. Harry found himself talking animatedly, telling her all about his stay at Privet Drive, then his suspicions about Ron and Hermione. She replied, "Didn't you know they got together almost two weeks ago?"

Harry spun round to face her, gaping open-mouthed. He didn't have a chance to shut it for the next five minutes, as they both collapsed onto the ground, laughing.

They made their way back into the house, still subject to the occasional bout of guffawing. Luna had told him the whole story as she had heard it from Ginny, who had it from Hermione herself. Harry soon found himself reeling under the shock of Hermione's apparent 'girlishness' , and his best friend's skill at romancing.

"Wait till I get hold of Ron. And he was asking about Ginny and me!"

"Really Harry, your friend is about as sensitive as a Hippocampus."

"Don't you mean Hippopotamus?"

"Oh no. Hippocampi are very similar to hippopotamuses, but they are a bit smaller, have shorter tusks, and thick skin folds that ooze poisonous goo when they're endangered."

Harry found nothing to say in reply, and settled for opening the door that led inside.

"Where have you two been? It's almost lunchtime! We were about to place a locator charm on you!" called Hermione, eyes glinting mischievously.

"It's barely twelve-thirty, and we aren't toddlers, you know," Harry snapped.

"Yeah, Hermione. I told you girls not to panic!" added Ron.

"Ron, do shut up unless you want to give me every detail of what you and 'Mione have been up to before I got here!" he said, acting much more nettled than he was.

It worked. The new 'couple' gaped at him in shocked silence for about thirty seconds before the rest of the company burst out laughing once more.

Neither of the boys saw the grateful look the two girls cast at Luna. They had not heard Harry laugh this freely in the past two years.

Finally, Hermione spoke up . "We do have to go, you know. We'll explain on the way back."