Harry Potter The Surprise

Luna was standing on her balcony, watching the setting sun and thinking that her chat with Hermione had paid dividends. Luna didn't mind rooming with someone, she had just requested that someone not be Ginny. Harry was becoming a brother-like figure to Luna, and she would rather not spend her time listening to someone constantly lusting after him. Should Ginny begin bad-mouthing Hermione, Luna wasn't sure what she would do. Hermione was her friend, probably her best friend, so she couldn't stand back and let a jealous Ginny gossip maliciously about her.

With Susan and Hannah sharing a room, putting Luna in with Millie would leave Ginny as the only girl with her own room - no one seriously considered Ginny rooming with Millie. The simple solution was to give all three girls their own rooms, and that's what happened.

Hearing someone knocking on her room door, Luna shouted it was open and to come in. She hadn't looked around, not taking her eyes from the beautiful scene in front of her. It took Luna a moment to realise that no one had spoken, despite her hearing the door opening. She turned and saw Neville staring at her, making Luna smile.

Entering Luna's room, Neville immediately spotted her standing on the balcony. The way the setting sun illuminated Luna, Neville thought an angel was standing there - she took his breath away. That this was Luna, a girl he liked and could talk to without stumbling or stuttering, made this revelation all the more startling. When Luna turned and smiled at him, Neville felt his stomach do things that had nothing to do with him needing fed.

"Are we ready to go down to dinner?"

Neville could only nod in answer, though he did offer Luna his arm. Taking that arm saw Luna's smile grow even brighter, and caused Neville's palpitations to shift up into his chest. Having friends was almost a new experience for Neville, was he now ready to start thinking about a girlfriend?

Luna's bubbly chatter all the way down to dinner at least answered one question for Neville. If he was ready to begin thinking about having a girlfriend, Neville already knew exactly which girl he would be asking.

.....

Ron went to collect Millie, and found his girlfriend with tears in her eyes. Ron had no experience of dealing with crying girls, especially ones who smiled while they cried.

"It's so beautiful here, things like this don't happen to me. I want you to pinch me so I know I'm not dreaming. Not on the bum though, or we may miss dinner."

Stepping forward, Ron placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "Will that do instead?"

"Your kiss will do it every time, and anytime you want more I'm right here."

"I think we better head down to dinner, before I take you up on any of those offers. You know I would love to, but I don't want to push Harry's hospitality. I've got a feeling Ginny is going to push his hospitality to the limit - and beyond. There's just no talking to her on the matter of Harry." Offering Millie his arm, Ron lead his girlfriend down to dinner.

....

Another couple were also enjoying the sunset. Dobby had led them to the master suite, with Hermione having a room next to Harry's. The windows and balcony had the best views over the bay, sitting on his balcony with Hermione in his arms meant Harry was really enjoying those views.

"That felt like being ambushed, and just finished a truly wonderful day."

Hermione didn't need the hint of sarcasm in Harry's voice to know he wasn't serious about the wonderful part. "Who knew meetings could be so exhausting. I hope our friends will forgive us but I really am shattered tonight."

"Ron will have food, and Millie at his side, he probably won't even notice we're not there. I do feel terrible though for inviting them here and then promptly abandoning them."

Hermione couldn't believe she was suggesting this but knew for certain it would help Harry put a very stressful day behind him. "We really need to get to know this place as quickly as possible. What about a nice gentle broom ride around the property, then we can join them for a mug of something before bed."

"You would go flying with me?"

"I believe I used the phrase 'nice gentle ride', that I'm up for."

Dobby popping in with Harry's Firebolt settled the matter. Dobby had already made it plain to Brutus and Cindy that he would help whenever he could, but that his main duties were to look after his master and mistress. Being elves, they could all see the sense behind this arrangement.

....

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