chapter 39 : A Gathering of Handsome Boys

They went home for the Christmas holidays to celebrate with their families when Ron, Ginny and Harry arrived at the manor, they saw everyone there.

 The manor, although average in size on the outside, was gigantic on the inside thanks to the enchantments, which allowed the family to accommodate a lot of people without worry.

 Companions of the Order of the Phoenix could stay there without any problem because the family had made the mansion the headquarters of the order.

 They greeted everyone and Ron hugged his parents.

 The day after they returned home, Ronald went to the Lovegood home because Luna had told him telepathically that his father wanted to see him.

 Ron was a little stressed, he knew that Luna, like her father, had quite a special perception and he said to himself that by some unknown means, Xenophilius was aware that his daughter was no longer a virgin.

 He went to their house and as soon as Luna opened the door for him, she kissed him on the mouth and then Xenophilius greeted Ron with great enthusiasm.

 Xenophilius: Ah Ronald, you're finally here. Please take a seat...make yourself...at home...

 Ron: Thank you, Mr. Lovegood.

 Xenophilius: Roh, you can very well call me dad, father-in-law or even by my first name since you are my daughter's man...

 Ron: Thank you for giving me so much consideration, I really have loved Luna for longer than she knows...

 Xenophilius: His mother, my wife Pandora, told me that when you saw each other as children. She and Molly laughed about it from time to time but Pandora seemed to really know.

 Ron: She must have been an extraordinary woman, I only knew her briefly but I remember her face quite well and Luna looks a lot like her.

 Xenophilius: Your memory is very good my son...Luna is the portrait of her mother. If I asked to see you now it's to thank you.

 Luna came over with tea and sat next to Ron where they held hands.

 Luna: The weekly sales of Dad's newspaper have soared since you talked about his newspaper and said it was trustworthy, it's gaining more and more notoriety now.

 Ron: It's nothing, I only told the truth about what you wrote Xenophilius.

 Xenophilius: This means a lot to me, Ronald.

 Ron: Actually I was thinking about making you an offer. You probably know that my family has a very successful shopping mall. I was wondering if you would agree that we open a store there to make it the official point of sale for your newspaper. You won't have to spend anything, think of it as a Christmas present.

 Xenophilius: I don't know if I could accept...it's too much. Your gallery is extremely famous.

 "That would make us very happy, Dad..." Luna said dryly before Ron moved his hand over her shoulders to bring them closer.

 Xenophilius: Ronald, you made my daughter grow up so quickly. Now that you're one, you have to be more careful...

 Ron almost immediately spit out his tea and he even had some in his nose.

 Ron: You know...?

 Xenophilius: I saw her born, I know her and when you are there, there is no more buzzing in her head...

 Ron:...I...never mind, I'm not even going to try to find out what that means. I apologize for what happened, it was out of control. Luna and I-(interrupted)

 Xenophilius: Was it like a consuming fire? A crazy thirst for each other?

 Ron + Luna: Yes.

 Xenophilius: I experienced the same thing with his mother and my father also told me the same thing. There has been this phenomenon in our family for generations, when a Lovegood loves someone deeply and the feeling is reciprocal, there is a sort of chain that links their magic to create a permanent need for each other. The strongest thing is that this magical bond grows over time.

 Luna: You never told me about it.

 Xenophilius: Because it's much better to discover it, your great-grandfather said that it was very ancient magic. That's a bit why our family has this name.

 Ron: If what you're telling us is true then I can't even imagine your pain since the death of your wife. I'm very sorry about that Xenophilius.

 Xenophilius: There is one advantage in this magic, even though my wife ceased to live, she never left me. You will definitely know what I'm talking about one day.

 "This is the first time I've seen you speak so fluently in a long time." Luna told her father and they continued to talk some more, they even told him some things about school.

 Luna and Ron didn't want to leave each other but he had to leave, they kissed in front of the door, they agreed to sleep together tonight.

 One evening, Ron, his parents and the other members of the order including Amelia Bones who joined them were discussing the actions of the death eaters and the increasing number of disappearances at the helplessness of the ministry.

 Cornelius Fudge had retired before mysteriously disappearing like the others, the new minister Rufus Scrimgeour was trying to fight but he was overwhelmed with all the nonsense Fudge left behind.

 They talked a little when there was a commotion outside and they went out to see Bill and Fleur Delacour, they had become a couple and the family was expecting them for the holidays but they seemed to be being chased.

 Bill: The death eaters...they're behind us. We narrowly escaped...

 Fleur: They followed us as soon as we arrived in London. My wand has been destroyed...

 Arthur: It's okay, you're safe now.

 Molly: You children are at home, they can't do anything to you here.

 Fleur: Mrs. Weasley, you don't understand...

 « THEY ARE THERE… ! » Bill alerted everyone and saw his father looking up to the sky with his hands in his pockets.

 9 figures made of black smoke were flying and rushing towards the mansion but they were stopped by a translucent magic barrier.

 They tried several attacks but the protection seemed to become even stronger as Ron's runes absorbed the magic from their attacks to power the spell.

 They were circling the property when two of them had the brilliant idea to apparate to the other side of the fence near the mansion but immediately, an invisible force threw them very violently out of the house. perimeter barrier protection, they were injured with one or two open fractures.

 Arthur: Do you see children? You risk nothing here, a room awaits you, the house is large enough and you can stay as long as you want.

 Molly: You're at home...

 Bill: This protection spell, I've never seen anything like it! Who placed it here?

 "I'm the author of this little wonder..." Ron said as he walked out while eating a cookie. He and Bill smiled at each other and rushed over for a hug.

 Bill: You've grown again! The last time I saw you you were winning a certain World Cup.

 Ron: Your facial scars look great.

 Bill: I owe them to a guy named Fenrir Greyback, I'll return the favor. (Points to Fleur) You know Fleur, don't you? She and I are engaged.

 Ron: Obviously, she was a champion of the last Triwizard Cup.

 "Nice to meet you, Ronald…" Fleur shook Ron's hand and gave him a kiss.

 Ron: You can call me Ron. You remember me ? It's nice…

 Fleur: The youngest Quidditch world champion, the best student at Hogwarts for 6 years now and the creator of the first resurrection spell. Almost all the young witches in France literally dream of you.

 Ron: Am I that famous?!!!!

 "You have no idea Ronny…" They all turned to look at Charlie who had just spoken.

 Molly: My big baby!

 "Hey mom…" Charlie came over to give his mother a hug.

 Fred: When did you arrive bro?

 Georges: And where?

 Charlie: Barely and through the chimney from the Leaky Cauldron, there are supporters of you know who everywhere and they seemed to be targeting me.

 Ron: I see, maybe it's because of me. Voldemort sent Malfoy to ask me to join his camp under threat of harming my loved ones and therefore you. I'm sorry everyone.

 Bill: For what? To remain faithful to family principales ?! If you only knew how proud you make us all.

 Charlie: It's true Ronny, we are all very proud of you, even if my job is ruined because of you in Romania. I can't work in peace anymore since they all know I'm your big brother, everyone wants to meet you or know things about you.

 They all went inside to eat and chat, Bill and Charlie saw Harry greet him like their own little brother before teasing him when Fred and George sold the information about his relationship with Hermione.

 Harry was embarrassed, Molly, Arthur and Sirius were quite proud of him while Ron laughed in his corner.

 ~I'm here~

 Ron heard Luna's voice in his head and went to his room to find her sitting on the bed and they started smiling at the sight of each other before ending up in the bed for a long passionate night.

 The next day, they both went down to have breakfast with the others who were surprised to see Luna except Molly who was preparing breakfast in the kitchen with the other women, Arthur absent and a few others who were still sleeping.

 Ron's brothers (Harry included) looked at each other as if they had guessed something and they looked at him with some shock.

 "My 100 galleons my friend…" Georges held out his hand towards Fred who started to moan.

 Percy: What 100 galleons?

 Georges: We had a bet that these two would do it before the age of majority and I won.

 Fred: We have no confirmation, don't declare victory too quickly.

 "Hi George, hello Fred, hello Percy, hello Charlie, hello Bill, and hello Harry..." Luna said directly with her little voice.

 Fred: Hello little sister-in-law…

 Georges:…we hope you slept well.

 Ron: Stop, you two...

 Luna: They want to know if you and I slept together.

 Ron: I know, darling. (looks at his brothers) Yes, we already did it and his father knows about it. Keep it to yourself and don't tell mom, she's not ready to know that her son has already grown that much.

 Bill: Xenophilius knows?! And he didn't kill you?

 Ron: He understands it quite well, on the contrary. Where is Mom ?

 Bill: She's making breakfast with Mrs. Bones, Fleur, Miss Tonks and Ginny.

 "I'll help them..." Luna said as she walked towards the kitchen where they heard Molly's voice who was pleasantly surprised to see her.

 Charlie: I knew you were strong Ronny but now I'm amazed, you two be very careful.

 Bill: Fleur and I barely do it…

 The others: We don't want to know!!!

 Harry : Damn it, Bill !!!!

 Bill: When it was Ron you all wanted to know!

 Ron: By the way, Charlie and Bill don't know about the darkroom for practicing dueling or trying out new spells. I'll go to the gallery with Luna later so I won't be able to show them. Fred, Georges you might be able to do it…

 Fred: We also have a store to manage Ron…

 Georges: Yes, we have a store to manage Ron…

 Percy: I could do it if you want.

 Ron: You do what you want, I don't care.

 Fred + Georges: And here we go again!

 Charlie: You two, haven't things worked out yet?

 Percy:…

 Bill: Apparently not...

 They heard a noise outside and looked out the window to see Arthur's enchanted black car pulling up as Xenophilius, Amos and Cedric got out of the vehicle.

 Arthur: Hello boys...

 Them: Hello dad! Hello Uncle Arthur (Harry).

 Amos: Hello boys.

 Them: Hello Mr. Diggory.

 Xenophilius: Hello my boys.

 Them: Hello Mr. Lovegood.

 Xenophilius: Hello Ronald…

 Ron: Xenophilius, your daughter is with mom and the other girls to make lunch.

 Xenophilius: That's good then, she's happy. I decided to join the order.

 Ron: Glad to have you in our ranks.

 Xenophilius: Pleasure is mine, my son-in-law, pleasure is mine.

 He continued with Arthur and Amos to go laugh and chat in one of the living rooms where they were joined by the awakened Lupin and Sirius.

 Cédric: Hello guys.

 Bill: It's crazy how much they're all growing...

 Charlie: Hello Cedric. Bill is right, you are all growing alarmingly.

 He greeted everyone with laughter and good humor before sitting down right next to Ron.

 Cédric: It surprises me that you are alone. Luna has finally decided to move away from an insolent person like you. (to the others) They were totally inseparable at school when I was there.

 Charlie: If you only knew how…

 Ron: (to Charlie) Seriously ?! Right now ? 

 Charlie: Ahahahah, it's okay Ronny, I'm just kidding.

 Cédric: Don't tell me that… RON!!?

 Ron: Forget it. A competition in the darkroom later, does that tempt you?!

 Cédric: Don't change the subject…and I'm up for a competition.

 Harry: I am.

 Fred and Georges: We're coming! What's the bet?!

 Ron: Do you really want to bet in a competition against me? And you said earlier that you had to go to your store.

 Fred: Who said we were going to bet against you?!

 Georges: And it's our shop, we open it at the time we want.

 Bill: By the way, what is this darkroom?

 Ron: You'll see later.

 "Look at this gathering of pretty boys..." Molly said coming out of the kitchen with Amelia Bones, Ginny, Luna, Nymphadora and Fleur as several plates, cups and dishes floated into the air with Dobby's help.

 Cédric: I knew Luna wouldn't be far away.

 Ron: By the way, change places, it's his.

 Amelia: Molly is right, it really is a collection of handsome boys. Don't eat everything, think about others too.

 "We can't promise anything…" They all said before starting to laugh.

 The dishes were placed on the very large table and they waited a bit before the others arrived. There was plenty of food for everyone and they all ate in good spirits. There were lively discussions, laughter, songs and stories told. Little things that made up big moments.