Harry couldn't believe the sequence of events that had led to his current situation as he walked back towards Hogwarts after a successful expedition to retrieve the resurrection stone. He had changed his mind several times about reuniting the Hallows, until something he had long rebelled against finally struck home. Whether he had selected it or not, he had become the master of the Hallows, and therefore for the first time he was the true master of his destiny. There would be no more manipulative but well-meaning headmasters, or vindictive potions masters to lead him around by his nose.
As he rolled the resurrection stone around in his hands he felt a strange peace settle over him, he wasn't afraid of death or what was to come. He had seen what was beyond the veil of life, and what was held there no longer terrified him. With the Elder wand in hand, he felt powerful, powerful enough to actually make a difference in the world, without wasting energy on the idiocy of the purebloods that mostly sympathized with Voldemort because they were too cowardly to do otherwise.
The ministry was ready power to those in the wizarding world, and if his experiences had taught him anything about the people in the wizarding world, was that if given just a morsel of power, it would corrupt absolutely. Good people, even those he might call friends would all fall to the same allure of power, and yet he had proven resilient against those overtures since Voldemort had offered him a place at his side when he was 11 year old and much more naïve about the world.
The castle was still smoldering in places from the remnants of the battle that had taken place nearly a week ago. The first few days had gave way to huge celebrations, as the people of the Wizarding World congratulated themselves on weathering the storm that Voldemort had wrought. Harry had seen far too many people that he knew had actively worked against walk free again; their stories of being enthralled by Voldemort working to sooth the few remaining frayed nerves the war had created.
The people that had the power to fight against such injustice were still grieving the losses at the battle, he could still barely believe that he would be sharing custody of Teddy with Andromeda as soon as he got a job and settled into adulthood. Everyone had losses to contend with, so grieving had been a community process in action, as everyone remained close and yet still somehow at arm's length.
Ginny had been particularly troublesome in retrospect, but in the immediate aftermath, Harry hadn't dwelled on it too deeply. Hermione had already set off and then promptly returned from Australia with her parents, her burgeoning 'whatever' with Ron was still simmering on the side as she put their lives back together. Harry had to suppress a grin at the thought that Hermione had surely created a workable reason for the Grangers to leave their dental practice for a year, and they had returned to their lives with the barest amount of problems.
As he approached the lake on the southern part of the grounds he spotted a familiar head of dirty blonde hair blowing in the wind near the edge of the water. Luna had a loaf of bread in hand and would occasionally tear a piece of bread from the loaf, ball it up and throw it into the lake.
Harry smiled as he pocketed the resurrection stone and walked over to visit with his friend, "Wotcher Luna."
Luna continued to gaze out towards the lake as she cocked her head before dreamily replying, "Oh hello Harry. Managed to reunite the Hallows finally, have you?"
Deciding against answering the question he asked, "Still staying at the castle until your father repairs your house?"
Luna merely hummed in tacit agreement before she asked, "Who do you trust now Harry?"
Harry blinked in surprise; Luna always did have an uncomfortable talent as somehow seeing the less than pleasant issues in other's lives. After the initial surprise of her question he began to consider her words, he supposed there were levels of trust, but he assumed Luna referred to the people he trusted with everything, and not just specific parts.
After a moment of deep thought he replied, "I suppose if I trusted anyone it would be Hermione, and…you."
Luna's lips turned upwards slightly as she gave off the smallest of smiles, "I am very happy to hear you say that."
Harry merely nodded as he thought on why he hadn't said Ron, or even Ginny for that matter when asked who he trusted the most. Hermione had been with him for every meaningful moment in their friendship, and for that reason alone he trusted her with his very life. Luna on the other hand, she had always tried to help him, even if it was in obtuse ways sometimes. He thought back to all of the times that he had been unworthy of her friendship, and was surprised at just how much of a berk he had been the previous year at Hogwarts.
Shaking his head he spoke in a soft tone, "I've not always been the best friend to you Luna. For that I apologize, you've deserved better than you've gotten in life."
Luna turned to Harry the same hint of a smile on her face as she said, "You've deserved better than you've gotten in life also Harry. The question is: what are you going to do about it?"
Harry ran a hand through his hair mussing it up before he decided to sit down on a nearby rock, "Honestly, I haven't a bloody clue."
Luna canted her head to the side, "Tell me when you figure it out, will you?"
Harry merely nodded as Luna stated, "I suppose you're wishing Hermione was here right now."
Harry shrugged, "She has her own life to worry about, I can't bother her for an opinion every time I make a decision for the rest of my life now, can I?"
Luna turned her gaze back to the lake, balling another bunch of bread up before tossing it a deceptively long distance into the lake. "You resent her for spending all of her time with Ronald now. I suspect that when their silly little romance ends, she'll wish she had you back."
Harry chuckled, "You make it sound like we've been married Luna. I'll always be there for her when she needs me." After a moment he added, "Anyways, I imagine they'll end up married with sprogs before too long."
Luna idly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Hermione is my friend, but she has spent so much of her life with only her books, that she often forgets the reality of situations."
Harry remained silent as Luna continued unperturbed, "Ginevra has told me that Hermione always complained about nearly every aspect of Ronald's behavior. Yet I've noticed that when he does have one of his moments of brilliance, Hermione seems to reward Ronald more than the situation deems prudent." She turned her gaze back to Harry and continued in a conspiratorial whisper, "It's obvious she's been infected by Nargles."
Harry cracked a smile and Luna turned back towards the lake, "They were fighting when I left the castle. Hermione seemed rather upset when Ronald suggested they have a celebratory shag. Daddy always tells me that being attacked by Peruvian Water Shags is quite painful, so I can see why she was upset at the suggestion."
Harry had grown quite accustomed to Luna's flights of whimsy in the past several months, but that was too much for him to handle. He was caught between the anger that he wanted to take out on Ron, and amusement that Luna could describe such a volatile situation in such an off-handed manner.
Thankfully Luna paid him no mind as she continued, "Now that Hermione knows the reality of a relationship with Ronald, I assume she'll finally see the folly of her thoughts."
Harry wanted to defend Ron at all costs from this seeming attack before he restrained himself; he still felt the pain from Ron leaving after their fight on the locket. That alone was the reason he hadn't told Luna he trusted Ron the most, because he never knew when Ron would let a perceived slight come between them again. If the fight with Hermione spilled over into their friendship again, there was a reasonable chance it might come to that again, because this time he would be taking Hermione's side, no questions asked. He owed her that much at least, and he had a feeling there would be some fall out from the choice.
Luna tossed the last bread ball into the lake before she walked over to the rock next to Harry and sat patiently as he worked though whatever he was dealing with.
Harry finally said, "Well, only time will tell which of us is right."
Luna gave Harry a fathomless look before she said, "I suppose so."
Harry continued to breathe deeply, in and out, just enjoying the quiet of the moment for one of the first times in his life. He no longer had to deal with constant conflict, and for the first time peace, true peace surrounded him. He doubted he could have this kind of peace with anyone else aside from Luna, because unlike his other friends she knew when to talk, and when to remain silent.
He had no idea how much time had passed when Luna began to speak again, "So they've decided to reopen Hogwarts in September again this next year. Apparently any students have the option of including this year or retaking it next year. I believe I've learned more this year, than any other of my years at Hogwarts, although I haven't found a Snorkack yet. Do you plan on returning for your seventh year?"
Harry glanced sideways at Luna, surprised at how serious her expression had become, her gaze had lost nearly all of its dreamy quality. "I reckon I've come this far, so I might as well finish it out. I'd like to think my mum and dad would have wanted me to get on with my life, and stop dealing with prophecies."
Luna reached over and put her hand on Harry's shoulder, "We all have a destiny Harry, yours just happens to be bigger than most. You are the master of death; surely you didn't think you'd live a quiet life with a quiet wife, having several average children with horrible names, did you?"
Harry felt a strange feeling begin to settle in the pit of his stomach, he wasn't sure if it was because of Luna's words, the warmth of her hand on his shoulder, or a combination of the two. Finally he looked at her with a sheepish smile, "Sounds kind of stupid when you put it like that." Feeling a little brave he grasped Luna's hand in his own, pulling it from his shoulder, but continuing to grip it.
Luna's eyes shimmered with something long repressed, he wasn't aware if it was genuine affection or something else, but it only amplified the feeling in his stomach. "I don't know when you'll begin to believe it Harry, but you are a great wizard and an even better person when you put your mind to it."
Before he knew what had happened Luna leaned over and gave him a tentative kiss on the cheek, his skin burning on the spot long after she had retreated.
It could have been horribly awkward, and by all account it should have been so, but with Luna Harry never felt the need to apologize for lacking the right words or actions for the moment. They continued to sit in silence, there sweaty palms still in contact as the sun began to sit over the horizon.
In the distance a familiar bushy head of hair could be seen heading in their direction, and Luna almost looked disappointed for a moment as she said, "Oh dear, it appears as though Hermione has come to talk about her fight with Ronald."
Harry merely nodded thoughtfully, his mind on something other than Luna as he finally spoke, "Luna?"
Luna canted her head to lock gazes with him, "Yes?"
Harry smiled softly, "You know when you asked what I planned on doing." Luna merely nodded as he continued, "What if I told you I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I wouldn't complain if it involved looking for Snorkacks."
Luna smiled as Hermione waved at them and continued to walk closer, "I would say, that you've picked a very good place to start."
Hermione stopped mere feet away, her face flushed from the walk as she exclaimed, "Merlin Harry, I've been looking everywhere for you."
Harry finally released his grasp of Luna's hand and he smiled at his friend, "Well, I've been here for awhile, but I have a feeling I already know what you have to say."
Hermione furrowed her brow at Harry before she glanced over at Luna, noticing the out of place flush on her face, before putting everything together. "Do you know?"
Harry nodded, "I think Ron is a bloody idiot, and I'm sorry I haven't defended you from him in the past. You've deserved better from me."
Hermione blinked before she took a seat on the rock on the other side of Harry speaking quietly, "You don't owe me anything Harry…but thank you just the same."
Harry reached over and grabbed Hermione's hand before he took Luna's as well, "I'd say its time we got on with our lives anyways. It's long past time that we know the difference between what we should do, and we actually do. Are you two coming along for the ride?"
Both girl's eyes softened and they both slid closer to rest their heads on Harry's shoulder, Destiny could go hang itself, it was time to find his own path, and this time it wouldn't have anything to do with a scar.