The Lion and the Eagle {Huna}

Chapter 9

Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in Ron and Hermione's small flat in London, talking about nothing in particular. Harry was going to Fleur's the next day so he had declined Ron's offer of as much firewiskey as they could keep down, which satisfied Hermione.

"Have you found another girl yet Harry?" Ron asked, grinning at his friend.

Hermione frowned at her boyfriend, "Ron! That's personal." She said before turning to Harry, "Have you?"

Harry laughed awkwardly and attempted to change the subject, "How's Ginny? I haven't seen her in a while."

Ron turned round eyes to Hermione, "He has." He gasped, dramatically.

Hermione grinned broadly as Harry valiantly attempted to avoid the onslaught of questions that came his way. The couple continued to ask who the girl was, if they knew her, when it had begun, who he had told and how serious the relationship was.

Harry honestly didn't really know whether he wanted his best friends to know who he had feelings for, Hermione would be supportive but Ron was sometimes a bit judgmental. SO instead, he decided to have some fun of his own. "Her name is Alleah," He said and Hermione and Ron immediately sat up straight. "She is a muggle Canadian ice skater who has no knowledge of the wizarding world."

Ron blinked, "Really?" He asked, "You had to get involved with a muggle, I mean, come on! IT would have been much simpler to have a witch for a girlfriend."

Harry shrugged, grinning at his lie. The smile slid away from his face as he saw Hermione smirking at him, "What?" He asked innocently.

"I'll find who it really is," She said, lifting her chin, "Just you wait."

Harry couldn't help grin, good old Hermione. She'd always known when Harry was lying or not telling the whole truth.

Ron stood up, "Must pee," He announced before walking out.

"Thanks for the information!" Hermione called after him, rolling her eyes. Then she placed her elbows on the table and focused Harry with a beady stare, "I know you didn't want to say it in front of Ron, but you know I won't judge."

Harry glanced at the door Ron had left through, "Alright," He said grudgingly. "It isn't serious and I haven't even really talked to her about it but I know she likes me because we held hands in Hogsmeade the other day and-"

"Harry," Hermione interrupted,

"Right, yep." Harry said, understanding. "Its... It's Luna."

Hermione leant back, nodding slowly. "Luna... huh."

"Should I tell Ron?" Harry asked and Hermione held up her hands.

"Not my decision to make," She said, "But he is your best friend."

"What did I miss?" Ron asked, re-entering the room.

Harry stood up, holding his wand in his hand. "I've gotta tell you something mate,"

"What?" Ron asked, sitting back down.

"I like Luna and she likes me! Cya!" He said before disapparating from the room.

Hermione began to laugh as Ron looked around in bewilderment, "Luna? And Harry?"

Hermione nodded, "Apparently," She looked amused at her boyfriend confusion.

Ron rumpled his hair, staring at the table before finally muttering: "I need more firewhiskey."

**************

"'Arry!" Fleur exclaimed, rushing out of shell cottage. It was the day after Harry had told Hermione and Ron he had feelings for Luna and his exit still brought a grin to his face.

"Fleur!" He said, hugging his friend.

"It is so good to see you," She said in her heavy accent before kissing him on both cheeks. "Come inside, Gabrielle should be 'ere soon."

Fleur ushered him into Shell Cottage. "Harry!" Bill said, shaking Harry's hand. "How have you been?"

"Good thanks, Bill," Harry said, smiling at the man. "You?"

"Brilliant," Bill announced. "Should I get Victoire?" He asked his wife as the high cries of a todler came from the next room.

"I will," Fleur said, "You were just with 'er."

Fleur left and a few seconds later returned holding her two-year-old daughter. "Do you want to 'old 'er, 'arry?" Fleur asked.

Harry smiled and took Victoire, "How old is she now?"

"Seventeen months," She said, smiling at the toddler. Victoire had been born exactly two years after the battle of Hogwarts which had occurred almost three years previously.

Harry placed the blonde haired baby on his knee and grinned as she grinned up at him, "How old is your sister now?"

Before Fleur could answer, the door opened and a pretty teenager walked through the door. "Fifteen." Said the girl in a thick French accent as she lifted her chin dramatically.

Gabrielle Delecour had grown considerably since Harry had last seen her at Fleur's wedding several years before. Her white blonde hair was braided into a thick plait over her shoulder and she had grown tall and willowy.

"Gabrielle!" Fleur exclaimed, hugging her sister in delight before beginning to speak rapid French. Harry stood up, picking Victoire up and placing her on his hip trying to ignore as she reached up and began to tug on his wild hair.

Eventually, the sisters stopped talking in French and Fleur introduced Gabrielle to Harry. "I know you've met before but Harry this is Gabrielle, Gabrielle this is Harry Potter."

Gabrielle smiled showing straight white teeth, "It is a pleasure to meet you." The teenager said slowly, taking care to get her sentences right.

Harry smiled pleasantly, "The pleasure is all mine," He said politely as he handed Victoire to her father.

"Would you like something to drink?" Bill asked, gently bouncing Victoire up and down making her laugh sweetly.

"Water, please." Gabrielle said, smiling sweetly at her brother in law.

Bill turned to Harry, raising an eyebrow quizzically, "I'll have water too, thanks."

Bill nodded and left to the kitchen, returning a minute later with two ice-cold glasses of water. Harry and Gabrielle thanked him and then Fleur and Bill left the pair to talk.

"You've grown up a lot since I last saw you," Harry said, smiling at Gabrielle.

"Thank you," She said, then hesitated. "You speak French?" She asked, hopefully, but her face fell when Harry shook his head.

"Sorry," He said, but she waved his apology away.

"It is good... um..." Gabriell searched for the right word, "Practice,"

Harry smiled, "That's the spirit," he joked and Gabrielle beamed.