She should have owled first, to see if he was busy. She had started to half a dozen times and just couldn't. So, instead, she packed a picnic lunch of sandwiches, crisps, and butterbeer and was skulking through the Ministry as if she expected someone to jump out and stop her.

At least she felt pretty. She was wearing a blue dress with a flowy skirt. Flowy skirts always made her feel pretty and feminine. She had pinned a few buds from the flowers she had received in her hair. Gin suggested that Harry was the anonymous sender of the fragrant blooms. Luna had countered that Ginny was behind them and deliberately making her think it was Harry. Ever since the red head had found out Luna's feelings for her ex, she had done several things to encourage Luna. Not that it had really helped. Instead of feeling confident, she felt pressured. As if when the inevitable happened and she found out that Harry didn't fancy her, it would be all her fault.

She stopped outside the door to Harry's office and took a deep, calming breath. Miss Carfax was not at her desk, so she bucked up her courage and opened the door.

Only to find that Harry was not there.

Harry had his head buried in a file. He'd had to verify a date with one of the trainees, because Peakes, for some reason, kept forgetting what month is was. He was fairly certain Peakes hadn't filed this report in June, as it was only April. Unless he had a time-turner, which Harry highly doubted. Lorelai had gone to lunch right as he had left for the Auror area.

He walked through the open door, the file snapping shut as he took in what, who, was standing in front of him. He knew he should announce that he was there, but he found that he didn't mind just being able to look at her for a few minutes.

Luna stood uncertainly in the middle of his office. This was something she had honestly not expected. To be turned away because he was busy, that she had considered. Should she leave the basket with a note? Probably not, not with what had happened to Gin. No reason to cause a panic by leaving a suspicious package. The Muggles panicked in all those fighting movies Seamus had liked. And while she was sure that Harry would react differently, it was best not to risk it.

She also figured that she shouldn't just wait for him. Not in his private office, at least. She would sit at Miss Carfax's desk instead, and leave the basket with the secretary if she came back before Harry. Or just leave altogether.

She turned to do just that when she noticed someone standing in the doorway. With a startled squeak she dropped the basket and pulled her wand from behind her ear, realizing even as the basket hit the floor and one of the butterbeers erupted from the impact that it was Harry. Great she thought, ducking her head in embarrassment and grimacing at the sticky liquid that coated her ankles and feet. Not only did I just make a laughing stock of myself, but I ruined my favorite shoes as well.

"'Lo, Harry," she said, finally, trying to regain some dignity as she looked up again.

He'd winced when the basket she'd been holding fell, the butterbeer slowly spreading on the carpet. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." He pulled his wand from the holster up his sleeve and pointed it at the basket, banishing the broken bottle and liquid to the rubbish bin before bending and grabbing it. He hadn't been afraid she'd hex him. She was quick, but she'd always made sure her target wasn't an ally. He remembered her getting good at it, during fifth year.

"I'll buy you new shoes, if those are ruined."

"No worries," she said, casting a cleaning charm on her legs and the floor. Most of the butterbeer came out of the carpet, but she had a feeling a more specialized charm was needed. "The heels were getting worn down anyway and I needed to replace them. I brought lunch," she said, feeling foolish because the basket obviously contained food. Luckily she had put the sandwiches in those funny Muggle zipper bags, so they should still be good. "Do you have time to eat today?"

I'll make time. "Of course. I've been trying to eat every day like you told me to." That was a lie, but he wasn't going to have her worrying again. "How was your trip," he asked, motioning to the two chairs that sat before his desk.

"It was fine," she said as she settled into a chair. Feeling more like she was on solid ground, she took a moment to study him. He looked tired. Even more so than the few times she had seen him that last year of the war, when he was on the run. "I'm surprised you haven't gotten a report about it yet, honestly. James MacEvoy was hiding the fact that he had a Dementor missing. Or do you suppose that would go to the Creatures department first? We found him, though, and figured out how they were getting off the island. Do you think they'll let Bob off, now that they know he's different? He needs to be around for Biddie and the baby." She was sure there was no need to tell him that Mr. Barker had already promised to covertly sneak Bob through the new ward on the tunnel if the Ministry didn't allow the Dementor some freedom.

"Where's Hermione's desk?"

The grin that had been on Harry's face slowly fell. He looked down at the sandwich in his hands before shaking his head. "I'm sure we can get someone to sign off on Bob getting special treatment. It's a special case. I know a few people in the Creatures department, I'll see what I can do. I'm glad my friend was able to help."

Right, no mentioning Hermione. He wasn't smiling anymore. He'd been grinning right up until she had mentioned Hermione. She knew nothing had happened to the other woman. That would have made headlines or Gin would have made sure she knew. So it must be something personal. Maybe they'd had a falling out?

"He was, yes. Thank you for putting me in touch with him." She'd only brought two butterbeers, and one was a complete loss. With a mental shrug she opened the remaining bottle and took a drink before setting it on the desk and sliding it towards him. "How's Dobby? And Justin? You said he was living with you now, right?"

Harry nodded. "I'm pretty sure he still lives there. Haven't really seen him in a while, but he is an Unspeakable. They tend to become invisible if you're not looking for them." He took a bite of the sandwich, humming in appreciation. "This is really good, Luna." He swallowed quickly, "Dobby's fine. He's been visiting Hannah at the bakery and coming home with new biscuit flavors."

Luna felt her face heat at the compliment. The sandwiches were simple club sandwiches, but his appreciation for the food warmed her. "I feel the same way about Gin sometimes. We never seem to see each other any more and when we do she's too tired to talk or dashing through to grab a change of clothes." This felt awkward. It shouldn't. Two friends, having lunch. That was all.

He grimaced, his mind working through where she was probably staying most nights. Yes, he'd been mostly civil to Malfoy the last time they'd met, but the man was an arse who Harry would never like, and the thought of Ginny actually liking him was unfathomable. "I think Justin's just more sneaky. He's extremely neat. I think I heard Dobby muttering about how Justin told him he wasn't supposed to clean his room because it was always clean. Dobby takes cleaning very seriously." Harry looked up at her with a smile, her cheeks a little flushed.

He opened his mouth to say something, not sure what it was going to be but knowing that it'd be embarrassing. Bringing the sandwich up and taking a bite stopped the issue. If he was chewing, he wouldn't say anything embarrassing like how he loved it when she wore blue, or how her hair was extra shiny today.

She had to smile as she heard about Dobby's cleaning sensibilities, even as she hoped that he wouldn't notice her red cheeks. She could just imagine Dobby running around, grousing about how Mr. Justin wouldn't let Dobby do his job and wasn't he a good house elf? She and Dobby had gotten to be great friends on those days when she was stuck waiting for Gin to finish getting ready. Dobby'd seemed to enjoy entertaining her and had often complained about having nothing to do.

"You should throw a dinner party." She realized that the segue would make no sense to him, unless he'd managed to get two Lithuanian earworms, which was unlikely since they were very rare and she'd think she'd remember a foot-long worm crawling into her ear. Plus, she didn't think Harry was the type to listen in on private thoughts. She blushed bright red as she remembered the thoughts she'd been having lately. No, est not to think about that at all.

She took a sip of butterbeer and hoped it cooled her face. "Dobby always complained about not having enough to do. You should throw a party of some type so that he feels loved. It wouldn't have to be anything fancy. If you had one of those DeeVeeDee machines you could host a movie night and let him provide the snacks."

"Or I could just have someone over for dinner. It really doesn't take much to make Dobby happy. It wouldn't matter if it was three people, or one person, cooking for anyone would make him happy." He grabbed the butterbeer when she set it on the desk, pulling back when he accidentally brushed her fingers with his own.

He cleared his throat before eating the last bite of sandwich, looking to the left and avoiding her eyes. Great.

"You could," she agreed, wondering if he had someone in mind. He probably did. Someone female and lovely who had caught his fancy. Someone in the department, maybe? Oh, why was she doing this again?

Her stomach developed a ball of tension and she knew she couldn't eat another bite. The very thought of Harry having a perfectly innocent dinner with someone made her feel sick. She had to stop that. She liked him, she had admitted it, but she had no hold over him.

She handed over the remains of her sandwich, pleased that he took it and continued eating. She could at least be a good friend and make sure he ate enough.

"Maybe Ron?" She asked, hoping he'd agree to that and not mention any feminine names.

"He's too busy. I barely see him as it is, and we usually drink a bit too much when we get together lately," he said, remembering waking up on the stairs the last time he'd seen Ron. "I was thinking since you suggested it that you should be the one to suffer through."

She ducked her head to hide her smile. It was obviously just a friendly offer, but the fact that he had suggested that she be the one to share dinner with him warmed her.

"Dobby's cooking has never made anyone suffer, as you well know," she said when she gained control of her cheek muscles. She was still smiling, but now she didn't look like a loon. She hoped. "But I'd be glad to 'suffer' through his attentions. How about Saturday?"

Harry's face lit up. He was having dinner with Luna, alone, on Saturday. Saturday. Saturday. His face fell. "I can't on Saturday."

"Oh." She wasn't disappointed. She wasn't. So he had a previous commitment. It happened. "What day are you free, then?"

"Maybe one night next week? I'm free any night but Saturday. Even Sunday, really. Any day." Breathe, Potter, breathe. "So, whenever's good for you, I suppose."

"How about Monday night, then? That should give Dobby plenty of time to plan. Should I make a formal request that he not go overboard?" She didn't think she could handle candle light and romantic foods. Not without melting into a puddle of goo.

"If you think I can tell Dobby not to go overboard, and he'll listen, then you haven't been around Dobby enough." He grabbed the butterbeer and finished it. "Monday sounds good to me. I'll let him know."

"OK. It's a--" Not a date. "Plan. It's a plan. What time should I pop by and would it terribly offend Dobby if I brought something? It would, wouldn't it? I read somewhere that you should always bring a present for the host or hostess, even if it's just something to contribute to the meal. Maybe flowers? To brighten up the place?" Please, Rowena, let him not notice the nervous babbling.

"Anything you bring will make him a little annoying. Ecstatic, and annoying. I think you might be able to hear the squeal from Orchard's Gate." He brushed his hands before standing. "Thanks for the lunch. I haven't-" No, don't tell her this is your first meal since Sunday night. "Had a meal that good in a long time."

He was lying. It was only sandwiches and he had Dobby cooking for him. Why would he lie? "Well, I'm glad," she said. Calling him on the lie would do no good, she knew. Had he been eating at all?

She stood and awkwardly gathered up the rubbish, shoving it into the basket to be disposed of later. Should she thank him for having lunch with her? No, that was stupid.

"I'll see you Monday, then?"

He smiled "Definitely. Thanks for lunch, Luna. You've been the best company I've had in a long time."

She smiled in return and resisted the urge to hold the basket to her chest. "I'll see myself out, then, and let you get back to work." She stood still a moment longer, waiting for something that she knew was not coming. This wasn't a date and he wasn't going to kiss her. If she wanted more contact, then she'd have to take the initiative.

As she started to walk past him, she stopped and took a deep breath before reaching up and placing a quick kiss on his cheek. "Um... Monday. See you Monday," she said and dashed the few remaining feet to the door. She didn't breathe until she was through the portal and halfway down the hall.

Harry knew he was smiling stupidly. He chose not to be a girl and bring a hand up to touch his cheek where she'd kissed him, instead nodding with a stupid grin on his face before taking a seat behind his desk. He was having dinner with Luna on Monday, and he didn't care if she didn't like him the same way he liked her, as long as he got to look at her and enjoy her company.


[Summary: Luna surprises Harry with lunch and they arrange to have dinner in order to give Dobby something to do. Yeah, right.]