A/N: As requested, the second chapter. Thank-you for the reviews; they really do make me realise its worth continuing this fic. Sorry for any grammar errors as it has not yet been beta-read. I'm still writing the third chapter, but shouldn't be long before it's finished. Enjoy…

Chapter Two – Existent After All

It wasn't till later that night that Ron managed to look at the Pensieve again. The feast had been rather gloomy, with none of Dumbledore's jolly words. Even the Sorting Hat hadn't sung normally. In fact it had started off with, 'Dear Albus and your raspberry jam…'

Professor McGongall had soon got the hat singing its proper song though. She had tried, poor McGongall. She had even added a half-hearted 'Pip Pip' at the end of the evening, but it wasn't the same as when Dumbledore said those very same words.

Still, once they were all back with their friends in the common-room things started to cheer up. Hermione had gone straight to bed, without even glancing at Ron and of course Harry wasn't there but it had been fun all the same.

Himself, Seamus, Dean and Neville were planning a wizard's chess tournament for next weekend, to be held in the Great Hall if they got McGongall's permission. Ron was feeling quite confident about the tournament; wizard's chess was something he had talent in.

After swapping summer stories, and eating a large number of sweets, the other three boys drifted off to sleep. Ron lay awake, staring at Harry's empty bed through the gap in his four-poster curtains.

It was then, that Ron remembered the Pensieve he had found in Luna's trunk. With the events so far that evening, the little basin and letter had been forgotten.

Slowly Ron swung his legs over the side of the bed, and with a yawn stood up. After checking the others were asleep, (snoring like pigs, although Neville looked a bit too peaceful) he opened his trunk and took out the Pensieve. Ron shoved his trunk under his bed again, and placed the stone basin onto the four-poster, pulling the curtains round it back, too let in the moon-light.

Casting another furtive look round the quiet dormitory, he picked his wand up from where it had fallen on the floor, and prodded the silvery substance with it. The silver stuff swirled round the bowl a bit, and then went still again. Nothing happened. With a last hesitant glance at a sleeping Seamus in the bed next too him, Ron bent his head, remembering what Harry had told him about going into a Pensieve. He took a long breath, and plunged his head into the basin.

Suddenly, Ron found himself falling through darkness, soaring weightlessly like a bird. Then he found himself lying haphazardly on the ground. He stood up and took a look around his new surroundings.

He appeared to be in a cave of some sort. A small group of odd looking wizards were huddled in one corner, one of them stood out in particular. He had round, unusually proturbent eyes and not long, not short sandy coloured hair. He wore a brown robe, with stars and moons sewn on it, cut out of bright yellow material.

A woman clutched onto his arm. Her face was hidden behind a curtain of pale blonde hair, but Ron immediately guessed who the couple were. Who else would have those abnormally large eyes, if not Luna's father?

"Err hi…" Ron said awkwardly. Nobody looked at him; they just continued talking quietly amongst themselves.

"I said hi!" Ron repeated loudly, taking a step forward. Nothing. They were acting as though he wasn't even there! Well he wasn't going to be ignored, if only he had his wand - but then Ron remembered what Harry had said, one night after going into Dumbledore's Pensieve, the previous year.

"Being in the memories is a bit weird. It's like watching a film, but it's real. Nobody acknowledges that you're there; in fact they don't know you are. You just have too watch and listen. Well at least you can move around and stuff; you can't do that in a cinema!"

Ron remembered asking what a cinema was, and feeling jealous of Harry as he and Hermione exchanged looks.

It looked like he was going to have too do as Harry said; watch and listen. So he did.

A short wizard in lilac robes, was muttering something nervously, pointing his wand at the cave entrance every so often.

Another wizard clutching a scrawny cat in his arms was attempting to speak to the presumed Mr. Lovegood.

"Albert, this really can't go on! We've told you again and again, there is no Snorkack!" he said frustratedly and the few other wizards nodded in agreement, muttering under their breaths as they did so.

Albert sighed, "And as I keep telling you Marmaduke, there is a Crumple Horned Snorkack! You've just got to wait a bit longer…Rufus did you put it out?"

Another wizard looked up, and Ron faintly recognized him, although he couldn't quite place him to a name.

"Lovegood, three pieces of Rosmerta's best bread, spread with honey and coconut gratings are lying outside this cave and have been for two days. Snorkacks do not exist and I advise you to forget them. Take your girlfriend down to Mimbulus Village, have a look at some of the existing creatures there, but don't waste anymore time on this," he wizard said, in a firm, dry voice. He checked his heavy golden watch, glinting in the sun which poured through the cave entrance. "If we leave now, then we should get back before midnight."

So I was right; he is Luna's dad…Ron thought, feeling rather pleased with himself. But what's going on? Something to do with that Kacky Snorgle thing Luna's always talking about…

A look of dismay crossed Mr. Lovegood's face. The woman on his arm, however, appeared to be rather glad of this.

"Scrimgeour, I know you vampires aren't quite accustomed to-"

"How many times do I have to tell you? I am not, and never will be a vampire!"

Scrimgeour? The minister of magic was looking for a Kacky Snorgle? They never mentioned that in The Daily Prophet, Ron thought, although he was finding it hard to accept that the wizard standing before him really was Rufus Scrimgeour.

The short wizard let out a nervous giggle, and said, "Really Albert, we do need to get back. My brother Filius is going for a job interview at Hogwarts today, and if all goes well, we're going to be holding a celebration dinner." He gave another nervous laugh. "You're all welcome to come of course!"

Filius? Wasn't that Professor Flitwick's first name? Flitwick's brother was looking for this creature too?

Scrimgeour eyed him dis-tastefully, as if he wasn't sure whether the man was joking or not. "Thank-you for the invitation, but I have more important things to do – like getting the next issue of The Weekly Jam-Jar ready for publication."

Flitwick's brother nodded, "Of course sir, silly of me to think…" he trailed off, looking rather embarrassed.

The wizard named Marmaduke, rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Might come along….get a free meal…few drinks…" he muttered, smiling to himself

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you all, but I will be staying behind. The Crumple Horned Snorkack will show itself sooner or later, you mark my words! A full report will be on your desk by Monday, Rufus," Albert said, and beamed at the woman next to him. She smiled back, but Ron could tell she was faking it.

Scrimgeour laughed, "That is something I would like to see! Very well Lovegood, I shall be watching my desk like a hawk." He picked up a few bags lying on the cave floor and handed them to his companions. "I trust you won't be needing any provisions?"

"Oh no, we're fine – we can always share the Snorkack's bread if we get hungry!" Luna's father replied cheerfully.

His girlfriend looked disgusted, and Marmaduke leant over to whisper in Mr. Lovegood's ear.

"Careful how you treat that one Albert, she's a pretty thing. Who knows, you could have mini Lovegood's running around in no time!"

Albert turned slightly pink, but tried to appear unfazed.

Well he does have a mini-loon now, doesn't he? Her mum's rather quiet, wonder if she's mental or something…Luna never mentions her…

Scrimgeour clicked his tongue irritatingly.

"Well we must be off, see you soon if the Snorkack doesn't eat you!" he said, smiling, apparently amused at his feeble attempt at a joke.

The short wizard gave another nervous laugh and brushed the dust off his lilac robes.

Marmaduke slapped Mr. Lovegood on the back in a friendly way.

"Pop round to Flit's place later, if you're back in time!" he said, hoisting a bag onto his back. "See you Miss -" he didn't finish the sentence, after stabbing his food on a sharp stone. Grumpily, he walked out of the cave. The other wizards followed him. Ron thought about going after them, but decided not to.

Mr. Lovegood smiled broadly at the woman. She pushed her long blonde hair out of her face, to reveal baby blue eyes.

"I'm sorry about the wait, but the Snorkack will come out soon! I know it!" Albert said, his large eyes expressing how excited he was.

The women merely nodded, looking bored and rather sick. Or worried, it was hard to tell which. Her face was white but then so were her hands, so perhaps it was just her normal skin-tone.

Ron suddenly became aware of the silence and noticed both pair of eyes directed at the cave entrance. He followed their gaze.

In the rather wide entrance to the cave, a strange creature stood. It looked like it was made out of coloured dough. And it did indeed have a crumpled horn, like the horn of a unicorn, but not at all straight and coloured bright pink. In fact, if it wasn't for the large ominous green teeth, it would have been rather comical.

There was a gasp from the blonde woman and she tightened her grip on Mr. Lovegood's arm. His eyes were bulging more than before and he was beaming proudly.

"Well, well Rufus, would you look at this!" he murmured softly and took a few steps forward. The ghostly white woman stayed in the corner.

The Crumple Horned Snorkack (for what else could it be?) – or Kacky Snorgle as Ron liked to think, bared its green teeth and gave a menacing growl. Its paws moved forward, advancing on Mr. Lovegood.

"Mr. Snorkack, my pleasure to meet you…" Albert said slowly. The Snorkack let out another low growl. Mr. Lovegood fumbled in his robe pocket and brought out a scrap of parchment and quill. He hurriedly scribbled something down, then without looking at her, passed them to his companion. She took them in her shaking hand and Mr. Lovegood brought out a camera. He raised it up, but before he could even adjust the settings let alone press the button, it was gone. He blinked. The Snorkack grinned back at him and licked its lips.

"Wow! Did you see that? He ate the camera! Maybe they aren't so fond of bread and -" Mr. Lovegood stopped abruptly. "No, he must have eaten it that's definitely honey on his chin!"

He stretched out an arm and patted the Snorkack on the back. The creature purred like a delighted cat.

"Well I never! It's a shame about the camera, but I can always draw him...or perhaps…" he smiled. "Perhaps, we could take him back with us! Just for proof…unless…you don't think he would like my house do you dear?"

The woman finally spoke, "No Albert, I think we had better leave him here," and it was then, that Ron realised whom that voice belonged too.