If Wishes Were Snitches

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Summary: Harry spends a week with his friends before the start of his 6th year. Unexpected feelings emerge, and someone has a secret. OotP spoilers.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created and owned by J.K. Rowling and her publishers and agents. This disclaimer covers all chapters of this work. It's all hers. I'm just playing with it.

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If Wishes Were Snitches
Chapter 1 The Burrow, Almost.

Summer had mellowed into late August and evenings now held a distinct chill. Harry Potter breathed in deeply, savoring the fresh air, glad to be away from the stifling atmosphere at the Dursley's house, glad to be arriving at the Burrow. Well, almost the Burrow he thought ruefully.

Members of the Order had come to collect him after his obligatory summer stay with his retched blood relatives. Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and his cousin Dudley had pretty much ignored him all summer. The first few days Harry had amused himself by walking around the house trying to get a reaction out of them. It was as though he was wearing an invisibility cloak. But, he quickly tired of it and stayed in his room the rest of the time. He had read, lay on his bed and thought, owled his friends, and longed to return to Hogwarts.

The time seemed to crawl by. He was glad to get news from Ron and Hermione about their summer. They had all done well enough on their O.W.L.s. Well, Hermione had done better than well enough but that was to be expected. Ron wrote that Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor, had made him Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Harry had felt a twinge of jealousy but understood the decision and had to be happy for Ron. Harry had missed the end of the last season and really missed flying. He would just be happy to get up into the air again. Happy even to see Peeves, Hogwarts' ill-tempered poltergeist. At least Peeves acknowledged his presence.

And now he would be seeing his friends again. Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, had arranged to bring together Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Neville. They would have a week before school started to visit, and to debrief with the members of the Order of the Phoenix again, now that some time had elapsed since the events at The Ministry of Magic.

Ron, Ginny, and Hermione had spent their summer at Grimmauld Place. Luna and Neville summered with their respective families. Now Professor Dumbledore had enchanted a tent on the grounds of Hogwarts to duplicate the Weasley's beloved Burrow so that they would have the safety of Hogwarts and Members of the Order could do research before the students returned to classes.

Harry had arrived by portkey with Lupin, Tonks, and Moody near the edge of the Forbidden Forrest. The three had arrived to pick up Harry unannounced and the job of packing up Harry's belongings had been accomplished in no time. Harry felt as though he was waking up after an unexpected nap, confused and disoriented. He rubbed at his eyes and looked around. Hagrid's cabin stood dark against the trees. His anxious gaze drew Lupins notice.

"He's visiting Madame Maxime. Don't worry, Harry. He's due back any day now to settle in before term."

Harry nodded and sighed. In the distance Hogwarts loomed. Bright lights twinkled in the towers as dusk deepened and Harry's heart gave a leap. He felt good. He felt like he was home.

They turned and walked toward the Quidditch pitch, and there stood a perfect replication of the gloriously imperfect Burrow. The front door burst open at their approach and Ron and Hermione tumbled out and caught Harry up in a tight hug, all three laughing and talking at once.

Tonks grinned and hooked her arm through Lupins. "Our Boyo looks happy again."

Lupin appeared slightly uncomfortable with the sudden contact but did not pull away. He, too, smiled. He had been very worried about Harry all summer. He was glad to bring him back.

Moody's magical eye roved the scene. "Constant vigilance." He muttered. Lupin and Tonks straightened up and moved forward still smiling.

More people poured out of the doorway, and greetings and conversations flew. Luna sported a S.P.E.W. badge on her blouse, Hermione's influence evident. Neville hung back, smiling, while Harry was caught up in a second round of hugs, and had his back pounded by George and Fred.

Mrs. Weasleys clucked around and hurried them into the doorway."Charlie, Bill, take Harry's things up to Ron's room and then wash up everyone. Supper is ready."

Lupin, Moody and Tonks left but promised to see Harry again soon. Everyone hurried around to prepare for the meal. Molly was clearly thrilled to have such a large gathering for supper.

"I just wish Percy were here . . . "

Ron rolled his eyes and muttered. Harry noticed Hermione's head come up at this while a small smile played on her lips.

Arthur looked over at his wife."There, there, Molly. We'll see him soon. His owl said he just needed to tie up some loose ends but he would join us for part of the week." He ran a weary hand across his eyes. Relations between the father and son were still strained.

The long table needed an extra enchantment to accommodate the crowd. Harry happily sat between Ron and Hermione and looked around at the gathering. The noise of the Weasley' quieting down was deafening. The meal was delicious and everyone seemed to be talking at once. The conversation inevitably turned to Quidditch and flying.

"I can't wait to fly again." Said Harry wistfully.

"We can play a game tomorrow. Use the Quiddditch pitch." Said Ron around bites.

Luna drifted into the conversation. "I spent some time practicing my flying this summer. I came in fourth overall in the Quibblers' Crop Circles of Lincolnshire contest. I did a homage to Ron's great Keeping in his last game. It was a Quidditch hoop pattern, not terribly original but I was pleased with it . . . "she trailed off.

Ron looked annoyed. Crop circles, he thought, was off the subject. "OK . . . So anyway. Let's get a game started early. Bill, will you play?"

"Sure thing. But I don't know about an early start." He pushed back his chair and got up.

"I've got a date tonight with Fleur." He wiggled his eyebrows comically and waved a quick good-bye and was out the door.

As the meal ended Molly and Arthur left the table while the rest sat contented, loath to break the festive mood.

Luna, who hadn't said anything more until now looked up suddenly and said "Fleur? Delacour? The Veela?"

"Uh . . . yes" said Ron, still annoyed with her. This also was not a Quiddditch-related topic.

"Oh, I can do an impression of a Veela."

Before anyone could comment on that Luna had closed her eyes and slowly tilted back her head and silently mouthed a spell. When her head was tilted back enough for her face to be up to the ceiling a low growl emitted from her throat. As her head came back down she took in a deep breath. Ron watched fascinated, his annoyance with her had melted away. She let out her breath through pursed lips which suddenly drew Ron's gaze. His mouth felt dry.

Slowly her eyes opened. She half smiled and quirked one eyebrow. Her hair seemed to move on its own in golden waves. Ron wanted to reach out and put his hands in it. He had never noticed how silvery and mysterious her eyes were. Her skin seemed to shine.

Her hooded gaze swept the room making eye contact with all present. At the loss of eye contact Ron felt bereft. Jealousy swelled as she looked away. He was suddenly aware of his brothers and Harry and Neville and wanted to push them from the room.

Suddenly she dropped her chin to her chest then shook her head and blinked. Her hair fell back to lie in dull blond waves down her back and her eyes looked watery. She laughed suddenly.

"Oh ho! You all look so funny! It's hilarious!" Ron's cheeks burned. Luna, she had looked so, well, sexy.

Harry slowly brought his jaw back up. 'What was that?' he thought.

"That was bloody brilliant!"said Fred, eyes wide.

George just sputtered. Charlie's tea cup clattered to its dish from suddenly nerveless fingers. While Neville blinked and stared.

Ginny and Hermione looked amazed. "How did you . . . "gasped Ginny.

"There was an ad . . . In Daddy's paper . . . 'Be a Veela or look just like one'. I sent away for the spell . . . I've only tried it once before. The only one who got to see it then was the portrait in my bedroom of my great-grandfather Sturgis Lovegood. I had to move the portrait to the hall afterwards. He got so strange . . . He started composing erotic love poems and I couldn't sleep . . . "

Suddenly the door was flung open and six fierce looking wizards and witches burst in wands drawn while two more came in through the kitchen doorway. Lupin was near the front, he quickly located Harry.

"What in the hell is going on?" Asked Lupin.