Chapter 326 - Far Away (1/2)

”Happy Birthday, Harry,” said Luna Lovegood brightly, as she squeezed herself into the kitchen.

”Thanks, Luna,” Harry smiled as Luna presented him a small box.

”Happy Birthday, Harry,” said Colin Creevy looking excited as usual.

”Hey, thanks, Colin.”

The Burrow was too crowded. The Weasleys, Fleur's family, Remus, Tonks, Sirius, Aurelia, Hermione all were gathered in the kitchen as Harry opened his birthday presents.

Luna Lovegood and Colin Creevy, Ginny Weasley's best friends just arrived to greet them. Luna's dirty blonde hair, pale eyebrows, reddish earrings, butterbeer cork necklace and the dreamy look in her eyes always made her stand out in the crowd. No matter what the others thought about her, her friends simply loved her the way she was.

On the other hand, because of his photography and Quidditch performance, Colin was quite popular. Colin wasn't very tall, the same height as Ginny, he had mousy hair and an all-time smile fixed on his face.

”Colin, I didn't think you will make it,” Hermione said surprised as she gave a hug to Colin after hugging Luna.

”Yeah, I did not either,” Colin said nervously looking sideways at Mrs Weasley.

”I thought your parents were ~” Harry began but Ginny cut him off.

”Colin, Luna, let's go to my room. It's getting crowded here,” said Ginny and without waiting for an answer she dragged both of them to her room.

As soon as they reach Ginny's room on the first floor, Ginny closed the door and sighed.

”You didn't tell them, did you?” Colin asked. His smile was gone.

”No, I did not,” snapped Ginny. ”You think they will be happy to hear it? I don't think so. In fact, they will give me a speech about how they are older and smarter and stuff. How they have an actual goal, unlike us.”

”You know they will be kind of right if they say that,” said Luna scratching Heavenleigh, Ginny's cute white cat, who curled up on Luna's lap as she sat on the bed.

”So you think our goal is not important?” Ginny grumbled.

”Ginny, calm down, will you?” Colin said. ”Luna didn't mean it like that. She meant there is a difference between us and Harry, Ron and Hermione. They will be looking for Horcruxes but we - we will be going for our friend who is out there doing . . . stuff.”

”Right, and we have to do it because she decided to abandon us without telling us where she was going or why?” Ginny said crossing her arms.

”She didn't abandon us, Ginny,” said Luna surprised. ”And I believe she had a good reason for not telling us. I just hope she is safe.”

”She will be Luna, we know her,” Colin said putting an arm around Luna.

”So am I the only one who wants to go and find her?” Ginny said narrowing her eyes.

Colin sighed.

”No, Ginny, we are coming. We have already discussed this many times. We also care about Chris and we will not run away and save ourselves while she is working against them outside. . . alone. That's why I am here, remember? I have removed my parents and Dennis' memory and had convinced Cedric to send them away in a safe place for this, you know that. So even if I die in this, they wouldn't remember that they had another son in the first place.”

”I'm sorry,” Ginny mumbled looking down.

Colin rubbed his face looking sad. Luna squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.

”I have also asked my father to go into hiding if I disappear. We all are worried, Ginny, but we shouldn't be harsh to each other for that. We are friends,” she said.

”Yeah,” Ginny dropped on Hermione makeshift bed. ”Sorry. I am just -”

”It's fine,” Colin gave a sad smile. ”Now, can we talk about our plan?”