Harry's eyes widened. "Not, dirigible plums, by any chance?"
"Yeah, that's them," Gwen replied.
"She wouldn't happen to have blonde hair and blue eyes, would she?" Harry asked, hope building in his chest.
"As it happens, she does," Gwen replied and Harry could hear the smile in his voice.
"Luna," Harry breathed.
"You do know her!" Gwen said happily.
"Is she still there?" Harry asked eagerly.
"Yes. I've given her some tea and cake," Gwen reported.
"I'll be right there," Harry replied. "Thanks, Gwen."
As soon as he's put the phone down, Harry spun around, a huge grin on his face.
"Sorry, everyone, I've got to go," he said.
Then, before anyone could reply, Harry spun on the spot and dispparated with a near-silent pop.
ooo00ooo
Harry barely had time to close the door leading to the stairs from his apartment in the main part of the Den and to begin looking around before a lithe body with dirty-blonde hair streaming behind her slammed into him, engulfing him in a hug.
"Hello, Harry Potter," Luna said into his ear.
"Hello, Luna Lovegood," Harry returned, even as his arms tightened around her.
Finally, the two separated and Harry smiled down at one of his oldest friends. Her face had matured somewhat, but she was still the same Luna, radish earrings and all.
"It's great to see you, Luna," he said.
"You as well, Harry," she replied, her large, blue eyes searching his face. "Your wandering has been good for you; you are much more relaxed than I have ever seen you."
"If only I'd taken you up on your offers to come searching for crumple-horned snorkacks, I could have turned out like this much earlier."
"Hmm," she hummed, but there was a note of scepticism in her voice.
Spotting a lone tea cup and the remains of a slice of cake at a nearby table, Harry slipped an arm around Luna's waist and guided her back towards her table.
"How long have you been in New York?" he asked after they were seated. "What do you think of the city?"
"I arrived today," she replied, "so I haven't had a chance to see much yet." Luna leant forwards over the table. "Are there any nargles here?"
Harry's face nearly split into a grin. He'd missed his eccentric friend.
"Not that I know of; at least, I haven't seen any yet," he replied.
"Unsurprising," she said. "After all, they do much prefer colder climates."
"Have you managed to find any of your creatures since I last saw you, Luna?" Harry asked.
Luna's face fell momentarily. "No, they remain as elusive as ever. At least the trips themselves always make up for it. There's so much to see in the world and so many wonderful creatures, even if others discovered them first."
Harry nodded his understanding. "That's what I loved the most about travelling the world – seeing all of the amazing landscapes and creatures and encountering the different cultures of the world, both normal and … special."
Luna's tiny nod told him that she understood what he was saying.
"Speaking of," Harry continued before lightly touching the garland of orange fruit that encircled the menu. "These do not generally like lying around like this."
"You're so silly, Harry," Luna giggled. "I do know the laws, you know. And dirigible plums don't lose their special properties because of the charms that I placed to ensure that they stay grounded."
Harry smiled and reached across to pat Luna on the arm. "Glad to hear it; wouldn't want to be infested with wrackspurts now, would I?"
"It's always best to be careful," Luna agreed. "Not that I've seen any around here; your travels, or perhaps something here has completely removed the ones that used to like living in your hair."
"How long can you stay?" he asked, changing the topic.
"Not long, I'm afraid," Luna replied. "I'm supposed to be on my way home after my latest expedition in Canada to write an article for the Quibbler. But being so close, I couldn't resist at least stopping in for a few days to say 'hello'."
"I'm glad you did, Luna; I've missed you," Harry said. "You'll stay with me, of course."
"Are you sure that you have the room, Harry? I wouldn't want to impose," she replied.
"You could never do that," Harry assured her. "And I've got the room. Well, at least, you can have my bed and I'll sleep on the couch – I've sort of rented out my spare room."
"Yes, Hermione told me of the girl that you found and decided to help. She sounded most exasperated, you know," Luna told him conspirically. "Hermione is intent on eventually convincing you to move back to England and your side projects seem to be getting in the way of her plans."
Harry couldn't help but grin while shaking his head at the same time.
"Hermione knows how I feel about the idea of even visiting England, let alone moving there," he said.
"I know, but she has always been one to cling to her hopes and dreams, no matter how remote they are of coming true. Usually it's quite an admirable trait, but there are times when it is quite vexing."
"Come on, I'll show you up to my apartment and then you can tell me more about your trips without the wrong ears hearing what they shouldn't," Harry said.
"As long as you tell me about your adventures in return," she replied.
"Deal," Harry said as they both rose from the table.