It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 12

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Kreacher looked up at Emma, tears in his eyes.  "Is Kreacher really fighting at Hogwarts, Miss?  Be this the truth?  For my Master Regulus?"

"Indeed you do, Kreacher, except, now we're trying to avoid a big battle and save some lives, but we are still going to help you to avenge your master Regulus," Emma assured him.

"Then Kreacher is proud to serve Master Harry and his friends," replied the old Elf, bowing to the assembled group.

"Blimey!" was all that Sirius could think to say, which earned him a smile from Remus.

"House-Elf got your tongue, Black?" sneered Severus.  However, when Sirius swung around to give a retort, he was greeted with a genuine smile from his old foe.  "Oh, this is priceless . . . I should have a camera, to save this moment for posterity," chuckled Snape.

Sirius eyes opened even wider when he realized Severus was actually laughing at the situation, and not him.  Remus snickered, clapped Sirius on the back and then the three old foes dissolved into laughter.

"We're making progress,"  Hermione whispered to Emma, who smiled and nodded.

 * * * *

'Pop'

"Hey guys!" Neville smiled at the assembled crowd, looking around.

"Hey Neville!" chorused the Hogwarts students.

"Hello everyone."  Luna turned and looked at the doubles of her friends.  "You must be the reason we're here."

"Blimey!" Neville exclaimed, as Dan and Harry approached.

"Neville, Luna, I'd like to introduce Dan Radcliffe.   He's a Muggle actor who plays me in the movies the Muggles are going to make about my time at Hogwarts."

Neville stood there, properly gob smacked, but extended his hand to Dan.

"Hello, Neville.  Did you get your new wand today?"

"Ah, yeah . . .  how?"

"Dan suggested I give your Gran a hint to get you a new wand, Neville," Harry explained.

"You're a good wizard, Neville, but with your own wand, you'll be a great wizard!" Dan grinned at Neville, who looked slightly confused, but then smiled. 

"It does feel better than Dad's, so maybe I'll get better with my spell work." 

"That's the ticket!"  Harry patted Neville on the shoulder, laughing.

Luna had walked over to where Emma and Tom were standing,  looking at them, tilting her head.

"Hello, Luna. I'm Emma and this is Tom,"  Emma introduced herself, extending her hand.

"You look almost identical to Hermione and Draco, except for your hair, of course.  Did you change that when you pretended to be them?"

"Yes; mine used to be long like Hermione's and Tom's was dyed blond."

"Do I have someone being me?"  Luna asked.

Tom nodded his head. "Indeed you do; lovely girl named Evanna Lynch."

"I like that name.  Did she have to change her appearance?"  Luna wondered.

"No, she was a natural . . . she got the part out of over 15,000 girls who wanted to be you . . . she was just . . . you!"  Emma laughed. 

"Why isn't she here?"

"Good question," Tom admitted.  "She would probably have come, but she's working on another film and couldn't join us . . . and Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville, was out of town, too, unfortunately."