When they made it to the back door and inside, Luna was gasping for breath and looked ready to collapse. Though the distance between where they were and the house was not more than about a half mile, while it did not do much to him but leaving him breathing a little heavy, he knew Luna had used all her immediate energy to cover the distance as fast as she could.
"Stay standing, Luna," he warned her. "Slowly walk around a bit. Dawdling, if you need to. Deep, filling breaths."
With only a nod back, she did exactly that for about fifteen seconds until she recovered some of her breathing.
Finally, though still breathing a little heavily, she said, "We're about to be... visited... by some Death Eaters..."
Harry was instantly on alert and drew his wand. "Lucius Malfoy... and two... others," she explained. "They're... not here... to attack us. Malfoy... has a message... to give you."
Frowning in confusion, Harry was a moment before he asked, "How do they know I'm― Wait! At The Griffon's Claw. Someone followed us in and heard either of us call the floo destination."
"Yes," she huffed, still slowly walking. "Tom Riddle has sent... Malfoy to give you... an invitation to meet... with him."
"To meet?" asked a now thoroughly confused Harry.
"He wants to meet... Lord Peverell," she clarified.
Surprised, Harry was a moment in deep thought before he asked, "Should I go?"
Luna smirked back and, still breathing heavily, replied, "Yes; you should. This is both a nexus in time... and a serendipitous event. I did not See this coming... It can be used to... hasten things.
"This is what you need to do..."
Luna had only just finished briefing Harry on what was about to happen and what he could do to use it when she suddenly stiffened, startled. And looked away for a moment.
"They're here," she said and focused back on Harry. "Malfoy has politely used the Ward Knock charm."
Harry nodded and said, "I guess I should go out and see what they want."
"I'll watch from the window," she said. "Give me the signal if it's all okay."
He nodded and then took Luna into his arms for a hug. The signal was a 'V for victory' gesture out of sight of Malfoy and whoever was with him. They'd stood that way for a long few seconds before Luna suddenly stiffened again.
Pulling back, she said, "He just knocked again. A little more firmly, this time."
With a sigh he said, "Impatient bastard... Wish me luck?"
"You don't need it," she returned. "However, if it makes you feel better..." Then she leaned in and quickly kissed him.
After a moment he was able to return it.
Then he backed off, braced himself up and firmly stated, "Time to do this!"
Walking over to the front door he opened it and walked out.
Standing only an approximate hundred feet away from him and on the other side of a low gate, he saw Malfoy and two other Death Eaters just standing there; with Malfoy in the lead and the other two standing back about five feet and forming a triangle with him.
With a snort at how easy he'd be able to take them out with how close they were standing to one another Harry pulled the door shut, stepped down off the half dozen steps of the small front uncovered porch and walked towards them.
After seeing him and bracing themselves up a bit, the three Death Eaters simply waited for him to approach.
'It's not as if they can do anything else, really,' thought Harry, walking up the path towards them. 'The wards would fry them if they tried to enter; and they have to know that, considering their previous attempts to get in.'
The last time the Death Eaters had attacked the Lovegood property they lost almost half a dozen of their number in the attempt and still didn't get in. Stopping well inside the wards, but close enough to be heard if they raised their voices just a little, Harry said, "Well, well. Mister Malfoy and... friends. To what do I owe this unexpected... honour?"
Knowing he'd just been politely insulted, Malfoy slightly stiffened for the moment, but held his tongue. Only the bare slight beetling of the brow and quiver of the corner of his lip of a supressed sneer gave away his anger.
Once he took a moment to get it under control, he said, "I come at the urging of my Lord. He invites you to attend him, so he may discuss matters with you he believes would be of importance to you both."
Harry just slightly smirked back and said, "That does not sound like his usual modus operandi. Evidence reflects he is more the type to just... take what he wants." Again that flicker and pause. "He believes you can be a welcome ally in his grievance with Albus Dumbledore."
Harry let a very slight expression of surprise pass across his face before quickly suppressing it. Luna told him this was the likely reason for the visit; so his surprise was not at what Malfoy had told him, but at how accurate she'd Seen the situation.
After a moment he gave a slow nod and said, "Very well. If my safety is assured and I will be able to freely leave once our... discussion... has ended, then perhaps a time and place for such a meeting could be arranged."
Harry saw as all three slightly relaxed and could see, from the two at the back, that they were relieved by his answer.
"The dark lord w- asks that you attend him now," said Malfoy. There was a momentarily delay before he offered, "He... is eager to see an.. agreement quickly be forged between you. He grows tired of the threat that is Albus Dumbledore."
'Not used to having to negotiate... are you, Malfoy?' thought Harry. 'You were all set to try and order me to attend, using Riddle's authority as your own.'
Appearing to give it thought so he didn't appear eager, Harry looked away for a moment with a look of concentration on his face.
After a long few seconds, where he could tell the two minions with Malfoy were beginning to get a little 'antsy', he turned back. "Very well, Mister Malfoy..."
Again with the relief.
"I believe I shall accompany you," he carefully said. "However... I shall not be harmed...
or insulted... in any form and shall be allowed to freely leave once I consider my business with your Lord is complete."
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