The Proposal

The party was in full swing, by now. A thousand elegant white-and-gold spiral candles lighted the Great Hall, and the tree dominated the end of the hall behind the teacher's table. This scene brought back so many memories of a happier time...a time before Voldemort's return, and the renewal of the Great War.

Ginny looked around, trying to find a quiet corner. This was rather difficult, given the size and general layout of the Great Hall. Finally, she found a place over by the doors that would suit her purposes nicely. Taking hold of Luna's hand, she asked "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

Luna smiled, a slight quizzical glance in her grin. "Of course, Gin, but haven't we been doing that for the past ten minutes?"

"Well, yes...but I need to discuss something rather important with you. We won't be long, I promise." She knew Luna wanted to dance, to freely exhibit how proud she was of what she had become, what she had finally allowed herself to acknowledge about herself. Still, if it wasn't now, it wasn't happening, and she knew it.

They wove through the crowd fairly quickly, for Ginny's anticipation lent her more speed than she generally had. Finally, the haven was reached, and Ginny allowed Luna to step into the corner proper. Ginny was, after all, faster with the cover stories, so having to approach her first could screen out any potentially suspicious or nasty remarks. "Luna, I want you to know I love you."

"Yes, you do, sweetheart. You've said so countless times."

"Yes, well...this is actually rather difficult for me..." She could feel the blush coming on, and she hated it. She hated being this nervous, sounding so gloomy and sad. She knew this might make Luna nervous, but as she looked at Luna, nothing seemed to have changed. Nothing could ever faze Luna. She was like a moonlit river, strong yet resilient, and always glowing with an inner joy. A joy they'd finally found together after seventh year. She would do anything to keep that joy from ending.

"Is something wrong?" Only a hint of curiosity in her voice told Ginny that she had been even remotely alarmed at the turn of the conversation.

"Oh, it's nothing bad, love. I just..."

"Whatever it is, you can trust me," Luna said, smiling as she placed a gentle hand on Ginny's shoulder. "We've been together for three years. They've been interesting years, to be sure, but good years. What's on your mind?"

There was no stopping it, once it hit her tongue. "Luna, will you marry me?" Looking into Luna's eyes and seeing the shock, she realized at once what she had said, and threw both hands over her mouth. "Oh, Luna, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean for it to come out so fast! I was--that is, I--oh, bother it all! I'm sorry--"

Luna stood there, blinking for a second, letting Ginny's words register. Finally, she composed herself, returning to her usual serene demeanor, and moved her other hand to Ginny's shoulder. "Ginny, I'd like to first ask if someone has hexed my hearing, or did I just hear you ask me to marry you?"

In response, Ginny simply went Weasley-red, while her eyes hit the floor. It was response enough for her. "Ginny, I love you, you know that. We have been together for three years, as I said earlier. I would not trade those years for the world. I know you tend to think things through to the point of worry, love, but I have to wonder if you know what this sort of thing could mean for us."

Ginny's eyes shot up, meeting Luna's with an angry stare. "Of course I know what this means for us! Don't you think I've thought about this in the past few years?"

"Ginny, dear, lower your voice--you're turning heads, and not in the best of senses," Luna ordered in a soft, yet stern voice.

Looking around, she did discover she was speaking too loudly, and dropped her voice again. "Luna, listen. I know we haven't exactly been acceptable in Wizarding society since we came out as a couple. My parents have been somewhat less accepting than I was hoping, and your father has been in denial. None of my friends take us seriously as a couple, and we hear no end of trouble from many of the more traditional wizards when we're out in public together. It is not an easy decision to make, and I did not enter into this lightly. I know that, technically, a marriage like ours would not be legal. However, there ARE options out there for us...and I'm ready to take that step, if you are."

Luna stood in thought a moment, wanting to say yes while making sure she'd considered every angle of the issue at hand. The wait was a severe strain on Ginny's already-raw nerves. Finally, she smiled and returned her gaze from the ceiling to Ginny. "We could move, you know. Find a place where our marriage WOULD be legal. Besides, it'd get us out of stuffy old England, and from under major scrutiny."

Ginny's face lit up. "So you will, then?"

"Of course I will, silly! Whatever possessed you to think I wouldn't?"

Luna's laugh was cut off by a very strong bear hug from her lover--no, her fiancée. It was strange--she never seemed as strong as she was.

"Thank you, Luna! Thank you so much! You have no idea how happy you've made me!" It was difficult to keep her excitement contained to a civilized level, but she had to. Though she would have dearly loved to shout her joy to the world, it would be difficult to explain exactly what had made her so deliriously happy.

A cool, elderly voice broke in. "Congratulations to you both. I wish you the utmost happiness and joy in your union."

Luna turned her eyes casually to see who the intruder was. "Oh, hello, Professor Dumbledore. It's a pleasure to see you in such good health. Thank you for your well-wishes, and thank you very much for hosting such an excellent party."

Ginny froze, then slowly turned in time to see the elderly headmaster rise from a small bow. "It was my pleasure, Miss Lovegood. Miss Weasley, I must applaud you on your decision. I can only hope more witches and wizards show the bravery you two have these last three years. Should you need any assistance, you may rely on me. I'm afraid I must take my leave, now," he said, offering another small bow. "I bid you both a good evening."

And before they knew it, he had disappeared into the crowd. How could he have known? Did it matter? He was okay with the arrangement, and had even offered his support. If only they'd thought to go to him earlier. She was interrupted in her dazed reverie by a gentle tap on the shoulder.

"Well, that settles that, then. Still, there's something missing," Luna said, smiling.

"Huh?" Ginny was dumbstruck. She'd heard nothing about proper proposal protocol--when she had asked her mother about it so many years ago, she was simply told it was the man's business to propose, and that women didn't do that sort of thing. What could she have overlooked?

Luna cleared her throat, interrupting her thoughts. "Where's the ring, sweetie?"

"Oh!" Of course, the ring! Wasn't that supposed to come out as the question was asked? She had completely forgotten about it in her nervous state, and now fumbled around in her robe pockets to track down the small black velvet box. Finding it, she opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver ring. The braided tentacles of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack (as per Luna's description) formed the band, while the two horns framed the single eye, made of a marquise-cut diamond sided by a sapphire to the right, and a garnet to the left. Luna took the ring and slid it onto her right hand; it fit perfectly.

"Happy Christmas, Luna."

"Happy Christmas, Ginny."