For Aurora at The Reviews Corner: I know it's not really Christmas themed, but I saw with HarryxLuna and this is where my mind went. I hope you enjoy it!


Harry leaned his chair back on two legs, only half-listening to whatever squabble Hermione and Ron were having at the moment. He knew it was just their way, but it was too sharp a contrast to the current air of celebration around the Burrow. Harry really hoped that, if he ever got married, people were too happy to be bickering during his reception. Caught in a moment, Harry found himself picturing his own wedding, full of friends, food, music, and laughter.

He felt odd thinking about his own wedding seeing as he'd broken up with Ginny earlier in the summer- not that he could really see marrying her. He felt as though that had been expected of him, given how much he and Ginny looked like his own father and mother, but even their easy chemistry couldn't overcome their lack of compatibility. Instead, Harry pictured himself dancing with a faceless bride, grinning broadly as he dipped her toward the floor. Everyone would be there to celebrate: Ron and Hermione and Remus and Fred and George and Neville and-

That train of thought was far too hopeful, and Harry shut it down as quickly as it started. He knew that there was little chance of him surviving the war. He would only cause himself grief and heartache if he thought too much about life after Voldemort.

Shaking himself, Harry glanced around the marquee. The dance floor was full of couples twirling about- Ginny and Lee Jordan, George and Angelina, Fred and Alicia, Arthur and Molly, Luna and… no one.

Harry did a double take and watched sadly as Luna spun around the dance floor with her arms around an invisible partner. She maintained her serene smile even as those around her gave her strange looks and a wide berth. Ignoring the approaching Viktor Krum, Harry downed his butterbeer and walked toward the lone girl.

The upbeat song began to die down as Harry tapped her on the shoulder. "Hi, Luna. How've you been?"

"Quite well, thank you, Harry," she replied dreamily. "It's a beautiful wedding, isn't it?"

Harry nodded. "I'm glad it's gone off so well, especially after all the work the Weasleys put into it."

"I can tell it's been a labor of love. It's a shame about the atmosphere, though," she said.

"What about it?" Harry asked, bewildered.

Luna cocked her head at him. "You can't feel it? Huh, I suppose it's a bit early anyway."

Harry had no response. Thankfully, the awkward pause ended when a slower tune began to swell from the strings. "Would you like to dance?" he murmured, trying to remember why he'd thought this was a good idea in the first place.

Luna's smile lit up her face. "That would be lovely, Harry."

Taking her hand, Harry began to spin in a slow circle. For someone with her head so often in the clouds, Luna was surprisingly light on her feet. He found himself moving with her easily, and the two friends danced in a comforting silence.

Without any explanation, Luna began humming "I'll Be Home For Christmas".

It took Harry a long moment to place the muggle Christmas song. "Where did you learn that, Luna?"

"I like to go down to the muggle village now and again, especially at Christmastime. It's amazing how much they can decorate without magic."

"But you do realize that's a Christmas carol and that it's only August now?"

"It's never too early for Christmas carols, I think. I hum them all the time because they make me happy. And this song made me think of you, Harry."

"Really? Why?"

"I just felt like it was something you needed to hear."

Before Harry could demand further explanation, the music changed again to lively jig and Xenophilius Lovegood cut in for a dance with his daughter. Luna pecked his cheek and skipped away with her father.

Though Harry spent the next couple of hours talking with other people, including Muriel Weasley and Elphias Doge, he kept looking for another chance to dance with Luna. He would normally write her odd remarks off as "just a Luna thing", but something about this one felt… different. And he wasn't afraid to admit that he'd really enjoyed dancing with her.

Just as he caught Luna's meaningful gaze from across the tent, Kingsley's patronus leapt into the tent, and Hermione whisked him away from the wedding and the mysterious blonde.


Harry's teeth chattered, even in the shelter of the tent. Hermione sat in the entrance of the tent, shrouded in the warmest blanket they had to ward off the chill of the drizzly December evening and the horcrux. She was probably still mulling over the possibility of going to Godric's Hollow. She thought it was a terrible idea, but he knew it was the only real lead they had left.

Knowing better than to disturb thinking-Hermione, Harry fiddled with the dial on the wireless, searching for anything to help stave off the boredom. Through the static, he caught a familiar tune: "…Where the love light gleams/I'll be home for Christmas/If only in my dreams…"

His thoughts immediately went to Luna and their dance in a very different tent; it felt as though years had passed since that day. It was probably very close to Christmas, and he wondered if she was headed home on the Hogwarts Express, or maybe curled up by a fire in her father's office, or even staying at the castle to watch over the other students. Wherever it was, he hoped she was better off than him. He wished he could be with her, sharing one more pleasant dance, knowing she was safe in his arms if only for a few mome-

Where had that thought come from? Shaking his head free of it, Harry turned the dial, and, finding a clearer station, walked away from the wireless. No use in thinking that way. But the music coming from the speakers was good, and a little dancing couldn't really hurt. Maybe Hermione would want to dance…


Harry's stomach fell to his shoes. Voldemort had Luna. Shouts flew around him, but their words barely registered in his ringing ears.

"They took my Luna…"

"Hand over Harry?..."

"Get out of the way…"

"They will be here at any moment…"

"HARRY!" Hermione screamed, jerking him back to reality.

In their distraction, Xenophilius nearly hit them with a stunning spell. Instead, it hit the Erumpent horn, and chaos ensued.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron managed to get clear of the Death Eaters, and before Hermione wiped Xenophilius's mind, Harry whispered, "I'll bring her home, Mr. Lovegood. I promise, if there's any way at all, I'll bring her home safe." She had to be okay. Harry couldn't bear to contemplate the alternative.

"Obliviate!" cried Hermione, and the trio fled once more into obscurity.


"Hermione!" Ron roared, struggling against his restraints.

Harry hushed him, trying to let his eyes adjust to the dim light of what he assumed was Malfoy Manor's cellar. Ron ignored him, so Harry barely heard their names being whispered through the shadows. Ron finally shut up, and a scuffling sound moved closer.

"Harry? Ron?"

Harry's heart soared; he would know that dreamy voice anywhere. Above them, Hermione still screamed.

Luna helped them remove the ropes that bound them, and Ron managed to light the small room with the Deluminator before collapsing against the wall, pounding his fist in time with Hermione's cries. In the blue haze, he could see that Dean Thomas, Mr. Ollivander, and Griphook, in various states of dishevelment, were also trapped with him. Ignoring the other occupants of the cellar, Harry pulled Luna into a tight hug.

"I'm so glad to see you," Harry muttered. When she didn't respond, Harry realized how that had sounded. "Not that I'm glad you got captured or anything. I'm just glad to see you're safe and all. Well, not safe, but at least alive and well. Or you look fairly well. Are you well? Have they been horrid to you? How-"

"We're all a little worse for wear, but we're alive," she said with a soft smile.

"We're getting you all out of here," Harry promised with conviction.

"I know," she nodded. "How was my father? Was the Rookery covered in fairy lights like usual?"

Harry stared at her. "How did you know we'd been to see your father?"

"I told you at the Burrow that you'd be home for Christmas, but I knew you'd also visit mine," she said simply. "Weren't you listening?"

Harry had no response. He just pulled her into another embrace and softly kissed the top of her head, and Luna smirked up at him as she began humming the familiar Christmas tune. It was as though she knew they really would be home for the holidays next year. Her quiet confidence bolstered his own, and he then turned to face the others. He'd sworn he would get Luna, and now them all, to safety, and he was hell bent on keeping that promise; he just needed a plan.


MC4A Challenge Block

Challenge: Winter Bingo 2018, Gryffindor MC2, Ravenclaw MC2, Long Haul, Advent Countdown

Space: A5

Prompt: Music

Representations: Wedding, Kidnapping, Friends to Maybe More, Lunar Lion

Bonus Challenges: (Demo: Bandstand, Sweetest Burn) (Second Verse: These Boots, Found Family, Toto's Tribute, Tied & Died)

Word Count: 1509