She wasn't that much better when she awoke. A combination of nerves, excitement and a slight hangover left her feeling a little sick and she had a great deal of trouble eating anything for breakfast. Xeno suggested they go for a walk to pass the time and get some fresh air.

'NO! What if he's early, and we miss him, and he thinks we've gone away so he goes back home?'

Xeno pointed out that was very unlikely, and they knew his portkey was at 10 o'clock, but he couldn't change her mind. The hand on the clock seemed to move slower and slower, and she kept asking if it was correct. Then, at ten to ten, she took up position by the front door – and waited.

There was a shimmering in the air, and she was off. 'ROLF!' She launched herself at him landing with her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist and placing little kisses on every part of his face she could reach.

'Oh Rolf! (kiss kiss kiss) I've (kiss kiss kiss) missed (kiss kiss kiss) you (kiss kiss kiss) so (kiss kiss kiss) much (kiss kiss kiss)'

'I've missed you too' he laughed, hugging her tightly to him trying to kiss her in returm.

'Are you (kiss kiss kiss) going to (kiss kiss kiss) carry me (kiss kiss kiss) up to the house? (kiss kiss kiss)'

'I can't! I'm not going to put my hands the only place I can to support you with your dad and my granddad watching us! You'll have to walk.'

So she did, but still with her arms firmly round him. Both Xeno and Newt were stood at the door smiling.

'Welcome, Rolf' said Xeno, holding out his hand. 'Now, if you let go of him for a moment, Luna, you might find it easier to get through the door!'

She let go, reluctantly, and Rolf stepped inside giving his granddad a hug as well. Once they were up in the living room and he had dropped off his rucksack, Luna pulled him to the sofa and sat next to him, both arms wrapped around him again and her head resting against his shoulder. She had a look of pure euphoria on her face.

They stayed like that all day, apart from meals, and were in a world of their own. They were still there when Xeno and Newt went to bed and in the morning Xeno came down to find they had fallen asleep in each others arms. He stood there watching them for a moment, with a look of great fondness on his face, and then went to get a blanket to put over them.

-o0o-

They were inseparable, and Rolf even followed her to the kitchen to "help" when she went to cook their meals. Xeno soon learned not to disturb them, for the first time he did – when they were meant to be working – he found them staring in to each others eyes, with Luna stroking Rolf's thigh whilst the pot behind her happily boiled over. Meal times became slightly random, as did the quality of the food served.

Whilst they were out for a walk one day, Xeno and Newt had a little chat.

'Well, it is obvious they are deeply in love with each other' said Xeno, 'and I am pleased for them. Rolf is a decent boy, but do you think they are going a little too fast?'

'I'm not sure' said Newt. 'It wasn't like that in my day, of course. If I'd have behaved like that with Porpentina I think her father would have come after me with a hippogriff whip! I would have certainly been marched up the aisle at wand point.' He paused reflectively. 'Which would, of course, have pleased me immensely; I never thought of that at the time.'

'Yes, I seem to think that Dotty's father would not have been impressed either.' Xeno laughed, 'I remember once trying to sit next to her at dinner, we'd been courting for about six months, and he gave me a very severe look. I swapped places, of course.'

'But should we say anything? Kristine, his mother, has occasionally mentioned in letters that he took a girl out, but it never seemed to be the same one twice.'

Xeno nodded. 'Luna has never even spoken about a boy before. I'm worried that they could come down rather hard.'

The two old friends looked at each other and sighed. 'I think we may be a little "out of our depth" here' said Xeno.

'Perhaps a quiet word might not come amiss?' suggested Newt.

They did try, of course. The most difficult part was separating the two "lovebirds". Once that was achieved, the older generation suddenly found they had trouble expressing their thoughts.

Eventually, Luna worked out what he was trying to say and gave her father a peck on the forehead. 'I know, daddy. It must be hard for you, but don't worry. Some times you just have to open up and take the risk. It wouldn't be the worst thing that's ever happened to me.' He couldn't argue with that, and he supposed that at least she had it in perspective.

Newt fared little better. Rolf was slightly more lyrical, and said that Luna was just the most amazing girl he'd ever met. 'Who knows what will happen in the future? Dad didn't; he knew there were risks, but he still went. It's not a bad philosophy for life.' Newt smiled and patted him on the shoulder, he'd done his bit.

-o0o-

Ginny turned up on New Year's Eve morning to help set up the party. There were a whole new series of hugs and screeches from the girls.

'Harry's coming over later with mum and dad and Ron and Hermione. Her parents are coming to our house and so are the Creeveys and they'll be side alonged. We asked George if he wanted to come, but he said he's got other plans. I'm not sure if he has; Christmas was a bit hard for him.'

'It must have been' said Luna. 'Poor George.'

'I know. However bad it is for the rest of us, it must be twice as hard for him.' She shook herself. 'Anyway, this won't get the baby a bonnet.'

Luna's face lit up. 'Oh! Are you pregnant? Ginny, how wonderful!'

'No Luna, it's just an expression. It means…oh, I don't know what it means. But I'm not, so don't say anything tonight. Come on, let's start getting ready. Now, where's that big hunk of yours, he can help too.'