Oh my god, I cannot believe how much response I was given for the last chapter. It's so great to see that some of you who haven't reviewed before are letting me know your overall opinion of this story; it means a great deal to me.
I can't believe that I have reached the end of this story, but it seems as though you guys are all supporting my idea of a sequel which I will write about more at the end. As for now I leave you to the stuff you're really interesed in and to say that I still own nothing...damn I wish I didn't have to say that.
It was around eleven o'clock on New Years Eve when George began the journey he knew he would have to take. It didn't matter how much he needed to have Luna by his side, this was something that George had to do alone.
The trek down to the very bottom of the Weasley's garden had never seemed longer for George, but finally, he reached where he needed to be.
It was not only the day when George would say goodbye to 1998, it was also the day when George would say goodbye to the last year he spent with Fred. George now realised that it didn't matter how long it had been, or who he was with; the pain of Fred's death would always leave a pain in his heart. A pain that felt so strong as he knelt in front of Fred's grave.
His gloved hand brushed away the snow that had accumulated over the shapes carved into the marble headstone; re-revealing the words;
Fred Weasley
1st April 1978 – 2nd May 1998
Beloved Son and Brother
A hero to his family and to the wizarding world
''I really wish you were here today Fred'' George tried to suppress the sadness that was taking over him, but even he could hear his voice shaking. ''You would know what to say to me''
With a shaking hand, George pulled the small white box from his pocket. ''Although I know you would also tease the living hell out of me first. You'd say; 'the ring's to small', or 'what did Luna do so wrong that your going to threaten to ruin her life by marrying her'.''
''I could just imagine you at the engagement party; having too much to drink and then trying to see if Luna will get the two of us mixed up and if she will give you a snog. I would probably have hit you round the head with my old beater's club, but still.'' George chuckled; he could picture the entire situation in his head.
''It's been over seven months and everyday I still think about what things would be like if you were here; I probably always will'' George felt tears move down his cheeks and he didn't attempt to fight them away any more. ''I remember the night I lost my ear; we promised each other that if anything happened to either of us, then we would carry on and live our lives in a way that each other would be proud of, and to start with I didn't think I would be able to do it Fred, and then I met Luna again''
A smile formed on George's face as he thought about all that she had done for him since that day in Diagon Alley. ''She is the most amazing person I have ever met, and I know that you saw in those DA meetings that she was good for me; so I know that you would be proud of what I am about to do, and I know that by having a life with Luna; I will have a life that would make you proud''
George rose and stood before Fred's grave, wiping away the damp trails that remained his face. ''Goodbye Fred''
From the far end of the garden, George could hear the sounds of celebration coming from the Burrow; and it reminded him why he had snuck out of the party.
All the pain and sadness in George was soothed as he saw Luna in the distance. She stood in the middle of the garden with her back to him; she was stood only in her party dress and ballet pumps; despite the gentle layer of snow that was falling and the minus temperature.
George had to distract himself from the beauty of her, and focus on keeping her safe from hypothermia. ''Luna! Luna!''
He continued to approach her but she showed no signs of acknowledging his presence, despite his shouts and the sound of footsteps crunching in the snow. He finally reached Luna and walked around the front of her, following her eye line to see that she was star gazing.
She continued to look up with her hands clasped together behind her back and she swayed lightly with the cold night breeze. ''It's lovely isn't it?''
George jumped slightly when her soft, dreamy voice broke the silence. He recomposed himself and stepped up close to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. ''Luna it would be just as lovely if you were wearing a coat, gloves and scarf...or even a pair of trousers''
Luna slowly tilted her head away from the sky and she looked straight into George's eyes. ''I like the feel of the snow on my skin''
''That's fine Luna'' George sighed and pulled Luna into his arms in an attempt to surround her with his own body heat. ''I just wish that it didn't risk you getting seriously ill''
''What's wrong George?'' Luna asked as her head rested on his chest. ''Your voice is filled with many emotions''
George smiled to himself; of course she would notice. ''Nothing's wrong; in fact everything is great. I'm just a bit unsure of how I'm going to do something''
''What is it?'' Luna looked up at him and snuggled herself further into his embrace.
''I can't tell you'' George sighed. ''but I really wish I could because it would make my job a lot easier''
''I'm very confused'' Luna smiled.
''Yeah, me too'' George chuckled. ''Luna I wanted this to be perfect, but I'm just not sure of how to do that so I'll just...''
George pulled away from a very puzzled Luna and got down on one knee. Luna's eyes widened as everything became clear.
''Luna...I've thought of a million different ways of doing this but when I saw you a few minutes ago; any plans I had flew out of my head. So I'm just going to go ahead and tell you that you mean the entire world to me; and I am not exaggerating. When I lost Fred, it felt like everything in my life had been robbed from me; that my whole world was empty, and then I found you...''
Luna's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the smile that grew across his face. ''...and suddenly it felt as though I had a purpose again; there was someone who I needed, and there was someone who needed me as well. Luna, I've known for a very long time that my life is with you, and I know that I'll probably drive you crazy sometimes, and there will be many occasions where you'll just want to beat me half to death if it gets me to shut up, but if you've been able to stay sane in the last six months; then I'm pretty sure that you can handle anything that will ever come our way. Luna, will you marry me?''
Giggles of happiness erupted from Luna and the smile on her face was so big that it actually ached.
''Errrm...Luna...not to ruin the moment, but could you give me a proper answer? My knee is about a foot deep in snow and I think I'm getting frostbite''
Luna took George's hand and pulled him up so he stood in front of her. ''George I would love to marry you''
A euphoria of happiness spread through George and he pick Luna up off her feet and swung her around. He stopped when he began to feel dizzy and he put her back down on her feet.
''I love you so much'' George reached down and took Luna's hand.
''I love you too'' Luna looked down in surprise when she felt something cold run across her finger: George had placed a silver ring on to her left index finger; it held three white diamonds in a line and it seemed to sparkle as the snow continued to fall around them.
''Oi, you two'' The pair saw Arthur stick his head out of the kitchen window. ''We've got five minutes. Get inside ready for the countdown''
Arthur's head disappeared back inside the house and the two turned their attention back to each other. Luna held her left hand out for George and wiggled her ring finger in front of him.
''You don't need to wave it at me Luna; you need to wave it at Ginny as I'm pretty sure it's bigger than her's'' George said, taking her hand and using a finger to twist the ring around.
''I'll wait until tomorrow. 1998 has been our year; so let's keep this between us until 1999'' Luna smiled.
''Sounds like a plan. Do you want to give me the ring back for now so they don't see it?''
Luna pulled her hand away from him. ''No I most certainly don't. I'll just keep it subtly hidden''
George nodded and walked back to the house with Luna.
''Just in time you two. Only a minute or so left'' Arthur came up to the pair with a bunch of un-lit sparklers in his hand.
George went to take one but his father slapped his hand away before he could. ''George you make enough things explode on your own; I'm not going to give you something that was made to catch fire''
George huffed and crossed his arms. Luna acted as though nothing had happened and smile sweetly at Arthur. ''Could I have two please?''
''Of course Luna, here you go'' Arthur handed two sparklers over to Luna and then checked his watch. ''Goodness me! Thirty seconds''
George watched his father walk away before he walked up to Luna and reached for one of the sparklers. ''Thanks Luna''
Luna moved the sparkler away from George's reach. ''It's not for you''
Luna ignored George's puzzled look and skipped into the living room where the other Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were gathered.
''10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!''
Everyone gave their sparklers a wave and they lit up with red, yellow and green sparks, and then they threw them up in the air and they exploded to create a whole fireworks show in the Burrow's living room. Luna however held on to the lit up sparklers.
''Happy New Year Daddy'' Luna threw one of the sparklers above her and George's heads and watched it shower them in different coloured lights.
Luna held the second one out for George to take.
''You said it wasn't for me'' George looked confusedly between Luna and the lit sparkler.
''It isn't'' Luna stated. ''But you should be the one to throw it''
George didn't bother to ask and took the sparkler from her and then threw it up in the air.
The pair was showered in another rainbow of colours and Luna looked up at them with a gentle smile on her cheeks. ''Happy New Year Fred''
George stared at the small blonde in amazement; unable to believe that she was going to be his forever. Luna stared back; thinking the same think about him.
''Happy New Year George''
''Happy New Year Luna''
The two brought their lips together in a passionate kiss; the first of 1999, and one of the many that they would share during their lives tgether.
So I hope that was an ending that goes appropriately with the overall themes of the story, and please let me know what you think.
I am beginning to plan the sequel in my head but it will be a week or so before I begin to post thanks to a wonderful Law exam that I have to revise for next Thursday which will take up most of my time, and I also want to get a move on with my other George and Luna story. I'll post a AN on this story to let you know that the sequel's up; my guess would be around next weekend and I will also use that AN to thank everyone properly rather than doing it now.