Chapter Twenty Four

It was three days after Christmas and Draco was pacing the floor of the cottage with increasing frustration. He had found the perfect witch and designed the perfect ring but he would be damned if he could come up with the perfect way to ask her to marry him.

He had devised and rejected countless scenarios because nothing felt right. Everything seemed either forced or cliché and he wanted it to be as unique as she was - a moment that Luna could cherish for the rest of their lives.

He removed the ring box from his pocket and inspected it again then shook his head in annoyance. People had been doing this since time immemorial. Why was it so blasted difficult for him to think of something original?

It wasn't helping matters that Luna was now almost an hour later than the time she had said she would return home. They were scheduled to have dinner at Andromeda's and Luna was always on time for that. His concern for her well being was exacerbating his anxiety about the proposal. He was starting to become genuinely worried when he heard a sound from their floo. "Luna? Is that you?"

There was a slight pause then he heard her call back, "Draco? I'm fine but...don't come in here, okay?"

The tone in her voice gave him cause for alarm. He jammed the ring box back into his pocket and dashed into the kitchen where he was greeted with a truly memorable sight.

Luna was standing next to the fireplace, completely covered from head to toe in a thick green, viscous fluid. He took a step closer and caught a whiff of the aroma surrounding her. His eyes watered and he involuntarily gagged.

"I told you not to come in," she said sadly.

Draco pulled his shirt over his nose and mouth to form a makeshift mask. "Luna, are you okay?!"

"I'm not injured just...well..." she shrugged.

Draco struggled with both the odor and his urge to laugh. "What happened?"

Luna shifted her feet. "I was running errands and I thought I would stop by the Quibbler and see how things were going. I was visiting with Cassandra when she got word of a possible nargle infestation at one of the greenhouses on the edge of Hogsmeade. She didn't have anyone available to cover the story so I offered to check it out. When I arrived I realized it wasn't nargles at all - it was a group of miniature Cornish pixies and one of them appeared to be quite badly injured. She was lying in the middle of one of the planting beds but nobody would help her because she was in among..."

Draco interrupted, "A bunch of Mimbulus Mimbletonia?"

She nodded excitedly. "Yes! Exactly! So I was able to get to the pixie just fine but she flew at me when I tried to touch her and I lost my footing and bumped into a large clump of the mimbulus and it released a rather copious amount of stinksap." She tried to wipe her hands on her trousers but realized there wasn't a space large enough. She made a face. "I was then quite rudely asked to leave before I could make any more of a mess. I'm afraid they want me to contribute to their clean up expenses as well."

Draco was about to make a joke when he saw tears welling up in her eyes. He removed the shirt from his face and edged forward. "Luna, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Are you sure you aren't injured?"

She took a step backwards. "No, I'm not physically hurt. I'm just upset with myself. We had a lovely evening planned with Andromeda and Teddy and I've ruined it. Not only am I terribly late but stinksap can't be removed with cleaning spells, remember? I'll need to spend at least ninety minutes in a bath, not to mention throwing away these clothes and airing out the cottage..."

As she was speaking, Draco experienced one of those rare moments of utter clarity. He saw exactly what the future would hold if he were married to Luna Lovegood. He saw a lifetime of unplanned messes, last minute changes of plans, bizarre life forms appearing without notice around the house and constant uncertainty about what was around the next corner. He saw the promise of absolute chaos and he realized - beyond a shadow of a doubt - that he would not want his life to be any other way.

"Draco? You're very quiet. Are you terribly angry with me?"

Without a second thought, Draco dropped to one knee and produced the ring box from his pocket. He opened it, extended it towards her and asked, "Luna Lovegood, will you marry me?"

For perhaps the first time in her life, Luna was speechless. She was an absolute mess, stunk to the high heaven, had ruined their plans for the evening and Draco still wanted to marry her. To her mind it was the perfect proposal. She realized that she had been silent for a bit too long when she saw panic begin to rise in his eyes so she blurted out the first words that came to her mind.

"Can we have pudding instead of cake at the wedding?"

Draco smiled in relief. "We can have whatever you want, love."

Luna gave a solemn nod. "Then yes, I would be proud to marry you, Draco Malfoy." He moved to place the ring on her finger but she shrank back. "No, Draco! Wait! I don't want the sap to damage..."

Draco shook his head. "I kept your occupation in mind when I designed this ring, Luna. It's goblin made and can withstand whatever conditions you find yourself in."

As he took her hand she got a close look at the ring and the tears flowed freely. The delicate, platinum band consisted of an intricately designed dragon holding a moonstone in its mouth. She gasped, "Draco! It's so beautiful!"

"Do you really like it? We can change the band or switch out the moonstone for a diamond if you prefer."

"Draco Malfoy, if you even think about changing one single thing about this ring I will hex you into next year. It's perfect exactly the way it is." Ignoring both her protests and the stinksap he slipped the ring on her finger and embraced her. "Draco! Stop! You'll ruin your clothes."

"I have plenty of clothes, love." He cradled her in his arms. "You do realize I may be rubbish at being a husband. I will almost certainly require another list."

"It's not that different. It's pretty much the same as the previous list except with more sex and pudding."

Draco pretended to consider this carefully. "Hmmmm….Sex and pudding? I think I can handle both of those. For clarification, however, are those items connected or separate?"

"Ideally?" Luna grinned. "Both."

"Excellent. I was hoping you would say that." He leaned down and kissed one of the few spots on her face that wasn't covered in sap.

Luna sighed, 'Now you are a mess as well."

"Yes. Yes, I am. Looks like we will both have to get cleaned up now, won't we?"

Luna tipped her head and asked, "So...who gets the tub first?"

With a twinkle in his eye, Draco began walking her slowly backwards towards the bath. "What do you mean, first?"

Luna raised an eyebrow as she caught his meaning. "Well, then. If you will send word to Andromeda that we are going to have to reschedule our dinner plans, I will go run us a hot bath. Does that sound acceptable to you, Mister Malfoy?"

"Absolutely, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Mrs. Malfoy...I like the sound of that."

Draco leaned in to kiss her once more. "So do I, love. So do I..."

xoxoxox

The following day the happy couple shared their news with Andromeda before heading off to the Burrow to inform the Weasleys. There were hugs and congratulations all around until Mrs. Weasley asked, "So, when is the big day?"

Draco smiled. "Luna has chosen her birthday - February 13th - the day before Valentine's day."

The entire family was quite certain Molly was going to faint. "THIS February? But you can't possibly pull together an entire wedding in only six weeks!"

"Oh, it is going to be a very intimate affair," Luna explained. "Andromeda has agreed to let us use her home for both the ceremony and reception and our guest list will be quite small. Present company is all included, of course. As for some of the other items, we were rather hoping that you might be willing to share some of your expertise, if you don't mind, Mrs. Weasley?"

Her children rolled their eyes as the woman immediately summoned a quill and some parchment. She was in her element now. "Of course, my dear. I would be delighted to assist in any way that I can." Molly dipped the quill in the inkpot. "All right, guest list first so we know what we are dealing with..."

"Well, Draco and myself, of course. Andromeda and Teddy. Your family and their significant others. Neville and Hannah. And we'll send an invitation to Aberforth even though we know he'll decline."

Molly jotted this down and looked at Draco. "And what about the rest of your family, dear?"

Draco hesitated before saying simply, "Narcissa regrets that she will be unable to attend."

The older woman looked as if she were going to say something then thought better of it. "Right. So that is the guest list. Seems manageable. Now, who are you going to have officiate?"

Draco glanced at Luna. "We talked about that last night. It is our understanding that in your current role with the ministry, Mr. Weasley, that you are authorized to perform the binding ritual? If so, we would be honored if you would agree to oversee our ceremony."

"I say. Me? Really? My word." Arthur proudly straightened his jacket. "It would be my absolute privilege."

Molly beamed at her husband before turning her attention back to Luna. "Now, you'll need a dress, my dear. It is short notice but I'm sure if we hurry we can work something out with Madame Malkin..."

Luna shook her head. "There's no need for that. I am making my own dress."

Draco shot a look around the room as if daring someone to comment on that statement. Through sheer force of will, everyone kept a straight face as Molly hurried on. "So - that's done then. Now, what kind of cake would you like to have?"

Luna smiled proudly. "Draco has agreed that we can have pudding instead of cake."

"Pudding? How... original." The older woman made a notation then seemed to struggle to find a way to ask the next question, "Are you going to have...I mean traditionally the bride has someone...One of my boys would be glad to ..."

Luna took pity and answered her quickly. "Give me away?" Molly nodded. Luna leaned against Draco and said, "No, thank you. Since Draco and I are both of age we are simply giving ourselves to each other." Draco kissed the top of her head. She looked across the table at Ginny. "I will be needing a maid of honor, however. I know the promise was made a long time ago but..."

Ginny burst into tears and ran to hug her. "As if there would be any question! I am just so glad that you are still here..." The whole room got a bit emotional watching the two old friends embrace.

Draco cleared his throat and turned to Harry. "While we are on the subject, I have a favor to ask of you, Potter."

Harry almost fell out of his chair. "You want me to be your best man?"

Draco chuckled and shook his head. "No. Not exactly..."