Inspired by "I Can Hear the Bells," from Hairspray.

Other prompts and author's note to follow.


I Can Hear the Bells

Neville thinks Ginny and Harry's wedding is a lovely affair, though not quite as lovely as the girl - woman, really - who sits beside him, clad in a dress the color of a golden sun.

"I can hear the bells," Luna whispers, and Neville looks sideways at her.

"Oh?"

"Yes," she breathes, smoothing out her skirt in a rather absent-minded way. "Don't you hear them chime, Neville?"

In truth, he does not, but he is used to her flights of fancy by now. He simply shakes his head and smiles.

"They're keeping time with my heartbeat," Luna says dreamily. "Incredible!"

Suddenly, she clamps her hands over her ears, causing Neville to look at her in alarm.

"What's wrong?"

"My ears. They're ringing now, quite loudly." She says this calmly, as though she is discussing the weather, or what to eat for dinner. Neville's forehead wrinkles.

"From the...bells?"

Luna nods vigorously, still covering her ears. Neville is torn; he wants to comfort her, but how can he, when he can't hear the source of her pain?

He settles for patting her hand awkwardly, afraid anything more would seem too intimate. "I'm sure it'll clear up soon, Luna."

Suddenly, the musicians strike up the wedding march and Luna lets out a gasp so loud that a few nearby guests turn to look at her.

"What's wrong?" Neville asks, unsure if he interpreted Luna's intake correctly.

"The bells," she says. "They've stopped ringing."

He almost laughs at how disappointed she sounds, but doesn't. "That's good, right?"

She merely shrugs. "Perhaps."


At the reception, Neville watches Luna sway to the music. When he approaches her, she beams and curtsies.

"Have you heard those bells again, Luna?" he asks, searching her face for any signs of discomfort.

"Oh, no, but thank you for asking!" She twirls around almost gracefully, her dress billowing, then continues, "Is something on your mind, Neville? You seem unsettled."

He can't help but chuckle. "Have you met me, Luna? I'm always unsettled."

"Maybe you need to let loose a little, then," she says thoughtfully. "Come on, just let the music guide you." She resumes her swaying.

With a deep breath, Neville says, "Actually, I was hoping-that is, I thought maybe-er, do you want to dance with me, Luna?"

Luna looks positively delighted. "No one's ever asked me before. I'd quite like that, thank you, Neville."

Thoughts of the Yule Ball enter Neville's head and he grimaces at the public humiliation he has just promised himself.

"I'm, er, not much of a dancer, though," he says hastily. "You're probably better off on your own."

He makes a hasty retreat for the drinks table, hoping to drown his cowardice in alcohol, only to find that Luna has followed him.

"Neville Longbottom, what do you think you're doing?"

Neville nearly drops his newly acquired drink. Luna doesn't often use a sharp tone - indeed, she has never used it with him, as far as he can remember - but when she does, he knows she's serious.

"I'm getting a drink?" he says, but it sounds more like a question than an answer.

"You can't just ask someone to dance with you and then walk away. That's not very polite."

"Sorry," he mumbles. How is it that he killed Voldemort's evil snake but doesn't have the guts to follow through on a dance?

"It's just one dance," she says, her voice softer now.

Neville takes a few gulps of his drink. "Cheers, Luna. Let's do this, then."

He grabs her hand and leads her back into the fray of dancing couples, letting the alcohol give him some semblance of confidence.

They're the least graceful couple on the dance floor; Neville steps on Luna's feet numerous times and she doesn't seem to have any idea how to dance with another person, but Neville doesn't care. He's having fun with a woman he's admired since his school days, and he suddenly feels like asking her out should be way less stressful than asking her to dance was.

"Luna," he says, leaning towards her. "Do you-would you maybe want to...go out with me sometime?"

The grey eyes he has spent far too much time appreciating widen in shock, or maybe surprise. "Go out with you? Like on a date?"

Neville blushes and nods, his throat growing dry as he waits for her response. He grows worried when she stares off into the distance with a vacant look.

"The bells are telling me that's a good idea. I'd love to, Neville," Luna says at last, and the smile she bestows upon him stays with him for days to come.


Word count: 769

Fortnightly Challenges: MUA - Happy Hour: Cheers

Yearly Challenges:

Insane Prompt Challenge #550 (song): I Can Hear the Bells, Hairspray

365 Words: 273. Intimate

A/N: Back at it with more Luna/Neville fluff! Check out my one-shots "Kissing Luna Lovegood" and "Helping Luna Lovegood" for more where that came from. :)