Will Neville get finally get the courage up to ask Luna an important question? Maybe dinner with friends to celebrate the end of Hanukkah will give him the chance.
Song: Hanukkah Blessings by Barenaked Ladies
Hermione: Is everyone still coming?
Luna: We will be there. What do you need me to bring?
Ginny: We will be there. Molly has offered to keep James overnight
Daphne: Depends on how his arm feels
Hermione: We can FaceTime if he doesn't feel up to it
Luna: Don't let him push
Ginny: He will tell you he feels fine
Daphne: I have told him I will consider going after he has a nap
Hermione: James' kind of nap or Ginny's?
Luna: Do NOT answer that! He is injured
Ginny: Once a hard-headed hockey player
Hermione: Always a hard-headed hockey player
Daphne: We may have to leave early
Luna: We will be happy to see you if he can make it
Ginny: Watch his body language
Hermione: Like she doesn't do that anyway
Luna: Why are they so stubborn?
Ginny: Men in general or our boys?
Daphne: Our boys
Hermione: I have no idea
Luna laughed as she tucked her mobile into the pocket of her apron. She had never celebrated Hanukkah and she was looking forward to seeing what Hermione had planned for them tonight. Ron had called them earlier in the day to ask them to bring an arrangement for the table. He said Hermione had everything taken care of. As much as she loved her friends, Luna did not trust Hermione's cooking.
"What's with the frown, Moonbeam?" Luna turned to the sound of Neville's voice. "Dinner is still on at Ron and Hermione's?"
"Yeah. I was just thinking about Hermione cooking." Luna sighed and started to empty teapots. "I wish she would let us help with this. But when she decides to do something…"
"We know better that to stand in her way." Neville wrapped his arms around Luna from behind, settling his chin on the top of her head. "I turned off the sign and made sure the door was locked. Come help me finish the arrangement. We can get ready at the cottage and go over together."
"Nev, what are you up to?" Luna looked over her shoulder, watching Neville leave her kitchen. "I am already ready and we have to be there in less than an hour."
"About six feet," Neville's voice rang through the kitchen. "I just like you sharing my space. I'm going to need to clean up a bit before we leave."
"That joke is getting old," Luna mumbled as she put the last of the teapots on the counter to dry. "It is sweet that he likes to have me in his space, but I am afraid he is spending too much time with the boys. I used to wish he would speak to me."
"I heard that. The sooner you get in here, the sooner we can get to Ron and Hermione's." Neville leaned against the door as he watched Luna hang her apron on the peg by the door between his workshop and her kitchen. "Be careful what you wish for, Moonbeam."
"Sunshine, if you weren't such a sweetheart," Luna sighed and walked past Neville into his workshop.
"I would find the courage to ask you to live at the cottage with me." Neville's whisper ghosted into the empty kitchen.
Neville: Help
Harry: What's up Nev?
Neville: How did you do it?
Harry: Do what?
Neville: Asked her to share your space?
Harry: I didn't. She asked me
Neville: That doesn't help
Harry: Nev, do you want Luna to share your space
Neville: Every minute of every day.
Harry: Just tell her
Neville: I seem to forget how to talk when I think about asking her
Harry: You've tried
Neville: Almost every day for a month
Harry: But
Neville: I end up saying something stupid or not saying anything at all
Harry: I saw a picture of what you gave her for St. Nicholas Day
Neville: It was too subtle, wasn't it?
Harry: No, it was perfectly you.
Neville: Then why hasn't she said anything other than "Thank you. They are beautiful"?
Harry: Maybe she wants to hear you say it
Neville: I hate this. Why can't I talk when it is important?
Harry: Because it is important to you. Breathe, Nev.
Neville: I forget sometimes when she is near me
Harry: So tell her that. If you really want her in your space all the time, you will figure out a way to make it happen
Neville: Ugh. See you in a bit
Neville slipped his mobile into the pocket of his overcoat. "If we don't leave now, we will be late. Ron is going to start blowing up my mobile if we even look like we are going to be late."
"Are you sure we don't need to eat before we go?" Luna walked out of the guest bath, sliding an earring into her ear. "Hermione seemed really nervous about what she was trying to get done for tonight."
"Ron talked her into letting Molly help her get everything cooked." Neville held up Luna's coat. "The arrangement is already in the car. All that left to do is get in the car and go."
"What exactly are we supposed to do at this dinner?" Luna asked Neville as he closed the door to his cottage. "I have never celebrated Hanukkah and tonight being the last night sounds like a big deal. What if I mess something up?"
"It is going to be fine." Neville placed his hand in the small of her back and led Luna towards his car. "Mione said all we have to do is show up, eat, and visit. She said Hanukkah is more about celebrating the miracles that God brings to our lives and spending time with the people we love."
"I think I can handle that." Luna slipped past Neville as he held the car door pen for her. "There are a few miracles I want to ask for tonight. Do people make Hanukkah wishes?"
Luna: What is going on with Nev?
Ginny: Why are you asking me?
Luna: You're a mum, you can read people
Ginny: That only works with James and even then …
Luna: He stops talking halfway through sentences
Ginny: That is nothing new
Luna: He mumbles when I leave the room
Ginny: Again, nothing new
Luna: The St Nick gift!
Ginny: I think he was pretty clear with that one
Luna: Then why doesn't he just ask?
Ginny: Because he is Nev
Luna: I think he asked tonight as I walked out of the room but it was more of a whispered wish than a question
Ginny: Be patient. Nev will figure it out.
Luna: I waited forever for our first official date
Ginny: And you two have been inseparable since
Luna: I hate going home to an empty flat every night
Ginny: Not much longer … Tis the season of miracles
Luna: PLEASE!
Neville watched Luna as she spun the dreidel. He wanted talk to her before he lost his nerve, but he did not want to overstep. Tonight's dinner had been fun. He had never had latkes and he was going to have to get the recipe for the brisket and the spinach appetizers. He was still trying to finish the piece of olive oil cake and candied nuts.
"Nev. you okay?" Rona asked as he dropped on the sofa beside Neville. "You seemed lost in your thoughts just now."
"Just thinking about something." Neville answered absently.
"Something or someone?" Ron teased.
"Maybe a little of both." Neville looked down at his watch. "It's getting late and I need to get Luna home. This has been a great evening."
"It has. I think Mione's worn out." Ron looked over at his wife as she dozed in her favorite chair. "Thanks for coming. We need to do this again next year."
"Definitely." Neville pushed up off the sofa. "Luna, are you about ready to go?"
"Just one more spin." Luna picked the top up off the table. "I have one more wish to make."
"I'll get our coats. Can you take my plate in the kitchen?" Neville ran his finger along her cheek.
"Sure. I'll tell Harry and Ginny goodbye while I'm in there." Luna spun the top and stood up. "I think Hermione has had a long day."
"Me, too. Don't be long." Neville kissed her softly. "I'll meet you at the door."
"Yeah, the door." Luna watched Neville walk away from her. "I'm supposed to be doing something. Oh yeah, dishes in the kitchen and goodbye."
Harry: Do you think he'll do it?
Ron: Do what?
Harry: Ask her?
Ron: Ask her what?
Harry: How dense are you?
Ron: Ask Mione, I don't know
Harry: Ask her to move in with him
Ron: Oh, you mean the question he has almost asked three times tonight when he thought no one was around
Harry: Yup
Ron: It would take a miracle
Harry: As your sister is fond of saying … Tis the season
Neville parked his car in his spot beside his cottage. "Are you sure you want to drive home? It's late."
"Yes, Nev. I need to get home. I don't want to wear this again tomorrow." Luna began to dig in her pocketbook to find her keys.
"I wish you would stay." Neville decided it was now or never. "I really wish you would stay every night. I miss you when you are not here."
"Nev, what are you saying?" Luna looked up and watched Neville's blush. "What have you been trying to ask me all night?"
"Luna, stay here." Neville's voice was only a whisper. "Stay here with me every night, forever."
Luna: OMG … I can't believe I just did that
Ginny: Did what?
Daphne: Are you okay?
Hermione: Why is my mobile buzzing. It is 2 a.m.
Luna: He asked
Ginny: You are going to have to be more specific
Daphne: No way
Hermione: I am too sleepy for riddles. Spit it out
Luna: He asked me to move in with him!
Ginny: YES!
Daphne: Finally!
Hermione: Please tell me you said yes
Luna: I'm giving up my flat at the end of the month
Ginny: Tell us what day you want to move your stuff and we will have the boys there
Daphne: Pack a few light bags so Theo will not feel left out
Hermione: I'm happy for you. Night ladies!
Ginny: Good night, Grumpy Pants.
Daphne: Night all!
Luna: Sweet dreams … I know I will have them
Neville: I asked
Harry: And
Neville: When can you help move furniture?
Harry: Good for you, Nev
Neville: Night, Harry
Harry: Night, Nev
Neville: Good night, Moonbeam
Luna: Night Sunshine
Neville: Only 21 more days
Luna: 21 more days