AN- Right you have Celran to thank for this second chapter of the day. He rushed through it to ensure you had it today; he has his own little beta's note at the bottom.
Enjoy.
Chapter 62
Harry took Luna's arm as the Weird Sisters came onto the stage. They headed down to the dance floor. Harry held Luna close, his face being split by a huge grin. He didn't think they would be able to show up Fleur or Viktor, but Cedric was surely an option.
They danced in carful choreographed circles. Luna looked close to an angel; at least in Harrys opinion. She was smiling ever so widely. He was glad to see her happy, but it was strange to see her looking so normal. He liked Luna for her, butter beer corks, radishes, and all.
The dance didn't last too long and Luna wanted to sit down. Harry headed over to where Ginny and Neville were sitting.
"Hi guys."
"Hey Harry, Luna."
"Is your foot okay?" Luna asked.
"I'm fine Luna." Ginny smiled. "We're just not the best of dance partners."
"I don't really like dancing." Luna agreed. "Harrys better at it, but I don't like it much."
"I agree." Harry nodded. "Would you like a drink Luna?"
"Oh, yes please."
"Neville?" Harry inquired as he got up.
Neville quickly realised what Harry meant. "Oh yeah, is there anything you would like Ginny?"
"Could you get me a couple of those biscuits, please?"
"Sure."
"Thanks, Neville."
Harry took Neville over to get the drinks. The boy looked very uncomfortable. His confidence had been growing more and more every day. But this situation was enough to make anyone nervous.
"Luna loves the flower. Thanks Neville."
"Oh, it was fine. It's just a wild flower."
"No seriously, thanks Neville. It was absolutely perfect." Harry smiled. He picked up two glasses for himself and Luna.
"Hey, guys." Fred came up to the table, although His date wasn't with him.
"Hey, Fred." The twins were always amazed that Harry was able to get it correct.
"You having fun."
"Not bad." Harry answered. "Luna wanted a drink."
"Angelina said you two looked really good up there. She's a girl so you can trust her judgement."
"What did you think of Hermione?" Neville started to sneak off so he could take the biscuits to Ginny.
"She looks nice." Fred nodded. "She danced better than Krum, anyway."
"Yeah, he's not the most graceful, is he?" Harry agreed with a chuckle. "Have you spoken to Percy yet?"
"Why would I?"
"You could give him some brotherly advice. Penelope is apparently angry with him."
"Is she- what'd he do?" Fred asked with wide eyes.
"Forgot an anniversary or something."
"Oh this is wonderful. I think I need to go and speak to George."
"Just don't make a scene." Harry told them.
"Wouldn't dream of it!"
Harry found his way back to Luna. Draco was sitting there now, although Fray was nowhere to be seen. Harry could see both Ron and Hermione still Happily on the dance floor.
"Here we go. One Apple Sprite." The Wizarding Sprite bottles had a picture of a fairy on the front. She would fly up to the apple and sit on it before coming back down. It was nice to have a change from Butterbeer every once in a while.
"Thanks Harry."
"Where's Fray?"
"She wasn't feeling well so she went back to her dorm."
"Oh." Harry nodded. "That's too bad."
"I was actually wondering If I could borrow one of you girls. I want to keep dancing." He grinned at Ginny, not looking at Luna but for a stray smile.
Ginny spoke. "I could come but I'm not great at dancing."
"I can teach you." He offered.
"Would you mind, Neville?" Ginny asked.
"No, go ahead, I'll be fine."
"Thanks you're the best." She took Draco's hand and headed back to the dance floor.
"Sorry about that Neville." Luna tilted her head to him.
"Its fine. I'm a bad dancer."
"Don't be upset, so is Harry."
"Hey, you said I was better than you!"
Luna smiled brightly at him. "That doesn't make you good." She laughed.
"I'm not that bad. Oliver gave me lessons." He smiled back at her.
Harry was amazed at how long Ron spent on the dance floor with Genevieve. They were dancing quite strangely; not in sync with everyone else. But they seemed content enough, anyway.
Both of the twins' dates were elsewhere. It wasn't like they expected to hold the boy's attention all night. Hermione was speaking to some of Viktor's school friends.
Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
"Oh, I like this song!" Luna exclaimed, turning to Harry. "My dad plays it on the second Sunday of every month. Can we dance Harry?"
"Of course Luna." Harry and Luna danced sporadically all night. He then walked her up to Ravenclaw tower. He didn't fell right leaving her in the halls.
"Thank you for tonight, Luna."
"Why thank me?" Luna asked.
"I wouldn't have had such a good time if you weren't with me."
"I had a good time, Harry." She told him; they were whispering as they walked past the sleeping paintings. "I really did."
"Even being paraded around like a show horse?"
"You can't have been as uncomfortable as you looked." She smiled, close to laughing at the memory.
"Everyone was watching us. You looked so relaxed; I couldn't believe it."
"People are always staring at me. And whispering. It's not that different."
"I really don't like it." Harry shook his head. He was happy that Genevieve helped protect Luna from the harsher side of life in Ravenclaw. Truly, Luna would have been more accepted anywhere else; but it didn't matter. She was the truest Ravenclaw he had ever met.
"Well this is my common room. Thank you Harry." She smiled as Harry yawned. "We should get to bed." She lifted her head and yawned. "Oh look." She pointed excitedly. "Mistletoe."
"Don't Nargles nest in Mistletoe?"
"Yes, ever so troublesome." She told him. "There's a way to get rid of them you know."
"What's that?"
"You kiss under them." Harry wondered what she meant; he remembered her mentioning that you shouldn't stand under mistletoe. Well, who was he to question it? Luna was the Nargle expert after all.
"I wonder, should we?" Harry asked.
"It would be a good idea. They can be so troublesome."
"Yes."
Harry looked down at Luna. And he did it. He kissed her. It was a small kiss; barley more than a peck. Harry couldn't understand why everyone liked kissing so much; and then he pulled away.
Luna's cheeks were tinted pink. She was smiling. Then harry realised, that's why people liked it so much. She looked amazing with such a smile on her face.
"Good night, Luna Lovegood."
"Sleep well, Harry Potter."
BN: Hey guys, Celran here. Just thought I would finally say Hi to you all, and mention the total lack of explosions so far. It's really annoying. Ask T.I.A; I always bring it up! "Where are the Explosions?" I'll ask, only to get a "Not sure" in return!
Anyway, hope you enjoy the double chapters, took a bit of effort to get to you on time; but it kinda seemed to be cut short if it was only the first half of the ball. Ttwo chapters a week will not be becoming a thing, its just that, as I said, it seemed off to me, only having the first half of the ball.
See you all later, The Totally Awesome (and not just telling myself that to feel good :P) Beta Celran.
