(AN: I do not own Harry Potter or "And so this is Christmas"
Harry Potter is the property of JK Rowling and "And so this is Christmas" is property of John Lennon, and affiliates. I make nothing off this story but enjoyment.)

Chapter VII: And So This Is Christmas

Harry and Luna apparated back to the steps of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, shaking the snow from their shoes as the left the stoop. Kreacher was waiting for them, and he took their coats and hung them on the goblin made coat rack- a gift from Kingsley.

"I hope Master and Miss Lovegood had an enjoyable outing, Miss Lovegood, would you like your cocoa?" Kreacher said, bowing deeply once he had secured their coats.

"Yes, thank you, Kreacher, that would be lovely." Luna said as she brought her gifts into the drawing room, with Harry close behind. They sat together as Harry spoke Incendio into the fireplace, waving his wand as he did so, a roaring fire soon joined them, warming them up. Harry took out the Jesus portrait that Luna had found for Hermione and began to wrap it with gold and silver paper. As Harry was twirling the bow with his wand, Luna looked to him, and cleared her throat.

"Harry, do you think Hermione will enjoy her gift? Or should I have bought a perty radge for her instead? With a tree?"

Harry smiled and levitated the present over to the stack of other presents. "I think she will like this just fine. Would you pass me Neville's present?" Harry said, indicating an oddly shaped box with a little pig on it.

"Sure…" She said, grabbing it happily. "What is it?"

"It's a Muggle invention, it's called a 'Chia Pet', a sort of animal statue that grows grass."

"What does it do?" Luna asked, looking at the pig curiously.

"Well, it's mostly decoration…more than anything. But Neville likes plants, so I thought he could use it in his home or …something." Harry said weakly, examining the pig which would not even oink.

"Did you get anything for Ginny? A guide to becoming an Animagus?" Luna said, beaming at Harry.

He probably should have been upset at her, didn't it seem like she was boasting Ginny's arrest? But no, Harry only smiled at her, and appreciated the humor and honor she was paying to Sirius. "I don't think she'd need a book- she might be able to figure it out on her own."

"What do you think of George's request?" Luna said, writing her name on a card addressed to Hannah Abbott.

"Well, a bunch of different things. Which part of it do you mean?" He said, stacking all of his presents neatly near the door. His body afire with the joy of giving these presents to his friends soon- for there was supposed to be a Christmas Ball at Hermione's this year. He would be able to see Neville, Dennis Creevey, and even Katie Bell- which meant that Allicia and Angelina would be there as well.

"Well, you're head of the Auror department. Your testimony on or against her could mean a life sentence or a light sentence. What will you do?"

"What spell did she use on you?"

"Tuus exsecratio spes mea." Luna said brightly, imagining Ginny's despair in prison- and sincerely hoping this time out would let her think things over.

"Your curse, my hope." Harry spoke to himself. "I wonder what Ginny's hope was for that spell,… hmm. Death Eaters used that in the last few months. Wonder where she learned it."

"I would have thought that obvious, a Death Eater." Luna said, wondering how rationally Harry was thinking.
"Which one though?"

"I would say Goyle, he was rather good at curses once he opened his mouth. I'm sure he used it on many students."

"That would make sense," Harry nodded. "I'm glad I was the one to find him, he didn't want to come peacefully." Harry said, eyes falling down to the floor. It had surprised him, really, when he had fought Goyle to the death. It had started out as a routine arrest, but then Goyle started using unforgivable curses…I did what I had to. Harry thought remorselessly.

Luna looked at him with wonder. "You're glad you were the one to get him?"

Harry crossed his arms and nodded. " I don't mean I was glad, ooh I hope I get Goyle, glad. I just meant I was glad he didn't get to anyone else first, he was pretty powerful."

"I see." Luna said, looking around at Harry's decorations hanging all about the house. Kreacher strolled into the drawing room, hands supporting a tray full of cocoa, which he sat in front of Harry and Luna.

"Let's not talk about my work, I always thought it would be fun catching Dark Wizards- it's hard to do when you've known most of them."

"Then let's talk about tomorrow, meeting my dad. Are you worried?"

"A bit."

"You know you're the first boy I've brought home, don't you? I considered bringing over Dean; but after Shell Cottage – we never really spoke again. Shame."

"Mmm." Harry said awkwardly. "I think my parents would have liked you."

"My Mum would have said you were sweet. Even though she's dead, it's like I can still hear her talking to me." Luna said, with a hand supporting her head.

Harry was unsure how to respond to this, so instead sipped from his drink.

"Where do you see yourself in five years, Luna?" Harry inquired, as Luna had yet to pick a profession. "You have been out of school for a couple of years now."

"I would like to be searching for elusive creatures, such as a Wrackspurt. I think that would be fulfilling. I could finally prove to everyone that I'm not crazy." She nodded at Harry.

"I bet your Dad is proud of you, he doesn't think you're crazy, in fact: I'm sure he is proud of you."

Luna beamed and rose to her feet, bringing Harry with her. "Dance with me, Scary Harry." Luna said, dancing through the drawing room, arms lifted above her, her face free from caring. "C'mon, Harry. Dance with your girlfriend!"

So Harry did, they waltzed through the walkways, and sidestepped up stairs. They crept past Kreacher and leapt past the library. Harry spun Luna on her tiptoes, and he remembered Professor McGonagall in his fourth year. 'Inside every woman, a graceful swan waits to burst.' This was certainly true, and Harry had never really appreciated that before. He had never seen the swan come from Ginny- the cat maybe, but never a swan.

They collapsed on a small couch where they had spent such a happy evening last night, each one looking at the other, Harry with a feeling of joy; Luna, with a feeling of doubt. Would Harry always think of Ginny, or would this phase pass? Could he honestly dedicate himself to her during their courtship? Luna of course was not foolish enough to think that Harry didn't care about her, but his heart was not entirely hers, as hers was for him.

"What's on your mind?" Harry interrupted her thoughts, his smile warming her heart and making it sink down to her core.
"Holidays always are hard, Harry. Especially for us, who have lost so much."

"There's a Muggle song, called Happy Christmas. My Aunt Petunia used to listen to it in secret, I don't think I ever understood why until the war with Voldemort ended. It was by a man called John Lennon."

"Do you have it, Harry?" Luna said, unflinchingly as Harry mentioned Voldemort.

Harry waved his wand towards a Muggle stereo system, and the sound of changing tracks issued from within.

"And so this is Christmas ( War is over)

For weak and for strong ( If you want it)

For rich and the poor ones (War is over)

The road is so long ( Now )

And so happy Christmas ( War is over)

For black and for white ( If you want it)

For yellow and red ones ( War is over)

Let's stop all the fight ( Now)"

Harry and Luna listened to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, singing their song to the world about the effects of war at Christmas. Harry knew loss, and Luna feared she might lose Harry, to a girl who could offer him nothing but blind affection. Would Harry realize this? Or would he simply fall to the charms of Ginny Weasley?

She would give him until the end of the week, if she knew his heart was not hers by then, she would leave him. She let a tear slide down her red cheek as they rose to dance.