[AN: Here we are ladies and gents, Chapter 8 of ACC. Reviews are loved, and reviews are especially important for this chapter. You all will hopefully want to kill me once you read the end of this chapter. Keep in mind, you might not have to wait long for the next one- as I'm hoping to have this finished by Monday. Also, I broke from my song useage this chapter. It was intentional, as a chatper title would have given away the majority of this chapter. Enjoy!!!

Disclaimers: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter VIII: Christmas at the Lovegoods

The three were seated at the finely decorated table, an odd assortment of flowers highlighted the center of the table, dispersing fragrances of exotic origin. Xenophilius Lovegood and Harry looked at each other occasionally, awkwardly retreating to the silence. They had met formally years ago, when Harry, Hermione & Ron were Horcrux hunting. Xeno, as Harry called him, had been cordial then. Cordial right up until he had alerted Death Eaters of Harry's visit; things went sour from there. Harry had forgiven Xeno for his transgressions ; after all, he had been trying to rescue Luna from the icy grip of the Death Eaters.

"Daddy, could you pass me the pudding please?" Luna said, extending her hands eagerly, eyes dancing with anticipation. " I do love your banana pudding." She nodded as her father passed her the oddly curved bowl – which perfectly complimented the newly reconstructed curved tower.

"So, Harry." Xenophilius stated uncomfortably, though it was clearly meant to sound at ease. Harry noticed and smiled, pleased that he still commanded Xeno's fearful respect. "I hear you are in the Auror department now, eh? Bringing in the Galleons there, aren't you? And Kingsley must be so proud."

"Yes sir, he feels confident he has left the department in the right hands."

Xeno nodded anxiously, searching for words to say to maintain this conversation. "And tell me, Harry. How is it you and Luna got together?"

Harry explained the tale, Xeno not really listening, more acting like he was out to impress Harry; for he laughed more joyfully than normal. His face lit up at all the appropriate times. Harry noticed all of this and wondered Xeno's intentions. Did he really approve of Harry, or was he truly ashamed of how he had acted on their last encounter?

"Well, that is all very fine! I believe my Luna couldn't have asked for a better person to care for her."

"Thank you, sir."

"Oh Daddy, thank you for saying something so sweet." Luna added, finishing up her pudding.

"Now, Harry." Xeno said, his tone becoming noticeably more grave. "What are your intentions for my Luna?"

Luna turned beet red upon hearing this, and realized that her father surely must have noticed Harry's odd nature as well. For she had wondered the same thing of Harry, was this only fickle love, or would it transpire to more. She sat on the edge of her seat, and awaited his answer.

"Well sir, I will tell you this, I will not lie to you and say that I want to date Luna forever."

Luna's heart felt like it was breaking, she had suspicions on Harry's sometimes ambivalent behavior, but she hadn't expected him to say this on Christmas!

"Nor," Harry continued. "will I pretend that I can give her everything she needs."

Xenophilius was grasping his silver knife now, surely his temper was reaching an all time high. What nerve this boy had! He thought.

"Harry…" Luna said, eyes betraying traces of tears.

"I do not want to date Luna any longer, Xenophilius. In fact I am quite ready to stop dating her. Luna needs someone who will be by her side forever, holding her heart close to their own. I come to you with one question, Mr. Lovegood. It is my ambition to marry your daughter. Luna is a person who relates to me in ways that nobody else ever has. And I cannot say our courtship has been lengthy. But I can no longer treat this as anything less than what it truly is. I love your daughter, and I request your permission, for her hand in marriage." Harry said standing, walking over to Xenophilius, and standing boldly in front of him.

Luna's mouth had been opened for the last minute, her eyes unblinking as she listened to the words pouring from Harry's mouth. She watched as Harry walked over to her father, and watched as her father's face turned from somber to utterly amazed. His moustache was being twirled around a long finger, and his eyes were wide open. Time seemed to be suspended, in this moment of tranquil silence.

Luna felt as though she had no idea what was happening. Her ears were working, of that she was certain. It didn't take the Diadem of Ravenclaw to understand Harry's words. Luna's stomach did a somersault, and her hands folded together, and her ears awaited the response of her father. Luna was struck with realization, if her father said yes…then it would be Luna's turn to answer Harry's request. I could be engaged in the next five minutes! Luna's mind yelled at her, and her heartbeat raced insanely.

Xenophilius looked at Harry and considered the boy. It was evident the boy was well off, for who didn't know the story of Harry Potter? He had the galleons, Xeno thought. He had faced many terrors in his short life, and he supposed that it was always to be that way. Harry could surely take care of his Luna, hadn't he heard the tales of how Harry came to her rescue on several occasions.

"Harry." Xenophilius said, standing to face the young man face to face. "You are a brave man, and a hero I don't feel worthy to know. What you are asking is a great honor to us, and I feel surprised that you would so quickly ask for Luna's hand."

Harry didn't feel one flicker of fear, and his eyes stared steadfast into the face of his future father in law, presuming all went well. "I am sure this is what I want. I think Luna feels the same."

"It has always been Luna & I making mutual decisions on matters of our family. I would say that there are few men I would consider worthy of having my daughter's hand. You are indeed one of them. I would advise you to take more time to date each other, but I will not deny you Luna. I see her eyes, and through them, her soul. My permission is yours, Harry. And I would be honored to have you join our family." Xenophilius embraced Harry as a son, and the two men held the embrace for several seconds.

Luna was watching in amazement, now it was all on her. Harry would come to her next, ask her the question she had dreamed of since her earliest recollections. How would he propose to her, she wondered. She knew the answer she wanted to give, she wanted nothing more than to say yes. She watched Harry and knew that he loved her- and she loved him. It was true they had dated for so little time, was he being reckless in asking so soon? She wondered as he approached her. His green eyes shone with intensity and his smile invited her trust, she wanted to reply before he had even asked.

"Luna," Harry said, sitting beside her, and holding her shaking hands ever so closely to his heart. "You have been a great friend of mine for these many years now. From our first meeting on the Hogwarts Express, right up to the Battle of Hogwarts. Your loyalty has never faltered, and your love has given me joy like I've never known." He knelt down now, and Luna felt her heart grow light.

"I want to give myself to you in marriage, and nothing could make me happier than being your husband, all the days of my life. I want our love to fill the deepest levels of our lives, until it pours from us like water. Luna, you are the girl who understands me better than I understand myself, and my heart is only complete when you and I are together. It has been a feeling held within me since the humble beginnings of our relationship. I offer myself unto you, asking you now, Luna Lovegood: will you marry me?"

Harry opened a black box, sparkling with glitter and emblazoned with a large S, he opened the box, and within the box was a silver ring, encrusted with one single diamond, and two sapphires surrounding it. The silver was ring was unbroken, and it overlapped, like small waves of water breaking in the ocean.

Luna's eyes were full of tears now and her lips were trembling. She had found herself completely undone by Harry- her dear, silly Harry. His green eyes stared into hers, so full of hope and longing. She held out, noticing how she couldn't remembered the last time she had taken breath. She appreciated the oxygen as it filled her, and gave her strength to answer the most important question of her life.

Her lips parted, and Harry eagerly awaited her answer.