(AN: I give to you, the final chapter of A Christmas Carol. I hope you've had fun reading this , as I've enjoyed writing it. Reviews are appreciated, I would love to know what you truly felt about concerning the ending. More from me at the end. Enjoy for now.)

Chapter XII: The Twelve Days of Christmas

Harry and Luna knocked on the decorated door of Hermione's place, and they entered after Hermione had hugged them both, she had already begun to take part in the drinking games. Harry was hailed immediately by Neville, who was wearing his finest vest and matching pants. The pants were important, or so he had been told, for they were considered lucky. "So how have you two been getting on?" Neville spoke, sipping on a glass of fizzing green liquid.

"We've been very well," Luna said, grabbing a hand full of passing candy, being carried by a young red haired boy. "Must be one of those Weasleys'." Luna commented.

"That's good to hear, I just want to say, Harry - you've picked a great girl. I hope you're both happy, now that you're choosing this." Neville chewed on a licorice wand that Luna had passed to him.

"Thanks Neville," Harry said, putting his arm around Luna. Without warning, there was a loud catcall from behind, and the couch upon which they were sitting suddenly gained one Oliver Wood.

"Harreeeeey Pottah!" Said Wood, his speech slurring silkily as he helped himself to a piece of candy. " 'Mione said ya mightuh be heyah." Wood chomped on the toffee, which stuck to the inside of his mouth.

"Hello, Oliver. Good to see you again, you seem to be enjoying yourself." Harry said, pulling Luna a little ways closer to him. Not that he didn't trust Wood, he just wanted to be sure that should he feel the need to get up suddenly, he wouldn't step all over Luna. Harry had seen Wood sloshed before, and it usually ended up with Wood needing a new set of clothes.

"Blimey I am, 'Mione here shrows the best parties she does!" He reached out and seemed to pull Hermione from out of thin air.

"Pardon me, Oliver, did you just say I shrow the best parties?" She said, raising an eyebrow and pursing her lips.

"Yes you do! And let me be the first to say…" He was interrupted, however, because he seemed to decide that he should have another drink. Forgetting all about his next sentence, he drank all of his & Nevilles' drinks. "Thanks Neville, ole pal!" Oliver said, his hair falling in front of his face now.

"I think it's time to get you to bed, Mr. Keeper." Hermione said, laying her drink down. "Excuse us, please." Hermione said, and with an amused expression, she hoisted Wood up from the couch and led him upstairs.

The group laughed as Wood stumbled up the stairs with Hermione, and it wasn't long before they discussed their plans for the new year.

"Harry and I are going to Brazil, I've just decided this." Luna said cheerfully. "We're going to look for a Brazillian Basilisk."

Harry dropped his jaw and stared at her rosy red face. "Might I ask why we would be looking for something like that?"

"Hagrids' got a problem with chickens, I expect." Neville offered, smiling at the two of them.

"Don't be silly Neville, Brazillian Basilisks don't actually exist. It's just an excuse for me to get Harry out of the country and all to me self." Luna grinned broadly, snuggling in closer to Harry.

"Well now, can't complain about that I suppose." Harry laughed and looked around the room, eager to see whom else was attending tonight. Harry & Luna arose from the couch and said they would catch up with Neville a little later. Neville did not seem to mind, as Hannah Abbott quickly asked him for a dance.

Harry noticed the distinct absence of all the Weasleys, despite Luna's previous assumption. All the better. He thought, pleased to know that tomorrow was Ginny's trial. She would be before the Wizengamot, and he & Luna had already decided to spend the day on a nice beach somewhere - soaking up the sun, and listening to the crashing of the waves.

Harry felt his jaw drop again, for he had not expected to see an old classmate here, whose blonde hair shone like snowflakes, and his eyes gleamed with mischief. Draco Malfoy was sipping on a clear liquid, face red with the effect of alcohol. He was putting a blindfold on Dennis Creevey, who was holding onto a shirt- with a pin sticking through it. Draco spun him around three times, and Dennis stumbled farther and farther away from a picture of a House-Elf attached to the wall.

"Oh tell me my eyes are failing me…" Harry said. Luna tilted her head and looked at Harry.

"I don't understand. What is Dennis doing with that shirt?"

Harry patted her on the back and spun around with her briefly as the Weird Sisters began to play. "There is a game, that Muggles' play. It's called pin the tail on the donkey."

"How did it lose it's tail?"

"Something to do with bad fleas…anyway this must be a goof on that game. Pin the clothes on the House Elf. I'm glad Hermione isn't here to see this…she would go….go…" Harry paused in his dancing and looked at Luna.

"What is it?" Luna said, her eyes staring into his.

"There are no Weasleys' here…Hermione's been drinking…and she was last seen taking Oliver upstairs…"

"And?" Luna asked, not following him.

"She has been gone a long time you see. There are nothing upstairs but bedrooms."

"Well I always thought she would realize that Ron was no good for her. Wood will show her a wonderful time. The stories we used to hear about him and his broomstick." Luna said seriously, Harry laughing at her unexpected sense of humour.

"OK then!" Harry laughed, grabbing a drink from a passing server.

"Harry?" Luna tugged on his sleeve.

He looked up at her and nodded. "Yes Luna?"

"Before you drink that, come out to the patio with me, would you?"

Harry shrugged and sat the drink down, it was quickly picked up by Neville as he and Hannah too walked upstairs.

The night sky was plastered with stars, each one shining down upon Harry & Luna. The air was crisp, and rather enjoyable considering the time of year. Luna and Harry walked to the edge of the patio, where they stood, overlooking the countryside.

"It sure is pretty out here tonight." Harry said, admiring the view.

"I've seen countless stars Harry. None of them shine as brightly as you."

Harry felt his heart beat faster as Luna paid him this unexpected compliment. "Luna, that was sweet of you to say." He held her hand and gave her a kiss.

They stood arm in arm, an unusual tension hanging in the air.

"Harry." Luna said, looking up into his star filled eyes.

"Yes?" Harry said, shivering a little now from the exposure.

"Do you remember that Muggle story you told me, about the twelve days of Christmas?"

"Of course, you seemed to like it."

"I did, and I still do."

"I'm glad I was able to tell it to you then."

"I'm going to ask you something, Harry." Luna said, holding onto his hands tightly now.

"Ok,…" Harry said, unsure of what she would ask him concerning this Muggle story.

"Which of those gifts would you have liked to have received this Christmas?"

Harry pondered her question for a moment, wondering whether or not to joke with her about the eight maids…deciding not to, however, he gave his answer. "I'm not sure, I'm not really into birds so much…that's really are there are in that story."

"Not so, Harry." Luna said, smiling at him.

"Oh?"

"There are rings in that story." She paused and he looked at her quizzically. "Five of them." She smiled and he raised his eyebrow at her. "I think one would do though, for you." She reached into her pocket and his heart skipped several beats. She pulled from her pocket a silver ring, gleaming brightly in the light of the stars and in it's reflection, Harry saw his face.

Harry tried his best to speak, but his words deserted him.

"Would you mind terribly, Harry, me being Mrs. Harry Potter?" Luna said, kneeling to one knee and staring deeply into his eyes, which seemed frozen on her- not wanting to believe what was truly happening. You should probably answer now, Harry! His mind yelled at him, his heart racing and his mind a flutter.

Since words would not come easily, Harry picked her up and kissed her fully on her lips. They were soon being watched by every eye as they were visible through the doors. Harry ran his fingers through her blonde hair and he felt like his soul were soaring. Luna broke from his kiss, waited for his words, and at long long last, they came.

"I would love," He allowed her to put the ring, albeit unusual for a man to wear one, his engagement ring, on his finger. "to call you Luna Potter." He swallowed, and joy filled his body, it rushed through his veins like an elixir of health, and he felt a world of pain get swallowed up. He loved her, and it may have been the loudest applause that Britain ever heard that night. For there was much celebrating over the two of them, and it was right for that to have occurred, for where in all of the world, was there a better match?

(AN: Yes, I broke from Cannon, for once in my life, I broke from cannon. I couldn't put Harry with Ginny. And Wood & Hermione are a much better match. Reviews are liked!!!! Leave one for me: ) This will wrap it up for this story, I thank you all for the hits, reviews, messages and other encouragements. My next work is The Coming Darkness, my sequel to "Metamoura" I would love to hear from you on that story should you feel so inclined. It has been a pleasure, may the new year be kind to you. ----TowerMage)