Strange Can Be Good

HarryxLuna

Rated T

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Strange Can Be Good

Chapter 9: The Date

Harry stood nervously outside of Luna's apartment door, his hands feelings clammy as he held the bundle of wildflowers tightly in his hand. He had been surprised when her father had told her she was actually living in an apartment flat in Muggle London. Apparently she had always wanted to see and experience Muggle life, and had been doing so for the past seven years and loved it. Also it allowed her to do her work in peace. Taking a deep breath, Harry raised his fist and knocked four times, waiting for Luna to answer the door.

"Just a moment, please!" Luna's soft and dreamy voice called out, muffled by the closed door. Harry smiled at hearing her voice and waited patiently for the woman to open her door. Moments later she did, a grin spreading across her face. "Harry! What a surprise! Won't you come inside?"

"Thank you, Luna," Harry said as he returned her smile. Luna stepped aside to allow the man entrance and Harry stepped in, looking around at Luna's apartment. It was small, but comfortable for one person to live in. There was a loveseat and armchair in the living room with a coffee table and a Muggle television set. The kitchen had a refrigerator/freezer, stove, oven, and cabinets to store food. A small hallway led to the bathroom and single bedroom that Luna occupied, and the walls were covered in moving portraits of Luna's family and friends, most of the pictures with friends dating back to Hogwarts years. All in all, it was homey and appeared normal, though Harry could guarantee there was a weird thing here or there in the bedroom.

Giving a nod of approval Harry said, "You've done this place up nicely. But what about the moving pictures when Muggles come over?"

Luna led Harry into the living room and sat on the loveseat, patting the space beside her for her guest to sit. When he did, she said, "I haven't had any Muggles come to visit me yet, though I do work with some in a Muggle part-time job. In the event that Muggles come over, I placed a charm over the portraits so that even if I see them moving, they will look like still pictures to the Muggles. And thank you for complementing my home."

Harry smiled and nodded before plucking up the nerve to ask Luna out on a date. He really had nothing in mind for what they could do, but he figured they could just go wherever the day took them. And since they were in Muggle London, they could find things to do that Muggles did for fun.

"Luna, doyouwanttogoonadatewithme?" Harry asked hurriedly. Merlin, could he not ask a girl out without sounding like an idiot?

The blonde woman looked at Harry for a moment before smiling and saying, "Sure, I would love to."

Harry smiled and let out a breath of relief. He suddenly remembered he still had the flowers in his hand and handed them to Luna. Luna smiled and smelled the wildflowers as she thanked him before telling him that she was going to put them in a vase and get her satchel before they left. As she walked away, Harry smiled and hoped that the day and date went well.

The two magical people walked down the street, talking and standing closer than was normal for just friends. But they couldn't help it; they were attracted to each other and were having feelings that they were starting to explore. As they turned a corner Luna stopped and grabbed Harry by his arm, stopping him from continuing to walk. She pointed off somewhere in the distance and asked, "What is that big wheel over there?"

Harry looked over to where she was pointing and answered, "That is a Ferris Wheel, Luna. It's popular as festivals and it's a cliché for couples to ride it."

"We're on a date, so we're technically a couple, right? Let's go!" Luna asked before pulling Harry off towards the Ferris Wheel, her eyes shining in excitement. As he allowed her to pull him forward, Harry couldn't help but think about what Luna had said. She had said that they were technically a couple. He hadn't even asked her yet, but Luna seemed to have jumped ahead as usual (not that he minded). Harry smiled at the back of Luna's blonde head as they finally reached the big wheel.

Walking up to the person manning the machine, Harry said, "Hello. How much is it to ride?"

The man looked at them as he took a drag of his cigar before saying, "Never seen you two here before; must've just moved to the area. Well since you two are new here, it will only be £2.42."

Harry nodded and paid the fee before the man opened the gate and led them to an open cabin, the only one left that was available. He waited until they were both inside before closing the door and walking back to start the wheel. As the wheel began to move, Luna giggled and looked out of the window of the cabin, excited to see everything from high up as the wheel turned in circles. Harry smiled and looked out with Luna as well, taking in the sights of London. It certainly was a beauty to behold from the angle they were at.

For them to only have chosen the Ferris Wheel as their first activity for their date, it was definitely a good start. Luna seemed to be enjoying herself and spending time with Harry, which was all he could ask of her at the moment. Once the giant wheel had taken its fifth turn around, Harry softly said, "Luna?"

"Yes, Harry?" Luna said looking at him.

"I uh, I have to tell you something," Harry said nervously. Taking a breath he said, "I asked you out on this date because I have feelings for you and I would like to be able to explore my feelings for you and hopefully take our friendship to the next level."

Luna stared at the wizard for a while, not sure what to say. Harry had just confessed that he had feelings for her. She sat and stared at him for apparently a long time because she hadn't noticed the wheel stop, stopping them right at the top. Also Harry started to look uncomfortable from the silence. Blinking Luna stood from her side of the cabin and walked over to Harry's, sitting down next to him and leaning her head on his shoulder. She sighed happily and softly said, "I'd love to."

Harry smiled and gently took Luna's hand in his, giving it a soft squeeze and sat with her in a comfortable silence, waiting for the wheel to take them back to the bottom so they could get off. When they did, they thanked the man and walked off, Luna allowing Harry to lead her around the city. All day the two of them walked around, Harry showing Luna all the different places that Muggles went to for enjoyment which Luna went inside every single place and tried the food that some of the places served. The two of them were enjoying themselves immensely and hadn't noticed that the sun was beginning to set in the sky. It was only when Harry heard a mother telling her children they needed to get home because it was getting dark did he realize how long they had been out.

They were currently in a candy store where Luna was looking at different Muggle candies to try. So far she had about four to six one pound bags of different candies. He himself had gotten a bag or two of candy to share with his sons, but was hoping Luna didn't get a stomach ache with the amount she was getting. When Luna finally stopped, they bought their candy and walked out, a bag in their hands, their free ones inches from each other as they walked out of the shop and down the street to head back to Luna's apartment.

Luna noticed Harry was making movements with his hand and realized he was debating whether or not to hold her hand as they walked. Smiling at the man's cute gestures, she reached out and took his hand, threading their fingers together as she smiled up at him. Harry's green eyes showed his surprise at what Luna had done, but he relaxed and grinned down at her. The two of them talked quietly as they walked, talking about James and Albus, Luna's job, the job Harry was wondering if he should stop his paid leave, and anything else they could think of. Nearing the apartment complex, Luna said, "I had a good time today, Harry."

"I'm glad, Luna," Harry replied, happy that she had a nice time. It had been apparent that she hadn't really explored where she was living, so Harry didn't mind walking around with her. Honestly, though this wasn't the ideal date he would have imagined, he enjoyed it and decided that this was a good a date as any. And Luna was so open to everything he knew that she didn't mind in the slightest.

Finally reaching the apartment, Harry walked Luna to her door before telling her goodnight. Luna smiled and pulled Harry into a hug, holding him close before pulling away and giving him a kiss on his cheek. She giggled softly at his stunned face before bidding him goodnight as well and walking into her home.

As soon as the door closed, a wide grin spread across Harry's face before he Disapparated back to his home. He hadn't meant to be out so long, but he couldn't deny that it hadn't been good. Harry walked into his house, listening for sounds of his children and Ron. He heard nothing and walked into the living room, finding Ron and his sons asleep on his couch, though Ron was in the floor. Chuckling he woke his friend up and whispered, "Wake up, mate."

"Harry?" Ron said voice thick with sleep. He yawned and blinked the sleep out of his eyes before asking, "How'd it go?"

"Great, Ron. I think she's really into me and we decided to give it a try."

"That's great, mate. Well, I'm going home now; Hermione's probably wondering where I am right now."

"Alright, I will see you later then."

The two friends said goodbye and Harry closed the door after Ron, locking it and going back to put his sons to bed. It didn't take him long to carry them upstairs to their rooms and change them into their pajamas. He tucked them in and kissed their foreheads before turning their lights off and walking to his own room. As he changed into his own pajamas, he couldn't help but smile as he thought of the blonde witch that was beginning to steal his heart. And as he lay down under his sheets, head on his pillow, he hoped to dream of dreamy eyes and a kind, soft smile.

Author's Note: This chapter was kind of sucky, probably because I've been distracted with other things, like college and new classes. Hopefully the next chapter won't suck.