Word of Luna and Severus's new status as a couple spread through Hogwarts when the two walked into breakfast the next day hand in hand. They separated to go to their own tables but the damage was done and the hall was abuzz.

Upon reaching his table, Severus had to endure the sly, mischievous looks of Luna's counterparts, sighing when Pansy clapped him on the back in congratulations and Hermione grinned, not particularly surprised by this development.

Over at the Griffendor table, Luna's reception was much louder. Shouted exclamations came from Sirius, and James was cleaning his shirt from sputtering out his drink.

"Luna!" Lily cried as she ran to the Marauders where Luna was taking a seat. She plopped herself down beside the blonde almost knocking poor James aside as he concentrated on his shirt and rapidly began questioning her. "Are you and Severus dating? How long has this been going on? Who asked whom? WHAT HAPPENED?" Lily sucked in a breath after her long tirade.

"Lily relax and let her get a word in," Remus put in good-naturedly.

Luna simply smiled serenely, even more distracted looking that usual.

"Yes, we are dating now. It happened last night. I kissed him first but he asked me to be with him. I said I would stay with him forever if he wished it."

The surrounding friends went slack-jawed at this new information, not sure which surprising aspect to address first.

"What did he say after you told him that?" James finally exclaimed while leaning forward to gaze around Lily, bizarrely fascinated with the strange and unexpected pairing.

Luna smiled her dreamy smile and leaned in as if to share a secret. The others also leaned in out of habit.

"He turned so red in the face I thought he might pass out. Then he hugged me and mumbled 'ok' in my ear."

"Oh my Godric," Lily breathed. "I never thought this day would come. My Severus is actually dating someone. I was so sure he was asexual!"

The others turned to look at Lily with baffled expressions.

Lily shrugged sheepishly and then said defensively, "Well, he never showed an interest in girls or boys before now; what was I suppose to think?"

The Marauders looked around at each other before shrugging. James put in awkwardly, "we obviously always assumed he was in love with you so…"

Lily rolled her eyes and responded playfully, "You are such a wally."

James quickly blushed at her friendliness and chose to forgo asking what a wally was.

"So what are your Christmas plans Luna?" Remus suddenly asked in order to change the subject. He was also curious as to what the Transfer Trio would be up to during the break. Or maybe just one member of the trio in particular.

"Oh, Hermione, Pansy, and I will be doing a bit of travelling," was the answer the group received from their dreamy companion.

Remus frowned curiously at this.

"Are you allowed to do that as under-aged witches without a guardian?" He asked doubtfully.

Luna smiled serenely and replied, "we're emancipated."

The others absorbed this newfound information while wondering just exactly how the three came to be emancipated.

"Well, if you find the time you three should definitely stop by Potter Manor for Christmas. All the Marauders will be there and you can even invite that boyfriend of yours if you want." James sent her a conspiratorial wink before looking to Lily. "You're invited too, of course, Lily," He said almost shyly.

Lily stared at him with a stunned expression on her pretty face. Not only had he just invited her to his home for Christmas, he had invited Severus Snape! And he had called her Lily instead of Evans! And he was being shy! Had the world gone mad? All these thoughts whirled through Lily's mind, distracting her enough that she didn't even realize she was nodding until she saw James's face light up. Did she just agree?