Neville declares his intentions to Luna … in front of everyone

Song: My Arms Were Always Around You by Peter Bradley Adams

Neville: Good morning

Luna: Good morning

Neville: Do you need anything for TnT?

Luna: Not right now

Neville: Coffee?

Luna: Having tea

Neville: Are you there?

Luna: Just turned on the sign. First pots are in the cosies

Neville: How are the tables?

Luna: The arrangements are perfect

Neville: Be there in 20. I've got to check on the Bower before I open the shop

Neville slid his mobile in his pocket. The conversation between them this early in the morning never changed much, but he felt better if he checked on her before he left his cottage and headed to the greenhouse. Some mornings she did need things, others she just talked to him for a few minutes before she got back to work. He could get used to this.

Luna: Everything okay?

Ginny: Everything is fine

Luna: When do you go?

Ginny: After lunch

Luna: It is going to be fine

Ginny: Thanks…I'm nervous

Luna: It's going to be fine

Luna settled another cosy over a pot of tea. Her first customers would be walking in the door soon and she wanted everything to be ready. Neville had made new centerpieces for the tables last night. She loved how he found flowers that complemented the room and fit the season. This week it was magnolia blossoms floating in a bowl of water.

He always checked on her before he came into the greenhouse in the morning and she always checked on him before she left in the afternoons. The girls gave her a hard time about the pictures she snuck of Neville when he was working on the Bower, but he was a beautiful man, inside and out. He should be appreciated for it.

Neville: Ron text you?

Harry: Yeah

Neville: It's about time

Harry: Yup

Neville: Does anyone else know?

Harry: Not as far as I can tell

Neville: She'll say yes

Harry: Yup

Neville: Another question

Harry: Okay

Neville: Should I ask Luna out?

Harry: Do you like her?

Neville: Yeah

Harry: Can you go through a day without talking to her?

Neville: No

Harry:Do you think about her all the time?

Neville: Yes

Harry: Then ask her out

Neville: But how?

Harry: Just ask, the worst she can say is no

Neville: That is what scares me

Harry: Just be yourself and ask

Neville: Are you sure?

Harry: She'll say yes…you should see the way she watches you

Luna looked up at the clock in her office. She had been working on paperwork since the lunch rush ended. She had not realized how late it had gotten. It was time to pack up and head for The Bishop's Brew. She need to check to see if Neville was ready to go. He usually offered to give her a ride to and from Chess Club. He wasn't in the green house so she decided to check the workshop. "Ready to go, Neville?" Luna asked as she leaned against the doorframe.

"Not yet." Neville looked up from the bouquet he was creating. "I need to finish this for Ron. Are you ready?"

"I need to run home before I head over," Luna sighed and pushed away from the door. "I'll just meet you there. I have a charm that looks like a book and opens so that you can put something inside it. I'll bring it to you before I leave."

"Thanks, Luna." Neville went back to arranging daisy in the bouquet. "Is it big enough to hold a ring?"

Luna popped her head back in the door of the workshop. "I think so. Just how nervous is he?"

"Enough." Neville kept talking as he worked on the bouquet. "I just hope I get there before he loses his cool."

"Will Harry be there?" Luna asked as she laid the charm on the worktable. "He is usually good about keeping Ron centered. He's going to need it. I'll see you there?"

"I'm leaving as soon as I get this done." Neville set the bouquet on the table and turned to search for ribbon. "First coffee's on me tonight?"

"Only if I get the second round," Luna laughed as she left the workroom.

"Maybe" Neville whispered as he watched her leave. He had work to get done first.

Hermione: Anybody there yet?

Ginny: I have the table

Luna: Just left work. Be there in a little bit

Daphne: Waiting on Theo

Hermione: I'm still waiting on Ron

Ginny: No rush. As long as one of us is here, the table is ours

Luna: Is it busy?

Hermione: Why?

Daphne: It's Friday night…the crowd comes in waves

Ginny: It's not too bad right now

Hermione: You know that will change by the time we get there

Luna: Just trying to decide if I want to use the app or wait to order

Ginny: Just wait…Nev always buys your first cup anyway

Daphne: I didn't realize you had a coffee date with Nev every Friday

Hermione: Interesting

Luna: It is not a date

Waiting for Neville to get to Chess Club was making Luna nervous. Watching Ron, stare out the window instead of playing chess did not help things either. She had opened up a document to work on, but her fingers seemed frozen. The story was in her head, she just could not get it on the page.

The girls had seemed almost disappointed that she had not shared pictures of Neville working with them today. She did not always share the pictures she took with them. Daphne and Theo had taken their share of teasing tonight. Daphne should have know that lipstick on Theo's neck would get everyone's attention. She knew Neville had arrived when Ron sprinted for the door. Chess Club was about to get much more interesting.

Neville: I'm on my way in

Luna: I saw Ron head for the parking lot

Neville: He's nervous

Luna: She has no idea

Neville: I have a feeling we need to get the Bower ready for a wedding

Luna: I'm looking forward to it

Neville: Gran would have loved it

Luna: She would have

Neville: I'm on my way in

Luna: Is Ron okay?

Neville: He is breathing now

Luna: Come over to the table

Neville: Okay

Neville made his way along the wall to the girls table. Ron was on his knees, holding on to Hermione for dear life. He guessed he would hold on to Luna like that if she had given him the answer that Hermione had given Ron.

But to ask someone to marry you, you had to date them first. Luna was his business partner and she was a good friend, but he wanted more. Harry seemed to think she was interested in more. Now, all he had to do was get up the nerve to ask her out on a date. It should not be that hard. All he had to say was, "Luna, would you like to go to dinner with me?" As simple as it seemed, he had frozen every time he had the opportunity to ask.

The words were there, they just would not come out. It was almost as frustrating as trying not to stutter when he was speaking to people outside his family and friends. Neville slid up behind Luna and grabbed her hand. "Can I talk to you?" he whispered in her ear.

"Sure." Luna looked down at their hands. "Are you okay Nev?"

"I'm good." Neville entwined his fingers with hers. "I just wanted to ask you something."

"Okay." Luna's voice cracked with curiosity. "What's up?"

"W-w-w-would you go to dinner with me? Tomorrow night?" Neville stuttered his way through the question.

Luna looked up a Neville as he waited for her answer. "As more than friends?"

"If you want." Neville brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her fingers.

"I think I'd like that," Luna smilled and tucked her head into Neville's chest. "I really think I'd like that."