"You're taller, Harry Potter." Luna Lovegood approached him slowly, her piercing gaze capturing every detail.

He might have blushed, if he hadn't longed for this moment with every ounce of his being. He might have flushed a deep crimson, pulled his towel tight around his waist, rushed into the bathroom to throw on a spare set of clothes. He might have stumbled over himself to account for that clearly visible detail which of course she'd notice immediately, that detail which he hadn't considered at all. He might have been afraid to lose her confidence, to lose her affection in a lapse of trust. He didn't do or think any of these things, for the sheer joy of being with her again. Instead, he breathed full, exhaling in blissful relief, and spoke in hardly more than a whisper.

"Hi."

She was nearer now, within arm's reach, her silver eyes tracing every aspect of his features. "And broader." She lifted her arm, her fingertips touched his right bicep. "Here." She dragged her fingertips over his shoulder and chest. "And here." She let the weight of her hand drag her fingers to his torso; to his abs, tightly defined after nearly an hour a day training every evening. His work was clearly evident. Another detail he hadn't considered she might notice.

"Luna, I-"

She was inches away now, and her gaze met his. Her unwavering attention arrested him. He stood there, altogether captivated.

"You went away, Harry." She spoke the words without emotion, an echo of that melodic distance which so often characterized her reflections.

He merely nodded, lacing his fingers through hers.

"You used your time turner. You've been gone for a long time."

He leaned his forehead to hers, until her eyes were inches from his.

"I have." He whispered the words, knowing they weren't enough.

"How long?" She had stepped back, a half step, enough to see his face and absorb every detail of his expression.

There was fear in his heart now, a sort of trembling. He didn't know how she'd feel about the confession. The thrill of her presence remained, but he was just sobering to the potential consequences of his impulsive decision.

He steeled himself. "A year. I've been away for a year."

Pain haunted her features, and after a sharp intake of breath there were tears in her eyes.

"A year, darling?" She shuddered, and threw herself into him. "So many days. You've lost so many days." She clung to him. He could feel her trembling in his arms.

"No, Luna. You're wrong. Not lost. I've done it, you see. I've found a way. I've found a way to be with you." He kissed her forehead, over and over, relief and hope and affection twisted into a tight braid wound around his very soul. "You must know… surely you must know it was all for you."

She lifted her eyes, red with tears, and met his gaze. "I would never have asked - Harry Potter, if you'd only have spoken with me, I would never have asked-"

"No, darling. Of course. You wouldn't have asked. I'm nearly certain you'd have insisted I stay." He held her then, with a steadying gaze. "It wouldn't have mattered, of course. For what I was seeking, I value more than my days. If it had to be ten years, I wouldn't hesitate. I found a way, however roundabout, and it was worth every second."

She watched him, through glassy eyes, her chin still trembling, with unwavering attention. After a moment of still silence, she spoke.

"It is not for me, Harry Potter, to decide how you use your days." Her features settled into a firm determination. "Yet you must know that you've taken from me, in this. You've taken a year of memories - memories which we'll never share. You've taken those days from me, my love." She looked away, her face flushed. "Darling, I love you profoundly. But you must know that I want Harry Potter. I'll have nothing to do with 'the boy who lived.' You're surrounded by those who would readily accept you as sacrifice. They see you as the lamb, whose life and days and peace are laid upon the alter of the common good. But I won't, you see." She returned her piercing gaze to hold his attention mercilessly. "I won't do it. So you must promise me, Harry. Right now, if we're to share our days, if we're to wed our lives together. You must promise to speak with me, to think with me, to decide with me whether you ride out into the sunset."

Her level gaze wasn't quite angry, but it wasn't distant or playful, either. She was speaking out of her pain, and she was speaking with urgency.

"I promise, Luna."

"If you love me, Harry, you'll share your life with me. If you love me, you'll trust me with your thoughts and your decisions."

"I love you, Luna. I'm sorry. I will."

She softened, and compassion flooded her features. "Oh, Harry Potter, I'm so sorry you've been alone."

He pulled her tightly against him, and she rested against his chest. "I love you, Luna Lovegood. But I wasn't quite alone."

At this she paused, her embrace tightened as her eyes darted to his. "No?"

He smirked playfully. "Not exactly."

She put some distance between them, her features cast with suspicion. "Harry..."

He broke. "I spent many lovely afternoons with a beautiful young witch in the southeastern glade of the Forbidden Forest?"

For a moment, she was confused, until suddenly her expression lit with joy. "You're Harry!? Harry Potter, you perfect man! You're Harry!?" And she threw herself into him, and they laughed together for nearly two full minutes.

He insisted on dressing, despite Luna's flirtatious insistence that he remain half naked.

A few moments later they sat on the midcentury leather sofa in his loft. She was wearing a thin cotton spaghetti strap of baby blue, and a pair of matching pajama shorts. He was wearing a soft black tee and a pair of charcoal grey cotton pajama bottoms. She lay with her legs propped against the opposite arm, her head against his left thigh. He was playing with her hair, she was watching him intently.

"Harry?"

"Yes, darling?"

"What was it like?"

"Hm?"

"What was it like?"

"What was what like?"

"Being Harry."

"Oh. Well, it was different."

"Different?"

"Yes. It was comfortable in ways that are hard to describe. And it was challenging in ways that are hard to describe."

"Challenging?"

"There's a lot of mental calculus to staying upright on four legs while twisting about."

"I see. And how was it comfortable?"

"If I tried to explain how comforting it was to curl up into your lap, I'd fail."

She giggled. "You did curl up into my lap a lot."

"Not nearly enough for my liking."

She laughed. "You know, I think I'd like to be a cat sometime."

"You should give it a shot. Jack won't mind."

"Jack?"

"Yeah, Jack. The cat at the grounds of Ravenswood Hall. I borrowed his hair."

"I'd like to meet Jack."

"I'd like to show you my family's home."

"You would?"

"There's a portrait of my grandparents and my father. And you should see my dad's room."

"Harry?"

"Yes, love?"

"Can we go tomorrow?"

"I'd love that, Luna."

A moment passed.

"Luna?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Will you marry me, on the day of your birthday?"

She giggled. "Of course, my perfect Harry Potter. I'd marry you tomorrow, if I could."

He smiled broadly. "I love you, Luna Lovegood."

"I love you, Harry Potter."