Percy stammered a bit in his reply to Luna, her hand in his blasting away any ounce of confidence he had built up. Looking down at her adoringly, he cleared his throat and said, "Thank you, Luna. I am having a lovely time as well, I'm so pleased you...um, decided to join me." He felt his face flush, and his ears rang, but he managed not to bolt in fright so he considered this a small victory.
He was quite taken off guard with Luna's inquiry. It was a fair question, but one that he was afraid he would sound stupid answering. Would she be scared off if he told the truth? Would she laugh? He knew she would be kind, it was irrationality that made him worry otherwise, but he cleared his throat and took a large sip of his own butter beer. When he thought he could manage it, he managed to look her in the eye to say, "Luna...I...well, I couldn't think of anyone I would rather have brought. I have...had a very nice time getting to know you, and it seemed like a nice time...." Percy cursed himself. He sounded so formal and silly, it was all wrong. He searched her face, hoping she'd understand what he meant through his stammering.