For the NOTP Drabble Competition.
Note: I actually have nothing against this pairing, but it breaks two of my favorite ships, so it's the closest thing I have to a NOTP.
Neville is drawn out of his thoughts by the sudden wave of smoke. He yelps, turning his attention back to the stove, cursing himself as he tries to salvage the now blackened steak. If only he had hadn't been so caught up in watching Luna. But he can't help it. She's so lovely that he can't stand to take her eyes off of her for a moment.
He slides the steak onto the plates. Maybe it isn't a terrible loss, as long as she doesn't mind her meat extra super duper well done. Swallowing dryly, he takes the food to the kitchen, trying his best for a charming smile.
"Oh! Just like Daddy used to make it," she says excitedly, grabbing her fork and knife.
"How about some wine?" he offers, and she nods.
It's a good vintage. At least that's what Gran says. Neville doesn't know anything about wine except that it has a sickly sweet smell to it. His hands shake as he pours her a glass, painfully aware of their closeness. She smells like sunshine and flowers, and Neville already feels drunk without the alcohol.
"Neville?"
"Hmm?"
"The wine is overflowing."
He shakes his head, bringing himself back. Sure enough, the liquid has spilled over, and a stream of color streaks her dress. "I'm so sorry!" he says, pulling the bottle away. More wine flies, splattering dress and tinting her hair. "Merlin! Luna, I didn't- Here, let me-"
He reaches for a napkin, his elbow knocking the candle from its place. It takes only seconds for the tablecloth to catch fire. Neville bustles about, trying to find something to put out the flames.
"Aguamenti," Luna says, her voice far too calm for the situation at hand.
Neville comes to a stop. If he could, he'd punch himself. In his panic, he had completely forgotten the charm.
"I'm sorry," he sighs again. "I tried to do something nice for you, and I just sort of ruined it."
Luna shakes her head. "It isn't ruined. The burn spots give it character."
"I spilled wine on you."
"Hole-tongued lizards are attracted to the smell of fermented fruit," she says, and there's a wild spark of hope in her eyes. "Perhaps one will find me! Daddy says they're most active around this time of year."
Neville stares in disbelief. He's been beating himself up all night, so worried about things being perfect for the girl he loves. And here she is, in the middle of what could easily be called the worst date in the world, smiling like nothing is wrong.
"Oh. Okay, then," he says, taking a seat across from her.
She's such a strange girl. So lovely and kind. Neville wonders if he'll ever understand her.
"Neville, you're about to cut the table instead of the steak," she says.
He laughs. Somehow, he doesn't mind if he never understands her. At least she's his, and at least she accepts, blunders and all.