This is written for The Hardest Challenge Ever in which I was supposed to write a 10,000 word story in four hours. Not going to happen as it turns out but here was what came of it. This is definitely the hardest challenge ever! Will finish within the next day or so.

The woman Apparated with a loud crack just inside the boundaries of Hogsmeade. She quickly pulled her black cloak around her and pulled the hood far over her head to shield her face from the pouring rain. Peering into the darkness she made her way done the deserted street toward the dimly lit bar. The sign reading The Hog's Head swung in the wind making a mournful creaking noise. She took a deep breath before opening the door and walking into the smoky atmosphere of the shady bar.

She looked about her until she saw the man in the corner. She knew she shouldn't do this. She knew she should turn and walk away, that nothing good could come from this agreement, that once the package in her cloak pocket left her hands, she would have to live with the consequences.

Because there were always consequences.

But Luna had made a promise and she always kept her promises. She lowered her hood and approached his table in the corner. His eyes were bloodshot and his hair was a mess. She sincerely doubted that he had slept since the last time she had seen him two days ago in Diagon Alley. The scent of Firewhiskey reached her nostrils and she cringed slightly but sat down opposite him.

It wasn't until she did so that he even acknowledged her presence. He looked up and met her eyes only to look back at his empty glass in shame. There was something about her innocence that made him feel ashamed of himself whenever he looked at her. And after a moment of reflection on the last two days he realized that he must look a sight. He felt disgusting, that was for sure.

He sighed and made to speak. She didn't seem to be paying him any attention, choosing to study the dirty glass of the window instead. Maybe she was genuinely fascinated by something, or maybe she was taking pity on him and pretending not to notice his pathetic state. He was grateful and the lump in his throat made it impossible to speak his mind just then.

Thankfully she spoke first. "I brought what you asked me to. But I don't want to give it to you, Theo."

"Then why did you bring it?" He struggled with the bubble of anger that was welling up inside of him. She could be so infuriating. He'd forgotten about that.

"I never said I wouldn't give it to you, Theo," she said, still not looking at him. She twirled a ringlet of golden hair around her finger and rested her chin on her other hand. "I just said I don't want to give it to you. But I made a promise. And I always keep my promises don't I?"

"Are you suggesting I don't?" Theo growled, gripping the edge of the table.

Luna closed her eyes and reached into the pocket of her cloak and pulled out a small purple velvet bag and set it on the table between them but did not let go. She finally turned her head to look him in the eyes once more and he couldn't look away this time. She had a way of demanding his attention without saying a word. It was unsettling but fascinating, and he began to recall what it was about her that still had a death grip on his heart.

"This is the last one," she whispered, releasing her hold on the little velvet package. "I've held onto it for too long, Theo. But I've never used it. I give it to you because I said I would, but please…" he voice cracked for the first time. "Please don't use it."

"Of course I'm going to use it," he said incredulously.

"Do what you want." She got up knowing that it was a lost cause and that there was nothing else she could say to convince him that he was making a mistake. Before leaving the bar she went over to stand before him and took his face in her hands. On closer inspection, she was horrified at the haunted look in his blue eyes and the shadow of a cut along his cheek that he probably got when he was stumbling around drunk like he was in the habit of doing recently. He was broken. She understood now that he wanted to fix things. That's why he had asked her here tonight. But she'd learned long ago that sometimes broken is not so easily fixed, even with a magic wand in hand.

She leaned over and kissed his forehead and whispered into his hair, "Don't look back. It just makes it hurt more." With one last glance over her shoulder she adjusted her cloak around her and prepared to meet the rainy night outside.

Theo considered following her, but knew she would just leave him in the street, not unlike what he had done to her the last time they'd fought. He knew if she did that he would deserve it. He grabbed the velvet bag that was still sitting on the table and put it in his pocket. He went over to the bar for one last drink. The old man simply set the almost empty bottle of whiskey on the counter and held out a hand for Theo to pay. As soon as he pocketed his Galleons the man shoved the bottle into Theo's hand and pointed to the door.

"Go home, son."

Theo nodded and stumbled to the door. He let the cold rain pour down onto his face for a few moments, before Apparating. When he landed he found himself on the Malfoy's porch instead of his own. He supposed he should have sent a message ahead but he knew that he couldn't go home in this state. He didn't want to be alone. Besides this wouldn't be the first time that he'd drunkenly knocked on their door. Apparating had made his insides churn and he leaned over the railing to throw up onto the ground just as the front door opened.

Draco leaned against the door frame, watching him. The usual smirk was absent and in its place was a look of pure disgust. When Theo was done, he straightened up, shaking and dripping from the rain. Draco simply grabbed the bottle of whiskey he was still holding out of his grasp with one hand and pulled him into the house by his collar with the other.

"You're an idiot, Nott." Draco pointed his wand at the man, drying him off and then with another wave he set up the couch for his friend to sleep on. "Sleep here tonight. We'll talk in the morning."

With that Draco left Theo to settle himself on the couch and after a few minutes he was able to ignore the spinning room and fall asleep.