Drabble
Hufflepuff
Fifth Year
Prompt(s): [Character] Xenophilius Lovegood; [Setting] Department of Mysteries
Word Count: 476
~o0o~
Xenophilius Lovegood had been an employee at the Department of Mysteries for fifteen years. It's how he met his wife, Pandora. He was studying time and she was experimenting with wards. He didn't believe in love at first sight, but when he saw her kaleidoscope eyes something just zinged between them. And she must have felt it too. Next thing he knew, they were married and had their first child.
Pandora left the Department of Mysteries to stay home with their daughter. Xenophilius tried to talk her out of it, claiming he could stay home with little Luna and finally get the Quibbler out of his dreams and into reality, but she insisted.
Besides, she had a little more freedom at home with her experiments. The Ministry wanted her to research what they wanted her to research, what she wanted didn't matter and Xenophilius knew the job was becoming stifling for her. People thought that being an Unspeakable was a glamorous job, but it was actually quite tedious. Lots of reading and waiting and anything new had to make sense with the old. There wasn't any room for blibbering humdingers, crumple-horned snorkacks, or any other such creatures.
Today was just like any other day. Xenophilius had kissed his wife and daughter and went on to work. He and a coworker were in the Space Chamber and discussing the new discoveries Muggles made to outer space when his Manager entered the room.
"Lovegood," she said, her face stony and her hands tightly clasped together. "Come with me."
"Am I in trouble?" Xenophilius asked.
"Is there any reason you should be in trouble?"
A million reasons crossed his mind, but rather than mention them, he shook his head and followed her to the break room where, to his surprise, Amos Diggory was sitting.
"Amos?" said Xenophilius. "What brings you here?"
"You'd better sit down, Phil," said Amos.
Sensing the room, Xenophilius took a seat.
"I received a floo message from Belphoebe," said Amos. "And I thought it best relayed through a friend. There's been an accident at your house, Phil. Luna is at St. Mungo's and she'll be okay, but Pandora… I'm so sorry."
Xenophilius felt himself shutting down as he slowly slumped in his chair. It couldn't be. His chest constricted and he felt himself fumbling for the locket his wife had made him for his birthday. Inside was supposed to be a colored picture of Pandora and as long as she was safe it would remain bright and colorful. When he opened it, looking back was a black and white photo, the edges as black as charcoal.
"No…" he whispered and doubled over until his forehead touched his knees.
Amos's hand touched his back gently, but Xenophilius could hardly feel it. All he could feel was the knife in his heart and the hole it left.