AN OFF-HAND COMMENT
23 January 1999
With a tiny pop Luna appeared in the kitchen of The Stag. A sleepy Ron and distracted Harry were sipping tea and hardly noticed her presence until she started unpacking her canvas bags.
"I was going to make breakfast," she explained. "Care for anything?"
"Luna, I would love you forever," Ron said, "if you cooked up a frittata with cheese and tomatoes."
"Sure," she smiled. "Harry? I know you like sausages."
"I'd love some," he replied kindly, "but I'm already late to meet Leanne."
Harry downed the rest of his tea and Apparated with a pop, leaving only his cup behind. Ron, eager for someone else to be cooking, grabbed some plates and silverware to help Luna. She was nearly finished when Neville sauntered down into the kitchen dressed in a pair of pajamas Luna had gifted him for Christmas. The pattern featured plants from around the world. It was the best gift he had ever received.
"Dear," Luna handed Neville a plate of eggs and sausages, "you need to get dressed. We're headed into Diagon Alley."
"We're what?" he blurted out, his mouth full of food.
"Diagon Alley," she reminded him. "If I'm going to find the Crumple-Horned Snorkack, I'll need more than just a bag of apples. You said you'd come with me today."
"Right," he nodded, inhaling his breakfast.
Next to Neville, Ron snickered as he polished off his own plate. He was hesitant at first, but came around quickly to the idea of Luna moving in. After growing up with the Weasleys, he had become accustomed to a full house. Besides, Luna's cooking was quite good when she cooked for humans. By mistake, Ron had once sampled a raw meat pie meant for one of her trips to visit the Thestrals.
"Well," Ron cleaned his plate, "I'm off."
He disappeared upstairs leaving Luna and Neville alone in the kitchen. She cleaned up the dishes she had used to make breakfast and he helped himself to another plate of eggs.
"Thanks Luna," he said as he helped her put the kitchen back in order.
"You can thank me by getting ready," she told him. "We have so much to do."
Neville did as he was told and ran upstairs to get ready. When he reemerged from his bedroom, Luna had finished the cleaning and was reaching for her bag.
"Ready?" he smiled.
Luna nodded and he took her hand as they sauntered out into Muggle London. It was only a few blocks before they reached The Leaky Cauldron and slipped past the morning crowd of patrons who had remained from the night before. Outside in the alley behind the pub, Neville unlocked the entrance to Diagon Alley and the two were off.
As Luna gathered rare treats to feed the creatures she found, Neville was enthralled by the petrified plants in the apothecary. He had always planned on using the space on the roof to add a garden. But his Auror training was so extensive, that he never had the time. Finally making up his mind to do so, he purchased a few seedlings
Hours later, Luna had finally gathered all the supplies she needed and worked up quite an appetite. Neville suggested The Leaky Cauldron to which she agreed. With his seedlings in one arm and Luna's purchases in the other, Neville led the way toward the pub where they were greeted eagerly by an old classmate.
"Neville!" Hannah Abbott led them to a table. "I heard you're training to be an Auror."
"Right," he replied taking a seat. "You remember Luna?"
"Yes, Luna. Hi!" Hannah smiled at her.
"Lovely to see you," Luna smiled.
"I didn't know you worked here," Neville told her. "I thought you'd become an Auror too."
"Oh no," she replied. "I've had enough dueling for one lifetime. My uncle Tom owns the place. After school, I thought I'd help him out a bit. Don't let him hear me say this but he's getting a bit old to be managing on his own."
"I like what you've done with it," Luna told her. "Far fewer Bestiolas since the last time I was here."
"Bestiola?" Hannah mouthed toward Neville. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. "So, what can I get you two?"
"Butterbeers," Neville replied. "That would be great."
"In a minute," Hannah smiled before disappearing behind the bar.
"She's pleasant," Luna said quietly. "I remember her from our Dark Arts lessons."
Hannah returned a few minutes later with two steaming mugs of Butterbeer and took their order. Luna sipped her drink and reached across the table to take his hand.
"Thank you for coming with me," she smiled.
"I like spending time with you," he replied. "I'll miss you while you're out chasing Umgubular Slashkilters and Gulping Plimpies."
"You'll hardly notice I'm gone," she assured him.
Neville smiled weakly. Lately, he and Luna hardly ever saw each other. Most nights she slept at her father's home or was traveling. He kept irregular hours, sometimes sleeping through the day to work at night. Living together wasn't quite the dream he had expected, although he gathered that Ron benefit from it quite often. His appetite told them as much.
When they were done eating, Neville paid the cheque and helped Luna with her bags. Arm in arm, they walked the few blocks back to The Stag and followed the trail of discarded scarves and jumpers to find Harry in the stairwell with Leanne. Neville cleared his throat loudly and they slipped past the couple.
"I miss Ginny," Luna said in her usual dreamy voice as she dropped her bags on Neville's bed. "I hope she and Dean are having a splendid time at Hogwarts."
Neville smirked. He was convinced everyone underestimated Luna's intelligence. Leanne, on the other hand, was not pleased with the snide insult, even if Luna had cloaked it as an off-hand comment.
"You shouldn't say things like that," Neville did his best to chastise her.
"Say things like what?" she asked confused.
Luna was too smart for him and her naivete served as an excellent deterrent to keep him off his guard.
