Trippy Little Sprites

(One-Shot)

Disclaimers: I don't own anything apart from some DVD's/books for this series.

AN: This is a short drabble prompt for 'The Houses Competition" based on the first two movies/script books of Fantastic Beasts (the third one along with any subsequent ones will not be included for one obvious reason: TeamDepp!)

House: Gryffindor

Class: Herbology

Category: Drabble

Prompt(s): (pairing) Luna Lovegood/Rolf Scamander

Word count: 841 (2 pages)

Summary: Rolf is in need of a girl.

Rolf Scamander put his quill aside before leaning back in his chair, stretching his back until he felt a satisfactory crack in his spine. He glanced at the old Grandfather clock standing in the corner. It was half past three in the morning, yet here he sat still at work, writing an article that he had to finish it in time for the deadline in six hours. He tiredly rubbed his eyes before picking up the quill once more. Just a few more lines on the Australian Ashwinders ... just a few ... more ... lines ...

"Did you ever go home last night?"

Rolf jerked awake in his chair, startled at the loud voice. He lifted his head from the desk, paper stuck to his cheek. "Wh—?" He mumbled, pulling the paper off. "What?" He looked up at his boss, standing in brilliant sunlight streaming in through the open door.

His boss's eyes glanced to the article. "Australian Ashwinders?"

Rolf picked up the paper. "Yes. I had to finish it. Deadlines. You know how they are."

"The deadline is tomorrow, Rolf," his boss said in amusement. "Not today."

"What?" Rolf blinked dumbly at him, still half asleep.

"You need a girl, mate," his boss teased as he headed towards the stairs. "Or a hobby. Hey, why not both?" He laughed before going up.

Rolf gathered up his things before checking the calendar on the wall. Sure enough, the current page showed Thursday, not Friday, which was when his article was actually due. "I do need a girl," he moaned to himself as he walked out into the street.

The problem with girls though was that there never was time for the ones he might be interested in. On the other hand, those that showed any interest in him were more concerned about his rather powerful rich name, Scamander, but not really into him as a person. On top of it all, his profession lay in magizoology, similar to his famous grandfather, Newt Scamander. Any girl Rolf ended up with would have to like animals, but most just seemed to like only money.

No, there was no special girl for him.

Rolf found an outdoor table in front of a small ice cream shop, bowl of chocolate hazelnut ice cream in front of him. He slowly ate it while looking over his written work one last time. He had a whole extra day to himself, so he might as well make it perfect.

As he finished going over the article, his hand reached out to the bowl of ice cream that was almost done, but just at that moment, his whole table was knocked sideways. The bowl slipped off, smashing into pieces on the ground.

"Oh!" A feminine voice yelped. "I am so sorry. Bloody Horasiks! They always trip people up."

Rolf could only stare at the flustered woman who was crouched down to pick up the contents of her purse. She wore a bright yellow dressy ensemble, complete with a huge sun hat covering her platinum blonde hair. Several bangles clinked together as she hurried to collect her things. Rolf slipped down to his knees to help her.

"It's fine," Rolf said. "I was nearly done with that ice cream, anyway." He passed a small change bag to her. "What are Horasiks?"

"They are strange little sprites," the woman said as both stood up. "You can't see them but you can feel them. They like to trip people up. Supposedly, they do that when a major event is supposed to happen."

Never in all his life had Rolf ever heard of such creatures. He tried to think for a moment but could not recall anything about them. Did he just stumble upon a new species? "I am a magizoologist," he began. "I study animals. You might have heard of me. Rolf Scamander."

"I have," the woman said. "Did you know that there is a white Phoenix? It is very rare. Only two people have ever seen one."

"No, I didn't," Rolf said, flabbergasted that this woman knew about two animals he had never heard of. Did she know of more?

"Oh sorry, I didn't tell you yet," the woman suddenly said as she seemed to remember something important. She held out a hand. "I'm Luna Lovegood."

"Hi," Rolf stepped forward to shake her hand. His foot accidentally kicked the broken bowl over. He glanced down at it for a moment. "Do you want to get something to eat from the restaurant next door?" He asked. "They use the same tables so we can stay here while you tell me more about these animals you've mentioned."

"Ohh!" Luna smiled at him.

"Something the matter?" Rolf asked. He found he couldn't stop staring at this gorgeous woman.

"Now I know why the Horasiks tripped me," Luna said as she pulled out the second chair. "I would love to sit with you. I think I shall have some pudding, if that's alright?"

"Sure thing," Rolf laughed as he handed over a menu to her.

~the end