Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Les Mis. I don't make money from this fic.
December 14, 2000 London, England - The Leaky Cauldron
Theo sat in a corner at the Leaky, avoiding the eyes of most everyone in the pub. Instead he focused on his journal, outlining several schools of philosophy. Theo was well aware that he was a little too introspective sometimes. Getting his ideas about philosophy out on paper, explaining it in his own words after reading extensively about it, was sometimes the only way he could properly comprehend the subject matter, especially when it came to complex ideology.
As for why he was in public working on such a project, Theo found it kept him grounded. He had to be aware of how he presented himself, and therefore he couldn't allow himself to be sucked too far into his own head. It was a different environment than his flat, as well, which proved to help his brain process the information.
Theo was right in the middle of attempting to dissect the position of moderate realism and its place in the debate on the metaphysics of universals when he heard a voice that shook him from his head.
"Pardon me, you seem very busy, but I was wondering if I might join you? You seem like better company than most here tonight." Theo looked up at the dreamy voice. He hadn't even noticed anyone approaching, which might have been due to his concentration or her stealth, Theo wasn't sure. Theo blinked once, looking at the woman. He recognized her immediately as the girl they'd called Loony Lovegood in school. Draco had been quite cruel to Luna in school, as had any number of other students. Theo had been disinterested in the girl, nearly taking pity on her since her own house had started making fun of her.
"Um, yeah, go ahead, I don't mind at all." Theo said, stumbling over his words a bit. The woman before him looked different than he remembered. She removed her long black pea-coat to reveal a dark blue over-sized sweater over jeans, which were neatly tucked into stylish, but functional boots. She wore her hair down, and no visible jewelry, seemingly dressed for practicality.
"I remember you from school." Luna said pleasantly once she'd gotten settled. "Theodore Nott, correct?" Theo was surprised she remembered him; he certainly hadn't gone out of his way to talk to other houses while in school, and his association with Draco had likely discouraged too much interest in him. He nodded at the woman.
"And you're Luna Lovegood. You're one of Potter's friends, right?" Theo asked, marking his place in his notebook, as well as the book he was reading from, and closing them. His interest in the woman seated across from him was suddenly greater than his desire to work alone.
"Yes, Harry's a dear friend of mine." Luna said, "Actually, your name came up in a letter from him a while back. He mentioned you were working with Hermione at the Ministry these days."
"Yeah, us and Draco Malfoy work in the Department of Mysteries Time Room." Theo told her, preparing to refute requests for more information.
"Oh, that must be fascinating. Hermione must really enjoy that line of work. I haven't gotten to see her recently as I've been out of the country, you see. We've written each other, but it's been a month or so since I've heard from her. Is she well?" Luna asked. It took Theo a second to catch up with Luna's question.
"Yes, she's quite well, just busy with work, as always. I don't know how much you've heard about her and Ron-" Theo started, nervously. He didn't want to be the bearer of bad news.
"Oh the breakup? Yes, Ginny wrote me about that. Seemed like quite the tiff, if I'm honest. I do hope they can still be friends." Luna said, a slight frown creasing her brow.
"According to Draco, both are willing to go back to being friends." Theo said with a little sigh. He didn't like catching people up on gossip, but this woman was quite easy to talk to.
"They're an item, then? Malfoy and Hermione?" Luna asked, innocently. Theo was shocked that she had deduced that from his words.
"Yes, they just made it official a week or so ago." Theo replied.
"I've missed quite a bit, it seems." Luna looked unperturbed by that knowledge.
"If you don't mind my asking, you said you were out of the country?" Theo asked, curiously.
"Ah, yes. I've been in America studying re'ems. I discovered a small herd in North Dakota and I tracked their migration for several months. I come home for the holidays each year, but I think I'm going to stay in the country for a while. I've been hearing about a herd of mooncalves in Norfolk that I'd really love to study." Luna explained.
"So you're a magizoologist?" Theo said, nodding. It explained much about the changes in the girl, from the practical way she dressed to her slightly odd social behavior.
"Mhm." Luna nodded. "It's really a lot of fun, once you get past being in the field for weeks at a time."
"Keeps you on your toes, I'm sure. I've heard re'ems can be bloody dangerous." Theo muttered. Luna only shrugged.
"Once you've learned an animal's patterns, they're easy to predict. Humans are much the same, in their own way." Luna said smoothly. Theo had to agree with her, though he thought about his next words carefully.
"Of course we are; after all, witches and wizards are magical creatures, too." Theo told her. Luna smiled at that.
"You're quite interesting, Theodore. I've never met someone who didn't treat me like I'm crazy at first." Luna confided.
"You think differently than most people." Theo shrugged. "I do, too. I suppose it could be chalked up to human instincts, you know. After all, everything we do is due to chemicals in the brain reacting a certain way, or neurons firing at the perfect time." Theo knew he was rambling, probably not making sense, but Luna didn't mind.
"Precisely." Luna chimed. Theo smiled at the woman across from him, feeling a sort of connection with her already. He thought back on all she'd said and something didn't quite sit right with him.
"Luna, you said you come home for the holidays, yeah? So why aren't you at home with your father?" Theo asked. He knew it was just the two of them, as they were a target in the war. Luna smiled sadly.
"It gets rather lonely when I'm on expeditions. Just me for months on end. Ordinarily, it doesn't bother me too much. I get the letters from my friends, of course, and that helps. But sometimes I just miss being around people. Dad has been really focused on the Quibbler recently and hasn't had a whole lot of time to spare. He's got a special holiday issue coming out, you see." Luna explained.
"I understand that. I like my alone time, but sometimes it's nice to be alone around people." Theo said with a nod.
"Humans are social creatures. Even if they're not paying a bit of attention to one another, they still prefer company to none." Luna smiled at him.
"If it's all the same, you're more than welcome to share a table with me anytime." Theo grinned at her.
"Thanks, Theodore, that means a lot." She told him.
"My friends call me Theo." he smirked at her. Her eyes lit up a bit in the most endearing way, like a puppy being given a new toy.
"It suits you, Theo." She smiled widely at the man before gathering her coat and making to leave. "See you around."
Theo watched the woman he'd once deemed strange beyond comprehension leave the pub, smiling absently. It had been quite some time since anyone had surprised him in the ways she had. He found himself looking forward to seeing her again.
December 22, 2000 London, England - Theo's Flat
Theo sat up in bed, clicking the lamp beside him on; he'd been having a horrible time sleeping yet again. This time, he attributed it to stress. The tempus device was in the final stages of production and he found that he simply couldn't turn his brain off at night. He found himself constantly running numbers and adjusting this or that subconsciously.
That is, unless he was at the Leaky. He'd taken to the pub several times since first meeting Luna there, and she'd joined him three of those times. She'd brought a journal along with her on those occasions, having curled up on her side of the little booth, observing the room and jotting down little notes at random.
Theo had chuckled at her, teasing that he was seeing Luna in her natural habitat, but he settled in and adopted an easy air with her. He'd even asked her opinion about this or that philosophical matter when he was having a particularly hard time with phrasing an idea. She'd also become accustomed to him, it seemed, to him. She'd ask him odd, rather revealing questions at random and Theo never hesitated in answering them. Why would he? She knew he was a former death eater, previously his darkest secret, and there was nothing else really worth hiding.
He looked to the clock to find he'd been lying awake for forty-five minutes, and though he was dead tired, he automatically started to dress, headed for the Leaky. It was only half past nine. He'd order a few butterbeers to unwind, maybe take a good book to read. An hour and a half of relax would do his mind good. He told himself he wasn't just going because he might see her, though he knew that was a lie. Theo finished dressing and quickly headed out the door, disapparating as soon as he was able.
He entered the pub through what looked like a rundown old shop entrance, scanning the room when he entered, as was his habit. The corner of his mouth twitched upward when he saw a familiar blonde head tucked into the corner of the booth he always favored. He made for the bar first, ordering a butterbeer before heading to the table and taking his usual seat across from her.
"Evening, Theo. Sleep alluding you again?" Luna asked him in her airy way. Theo nodded.
"Yeah, Luna. Swear this job'll be the death of me. Can't get my work off my mind." Theo complained. Luna nodded gravely.
"Christmas is just a few days away. Do you have any plans?" She asked innocently. Theo thought about it. He'd expected to spend Christmas Eve, at least part of it, with Draco and Hermione. As for Christmas Day- he likely wouldn't even notice it was a holiday, apart from everything being closed.
"Just a little gift exchange on Christmas Eve." Theo told her. Luna nodded, then closed her journal carefully, placing it on the table. She moved stiffly, as though afraid to break something, Her eyes watched her hands and Theo saw the faintest blush creep across her pale skin.
"I hope you don't think this is too forward, but I was wondering if you'd join me at Harry's place for Christmas Eve? I've already asked Harry, and he was actually very accepting, saying you were one of Hermione's best friends and were more than welcome." Luna said, carefully picking her words. Theo thought about it for a moment. He could reschedule the gift exchange with Draco and Hermione for Christmas Day, and everything would work out just the same. He liked the idea of being surrounded by people who he knew would largely leave him to his devices, but whom he could also talk with if the mood struck.
"Sure, Luna. That sounds great." He told her. He watched her face light up, her blue-grey eyes meeting his excitedly. Theo chuckled at her reaction, watching all the stiffness she'd had melt away at his easy acceptance
"It'll be fun, having all my friends in the same place at the same time. It rarely ever happens." Luna told him. Theo felt his heart melt a little. While he knew he considered the woman a friend after only a few days of talking, it was nice to know she felt the same. Theo took a swig of his butterbeer, partially to help him relax a bit, and partial to hide the wide smile that threatened permanent residence on his face. He sat back, enjoying his drink and Luna's company, however brief it might be. He realized then that companionship was better than any potion he could choke down. A blush rose to his cheeks as he remembered a certain couple in his guest room who had seemingly discovered the same thing. Luna cocked her head at him when she noticed his blush, but when Theo merely shrugged, she let it go. Theo marvelled at the non-verbal exchange as he settled in for a bit, work the furthest thing from his mind.