I own nothing. If I did, Lupin and Tonks would still be alive.
"Erm—Luna?" the tall, slightly pudgy—yet handsome—boy fiddled nervously with his collar, already regretting what he had done.
"Yes?" she spun around, her sapphire blue dress fanning out around her.
"Uh, I was wondering if possibly, if maybe, would you—do you want go to the Three Broomsticks with me?" Neville blurted out, face flushing a deep crimson.
In the seconds that passed, Neville stood there awkwardly, distressing over her response—but he needn't have worried.
Luna's face lit up, and she beamed back at him. "I'd love to!"
"Oh, great." Neville flashed her a small smile, and then hurried away, a mixture of dread and excitement writhing in his stomach.
That was yesterday, and now, Luna Lovegood sat on her navy bedspread, serenely staring up at the starry canopy above.
From outside her drawn curtains came the rustle and muted chatter of her fellow Ravenclaws preparing for their trip to Hogsmeade, drawing Luna back to reality.
"Ah. I suppose the Nargles got ahold of me. I should go find Neville, shouldn't I?" she remarked to herself, slowly pulling aside her thick velvet drapes and setting her rather large hat on her head before exiting the Ravenclaw common room.
Her radish earrings swung happily as she hummed a tune under her breath, utterly unbothered.
"Oh! Luna! You look—wow." Neville stuttered, going red in the face for the second time in two days.
Luna smiled as they walked out the door, waving happily at Filch, who merely glowered in response.
"Uh, it's a nice day, isn't it?" Neville attempted to make conversation, rubbing his mittened hands together so they wouldn't dangle awkwardly at his sides.
"No, not really," Luna remarked passively, catching a snowflake on her tongue. "It's the snow. It breeds Nargles."
"Aaah. Alright." Neville bit his lip, desperately trying not to laugh.
Luna nodded, and the conversation lulled.
Neville wracked his brain for another topic. "Do you, d'ya have a favorite Quidditch team? Like the Cannons, or Puddlemere United?"
"Oh, Ravenclaw, of course. Although, Harry Potter is very good on a broom."
Neville chuckled. "Yes, I've heard that."
The snowy streets grew more congested as they neared Hogsmeade, and Luna and her hat—which currently spewed blue and silver sparks—attracted several odd stares.
She, however, ignored them. "Oh, I just love Hogsmeade," Luna remarked, happily opening the door to the Three Broomsticks and slipping inside. "Everyone's always so friendly!"
Neville just nodded, waving awkwardly at Madame Rosmerta, who winked back.
They seated themselves in a rickety table in the corner, and Rosmerta soon came over to take their orders.
"Butterbeer, please," Neville murmured, keeping his eyes on Luna, who was currently staring up at the ceiling, infatuated with the specks of light that glanced off the imitation crystal chandeliers.
"And you?" Madam Rosmerta turned to Luna.
"Luna." Neville tapped her gently on the arm, and she jumped.
"Yes?"
"What would you like?" Neville gestured towards Rosmerta, who was looking on bemusedly.
"Oh, I'm alright." Luna flashed Neville a quick smile and returned her gaze to the ceiling.
"Wrackspurts. They're up there." she gestured upwards.
"Oh. Uh, we can move?" Neville sipped his butterbeer uncertainly.
"Oh, no. It's alright. They won't bother us now."
"Why?" Neville was genuinely curious. Although many people thought her crazy, Neville rather admired her devil-will-care attitude and unique way of looking at things.
"Why, because you're here, of course," Luna stated simply, as if this made perfect sense.
In some ways, it did. Wrackspurts were a manifestation of loneliness, and with Neville, she wasn't lonely anymore.
My first try with this couple! How'd I do?