Feeling like a she needed a walk, Luna slipped on her navy ballet flats, grabbed her sling bag and apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Morning, Tom!" she chirped as she moved past the bar.
"Ah, Miss Lovegood. Pumpkin juice?" smiled Tom the bartender, revealing an atrocious set of teeth.
"Not today, Tom. Just going through for a walk."
"Diagon Alley's a tad busier today, though. But have fun."
Luna smiled as she bounced through the back door and entered Diagon Alley. The familiar bustle of the small town filled Luna's ears. She hadn't visited it in a long time.
She first passed Madame Malkin's, the witch herself measuring the height of a boy with much difficulty as he jumped with anxiety, no doubt excited about his acceptance to Hogwarts School. There seemed to be an autograph signing at Flourish and Blotts and Luna peeked in, hoping it wasn't Gilderoy Lockhart again. She saw a few children picking out schoolbooks Luna recognized immediately, most with their parents' arms full of cauldrons and quills and scales, some even with a cage or two with owls, obviously shopping for supplies for school in a few days time. She stopped by Florean Fortescue's to get a small cup of ice-cream and found a couple of juniors hanging around the ice-cream parlour, who asked if she was the infamous 'Loony Lovegood'; apparently, there is a large portrait of her hanging in the Ravenclaw common room, painted by Dean Thomas. She smiled and nodded, remembering just how much she missed those days, despite the name-calling and bullying. She waved them goodbye and continued down the street and let her feet take her wherever they wanted to go; she's been too familiar with the alley.
She found herself stopping in front of a once lively shop, on the corner of a quieter part of Diagon Alley. Paint was chipped off and fading into a mundane grey. The big replica of the owners in front looked rusty from disuse. She slurped the last of her ice-cream and dumped the cup in a nearby rubbish bin before trying the front door. She found herself here a few times over the months, but it was always locked. Though today, she could see the padlock dangling off the handle from the inside. She pushed the door open and it creaked loudly.
Still, manky air greeted her. The shop had an air of neglect and abandon; obviously hadn't been in business for too long. Dust covered the shop like some sort of smoky snow, making her nose twitch with itchiness. Products were still arranged on the shelves, though some were lying on their sides, almost just like the used to a couple of years ago. Cardboard boxes were stacked carelessly in clumps on the ground.
A sudden clash made her head jerk up. It came from upstairs, from where the store was located. She weaved through the boxes, crossing over most of them and trying not to step on anything. She climbed up the metal stairs and stepped through the curtain at the top. "George?"
"Ow!" cried George, banging his head on the ceiling. Luna looked up to see him sitting on the top of a tall ladder, rubbing the back of his head, coating it with dust and making it stick up even more. "Blimey, Luna. What are you doing here?"
"Thought I'd stop by." She gestured to the fallen boxes, dropped by George, its contents spilled all over the floor. "Do you need a hand?"
"Actually, I – um, no I've – um, yeah, please?"
Luna half-smiled and started to stand the boxes outright. She gathered all the things and saw rather familiar objects. She noticed that they all either have both their names on it, or only Fred's; a stack of parchment with handwritten spells for certain objects bound together by string, small notes left by either twin to remind the other which product goes where – most of which were written by Fred –, rectangular container full of product design – almost all signed by Fred – and a small locked treasure chest with both their initials carved on it, amongst other things. Most of the things were stuff they were famous for back in school. She saw a couple of broken punching telescopes, untransformed trick wands, rejected self-inking and spell-check quills, amongst other things. She assumed they were rejects, early versions of their best-selling products. She arranged them all neatly as opposed to George, who was dumping everything and squashing them in, hoping they'd all fit.
"What are these for, anyway?"
"Oh, uhh, storage."
"But it's already in the store."
George was silent as he continued packing, his eyebrows furrowed. Luna eyed him for a bit before stacking unopened Skiving Snackboxes into another box and then sealed them all closed with tape. "We're bringing them down?" asked Luna, to which George simply nodded.
They loaded their arms with the boxes, Luna's eyes barely peeking over them, both too stubborn and lazy to make two trips. They shuffled towards the stairs, descending in awkward positions and slower than sleeping Ruxus Croves, with George occasionally saying, "Watch for the steps!"
"Where do I put these then?" asked Luna, her voice muffled by the boxes.
"Err, out here," said George as he kicked open the back door. She followed him and carefully placed them in a tidy stack next to his.
"Thanks, Lu. You saved me the trouble of going back up at least twice."
"Sure thing, George."
There was silence, their conversation hung in the late summer air. Luna decided she should go, knowing that George had more to do in the store. Just as she was about to walk away, she turned around. "George, where have you been?"
George blinked, not knowing what to answer. Luna scanned his face, obviously expecting an answer. "Just… around."
"Why don't you come home then?"
He hesitated. Why doesn't he go home? Was it because it held too many memories he couldn't bring himself to remember? Or was it because he hadn't been home, he's afraid to face his family? Was it because he still isn't able to look Percy in the eye, even though George doesn't blame him at all? Was it because his baby sister and brother have all grown up now and Fred won't see it, therefore he feels guilty? Was it because he can't bear to see just how messed up he is following Fred's death?
When he didn't answer, Luna knew she probably wouldn't see him again, at least for a few weeks. So she stepped forward and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his chest. He smelled of wood, probably the usual scent boys think makes them smell good, and lavender. It reminded her of the edge of the forest behind her house, where her mother used to bring her and play hide-and-seek amongst the clearing full of lavenders and daisies and tulips.
Surprised by this gesture, George froze for a moment, feeling immensely awkward. But then he felt an odd feeling, possibly relief, and relaxed immediately as he returned the hug and squeezed her shoulders.
"You don't have to be alone all the time, George," she said, and George realised that somehow, she made all the sense in the world.
So, I'm keeping it in past tense, I guess.
I honestly have no idea where this is going, though.
& tell me if you want it me to continue. Because this could might as well just be the end, right there.