Legal Disclaimer: I own my stuff, but not the original source material. That belongs to whoever. Also, the opinions and interpretations I use here may not reflect the same in said whoever that owns the source material. Look, I'm just a poor college librarian. Suing me isn't going to get you anything but tears.

Warning: This work may be offensive to some readers. Feel free to back out if need be. Also, feel free to check the FAQs on my FFN profile before leaving reviews about anything you dislike (including characterization or length).

Author's Note: Before anyone kvetches, I know RL trans people who still use their birth names. It's a thing. Also, I write HP stuff with the philosophy of what would piss off the JeRk the most. And this would definitely do that.

Submitting Info:
Stacked with: Hogwarts 2.0 (T04); RAVEN (2024); MC4A (Fa-Yr7)
Individual Challenges: Retail Therapy; Watts; Red Instead; Flexible; Missing Link; Major; Delilah; Feather Head; Stacking Fool; Sap Bath; Sun Shine; Walking on Sunshine; Royal; Ginger; Blood; Blush; Shield; Sandbox (Y); Cinematic; Reader; Neurodivergent; Rian-Russo Inversion; Rowl in Her Grave; Short Jog; Bucket Listing; Eating Cake (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Exchange; Greatest Gift; Outer Limit; Fuzzy Socks; Setting Sail; 3rd Rule; Outer; Zed Era; Gender Bender; Hold the Mayo; Rainbow Connection
Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Assignment: Term 04 - Assignment 05
Subject [Task (Prompt)]: Swimming Lesson [Task#3 (fic set on or by the water)]
Other Hogwarts Challenges: Library [Hill House] (Sapphic Ship); Frenzy [Ted#5](Encouraging); Center [71 - Lord Flamington](Rose Pink); Pokemon [Lairon](Cornflower Blue); Nov Stardew [Kent](Neville/Pansy); In Memorium[26](Auspicious)
RAVEN Challenges: A [2](Apologizing); Traits [88](Trans); Colors [35](Grape); Items [45](Jar/Bottle); Settings [54](Lake/Pond)
Other MC4A Challenges: Ship (n/a)[n/a]; Chim [Sheddy](Protection; "Isaac" - Bear's Den; Outside); Fire [Bright Light]; Garden [Tuklo (Neville Longbottom)]; TWT [Task#3](Pansy Parkinson); Hang [Phrase#01](n/a);
Representation(s): Trans Fem Neville Longbottom/Pansy Parkinson; Blind Date in a Park; Post War Era; Chim Song Prompt
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Queen Bee; Under the Bridge; Getting On; Second Verse (Bechdel Test; Ladylike; Not a Lamp; Persistence Still; Spinning Plates; Unwanted Advice; Brooms Only; Car in a Tutu; Clio's Conclusion; Muck & Slime; Corvid Brain; Professor's Torment); Chorus (Wabi Sabi; Peddling Pots; Tomorrow's Shade; A Long Dog; Larger than Life; Unicorn; Abandoned Ship; Surprise!; Turtle-Duck; Sitting Hummingbird; Some Beach; ); Demo 1 (Easy Zephyr); Demo 2 (Sailor Delight)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: T3 (Toad); SN (Rail; Ameliorate); FR (Satisfaction; Evolution); O3 (Olivine); SS (Schooner; Seduce); RoIL (Satisfaction; Amelioration); Once (Santa Fe); TY (Ntaiv); Mea (Ennui)
Space Address (Prompt): Ship 5D (Blind Date); FaB 3D (Goat); Set 4E (Playground/Park);
Word Count: 1435 words

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Miss the Moon
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Pansy sat on a bench in the park, her fingers tapping nervously on her knee. She had agreed to a blind date with a person that she only knew as moonloonf473 from a dating site. They were to meet at the craft fair in the park, a popular event that showcased handmade jewelry, pottery, and other creative goods. It was a monthly thing throughout the spring and summer. (In the fall, it continued but in the main meeting hall of the community center.) The fact that moonloon had wanted to meet on the very day that the fair was going to happen that month had seemed so auspicious. Now it just felt like there would be that many more witnesses to her devastation if she got stood up.

Pansy had spent all morning getting ready for the date. She had carefully chosen her outfit, a flowy grape-colored dress covered in bright orange flowers that she hoped would make her look approachable and friendly. She had even practiced potential topics of conversation in her head, going over the latest local news, the weather, and even sports, though she knew next to nothing about them.

Despite her preparations, Pansy still felt nervous. She had never been on a blind date before, and she wasn't sure what to expect. What if moonloon didn't like her? What if they had nothing in common? What if the conversation lagged and they were left with awkward silences? Pansy took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She reminded herself that this was just a casual meeting, and there was no pressure to make it work.

As she waited, Pansy watched the people walking by. The park was bustling with activity, with families having picnics, children playing, and couples walking hand in hand. She couldn't help but feel a little envious of those couples, wondering if she would ever find someone to share her life with. That was the whole reason that she had joined the dating site.

Pansy's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She looked up to see a woman walking towards her, a shy smile on her face. She had on a rose pink tank top dress decorated with little goats of a darker red around the edges. Her dark blond hair was cut short around her head and her eyes were a soft blue like the petals of a cornflower. Could this be moonloon? She stood up to greet her, her heart beating faster in her chest.

"Hello," the woman said, waving her hand in an awkward greeting. "My name's Neville."

"Mine's Pansy," Pansy replied, extending her hand for a shake that was accepted. She couldn't help but notice how soft her hands were, and how her cornflower blue eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. "I hope you don't mind me saying, but that's an unusual name. At least, usual for a woman."

"Yeah," Neville agreed, her smile widening even though it was clearly more nervous now. "Um. I kept it when I transitioned, because I didn't mind it and it's one of the few things I have left of my parents." She bit her bottom lip as she shuffled a bit in place. "Is that a problem?"

"Oh, not at all," Pansy rushed to reassure her. "I'm sorry about your parents. It's nice that you were able to have something from them, though. I imagine that it's a comfort to not have to worry about picking a name along with dealing with all the other stuff."

"Oh, definitely," Neville confirmed.

And just like that, topics seamlessly shifted back to general topics.

Pansy felt a wave of relief wash over her as they returned to less intense topics. Neville seemed kind and easygoing, and Pansy found herself relaxing in her presence. They strolled through the fair, admiring the various craft stalls and chatting about their interests and hobbies.

As they walked, Pansy couldn't help but notice Neville's knowledge about plants and flowers. She seemed to have a deep appreciation for nature and its beauty, and her passion was infectious. They stopped at a stall selling succulents, and Neville excitedly pointed out different types and their unique features. She even knew how they should best be kept despite how different each one seemed to be. With every word, Pansy could feel herself getting a little bit more infatuated with the other woman.

"I'm sorry," Neville said, putting the tiny plant in its equally tiny jar back on the table and lifting a had to rub the back of her neck. "I'm rambling about plants again."

"No, it's fascinating," Pansy argued. She touched Neville's arm with just the tips of her fingers. When Neville's eyes landed on Pansy's face, Pansy smiled. "I never knew there were so many types of succulents!"

"Well, I work at a botanical garden, so I've picked up a thing or two," Neville said with a chuckle.

Pansy's heart fluttered at the thought of Neville working among the beautiful plants and flowers. She couldn't help but feel a connection with her, as if they were meant to meet on this blind date.

As they continued their walk, Pansy found herself opening up to Neville, sharing stories and secrets that she hadn't told anyone before. Neville listened attentively, and Pansy felt a sense of comfort in her presence. Despite shopping not being the point of attending the craft fair, they had managed to create quite the amalgamation of bags between the two of them as the sun began to disappear behind the trees.

Neville and Pansy found themselves at a quiet spot along the park path, away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby craft fair. They sat on a bench, watching the sun's rays dance on the surface of the lake in front of them.

"It's beautiful," Pansy said, admiring the scene before them.

"It is," Neville agreed, her eyes not pointed towards the glittering water but the woman beside her. "I come here often when I needed to clear my head. There's something so peaceful about this place."

Pansy felt a pang of sadness as she realized that their date was coming to an end. They had only known each other for a few hours, but she already felt a strong connection with Neville. She didn't want the night to end.

As if reading her mind, Neville turned to her and said, "I don't want this night to end either, Pansy."

Pansy's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name on her lips. She looked into her eyes and saw something familiar in them, as if they had known each other for years.

"Would you like to go for a walk around the lake?" Neville asked, extending her hand towards her. Pansy took her hand, smiling.

"I would love to."

They walked in silence, the only sounds being the gentle lapping of the water, the distant twittering of birds preparing for their nightly roost, and their footsteps on the asphalt path. As the sky darkened, they found themselves in a wooden gazebo on the other side of the lake, surrounded by trees and the soft glow of solar-powered fairy lights.

"This is magical," Pansy said, taking in the peaceful atmosphere.

"Isn't it?" Neville said, her hand tightening around hers. "I have a confession to make, Pansy."

Pansy's heart raced as she waited for Neville to continue.

"I didn't sign up for a blind date tonight," she said, looking into her eyes with a serious expression. Pansy's heart sank as she wondered if this was the end of their date. But then, Neville continued. "I just saw you sitting on the bench, looking nervous and beautiful. I couldn't resist the opportunity to come over and introduce myself."

Pansy's heart swelled with happiness as she realized that this was more than just a coincidence. Their meeting was meant to be. Even if it did mean that she had been stood up by or had unintentionally stood up moonloonf473. She would have to check her messages and maybe let them down gently.

"I'm glad you did," Pansy said, leaning in for a kiss.

As their lips met, Pansy couldn't help but feel like she was in a fairy tale. She had never believed in love at first sight, but with Neville, it felt like she had known her for the entirety of her life. As they walked back to the park entrance, hand in hand, Pansy knew that this was just the beginning of their story. She had found her perfect match in Neville, in the most unexpected of places.