What's Different Now
Title: What's Different Now
Author: fai_believes (slam_girl)
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2,852
Beta: L
Summary: An introspective Luna considers how much she doesn't know of human nature and how her relationship with her father has changed during a conversation with Seamus one year after the war.
The memorial was surprisingly short. Luna didn't mind the brevity but she thought there was going to be quite a bit more ceremony at the, well, ceremony. It was a somber affair with several speakers-the Minister of Magic and current Hogwarts Headmaster, Professor McGonagall, among them-and then there was a reading of the names of people lost during the final battle and then the reveal of the new memorial statue. To be perfectly honest, Luna thought the new memorial statue was a bit dull. She didn't know if that was because people were still very sad about the war or if the artist who created it was just a sad person overall. Luna still felt sad too when she thought of the war sometimes, but she didn't see that as any reason for the new memorial to be dull.
But they were also celebrating. Celebrating that the war was over and they didn't have to be afraid of going out their front door anymore. Celebrating their lives and the lives people gave. That, at least in Luna's opinion, called for a little more pomp. Or at least some fireworks.
Looking around, she saw many families together, and some people dabbing at their eyes and leaning on a loved one for support. Luna wondered if she might be feeling different if she had a loved one here whose hand she could hold. Daddy was away in Portugal researching a story for the Quibbler. Ever since the war had ended, he'd set about restoring the Quibbler to its former splendor in a fervor. He hadn't quite done the same for their home, which while it was no longer in pieces, was still missing a floor. She understood daddy's dedication to the Quibbler though. But things hadn't been the same since the war ended. Their relationship felt different as though they were struggling to make all the pieces fit but they were no longer the same shape. And if she were to continue being honest, she wasn't trying all that hard. When she thought of him, she felt a little sad and found herself wishing for the days when he was everything and knew just how to make her smile. Luna learned early on that he couldn't protect her from sadness, but he could make it disappear some. She didn't know how she would feel if he were here now though. She had not written him in a while. Or rather, she had not really written. He'd written her letters telling her all about his efforts to get the Quibbler back in order and about what traveling they might do when she was done with school, but her replies were vague and lacking in enthusiasm. And Luna couldn't seem to make herself return to that.
Her friends were here too, of course, but they were all scattered. She saw Ginny sitting next to Harry a few rows ahead and she could imagine their fingers intertwined. Ron and Hermione were sitting next to them, Hermione probably resting her head against Ron's bony shoulder. Luna was sitting in between a man she couldn't quite identify and a sixth year Hufflepuff called Marilyn. Neville sat at the end of her row, his face set in a solemn expression but when she caught his eye, they shared a small smile. And there was someone else who wasn't here. She felt a twinge of loneliness as she thought of the people she most wanted to see and not see all at once.
In a few weeks, she would finish her education her at Hogwarts. She let her eyes wander over the grounds, the castle in the distance to the right and the lake down the way. She would miss Hogwarts, but she also felt a thrill of excitement at what was to come-she didn't yet know. For the longest time, Luna had decided she would work with daddy at the Quibbler but now that didn't quite hold her interest the same way anymore. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do. Luna didn't mind the uncertainty though. It made things interesting.
Quickly enough, it seemed, the ceremony had come to a close. As everyone started to circulate and make somber conversation, Luna realized that she didn't wish to talk to people right now. She didn't want to be rude but now that the war was over, they really did have the rest of their lives to discuss what they were doing with themselves.
Though before she could slip away, she spotted Mr. Ollivander. She knew she couldn't very well leave without at least greeting him. There was always time to talk with Mr. Ollivander.
"Hello, Mr. Ollivander. How are you?" she asked, placing her hand on his elbow. He looked much better than he did a year ago. There was color in his face and he no longer had that look of apprehension clouding his eyes.
"Luna, dear, hello. I'm doing quite well. And you, dear girl? Isn't this your last year at Hogwarts?" he asked.
"Yes, as soon as I finish my N.E.W.T.s."
"Any plans yet for when you finish?"
"I, well, I was going to work with daddy at the Quibbler but now…"
"Now you're not sure?" he said.
"Yes."
"Well, that's quite all right, Luna. You're young and time is your friend."
"I don't know that youth is the best sign of having time on one's side after this memorial," she said after a moment's reflection.
"Hmm yes, I do recall now your rather sharp observations. But perhaps you could do with a bit of optimism," he remarked kindly.
"Oh, I'm optimistic. I suppose I'm just getting used to this change," Luna said.
"Well, if you're ever interested in assisting an old wizard in his shop while you ponder these matters, I'll always have a spot for you. There is another young wizard assisting me part time these days, someone I think you'd like very much," he said, a smile twitching at his lips.
"Really?" she said rather curious now. Mr. Ollivander laughed.
"I won't keep you Luna. You looked as if you were about to wander to off in search of some time to yourself," he said.
"You know I always like talking to you, Mr. Ollivander."
"And I you, dear," he said warmly, grasping her hand for a moment.
She smiled at him. "Take care." Luna headed off in the opposite direction. Lots of people were staying in Hogsmeade and some were already making their way back and that's the direction she found herself moving in.
Luna took her time ambling down the path to Hogsmeade. Once there, she found that she could do with some company after talking with Mr. Ollivander so she went to The Three Broomsticks. It was empty save for a barmaid who must have opened the place for after the memorial. She'd seen Madam Rosmerta still up at Hogwarts after the ceremony.
After ordering a butterbeer, she took a seat at a corner table. She stared out the window, watching the people trickle back into Hogsmeade but not taking note of anyone in particular. In the background, she could hear the door open several times but she didn't turn to see who was entering the pub. The din of voices started grow though she didn’t listen to any one conversation, just the sounds of voices she found comforting.
"Oi, Lovegood!" said a familiar voice behind her. It was Seamus. "What are you doing down here? Shouldn't you be up at Hogwarts with the rest of your school lot?"
"Why?" she asked,
"I dunno. Just seems like what you're s'pose to be doing right now-remembering the past but looking to the future and all that rubbish," Seamus said, taking a seat across from her and swig of his drink. "You mind?"
She shook her head. "I remember the past every day. I don't really need a special time just for that."
"What about the future bit?"
"That too."
"Well, I'm over the past. Yes, it's all very sad and important, but that's what the memorial is for. I don't need to keep talking about it after."
"Talking about sad things sometimes helps. It's not very healthy to keep sadness bottled up. That will attract gromps and once you let enough of them inside, it's very hard to get them out and then you'll always feel as if there is a black cloud hanging over you."
Seamus snorted. "I'm not sure I'd call that grumps or whatsits. If I thought talking about it would help then I…anything to stop seeing the image of Colin Creevey snuffing it in front of me playing in me head over and over, and wondering why I'm the lucky bastard who got to live. If I hadn't been hit by that jinx…Well, I'm done with the past but it won't let me forget."
"Why would you want to forget?" she asked.
"Well, who wants that image haunting them? Not exactly cheerful, eh? And then being stuck with thoughts of why him and not you, why were you so sodding lucky especially since you've done nothing but be a useless lump with your spared life," he paused and shook his head. "Why am I telling you all this?
"Because talking about sad things helps?"
"No. Maybe. I dunno. Maybe you were right on those grump-things," he said.
"Gromps. No, I don't think you have a gromps infestation. I think your mind is trying to heal itself. You were hit with a jinx which made you fall over and unfortunately poor Colin was killed. That's just what happened."
"Are you saying there's no meaning to any of this and that I've wasted the past year of my life trying to figure out what it all means?"
"Does it really matter whether it means anything or not? It doesn't change things. And I wouldn't say that it's been a waste. Thinking and discovering is never a waste of time," she
said.
"Now I remember why I never cared for you Ravenclaws. You lot are all ideas and words, even nonsensical ideas."
"My ideas make sense to me."
"Course they do. So what are you doing down here? Away from everyone else?" he pressed.
"I thought I wanted to be alone for a bit but I think that I may have been spending a bit too much time in my head with only myself for company," she said.
"Er, who else would you have in there? Wait, knowing you, never mind, I don't want to know," he said.
"It can get a bit lonely sometimes," Luna said.
"Lonely? Haven't you got your mates from school and the D.A.? And Ginny, course you can talk to Ginny. Or erm me even, I s'pose if you're really feeling on the lonely side," Seamus said, scratching his neck and looking hesitant.
"Oh, I meant lonely in my thoughts. I'm not actually lonely, well not often anyway. That's very kind of you to offer though, Seamus."
"Well, I'm a kind bloke." He shrugged. "And what will you be doing with yourself in a few weeks time when you're done with school?"
"I don't know anymore."
"What about your old man's paper? I thought you were keen on working with your da?"
Luna considered him for a moment, how he, in his way, told her what haunted him, and how he sat across from her now, open and honest. She wanted to talk about what haunted her, to see if talking really did help. It was always at the edge of her thoughts. She wanted honesty again, the way honesty seemed to come easier to people during the war. "I'm not sure I can work with him, not until I can understand how and why he could do what he did, how he could risk everything the way he did," she began slowly, noting how harsh the words felt as she spoke them aloud. "If he'd been successful in turning Harry and Ron and Hermione over to the Death Eaters, it would have been, well it's too awful to think about really."
"Ah, that. Dean told me about that," he replied quietly, staring into his drink.
She felt her mind darken at the mention of him. Perhaps there gromps really were about today. It would explain this melancholy mood she seemed to have acquired. "You know what happened then?"
He nodded. "I thought the reason why he'd risk everything would obvious to a Ravenclaw of all people. 'Specially you."
"What? Love? Of course I know he loves me, but that's no reason to do something so, well, stupid really. Daddy wouldn't-at least I thought he wouldn't, it's just so self-fish and now he acts as if everything is the same again, but it's not. Not for me. Everything feels different," she said softly, taking a sip of her drink.
"Does it really? Well maybe it should feel different. I reckon everyone feels a little different after the war. Blue isn't the same blue, your favorite tart is richer than you remember, but fire whisky at least, is still just as strong as it ever was."
"I don't mind the difference, not most of the time anyway. But this one difference…how I see him now, it makes all the other differences harder. Searching for truths, presenting them honestly, he taught me that," Luna said.
"It sounds like the truth is sometimes you love someone so much that you chuck all your noble qualities without hesitating and you do stupid things because you're scared and desperate. It's not pretty but there it is, the honest to God truth. Merlin, your da's only human. Even heroes make mistakes," Seamus said before finishing off the rest of his drink. "Christ, I need another. It's been a long day."
Luna nodded her agreement. She thought about daddy away in Portugal, how suddenly she missed him terribly but if he were to suddenly Apparate here in front of her, she doesn't know what she'd say to him. Of course he was human. Even with her extensive knowledge of rare creatures, she couldn't think of anything that could explain the some of the more peculiar oddities of human nature which left her baffled at times like these when she wanted very much to understand the actions of others but could not. But what Seamus had said struck something in her.
He made a mistake. But he wasn't supposed to make mistakes. Daddy was the one person in the world she could depend on to do the right thing. He'd let her down for the first time and it had been out of love which is why she could never really be angry with him but that didn't stop her from feeling hurt. She could recognize that now.
"You know, he's working at Ollivander's now as his assistant," Seamus said, his tone brightening after a stretch of silence. "Dean. I think he wouldn't mind a visit."
"He wouldn't? Why doesn't he send me an owl to say this?"
"Because he's another bloke who's scared and thinks things are different now that the war is over. Course it isn't my business to be nosin' into other people's affairs, but just thought I mention it since you two seemed to be close for a time," he said.
Luna thought of Dean-the long walks they used to take around Shell Cottage sometimes in pleasurable silence and sometimes talking about everything and nothing all at once, how they used to see who could stand the icy chill of the water up to their knees the longest (she always won), that all too brief bit of peace they shared, and how they might share more if things were different or maybe not, maybe they would still hardly know each other if things had been different. They both helped to rebuild Hogwarts alongside each other but he'd opted not to come back to do his last year. She did wonder very briefly, quite self-fishily she should add, if it had anything to do with her. But whether it did or didn't, it didn't matter, she just wanted to talk to him, to find out if he still drew.
"I think I might like to try understanding people better after I finish school before I go searching for rufflebees and flying cadspurts, which aren't nearly as difficult to understand. Elusive yes, but much clearer than humans," she said.
"I think you understand people pretty well actually."
"Not nearly as well as I would like. But maybe time will be my friend as there's much I'd like to know about people."
After they finished several more drinks while she explained exactly why rufflebees were so elusive and after debating about whether Madam Rosmerta and the shopkeeper of Honeydukes were carrying on a torrid affair and after exchanging good byes and making the trek back up to school in time for dinner, Luna finally sat her desk with two blank parchments. There were N.E.W.T.s to study for but right now there were two letters that needed writing.
Author: fai_believes (slam_girl)
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2,852
Beta: L
Summary: An introspective Luna considers how much she doesn't know of human nature and how her relationship with her father has changed during a conversation with Seamus one year after the war.
The memorial was surprisingly short. Luna didn't mind the brevity but she thought there was going to be quite a bit more ceremony at the, well, ceremony. It was a somber affair with several speakers-the Minister of Magic and current Hogwarts Headmaster, Professor McGonagall, among them-and then there was a reading of the names of people lost during the final battle and then the reveal of the new memorial statue. To be perfectly honest, Luna thought the new memorial statue was a bit dull. She didn't know if that was because people were still very sad about the war or if the artist who created it was just a sad person overall. Luna still felt sad too when she thought of the war sometimes, but she didn't see that as any reason for the new memorial to be dull.
But they were also celebrating. Celebrating that the war was over and they didn't have to be afraid of going out their front door anymore. Celebrating their lives and the lives people gave. That, at least in Luna's opinion, called for a little more pomp. Or at least some fireworks.
Looking around, she saw many families together, and some people dabbing at their eyes and leaning on a loved one for support. Luna wondered if she might be feeling different if she had a loved one here whose hand she could hold. Daddy was away in Portugal researching a story for the Quibbler. Ever since the war had ended, he'd set about restoring the Quibbler to its former splendor in a fervor. He hadn't quite done the same for their home, which while it was no longer in pieces, was still missing a floor. She understood daddy's dedication to the Quibbler though. But things hadn't been the same since the war ended. Their relationship felt different as though they were struggling to make all the pieces fit but they were no longer the same shape. And if she were to continue being honest, she wasn't trying all that hard. When she thought of him, she felt a little sad and found herself wishing for the days when he was everything and knew just how to make her smile. Luna learned early on that he couldn't protect her from sadness, but he could make it disappear some. She didn't know how she would feel if he were here now though. She had not written him in a while. Or rather, she had not really written. He'd written her letters telling her all about his efforts to get the Quibbler back in order and about what traveling they might do when she was done with school, but her replies were vague and lacking in enthusiasm. And Luna couldn't seem to make herself return to that.
Her friends were here too, of course, but they were all scattered. She saw Ginny sitting next to Harry a few rows ahead and she could imagine their fingers intertwined. Ron and Hermione were sitting next to them, Hermione probably resting her head against Ron's bony shoulder. Luna was sitting in between a man she couldn't quite identify and a sixth year Hufflepuff called Marilyn. Neville sat at the end of her row, his face set in a solemn expression but when she caught his eye, they shared a small smile. And there was someone else who wasn't here. She felt a twinge of loneliness as she thought of the people she most wanted to see and not see all at once.
In a few weeks, she would finish her education her at Hogwarts. She let her eyes wander over the grounds, the castle in the distance to the right and the lake down the way. She would miss Hogwarts, but she also felt a thrill of excitement at what was to come-she didn't yet know. For the longest time, Luna had decided she would work with daddy at the Quibbler but now that didn't quite hold her interest the same way anymore. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do. Luna didn't mind the uncertainty though. It made things interesting.
Quickly enough, it seemed, the ceremony had come to a close. As everyone started to circulate and make somber conversation, Luna realized that she didn't wish to talk to people right now. She didn't want to be rude but now that the war was over, they really did have the rest of their lives to discuss what they were doing with themselves.
Though before she could slip away, she spotted Mr. Ollivander. She knew she couldn't very well leave without at least greeting him. There was always time to talk with Mr. Ollivander.
"Hello, Mr. Ollivander. How are you?" she asked, placing her hand on his elbow. He looked much better than he did a year ago. There was color in his face and he no longer had that look of apprehension clouding his eyes.
"Luna, dear, hello. I'm doing quite well. And you, dear girl? Isn't this your last year at Hogwarts?" he asked.
"Yes, as soon as I finish my N.E.W.T.s."
"Any plans yet for when you finish?"
"I, well, I was going to work with daddy at the Quibbler but now…"
"Now you're not sure?" he said.
"Yes."
"Well, that's quite all right, Luna. You're young and time is your friend."
"I don't know that youth is the best sign of having time on one's side after this memorial," she said after a moment's reflection.
"Hmm yes, I do recall now your rather sharp observations. But perhaps you could do with a bit of optimism," he remarked kindly.
"Oh, I'm optimistic. I suppose I'm just getting used to this change," Luna said.
"Well, if you're ever interested in assisting an old wizard in his shop while you ponder these matters, I'll always have a spot for you. There is another young wizard assisting me part time these days, someone I think you'd like very much," he said, a smile twitching at his lips.
"Really?" she said rather curious now. Mr. Ollivander laughed.
"I won't keep you Luna. You looked as if you were about to wander to off in search of some time to yourself," he said.
"You know I always like talking to you, Mr. Ollivander."
"And I you, dear," he said warmly, grasping her hand for a moment.
She smiled at him. "Take care." Luna headed off in the opposite direction. Lots of people were staying in Hogsmeade and some were already making their way back and that's the direction she found herself moving in.
Luna took her time ambling down the path to Hogsmeade. Once there, she found that she could do with some company after talking with Mr. Ollivander so she went to The Three Broomsticks. It was empty save for a barmaid who must have opened the place for after the memorial. She'd seen Madam Rosmerta still up at Hogwarts after the ceremony.
After ordering a butterbeer, she took a seat at a corner table. She stared out the window, watching the people trickle back into Hogsmeade but not taking note of anyone in particular. In the background, she could hear the door open several times but she didn't turn to see who was entering the pub. The din of voices started grow though she didn’t listen to any one conversation, just the sounds of voices she found comforting.
"Oi, Lovegood!" said a familiar voice behind her. It was Seamus. "What are you doing down here? Shouldn't you be up at Hogwarts with the rest of your school lot?"
"Why?" she asked,
"I dunno. Just seems like what you're s'pose to be doing right now-remembering the past but looking to the future and all that rubbish," Seamus said, taking a seat across from her and swig of his drink. "You mind?"
She shook her head. "I remember the past every day. I don't really need a special time just for that."
"What about the future bit?"
"That too."
"Well, I'm over the past. Yes, it's all very sad and important, but that's what the memorial is for. I don't need to keep talking about it after."
"Talking about sad things sometimes helps. It's not very healthy to keep sadness bottled up. That will attract gromps and once you let enough of them inside, it's very hard to get them out and then you'll always feel as if there is a black cloud hanging over you."
Seamus snorted. "I'm not sure I'd call that grumps or whatsits. If I thought talking about it would help then I…anything to stop seeing the image of Colin Creevey snuffing it in front of me playing in me head over and over, and wondering why I'm the lucky bastard who got to live. If I hadn't been hit by that jinx…Well, I'm done with the past but it won't let me forget."
"Why would you want to forget?" she asked.
"Well, who wants that image haunting them? Not exactly cheerful, eh? And then being stuck with thoughts of why him and not you, why were you so sodding lucky especially since you've done nothing but be a useless lump with your spared life," he paused and shook his head. "Why am I telling you all this?
"Because talking about sad things helps?"
"No. Maybe. I dunno. Maybe you were right on those grump-things," he said.
"Gromps. No, I don't think you have a gromps infestation. I think your mind is trying to heal itself. You were hit with a jinx which made you fall over and unfortunately poor Colin was killed. That's just what happened."
"Are you saying there's no meaning to any of this and that I've wasted the past year of my life trying to figure out what it all means?"
"Does it really matter whether it means anything or not? It doesn't change things. And I wouldn't say that it's been a waste. Thinking and discovering is never a waste of time," she
said.
"Now I remember why I never cared for you Ravenclaws. You lot are all ideas and words, even nonsensical ideas."
"My ideas make sense to me."
"Course they do. So what are you doing down here? Away from everyone else?" he pressed.
"I thought I wanted to be alone for a bit but I think that I may have been spending a bit too much time in my head with only myself for company," she said.
"Er, who else would you have in there? Wait, knowing you, never mind, I don't want to know," he said.
"It can get a bit lonely sometimes," Luna said.
"Lonely? Haven't you got your mates from school and the D.A.? And Ginny, course you can talk to Ginny. Or erm me even, I s'pose if you're really feeling on the lonely side," Seamus said, scratching his neck and looking hesitant.
"Oh, I meant lonely in my thoughts. I'm not actually lonely, well not often anyway. That's very kind of you to offer though, Seamus."
"Well, I'm a kind bloke." He shrugged. "And what will you be doing with yourself in a few weeks time when you're done with school?"
"I don't know anymore."
"What about your old man's paper? I thought you were keen on working with your da?"
Luna considered him for a moment, how he, in his way, told her what haunted him, and how he sat across from her now, open and honest. She wanted to talk about what haunted her, to see if talking really did help. It was always at the edge of her thoughts. She wanted honesty again, the way honesty seemed to come easier to people during the war. "I'm not sure I can work with him, not until I can understand how and why he could do what he did, how he could risk everything the way he did," she began slowly, noting how harsh the words felt as she spoke them aloud. "If he'd been successful in turning Harry and Ron and Hermione over to the Death Eaters, it would have been, well it's too awful to think about really."
"Ah, that. Dean told me about that," he replied quietly, staring into his drink.
She felt her mind darken at the mention of him. Perhaps there gromps really were about today. It would explain this melancholy mood she seemed to have acquired. "You know what happened then?"
He nodded. "I thought the reason why he'd risk everything would obvious to a Ravenclaw of all people. 'Specially you."
"What? Love? Of course I know he loves me, but that's no reason to do something so, well, stupid really. Daddy wouldn't-at least I thought he wouldn't, it's just so self-fish and now he acts as if everything is the same again, but it's not. Not for me. Everything feels different," she said softly, taking a sip of her drink.
"Does it really? Well maybe it should feel different. I reckon everyone feels a little different after the war. Blue isn't the same blue, your favorite tart is richer than you remember, but fire whisky at least, is still just as strong as it ever was."
"I don't mind the difference, not most of the time anyway. But this one difference…how I see him now, it makes all the other differences harder. Searching for truths, presenting them honestly, he taught me that," Luna said.
"It sounds like the truth is sometimes you love someone so much that you chuck all your noble qualities without hesitating and you do stupid things because you're scared and desperate. It's not pretty but there it is, the honest to God truth. Merlin, your da's only human. Even heroes make mistakes," Seamus said before finishing off the rest of his drink. "Christ, I need another. It's been a long day."
Luna nodded her agreement. She thought about daddy away in Portugal, how suddenly she missed him terribly but if he were to suddenly Apparate here in front of her, she doesn't know what she'd say to him. Of course he was human. Even with her extensive knowledge of rare creatures, she couldn't think of anything that could explain the some of the more peculiar oddities of human nature which left her baffled at times like these when she wanted very much to understand the actions of others but could not. But what Seamus had said struck something in her.
He made a mistake. But he wasn't supposed to make mistakes. Daddy was the one person in the world she could depend on to do the right thing. He'd let her down for the first time and it had been out of love which is why she could never really be angry with him but that didn't stop her from feeling hurt. She could recognize that now.
"You know, he's working at Ollivander's now as his assistant," Seamus said, his tone brightening after a stretch of silence. "Dean. I think he wouldn't mind a visit."
"He wouldn't? Why doesn't he send me an owl to say this?"
"Because he's another bloke who's scared and thinks things are different now that the war is over. Course it isn't my business to be nosin' into other people's affairs, but just thought I mention it since you two seemed to be close for a time," he said.
Luna thought of Dean-the long walks they used to take around Shell Cottage sometimes in pleasurable silence and sometimes talking about everything and nothing all at once, how they used to see who could stand the icy chill of the water up to their knees the longest (she always won), that all too brief bit of peace they shared, and how they might share more if things were different or maybe not, maybe they would still hardly know each other if things had been different. They both helped to rebuild Hogwarts alongside each other but he'd opted not to come back to do his last year. She did wonder very briefly, quite self-fishily she should add, if it had anything to do with her. But whether it did or didn't, it didn't matter, she just wanted to talk to him, to find out if he still drew.
"I think I might like to try understanding people better after I finish school before I go searching for rufflebees and flying cadspurts, which aren't nearly as difficult to understand. Elusive yes, but much clearer than humans," she said.
"I think you understand people pretty well actually."
"Not nearly as well as I would like. But maybe time will be my friend as there's much I'd like to know about people."
After they finished several more drinks while she explained exactly why rufflebees were so elusive and after debating about whether Madam Rosmerta and the shopkeeper of Honeydukes were carrying on a torrid affair and after exchanging good byes and making the trek back up to school in time for dinner, Luna finally sat her desk with two blank parchments. There were N.E.W.T.s to study for but right now there were two letters that needed writing.