Kissing Luna Lovegood
Title: Kissing Luna Lovegood
Pairing: Gabrielle/Luna
Rating: PG
Word Count: approx. 3400
Disclaimer: So not mine
Summary: Gabrielle comes of age and discovers life and love in Paris
Notes: Written for sweetcaroleanne at hpslashnotsmut
I love Paris, always have. I associate it with my mother and grandmother, with my Veela heritage. Other places grow familiar, comfortable - Beauxbatons, my grandfather’s farm - but Paris is always new and exciting. I love to sit in a café in the tourist area, watching the Muggle stumble about. To curl up with a book on the soft grass of one of the hundreds of tiny parks that dot the city, drops of green amidst the grays and browns. To walk the streets at twilight, anonymous amidst the glow of a thousand lanterns. To watch the dark rain and the bright umbrellas, warm and cozy in the big window seat in the front room, sipping hot, sweet milk. Paris will never feel comfortable, but that is part of its charm.
~ ~ ~
Next month I will make my debut in Paris society. I turn eighteen a few days before the ball to celebrate the anniversary of the War’s end. The seamstress came this morning for another fitting. My dress robes will be creamy white, cut snug at the waist but billowing out into a beautiful full skirt. I can’t wait to dance, to have lace frills swirling around my ankles. Now, at my weekly dance lesson, I have to practice in petticoats, crinolines, and heels to prepare. Suddenly I am moving with a new grace. M. Fournier is pleased; he says I’ll be a credit to his teaching.
~ ~ ~
Maman took me to an art opening today and I made a new friend. Her name is Luna Lovegood, and she’s a junior foreign correspondent for one of those English papers, I don’t know which. She is very pretty, with big blue eyes, and so kind. Her French is abysmal, though. I had to switch to English, and she seemed relieved. I was polite, though. Thank you, Ms. Lovegood, for giving me the chance to speak English. It’s been ages and I fear I will lose what little ability I have if I don’t use it. And she said to call her Luna and maybe if I had time we could meet again because she was new to Paris and could use a friend.
~ ~ ~
This afternoon Maman showed me her jewelry. Most of the pieces came from Grandmere. Maman told me stories about them - that amber bracelet from a Duke, the diamond choker from a Count, the rubies from a Maharaja or three. Maman said she would buy me one set of jewelry before the ball, but no more. After that, I am responsible for acquiring my own, but not to worry, because after the ball I will be showered in admirers. But I don’t want that. I’m still not interested in boys, although the other girls at Beauxbatons would moon over Quidditch magazines and beg me to tell them about the time “that dreamy Harry Potter” saved me from the lake. Which I hardly remember, it was ages ago, and I was asleep, besides.
~ ~ ~
Today I took Luna around Paris. She wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, which I said was horribly tacky and only tourists did that, not Parisians. She said how did I know it was horrible if I’d never been. So we went.
It was marvelous! Luna took the dressing-like-a-Muggle part very seriously and wore rainbow socks and a T-shirt with a purple triangle pin. I asked what it meant and she just smiled and said she was renowned for unusual accessories. The view from the top was glorious. I could see all of Paris. Luna took my hand so we wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. Her skin is very soft.
Afterwards we spent hours in a café, talking and laughing. I helped her with her accent. She understands French well enough, it’s just her pronunciation that’s dreadful. She told me that she remembered me from Fleur’s wedding all those years ago. I guess she’s a friend of the Weasleys. She asked about Fleur, and I told her about the miscarriages but that we hoped this time would be better. She took my hand again, running her thumb across my wrist, the gesture oddly comforting as I tried not to cry.
~ ~ ~
It rained today. Maman found me in my special place in the front room and said I was getting too old for window seats and hot milk. She made me practice brewing and serving tea and coffee until I could do it “with delicate grace”. Which means I mustn’t let anything rattle, and certainly should not drop the teacup, for goodness sakes, it’s the third one today and reparo only goes so far, are you trying to drive me to distraction?
~ ~ ~
I showed Luna my favorite little park the other day. The house elf packed a lovely picnic lunch. After we ate, I just wanted to lie back and relax, but Luna was wandering around looking under rocks for Striped Porklegums. She said they come out after it rains. I’d never heard of them before. Maybe they come from England? I suppose her paper is doing an article or something. I helped her look, but we didn’t find anything but earthworms and grubs.
~ ~ ~
Maman went to England today. Fleur needs her. The Healers said if she stays in bed, she has a better chance of keeping the baby. So Maman is gone. I have to stay here to prepare for the ball. The house seems so big with only me and the house elves. For a small woman, Maman takes up a lot of space.
I don’t like being alone.
~ ~ ~
Today Maman and I were meant to go shopping for my jewelry. Luna came with me instead. She’s taken to dropping by every day to check on me. Somehow, knowing she’ll be there makes the house seem much less desolate.
Luna makes her own jewelry. I said her necklace was lovely. She said no, it’s macramé.
We went to Henri’s in Rue Magie. Luna seemed a little uncomfortable but I said it was fine. I explained to M. Henri that I was Gabrielle Delacour and he was all politeness. Luna helped me choose sapphires that are, she said, the exact color of my eyes. I decided on the necklace with matching earrings. They’re beautiful, with light and delicate spun gold; like deep blue stars shimmering against my hair. I wore them home. Maman would have declared it gauche, but Luna said she didn’t mind.
~ ~ ~
Last night Luna and I cooked dinner together. Well, it was supposed to be together, but it turns out that I’m hopeless in the kitchen, so she did most of it. First we went shopping together, buying vegetables at the tiny corner stand, chicken at the butcher’s, bread at the bakery next door. Luna’s apartment is tiny, but we couldn’t use Maman’s kitchen, the house elves would never allow it.
That was my first time going to Luna’s. It smells like fresh bread and flowers, and it’s cluttered with Luna’s things: colorful buttons, pretty stones, odd socks, bits of yarn. Small bunches of flowers tucked in crannies and pictures torn from magazines adorning the wall. Eclectic but beautiful, just like Luna.
Luna made roast chicken with asparagus, which was delicious, and I washed the dishes, then we ate strawberry tarts from the patisserie and had a pillow fight.
~ ~ ~
The ball is in three days. My gown is finished, so I modeled it for Luna. She said I was even more beautiful than the Latvian Wumproller, but much less prickly.
Luna found Grandmere’s old record collection when we played hide-and-seek last week, so she put on some old American jazz and asked me to dance. I asked how she expected me to waltz to “In the Mood” but she just smiled, so we did.
She only stepped on my feet five times, but when she tripped on my gown we decided to change into our pajamas. Then Luna taught me the Charleston and the Chicken Dance, and we kept going until nearly midnight, when the house elves came and told us it was high time to go to bed. I didn’t mind too much, as my sides hurt from laughing by then.
~ ~ ~
Dearest Gabrielle,
Happy birthday, my love! I hope you are well, and I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there for your big day. Fleur needs me, though. She’s been able to stay in bed since I arrived, and the Healers say things are well so far. William’s mother keeps saying, when she thinks I can’t hear, that I needn’t have come, and she could have helped, but we know that’s nonsense. Fleur needs her mother, not a stand-in.
It’s nearly time for the ball, my dear. I hope you’re preparing yourself: remember, plenty of rest and no chocolate or sweets. Your face and figure must be perfection. I hear M. Pelletier will be at the ball, and he would make a fine husband, so be sure to dance with him. It is up to you to marry well, with your sister having run off with that English werewolf. Never forget that.
Fleur sends her love, too.
Love Maman
~ ~ ~
Luna said she was planning a surprise for my birthday, but to dress Muggle. First she took me to the movie theater. I’d never been before, but it was splendid. Afterwards, we had a picnic dinner in our favorite park, and watched the sun set over Paris. It was so relaxing. For a while, I fell asleep with my head in Luna’s lap. When I woke up, she was absently running her fingers through my hair, watching me with the most curious expression on her face. Her cheeks became very pink when I opened my eyes all the way. I’d never seen her blush before; Luna is never flustered. I smiled, and she relaxed and we stayed like that, looking at each other and smiling, for three heartbeats short of an eternity. I could feel my blood pounding through my veins. I didn’t know what would happen next, but whatever it was, I wanted it so very much.
Instead, a big dog ran up and barked at us and I jumped a mile and Luna laughed and said it was time for our last stop. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, though.
Our last stop was a Muggle club. I was a little hesitant, but Luna said it would be fine. The man at the entrance seemed to know her. Inside, it was loud and crowded, but I felt safe because I was with Luna. I noticed that the women were dancing with women and men with men. I didn’t think too much about it until I saw two women kissing, and my stomach flipped over. I didn’t know that women could do that with each other.
Just then Luna came back with our drinks, which were bright pink, sweet and fruity. We finished them, and then Luna pulled me onto the dance floor and once again we danced half the night. It was magical.
~ ~ ~
Luna will be here soon to help me prepare for the ball. We’ll be getting ready together, as it turns out she’ll be covering the event for her paper. She said the events editor came down with a touch of food poisoning and can’t attend. Luna was fingering her wand with a half-smile as she told me, and I decided it best not to ask.
We shopped for her gown this morning, as she didn’t have time to have one made. We chose one in deep purple, Luna’s favorite color. It’s cut close and clinging, and Luna looks like a goddess in it. We’ll go through Maman’s jewelry tonight, borrow something small. I remember seeing amethysts that Maman left behind. If she didn’t take them to England, surely it’s fine for Luna to wear them.
~ ~ ~
The ball is over. Where to begin? It passed in a whirl of colors, lights, inane conversation and kisses on my hand before yet another man twirled me around the floor.
All night my head was full of Luna, remembering her cool fingers sending shivers down my spine as she laced my corset, her warm breath on my neck as she brushed my hair. I wanted to help her get ready, too, but she said there was no need, because I would be the belle of the ball and beside me who would notice that plain reporter?
I told her that she wasn’t plain, she was beautiful and that I’d much rather spend the evening with her than playing the perfect china doll for a room full of strangers, and again we were staring at one another and this time my heart was in my throat and I imagined those girls kissing in the club on my birthday, but then a house elf came bursting in with the tea tray and Luna ran off to get Maman’s jewelry case and I was alone.
~ ~ ~
…in a room full of beautiful women, one young lady stood out from the crowd. Mademoiselle Gabrielle Delacour, an angel in a white gown and sapphires, made her debut. Mme. Delacour was noticed by all but especially, my sources tell me, by the recently-widowed M. Pelletier, who asked for, and received, three dances with the young beauty….
~ ~ ~
Three days since the ball and I haven’t left the house, which is full of flowers from admirers. The house elves have laid gifts on my dressing table: an emerald bracelet, a pearl necklace, Belgian chocolates and a very sheer nightie.
I try not to look, and take lots of bubble baths. M. Pelletier has sent four owls, the last inviting me to dinner. The house elf tells me I will have to go.
~ ~ ~
M. Pelletier called at teatime. It was a surprise visit, he was “in the area,” but I suspect the house elves knew, as they had been cooking all morning and had insisted that I wear the pale pink robes that I hate but Maman loves. I served tea perfectly, not a dropped cup or a rattle of silver all afternoon. I was a charming little doll, just as Maman trained me to be.
He stroked my cheek and told me I was beautiful, a vision, an angel. He presented me with flowers, curiously the same color as my robes, and emerald earrings. He was gallant, kissed my hand, paid me all manner of compliments.
It would be charming if it didn’t feel so rehearsed.
~ ~ ~
Luna came today. She found me in the window seat, and neither of us said a word. She let me cry on her shoulder, and I shared my hot milk, which was lukewarm by then, and we watched the rain, together.
~ ~ ~
I had dinner with M. Pelletier tonight. It’s been a week since the ball, but I had written that I’d caught a cold and had been in bed. Close enough to the truth.
He is handsome, in the tall, forbidding, gray-haired sort of way. He makes me uncomfortable. He’s too big, too loud, voice harsh, moves too fast. He tried to kiss me on the lips, so I took a step closer and trod on his foot, hard, with my heel. That put an end to that nonsense.
~ ~ ~
Today the sun is shining, so Luna and I went on another picnic. M. Pelletier wants to meet again, but I have a week to prepare. Maman sent another letter. She’s delighted with my success and Fleur is having twins.
~ ~ ~
M. Pelletier spared no expense for our latest dinner. I was secretly glad the house elves forced me into yet another of the robes Maman bought me, this time a soft green, and the new emeralds; the girl who dresses that way is Mademoiselle Delacour, not Gabrielle. The room glowed with a hundred small candles, and the sweet champagne was complemented by M. Pelletier’s rich cologne.
He stared intently at me throughout dinner; I had no appetite. Over coffee in the salon, he presented me with a small package. It was an emerald necklace. I sat perfectly still as he brushed aside my hair, hooking the clasp as he whispered in my ear. “Now I’ve given you a bracelet, earrings, and a necklace. All you’re missing is a ring.” I shuddered, but he didn’t notice. He leaned over to kiss me, but I turned my head and offered my cheek instead.
He said that he looks forward to seeing me again. I dread it.
~ ~ ~
I told Luna about my dinner, and she asked why I didn’t let him kiss me. I said I couldn’t be bought for all the emeralds in France, and besides, I had someone else in mind for my first kiss, and she said “Oh?” and smiled, so I leaned over and I kissed her. It was soft and sweet and I wanted to keep kissing Luna Lovegood forever. She brushed gentle kisses over my eyes and forehead and nose, and I tickled her, and we rolled around in the grass and kissed and I’m happier than I thought possible.
~ ~ ~
Kissing Luna Lovegood. It’s my new hobby. We’ve been visiting all our old haunts--the art gallery where we first met, the park, that jewelry shop where we bought my sapphires. We visit each place, and christen it with a kiss. Sometimes on the hand, or the cheek, but Luna knows a very useful charm so that people won’t notice us, and we used it on the Eiffel Tower at sunset yesterday.
Apparently the charm has a time limit. The guard who found us gave us a stern lecture, but we were too busy giggling to listen.
~ ~ ~
M. Pelletier is displeased with me. He hasn’t said anything, but I can tell by the little lines between his eyes when I don’t pay attention, or respond as I should. He’s too proud to tell Maman, though, so I don’t care at all. It’s fun to watch him try so hard to win me. It’s even more fun when I tell Luna the next day.
~ ~ ~
Yesterday, when Luna was visiting, it started to rain. She asked if I wanted to sit in our window seat, and I said no, I only sit there when I’m sad, but despite the rain I’m as happy as a summer afternoon. And so we went for a walk instead, wandering through several neighborhoods, watching people pass by, before ending up in the park. It was a little chilly, so we raced for a while before falling, exhausted, into the soft grass. Then Luna licked a raindrop off my nose, which led to more kissing, and we discovered that cuddling is a much more effective way of keeping warm.
~ ~ ~
It has been twenty-five years now. Twenty-five years since the ball, since my first kiss, since Luna and I ran away together. Twenty-five years since my first two nieces were born. Maman is gone now, and I miss her, but she forgave me eventually. M. Pelletier married some other sweet young thing, and Luna and I plan to grow old together. We still dance; Luna says it will keep us young. Sometimes I remember my glittering youth in Paris, but I’m happy here on my grandfather’s old farm, with Luna, in our matching macramé necklaces.
Pairing: Gabrielle/Luna
Rating: PG
Word Count: approx. 3400
Disclaimer: So not mine
Summary: Gabrielle comes of age and discovers life and love in Paris
Notes: Written for sweetcaroleanne at hpslashnotsmut
I love Paris, always have. I associate it with my mother and grandmother, with my Veela heritage. Other places grow familiar, comfortable - Beauxbatons, my grandfather’s farm - but Paris is always new and exciting. I love to sit in a café in the tourist area, watching the Muggle stumble about. To curl up with a book on the soft grass of one of the hundreds of tiny parks that dot the city, drops of green amidst the grays and browns. To walk the streets at twilight, anonymous amidst the glow of a thousand lanterns. To watch the dark rain and the bright umbrellas, warm and cozy in the big window seat in the front room, sipping hot, sweet milk. Paris will never feel comfortable, but that is part of its charm.
~ ~ ~
Next month I will make my debut in Paris society. I turn eighteen a few days before the ball to celebrate the anniversary of the War’s end. The seamstress came this morning for another fitting. My dress robes will be creamy white, cut snug at the waist but billowing out into a beautiful full skirt. I can’t wait to dance, to have lace frills swirling around my ankles. Now, at my weekly dance lesson, I have to practice in petticoats, crinolines, and heels to prepare. Suddenly I am moving with a new grace. M. Fournier is pleased; he says I’ll be a credit to his teaching.
~ ~ ~
Maman took me to an art opening today and I made a new friend. Her name is Luna Lovegood, and she’s a junior foreign correspondent for one of those English papers, I don’t know which. She is very pretty, with big blue eyes, and so kind. Her French is abysmal, though. I had to switch to English, and she seemed relieved. I was polite, though. Thank you, Ms. Lovegood, for giving me the chance to speak English. It’s been ages and I fear I will lose what little ability I have if I don’t use it. And she said to call her Luna and maybe if I had time we could meet again because she was new to Paris and could use a friend.
~ ~ ~
This afternoon Maman showed me her jewelry. Most of the pieces came from Grandmere. Maman told me stories about them - that amber bracelet from a Duke, the diamond choker from a Count, the rubies from a Maharaja or three. Maman said she would buy me one set of jewelry before the ball, but no more. After that, I am responsible for acquiring my own, but not to worry, because after the ball I will be showered in admirers. But I don’t want that. I’m still not interested in boys, although the other girls at Beauxbatons would moon over Quidditch magazines and beg me to tell them about the time “that dreamy Harry Potter” saved me from the lake. Which I hardly remember, it was ages ago, and I was asleep, besides.
~ ~ ~
Today I took Luna around Paris. She wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, which I said was horribly tacky and only tourists did that, not Parisians. She said how did I know it was horrible if I’d never been. So we went.
It was marvelous! Luna took the dressing-like-a-Muggle part very seriously and wore rainbow socks and a T-shirt with a purple triangle pin. I asked what it meant and she just smiled and said she was renowned for unusual accessories. The view from the top was glorious. I could see all of Paris. Luna took my hand so we wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. Her skin is very soft.
Afterwards we spent hours in a café, talking and laughing. I helped her with her accent. She understands French well enough, it’s just her pronunciation that’s dreadful. She told me that she remembered me from Fleur’s wedding all those years ago. I guess she’s a friend of the Weasleys. She asked about Fleur, and I told her about the miscarriages but that we hoped this time would be better. She took my hand again, running her thumb across my wrist, the gesture oddly comforting as I tried not to cry.
~ ~ ~
It rained today. Maman found me in my special place in the front room and said I was getting too old for window seats and hot milk. She made me practice brewing and serving tea and coffee until I could do it “with delicate grace”. Which means I mustn’t let anything rattle, and certainly should not drop the teacup, for goodness sakes, it’s the third one today and reparo only goes so far, are you trying to drive me to distraction?
~ ~ ~
I showed Luna my favorite little park the other day. The house elf packed a lovely picnic lunch. After we ate, I just wanted to lie back and relax, but Luna was wandering around looking under rocks for Striped Porklegums. She said they come out after it rains. I’d never heard of them before. Maybe they come from England? I suppose her paper is doing an article or something. I helped her look, but we didn’t find anything but earthworms and grubs.
~ ~ ~
Maman went to England today. Fleur needs her. The Healers said if she stays in bed, she has a better chance of keeping the baby. So Maman is gone. I have to stay here to prepare for the ball. The house seems so big with only me and the house elves. For a small woman, Maman takes up a lot of space.
I don’t like being alone.
~ ~ ~
Today Maman and I were meant to go shopping for my jewelry. Luna came with me instead. She’s taken to dropping by every day to check on me. Somehow, knowing she’ll be there makes the house seem much less desolate.
Luna makes her own jewelry. I said her necklace was lovely. She said no, it’s macramé.
We went to Henri’s in Rue Magie. Luna seemed a little uncomfortable but I said it was fine. I explained to M. Henri that I was Gabrielle Delacour and he was all politeness. Luna helped me choose sapphires that are, she said, the exact color of my eyes. I decided on the necklace with matching earrings. They’re beautiful, with light and delicate spun gold; like deep blue stars shimmering against my hair. I wore them home. Maman would have declared it gauche, but Luna said she didn’t mind.
~ ~ ~
Last night Luna and I cooked dinner together. Well, it was supposed to be together, but it turns out that I’m hopeless in the kitchen, so she did most of it. First we went shopping together, buying vegetables at the tiny corner stand, chicken at the butcher’s, bread at the bakery next door. Luna’s apartment is tiny, but we couldn’t use Maman’s kitchen, the house elves would never allow it.
That was my first time going to Luna’s. It smells like fresh bread and flowers, and it’s cluttered with Luna’s things: colorful buttons, pretty stones, odd socks, bits of yarn. Small bunches of flowers tucked in crannies and pictures torn from magazines adorning the wall. Eclectic but beautiful, just like Luna.
Luna made roast chicken with asparagus, which was delicious, and I washed the dishes, then we ate strawberry tarts from the patisserie and had a pillow fight.
~ ~ ~
The ball is in three days. My gown is finished, so I modeled it for Luna. She said I was even more beautiful than the Latvian Wumproller, but much less prickly.
Luna found Grandmere’s old record collection when we played hide-and-seek last week, so she put on some old American jazz and asked me to dance. I asked how she expected me to waltz to “In the Mood” but she just smiled, so we did.
She only stepped on my feet five times, but when she tripped on my gown we decided to change into our pajamas. Then Luna taught me the Charleston and the Chicken Dance, and we kept going until nearly midnight, when the house elves came and told us it was high time to go to bed. I didn’t mind too much, as my sides hurt from laughing by then.
~ ~ ~
Dearest Gabrielle,
Happy birthday, my love! I hope you are well, and I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there for your big day. Fleur needs me, though. She’s been able to stay in bed since I arrived, and the Healers say things are well so far. William’s mother keeps saying, when she thinks I can’t hear, that I needn’t have come, and she could have helped, but we know that’s nonsense. Fleur needs her mother, not a stand-in.
It’s nearly time for the ball, my dear. I hope you’re preparing yourself: remember, plenty of rest and no chocolate or sweets. Your face and figure must be perfection. I hear M. Pelletier will be at the ball, and he would make a fine husband, so be sure to dance with him. It is up to you to marry well, with your sister having run off with that English werewolf. Never forget that.
Fleur sends her love, too.
Love Maman
~ ~ ~
Luna said she was planning a surprise for my birthday, but to dress Muggle. First she took me to the movie theater. I’d never been before, but it was splendid. Afterwards, we had a picnic dinner in our favorite park, and watched the sun set over Paris. It was so relaxing. For a while, I fell asleep with my head in Luna’s lap. When I woke up, she was absently running her fingers through my hair, watching me with the most curious expression on her face. Her cheeks became very pink when I opened my eyes all the way. I’d never seen her blush before; Luna is never flustered. I smiled, and she relaxed and we stayed like that, looking at each other and smiling, for three heartbeats short of an eternity. I could feel my blood pounding through my veins. I didn’t know what would happen next, but whatever it was, I wanted it so very much.
Instead, a big dog ran up and barked at us and I jumped a mile and Luna laughed and said it was time for our last stop. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, though.
Our last stop was a Muggle club. I was a little hesitant, but Luna said it would be fine. The man at the entrance seemed to know her. Inside, it was loud and crowded, but I felt safe because I was with Luna. I noticed that the women were dancing with women and men with men. I didn’t think too much about it until I saw two women kissing, and my stomach flipped over. I didn’t know that women could do that with each other.
Just then Luna came back with our drinks, which were bright pink, sweet and fruity. We finished them, and then Luna pulled me onto the dance floor and once again we danced half the night. It was magical.
~ ~ ~
Luna will be here soon to help me prepare for the ball. We’ll be getting ready together, as it turns out she’ll be covering the event for her paper. She said the events editor came down with a touch of food poisoning and can’t attend. Luna was fingering her wand with a half-smile as she told me, and I decided it best not to ask.
We shopped for her gown this morning, as she didn’t have time to have one made. We chose one in deep purple, Luna’s favorite color. It’s cut close and clinging, and Luna looks like a goddess in it. We’ll go through Maman’s jewelry tonight, borrow something small. I remember seeing amethysts that Maman left behind. If she didn’t take them to England, surely it’s fine for Luna to wear them.
~ ~ ~
The ball is over. Where to begin? It passed in a whirl of colors, lights, inane conversation and kisses on my hand before yet another man twirled me around the floor.
All night my head was full of Luna, remembering her cool fingers sending shivers down my spine as she laced my corset, her warm breath on my neck as she brushed my hair. I wanted to help her get ready, too, but she said there was no need, because I would be the belle of the ball and beside me who would notice that plain reporter?
I told her that she wasn’t plain, she was beautiful and that I’d much rather spend the evening with her than playing the perfect china doll for a room full of strangers, and again we were staring at one another and this time my heart was in my throat and I imagined those girls kissing in the club on my birthday, but then a house elf came bursting in with the tea tray and Luna ran off to get Maman’s jewelry case and I was alone.
~ ~ ~
…in a room full of beautiful women, one young lady stood out from the crowd. Mademoiselle Gabrielle Delacour, an angel in a white gown and sapphires, made her debut. Mme. Delacour was noticed by all but especially, my sources tell me, by the recently-widowed M. Pelletier, who asked for, and received, three dances with the young beauty….
~ ~ ~
Three days since the ball and I haven’t left the house, which is full of flowers from admirers. The house elves have laid gifts on my dressing table: an emerald bracelet, a pearl necklace, Belgian chocolates and a very sheer nightie.
I try not to look, and take lots of bubble baths. M. Pelletier has sent four owls, the last inviting me to dinner. The house elf tells me I will have to go.
~ ~ ~
M. Pelletier called at teatime. It was a surprise visit, he was “in the area,” but I suspect the house elves knew, as they had been cooking all morning and had insisted that I wear the pale pink robes that I hate but Maman loves. I served tea perfectly, not a dropped cup or a rattle of silver all afternoon. I was a charming little doll, just as Maman trained me to be.
He stroked my cheek and told me I was beautiful, a vision, an angel. He presented me with flowers, curiously the same color as my robes, and emerald earrings. He was gallant, kissed my hand, paid me all manner of compliments.
It would be charming if it didn’t feel so rehearsed.
~ ~ ~
Luna came today. She found me in the window seat, and neither of us said a word. She let me cry on her shoulder, and I shared my hot milk, which was lukewarm by then, and we watched the rain, together.
~ ~ ~
I had dinner with M. Pelletier tonight. It’s been a week since the ball, but I had written that I’d caught a cold and had been in bed. Close enough to the truth.
He is handsome, in the tall, forbidding, gray-haired sort of way. He makes me uncomfortable. He’s too big, too loud, voice harsh, moves too fast. He tried to kiss me on the lips, so I took a step closer and trod on his foot, hard, with my heel. That put an end to that nonsense.
~ ~ ~
Today the sun is shining, so Luna and I went on another picnic. M. Pelletier wants to meet again, but I have a week to prepare. Maman sent another letter. She’s delighted with my success and Fleur is having twins.
~ ~ ~
M. Pelletier spared no expense for our latest dinner. I was secretly glad the house elves forced me into yet another of the robes Maman bought me, this time a soft green, and the new emeralds; the girl who dresses that way is Mademoiselle Delacour, not Gabrielle. The room glowed with a hundred small candles, and the sweet champagne was complemented by M. Pelletier’s rich cologne.
He stared intently at me throughout dinner; I had no appetite. Over coffee in the salon, he presented me with a small package. It was an emerald necklace. I sat perfectly still as he brushed aside my hair, hooking the clasp as he whispered in my ear. “Now I’ve given you a bracelet, earrings, and a necklace. All you’re missing is a ring.” I shuddered, but he didn’t notice. He leaned over to kiss me, but I turned my head and offered my cheek instead.
He said that he looks forward to seeing me again. I dread it.
~ ~ ~
I told Luna about my dinner, and she asked why I didn’t let him kiss me. I said I couldn’t be bought for all the emeralds in France, and besides, I had someone else in mind for my first kiss, and she said “Oh?” and smiled, so I leaned over and I kissed her. It was soft and sweet and I wanted to keep kissing Luna Lovegood forever. She brushed gentle kisses over my eyes and forehead and nose, and I tickled her, and we rolled around in the grass and kissed and I’m happier than I thought possible.
~ ~ ~
Kissing Luna Lovegood. It’s my new hobby. We’ve been visiting all our old haunts--the art gallery where we first met, the park, that jewelry shop where we bought my sapphires. We visit each place, and christen it with a kiss. Sometimes on the hand, or the cheek, but Luna knows a very useful charm so that people won’t notice us, and we used it on the Eiffel Tower at sunset yesterday.
Apparently the charm has a time limit. The guard who found us gave us a stern lecture, but we were too busy giggling to listen.
~ ~ ~
M. Pelletier is displeased with me. He hasn’t said anything, but I can tell by the little lines between his eyes when I don’t pay attention, or respond as I should. He’s too proud to tell Maman, though, so I don’t care at all. It’s fun to watch him try so hard to win me. It’s even more fun when I tell Luna the next day.
~ ~ ~
Yesterday, when Luna was visiting, it started to rain. She asked if I wanted to sit in our window seat, and I said no, I only sit there when I’m sad, but despite the rain I’m as happy as a summer afternoon. And so we went for a walk instead, wandering through several neighborhoods, watching people pass by, before ending up in the park. It was a little chilly, so we raced for a while before falling, exhausted, into the soft grass. Then Luna licked a raindrop off my nose, which led to more kissing, and we discovered that cuddling is a much more effective way of keeping warm.
~ ~ ~
It has been twenty-five years now. Twenty-five years since the ball, since my first kiss, since Luna and I ran away together. Twenty-five years since my first two nieces were born. Maman is gone now, and I miss her, but she forgave me eventually. M. Pelletier married some other sweet young thing, and Luna and I plan to grow old together. We still dance; Luna says it will keep us young. Sometimes I remember my glittering youth in Paris, but I’m happy here on my grandfather’s old farm, with Luna, in our matching macramé necklaces.