There Are Two Types of Lulls
Whoop! I'm finally getting some stuff on here!
Alright, so this is my first two-shot, and the first with this pairing. I didn't spend AAAAGGGEESS on ti but I think I dedicated a night to it or something. The inspiration from it came from opening the dictionary at a random page and pointing to a random word. And this what I came up with. It's a two shot so there are two link thingys.
Title: There are Two Types of Lull
Rating: PG
Pairing: Neville/Luna
Summary: Neville is affected by two types of lulls.
There Are Two Types Of Lull
There Are Two Types of Lull
The First One
---
Lull: (noun) A lull is a pause in something, or a short time when it is quiet and nothing much happens.
---
Let me describe a day in my life. Just let me, it could be fun. I have nothing else to do.
1. I wake up.
Or rather, my alarm clock wakes me up. It’s one of those that get louder and louder until you have the sense to turn it off. If it wasn’t for the fact that only I can hear it, I would get a lot of complaints from the neighbours. It’s around five a.m. when I wake up and in the winter it’s pitch black and it looks like I might have woke up a tad too early, and in the summer I can see a hint of sunlight along the horizon. It’s hardly anything interesting.
2. I shower.
Nothing special about that except I use my own shower gel and shampoo, specially made by me. Sometimes, I sing but that’s only on a very good morning when I know the day ahead is going to be perfect, and nothing can spoil it. I haven’t sung in two months.
3. I get dressed.
There isn’t much variation to my wardrobe. I haven’t done any clothes shopping in the past three months. Since I don’t really go out any more, there isn’t really a need. I flick through my work robes trying to pick between black, off-black, dark green, olive green, green and this black that has a greenish tint to it. I usually go for the dark green. Stains don’t usually show up on that but if I know I’m going to be working with something particularly messy, it’s the black.
4. I Floo to work.
My fireplace is connected right to my office. I get in, work through any paperwork and then throw on my work gloves, in the summer putting sun cream onto my nose and cheeks which always, no matter what I do get sunburnt, and do my first rounds of the greenhouses. There are ten in total. I go back to my office, sit there either reading through the application form of an aspiring botanist who’s dream has always been to work for me (never mind the fact I’ve only been in business for two years) or read the Quibbler. It reassures me that there are people out there who like me have no lives.
5. I have lunch.
I almost never eat at work. There’s always someone trying to get a boost to one of the more dangerous experimental greenhouses, where only I and a few other people work. Or one of those people is telling me all about how they nearly lost an eye. I go home, make a sandwich and sit on a bench in the nearby park, watching people walk past me. Sometimes it’s a little depressing. I used to have a more active life. I have no idea what happened.
6. I go back to work.
I make two more rounds of the greenhouses, and if I’m not too tired, I dabble a little in the dangerous experimental greenhouses I mentioned earlier. For example, at the moment were working with a plant called Snapping Snare, which of is a result of in a way, breeding two plants. It’s a little like the Devil’s Snare with large pink flowers growing from it. The problem is that the flowers actually eat everything. Even humans. Why are we doing this you ask? Because the flower’s dribble could be used in Potions. Obviously I don’t make the Potions, I’ve never really had an aptitude for them, but I know who I supply the ingredient to very well.
7. I go home.
My apartment is cosy enough but it was built for two unfortunately, so sometimes I do rattle around in it. I only have one plant to keep me company. My little Mimbly the Tenth. He’s a Mimblus Mimbletonia. The first one was destroyed, the next five I had were sacrificed for experiment sake and the last three didn’t receive enough attention. This one has done though. I haven’t got anything else to do.
8. I eat whilst reading the post.
Muggle ready meals are a life saver. Hermione taught me how to use a microwave. In fact, she and Ginny are regular writers. They’re letters lately have all been the same, or near enough. Are you alright? We miss you. We haven’t seen you in ages. Come over for dinner. Owl if you need us. Occasionally the guys write, Harry the most frequent by their standard. I guess he understands the most. It’s usually something short. Today its: I hope you’re alright. Come and see us when you’re ready. By us he means him, Ginny and little James. I pen short replies so they don’t get worried.
9. I go to bed and stare at the picture of Gran.
I’ve been doing that the past two months. Sometimes, I feel like she’s still there at home, waiting for me to come back but then I remember her funeral. I had her buried next to my grandfather who died before I was born. She would have wanted that. I didn’t cry at the funeral. I haven’t cried for her yet. I can’t seem to be able to. She was all I had. Mum and Dad are still alive of course, but Snape is still far from completing his miracle potion that will prove an antidote to the effects of Cruciatus. I wait in hope.
Gran was just something different. She was always there for me, even if she was a bit harsh in doing so and her hugs were always a little stiff. She was my rock. She always kept me together. At Hogwarts she always remembered the things I forgot, during the War she was the one who reminded me what I was fighting for and took care of my wounds, and after that she was the one who helped me set up LHR, Longbottom Herbolic Research. We were set to think about opening up another ten greenhouses maybe somewhere in Europe when she passed away. It was old age that got her they said but she was young in my eyes.
10. I take a deep breath and sleep.
And then the next day it starts all over again. It’s like my life is on hold. I can’t do anything. I just can’t.
There Are Two Types of Lull
There Are Two Types of Lull
The Second One
---
Lull: (verb) To lull someone means to send them to sleep or make them feel safe and secure
---
Let me tell you about the day where everything changed. Come on, you might find it entertaining.
I’m reading the Daily Prophet while the lasagne cooks in the microwave. The smell is making me hungry. You know, I actually don’t mind the Daily Prophet now. Since Hermione became Editor-in-Chief, it’s been a whole lot more truthful and informative. Ron works as the Sports Editor. I was quite surprised at first but it does make sense after his horrific knee injury in his first match as Keeper of the Chudley Cannons. His dream of becoming an Auror was also shattered because his knee doesn’t let him do much. The Bludger hit it so bad even the best Healers couldn’t do anything. Being Sports Editor keeps him in touch with what he loves.
The microwave beeps five times to signal that my lasagne is ready. I put aside the newspaper, and make my way to the kitchen. I’m just about through the doorway when the doorbell rings. I’m thinking of ignoring it but whoever it is keeps ringing. Slightly irritated, I stomp to the door and fling it open, ready to let my angry, less passive side out.
“Luna?” I ask staring at the woman in front of me, slightly squinting. The fair blonde hair tied with odd looking clips, the vegetable earrings, the butterbeer lid necklace and the dreamy blue eyes are still present but she’s grown up. And she has a tan.
Instead of answering, she practically jumps on me, throwing her arms around my neck and nearly making us topple to the floor. Thank Merlin for my strong build. Her hair is up my nose and I can smell a mixture of berries. I think a minute has passed and she still hasn’t let go but strangely, her hug is comforting. Just as I’m beginning to get used to her, she pulls away.
“There you are Neville,” she says to me in a serious voice, giving me an equally serious look. “Now all your friends have hugged you, the Sliding Sintlors don’t affect you any more. You can cry.”
I blink at her.
“Thanks for the hug Luna, but I don’t need to cry.”
“Nonsense.” She sniffs. “Is that food? I’m hungry. The Amazon Forest is a great place for all kind of creatures but the travel is absolute murder. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
She walks pas me and into the flat, goes to the microwave, pulls out the lasagne, opens every drawer until she falls onto the one with the cutlery, takes a set on the kitchen countertop and begins to eat. I don’t know whether to be offended that she’s just eaten my dinner, relieved after not seeing a friendly face for so long or still be confused at her words. I go for the last one.
“Luna, why are you here?”
“To look after you.”
“I don’t need anybody to look after me.”
“Yes you do,” she insists. “Your grandmother looked after you a lot, and now she’s gone you need somebody else to do that. And since I don’t see anybody else here, I’m going to do just that.”
“You can’t just waltz in here and declare that you’re going to look after me.”
“Why not?”
Actually, that is a very good question. Why can’t she? I open my mouth to say something but I can’t think of an answer. Luna gives me a smile and returns to her, no my, lasagne with a little satisfied look. Her tan does look strange on her. Ever since I’ve known her she’s had milky white skin that went well with her quirkiness. Now she looks both quirky and strange, her pale blue shorts and white t-shirt, showing it off even more.
“Here you go.”
I snap out of my thoughts and she hands me a half eaten lasagne. It’s better than nothing I suppose. My brain tells me to throw her out like any other well-wisher but my mouth does something completely different. “I’m going to go eat this in the living room. Want to join me?”
“Of course.”
Her bright yellow flip flops slap against the floor as she walks behind me. I take a seat on the sofa and she sits herself next to me, a little close for comfort. I haven’t had anyone this close to me since…well, you know when. She stares around the room as I eat, her blue eyes wide and filled with intrigue. Mimbly is getting quite big now but apart from that, the living room is just an ordinary living room. Fireplace, coffee table, sofa, armchairs, pictures on the mantelpiece and carpet. Her eyes instantly turn back to me when I put the empty plastic container that once had lasagne in down.
“You’re showing me where you work tomorrow.”
“Err…okay,” I say a little hesitantly. It was such a random statement. “I leave at six in the morning though.”
“The earlier the better. Humming Kersnapps like to attack a later riser,” she states but I notice her dreamy voice has gone. There’s a constant serious edge to it. She sounds…normal. “I was quite fortunate to see one. Unfortunately it attacked one of my fellow searchers. It was quite a nasty bite.”
“So do you want me to Floo to your place and then we go together or what?”
“Why would we need to Floo to my place? I’m staying here. Remember, I’m looking after you.”
“Luna, listen to me. I honestly don’t need you to look after me. I’m doing fine.”
“I liked your grandmother. She always said to me, ‘Luna Lovegood, you are one deliriously strange witch, but I think you’ll go far.’ I was very upset when I heard the news, and I wanted to come straight away but we were in a bit of trouble, and I couldn’t get out of it until today.”
“I don’t really want to talk about Gran,” I mutter but it is in vain.
“But I do. I want to know about all the ways she used to take care of you because I’m going to do the same until you’re happy, I’m happy and everyone else is happy. They are all worried about you. They all think your grandmother’s death hit you hard but I think you just miss her.”
“Well of course I miss her Luna! Gran was everything to me. She’d raised me since I was a baby and yes, she did take care of me a lot. She kept my head screwed to my body because I would have lost it if she hadn’t. I miss her so much, I don’t want to let go.”
“When Mum died, I didn’t want to let go either,” Luna says pensively. “Every day I used to wish to wake up and find her in her work shop. If anyone told me she was gone, I would say that she wasn’t. She was coming back. It wasn’t until Daddy sat me on his lap, held me close and told me Mum had gone to a better place, and one day, I’d find her again. I cried then because I was sad she’d left me, but happy she’d gone to a better place.”
“I don’t need to cry Luna. I’m fine.”
“Everybody needs to cry. It’s a fact of life.”
“Well, I don’t want to cry.”
“Then you aren’t fine.”
As suddenly as her first hug, she pulls me into another so I end up leaning on her, my head resting on her shoulder. My first instinct is to pull away, but I haven’t been hugged in quite awhile, especially not a hug like this. Luna’s holding me very close, softly rubbing my back.
“Neville, your Gran has gone to a better place, and one day, I promise you, you’ll find her again, just like I’ll find my Mum. I know it’s hard to understand why she left you in the first place but be happy for her. Let her go Neville. Let her move on to that place.”
I open my mouth, ready to tell her that I don’t need to cry to let her go. Not everybody has to cry but to my surprise, my eyes start stinging. I don’t know whether it’s her words or her actions that move me, but whatever it is, I find myself crying. Every single tear I should have shed at her funeral comes out in one big go. Luna continues to hold me close, stroking my back calmly, waiting for me to stop.
“Now you’re fine,” she tells me.
I don’t move away. I feel so safe in her arms. And for the first time since she first said it, I actually believe that she can take care of me. Not in the same way as Gran did but she will. If she came all the way from her trip in the Amazon Forest on the other side of the hemisphere she must be serious. I’m about to ask her why she decided to take care of me when I realise she’s singing.
Her voice is soft and comforting. I don’t want to end her song with a question. I decide to wait until she stops but my eyes feel heavy and before I know it, I’m asleep.
The next morning, I can tell you, was unquestionably different. In fact, the rest of my life was.
Wow...that was the most formatting I've done like ever. Now let me go do some more...
Alright, so this is my first two-shot, and the first with this pairing. I didn't spend AAAAGGGEESS on ti but I think I dedicated a night to it or something. The inspiration from it came from opening the dictionary at a random page and pointing to a random word. And this what I came up with. It's a two shot so there are two link thingys.
Title: There are Two Types of Lull
Rating: PG
Pairing: Neville/Luna
Summary: Neville is affected by two types of lulls.
There Are Two Types Of Lull
There Are Two Types of Lull
The First One
---
Lull: (noun) A lull is a pause in something, or a short time when it is quiet and nothing much happens.
---
Let me describe a day in my life. Just let me, it could be fun. I have nothing else to do.
1. I wake up.
Or rather, my alarm clock wakes me up. It’s one of those that get louder and louder until you have the sense to turn it off. If it wasn’t for the fact that only I can hear it, I would get a lot of complaints from the neighbours. It’s around five a.m. when I wake up and in the winter it’s pitch black and it looks like I might have woke up a tad too early, and in the summer I can see a hint of sunlight along the horizon. It’s hardly anything interesting.
2. I shower.
Nothing special about that except I use my own shower gel and shampoo, specially made by me. Sometimes, I sing but that’s only on a very good morning when I know the day ahead is going to be perfect, and nothing can spoil it. I haven’t sung in two months.
3. I get dressed.
There isn’t much variation to my wardrobe. I haven’t done any clothes shopping in the past three months. Since I don’t really go out any more, there isn’t really a need. I flick through my work robes trying to pick between black, off-black, dark green, olive green, green and this black that has a greenish tint to it. I usually go for the dark green. Stains don’t usually show up on that but if I know I’m going to be working with something particularly messy, it’s the black.
4. I Floo to work.
My fireplace is connected right to my office. I get in, work through any paperwork and then throw on my work gloves, in the summer putting sun cream onto my nose and cheeks which always, no matter what I do get sunburnt, and do my first rounds of the greenhouses. There are ten in total. I go back to my office, sit there either reading through the application form of an aspiring botanist who’s dream has always been to work for me (never mind the fact I’ve only been in business for two years) or read the Quibbler. It reassures me that there are people out there who like me have no lives.
5. I have lunch.
I almost never eat at work. There’s always someone trying to get a boost to one of the more dangerous experimental greenhouses, where only I and a few other people work. Or one of those people is telling me all about how they nearly lost an eye. I go home, make a sandwich and sit on a bench in the nearby park, watching people walk past me. Sometimes it’s a little depressing. I used to have a more active life. I have no idea what happened.
6. I go back to work.
I make two more rounds of the greenhouses, and if I’m not too tired, I dabble a little in the dangerous experimental greenhouses I mentioned earlier. For example, at the moment were working with a plant called Snapping Snare, which of is a result of in a way, breeding two plants. It’s a little like the Devil’s Snare with large pink flowers growing from it. The problem is that the flowers actually eat everything. Even humans. Why are we doing this you ask? Because the flower’s dribble could be used in Potions. Obviously I don’t make the Potions, I’ve never really had an aptitude for them, but I know who I supply the ingredient to very well.
7. I go home.
My apartment is cosy enough but it was built for two unfortunately, so sometimes I do rattle around in it. I only have one plant to keep me company. My little Mimbly the Tenth. He’s a Mimblus Mimbletonia. The first one was destroyed, the next five I had were sacrificed for experiment sake and the last three didn’t receive enough attention. This one has done though. I haven’t got anything else to do.
8. I eat whilst reading the post.
Muggle ready meals are a life saver. Hermione taught me how to use a microwave. In fact, she and Ginny are regular writers. They’re letters lately have all been the same, or near enough. Are you alright? We miss you. We haven’t seen you in ages. Come over for dinner. Owl if you need us. Occasionally the guys write, Harry the most frequent by their standard. I guess he understands the most. It’s usually something short. Today its: I hope you’re alright. Come and see us when you’re ready. By us he means him, Ginny and little James. I pen short replies so they don’t get worried.
9. I go to bed and stare at the picture of Gran.
I’ve been doing that the past two months. Sometimes, I feel like she’s still there at home, waiting for me to come back but then I remember her funeral. I had her buried next to my grandfather who died before I was born. She would have wanted that. I didn’t cry at the funeral. I haven’t cried for her yet. I can’t seem to be able to. She was all I had. Mum and Dad are still alive of course, but Snape is still far from completing his miracle potion that will prove an antidote to the effects of Cruciatus. I wait in hope.
Gran was just something different. She was always there for me, even if she was a bit harsh in doing so and her hugs were always a little stiff. She was my rock. She always kept me together. At Hogwarts she always remembered the things I forgot, during the War she was the one who reminded me what I was fighting for and took care of my wounds, and after that she was the one who helped me set up LHR, Longbottom Herbolic Research. We were set to think about opening up another ten greenhouses maybe somewhere in Europe when she passed away. It was old age that got her they said but she was young in my eyes.
10. I take a deep breath and sleep.
And then the next day it starts all over again. It’s like my life is on hold. I can’t do anything. I just can’t.
There Are Two Types of Lull
There Are Two Types of Lull
The Second One
---
Lull: (verb) To lull someone means to send them to sleep or make them feel safe and secure
---
Let me tell you about the day where everything changed. Come on, you might find it entertaining.
I’m reading the Daily Prophet while the lasagne cooks in the microwave. The smell is making me hungry. You know, I actually don’t mind the Daily Prophet now. Since Hermione became Editor-in-Chief, it’s been a whole lot more truthful and informative. Ron works as the Sports Editor. I was quite surprised at first but it does make sense after his horrific knee injury in his first match as Keeper of the Chudley Cannons. His dream of becoming an Auror was also shattered because his knee doesn’t let him do much. The Bludger hit it so bad even the best Healers couldn’t do anything. Being Sports Editor keeps him in touch with what he loves.
The microwave beeps five times to signal that my lasagne is ready. I put aside the newspaper, and make my way to the kitchen. I’m just about through the doorway when the doorbell rings. I’m thinking of ignoring it but whoever it is keeps ringing. Slightly irritated, I stomp to the door and fling it open, ready to let my angry, less passive side out.
“Luna?” I ask staring at the woman in front of me, slightly squinting. The fair blonde hair tied with odd looking clips, the vegetable earrings, the butterbeer lid necklace and the dreamy blue eyes are still present but she’s grown up. And she has a tan.
Instead of answering, she practically jumps on me, throwing her arms around my neck and nearly making us topple to the floor. Thank Merlin for my strong build. Her hair is up my nose and I can smell a mixture of berries. I think a minute has passed and she still hasn’t let go but strangely, her hug is comforting. Just as I’m beginning to get used to her, she pulls away.
“There you are Neville,” she says to me in a serious voice, giving me an equally serious look. “Now all your friends have hugged you, the Sliding Sintlors don’t affect you any more. You can cry.”
I blink at her.
“Thanks for the hug Luna, but I don’t need to cry.”
“Nonsense.” She sniffs. “Is that food? I’m hungry. The Amazon Forest is a great place for all kind of creatures but the travel is absolute murder. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
She walks pas me and into the flat, goes to the microwave, pulls out the lasagne, opens every drawer until she falls onto the one with the cutlery, takes a set on the kitchen countertop and begins to eat. I don’t know whether to be offended that she’s just eaten my dinner, relieved after not seeing a friendly face for so long or still be confused at her words. I go for the last one.
“Luna, why are you here?”
“To look after you.”
“I don’t need anybody to look after me.”
“Yes you do,” she insists. “Your grandmother looked after you a lot, and now she’s gone you need somebody else to do that. And since I don’t see anybody else here, I’m going to do just that.”
“You can’t just waltz in here and declare that you’re going to look after me.”
“Why not?”
Actually, that is a very good question. Why can’t she? I open my mouth to say something but I can’t think of an answer. Luna gives me a smile and returns to her, no my, lasagne with a little satisfied look. Her tan does look strange on her. Ever since I’ve known her she’s had milky white skin that went well with her quirkiness. Now she looks both quirky and strange, her pale blue shorts and white t-shirt, showing it off even more.
“Here you go.”
I snap out of my thoughts and she hands me a half eaten lasagne. It’s better than nothing I suppose. My brain tells me to throw her out like any other well-wisher but my mouth does something completely different. “I’m going to go eat this in the living room. Want to join me?”
“Of course.”
Her bright yellow flip flops slap against the floor as she walks behind me. I take a seat on the sofa and she sits herself next to me, a little close for comfort. I haven’t had anyone this close to me since…well, you know when. She stares around the room as I eat, her blue eyes wide and filled with intrigue. Mimbly is getting quite big now but apart from that, the living room is just an ordinary living room. Fireplace, coffee table, sofa, armchairs, pictures on the mantelpiece and carpet. Her eyes instantly turn back to me when I put the empty plastic container that once had lasagne in down.
“You’re showing me where you work tomorrow.”
“Err…okay,” I say a little hesitantly. It was such a random statement. “I leave at six in the morning though.”
“The earlier the better. Humming Kersnapps like to attack a later riser,” she states but I notice her dreamy voice has gone. There’s a constant serious edge to it. She sounds…normal. “I was quite fortunate to see one. Unfortunately it attacked one of my fellow searchers. It was quite a nasty bite.”
“So do you want me to Floo to your place and then we go together or what?”
“Why would we need to Floo to my place? I’m staying here. Remember, I’m looking after you.”
“Luna, listen to me. I honestly don’t need you to look after me. I’m doing fine.”
“I liked your grandmother. She always said to me, ‘Luna Lovegood, you are one deliriously strange witch, but I think you’ll go far.’ I was very upset when I heard the news, and I wanted to come straight away but we were in a bit of trouble, and I couldn’t get out of it until today.”
“I don’t really want to talk about Gran,” I mutter but it is in vain.
“But I do. I want to know about all the ways she used to take care of you because I’m going to do the same until you’re happy, I’m happy and everyone else is happy. They are all worried about you. They all think your grandmother’s death hit you hard but I think you just miss her.”
“Well of course I miss her Luna! Gran was everything to me. She’d raised me since I was a baby and yes, she did take care of me a lot. She kept my head screwed to my body because I would have lost it if she hadn’t. I miss her so much, I don’t want to let go.”
“When Mum died, I didn’t want to let go either,” Luna says pensively. “Every day I used to wish to wake up and find her in her work shop. If anyone told me she was gone, I would say that she wasn’t. She was coming back. It wasn’t until Daddy sat me on his lap, held me close and told me Mum had gone to a better place, and one day, I’d find her again. I cried then because I was sad she’d left me, but happy she’d gone to a better place.”
“I don’t need to cry Luna. I’m fine.”
“Everybody needs to cry. It’s a fact of life.”
“Well, I don’t want to cry.”
“Then you aren’t fine.”
As suddenly as her first hug, she pulls me into another so I end up leaning on her, my head resting on her shoulder. My first instinct is to pull away, but I haven’t been hugged in quite awhile, especially not a hug like this. Luna’s holding me very close, softly rubbing my back.
“Neville, your Gran has gone to a better place, and one day, I promise you, you’ll find her again, just like I’ll find my Mum. I know it’s hard to understand why she left you in the first place but be happy for her. Let her go Neville. Let her move on to that place.”
I open my mouth, ready to tell her that I don’t need to cry to let her go. Not everybody has to cry but to my surprise, my eyes start stinging. I don’t know whether it’s her words or her actions that move me, but whatever it is, I find myself crying. Every single tear I should have shed at her funeral comes out in one big go. Luna continues to hold me close, stroking my back calmly, waiting for me to stop.
“Now you’re fine,” she tells me.
I don’t move away. I feel so safe in her arms. And for the first time since she first said it, I actually believe that she can take care of me. Not in the same way as Gran did but she will. If she came all the way from her trip in the Amazon Forest on the other side of the hemisphere she must be serious. I’m about to ask her why she decided to take care of me when I realise she’s singing.
Her voice is soft and comforting. I don’t want to end her song with a question. I decide to wait until she stops but my eyes feel heavy and before I know it, I’m asleep.
The next morning, I can tell you, was unquestionably different. In fact, the rest of my life was.
Wow...that was the most formatting I've done like ever. Now let me go do some more...