RP: Music Festival

[shh_luna]

Date: August 25, 2005
Character(s): Luna Lovegood, Ernie Macmillan, Caradoc Dearborn, Ginny Weasley, Lavender Brown, Ron Weasley, Eleanor Branstone, Zacharias Smith, Mandy Brocklehurst, George Weasley, Lisa Turpin, Draco Malfoy, Marietta Edgecombe, Arabella Figg, Julian Avery, Rabastan Lestrange, Katie Bell, Cedric Diggory, Wayne Hopkins, Eloise

Comments

[shh_ernie]

Ernie heard music and rolled over to glance at the clock. It was nearly noon. Although he'd made an excuse and turned in rather early last night, he'd had another nightmare. This one was so bad that he'd gotten out of bed and watched a movie before he felt comfortable going back to sleep. The end result was that he was now waking at noon.

Deciding that he needed to get out of the house, and needed to get back to 'normal', he quickly showered and dressed in denims and a T shirt. After locking up, he stood on the pavement, trying to pinpoint the source of the music. It was coming from the west as far as he could tell. Not knowing exactly how far it was, he climbed on the moped and headed down River Road.

The music festival, he remembered as he came upon the Quidditch Pitch. He'd forgotten about it. And he'd forgotten to owl Marietta to inform her what had happened. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too angry with him. Ernie parked his moped and chained it to a tree. No reason to risk someone stealing it. The band that was playing wasn't too bad in his opinion. Spotting Luna, he strolled over.

"Hello, Luna," he greeted. "How've you been?"

[shh_luna]

"Hello, Ernie," she said, grinning and lifting her hand in a wave as he walked over to greet her. "I'm really well. Happy that this is finally happening." She gestured around her. "After planning it for so long, and all."

She studied her friend closely. "How are you feeling?"

[shh_ernie]

Ernie glanced around. It wasn't overly crowded, but there were a fair number of people here. "It's a wonderful idea," he replied with a smile. "And a good turnout considering you opened your doors not too long ago."

Scuffing the ground with his boot, he thought about how to answer Luna's question. Finally, he looked up and said, "Er...alright...physically." He shrugged. Talking about it wouldn't get him anywhere as his conversation with Ginny had proved yesterday. "Does the festival coordinator have time for a bite to eat?"

[shh_luna]

"Thanks," she said with a smile, "and yes, it's going fairly well."

Ernie seemed a bit nervous as he began to fidget. "Well, you certainly look better than you did the last time I looked in on you at the hospital. I'm glad for that. I'm sure Eleanor made sure you got plenty of rest after you went home. Is she working at the shop today?"

She grinned. "Yes, I think I've a bit of time for food."

[shh_ernie]

Ernie returned her grin. "Brilliant. And it's on me. I owe you." He held up a hand; Eleanor had told him that Luna hadn't wanted to accept thanks from her. "Even if it was your job, I still owe you. Likely wouldn't be standing her today if it weren't for you. And if I can manage to sort of thank Smith, I can certainly thank you."

They walked over to the food table and Ernie picked up a sandwich. "Eleanor's working." It dawned on him that he hadn't left her a note. He would likely be home before she returned home though. As Luna picked out her lunch, he continued, "She closed the shop for a week...because...she wanted to be home with me." He still felt guilty about that.

[shh_luna]

She nodded and smiled. "In that case, I'll accept your thanks and just say 'you're welcome.'" She laughed. "I'm also glad you thanked Smith, as if he'd not brought you to the hospital I'd not have been able to do anything. I take it you two don't get on particularly well?"

Luna selected a sanwich and a bottle of water when they went to the food table. "I've not been to her shop as yet; I'll have to visit. I've heard good things about it." She glanced up, smiling slightly as Ernie mumbled his next words with a guilty expression.

"She loves you," she said simply. "What did you expect? I don't imagine it would have been easy for her to work while worrying about you, silly."

[shh_ernie]

He made a face. "No, we don't. Haven't since Hogwarts. Mostly because he's a tosser. But he's Eleanor's friend so I'm attempting to be...more accepting."

Water was a good idea. Although a butterbeer was tempting. In the end, Ernie grabbed both. "You should drop by. You'll likely get all the soap you'd ever want on the house, too," he replied with a laugh as he pulled some galleons from his pocket. After he'd pocketed his change, he took a blanket and they made their way to an empty spot.

"Er...would you..." He handed his food and drinks to her as he spread out the blanket. "Need to replace my wand," he explained with a shrug and removed his items from her arms.

As they settled themselves on the blanket, he shrugged. "I know. And, trust me, I'm glad she did. I like having her around. Even if she did try to help me with practically everything." He unwrapped his sandwich. "I was at the hospital yesterday. My follow up. Everything is healing alright. And Ginny said that..." Might be nice to have a second opinion. He suspected that it would be the same though. "That being...emotional is...normal after...getting your arse kicked," he finished, trying to make a joke of it.

[shh_luna]

"That's something," she said with a smile. "Eleanor will appreciate it, and he did help you out when you really needed it."

Luna laughed and picked up an extra bottle of water as Ernie grabbed a blanket. "If I needed an incentive, then all the free soap I want would be the perfect one," she said, Taking Ernie's things from him while he spread out the blanket. "Have you contacted Ollivander yet?" she asked concernedly when he mentioned needing to get his wand replaced. She remembered the broken one that had been counted among his effects at the hospital. "It's difficult, having something like that for so long and then needing to replace it. I'd imagine that it doesn't seem possible. But Ollivander will have another one that chooses you."

She took a seat on the blanket and took a drink. "I think a bit of overprotectiveness was in order after that ordeal and seeing you like that," she said, reaching for her sandwich and listening as he continued. "Oh, I have to agree," she said. "It's not exactly strange to go through something like that and have it change your outlook on things, Ernie. It makes you realise what's important, and it's also bloody scary," she said finally. "That's a very emotional thing."

[shh_ernie]

At her question about Ollivander, Ernie shook his head. "Yesterday was my first day out. I reckon I'll have to get over there soon. Hard to function as a wizard without a wand." The remnants of his wand were now hidden in a closet alongside Robbie's broken wand. "I've had it since I was eleven. We've been through a lot together."

As expected, Luna confirmed what Ginny had said about being affected by what had happened. He twisted off the cap to his butterbeer and took a long sip. He'd missed that. "I've decided to quit my job. It's best for both of us...me and Eleanor." He took a bite of his sandwich. After he swallowed, he admitted, "And she's what's most important to me." Brightening considerably, he said, "I don't know if you heard or not. But we're getting married! On New Year's Eve. So don't make any plans, alright?"

[shh_luna]

"Yes, it is," she said gently. "You'll find another one though, and with time it'll be just as special."

At Ernie's news, Luna glanced up, surprised only because she knew how much Ernie had loved working as an Auror. She had to agree that it was an awfully risky profession, though. "I can't say that I disagree with that," she admitted. "And it's so important to do what feels right for you both." Her eyes widened over her water bottle as Ernie told her his next bit of news. "Married? Oh, Ernie that's lovely! And no, I hadn't heard. But you must be so excited; I'm really happy for you both. I'll make sure to attend."