The Only One Who May Call Her Loony

Author's Name: Spenser Hemmingway

Story:

If you’ve never visited the English countryside in late spring or early summer then I highly recommend that you make time for the experience sometime in your life. At the risk of sounding too much like a travelogue, I will tell you that the islands truly are some of the most magical places anywhere. To explore Ireland and Wales, especially away from the cities, is to take your breath away at times in a wonderful manner. Every part of England is different from the one you visited the day before; every shire has its unique history and its own set of exceptional stories.

Then there’s Scotland. I first visited that land when I was seventeen and an exchange student. I fell in love with the Highlands, and then I fell in love with a girl whose greatest joy was to wander about them with her friends and family. I had lived in Hogsmeade with her for almost thirty years, working as a teacher and trying my best to be a good writer.

A writer you say? Why yes! Perhaps you’ve read some of my classic novels? ‘Howard the Warthog Who Saved Boxing Day’, or maybe ‘The Adventures of Baron Von Butterthumbs and the Polka Dot Brigade’? No? Well maybe the next time you’re at a yard sale…

Anyway, writing isn’t just putting words together on a piece of paper or parchment. A room full of chimpanzees can do that. Yes, some people believe that is where I produce some of my better work, but in reality that’s just the mechanics of it. A story is formed in the mind, and the best ones come from special experiences. An excellent case in point involved that special June day about which I began to tell you, a little trip I undertook and a remarkable young lady named Luna Lovegood.

The day had actually begun with a shopping trip into Muggle London. I had purchased what I thought was an especially nice pair of casual shoes. In fact after twenty minutes of trying to break those in I made a beeline for Diagon Alley and a particularly talented shoemaker I knew there; I could no longer feel my feet.

I made it as far as Flourish and Blotts’ small newsstand before I became distracted. There was a cover story for ‘Witch Weekly’ featuring a certain famous Muggle author, her biographical series and a set of opinions and predictions. These included one about someone I had been intending to meet for quite awhile. It struck me that I had the perfect opportunity that day and just the magical means to make it happen.

*****

A couple side trips to friends’ homes and then a quick Apparation thirty minutes later brought me to the Devon farm country. I had visited the Lovegood home many years before, but memories fade and it took quite a bit of walking before I found it again. The feeling was back in my feet. If they hadn’t hurt so much I would have kicked myself for discarding my old, comfortable shoes.

Xenophlius Lovegood was absolutely nothing like the man I remembered, but under the circumstances that was understandable. The house (I guess you could call it that) was in ruins, and during my entire stay he never allowed more than five minutes to pass without apologizing about it. I didn’t miss the fact that not once did he offer an explanation for the damage, and I didn’t press the matter. I accepted his hospitality, his strong black tea and he in turn my explanation for being there. I wanted to meet his Luna. He didn’t remember me.

Considering recent events coinciding with the end of the war, he had every reason to be leery about strangers. Worse yet, I was a bloody American. I had to present a quickly obtained letter from Harry Potter himself before he even considered letting me go look for her. Still, in the end my honest face…yes I do have one…it won him over. Xeno directed me to a certain stream on the far side of a neighboring knoll. I appreciated his allowing us a bit of privacy and told him so. I could also feel his eyes on me until I passed over the low ridge.

As I neared the spot, I saw that she was exactly where he had indicated. The blond girl was in the shallow water up to her calves and seemed to be studying something there. She wore a very pretty green summer dress with a light matching vest and floppy hat with her Ravenclaw House colors. As I came to the stream bank, she ignored me in favor of her task-at-hand. I squatted down after several seconds trying to determine what she was trying to find.

“Scrimshaw Fish larvae are extremely difficult to see in this light,” she began to explain. The girl still didn’t look in my direction. “One might almost say they were invisible. I had a tank full of them before the accident, but I’m not sure my father remembered to feed them while I was gone.”

“If they were full-grown I hope he restricted their diet to stale pumpernickel crumbs and moldy pastrami. I think that you’ll have much better luck finding them by the light of a full moon.”

Luna nodded, accepting my argument and finally turning to see who I was. I stood so she could have a better look at me. I offered her a friendly smile, which she returned in kind. She also appeared to be brushing the hair away from her face with her left hand; Luna is right-handed. I saw the wand over that ear and understood. “Who was this stranger?” she had to be thinking.

I raised my hands and turned so she could see my own wand tucked in the back of my belt. Her faced relaxed a bit, but that hand continued to brush back her hair there for a bit longer.

“Do I know you?” she finally asked.

“I would be amazed if you did. My name is Spenser. I’ve wanted to meet you for quite some time.”

“Really…why?” The hand was lowered then; she cocked her head and gave me her best puzzled expression. Caution was being matched with curiosity.

“I suppose it’s because apart from my wife you’re the only other Luna I’ve ever encountered. I understand that it’s a rare if not unique name.”

She took her time considering this before speaking again. “I shouldn’t talk to strangers.”

“No you shouldn’t. I did stop by your home, or what’s left of it. I asked permission from your father.” I handed Luna the letter from Harry then. She seemed to recognize the handwriting and relaxed even further.

“Your wife’s name is really Luna?” She extended her hand and I helped her up from the water. “Is she here with you? I’d like to meet her.”

“No I lost Loony a short while ago.” Luna looked as if I’d slapped her, and her face darkened. I knew exactly why. “I’m sorry. You don’t like that name.”

“No I don’t; not even a little. People use it to make fun of me. They think that I’m a bit crazy sometimes you know, but I’m not. I had decided that I liked you and that we could be friends, but then you call me that too.”

“I didn’t use it for you Luna. That’s a pet name I have for my wife. Only I may use it and in a completely different context. Have you met Charlie Weasley?”

“Yes I have. It was at Bill and Fleur Weasley’s wedding last August.”

“I believe that his real name is Charles, and William Weasley may have gone by Billy when he was a small boy. Have you ever met a Susan who preferred Suzie or a Rebecca who liked Becky? I long ago decided that my wife was one of wisest people I ever met. Loony is a magical play on her name for me…but only for me. I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings.”

Luna’s eyebrows were knit and the smile hadn’t returned. She pulled her wand to apply a drying spell as she walked to her multicolored striped socks and soft-looking shoes. I was very much envying her those at the moment. My feet were swollen.

“You said that you had decided we could be friends. You made up your mind fairly quickly Luna.”

“I did not. It took me more than two minutes.”

“Then could you come to a decision about what I just told you?”

Luna finished tying her shoelaces. She slowly stood then. I had no doubt that she was still evaluating my explanation. Finally she nodded and began to walk off away from me. I made the call to fall into step with her.

“Would you like to go for a walk?” That had plainly been agreed upon already. “Loony does have a magical lilt to it in a way. I agree with her though. Only you should use it. Tell me about your wife. How did she die?”

“Hmm what? Loony’s not dead. I said that I lost her. It happens every time we go to that Muggle shopping complex. My daughter Jennifer and her husband Albie are looking for my Luna right now, so I have a bit of time to visit with you. I hope she doesn’t end up in another argument with the owner of that cuckoo clock store.”

The two of us strolled around the countryside for perhaps an hour, swapping stories and comparing notes about a variety of magical things we had encountered in our travels. She gave me a detailed account of how best to milk flying, blue-striped Mudweevils and explained why the wetland habitat for the Chizzled Septemberflies had to be preserved at all costs. In turn I provided her with an excellent account of our family’s recent elephant safari to New Jersey. I was amazed at how much she was like my own Luna.

“My wife was instilled with a love of nature when she was very young. She loved geography and exploring new places as well. Luna will spend more time studying a set of maps then Hermione Weasley will with a copy of ‘Hogwarts, a History’.”

“Excuse me. You said Weasley. I think you meant Granger didn’t you?”

“Patience girl. Just wait and see; Harry and Ginny too eventually. Say, what are those ruins up there?”

She gave me another hard look, trying to read me I thought. Yes the two Lunas were very much alike.

“That is what’s left of Westford House. Would you like to see it?” She was walking off before I could answer. I just laughed and then moved after her as fast as my sore feet allowed. “It has a very interesting history Spenser. A nice Muggle couple built it over a hundred years ago believing they could build a small inheritance into a great fortune breeding racing pigs.”

“You’re kidding. No you’re not.”

“My mother told me the entire story before she died. Her gravesite is behind the ruins of our own house; that’s why Dad wants to remain there. The Westfords had a wonderful idea, but they didn’t believe in their dreams. They didn’t think that the pig plantation was possible.”

“You would be amazed what a person can achieve Luna. There are actually infinite possibilies. It took my wife and me exactly two minutes to fall crazy in love with one another. It took me several months before I realized and admitted it to both myself and to her. I couldn’t believe. I’ve learned to do that and the results and the experiences have been phenomenal. Now let me ask you another question kiddo. What do you believe?”

“I believe…that we have lost our nice weather Spenser.”

‘Crack! Boom!’ The clear sky had vanished on us and we found ourselves with the beginnings of a summer electrical storm.

“Luna we can make a dash for those ruins here or risk an Apparation back to your house between lightning strikes.”

“My father has repaired the roof.” I took her hand and we were instantly back there. That was when the sky opened up and we discovered Xeno Lovegood was no better with hand tools than I was. “Uhm, apparently he hasn’t finished mending it.”

Luna pulled two umbrellas from the corner and tossing one to me went off in search of her father. I recovered the daypack I had left there, fortunately stored under the now-soaked kitchen table. I examined the room then and cringed at what the rain was doing to the place. A check of the pantry showed it was still somewhat dry, but the other cabinets had water flowing from them. The pots on the stove were overflowing with the runoff. I saw that they held a modest amount of food as well; now ruined. Under what cover the upper shelves provided was a small bit of paper with smeared writing on it.

“Luna…oh you’re back.” She surprised me stepping up that way. I would never get used to her doing that. “It’s from your father. It seems that there’s an emergency meeting of the Royal British Cactus Preservation Society. You know, I really can’t recall seeing that many cactus here in Britain.”

“Therefore the great need for the Society. Come up to my bedroom Spenser.”

“Luna you do not invite strange men into your bedroom, especially when your father is away,” I emphatically told her.

“It’s the only dry place in our home at the moment.”

“…unless it’s the only dry place in your home at the moment.”

She was right. Not only was it protected from the rain, Xeno had lit a small fire in a corner stove with two ceramic fire gnomes standing watch over it. Luna grinned at me, and then for the second time that day applied a drying spell, this time to both of us. Outside the storm was finally passing.

“I have a couple presents for you Luna.”

“Why? Who do you think I am? I know that you’re Harry’s friend, but you’ve barely mentioned him or what we did at Hogwarts. I understand that your wife and I have the same name, but is that so important that you felt the need to come see me this way.”

They were legitimate questions, but I just smiled back at her. I also pulled a large plastic jar with holes punched in the lid. Luna’s face lit up at the sight.

“What are…? Oh my, Nargles! Where did you find some?”

“Just as I told you Luna, there are infinite possibilities if you believe. Do you?”

“I believe… I believe that I would like it very much if you called me Loony.”

“Only if we’re alone. Now here’s your second gift. It’s the latest edition of one of your favorite schoolbooks I think. There is an excellent new chapter on Burundian Kowtowing Toadies. You really need to watch your lattes when you’re around them.”

“I understand that Parliament is infested with them.”

“It is and so is the United States Congress.”

“I’ve never been to America. Will I visit there someday?”

“Probably, but remember that judging the rest of us by New York City is like forming an opinion of Norway based upon what you see in Greece. Now I don’t suppose you are up for a little trip to Diagon Alley with me? I know that your father isn’t here to ask.”

“I’m seventeen now, and I can leave him a note. What do you want to do there?”

“I was thinking of getting your new book signed.”

*****

The first thing I did when we entered the Alley was to flag down a pair of boys, perhaps ten years old, and give them both a Sickle to deliver a note for me. I gave Luna a mischievous grin when she asked about it, and by this time she was learning to trust me. I was thrilled to death that we had hit it off so well, and not at all curious as to why.

As we walked down the street the two of us restricted ourselves to just simple small talk. I told her a bit more about my children and grandchildren. Luna explained how she was looking forward to returning to Hogwarts for her seventh year, but also about how she missed so many fallen friends. As you would expect the talk finally drifted onto the subject of Harry. Luna wasn’t at all sure what to make of my personal predictions about him.

We arrived at the door to Flourish and Blotts just as a distant clock struck five o’clock. It was later than what I had originally intended. They were tearing down the signing table and boxing up the remaining copies of the book. Two of the clerks were speaking with a young man, perhaps a year or two older than Luna. I decided to risk my hunch, took Luna’s hand and led her forward.

“Excuse me,” I said. The clerks ignored me and walked off, but the other man turned to give me a welcoming smile. It doubled in size when he and Luna locked eyes. “Twenty seconds,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry. My grandfather has left already. He wasn’t feeling very well. I do have a couple pre-autographed books left. I’ve been signing them as well. I co-authored the new chapters in this edition.”

“Did you really?” Luna was smiling as brightly as he was now.

“One minute. I’m sure that would be fine. What do you think Loony?” I intentionally used my new name for her.

“Loony? What an unusual name. It doesn’t seem to fit you at all, but it still has a musical quality to it.”

“My name is Luna.”

“Two minutes. We’re good. Excuse me son, I’m afraid that I have to go now to meet up with my wife and family. Would you be kind enough to escort Luna to somewhere she can Floo home? Better yet, I promised her a nice meal and took the liberty of reserving a table at Chin Lee’s Bistro. It’s the best Mexican food in Diagon Alley. Actually it’s the only Mexican food here. Try the borsch tacos; they’re to die for. What I mean is…I’m sure that she’d appreciate having some company.”

“I would love to. That is if you don’t mind Luna? Really? That’s wonderful! Would you excuse me for just a moment? I need to initial some invoices in the back office. Please don’t go anywhere Loony.” He was running off before even finishing the sentence.

“I take it that you don’t mind him calling you that either.”

“No, not if as you said it’s in the right context. Do you really need to go now?”

“I’m afraid so. I don’t have to travel far as the broom flies, but you cannot possibly imagine what I had to go through to get here.”

“I think that you would be amazed at what I can imagine Spenser. Where did you come from?”

“Where? Ho, ho! I came from one of those possibilities I mentioned kiddo. It was wonderful to meet you. I enjoyed our talk.” I saw the author reenter the store in agitated conversation with one of the same clerks. It was time to leave.

“And I enjoyed visiting with you.”

Luna reached up and kissed me on the cheek before rushing off to be with her new friend. I paused at the entry for just a moment more to listen to them.

“What? Oh I’m sorry. My name is Rolf…Rolf Scamander.”

“Hmm…two minutes?” I wondered aloud as I stepped outside. “I would have laid odds that a minute forty-five seconds would have been enough. Blasted shoes! Better to go barefoot! Ahh yes…! Mischief managed!”