heart of stone [simon]

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

Mid June 2026

In just a month, so much had changed. Luna's school, her home, had been completely and utterly destroyed. Her heart, shocking as it was that she even had one, had been broken. But through it all, Luna had persevered and gotten herself drafted onto a premier league Quidditch team. The Ballycastle Bats weren't necessarily the best team in the league, nor were they her first or second choice. But in the short amount of time in deciding if she ought to continue her studies at Beauxbatons or Durmstrang, or just sack it off in general and attend open try outs, the Bats had come through with an unbeatable offer. The only offer.

Luna considered even one offer to play better than none, and she had signed the papers immediately. She was sure as she got older and better, she'd be traded around. Perhaps she'd even make it on the Canons, though they had been finishing bottom of the table the past ten years. Luna had packed up her things, bid her siblings minus Selene farewell (her stuck up sister still hadn't forgiven Luna, though Luna harped on that it was she who should be doing the forgiving) and set off for Northern Ireland. She'd rented a tiny flat in Belfast, hating the idea of being isolated in Ballycastle. The flat was dingy and the doors opened on their own accord, but it was the best that Luna could afford. She hoped that her first pay would come in soon with the Bats - did they get bonuses for wins?

After a few days of settling into her new life, mostly wandering around Belfast on foot and taking in the briny sea air, Luna prepared for her first match as an official member of the Bats team. She apparated to the pitch much too early. She was clearly the most keen, as none of her teammates had arrived on the pitch yet. She wasn't sure if she should find practice kit or something, but there was no one there to direct her. So instead, Luna started warming up her muscles, rolling her shoulders and stretching out her calves. After some time, the rest of the team started filtering in, and Luna grinned tentatively at them, greeting them in an uncharacteristically soft voice.

Until he showed up. Shock splashed across Luna's face as she recognised his characteristic swagger. So, luck would have it that Simon Svendson had been signed on to the same team as her. "Get lost, Svendson? Thought your twin was more likely to get signed than you," said Luna acidly, glaring at Simon and hating the way her heart sped up in her chest.

simon sixten svendsen

[simon sixten svendsen]

Life since graduation had been a complete whirlwind. Well, since getting jipped out of a real graduation…but he was happy to trade it with a place on the Bats. It was one of the good things that had happened to him since the passing of Sofia during the demise of Hogwarts. Along with getting his own flat in Ballycastle - with the help of his rich parents, of course. And a relationship with Claudia progressing. Simon knew he had many things to be happy about but the fire in the lion was out. He felt like a piece of him died when his twin left the waking world. It was a touchy subject for him and everything seemed to remind him of her. Talking about it was a punch in the gut. Simon had always been a master of hiding his emotions and faking confidence but  these days it was nearly impossible. The half vampire felt like a walking shell of a person and he hated it but he was going to do his best to perform on the Bats. Simon knew it was what Sofia would had wanted and if he fucked that up, well, she’d probably come back from the dead to tell him he was an idiot.

After setting his belongs in the bleachers, he immediately saw her. Simon blinked at the blonde and prayed to Merlin she was another Trelawney, but he knew right away she wasn’t. That was no doubt Luna. His stomach flipped in his stomach and directly to the floor. He almost smiled to be civil but she opened with a particularly cold greeting. Simons world froze around him when she mentioned ‘his twin’, the diss digging deep into his core. To be fair, she probably hadn’t heard the news about Sofia perishing in the fire, and she still hated him for breaking her heart, but he was stunned. Simon clenched his jaw and swallowed, ”Can’t say I don’t agree with you.” he said slowly, barely able to make eye contact with her. ”Sofia didn’t make it out of the dungeons in time.” Simon informed her quietly because he felt like he may choke up, which was the last thing he wanted to do in front of Luna. 

The nonchalance he had feigned before entering the arena fizzled away. Simon was on edge from their first first day. Hell, he was so uncharacteristically nervous, he was about ready to leave already because he suddenly felt weak. This wasn’t the day to crumble in front of his new teammates so he knew he'd have to suck it up if he ever wanted to be something.

LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

Luna's gut twisted as she spotted Simon, her breath catching at the effortless confidence he exuded. Perhaps that was what had drawn her to him in the first place - the desire to be so self-assured. But the way he had simply brushed her off was unforgivable, even worse than when she'd deduced that Arlo had fancied Lulu. Arlo had always been a temporary fixture - pretty, but temporary. Simon had understood her, had gotten in to her core and unravelled the knots. Until he decided he didn't want to anymore. Simon had hardly even seemed sorry.

And now, as his gaze settled on her face, Luna scowled at the swooping sensation in her belly. She spat out an acidic remark, yet Simon didn't hit back. So, no civility nor derision. This would certainly be an awkward season, though she supposed they had to get through it. Perhaps a well placed bludger during practice...

But Luna froze as Simon's next words washed over her. Sofia had... died? How could Luna have not realised? Sofia had been her partner on the team, and they had worked well together even if they had never exchanged many words off the pitch. Yet the hollow tone, the deadened look in Simon's eyes confirmed that the fire had taken more than just the castle from Simon.

Another long, awkward silence stretched between the two of them, and Luna thought of the time when Simon had dared her to kiss him. How playful and carefree had they been before their worlds had been rent apart? "Simon..." said Luna, her voice cracking. She longed to reach out and tough him, feel the familiar warmth of his skin. Yet he had snatched that away from her as surely as death had snatched his twin. As much as Selene and Luna didn't see eye to eye, Luna knew she would be utterly lost and broken without either of her sisters. They were as much a part of her as her own fingers and toes. "Simon, I'm so sorry. I didn't know," said Luna, her steely gaze softening at long last.

"I had a vision. That afternoon, after I was pulled from the Great Hall. I don't know who I was... but I wasn't good. I should have gone back to save more but..." Luna trailed off. She'd been so singularly focused on finding Selene, at shouting at her and blaming her that she'd almost forgotten about her fellow classmates. Luna lapsed into silence, unsure of what else to say to the broken man before her.

simon sixten svendsen

[simon sixten svendsen]

Simon watched as a wave of realization washed over Lunas face. His heart sped up, finding it much harder to make eye contact as she started to apologize to him profusely. Suddenly, he wanted to crawl and hide under a rock. Sadness consumed him every day eating away at his core. There were fleeting moments of happiness but he quickly realized it was temporary and he’d soon be sad again. Today started out as a good day and then he happened to see Luna; it was a surprise how quickly things could spiral downwards.

Simon scratched the back of his neck awkwardly at her apologies, ”It’s okay. You didn’t know.” he forgave her with a shaky voice, hating he couldn’t control it.

As Luna’s face softened, explaining that she saw a horrible vision during the Hogwarts attacks, he wasn’t sure how to handle the information she was sharing. He stared more blank and vacantly. What if what she saw was Sofia’s point of view? Knowing his twin must have suffered a horrifyingly painful death bothered him the most. Simons eyes searched the people stretching and talking to each other before practice. His face lowered, eyes prickling with tears. ”I-I can’t talk about it right now.” he snapped quickly, not intending to be cold, but today was one of the most important days of his life and he couldn’t be running out of the stadium crying like a baby.

His eyes darted around, making sure they weren't getting started yet, and to make sure no one noticed him getting emotional. Everyone seemed to be in their own bubbles enjoying their own conversations. His expression softened as he dared to meet her gaze, wishing things between them could  go back to being carefree. "I'm sorry, Luna. I'm having a difficult time coping through it all.." Simon admitted to her as he started to stretch to keep himself busy and prepare for practice.

LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

Simon wouldn't meet her gaze, and Luna felt ashamed for the first time in her life. She'd brought up painful memories of his sister, a sister who he would never see or speak to again. Except for the after life - though Luna suspected Simon had much more living to do. A pregnant pause stretched between them in which Simon's gaze darted around to land anywhere but on her, and Luna fidgeted with her hands. At last, Simon gruffly replied that she couldn't know, and that he didn't want to talk about it. Good. She didn't want to talk about it either. After all, it was their first real day with the Bats, and they had a lot of training to do.

Luna glanced around, her face the perfect picture of a mix of boredom and disdain, masking the inner shame she felt. No one seemed to notice the two new recruits, but she was sure that would change quickly. "Well, Svendson. We're on the same team now. This sort of nonsense won't do in our training regiment," said Luna, in an attempt to bring back some normalcy to the conversation. She couldn't relate, but she could understand the pain of loss. As hard as she had always been on Selene, Luna knew that a piece of her had died when they'd argued after the fire.

Luna reached out to offer a hand of... well if not friendship then something akin to it - to Simon, but at that moment a sharp blow of the coach's whistle brought them out of their bubble. "Everyone, welcome the newest recruits to the team - Simon as the third chaser and Luna as our new beater." There was a grumble of general greeting, and Luna looked around, nodding. She glanced over at Simon, wondering if their talk had completely thrown him off his usual game.

They were directed to mount their brooms, and Luna did so immediately. A few warm up laps around the pitch and they'd get started. "Race you. First one to finish doesn't get jinxed into a toad," said Luna, her eyes narrowed.

simon sixten svendsen

[simon sixten svendsen]

After a long, awkward silence between the two, Simon could tell that Luna felt remorse. The familiar boredom masking across her face a true sign. He typically used that approach himself. Nodding agreeably with a sigh when she stated that their current emo-fest wasn’t going to cut it for practice. Simon hated the weak person he had become, most days he didn't feel like 'himself'.  

Luna had most definitely thrown Simon out of his game. It took enough pushing from himself and his mother to get him to show up to practice with confidence that day. Confidence that Luna managed to chokehold and thrown to the ground within moments of him arriving. Everything was incredibly overwhelming.

But then, Luna extended her hand out to him for a shake…

Simon stared confused at her hand for a moment before he extended his own to shake hers, accidentally squeezing it with a flinch when the whistle tore through the air. The coach quickly introduced them as official new players. It seemed that the handshake was a truce more than anything, but that alone made his anxieties about having Luna on the team begin to fizzle away. Not too long ago they were sneaking into closets and stealing glances, it was weird how quickly things could change.

The corners of his lips tugged upwards into a hint of a smile after she challenged him to a race to warm up. ”Oh. But what about your favorite, 'frog spawn'?” he asked after a beat, already mounting his broom. Simon knew he’d start to feel better once he got up in the air, where he could get his head in the game. Simon kicked off the grass and shot into the air, finding their new surroundings completely surreal. The stadium was larger, brighter, and 'professional'. His hair whipped in the air messily as he turned to face Luna,  ”Whenever you're ready.” he told her, prepared to tear through the sky at her mark.

LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

It was clear that the pair would have to quickly adapt to a new normal. Whatever had happened to them at Hogwarts, that was in the past now. They had to move forward together, as teammates. Grudgingly, Luna extended a hand out in truce. It wouldn't do for Simon to be off his best form, especially not when their first real match was so soon. Simon squeezed Luna's hand a little too tight and she flinched, before he dropped it like she was on fire.

Warmth spread through Luna as Simon's lips turned upwards. There was a hint of that old swagger. "I thought you'd forgotten," she replied with a smirk. They were directed to mount their brooms, and run a few warm up laps. Simon seemed to be setting up for a fair race - did he forget who he was dealing with? With a cackle of delight, Luna shot off, racing around the pitch at top speed, her body flush with her broom. Her worries and fears were left on the ground as she soared about, whooping with delight with her new teammates, who echoed her joy at being back on the pitch. And what a marvellous pitch it was - towering stands, gleaming hoops, a top box and a scoreboard that glimmered in the mid afternoon sunshine.

Too soon, they were summoned to the centre of the pitch to run some passing drills. Luna deftly directed her broom to her position next to Simon, smirking. She leaned over slightly so she could speak to him. "You know, I think you'll make a good toad. They don't seem to feature in fairy tales either," she whispered. "Trelawney, pay attention to the ball, not the boy!" crowed the coach, and Luna flushed scarlet, catching the quaffle before passing it onto the keeper, that McLaggen boy. His younger brother Raphael had been in the year above Luna, and was not quite as formidable a player as his girlfriend. She wondered if Mickey was better, and hoped so considering they were on the same team. Luna shot a sidelong gland at Simon, wishing once again that she could open a window into his mind.

simon sixten svendsen

[simon sixten svendsen]

When the coach snapped at Luna for talking to him, he felt his face flush, a laugh slipping from his lips as he shot her a smile. Sending her a classic ‘oooo you got in trouble’ look. Simon appreciated her attempt at comaderie because deep down he knew he didn’t deserve any form of ‘friendship’ after the way he treated her like a disposable person. But he would try. He wondered if he’d keep Luna on the team from Claudia, or if staying silent made things more suspicious. Fuck. This was going to be a process but he was relieved to have someone he knew around. It was scary joining a new team, he didn't want to fuck it up, and he was sure Luna felt the same way. It was still sinking in that they were on the Ballycastle Bats training for their upcoming match.

Simon watched and cheered for Luna as she made her move. Following soon after across the pitch for the quaffle, eager to prove he was a fearless and aggressive player. He'd do anything to win now that he was on one of his favorite teams. It was a dream come true. Simon caught the quaffle after an easy pass off between the seasoned players, passing it back and forth before catching it a third time with one hand and shooting it into the hoop. Thank Merlin.

After some time, the Bats were directed to take a break. Usually Simon didn’t like to take breaks, believing it threw him off of his roll. He preferred to push his endurance until he couldn’t fly any more, but since Simon didn’t want to disobey their coach as a new member of the team on their first day, he started to descend in the air. As his feet hit the grass, he found his way in the seating area where people were chatting quietly, hydrating and pounding protein bars. As a newb, he found himself observing more than he would typically. He also had the burning desire to talk to Luna. In his current state he wanted to cling to something familiar.

Simon tossed a protein granola bar at Luna, feigning some sort of normalcy between them. ”Are you staying in Ballycastle with Phoebe and Selene?” Simon asked curiously as he sank into a seat near her, attempting to make conversation without knowing the strain on the relationship she had with her sisters at the moment. It was an honest attempt though.

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

Luna was absolutely mortified at having been called out by the coach on their very first practice. She resolved to concentrate harder, work harder, play harder, hit harder. They flew and passed, rolled and dodged, and Luna worked on her hitting technique with her new partner. The coach finally called for a break, and Luna broke rank for the stands, landing neatly and crumpling into a fold out chair. Her abdomen was sore from all the bat swinging, but she knew she would get used to it eventually. She tipped her head back and closed her eyes, reveling in the momentary silence.

Smack. Something plastic hit her in the face. Luna started and looked around wildly when her glare settled on Simon. She opened her mouth to shoot him an angry retort, but his disposition seemed less aggressive and more relaxed. Like he hadn't actually meant to hit her in the face. Still scowling, Luna peeled open the bar and took a bite. "Like I said, may want to work on your aim. I know you weren't looking to hit me in the face," she said, then cleared her throat rather awkwardly. "Er, no. I haven't seen either of them since... the fire. Phoebe got involved in some herbology thing afterwards and Selene sort of... went off the rails. Told me she'd maybe off herself. Selfish prick," she muttered, mostly to herself.

"I've got a place in Belfast anyways. Are you all the way out here? I'd think you'd be bored out of your mind after one minute. No tail to chase out here in Ballycastle, unless it's cattle tail you prefer," said Luna, glancing around with a slight frown. "You been to Belfast? Bit of a laugh. Very strange place though. Can barely understand what they're saying half the time and yet after a week I've somehow picked up their phrases," said Luna, confused.

simon sixten svendsen

[simon sixten svendsen]

The granola bar smacked the blonde in the face. Simon bursted with laughter, shaking his head and putting his hands in the air as his own treat fell to his lap. "I wasn't, but that face was worth it." he chuckled with her. A wave of relief washed over him when Luna started naturally started to chat with him. It didn't feel forced and there was no hostility behind her words. At this point he wasn't sure if he was being nice to her because of the loss of Sofia, or the fact that they were teammates now, but he was grateful. Simon didn't have it in him to fight for anything but his spot on the Bats at the moment.

Then, she brought up the tension with her sisters as she answered his question. They hadn't spoken since the fire. That was sad, considering they were identical triplets.

"Oh.." he nodded slowly, processing the information about her sisters. It sounded like they were split up, which was unfortunate, considering their abilities were the strongest around each other. The one thing Simon wished he could have back was his sister. His expression softened slightly, "Do you think Selene is okay?" he asked her cautiously, quirking an eyebrow. There was no judgement in his voice, he was genuinely curious. Simon knew each of the Trelawney sisters, he just knew Luna in a different light.

Simon chuckled as she rambled on about Belfast, relieved that they could converse like old times, with gentler banter than he was used to. "No, I haven't been to Belfast." he answered her question. "Do you like it?" he asked her. "I just moved to Dublin last week. Thought being in the city would be better than cows or farmland...it's too wet. I hate the rain." he shared easily, ruffling his sweaty hair. "It messes up my hair." Simon remarked jokingly. Okay, maybe there was more truth in that joke he'd like to admit. Simon took a bite into the granola bar with a smile, for the first time in a while, actually happy.

LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

For just a moment, it seemed like nothing had happened. That it was two months ago and they were sneaking around, poking fun at one another in public while exploring each other in private. For just a moment, as Simon laughed at her expense, Luna was seized with the sudden desire to grab him by the jaw and kiss him. Her eyes flickered to his lips, before Luna remembered. He was in love with someone else, and he didn't want to mess it up by getting caught up with her. She was once more a second choice. Luna ground her teeth and looked away. "Yeah, yeah," she muttered, keeping in mind that as much as she felt... a lot about Simon, he was dealing with the loss of his sister. She had to at least be nice for today.

Sighing deeply, Luna propped her boots up on the chair in front of her, squinting out at the pitch that gleamed in the midday sun. "This is so surreal," said Luna, more to herself. But even still, she glanced over at Simon, who looked thoughtful. Oh, he was asking about Selene. She didn't really want to talk about her, especially not after the fiasco after the fire. "She'll be fine." Her tone rang with finality. Simon knew Luna best of the Trelawney sisters, and he ought to have learned that when she didn't want to talk, she shouldn't be pushed. Her wrath could be worse than that of a Norwegian Ridgeback.

"It's shit rainy up there too, but what did you expect from the Emerald Isle? Had to stay green somehow," said Luna. She glanced over at Simon. "And your hair looks fine, you preening prick," she added after a moment, a ghost of a smile playing at her lips. "I reckon the Irish just get blasted to deal with the rain. It's tempting, isn't it? I've never liked drinking before but one week in Northern Ireland and I'm begging for some wine," said Luna. "But... it's worth it. Messed up hair and everything. We're here. On the Bats. In the premier league. Can you even believe it?" asked Luna, her gaze falling once more on Simon. She reached out and ruffled his hair. "Okay, now it looks even more fine."

simon sixten svendsen

[simon sixten svendsen]

Simon nodded when she dismissed any care over Selene. He knew better than to pry, so he had no desire to make her. Especially when she had been incredibly understanding when snapped about not wishing to talk about Sofia or the fire in general. It was easy to move on. There was so much going on around them he felt overwhelmed, but more in a good way now. Soon they'd get to know their surroundings better and things would be less awkward. 

Luna and Simon both sank into their seats, enjoying a moment of relaxation before continuing their grueling practice. Simon finished a granola bar as he looked out into the pitch, admiring it with her in silence. "I dunno," he shrugged lazily, "Didn't know what to expect, really. Maybe a pub on every corner, and that certainly didn't disappoint." he chuckled. Simon had done his fair share of drinking before he was legally allowed to, his liver had been primed for years. Now he had the temptations everywhere. He knew it would take him endless amounts of self control not to drink every day. "Don't think I can imagine you blasted." he commented thoughtfully as she mentioned liking wine.

Simon nodded along at her gratitude for their placement on the team. They were on a primier league. Not the best team but it was a foot in the door. That was all he needed. "We're fucking lucky to be here." he said, the thought of Sofia popping into his head but he pushed the sadness away for later. "This feels like a dream. I'm going to be so pissed if I wake up-" he started to say as she leaned forward to ruffle his hair. There was a moment where Simon wasn't sure if he should balance it out by putting her in a headlock to return the favor but regardless, he had to resist. He knew that touching her in any way was going to make him miss her, and that was wrong. Simons eyes locked with hers in that familiar gaze before he flickered his eyes elsewhere. But he refused to make it awkward. The half vampire ruffled his hair again, as to jokingly 'fix' it again. "One of the other Chasers, Chaz, mentioned everyone is going to a pub after practice. They probably won't have the fanciest wine but they'll have good whiskey or a stout. Do you think you'll stop by?" he asked, hoping it sounded more friendly than anything. Simon hoped she would be there, which he should have already known would be a problem.

LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

Luna did not play nicely with others. It was a trait she had adopted from a young age, especially when the other children at school would make fun of her and her sisters for being odd. Luna had known they were special, but no one else really saw it that way. Besides her family, Evy had been the first person to just accept Luna as she was. Offbeat, off putting and rather offensive. But she was just Luna. She was clever in her own way and liked to take charge, and was relentless in the chase. Simon had seen that in her - she knew it now as he listened to her silent plea not to bring up Selene.

"No, it didn't," Luna echoed, slumping in her seat. There really was a pub at every corner, and Luna was keen to get Evy up so they could try a few out, see how the locals were. She had a feeling it would be rather wild, compared to the tame sneaking around at Hogwarts. The idea brought a faint smile to her face - she was born to be bad. Quirking a brow, Luna lifted her chin slightly. "Maybe it's something you'll get to see. I don't think I've let myself get that drunk ever... but it's a new age," said Luna.

Reaching out to ruffle Simon's hair was probably a step too far - but she saw in his eyes a mirror of what she felt. Simon had understood her, for a time at least. So few and far between were her friends. Perhaps they could move past this. They both sat back rather stiffly and Simon mentioned that the rest of the team would be going for pints after practice. "Yeah, I heard that too" she replied tentatively. "Er, yeah. I'll go. Team spirit and all, isn't that right?" But before Simon had the chance to reply, the screech of the whistle sounded and it was off to more grueling training.

What felt like years later, but really it was only hours, the team finally touched down and retreated to the changing rooms. Luna caught Simon's eye, and offered him half a smile before disappearing for a shower and a change. Shortly after, they reconvened - Luna found herself in conversation with her fellow beater about the best way to approach a double bludger hit. When she spotted Simon emerging, she offered him that same mysterious half smile. "Right, all the pubs in Bally are shite but let's go to central as it's walking distance from here," said the captain, leading the way out of the magically hidden pitch and down a long dirt road. Luna fell into step with Simon, her hands stuffed in her pockets and her eyes on the road ahead of them. "Tough practice, eh? Much more hardcore than Hogwarts, that's for sure."

simon sixten svendsen

[simon sixten svendsen]

Simon sauntered out of the steamy showers with damp hair as the other players started to file out of the locker rooms shouting and hollering about boozing it up. His body was completely fatigued after their first practice, but he wasn't looking to rush home to an empty flat. Living alone was lonely, where it was hard to get out of his thoughts at times. It had only been a week. Simon knew that a drink, or few, would be great team boding and a possible night cap.

As he saw Luna he immediately offered her a small smile, hating that when his eyes met hers from across the pitch, it grew. Things were going to be confusing. The universe had a weird way of saying 'fuck you', that was for sure.

They walked side by side, which was a weird feeling considering at Hogwarts they never walked together. Their arrangements had been completely secret. His hands shoved into his coat pockets as he bobbed his head, "That was exhausting, I don't know how they're able to drink after that." he whispered tiredly as he stretched out his shoulders, feet kicking up dust clouds on pathway. Simon was always in the mood to drink though, he chuckled to himself and tuned to Luna. "The Bats will probably have some wild drinking initiation for us...if they don't, they should." he joked playfully, more to get her nervous since she shared that she hadn't been 'too' drunk yet.

A couple of minutes down the pathway and they stopped in front of the bustling pub. Immediately, everyone on the team was greeted with pats on the back and tall stout as their Captain introduced them to familiar faces of the pub, "Fresh meat coming through! This is Luna and Simon. Get them fuckin' blinded or get out." he turned to the pair of newbs with a devilish smile before adding, "Oh-Don't forget about practice tomorrow morning." the older man squeezed Simons shoulders before stepping away and cheering about a sports game on the telly.

Simon smiled satisfied. These were his people. The man behind the counter pushed two shot glasses across the counter filled to the brim with dark caramel colored liquid. Suddenly Simon wished he had a stout instead because he knew he'd get sloppy with whiskey. Turning to Luna slowly to see how she felt, his eyebrows raised as he examined the glass, "It's whiskey." he informed the blonde, in case if she didn't know. Simon shrugged and raised the glass, "Well, looks like you might get drunk tonight, Luna...to 'team spirit'." he cocked his head back and knocked it back with ease, wincing at the aftertaste but enjoying the warmth it immediately provided as it traveled down his throat.

As he set the glass down, the bartender filled it again with a comical deadpan stare. Well, that was the sort of initiation they were playing..

LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY

[LUNA LACHESIS TRELAWNEY]

Luna fell into step beside Simon, which felt more natural than it really should have. Especially considering the way he had treated her the last time they’d seen each other. Truthfully, Luna was not as upset as she should have been. Of course, she was raging at being second choice and that he had discarded her so easily, but somehow Simon had snuck his way past her walls and now he was trapped there. Even if Luna wanted to kick and scream and punch, she knew she couldn’t. Not that she would ever admit that to Evy, who was murderously angry with Simon for what he had done to her and to Nate. Luna couldn’t disagree that Simon wasn’t the brightest, especially with his so-called best friend.

”Well, practice makes perfect, I suppose” drawled Luna as they followed the rest of the team down the road. ”I bet they will,” she replied dryly, glancing over at Simon. His hair was still damp from the shower, and droplets of water glinted in the late afternoon sunlight. He looked more remarkable and ethereal than she’d seen him in a long while, and Luna forced her gaze forward once more. ”If I die from alcohol poisoning, make sure it’s written in my epitaph that it was your fault,” said Luna after a moment. At long last, they arrived at the pub and the captain announced that Luna and Simon were to get absolutely legless, as Simon had predicted. Luna groaned at the reminder of practice early the following morning, and promptly pulled out her phone and set three alarms for herself to ensure she would wake up. She was taking absolutely zero chances. The captain - now that she looked closer at him, she recognised him as the eldest McLaggen - sauntered off to cheer on the rugby that was being shown on the telly.

Luna and Simon were bustled over to the bar and the bartender, smirking, poured them shots of whisky. Luna clocked Simon’s satisfied smile, and frowned. ”Thank you, captain obvious. But I can read,” said Luna, her eyes following the progress of the bottle back to the shelf on which it belonged. Her stomach flipped as she took the tiny glass and clinked it against Simon’s. ”To team spirit,” she echoed, suddenly nervous. Maybe if she asked for a sneaky glass of water… but Simon was already knocking back the spirit and Luna did the same, spluttering at the fire as it raged down her throat. ”That is absolutely awful,” said Luna, eyes streaming. But awful as it was, she knew she had to continue in the name of team spirit. The bartender filled their glasses and she leaned over the bar. ”Could I… have a glass of water too please?” she asked in a low voice. The bartender arched a brow, before finally nodding, filling two glasses with tap water. Luna slid one across the bar to Simon in case he was keen, and downed half of her glass in one go.

”Right, what to this time? How about… to moving forward and leaving the past behind us?” Luna suggested, a mischievous glint in her eye more characteristic of Simon than herself. She knocked back the whisky with a grimace, but this one went down more easily than the last. And as the bartender continued to pour the shots, each one slid down Luna’s throat until she was feeling pleasantly warm and giggly. She wandered off to speak to this Chaz character, who was absolutely hilarious, she found. She swatted playfully as he made fun of her for her lack of concentration during practice, laughing, feeling more open and free than she had done at Hogwarts - save for the moments with Simon. At that thought, she glanced over her shoulder, finding him in the crowd. Her eyes locked on his and her heart stopped, just for a moment. Would this feeling never cease?

simon sixten svendsen