Milky Tea
To Luna’s relief, the next two days passed without further incident. Whether Hermione was intentionally avoiding Draco was unclear, but she kept to her room for the most part when she was in the dormitory, emerging at irregular intervals to make a tea, search out a notebook from the coffee table, or gather snacks.
On Friday morning, Luna awoke and saw that overnight SG had carefully rearranged its tendrils to edge away from the bathroom door. It was now flopping, somewhat forlornly, towards her waste paper basket. For a moment Luna wondered whether she had misinterpreted its fondness for bath time, then realized the sapling may just be trying to avoid Hermione’s low spirits; Hermione’s bedroom lay on the far side of their shared bathroom. Luna sat up in bed, opened her Herbology notebook, added a quick sketch and a brief entry to her observational notes and decided to give it a couple of days.
When the September sun glinted through her window the next morning however, illuminating SG in all its limp and pathetic glory, Luna decided she would have to think of some way to help it or risk waking up to find the poor thing had strangled itself. Emerging from her bedroom into the early morning peace of the lounge, she was pleasantly surprised to find Ernie leaning against the kitchen counter, filling the tea kettle.
“Good morning Luna,” Ernie said, settling the kettle and firing up the gas hob. Luna took in his bare feet, bronzed legs, grey cotton shorts, his pale red cotton t-shirt with a little surfer logo on the arm. Ernie stretched up his arms, his t-shirt rising and revealing a slice of golden stomach muscles as he yawned.
“Are you still growing, Ernie? You seem to get taller every day.” Luna tilted her head to one side to look him over properly; the summer break had done him good, or perhaps the return to peace. He was taller and broader, but although he took up more physical space he also seemed lighter and looser than before, as if he had casually unfolded himself into the ether. Perhaps he has, she thought. Ernie’s laugh brought her attention back to the kitchen.
“I don’t think so. It might just be that I’m not hunched over in perpetual gloom like our dear roommates.”
“Ah.” Luna smiled, a little sadly. “Yes, Hermione is rather quiet at the moment. How’s Draco?”
“Also quiet. With an undertone of murder. I almost used his hairbrush by mistake yesterday, can you imagine?”
Luna chuckled. “That would earn you a Cruciatus at least, I should think.”
“At least. I do feel a bit sorry for him though. Did you want a tea?”
“Yes please, milky.”
“I know. Give me some credit, Luna, two and a half weeks rooming together must be at least… forty teas give or take. Made or observed.” Ernie opened the cupboard above Luna to get out a second mug as he continued. She read the writing on his chest, Instructor, washed and faded but still legible. “Milky English Breakfast first thing, Darjeeling, also with milk but not milky, over the day. Lady Grey of an evening, and once, when I believe you were having a bad day, milky English Breakfast just before bed.”
Luna smiled. “I always assume no one is taking any notice of me, Ernie. I’m flattered.” She raised her eyebrows in jest. “Unless I should be concerned?”
Ernie chuckled. “Flattered, please.”
“Alright. Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
Ernie took out a tray and began gathering plates and napkins for the breakfast pastries the house-elves had sent up. He hummed a little while he moved about the kitchen and motioned for Luna to go into the lounge. “Take a seat. I’ll bring it all in once the tea’s brewed.”
Luna left the kitchen and sat down on the edge of the sofa, bending forwards to clear a space on the coffee table for the breakfast tray. She could still hear Ernie humming and found herself smiling. It was nice to be up early and have a breakfast companion. It was nice to have a cheerful roommate too, it made her feel a little brighter. She sat back on the sofa and found herself relaxing into the soft velvet of the cushions, listening to Ernie’s clinks and rustles, the creaks of the wooden beams above. A moment later Ernie walked over to her, tray in hand, smiling warmly, and as she looked at him a possible solution slotted into place in Luna’s mind like the answer to an elusive crossword clue.
“Everything alright Luna? Why are you looking at me like that?” Ernie asked, noticing her silent appraisal as he approached.
“I know this is a bit random but… I’ve just realized you might be exactly what I’m looking for.”
Ernie, settling the tray on the coffee table, glanced up at Luna, his eyebrows raised.
“In fact,” Luna continued, “what I need. You’re relaxed and warm and… you make me laugh.”
“I try.” Ernie was now standing by the coffee table, looking down at Luna. He looks slightly confused, she realized. I should reassure him.
“Sorry, I’m just thinking out loud. I didn’t realize it until this morning but I really like being around you, you make me feel good. I woke up worrying about Herbology but now, for the first time in ages, I’m not. Instead I think I’m… excited.”
Ernie’s eyebrows raised a fraction higher. “You’re excited?”
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
“Luna, I’m not sure I understand.”
“It’s the way you make me feel. I think it’s what I’ve been missing. I mean I don’t know for sure, but I think there’s something here.” Luna tapped her finger against her bottom lip while she ruminated.
“I see.” Ernie said. He didn’t.
“If you don’t mind, I want to explore this.”
“Explore what exactly?”
“This feeling. This… vibe I can feel when you’re around.”
“Oh. I… do you feel a vibe?” Ernie’s brows were now furrowed.
“I definitely feel something.” Luna smiled at Ernie. He swallowed. “Do you think…” Luna began, “actually, perhaps I shouldn’t be thinking so much, just feeling instead. And… this feels like a good idea.”
Luna stood up, walked towards her bedroom door, then turned and looked back at Ernie. “Would you come into my bedroom, Ernie? I need you.” Her eyes ran down his body in quiet consideration. “And your strong arms.”
Ernie was looking at Luna as if she were an exotic animal: uncertain whether he should approach her or climb a tree to escape. “You… need me?”
“Yes. I mean I don’t want to be prescriptive but… is that ok?”
Ernie swallowed. “Luna, am I getting this right? You want to explore the… feeling between us?”
Luna nodded. “Yes.”
“Which is why you want me to come into your bedroom?”
Luna nodded again. “Yes.” He’s a bit slow, she thought, it’s not that complicated.
“Are you… are you sure about this Luna?” Ernie asked.
“Well, no. But if we don’t try then I can’t be sure.”
“It just seems a bit sudden?”
“Maybe. Perhaps I’m being too impulsive. Would you rather wait? Or shall I ask someone else?”
Ernie shook his head. “No, but… right now?”
Luna smiled brightly. “Yes please. I know you’ve just made us tea but I don’t think it’ll take us long.”
Ernie grimaced. “Try to have a little faith, Luna. So you need me… in your bedroom?”
“Yes, Ernie. And then the lounge.”
“The lounge?” Ernie looked slightly horrified. She wondered why, for a helpful person, he was so reluctant to get on with it.
“I at least want to give it a go in here. I’m not entirely sure of the position yet but we can just try a couple. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Bloody hell, Lovegood.” Ernie shrugged in pleasant disbelief as he walked towards her. “I wish I’d told you sooner that I know how you take your tea.” He raked a hand through his hair and followed her into her bedroom.