Looney (Luna Lovegood x Fem Reader)

Chapter 19: Rehearsal

We hung around and did homework together until it was time to go to rehearsal. We file into the theatre to see Professor Burbage and Professor Flitwick talking to each other in the corner. More students come in, including Evie and her boy toy William. He was so infatuated with her it made me feel sick, like I'd just eaten something too sweet. The rest of the cast arrives, and Burbage stands on the stage to get our attention.

"Good afternoon, people," she says with a smile. "I hope you're as excited as I am to put this show onstage." I smile. To my surprise, I see other people around me doing the same.

"Right then. We'll start off with the balcony scene," she says, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. That was the scene where Rory and I would confess our "undying love" for each other. I looked over at Luna, who raised her eyebrows.

"Go on then," Cedric says from next to her, like he was daring me. I roll my eyes at him and get up on the stage with Rory. We recite our lines, and halfway through the scene Flitwick stops us by waving his arm around.

"Stop, stop, stop," he says. "Rory. Y/n. You're in love. All I'm seeing is two awkward actors. I need a lot more enthusiasm from you both."

"Uh, yes sir," Rory said to him, and I nod in understanding. We continue, but I don't feel much of a change. It's awful hard to pretend with one person when it's real for another. A few more minutes go by and he stops us again.

"Y/n, why are you so stiff? You look as if you want to be anywhere but with him." Well, it was true. I wasn't the best actor, and being forced to make romantic advances towards someone who was like a brother to me didn't exactly come naturally. I shook my head.

"Sorry," I reply. "First try is never the best, is it?"

"Point taken, Miss Loesser. But I'll be expecting progress by next week's rehearsal, from both of you. Understood?"

"Yes sir," Rory and I say in unison. He dismisses me from the stage while Cedric, Rory, and Tybalt practice the dueling scene. They have swords now---fencing ones, made from flexible steel with a cushioned tip---and Burbage taught them the movements to make it look real. For a few more hours we flipped through scenes and eventually, it was time for dinner. My friends and I went down to the great hall to eat.

"That was really something," Cedric said, shoveling peas into his mouth.

"It's not my fault I don't know how to act like I love her," Rory retorted. He rethinks his words and turns to me. "I do love you and all, just..."

"Not like that," I say with a nod, finishing his sentence. "I know. It's a work in progress, we have time to figure it out. They chose us for a reason, didn't they?"

"They did," Luna says. "And I think they made the right choice, too. They'll understand you need practice, that's what rehearsal was made for. Good things take time, remember?" I shrug.

"I guess," I respond. "I'm so tired, it's been a long day. And I still have herbology homework to do." Cedric perks up.

"I'll do it for you if you want," he offers. I laugh.

"Said like a true Hufflepuff," I tease. "I should be okay. It's not terribly difficult, there's just a lot of it. Thanks anyway, though." Rory looks at his wristwatch.

"It's only 5," he says. "If you left now you could probably get it all done and still get a decent amount of sleep."

"But I don't want to just leave," I said, feeling bad. "And I haven't finished eating yet-"

"Go," Luna interrupts. "I'll bring your plate up later, I promise." She's the best.

"If you insist," I say with a smile. I left the great hall and made the long walk up the tower stairs.

"Riddle me this," the knocker says. "What has a ring, but no fingers?" I think for a minute.

"I don't know, a bell?" I reply.

"Correct. You may enter," the knocker says (much to my surprise). I trudge up to my room and plop down on my bed, too exhausted to even kick my shoes off. I didn't understand why I was so tired. I hadn't done anything much, but I felt as if I would fall asleep if I closed my eyes to blink. After a few moments of contemplation, I curled up on my bed and finally gave in to the urge to let myself sleep. Maybe the herbology homework could wait until tomorrow.

Dear Reader,

Okay first of all I'm super super sorry it took this long to write a chapter! It's been super busy with online school and work and the ungodly amount of snow that's just been dumped on New York, but I really hope you like this one! Also...HOW ARE WE ALMOST AT 800 READS!? 800 people is legit 2 times the entire student body at my school (also if you're reading this and you know me from school, no you don't :D) As always, thank you SO MUCH for reading and interacting! Until next time!

XOXO
Frankie :)