Luna smiled to herself as Rolf crouched down to the small horntail, ever the gentle. She was careful to stay back as he tended the beast. Too much human interaction was deemed unhealthy for a growing beast. Although the Ministry constantly demanded that they be exposed to as many humans as possible to stop them from becoming man-eaters.
Luna was dreading her next trip to London to present their case on that matter. As ever the Ministry gave little care for Magical Beasts- only that they were kept out of muggle sight.
'How's he doing?' She asked, her curiosity overcoming her protection of Rolf's concentration.
The tall Hufflepuff straightened with a beam.
'He'll do just fine.'
A few weeks ago, at one of the Ministries 'wizard-dragon bonding' excursions, the little Hungarian had bitten an elderly and bitter witch, who had proceeded to kick him viciously.
Rolf had tried to prosecute against her, and was angered when the Ministry suggested the dragon be put down. It was only Luna's relationship with Hermione that managed to subdue this. Although there is only so much the Minister for Magic can do when it comes to animal control within the Ministry.
Thankfully, they had managed to smuggle him away from the city, and back in to the countryside.
They were staying with Maggie Hondarië- a woman whose Kneazle Luna had saved from a pack of wild dogs last summer. The countryside was truly quite beautiful here, but Luna didn't think the young dragon cared much for scenery.
'Woah there!' Rolf shouted as the dragon took off. Luna tried not to laugh as the horntail attempted to singe the top of Rolf's hair.
'Think we ought to stay with him a little longer?' Luna asked, but Rolf shook his head.
'Nah, shouldn't have thought so. I think if he can almost burn my scalp he's all set for hunting again.' He said, rubbing his hand over his head that had felt the most heat.
Luna nodded, and took to her broom, waiting for Rolf to follow. She never had been the best flyer, but it certainly was the best type of transport. Especially when caring for dragons.
And it certainly made her difficult to track by anyone the Ministry decided should spy on them. They returned to Maggie's cosy dwelling, reminiscent of the Burrows, though only two stories- and circular.
There was a white fire glowing in the centre of the circular room and Luna crouched down by it. The day wasn't particularly cold, but a fire was always welcome where Luna was concerned. That was her only fault with the Ravenclaw common room, but that was a long time ago now.
'He took off, then?' Maggie asked, stroking her Kneazle fondly. Luna and Rolf had kept no secrets from the old woman. She might have had a sharp tongue, but there was no fooling her. She even knew that her and Rolf weren't a couple. But to be cleared for international broom flight in this day and age, you either had to have been to the country via the flu network, or married to someone who had- provided they came too, of course.
So Scamander was their public name, but Lovegood would always be her true name.
'Just as Rolf said he would.' Luna said proudly.
She suspected that Rolf might be looking for a little more than platonic, but Luna only saw his friendship, no matter how hard she tried. How convenient it would be otherwise, but convenience had never been her most vicious motivator.
'You'll stay a little longer, won't you?' Maggie insisted, and Luna looked to Rolf.
'We'd better get back to London sooner rather than later, if we get held up and miss our case deadline well... well, I won't think about that just yet. I'd say we can stay another night, as long as we leave at dawn. Those bowtruckle eggs are about ready to hatch and I don't want customs finding them wandering about my case.'
Luna laughed, but Rolf was a little more serious. God knows what would happen if they were found in his case. Suspension from his work? Imprisonment?
His grandfather had helped those laws become a little more lenient in educating people as to the importance of international care. But few seemed bothered as to the welfare of animals and more as to what 'horrific diseases' the bowtruckles would give. If Luna had met a cleaner and more disease-free animal she certainly couldn't remember it now. Some witches and wizards simply had no clue.
'Well I'll put the stew on then.' Maggie said, wandering over to the stove, not bothering to use her wand. Some things were better done by hand.
'Mmm what're we having?' Rolf asked, leaning forward to smell the food.
'Fresh Niffler.' Maggie said proudly.
Rolf gagged.
