Title: Of iPods and Pens
Ship: Ron/Luna
Name/Pen Name: Corrine/Romance Freak
Word Count: 1,231
Theme #/Theme: 1/Muggle Confusion
Challenge count: 1/7 Finished

Content: G
Spoilers: 1-5 Books
Warnings: Harry/ Hermione
Summary: What happens when Ron needs a gift for Luna? Anything can and porbaly will.


It was late December, and the grounds were covered in snow. It was a few weeks before Christmas, and Ron was rushing around at the last moment for a gift for Luna. He sat in the common room, talking to Harry and playing wizard chess, and wonderful pass time. “Harry, it’s not as easy as it looks. What do you get a girl who thinks that Nargels live in mistletoe?” said Ron, moving a knight and taking Harry’s bishop.

“Well, I can see how that could be hard,” said Harry “You don’t want to offend her.” Harry looked at the chess board, and sighed. “How ‘bout something Muggle or flowers? Every girl likes flowers.”

“She said something lives in flowers that make her sneeze” Said Ron, Harry just nodded “And who knows about something Muggle. I guess I could try that, but what to get her?” The portrait hole opened, and Hermione walked through carrying many books. She set them on the table. “Hermione, please don’t say that’s just some light reading.”

“Ron, for your information it’s for a project in Muggle Studies.” Said Hermione, She took a chair and sat down at the table.

“I thought you quit that class.” Said Ron

“Ron, you think lots of things yet that’s the first to be true” Said Hermione, opening one of the first books “I did, but now Luna needed some help with finding some stuff out about iPods.” Harry looked at her more then confused.

“Hermione, are you feeling okay?” asked Harry, he put a hand on her forehead. She laughed and pushed him away.

“I’m fine” She said, looking at the chess board. “Don’t tell me you’re losing again.” Harry shrugged.

“Anyways, tell me more about why you’re doing this. You never, I mean never help Luna” said Ron “Harry might be on to something about you being sick.”

“She needed help, and I decided to help her” Said Hermione “And I have nothing to do.” Ron nodded, and returned to the chess game.

“Check Mate” said Ron, Hermione looked up from her book then to Harry and then the chess board. She gently patted Harry’s shoulder.

“First a King and a Pon and then a King and Queen and now a King.” Said Harry, Hermione just nodded.

“You’re getting better.” Said Ron, they laughed all knowing Harry was a lost cause when it came to chess.

“Why don’t we go get some lunch?” asked Harry, wanting to leave before he had to play again.

“Good idea, food will help me think of the perfect gift.” Said Ron, Harry just nodded not knowing what else to do. “Hermione are you coming?”

“No, I need to finish this book. Go on without me.” Said Hermione, they nodded and left Hermione to read her book. They walked down the hallways to the Great Hall. They saw few students, since the holidays had started today.

“What did Hermione say she was helping Luna Research, A pen or something?” Said Ron.

“Not sure, I was too busy trying not to lose” Said Harry.

“Maybe I’ll get her a pen to help her research, for Christmas” said Ron, Harry looked at him, thinking how bad this could be. “Yes, it’s a perfect gift!” They walked through the doors of the Great Hall. The smell of food was carried to their noses. Ron quickly forgot the gift when they entered. After eating they sent a letter to Fred and George. Who happened to be near a part of Muggle town. The letter said:
Fred or George,

If you could, find a pen or something, in Muggle London
That would be great. It’s for Luna, don’t ask or say anything,
Just get it.
Thanks,
Ron

“Ron, that’s a stupid letter.” Said Harry, he stood out side of the Owlery, throwing a rocks over the edge, and trying to get them in the lake.

“It may be stupid, but it’s my last resort.” Said Ron, Harry just shook his head. Ron laughed and sent the letter with Pig.

“I told you flowers would be easier, but you don’t listen.” Said Harry, as they were leaving, Ron laughed again. “What’s so funny?”

“You sound just like Hermione” Said Ron, through his laughter.

“No I don’t.” said Harry, Ron stopped laughing.

“You do, so just live with it.” Said Ron, Harry laughed and soon they were both laughing.

*$*$*$*

It was a few days later and Ron was waiting for the mail to come. He was worried that his gift would not come fast enough. He looked over at Harry and Hermione, who were both reading. Well, Hermione was and Harry was drawing or writing something. Ron returned to looking out the window. You could see all of the grounds from there. It was snowing, perfect snowball fighting weather, but being three of the seven students staying, it wouldn’t be much fun and they were asked to stay inside.

“Ron, why don’t we play Exploding Snap?” asked Hermione, this surprised Harry more then it did Ron. They both looked at her. “What? My eyes hurt from all this reading and I’m tired of doing someone else’s homework.” Ron gasped, but soon nodded. It wasn’t often that Hermione would suggest playing a game.

They had almost played ten games when they barely saw Pig flying outside with a parcel. “Pig!” Ron shouted as he ran to the window. He opened it send cold air and snow inside along with Pig. Ron started hugging the small bird.

“Ron!” shouted Hermione, Ron turned and looked at her. “Close the window!” Ron nodded and quickly closed it. When the room was finally warm, Ron opened the package. Ron ignored the letter and took out the pen. It was a dark blue with sliver stars. “Ron, what’s with the pen?”

“It’s Luna’s Christmas present. I thought since she was researching it, I would get her one.” Said Ron, Hermione started laughing. “What?”

“Ron, I said an iPod not pen. I really don’t understand how you got pen out of iPod but oh well.” Said Hermione.

“But…if she’s researching iPods, and I got her a pen. No! My plan is ruined!” said Ron.

“She’ll still like the pen.” Said Harry, Ron nodded and put it back in the paper it came in. “At least you have something, some of us haven’t even gotten anything.” Harry looked to Hermione to see if she was listening, she wasn’t. Harry silently thanked the Gods.

“Good point, and it’s too late to get something else, Christmas is tomorrow.” Said Ron, Harry nodded.
The next day, Luna met up with the trio in the Great Hall. “Hello Ronald, Harry and Hermione,” said Luna in her normal dreamy state. She sat down next to Ron across from Harry and Hermione.

“Hello Luna,” said Harry and Hermione.

“Good Morning Luna.” Said Ron, he took out a neatly wrapped gift. “Merry Christmas” She took the gift and opened quickly.

“Oh Ronald,” she hugged him “How did you know I wanted a blue Ink Blot Trapper?” She let go of him and was smiling broadly.

“Lucky guess,” said Ron “Glad you like it.” Harry had to drink something to contain his laughter. From then on, Ron always bought random Muggle things for Luna. Now he wasn’t afraid of getting her the wrong thing because nothing could be the wrong thing for her.

The End

Ohh - this one was funny. I think till I heard the words " Blue ink blot trapper " I was thinking it wasn't going to go over quite well, but with those words you simply made it into a very nice piece.

NAPPA

Cute idea.

Your time line was off, though. You said it was "late December", but then said it was a "few weeks before Christmas" which would have made it early December. Nit-picky, I know, but it causes me to pause when reading.

I loved the line:

“Ron, you think lots of things yet that’s the first to be true” Said Hermione.

Very Hermione-ish, good job.

Cute story, I thought. Your writing style could use some polishing IMHO. And Harry should be more daft in talk about girls , so that wasn't exactly in character. I enjoyed the story itself though. 3 stars.

Good story...certainly an enjoyable read.

In the future, avoid words such as "things" as much as you can...otherwise it depreciates the quality of the story...there are better words to use in the place of "things"...

That was cute. I liked it. The pen idea was very nice. Good job on it.