Bonding

"So...have you ever witnessed death?" Luna tilted her head, her gray eyes fixed on the dark flock of Thestrals in the sky, resembling a swarm of bats.

"I have," Luke replied calmly. "Whether it was the werewolf killed by Breath last time or Professor Quirrell, whose fate was sealed by my hand, death is a process I'm familiar with."

"I have too," Luna said casually, settling herself onto Luke's lap and wrapping her arms around her knees clad in short socks.

Luke stole a glance at her. The breeze tousled her long golden hair, revealing a wand tucked behind her small ear, giving her a decidedly eccentric appearance.

"Aren't you curious?" Luna inquired, her curiosity unabated by Luke's previous response.

"If you must know," Luke chuckled. He knew why Luna could see Thestrals; she had witnessed her mother's death due to experimental magic when she was young.

"Why don't you go play with your friends?" Luke deftly changed the subject, gesturing towards Harry, who was darting through the sky in pursuit of Cedric, seemingly possessed.

Luke had just noticed Cho Chang's presence on the training ground, and in the blink of an eye, Harry had transformed into his current frenzied state. Cedric was at a loss to explain the sudden change.

Even the new first-year wizards had already formed their cliques, and Luke, Hermione, Fred, and the others were considered a tight-knit group.

Scanning the area, Luke noted the absence of any eagles nearby, signifying Luna's solitude.

"I have no friends," Luna stated matter-of-factly, her tone devoid of emotion, as if discussing the weather.

"Come to think of it, I haven't seen any Nargles bothering you either," Luna remarked with a puzzled expression. "That's quite unusual."

"Nargles?" Luke recalled the peculiar magical creatures from The Quibbler.

"That's probably because I've got nothing to fret over," Luke shrugged.

With his life seemingly perfect, Luke enjoyed flirting with Hermione daily and occasionally outsmarting Tom.

"Do you know about the existence of harassing horseflies?" Luna asked, her expression one of surprise.

It was the first time Luke had seen anything other than a dreamy trance on Luna's face.

"I've talked to other wizards, but they don't believe me," she explained.

"I read about it in The Quibbler before," Luke said, conjuring an outdated copy of the magazine in his hand. It was a publication customized for the holidays.

"Speaking of which, your father is still the editor-in-chief, so that's a very... bizarre idea," he remarked.

"I think they're all real," Luna said, her gray eyes appearing distant as she watched a group of Thestrals disappear into the sky.

"I'm back!" a melodious voice called out, and Hermione trotted towards Luke, her pleated skirt fluttering.

However, when she spotted the blond figure sitting next to Luke, she paused, her approach slowing.

Hermione squinted slightly, her gaze fixed on the somewhat familiar back. She recalled the Ravenclaw student who had shared their carriage earlier in the semester—Luna Lovegood. Luna always seemed to have peculiar ideas and believed in fantastical creatures.

For some reason, Hermione felt a sense of unease.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger," Luna greeted politely, standing up and dusting off her long skirt before nodding to Hermione.

"Luna, you know him," Luke introduced, rising to his feet and handing Hermione the neatly folded robe.

"Good afternoon, Miss Lovegood," Hermione greeted, recalling Luna's name.

"Then I won't interrupt your date, I'll go check on my animals," Luna said, starting to leave the lawn.

"Goodbye, Mr. Geralt."

After Luna left, Hermione turned to Luke, curious. "What were you two just talking about?"

"The Thestrals," Luke replied, chuckling as she stroked her brown curly hair. "On the chat."

Hermione looked up at the sky instinctively, spotting Harry still chasing after Cedric. "They're still at it! Wait, Luna can see Thestrals too?"

Luke nodded. "Yes, she saw her own mother's death."

Though Luna hadn't confided in him, Luke had an idea. "Oh..."

Hermione's brown eyes filled with sympathy upon hearing Luke's explanation, especially learning that Luna didn't have friends in Ravenclaw. She could relate, remembering her own lonely first year, saved only by meeting Luke at Ollivanders.

She often wondered where she'd be without that chance encounter, but the thought was too daunting to dwell on.

"Come on, Harry's game is over," Luke said, noticing Hermione's sudden loneliness and gently taking her hand. "We're heading to the Great Hall for dinner soon."

"Ouch, does Luke know any healing spells for a bruised ego?" Harry joked at the dinner table, nursing his blue and purple face.

Luke chuckled. "Sorry, mate, you should head to the school nurse for that."

Harry's broom mishap during the game against Cedric had left him with quite the colorful display.

Though Cedric had won again, Harry found solace in Cho Chang's concerned gaze.

"Are you still thinking about Cedric's girlfriend?" Fred and George teased, joining them at the table.

"No, I'm not!" Harry protested, embarrassed.

"Alright, want to play cards?" Fred offered, pulling out a deck from his pocket.

With dinner over, they were looking forward to the grand opening of the Fairy Tail tomorrow.

.....

Join my exclusive P@treon community for 60+ thrilling chapters!

Free members get two or more advanced chapters for FREE.

Don't miss out, join now!

Link: pa*treon.com/MidnightWonder (Remove the *)