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Chapter 34 - [34] Luna's Quiet Longing

In Devonshire, in the village of Ottery St. Catchpole, the Lovegood family.

On a bright morning, the light blue curtains swayed gently in the breeze.

Warm sunlight streamed through the window, gilding the bedroom floor with a layer of golden sand.

"Hmm..." the girl murmured like a cat, slowly opening her eyes.

She slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, her pale golden hair cascading down like a waterfall.

Luna rubbed her eyes, stretched lazily, and looked out at the blue sky. "What a beautiful day!"

As she walked down the stairs, she looked at the closed door not far away, and the smile on her lips gradually disappeared.

This door has not been opened since yesterday.

"Yesterday was the first day of school at Hogwarts, and I'll be enrolling next year, yes," she said softly, as if reminding herself of something important.

Xenophilius was already in the restaurant, his hair a mess, holding a writing board in his hand and a charcoal pencil tucked behind his ear, working on the next issue of "The Quibbler".

"Luna, today is a good day for drawing," he said, bringing over the breakfast he had prepared.

Luna sat down at the table, holding her knife and fork. "Yes, the sky is like a blue curtain."

The restaurant was very quiet, with only the scratching of charcoal pencils and the occasional clinking of knives and forks against plates.

Xenophilius put down his writing tablet. "Luna, are you feeling alright? Did you not like the breakfast?"

"I'm fine, Dad." Luna gently shook her head at the concerned look on his face.

Not wanting her father to worry, she casually changed the subject, "Is this issue of the magazine ready? I can't wait."

"The feedback on the previous issues had been quite good! That kid Vizette had a good idea!" Xenophilius exclaimed excitedly. "Recently, we've seen an increase in submissions!"

"They were very interested in the 'local specialty' content and even sent me some samples, so I added some to my breakfast bread."

"The person who submitted the article said that this bee collects laurel honey, and that people who use laurel honey will have good luck. What do you think of the taste?"

"So it was Vizette's idea?" Luna murmured.

She forked a piece of bread, put it in her mouth, and smiled slightly. "I think it tastes pretty good."

...

Luna's life continued as usual, like a diligent bee tending to the entire garden.

Diana the owl accompanied her, singing merrily.

Collecting dew, loosening the soil, watering the flowers, feeding them...

She could still find happiness in it, but it was a strange kind of happiness, as if something was missing.

"The mistletoe and Dirigible plum are both growing very well, and I haven't found any Runespoor," Luna said as she picked Dirigible plums.

"Vizette, do you know what a maggot is? Dad told me it's a little creature that looks like a maggot. It has three thousand teeth when it's young, and it grows even more teeth when it's an adult."

"They have three eyes and a sickle-like hook on their tails, which is why they're called 'snag hooks.' Vizette, isn't that interesting?"

"Ve...Zet?"

The gentle response she expected did not materialize; Luna could only hear the wind around her.

She now felt as if something, along with the tightly closed door, had been locked away.

Yes, he went to Hogwarts.

Luna stood up and walked towards the stream in the distance.

She sat on the bank, gazing at the gently flowing stream, lost in thought.

Only a day had passed, but she felt a sense of emptiness.

"There are more harassing horseflies now."

She murmured to herself as she looked at the Dirigible.

This feeling was familiar; she had experienced something similar before.

Time heals all wounds. Given a few more days, she could adjust to life without one person. This kind of change is commonplace for her.

The sky was still clear, and the stream was still crystal clear. Although everything remained the same, she felt as if she were detached from everything around her.

Luna sat by the stream for a long time, gazing at the water, until a familiar hoot of an owl was heard, at which point she quickly looked up.

"Coo! Coo..." The owl clutched a large cloth bag, like a propeller plane with a damaged wing, about to slide into the stream.

Luna quickly reached out and barely managed to hug Thor to prevent him from getting soaked. "Thor, I've got you!"

"Gurgle! Gurgle!" Thor struggled to rub against Luna's sleeve, and then his eyes closed.

"You must be exhausted from bringing all that stuff from Hogwarts," Luna said gently, stroking Thor's droopy crest.

Back home, Xenophilius had just taken off his apron when a pot of steaming stew appeared on the table. "I was just about to look for you! Why are you back so late today?"

Luna carefully placed the cloth bag on the table, excitedly picked up the owl, and said, "I met Thor!"

"That kid actually knows how to send letters back?" Xenophilius raised an eyebrow and took the owl from Luna's hand.

"Look what that kid wrote. I'll find some tonics for Thor; he looks exhausted."

Upon opening the cloth bag, the first thing she saw were two large boxes of snacks. The heavy weight of the snacks instantly made Luna understand why Thor was so exhausted.

Below was another letter, with a line written on the heavy parchment envelope: To Luna and Mr. Lovegood.

The phrase "Mr. Lovegood" is spaced far apart, suggesting it was added later.

Luna placed her hand on her chest and felt her heart beating faster.

She let out a soft breath before opening the letter.

Dear Luna and Mr. Lovegood:

Saul brought me a bag of chocolate frogs; they taste really good, and I wanted to share them with you and Mr. Lovegood.

Hogwarts is wonderful and magical. I saw so many interesting things that I can't describe them in words.

I think it's fine, since you'll be coming to Hogwarts next year too, and we can explore together then.

How are the mistletoe and Dirigible at home? I remember the Dirigible were almost ripe.

When we fertilized the plants together last time, you mentioned Runespoor to me. What kind of creature is that?

I'm still very curious. You kept me in suspense last time. Would you be willing to tell me now?

There are still many wonders about Hogwarts, and I hope you won't find me long-winded if I send you a letter later.

And also,

Please give my regards to Mr. Lovegood.

I hope you are all well.

Vizette Lovegood

The letter was plain, but it was precisely this plainness that made Luna feel close to Vizette.

The Vizette in her heart was not someone as high-spirited as the blazing sun, but someone as subtle as the wind, quietly accompanying her.

She could speak her mind without any burden, while Vizette could easily and freely embrace everything.

Luna opened a box of chocolate frogs, and the silky, rich chocolate melted on her tongue, filling her heart with a sweet taste.

"And? And? And yet?" Xenophilius's voice rang out, and Thor, the owl on his shoulder, regained some of his energy and was able to hook his talons around his shoulder and take a nap.

"Luna, are you going to reply to this kid? If so, tell him to be more careful next time and not to add 'and' or 'also' before addressing me!"

"Okay, Dad!" Luna put the envelope away and took out a set of art supplies from the cabinet.

Xenophilius asked in confusion, "What are you planning to do? Lunch is ready!"

"I know, Dad!" Luna said as she ran upstairs. "Didn't you tell me this morning that today was a good day for drawing?"

...

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