Chapter 13: Wand and Whispers
The rhythmic clatter of the Hogwarts Express lulled Luna into a gentle stillness. Outside, rolling hills gave way to shadowy forests, the sky tinting from pale blue to the warm gold of approaching evening. Inside her compartment, the quiet hum of magic lingered in the air like the memory of a song.
Across from her, a boy with wild black hair—Harry Potter—sat blinking thoughtfully at the shifting scenery. Next to him, the red-haired Ron weasley was already halfway through a small stack of Chocolate Frogs. Hermione Granger, seated diagonally to Luna, was flipping eagerly through a book titled Hogwarts: A History, as if trying to absorb the castle's secrets before even seeing it.
Luna let her gaze drift to the wand resting gently on her lap. A slender thing of pale birch, coiled with a thin thread of silver. It felt warm, resonant—as if alive.
System Sync Update: Wand-Bond Detected.
Wand Core: Modified Moonstone Hair Filament (Self-Hair Infusion)
Material: Birchwood – Flexible, Resilient, Dream-Tuned.
Wand Compatibility: 97.4% – Adaptive Bond Established.
Passive Effect:
Wand absorbs ambient dream-magic for stabilization. Harmonizes with space-time fluctuations. Auto-adjusts flow intensity based on caster's emotional state.
"That's a beautiful wand," Hermione said, noticing the glow from Luna's lap. "Did you get it from Ollivanders too?"
Luna tilted her head. "Not exactly. It was... tuned. Mother helped channel it with a strand of my own hair, after the rift altered its resonance."
Ron looked up, crumbs on his chin. "You made your wand? Isn't that dangerous?"
Luna smiled. "Only if you don't listen to it."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "But wand-making is a highly advanced—"
System Notice: Emotional Interference Detected – Level Mild.
Countermeasures Active: Calm Aura Released.
The tension quietly dissolved. Hermione blinked, her irritation fading as Luna turned to the window once more.
She could still sense faint pulses from the sigil that had triggered her dream weeks ago. It was quiet now—dormant—but its echo remained. Somewhere out there, someone had been watching.
Dream-Layer Detected: Fragment Trace – Foreign Signature Masked (93%).
Speculated Origin: Extra-Planar Observer.
Current Threat Level: Minimal.
The Hogwarts Express slowed.
Through the window, silhouettes of tall towers emerged against the twilight sky. A castle carved into legend, lit by lanterns and soft magical glow. Hogsmeade Station appeared as a blur of motion and lantern light.
"We're here!" Hermione said, springing up.
They stepped out into the brisk air. The scent of pine and wet stone filled Luna's lungs. A tall figure in a lantern-lit coat stood at the far end of the platform.
"Firs' years! Over here! First years this way!" boomed Hagrid.
He was... large. Towering, even. And familiar. Luna's dream-memory flickered again.
System Notice: Subject Identified – Rubeus Hagrid
Role: Keeper of Keys and Grounds, Hogwarts.
Personality Match: High Trust Probability. Affection for Magical Creatures: Very High.
Luna followed the others, her steps soft and light. Beside her, Harry walked in silence, and for a moment their eyes met.
He didn't speak. But there was something behind his eyes—something Luna recognized.
A kind of invisible weight.
She gently nodded. He nodded back.
The boat ride across the lake was surreal. Black water reflected a star-pierced sky. The castle shimmered, reflected upside down in the water's surface. Giant squid tentacles occasionally broke the surface, sending ripples across the lake.
They passed beneath an archway of stone carved with runes, which glowed faintly as the boats passed under. Hagrid's lantern swung gently, and the castle loomed like a cathedral of memory and magic.
The boats docked below a stone stair, and they climbed in silence. Hagrid knocked on the enormous wooden doors, which creaked open to reveal Professor McGonagall in her tall hat and emerald robes.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said briskly, her sharp gaze sweeping over the first-years. Her tone was clipped but not unkind. "In a few moments, you will be sorted into your houses. These will be your home, your companions, and your support for the years to come. Please follow me."
The group followed her through towering archways and into the heart of the ancient castle. High vaulted ceilings stretched above, hung with floating lanterns. The cold flagstone beneath their feet echoed with centuries of footsteps. The air shimmered faintly with enchantments, the very stones humming with age-old magic.
Luna glanced to the side and caught the flickering silhouette of a ghost in silvery robes slipping through the wall. It bowed politely before vanishing. Somewhere overhead, faint laughter echoed—ghosts in the upper halls.
A whisper of wind stirred as they passed under an enchanted arch. The walls here pulsed slightly, alive with residual spellwork. Luna felt a shiver of recognition.
System Log: Magical Zone – Hogwarts Inner Gate
Warding Layers: Active – Legacy of Founders Detected.
Environmental Signature: Adaptive Conscious Ward. Dormant Observation Trigger – 1% Active.
As they entered, ghosts floated overhead—Sir Nicholas gliding with his nearly severed neck, a stern-looking woman in a high collar muttering about corridor drafts, and a young-looking ghost in tattered robes chasing after floating books.
"Don't mind the ghosts," a nearby Prefect whispered with a smile. "They're harmless—mostly."
Luna's eyes followed the ghosts with fascination. They shimmered like the dream fragments she often explored.
The students were led through tall archways and long candlelit corridors. Staircases moved slightly as they passed, creaking into new positions with a whispering groan.
"One of them changes every Friday," the Prefect muttered. "Try not to get stuck halfway."
They were brought to a grand doorway. McGonagall turned. "You will be sorted into one of four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. Your house will be like your family during your time here."
Then the doors opened, and Luna stepped into the Great Hall.
Thousands of candles hovered midair. The enchanted ceiling above mimicked the twilight sky. Four long tables filled with students stretched to the dais where teachers sat. At the center stood a stool and a patched hat.
The Sorting Hat sang, its voice deep and dramatic:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty, but don't judge on what you see... I'll eat myself if you can find a smarter hat than me..."
After the whimsical introduction, it began calling names. Students walked up, the hat was placed, and houses cheered.
"Hermione Granger!"—Gryffindor.
"Neville Longbottom!"—Gryffindor.
"Lovegood, Luna."
Luna walked slowly to the stool. The hat fell over her head.
"Hmmm… curious… so very curious… you're filled with starlight and riddles. Deep magic. Ancient… You'll do well in…"
"RAVENCLAW!"
Applause followed. She walked toward the blue-and-bronze table.
Her sorting complete, Luna sat quietly, observing the feast that appeared with a flicker of enchantment. Roast meats, pumpkin juice, warm puddings. Laughter filled the hall. The Great Hall sparkled with magic and life, and the clinking of goblets and murmurs of excited conversation filled the air.
At the staff table, Headmaster Dumbledore stood, his silver beard gleaming in the candlelight. The hall fell silent as he raised his arms in welcome.
"Welcome, students—old and new—to another year at Hogwarts!" he began, his voice warm yet powerful. "Before we begin our feast, a few start-of-term notices. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is strictly forbidden to all students. Second, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has requested I remind you that no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes. Third—and this is very important—anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death should avoid the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side."
Murmurs spread quickly among the students. Luna tilted her head slightly.
System Notice: Anomaly Flagged – Area Restricted by Lethal Warding. Magical Signature Detected: High-Level Concealment Magic. Artifact Class: Possibly Unique.
Dumbledore continued with a smile, as if he hadn't just warned them about mortal peril. "And now... tuck in!"
The dishes filled with even more delight: golden Yorkshire puddings, steaming potatoes, and sparkling cider. Luna's eyes widened slightly at the spectacle. The sheer abundance of food, the glow of camaraderie—it was overwhelming in a curious, beautiful way.
System Log: Magical Environment Fully Calibrated. Protection Wards ScanningThreat Detection: Null. Safety Status: Secure.
After dinner, the Ravenclaw Prefect led them up staircase after staircase. Some moved. Some vanished and reappeared. Others hissed when stepped on wrongly. They eventually reached a landing with a bronze eagle-shaped knocker.
"To enter, answer a riddle," the Prefect said. The eagle asked, "What is the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space, the beginning of every end, and the end of every race?"
"The letter E," Luna answered at once.
The door opened.
The Ravenclaw common room was a circular tower filled with midnight-blue hangings and silvery stars. Arched windows looked out over the dark mountains. Bookshelves curved along the walls. The air smelled of parchment, lavender, and stardust.
Their dormitory was on the girls' side. Five beds surrounded by soft drapes, blue with silver embroidery. Her trunk was already waiting at the foot of the bed nearest the window.
She changed into her nightrobes slowly. The window let in soft moonlight.
System Log:
Environment Registered: Hogwarts Castle – Ravenclaw Dormitory.
Ambient Magic: High Stability. Dream Risk: Low. Protection Wards: Active.
She sat down and looked out into the sky.
"I'm here," she whispered.
And for the first time in years—this life or the last—Luna Lovegood fell asleep under the stars.