Before he realized it, the sun had dipped into a blazing sunset, its crimson light sweeping across the city's towering skyline. The "steel forest" of high-rises, shrouded in the evening glow, looked as dark and mysterious as the Forbidden Forest itself.
By the time the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station, night had fallen. The windows of those tall buildings flickered to life, like fireflies darting through an urban jungle.
Wyzett and Cedric slipped through the barrier and emerged into the bustling crowd of King's Cross Station.
This time, Wyzett didn't head straight for a side alley. Instead, he rolled his trunk outside, leaned against the railing, and gazed at the city around him.
Everything seemed different now. After so long at Hogwarts, the return to a vibrant, modern metropolis felt almost surreal—like stepping between worlds.
"I'm almost home!" Wyzett double-checked his trunk, making sure nothing had been left behind, then slipped into a quiet alley.
With a flick of his wand, the Knight Bus screeched to a stop.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus! I'm your conductor, Stan Shunpike..."
…
Wyzett wheeled his trunk down the familiar lane, and soon the house that looked like a castle on wheels appeared before him.
Diana was the first to spot him, swooping down with a flurry of wings to greet Sol. The two owls immediately began tussling and playing in the air.
Looking ahead, Wyzett caught sight of a familiar figure.
He quickened his pace. Luna seemed taller now, her pale gold hair a touch longer than before.
The moment he saw Luna's smile clearly, Wyzett realized something important—some things never change.
…
Half a year away had brought many changes to the house.
The first floor now boasted a brand-new mural: Luna had painted broad swathes of white, then added outlines of animals and cottages—a cozy village scene after a heavy snowfall.
Ottery St. Catchpole nestled in Devon, often warmed by the North Atlantic Current. Real snow was a rare treat.
With Wyzett's current magical skills, conjuring enough snow to blanket the whole village with a Weather Charm was still a challenge he'd have to work toward.
There were other changes, too. The fireplace was now connected to the Floo Network, making magical travel much easier.
Sales of The Quibbler had been strong lately, and Xenophilius had even upgraded the magical printing press. The new brass contraption was silent—no more "click-clack" racket—and far more efficient.
But Xenophilius was busier than ever, his dark circles deepening until he could rival a raccoon.
He'd brought home a fir tree for Christmas, setting it in the center of the living room and letting Luna decorate it to her heart's content.
Alongside the requisite mistletoe and Dirigible Plums, the tree was festooned with delicate sugar figurines in every imaginable shape—almost as if every creature from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them had found a spot on its branches.
At the very top, instead of a shining star, perched a bright red Quaffle—with a tiny figure in a cape standing atop it: Wyzett himself.
The evening wind rattled the windows. When Wyzett got up late at night, he unexpectedly found Xenophilius still hard at work.
"It's Christmas holidays! Of course I want to spend the days with her," Xenophilius declared, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "So I work at night!"
"And let me tell you—this new press was worth every Galleon! It's so quiet, Luna can't hear it at all!"
He gulped down a huge mouthful of Gurdyroot tea, shivered, and his eyes gleamed with pride above those shadowy circles.
"Mr. Lovegood, you really ought to get more rest…" Wyzett said, a touch helplessly. "There's a long road ahead—don't wear yourself out."
"Do you need to tell me that?" Xenophilius arched an eyebrow. "Your troll story was brilliant! Luna adored it!"
"She even helped illustrate it… I'm hoping to finish the first edition before Christmas, so I can give it to her as a present!"
"A Christmas gift for Luna?" Wyzett mused. "Mr. Lovegood, is there anything I can do to help?"
"Of course!" Xenophilius waved expansively. "Since you're home, why not take her out for a bit tomorrow? That'll let me work during the day!"
"That way I'll get even more done! And now that we've got the Floo Network set up… well, it'd be a waste not to use it! Costs a fortune in maintenance every month!"
He glanced down at the floor, as if he could see the fireplace below, his face full of mock anguish.
Wyzett couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, I'll take her out tomorrow."
"Here—take this…" Xenophilius pulled a cloth pouch from a drawer; it jingled with coins.
"There are forty-two Galleons, four Sickles, and sixteen Knuts inside. Use it to buy whatever you need for Christmas."
"And don't forget to get Luna a present—from you. Make sure she doesn't spot you buying it—give her a proper surprise!"
"You don't need to give back the change… buy yourself something nice, or save it for next term's pocket money. Either way's fine."
Watching him plan everything out, wearing patched robes and huddling against the cold, Wyzett felt both amused and deeply moved.
Truthfully, he'd already started preparing Luna's Christmas gift the day he received Grindelwald's notes. But he knew this money was a gesture of care, so he accepted it gratefully. "Mr. Lovegood, I promise I'll put it to good use!"
"Good lad! Now off to bed with you!"
"You too, Mr. Lovegood. Good night!"
…
The days ahead brought no sign of snow—in fact, the skies were clear and blue, not even a cloud in sight. Helping Luna tend the garden, Wyzett would break a sweat beneath the winter sun.
"Maybe it'll snow in a few days," Luna murmured. "They're just getting ready."
"I think so too." Wyzett nodded. "How about we visit London first? The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley—you'll be starting at Hogwarts next year."
He'd spent last night planning out their route and making a shopping list.
"We should buy some new clothes, too. Maybe you can help pick something out for Mr. Lovegood—his robes are full of holes."
"Alright!" Luna's eyes curved into crescent moons, her smile bright and lovely.
The Floo Network was a wonderful way to travel—one blink, and the two of them stepped out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.
"Mr. Tom, Merry Christmas!"
Wyzett waved to the bald old barman, then led Luna to the little courtyard behind the pub.
"Ah! Merry Christmas!" Tom put down his glass, his withered lips curling into a smile. "It's been ages! Here to do some shopping?"
"Yes, sir."
Wyzett answered simply, tapping his wand against the wall.
As he watched Wyzett and Luna disappear into Diagon Alley, old Tom polished his glass and sighed.
"Ah, to be young again…"
… ~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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