"Let's go in and have a look! We still need to find a clothing shop," Wyzett said, noticing that Luna's gaze had lingered on a particular storefront for quite a while.
This was no ordinary shop. Its window wasn't adorned with festive ribbons or colored lights—just a wreath made from the head of a plush reindeer hung by the door. The reindeer's nose twitched and snorted from time to time, but none of the passing Muggles seemed to notice. Clearly, this was a wizarding establishment: Madam Felton's Robes.
Inside, an elderly witch with a wizard's hat perched at a jaunty angle greeted them.
"What a rare treat... Children, are you looking for new clothes?" she asked, her voice gentle and warm.
"Yes, Madam Felton," Wyzett replied, then turned to Luna and said softly, "Go on, try something you like! I'll wait here."
"Okay!" Luna answered cheerfully, flitting about the shop like a joyful butterfly.
The old witch followed her, explaining the craftsmanship and enchanted materials behind each garment with the kind of loving detail that reminded Wyzett a bit of Ollivander.
They spent the afternoon shopping, even making a stop at a department store to pick up the last of their planned purchases.
By evening, the shopping street was even more beautiful. The colored lights strung from shopfronts glowed brightly, casting a dazzling web of color that intertwined with the decorated Christmas trees beneath the eaves.
Luna wore a velvet robe patterned with snowflakes, its hem trimmed with feathers and tiny bells. Even weighed down by shopping bags, she moved with a lightness that seemed untouched by gravity, drifting through the pools of colored light like a faerie descended to earth.
On Christmas Eve, as Wyzett and the others gathered for dinner, snow finally began to fall—soft and steady, blanketing the world in white.
Though the snow was only a thin layer, it was enough to fill Luna with delight.
She and Wyzett took up shovels, gathering snow from around the garden to build three snowy owls. Meanwhile, Xenophilius had retreated upstairs again, working on his "secret project"—hoping to finish the first draft of his storybook before the midnight bells rang.
After the snowmen were finished and they returned to the living room, Luna stifled a yawn behind her hand.
"It's late—go get some sleep," Wyzett said gently.
These days, Wyzett had used The Leaky Cauldron as a base, exploring all corners of London with Luna. Between their adventures, he'd stopped at various places to prepare Christmas gifts for those close to him. Only that afternoon had he finally finished and sent out the last of his presents.
Luna had been a tremendous help; it was no wonder she was tired.
But tonight, she was uncharacteristically stubborn, insisting she was "not sleepy at all" as she curled up on the sofa with a copy of The Quibbler.
Wyzett smiled and said nothing, settling in beside her with his wandmaker's notebook.
The living room was peaceful, filled only with the quiet sound of pages turning and Luna's barely suppressed yawns.
At some point, Wyzett felt a gentle weight on his arm—Luna had dozed off, her head resting softly against him.
He couldn't help but smile. Just moments ago, she'd been so determined not to sleep, and now she was deep in dreamland.
Carefully, Wyzett drew his wand, touching the tip to the cushion in Luna's arms and murmuring, "Vera Verto..."
The cushion stretched and shimmered, transforming into a warm, orange blanket.
"Hmm?" Wyzett paused, realizing his voice had been barely above a whisper—almost silent casting. Though he'd always been adept at Vera Verto, achieving this level of control was new, and it pleased him. Most importantly, he hadn't disturbed Luna's sleep.
She remained curled up like a contented cat, The Quibbler still clutched in her arms, her breathing slow and steady.
Wyzett set aside his notes, closed his eyes, and let himself rest...
Hoot! Hoot!
The clock struck midnight.
Wyzett's eyes snapped open—just in time to meet Luna's gaze.
She barely had time to rub her eyes before she sprang up like a startled rabbit and dashed to her room.
Wyzett rubbed his stiff neck and arm, feeling a strange sense of emptiness settle over him.
But he didn't linger on it. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gift box.
It was Luna's Christmas present.
She returned moments later, also holding a gift box, its lid decorated with flowers from the garden.
Inside was a crystal-clear potion bottle, filled with golden, luminous liquid that seemed to glow from within, making it hard for Wyzett to look away. Floating inside was a single Dirigible Plum, crystallized like a fiery orange-red gem.
"This is a potion Mum taught me to make," Luna said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You collect the first drop of dew you see each morning and save it for a special day. Giving it as a gift brings good luck."
Wyzett cradled the bottle in his palm. It radiated a gentle warmth, like the perfect soft-boiled egg on a cold morning.
So that's why Luna collected dewdrops each day?
A quiet warmth spread through his chest.
Through this potion, he could almost see Luna rising early, carefully gathering the morning dew, day after day.
"When you wake up in the morning, wear an extra coat so you don't catch cold," he said gently.
"Okay!!"
Luna's cheeks flushed bright red—so much that she had to open the window for air.
After the snow, the night sky was perfectly clear. Pearly moonlight spilled over her, surrounding her in a silvery mist.
Wyzett walked to the window and handed her his gift. "Merry Christmas," he said softly.
"Merry Christmas!" Luna's voice was clearer than usual.
Inside the box was a bracelet, its main cord woven from unicorn tail hair, the soft silver shimmering like the first light of dawn. Feathers from a Puffskein and fragrant flowers—lavender among them—were woven throughout.
At the center was a round crystal bead, inside which lay a daisy-shaped metal charm, its petals carved in exquisite detail.
Wyzett helped Luna fasten the bracelet, pointing to the crystal bead. "If you're ever in danger… just grip this tightly…"
He cleared his throat, searching for the right words. "If you're ever in trouble, hold it and rub it back and forth three times. It'll keep you safe."
The metal charm was a magical defense item, a gift from Ollivander. Wyzett had reshaped it using Transfiguration and enchantments inspired by Grindelwald's notes, transforming it into a daisy.
"Okay," Luna replied softly.
She lifted her wrist to the moonlight, turning it this way and that.
"Wyzett, look!"
She beamed. "This moon, which isn't quite full—you've made it whole!"
Wyzett bent down to follow her gaze. The crystal bead and the moon above aligned, shining as one.
"Luna? Where are you?"
Suddenly, Xenophilius's voice called from upstairs…
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
🤔 Want to know what happens next to the characters?
🤫 Eager to explore the untold secrets of this world?
✍️ Ready to read more of my wildest stories?
✨patreon.com/GoldenLong