Hogwarts was quiet. The Great Hall, usually buzzing with chatter, was now empty except for the few students who had chosen to remain for the holidays. Snowflakes drifted lazily outside the tall windows, dusting the grounds in a pristine white. The scent of pine and cinnamon hung faintly in the corridors, a reminder that Christmas was here.
Most students had returned home, leaving only a handful of dedicated — or stubborn — scholars in the castle. Luna and I found ourselves wandering through the nearly deserted halls, cloaks wrapped tight against the chill, notebooks and small satchels slung across our shoulders.
"My father said it's fine for me to stay," Luna whispered, her voice full of excitement. "He knows I'll be searching for Nargles. He even gave me extra notes from his magazine to help."
I grinned. "Lucky you. And lucky me, that I get to join the search. Nargles, mischief-makers of the winter season… this should be fun."
She giggled softly. "Mischief-makers is putting it mildly. They hide your things, tangle your hair, and make socks disappear. But… they're fascinating. And I want to see one for myself."
We headed out into the snow-dusted grounds, boots crunching on the frost. The castle seemed to exhale around us, silent and magical. Lanterns flickered faintly in the wind, casting long, playful shadows.
"I read that Nargles like areas with glittery or sparkling things," Luna said, scanning the frozen branches of the trees. "They also hide near places people don't expect — under holly, near windows, or inside ornaments."
I laughed softly. "Like every Christmas decoration in the castle?"
"Exactly," she said, eyes sparkling. "Which is why this is the perfect time for our search."
We tiptoed through the corridors, peeking behind garlands, knocking gently on baubles, and checking the shadows cast by enchanted candles. My cat padded along with us, tail high, clearly intrigued by the sparkle of tinsel and the faint rustle of the wind outside.
"It's amazing how quiet it is," I whispered. "Even Hogwarts feels different during Christmas."
Luna nodded, crouching to peek beneath a low-hanging holly branch. "Quieter… and the mischief is more visible. You can almost see their footprints if you look closely."
Hours passed as we searched the castle and the grounds, laughing quietly when we suspected the tiniest sparkle was a Nargle or just snow catching the light. At one point, my cat pounced at a glittering ornament, sending it spinning across the floor and startling us both.
"Careful!" Luna whispered, stifling a laugh. "You might scare the Nargles away."
Finally, we settled in a quiet alcove by the frozen fountain near the lake, snowflakes settling gently on our cloaks. Luna held a small, glimmering ornament between her fingers. "I think… maybe one Nargle is hiding here. Or at least curious."
I leaned closer, eyes wide. "Do you really think we might see one?"
She nodded, brushing her messy hair from her face. "I think if we're patient… and respectful… they might show themselves."
We stayed perfectly still, watching, whispering observations, and giggling softly when a stray leaf or a dusting of snow moved like a tiny creature. My cat twitched its ears, clearly sensing something invisible to us.
Hours passed in quiet companionship, the castle bathed in the pale glow of the moonlight. We spoke in hushed tones, sharing stories and plans for future creature studies. At one point, Luna leaned close, whispering conspiratorially:
"Dionida… I think Nargles like your energy. You're patient and curious… just like me."
I felt my face warm, but I smiled. "Then maybe we'll see one together."
And then, just as the wind shifted, a tiny flicker of movement caught my eye — a delicate, shimmering shape darting between the holly branches. Luna gasped softly, eyes wide, and I realized we had caught the faintest glimpse of what might indeed be a Nargle.
"It's here," she whispered, barely moving. "Shhh… careful. Don't scare it."
For a few magical moments, we watched in awe, hearts quiet and full of wonder, knowing we had discovered something few others would ever see. My cat pawed gently at the snow, and the Nargle — playful and mischievous — darted away, only to peek back again moments later, as if inviting us to follow.
Luna leaned closer, pressing a hand to mine. "I'm glad we're here together," she whispered. "Hogwarts is even more magical when you share secrets like this."
I squeezed her hand in return, smiling softly. "And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
The night stretched on, full of quiet magic, snow-dusted laughter, and the promise of more adventures to come. Eventually, we returned to our dormitory, cold but exhilarated, hearts warm with the thrill of discovery, and dreams full of Nargles, snowflakes, and shared secrets under the quiet Hogwarts stars.