Devon was a coastal county, and the village of Ottery St. Catchpole nestled within it enjoyed a mild climate even in late November—cool winds and occasional rain, nothing brutal. By contrast, the Scottish Highlands gripped Hogwarts in an early-morning chill, the cold air making one last push before dawn.
The Ravenclaw Tower loomed high, its windows rattling under gusts that whistled like impatient ghosts. Luna stirred from sleep with a soft sob, curling her bare feet back under the blankets. She stretched languidly, the warmth chasing away the chill and sharpening her senses. Her eyelids fluttered, long lashes trembling.
"Hmm..."
She yawned, sensing something off. Rolling over, she rubbed her eyes and blinked into the dim light, confusion clouding her gaze.
"Disappeared?"
"Like quicksand? What then?"
Her murmur faded as she closed her eyes again, savoring the quiet. "Maybe... I should just dream about it..."
Her voice trailed into a whisper, ethereal as mist. The wind outside howled like an overture, pulling her into that peculiar sensation of freefall.
"Interesting... but time to get up."
School was far colder than home, so Xenophilius had packed her extra layers. Nearby, Amika Miller stirred groggily. "Luna... off to the greenhouse again?"
Luna leaned in, whispering, "Yes! Good morning!"
"Good morning..." Amika mumbled, already drifting back to sleep.
Luna rose early every day—a habit from home. After freshening up, she hurried downstairs. The common room was still, save for a few students slumped over desks, books as pillows, drool smudging the pages.
"He must have overslept too..."
She peered out the window at the shadowy Forbidden Forest, glancing occasionally toward the stairwell. As birds flocked from the trees, Thestrals stirred, leaping like fish from a pond before vanishing back into the undergrowth.
That lingering freefall tugged at her thoughts. In the greenhouse, Luna sometimes let her mind wander into it. Hannah noticed her distant look today. "Everything all right? You seem... off."
Luna blinked open her eyes. "I feel like a ground bat... gliding through the dark."
"A ground bat?" Hannah frowned. "Some magical creature?"
Luna smiled dreamily. "Like a cloak... so light, like a dandelion seed, drifting wherever the wind takes it..."
Neville, a greenhouse regular, adored tending the plants. As he set down his watering can, a nagging thought hit him: Would I fit better in Hufflepuff? I love this work.
"By the way," he said, "where's Vizette? You two usually come together." Worry creased his brow.
"Something wrong? I heard from Colin that the attacker who went after Filch's cat struck again!"
"It happened again!" Hannah nearly clapped a hand over her mouth but yanked it back, remembering the dirt from the plants. "What went down?"
Neville scratched his head. "Dumbledore headed over to sort it out. I overheard a bit passing by—they said it was just a prank, not the heir. The culprit targeted Colin's camera to wreck it."
"Dumbledore?" Luna murmured, pondering. "Did he just visit Colin?"
"Yeah!" Neville nodded. "He had the camera—looked smashed."
"If it's only a prank... Vizette's fine, right?" Hannah's face fell. "Luna, shall we go find him?"
"I want to help!" Neville jumped in. "He's done so much for me—he can't get hurt!"
"He'll be okay," Luna soothed. "Let's check on him."
"You know where he is?" they chorused.
"In the Hospital Wing," Luna said with a nod. "Even ground bats need rest after flying with the wind..."
After bidding Professor Sprout goodbye, the trio hurried to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey hovered by Harry's bed, inspecting his arm. "You look well. Try moving it—any discomfort?"
Harry flexed his arm, threw a cautious punch, and shook it out. "Feels good. Can I go?"
She handed him a bowl of porridge. "Breakfast first, then you're free. Return if anything aches."
Luna bowed slightly. "Madam Pomfrey, we're here for Vizette."
"How'd you know?" The matron raised an eyebrow but waved them on. "Over there. Old overwork issue flaring up. As his friends, make him rest properly."
"I will," Luna promised. She eased back the curtain, revealing Vizette on the bed, face serene.
Neville poked his arm tentatively. "Still soft!" He exhaled. "Just exhaustion, then."
"Thank Merlin," Hannah said, tension easing. With Colin's ordeal fresh, they'd feared Vizette was the real target.
Vizette's eyes fluttered open, meeting theirs. "Good morning!"
"Sleep well?" Luna blinked. "Madam Pomfrey says to watch you—plenty of rest."
He chuckled softly, sitting up. "I feel better already. What's got you lot worried?"
Neville blurted, "We heard about the prank on Colin—thought you might be next!"
"Prank?" Vizette echoed, brow furrowing. "I was just wiped out from yesterday's lessons. Nothing dramatic."
Hannah relaxed further. "Colin's camera's busted, but Dumbledore's on it. No heir nonsense."
Luna tilted her head. "Like a ground bat hiding in the shadows... but you're safe."
Vizette smiled at her whimsy. "Thanks for checking. Fancy some breakfast? I could use the company."
The group nodded, relief washing over them as they pulled up chairs. Outside, the castle stirred to life, but for now, the Hospital Wing felt like a quiet haven amid the rumors.
—