Chapter 14: Classroom Whispers and Wandering Threads
The following week unfolded like a tapestry of small enchantments and subtle surprises. Hogwarts had begun to feel less like a castle and more like a breathing, living entity. Its staircases moved with moods of their own, portraits whispered in sly riddles, and the ceilings wept rain or twinkled with stars depending on the sky's whims. Luna embraced it all like threads in a larger dream, gently plucking at reality to see how it responded.
Morning classes had taken on rhythm. Professor Flitwick introduced them to the Levitation Charm — Wingardium Leviosa — with a grand swish and flick of his wand, his voice peaking like a celebratory bell.
"Now remember, it's Levi-o-sa, not Levio-sa!" Hermione chimed in with impeccable precision.
Ron groaned behind her, but Luna noted the movement of the wand more than the words. Precision, tone, intention—those were the key anchors.
System Notification: New Spell Logged
Name: Wingardium Leviosa
Function: Basic levitation of lightweight objects
Wand Movement: Swish and flick
Pronunciation Accuracy: 87%
Success Rate: 72% (at current magical control level)
Luna focused on the feather in front of her, letting her magic feel the structure of it. With an easy flick, it floated upward — gentle, as if caught in a breeze. Flitwick clapped with joy.
"Wonderful, Miss Lovegood! Excellent control."
Hermione gave her a half-curious, half-surprised glance. Luna only offered a serene smile in return.
Lunch was a quiet affair in the Great Hall. The Ravenclaws had begun to warm up to her, albeit slowly. A third-year with silvery ink-stained fingers asked about her enchanted quill. A second-year offered her a half-burnt biscuit. Luna, with dreamy politeness, accepted both.
Later in the library, she found Hermione tucked away between towering shelves, surrounded by books on magical theory and nonverbal incantations.
"You study even during breaks," Luna observed.
Hermione looked up, blinking. "Well, there's just so much to learn! It's fascinating, don't you think?"
Luna tilted her head. "Books are good... but dreams hold forgotten magic too."
Hermione didn't know how to respond, but her curiosity was piqued.
That evening, back in her dormitory, Luna sat by the window. The moon had risen in full, washing the towers of Hogwarts in silver glow. Her fingers traced patterns on the frosty glass.
System Sync: Daily Review Initiated
Magical Energy Stability: +3%
Dream Power: Calibrated — Stable for light experimentation
Spell Capacity Update: 4 total (2 practiced, 2 theoretical)
Status Panel Unlocked: Limited Display
Status Report: Luna Lovegood
Age: 11
House: Ravenclaw
Magical Core Alignment: Harmonized (Dream-Tuned)
Spells Learned:
Lumos: 100% control
Wingardium Leviosa: 72% control
Physical Traits: Enhanced spatial sensitivity
Unique Abilities: Dream-State Observation, Minor Temporal Awareness
System Sync: 52.1%
Note: Magical anomaly detection range increased to 3 meters.
With a quiet breath, Luna closed her eyes. The world melted away into soft colors and shapes. She wandered into a dream filled with glowing strings, some humming with magic, some whispering like old stories. One of the threads pulsed red — a warning.
It hovered over a shadowed figure.
Quirrell.
Even in dreams, he appeared twitchy, cloaked in nervousness. But behind him... was something darker. Something hidden.
System Alert: Fragment Signature Detected
Dark Artifact Link: 17% match (classification: Obscured Soul Fragment)
Risk Level: Elevated
Luna frowned slightly in the dream.
"The threads tangle too early," she whispered to no one in particular.
The dream faded gently. She awoke with a start as dawn broke across the windowpane, coloring the stone walls golden.
Another day, another thread in the weaving.
End of Chapter 14: Classroom Whispers and Wandering Threads