After Wyzett and his companions stowed their luggage at the inn, they slipped effortlessly into holiday mode.
Following the itinerary Xenophilius had so enthusiastically arranged, their first stop was the city of Stockholm—two days to soak up the sights and rhythms of Muggle life, and, of course, to visit the nearby wizarding market for a few magical souvenirs.
Once they'd explored Stockholm, they'd head to a nearby island, a wizarding enclave known as Midgard. Rumor had it that a Crumple-Horned Snorkack had been spotted there, and, tantalizingly, a horn was said to remain.
They planned to linger in the village for a while, determined to scour every inch of the island in their quest for the elusive creature.
The trio emerged from the inn and found themselves drawn to a bustling outdoor café. As they watched the locals zip by on bicycles, Luna's eyes lit up with curiosity—she wanted to try this Muggle contraption for herself.
Neither Wyzett nor Xenophilius could think of a single reason to refuse.
After a quick chat with the café owner, Wyzett managed to borrow three bicycles, and soon they were wheeling them into the square for a crash course in cycling.
"Sweetheart, you must be careful…" Xenophilius fussed, eyeing Luna as she positioned her feet on the pedals.
Wyzett offered a reassuring grin. "Don't worry, Mr. Lovegood. My Levitation Charm might not be able to lift boulders, but keeping a bicycle upright? That's easy."
Luna nodded confidently. "I'm fine, Dad. Didn't Wyzett say it's easy to learn?"
He'd already demonstrated the basics, and with Luna's knack for picking up new skills, she'd have it in no time. Besides, Wyzett had mastered the art of wandless, wordless Levitation Charm—he could keep her steady without anyone noticing.
Luna knew this, too. With a quick "OK" sign, she gave a determined push and glided forward on her bike.
A moment later, the front wheel wobbled wildly and the frame began to tilt. Her face tensed with panic.
With a snap of his fingers, Wyzett righted both the wheel and the bike, letting her coast forward a little farther.
"Don't worry—I've got you," he called with a warm smile. "Just pedal boldly!"
Relief washed over Luna's features, replaced by a beaming grin. She seemed to catch the rhythm and confidence all at once, pushing down hard on the pedals and shooting ahead.
In less than fifteen minutes, she was circling Wyzett and Xenophilius—even without magical help.
Still, Wyzett kept his Levitation Charm ready, just in case. Luna sensed his watchful magic and, emboldened, even let go of the handlebars, stretching her arms wide to catch the wind.
Wyzett glanced over at Xenophilius. "Need a hand, Mr. Lovegood?"
Clutching his handlebars, Xenophilius tried to push off, but the front wheel veered and he had to plant his foot to keep from falling—a bit undignified.
"Ahem! It's actually quite simple… I'm nearly there!" he insisted, waving them off. "Don't distract me—go have fun! We'll meet at the market in three hours. And don't let Luna fall!"
"Understood!" Wyzett hopped onto his bike and zipped off to join Luna.
Sometimes, the true magic of travel isn't the destination, but the people and scenes along the way.
Stockholm was in its prime for wandering. Daylight stood guard like a tireless sentinel over Sweden, holding the sky in a perpetual embrace. Even when night tried to steal in, it was swiftly banished—a mere brushstroke of darkness against the city's bright, warm canvas. The sky was painted in hues of white and gold, with only the faintest hint of melancholy blue as dusk flickered by.
Wyzett and Luna rode side by side, weaving through streets both modern and steeped in old-world charm. When they hit cobblestones, Luna's laughter tinkled like wind chimes, each bump sending a ripple of delight through her voice.
When she tired, they strolled their bikes along the riverbank, savoring the city's unique spirit. They basked in the afternoon sun, listened to street musicians, sampled local treats from food stalls, and paused by the water to watch birds skim the surface or fish leap into the light.
In this nearly endless Scandinavian day, the two of them wandered, played, and finally arrived at the wizarding market.
Xenophilius had only just made it himself. His bike bore the scars of a rough ride—scratches and dents in abundance.
He raised his eyebrows at Wyzett, sending a silent signal.
Wyzett caught on immediately, coughing lightly and adopting an admiring tone. "Mr. Lovegood, you're so quick! You beat us here by a mile."
Luna giggled, nodding. "Dad rides so fast—much faster than us!"
"Of course!" Xenophilius straightened, a smug smile on his lips. "It must've been Wyzett leading you the wrong way. Otherwise, Luna would've beaten me here, no question."
Playing along, Wyzett saw Luna wink at him and nodded. "Absolutely, it was all my fault. I'm hopelessly lost—first day here, after all."
"Hmph! As long as you know." Xenophilius arched his brows, as if to say, "You're learning, kid."
Luna caught the exchange and burst into a fresh round of laughter.
To enter Stockholm's wizard market, they had to slip through a wall stacked high with pungent, rotting fish. Inside, there was no sign of traditional shops—just a sprawling open-air plaza.
A handful of towering wizards patrolled the perimeter, wands at the ready, keeping order.
The market itself was a riot of noise and color. Instead of storefronts, wizards sat cross-legged on linen cloths, their wares spread out before them. Crowds gathered around each stall, haggling and debating over everything from potions to peculiar trinkets.
The lively chaos made Wyzett feel oddly nostalgic, as if he were wandering a night market from another life.
Knowing Wyzett's knack for negotiation, Xenophilius entrusted him with the all-important task of picking out local specialties.
They'd worked out a secret code: Xenophilius would purse his lips and put on a look of deep, inscrutable wisdom. If Wyzett fancied an item, he'd give a subtle magical cue—lifting the hair atop Xenophilius's head with a Levitation Charm meant "great value," while a twitch at the back of his head meant "time to haggle."
All Xenophilius had to do was pick up the item, study it thoughtfully, and lower his voice to bargain—keeping his words as simple as possible.
Noticing Xenophilius still looked a bit lost, Wyzett nudged him. "Mr. Lovegood, just picture Professor Snape's face—that's the look you want."
Realization dawned. "Ah! Now I've got it."
Luna found the whole scheme absolutely delightful and couldn't wait to see their performance unfold…
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