After dinner, Wyzett and Luna didn't head back to the common room. Instead, they slipped down a different corridor, making their way toward the Astronomy Tower.
The Astronomy Tower was the tallest in all of Hogwarts—a place where students gathered for stargazing during Astronomy class.
It was Luna's idea to come here tonight. She wanted to show Wyzett how much she'd learned over the past week.
September in the Scottish Highlands was already bitterly cold at night, and up on the tower, the chill cut even deeper.
But the sky tonight was breathtakingly clear. Stars winked and danced across the velvet darkness, playful as ever.
At the top of the tower, a not-quite-full moon hung high, pale and luminous against the night.
Wyzett did a quick calculation—he had less than a week left to prepare for the first step of becoming an Animagus.
"I found Europa! Come look!" Luna called, her eyes sparkling as she moved aside from the telescope. "There are ocean spirits there—magical beings who froze the surface to protect the sea that gave them life."
Jupiter shone brilliantly in the night sky, its massive bulk easy to spot. Wizards had always been fascinated by it; whole chapters in their Astronomy textbooks were devoted to Jupiter and its moons.
The Europa Luna spoke of—Jupiter's second moon—was covered in ice, with a vast ocean hidden beneath.
Professor Aurora Sinistra had once said that observing Europa was like peering into one's deepest emotions and subconscious.
By coincidence, Professor McGonagall's notes on the Animagus transformation also mentioned Europa. According to her research, the best time to start was on a night when both the full moon and Europa were visible, with a mandrake leaf held in your mouth.
Becoming an Animagus was a kind of ritual magic. With Europa's influence, one could delve deeper into the soul, increasing the chances of success.
Pinpointing Europa's exact position took some effort. All the while, Wyzett could feel Luna's gaze flitting to him—curious and mischievous, like a star that couldn't sit still.
When they finally found Europa, Wyzett stood and rubbed his cheek. "Is there something on my face?"
Luna shook her head, her voice dreamy and distant. "It feels… a little different. But also exactly the same."
"Does it?" Wyzett smiled. "I suppose it is a bit different, but still me."
He'd always found Luna's intuition magical—utterly unique and endlessly fascinating.
A cold wind swept over the tower. Luna tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Is it because of the magic you did earlier?"
"Yeah," Wyzett nodded. "I figured out quite a lot."
He drew his wand and traced a circle in the air. "Expecto Patronum!"
The Patronus Charm burst forth effortlessly. Wyzett carefully kept its silvery glow close, just enough to envelop the two of them.
The world around them brightened. Their shadows on the stone floor seemed to lean together, merging into one.
"That should be warmer, right?" he asked.
Luna nodded. "Exactly the same warmth!"
With the Patronus shielding them, the wind felt less biting.
Luna didn't know many of the moons yet, but Wyzett did. Under his guidance, they kept stargazing, and Luna learned the names of several more satellites. Her eyes curved like crescent moons themselves.
"I suddenly want noodles…" Wyzett said, gazing up at the lopsided moon. For some reason, it made him think of fried eggs and a steaming bowl of longevity noodles.
The Patronus Charm had let him glimpse his soul—reborn, somehow.
Luna tilted her head. "Hannah told me where the kitchens are. Want me to show you?"
"Sure!"
…
They didn't hesitate. Soon, they were back inside the castle.
It felt as if they'd spent hours on the tower. By now, the halls were quiet—most students had already retreated to their common rooms.
"It's getting late…" Luna bit her lip, thinking. "Hannah said to watch out for Filch… and Mrs. Norris is a clever little cat."
Wyzett almost said that, if it was just Filch, there was no real need to worry. But seeing Luna's eager expression, he kept quiet, playing along and pretending they absolutely couldn't let Filch catch them.
Normally, Wyzett explored Hogwarts with the common room and library as his boundaries—never letting it interfere with his classes and studies. He hadn't spent much time in the dungeons.
Together, they tiptoed down the marble staircase, turned left, and soon spotted a wooden door.
Behind it was another staircase. Compared to the one leading to the Potions classroom, this corridor below was much wider.
Paintings lined both sides of the walls—platters of food and goblets of drink, all rendered mouthwateringly real in the flickering torchlight.
"Meow?"
A cat's call echoed behind them.
Luna whispered, "It's Mrs. Norris! We can't let her find us!"
Wyzett started to explain, "Actually, we—"
But Luna grinned. "She's almost here! Quick, let's run!"
Mrs. Norris's meows grew closer. Luna grabbed Wyzett's hand, and together they dashed off.
They raced to a huge painting, hearts pounding so hard it felt like they might burst. Their cheeks were flushed, the firelight making them glow even redder.
Luna glanced back, making sure Mrs. Norris hadn't followed, then leaned against the wall opposite the painting, gasping for breath.
Wyzett slumped nearby, chest heaving. A wild, giddy thrill buzzed in his veins.
He suddenly understood why Fred and George loved this so much—sneaking around after hours, outwitting Filch at every turn.
…
"Mrs. Norris! Did you find students breaking the rules?" Filch's voice sounded oddly excited. "Where are they?"
"Meow, meow, meow…"
"Wyzett?" Filch repeated, puzzled by Mrs. Norris's hesitant mews. "Why would he be running?"
"Meow, meow, meow?"
"He's out at night with someone else?" Filch still looked confused. "So what? I'm not about to catch him—I'm counting on him to make me a wand!"
He pulled a leather pouch from his jacket and took out a fake wand, carefully wrapped in velvet.
"We've been patrolling a while. You must be tired. Let's clean up a bit!" He scooped Mrs. Norris into his arms, his voice cheerful as he cast, "Scourgify!"
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