Chapter 4
The Lovegoods were a family dear to the Weasleys, residing but a short stroll from Auburndale.
Xenophilius Lovegood had once made a modest living as a magical artifacts trader in the village of Ottery St. Catchpole before being appointed as a respected member of the court one summer.
However prestigious the position, this lofty position did not go to his head.
Searching for a broader home for his family and his many trades and trinkets, he moved his family to an estate christened Crescent Hall, about a mile away.
There he could contemplate his curious artifacts in peace, no longer burdened by work or business.
Good-natured by default, he never lost his obliging temperament or earnest wish to please. His investiture in court simply made him overly decorous.
He now greeted every lord, lady, and house elf with profuse courtesy and deference, no matter their station. But his affability never crossed into contempt for his social inferiors. However socially important he became, Xenophilius stayed the same amiable fellow at heart, abiding by the gentlemanly conduct of the era.
Though now considering himself a personage of rank, he retained his propensity for fanciful tales and speculative theories - an amusing idiosyncrasy in the eyes of his genteel peers. The Lovegoods remained a respectable, if eccentric, fixture of the county's society.
Lady Pandora Lovegood, blessed with ethereal beauty and a spirit of adventure, was a gentlewoman of good breeding and warm disposition in her youth.
Her golden tresses glimmered like sunshine, and her eyes shimmered like pools of crystal water.
Though not exceedingly witty, her kindly nature and melodic laugh rendered her a treasured friend to her neighbour Mrs. Weasley. Lady Lovegood was blessed with but one child, a dreamy yet clever girl of tender years named Luna.
Dear Luna, with her faraway gaze and air of whimsy, was the particular confidant of Miss Ginny Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger.
The young ladies oft shared amusing confidences and girlish laughter that rang through the halls of Auburndale.
They would lounge in the meadows, smelling the sweet blooms and feeling the tickle of grass on their skin as they spoke of fanciful things.
Alas, when Miss Luna Lovegood was but a child of eight, Lady Lovegood passed suddenly from this world, leaving behind her grieving husband and solitary daughter.
From then on, it was only Miss Lovegood and her father residing alone.
The gravel lane leading to Crescent Hall was dappled with dancing shadows as sunlight filtered through the swaying willows.
Birdsong and the faint babbling of a nearby brook filled the air with a symphony of merry sounds. As the Weasleys strolled down the lane, the sweet scent of honeysuckle teased their noses, beckoning them towards the stately manor that lay just ahead.
The day succeeding the ball at London was one which necessitated a meeting between them.
After all, the events of the dance must be thoroughly examined.
Meeting Luna and her father in this new reality was rather shocking for Hermione.
However, she had oddly grown accustomed to the bizarre feeling.
After all, these were all her friends.
Hermione spotted a wreath of dandelions crowning Luna's nearly white locks.
Inside, the aroma of freshly baked pie welcomed them.
"You started off splendidly last night, Luna," said Mrs. Weasley with polite composure. "You were Mr. Potter's first dance partner."
"Yes, but he seemed rather fond of his second partner," Luna replied airily, her voice light as the tinkle of windchimes.
"Oh, you must mean Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "He did dance with her twice after all. It certainly appeared he admired her—I overheard whispers to that effect though I scarcely grasped it all."
Later, stepping into the cozy sitting room, Xenophilius Lovegood stretched himself across the lounge, his orange slippered feet resting on the armrest as he sighed loudly.
“My dear Luna, finding a husband is the least of your concerns,” he remarked.
Giving him a loving glance, his daughter offered a dreamy smile as she gently misted the potted plants, droplets glistening on their leaves like morning dew.
The earthy aroma of moist soil mingled with the sweet floral scents in the air.
Hermione inhaled deeply, comforted by the smells that reminded her of the Burrow's garden.
“Not many men share your perspectives, father.” Luna's airy voice floated melodically.
Intrigued, Hermione delved deeper.
“Whatever do you mean by that, Mr. Lovegood?”
Xenophilius sighed again, shaking his head slightly.
"Luna sees the world differently than most, even from a young age. She has always been open to possibilities that others dismiss. Not everyone can understand and appreciate her unique perspectives, let alone her faith in things unseen."
Luna smiled serenely.
“Like Nargles.”
Hermione laughed lightly at the familiar statement. Even here in this vivid illusion, Luna's unique beliefs remained unchanged.
"You worry too much, Father. In time I will find someone who shares my sense of wonder, or at least accepts me as I am." She tilted her head thoughtfully, blond curls spilling over her shoulder. "Hermione, could you try on this necklace? I made it myself from butterbeer corks."
Hermione examined the charming necklace of corks, fashioned by Luna's creativity. The smooth wooden beads felt comforting in her palm. Carefully she placed it around her neck, touched by her friend's whimsical gesture.
“It’s lovely, Luna. You’re so clever to have made this.” Hermione admired the craftsmanship of the necklace, envisioning Luna patiently stringing each cork.
Luna beamed, tendrils of hair floating around her face in the breeze from the open window.
“I hoped the corks would help ward off Wrackspurts. They can make your thoughts go all fuzzy, you know.”
Hermione smiled affectionately. Luna’s unique perspective never failed to uplift her.
“Well, I can certainly feel it working already,” she assured.
Xenophilius chuckled from the lounge.
“That’s our Luna, marching to the beat of her own drummer.”
His eyes were full of paternal pride for his delightfully singular daughter.
As a tray of biscuits covered in powdered sugar emerged floating from their eccentric kitchen, Ginny quickly snatched one between her fingers.
The sweet, buttery aroma wafted through the cozy room. Ginny took a bite, the crisp cookie crumbling delicately on her tongue, releasing bursts of vanilla flavor.
Sitting in quiet comfort on the overstuffed sofa, the girls simply admired their surroundings while Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Lovegood conversed.
Hermione sunk into the plush cushions, letting the gentle murmur of pleasant conversation wash over her.
She breathed in the smells of baking biscuits mingling with freshly cut lilies arranged artfully on the sideboard.
Luna sat nearby in a patch of late afternoon sunshine, serenely flipping through a book on magical potions. The golden light streaming through the lead-paned windows brought out glints of brightness in her wavy blonde hair.
Luna seemed utterly content, pausing now and then to gaze dreamily out at the clouds drifting lazily by.
“Hermione...” she mused in her soft, lilting voice.
“Yes, Luna?” Hermione smiled affectionately at her whimsical friend.
Luna did not reply, yet simply stood up and took gentle, barefoot steps across the Oriental rug toward her. Turning the leather-bound book around, Hermione’s mouth flew agape in surprise as Ginny's half-eaten biscuit tumbled from her lips onto the rug below.
There, in Luna's book, was an intricate illustration of a sparkling hourglass pendant, its golden sand magically frozen in place. Delicate scrollwork and gemstones adorned the antique locket.
Hermione's heart quickened as she read the caption -
'Time-Turner: an ancient device rumored to permit travel between the ages.'
Could this be the answer to her predicament?
A way back to her own era?
Her mind raced, but she maintained an even tone as she met Luna's protuberant silvery eyes.
“H-how do you know Luna?” whispered Ginny urgently, her voice taut like a bowstring.
“Know what?” Luna responded airily, her wide-eyed innocent aura now full of unspoken knowledge.
Hermione inhaled the familiar scent of old parchment and ink emanating from the ancient text. Her fingers trembled slightly as they traced over the weathered page, feeling the impressions left by the printing press centuries ago.
All eyes were on Luna as she gazed placidly back and forth between Hermione and Ginny.
A secretive smile played at the corners of her mouth.
Finally, she spoke.
“The answers you seek are closer than you know.” Her lilting voice was barely above a whisper.
“What do you mean?” Hermione pushed further; her own voice taut with curiosity.
The icy-haired girl extended her slender hands palms up for her friends. Taking them tentatively, Ginny and Hermione allowed Luna to lead them down the oak-paneled corridors of their home.
Her bare feet made no sound on the runner carpets lining the hallway. Portraits of white-haired ancestors gazed down solemnly as the girls passed by.
Slowly but surely, they arrived at Luna's bedroom on the third floor. The scent of fresh flowers and potpourri wafted from the cracked-open door. Luna gently pushed it open to reveal a room bathed in amber afternoon light.
Dreamcatchers and crystals dangled from the canopy bed, slowly twisting in the breeze from the open window.
Luna crossed silently to the antique armoire in the corner. Turning back, she fixed both girls with her penetrating moon-like gaze.
"What we seek is often where we least expect it," she murmured cryptically.
With a flourish, Luna opened the wooden doors to reveal a stunning sapphire gown that seemed to glitter with its own inner light.
Ginny gasped audibly. Hermione's mind whirled, connecting the clues - this was no ordinary dress.
Luna gently lifted the shimmering sapphire gown from the armoire, holding it up to the light.
As it caught the sun's rays, it seemed to ripple like water, the intricate beading sparkling like stars on a night sky.
"My mother left me this dress," Luna remarked, her voice hushed in reverence.
She stroked the fine silken fabric, feeling its magic thrum beneath her fingertips. "Legend says it has the power to transport the wearer through time, though none have dared to try."
Hermione's heartbeat quickened, hope and fear mingling in her chest.
Could this ethereal dress be the way back to her own reality?
She gazed at the shimmering gown longingly even as doubts crowded her mind.
“How is that possible?” Ginny gasped, freckled face etched with wonder.
Placing the dress gently back in the antique armoire, Luna brought out her slender birch wand from where it was tucked behind her unruly mane. The thin magical item had been entirely hidden behind her wispy hair.
As she withdrew it, the lilac, blue, and periwinkle feathers hanging from Luna's dreamcatchers appeared to take flight, drifting off their woven hoops like colored clouds.
The feathers swayed and danced through the sun-kissed air, circling lazily around the three girls.
Hermione felt the gentle brush of their silken tips against her cheek, carrying the faint scents of meadow flowers.
Coming together in front of them, the feathers suddenly arranged themselves into shapes, which quickly transformed into flickering images.
Hermione's eyes widened as a scene took form - a beautiful lady wearing the sapphire gown, dancing in a candlelit ballroom with a handsome gentleman. His hand was pressed to the small of her back, her skirts swirling like water around her feet as they waltzed gracefully to the strains of a string quartet.
The vision felt so real Hermione could almost hear the trilling violins and delighted laughter echoing off marble walls.
But then the feathers changed hue, turning soft pink.
The lady was now on her knees, gown spread around her, face etched with longing as she cried out silently to someone just out of sight.
As quickly as it appeared, the image dissolved back into a kaleidoscope of drifting feathers that slowly settled to the floor.
Luna's eyes held ancient wisdom as she met Hermione's gaze.
"The gown's magic is old and powerful," Luna remarked, her soft voice floating dreamily. "If you truly wish to return home, it will guide the way."
“Then let’s put it on!” Hermione exclaimed in a rush, rising swiftly to her feet. Heart pounding, she made her way to the carved armoire, reaching for the shimmering sapphire gown.
But with a lilting giggle, Luna placed a hand gently on hers, stopping her mid-motion.
“Well, it won’t work right this second, of course.”
“Why?” Hermione asked, deflated.
She ran her fingers over the gown's silken skirt, feeling its magic thrumming just below the surface.
“Because” Luna smiled mysteriously, “it only activates its powers under the light of a full moon.” She bent down, collecting the fallen feathers off the floorboards and placing them back onto the dreamcatchers one by one.
“I wonder if the Nargles are involved somehow...”
Hermione sighed, the excitement that had risen within her retreating like the tide.
Of course, it could not be that simple.
Powerful magic often demanded specific conditions.
Ginny placed a comforting hand on Hermione’s shoulder, giving it a supportive squeeze. “Next full moon is only two weeks away. It will be here before you know it.”
“Well, what am I meant to do in the meantime?” Hermione groaned, letting herself fall back onto the downy comforter, feeling its softness envelope her.
“Life, of course!” chimed Luna, her voice light and lyrical.
Earning puzzled looks from the girls, she smiled serenely and elaborated further.
“You see, time magic works exclusively with intent. It senses the deepest desires of one's heart and spirit." Luna began slowly wandering the room, trailing her fingers over the crystals dangling from the ceiling.
"If you were transported to a reality different from your own, you must have held some powerful intent within that drew you specifically to this time and place."
Luna poured steaming cups of fragrant lilac tea, the floral aroma filling the room.
She offered them to her friends before continuing.
"You didn't arrive here by mere chance or accident, Hermione. At the level of your soul, you chose to come to this reality."
Luna's dreamy voice echoed through the sunlit room as Hermione's brow furrowed, mulling over her words.
She sipped the fragrant lilac tea, feeling its warmth spread through her.
Ginny sat motionless on the embroidered bedspread, eyes wide as saucers, clutching a purple feather in her hand.
“Bloody hell...am I not real?” Ginny suddenly cried, alarm raising the pitch of her voice.
“You are, just...not on my timeline, Gin,” Hermione said gently, meeting her frightened gaze.
Luna floated gracefully down to the Persian rug, her diaphanous skirts settling around her. She crossed her legs, the colorful beads around her wrists clicking together melodically.
"The gown reacts to your innermost longings, Hermione," she said softly. "To go home, you must reconnect with what first called you here. Only by resolving that can you move forward."
Hermione nodded slowly, understanding blooming within her mind even as her heart felt conflicted.
The scent of lilac filled her senses, calming her nerves.
Luna was right - the way back led inward.
She had to rediscover what drew her spirit to this reality in the first place.
Only then could the gown's magic propel her homeward.
Luckily for her, she had until the next full moon to discover what had drawn her to this strange reality.
Eventually, Mrs. Weasley's voice rang up the winding staircase, summoning the girls down from Luna's room as the afternoon crept towards dusk. Their lively conversation drew to a reluctant close, as downstairs Xenophilius stifled a yawn into his handkerchief.
He had grown weary over the hours of listening to Mrs. Weasley's exhaustive opinions on Ginny's imminent courtship with the eligible Mr. Potter. The intricacies of proper courting rituals and speculation about wedding dates were of little interest to Xenophilius' scholarly mind.
Showing her friends out the round front door, Luna waved gently as Hermione began to walk down the pebbled garden path towards the awaiting carriage, her daily shoes crunching on the stones.
The soft scent of honeysuckle hung sweetly in the evening air.
Before they left, one lingering doubt remained fixed in Hermione's mind. She turned back, hesitant to break the tranquility of the dusk.
"Luna...how did you know? About me?"
Luna tilted her head, eyes glinting in the fading light.
"You told me, of course!" she responded airily.
"No, I never did..." Hermione frowned, racking her brain for any recollection of confiding in Luna.
She drew a blank.
"Not with your words, Mione." Luna's smiled innocently. "The Nargles told me as soon as you came in. They can sense these things, you know."
Dissatisfied with her cryptic response, Hermione pressed further.
"But how did the Nargles themselves uncover my situation?"
"Oh, they have ways of discerning what's hidden to most." Luna gazed up at the dusky lavender sky, where the first stars were emerging. "The unseen world whispers its secrets if you learn how to listen. Most turn a deaf ear, but I hear its music."
Hermione sighed, realizing no further explanation would be forthcoming from her whimsical friend whose inner life danced to a rhythm only she could hear.
She bid Luna goodnight and walked on, feet crunching on the gravel path. Ginny and Mrs. Weasley's voices floated back to her on the cool evening breeze as she trailed behind them.
The winding path back to Auburndale was illuminated by fireflies drifting through the cobwebbed hedgerows like roaming stars come to earth.
Her mind churned with more questions than answers, but she found comfort knowing Luna would guide her along this strange journey in her own unique way.
For now, the magic of the coming full moon and the whispering world beyond sensing would have to wait.
Observing them depart, Luna waved gently, her dirigible plums earrings swaying as she watched her friends depart down the garden path.
The evening air was fragrant with the perfume of night-blooming flowers.
From upstairs, the tinkling notes of a music box drifted down, Xenophilius' cue that it was time to prepare for dinner.
With a contented smile, Luna closed the door and hummed along softly, her thoughts already wandering to fantastical creatures only she could see.