Chapter 33: Crafting the New Item
When she said she'd do it, she did it. Lyra had always been a woman of action—at least, when it came to Magic Formations.
"What are you making this time, Lyra?"
That's right, Miss Lovegood was here. Lyra hadn't forgotten that she'd promised her friend to invite her along the next time she crafted a formation item.
Lyra cleared her throat softly and said, "I'm... I'm making a... a tool... for long-distance communication."
"Long-distance communication?" Luna tilted her head, pondering for a moment. "Like an owl?"
"You can't make an owl, can you?"
"It's... it's more convenient than an owl..." Lyra pressed her lips together, glancing at Theia, who was perched on the windowsill. "And... and much more reassuring."
"Reassuring?" Luna nodded thoughtfully. "You mean it can't be intercepted by the Ministry?"
That's not it at all... I mean, they're not nearly as terrifying as owls... Eek!
Lyra once again saw Theia's head swivel 180 degrees to look at her. She quickly lowered her head and took a few deep breaths.
"Are these the materials?" Luna didn't seem to notice, her gaze shifting to the various jars and vials on the table. "There seem to be a lot more than last time."
"A new experiment, right?"
Miss Lovegood really is perceptive.
Lyra nodded gently. "This time... I'm using... a new formation I just learned." As she said this, Lyra felt that thrill of excitement again, as if she had just learned the new Ancient Runes yesterday.
Come to think of it, it was yesterday...
"These are the two new Ancient Runes I learned." Lyra held up the parchment. "The semicircle rune means 'Connect,' and the other one means 'Transmit'... As long as you engrave the formations on two objects, you can achieve long-distance communication."
She paused, checking that Luna was still listening with the same interest before continuing, "The 'Connect' rune can link two things over a long distance, and the 'Transmit' rune can make a change in one object... spread to the other."
"Using these... I should be able to make... a simple communication device..."
"In that case, if you engraved it on a pumpkin, would you know when the pumpkin was ripe, even if you were in Scandinavia?" Luna asked, her voice melodious.
"Th-That won't work." Lyra immediately shook her head. Then she realized she might have been too blunt. She quickly pressed her lips together and explained softly, "I... I mean... formations can't be engraved on living things. Plants, too."
"I see." Luna nodded and blinked. "So, who are you planning to give it to, Lyra?"
"Give it... to who?" Lyra froze, not understanding what Luna meant.
"Who are you giving the communication device to?" Luna sat down next to Lyra. "It's a set of two, right? For two different people?"
"Ah... the device..." Lyra marveled at how fast Miss Lovegood's mind worked. She hadn't actually considered this... Who should she give it to?
Mr. Lupin?
But Mr. Lupin said he'd use an owl... I haven't even received a single letter from him yet...
Or maybe... Lyra looked at Luna, who was smiling beside her.
What about Miss Lovegood? Would that... be bothering her? If she had this, I might not be able to stop myself from chatting with her at night... like a real friend...
"Can it be for me?" Luna's pretty eyes blinked. She reached out and gave the lost-in-thought Lyra's ear a gentle tug.
"Ngh!" Lyra jolted as if shocked and stumbled back. "S-Sorry..."
"You just said..."
"I asked if it can be for me," Luna repeated. "That way, we can chat and contact each other anytime."
"Miss Lovegood... you want to... contact me anytime?" Lyra instinctively pressed her lips together.
"Of course." Luna tilted her head. "Don't you, Lyra?"
"Or were you planning to give it to someone else?"
"No, no... that's... that's not what I meant." Lyra's head shook like a rattle.
"I just thought... I'd be bothering you..." Lyra said, peeking up at Luna's expression.
Luna's expression didn't change. She just said, with great anticipation, "Of course not."
"We're friends."
Ah... I almost forgot. It's not just me. She also considers me her third-best friend, right after her dad and the Crumple-Horned Snorkack.
So this is what friends are like?
Lyra's face flushed. "Th... Thank you..."
"You really are an interesting person, Lyra," Luna giggled. "You're the one giving me a gift."
So this is a gift? I... I've managed to complete such a difficult task without even realizing it? Giving a gift to a friend?
Lyra said, flustered, "That's right... it... it's a gift..."
"You should be thanking me... no... that's not what I meant..."
What am I saying... Lyra really wanted to slap her own stupid mouth.
Maybe I'll do it after Miss Lovegood leaves... assuming she's not angry.
Of course, Luna wouldn't get angry over something like that. She just let out another light laugh. "Sometimes Lyra is even more interesting than Daddy."
I keep telling you, that's not a good comparison!
"Okay, let's start." After that "tense and exciting" chat with Miss Lovegood, Lyra was finally ready to begin.
Crafting this item would probably take a while, too. This was her first time engraving these two formations, and on such a small item.
As a communication device that could be used at any time, Lyra certainly didn't want to choose something heavy or difficult to carry.
Therefore, she had chosen a pair of wristbands... one for the left, and one for the right.
Looking at the black leather wristbands, Lyra took a deep breath.
These wristbands had cost her quite a few Galleons. It was the food money Mr. Lupin had left for her during his absence. Lyra didn't eat much, so she had a lot leftover.
After searching this morning, she had chosen this pair. They were plain cowhide, not eye-catching or a special style—the best choice for a wizard who didn't like to stand out.
This wasn't just Lyra's opinion; it was what the product description said.
They were perfect for her...
Lyra bit her lip, picked up the quill, and gently dipped it into the ink made from her own blood.