The afternoon sun filters through the tall windows of the Hogwarts library as Luna and I quietly gather our notes for Magical Creatures class. My cat winds around our legs, purring softly.
"Dionida," Luna whispers, eyes sparkling as she holds a small leather-bound notebook. "I found a hidden path behind Hagrid's cabin. Some creatures only appear there."
I glance at her, curiosity piqued. "You want to go… now?"
She nods, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "It's quiet this time of day. No one will follow. You'll like it."
I laugh softly. "Of course I'll like it. You always find the extraordinary."
We sneak past the edge of the castle grounds, the cool breeze brushing our faces. The forest is alive with rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the faint scent of damp earth. Luna leads confidently, pointing out small tracks and signs of magical creatures.
A sudden rustle catches our attention. Luna crouches, her hand brushing mine as she gestures silently to stay still. From the underbrush emerges a small, fox-like creature, glowing faintly in the dim light. It pauses, curious but cautious.
Luna kneels, murmuring softly. I follow her example, offering it a small piece of fruit we had brought. The creature edges closer, sniffing our hands, and then nuzzles gently against Luna's palm.
"It trusts you," I whisper.
She smiles, looking up at me with those soft, otherworldly eyes. "They can sense kindness… and understanding."
My chest tightens in a way I can't quite explain. This quiet, intimate moment—just Luna, the forest, and me—feels heavier than any classroom lesson or daring adventure.
Suddenly, a shadow passes overhead. I look up to see Buckbeak gliding through the canopy, wings slicing through the golden light. Luna's gaze follows him with awe.
"Magic feels… different here," she murmurs. "Calmer. Softer."
I reach for her hand again. This time, she doesn't hesitate. Our fingers intertwine as we continue deeper into the forest, stepping carefully among roots and fallen leaves, hearts quietly in sync.
The world is vast, full of creatures and wonders. But in this moment, with Luna beside me, it feels like the universe has narrowed to just us—and I would follow her anywhere.
We reach a small clearing deep in the forest. Luna stops suddenly, her eyes widening in awe.
"Shh," she whispers, tugging me gently behind a cluster of ferns. "It's… just ahead."
Peeking through, I see a hidden pool, perfectly still, but shimmering with colors I've never seen—violet, silver, and gold rippling like liquid light. Tiny motes of magic float above the water, dancing like fireflies.
"It's… beautiful," I breathe.
Luna kneels at the edge, brushing her fingers over the water. Ripples spread, but instead of distorting the reflection, the pool reveals visions: small glimpses of magical creatures we've met, Buckbeak soaring above, and moments from our day—the way our hands brushed, our laughter, the gentle touch of her fingers.
"It shows… what's special to us," Luna says softly, eyes glowing with wonder. "Only those who truly notice magic can see it."
I kneel beside her, mesmerized. "So… it's showing us?"
She nods, turning her head so our eyes meet. "I think it likes the bond we share. The pool… recognizes it."
I reach out, letting my hand hover over hers. Luna's fingers curl around mine. For a moment, the world outside—the forest, Hogwarts, even Buckbeak in the distance—fades. It's just her, me, and this glowing pool that seems to hum with quiet enchantment.
Suddenly, the pool shimmers brighter, and I catch a glimpse of ourselves reflected not just as we are, but as we could be—stronger, braver, and glowing with magic we haven't yet discovered.
Luna leans closer, her breath brushing my cheek. "Dionida… sometimes, the most extraordinary things are hidden where no one thinks to look."
My heart races. "Then I'm glad we looked together."
She smiles, shy and radiant, and the pool ripples gently under our hands—a secret only we share.
The pool's ripples shimmer in hues of silver and violet as Luna and I linger at the edge. Suddenly, the water quivers sharply, and a soft humming sound fills the air—like a melody made of wind and starlight.
From the center of the pool, a creature rises, unlike anything I've ever seen.
It has the body of a small deer, delicate and slender, but its fur glows faintly, like moonlight caught in mist. Its eyes are liquid amber, intelligent and curious, and from its back sprout tiny, translucent wings that glimmer like gossamer. The pool reflects its image perfectly, making it seem as if it is floating in both water and air.
Luna gasps softly. "It's… a Luminareal," she whispers, almost reverently. "I've read about them—they're invisible to most, only revealing themselves to those who notice magic in ordinary things. And… they bond to those who are kind and courageous."
The creature steps closer, and I instinctively hold out my hand. The Luminareal's nose brushes against my fingers, warm and light, almost like a spark. Then it nudges Luna's hand, gently intertwining the tip of its tiny wing with hers.
"It's choosing us," Luna breathes. "We can see it because… it knows we care. We notice."
I glance at her, heart racing. "Do you… think it's safe?"
She smiles, eyes shimmering. "Completely. It wouldn't appear if we weren't meant to meet it. This… this is special, Dionida."
The creature glows brighter and then leaps gracefully across the pool, leaving tiny sparkling footprints in midair that fade like morning dew. Luna laughs softly—light and musical—and reaches out to me.
"We should follow it," she says. "It will show us where its kind live. Hidden places no one else finds."
My chest tightens. "An adventure… just the two of us?"
"Yes," Luna whispers, fingers curling around mine. "Just us. And… maybe it will teach us something about ourselves too."
The Luminareal turns its head as if to beckon, and with a flutter of its tiny wings, it darts into the forest. Luna grabs my hand, and I follow her without hesitation.
The pool shimmers one last time, reflecting only our joined hands and the faint glow of magic around us.
For the first time, I feel it: we've entered a secret world together—one only we can see, only we can understand.