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With the goodbyes winding down, it was finally Luna's turn.
The dreamy girl quietly approached me and hugged me.
I hugged her back, wrapping my arms around her as a small smile appeared on my face.
"I'm going to miss you." She said it so naturally that, for a moment, I was actually a little surprised.
Sensing the affection, sadness and longing she was already beginning to feel, my smile softened.
"I'm going to miss you too." I slightly tightened the hug.
We stayed like that for a few seconds, simply enjoying this last moment together before we'd have to wait who knew how long to see each other again.
Then, Luna pulled back just enough to look at me.
"You're coming back next school year, aren't you?" she suddenly asked, looking a little anxious.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you think I wouldn't?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"Well..." She began quietly. "I heard some girls talking in the Common Room yesterday. They said that, because of all the trouble this year, you would probably transfer to another school."
As she explained, Luna couldn't hide the sadness and fear that were beginning to take over her emotions, lowering her head slightly.
Seeing her reaction, I let out a quiet sigh.
'Those gossipy girls...' I thought, caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation.
"Look, Luna." I gently lifted her head so she would look at me. "I don't know where they got that from, but you can relax. I have no intention of abandoning Hogwarts or any of you."
Luna remained silent for a few moments, staring at me as if she were searching my face for any sign that I was lying.
Then, little by little, a happy and relieved smile appeared on her face.
She hugged me even tighter, burying her head against my chest.
"That's good." Her voice came out slightly muffled against my clothes.
I chuckled softly and gently stroked her blonde hair.
"Yeah. So you're going to have to keep putting up with me for a few more years." I joked.
"I can do that." She replied softly.
After that, we stayed in each other's arms for a few more moments, lost in that comforting, warm feeling.
But we both knew we couldn't stay there all day. Our parents were still waiting for us, and at some point we'd finally have to head home.
Reluctantly, we broke the hug.
Luna took a few steps back, looking at me once again with her usual cheerful and dreamy expression.
"Have a good holiday, Ethan Night... and don't forget to watch out for the Wrackspurts." She said, waving goodbye.
I smiled.
"You too, Luna Lovegood."
Luna smiled one last time before turning around and skipping away, disappearing into the crowd in search of her father.
Meanwhile, I watched her for a few seconds before finally turning around.
That's when I spotted my family waiting for me near one of the platform's pillars.
I'd already sensed them approaching some time earlier. But apparently, my parents had decided to keep their distance while I said goodbye to Luna, not wanting to interrupt.
The problem was that this also meant they'd watched the whole thing.
And now, both mom and dad were calmly staring at me with those knowing smiles plastered across their faces.
I knew that kind of smile very well... and I didn't like it one bit.
'They're definitely not going to let this go...' I thought, looking away as I felt a slight warmth creep into my face.
Unfortunately, I knew there was no way I could escape my fate.
With a resigned sigh, I walked towards them.
"Finally." My dad commented as soon as I reached them.
Then, a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes.
"You know... for a moment, I thought you were going to spend the rest of the day hugging Luna." He teased.
I paused for a moment.
My lips twitched.
'Yeah... I was right.'
Before I could answer, my mom stepped forward and opened her arms.
"Come here, my little Romeo." She said with a soft smile.
'Even you, Mom?' I sighed internally.
Still, I walked over to her.
She immediately pulled me into a tight hug.
"Ignore your father's teasing, dear." Mom affectionately ran a hand down my back. "He's just a grumpy old man who's jealous of your charm and good looks."
My dad, who had been smiling until then, felt his smile fade when he heard that.
Slowly, he turned his head towards mom with an expression of pure indignation.
'Why did nobody warn me that friendly fire was enabled?'
My mom simply ignored his look and continued.
"Besides, from what little we've seen, Luna seems like an amazing girl. She's beautiful, friendly, clever and very kind... We really like her."
I smiled.
"Thanks, Mom. I'm sure she—"
"That's why I approve of her."
...
...
...
My smile froze.
For a few seconds, I simply stood there, trying to process what she'd just said.
Slowly, I pulled away and stared at mom.
"Hehe... sorry, but I don't think I heard that right." I laughed nervously.
"I said I approve of Luna." She repeated clearly and directly.
"???"
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Completely stunned, I could only stare at the woman in front of me, utterly speechless.
I looked away slightly and searched for my dad, only to find him staring intently at the station clock as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.
Even so, I couldn't help noticing the small amused smile at the corner of his mouth.
Traitor.
Cele, who was holding my dad's hand, blinked her bright little eyes, clearly confused by the conversation.
My mom, though, looked extremely happy and satisfied, as if she'd just made a very good deal.
At that moment, I had the distinct impression that she was already planning my wedding in her head.
Realising that mom was getting more and more carried away with her own thoughts and that, at this rate, it wouldn't be long before she started imagining her future grandchildren, I decided to clear up this misunderstanding before things went any further.
"Mom, Luna and I don't have that sort of relationship. We're just good friends." I quickly explained.
"Don't worry, dear." Mom casually waved a hand, as if that were a completely irrelevant detail. "Your father and I were just good friends too before we started dating."
"???"
I remained silent for a few more seconds, staring at mom again as she continued smiling with that dreamy expression on her face.
'Why do I get the feeling she's not even listening to me?' I thought, slightly exasperated..
Then I paused for a moment.
'No, wait... how did the conversation even get here in the first place?!'
I was still trying to figure out how a simple and innocent goodbye between friends had turned into an evaluation of my potential future girlfriend when a familiar voice sounded behind me.
"Ethan!"
That call gave me the perfect excuse to escape this awkward situation, and for a second, I almost felt like thanking the heavens.
Turning around, I saw Harry walking towards us, accompanied by Hermione and Sirius.
'Harry... my saviour.' I thought, feeling an immense sense of relief.
Seriously, I'd never been so happy to see these three.
Noticing me staring at him, Harry began slowing down.
'Er... why is he looking at me like that?' he wondered, starting to feel a little nervous.
"Hey, everyone!" Sirius waved at us, quickly taking over the conversation.
"Hey."
"Hi, Sirius."
My parents, Cele and I greeted him back.
As soon as he stopped in front of us, Sirius flashed me that characteristic mischievous grin of his.
"How's our new celebrity doing? Enjoying all the attention?" he asked, clearly amused by the situation.
I rolled my eyes.
"You know, if you're jealous, you can just say so. We won't judge you."
Then I lifted my chin and gazed towards the horizon with the most solemn expression I could manage.
"Unfortunately, not everyone can be as amazing or handsome as me." I sighed dramatically. "It's a shame... for all of you."
In response, I received looks of pure disdain from Harry, Hermione and my dad.
Mom and Cele, on the other hand, simply looked at me with expressions of admiration and complete approval.
"Jealous? Me?" Sirius laughed, as if I'd just said the most ridiculous thing in the world.
He then ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair and smiled arrogantly.
"You should know that when I was your age, my fame had already spread all across Great Britain too."
"Yeah... as the disappointment of your family." I shot back, giving him a disdainful look.
The smile disappeared from Sirius's face.
He looked away.
"Ahem... you can question my methods, but not my results."
"Oh, sure..." I scoffed. "I'm sure your dear mother would agree with you."
Sirius lost what little confidence he had left and lowered his head.
'Why do I even bother arguing with him?'
Clearly not wanting to let the conversation end on that note, Sirius quickly decided to change the subject.
"But anyway, back on track..." He recovered his smile and looked back at me. "Are you ready for the holidays?"
"More than ready." I replied, smiling as well.
"Any plans?"
"A few, but nothing too certain yet. What about you?"
"Not getting arrested again, I suppose." Sirius shrugged, clearly joking.
I nodded.
"Excellent plan... but I think that's going to be a little difficult for you."
"Hey!" Sirius exclaimed indignantly.
Before his godfather could embarrass himself even more, Harry pushed him aside and took his place in front of me.
"So, Ethan..." He began, changing the subject. "Hermione, Ron and I were thinking about having a game night at my house sometime. Fancy coming?"
"A game night?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. And it won't just be us." Harry continued, smiling excitedly. "The twins and Ginny will be there. I've also invited Neville, and Ginny said she'd invite Luna."
"Well..." I scratched my chin, pretending to seriously consider the offer. "I might be pretty busy during the holidays."
Harry's smile disappeared almost immediately.
But before he could get too disappointed, I continued.
"But you know what? A game night sounds pretty good." I smiled. "Just tell me when it'll be, and I'll make some time to come over."
Harry quickly lifted his head.
"Really?" His eyes lit up.
"Of course." I nodded.
A huge smile immediately appeared on Harry's face, and he exchanged a pleased look with Hermione, who smiled back.
End.
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