To outsiders, Luna seemed like the quiet, absent-minded type, a girl of few words. In truth, that was largely accurate. But beneath her seemingly indifferent exterior, she was far more sensitive and perceptive than most girls. She simply didn't like to speak of it or show it.
So when hesitation crept into Draco's voice and a rare seriousness appeared on his face, Luna noticed it at once....
As she set her cup down, a thought crossed her mind.
Is there something wrong with this issue of The Quibbler?
Luna, who was used to keeping everything to herself, didn't ask Draco directly. And even if she had, Draco wouldn't have told her everything.
There were too many inner workings he couldn't reveal. Or rather, he had no intention of involving himself in that three-sided power struggle just yet... no, if his father truly made a move, it would become a contest among four factions.
Naturally, he would stand with the Malfoy faction....
Still at the very beginning of his own path, Draco had no desire to step into a vortex where a single misstep could tear him apart.
Meeting those unfocused yet strangely penetrating eyes that seemed capable of seeing through people, Draco subtly adjusted his expression.
"While I don't know how much your father, the editor-in-chief of The Quibbler, actually knows, judging by the current situation outside, this isn't a good decision."
"..."
"Especially when the subject of the report is the Dark Lord. That's someone utterly unpredictable."
Draco wasn't exaggerating.
Setting aside what actions the Ministry of Magic might take against The Quibbler, Voldemort alone was enough to make the situation dangerous. No one could be certain how he would react to such a report.
After all, that was the Dark Lord. Temperamental and mercurial.
At that point, having offered his warning from the standpoint of a fellow tea drinker, Draco didn't continue. He lifted his cup and took a sip of Gurdyroot Infusion. In his own mind, he had done all he reasonably could.
Whether his words would have any effect was another matter entirely. Judging by The Quibbler's long-standing style and ideals, even if Luna relayed his words verbatim, it probably wouldn't change anything.
No wizard was foolish, least of all the editor-in-chief of a major magazine. There was no way he hadn't considered the consequences of such an action...
He knew them well, and yet Luna's father had chosen to go through with it anyway.
Such a wizard could be called great and driven, but also profoundly irresponsible.
Draco withdrew his gaze from Luna and calmly traced a finger along the rim of his cup.
There were very few things in this world that truly mattered to him. And if it were him, he would never allow those he cared about to be placed in danger....
...
Their conversation left Ginny Weasley hesitating, unaware of what was really going on.
She didn't know what had happened, and Luna looked no different from usual, but Ginny could tell that her friend was clearly preoccupied.
The reason, she suspected, lay with The Quibbler on the table....
Ginny knew how much Luna adored The Quibbler, and she also knew that Luna's father was its editor-in-chief. Not to mention that, thanks to Luna's relentless enthusiasm, Ginny had been forcibly exposed to all sorts of knowledge that did absolutely nothing for her studies.
Did it say something important?
How come I wasn't the first to know? I'm your best friend, you know!
Shooting a silent glare at Luna, who had drifted off into her own world again, Ginny felt a sudden twinge of jealousy. She narrowed her eyes and tried to sneak a look at The Quibbler on the table, but the distance made it impossible to read anything.
Just as she leaned in a little closer, a large hand suddenly slapped down on the magazine.
Slap!
"Ah!!"
"Ginny?"
Like a child caught in the act, Ginny yelped reflexively. Luna snapped back to attention and asked with concern.
Though her face showed little expression, Ginny could somehow tell that Luna truly valued her as a friend....
"I—I'm fine. I was just startled by a 'damn bug' flying past my face."
"A bug? You mean a Wrackspurt?"
"Wrackspurt? Uh... sure, I guess."
After giving her explanation, Ginny shot an indignant glare at Draco, who wore a faint, knowing smile that made him look every bit the villain.
Draco completely ignored her pointed stare. Instead, as if recalling something, he turned to Luna.
"Wrackspurts? I remember the last issue of The Quibbler mentioning those."
"That's right! That issue even came with free Spectrespecs. You can use them to see where the Wrackspurts are. Let me think... I believe I left mine back in the dorm."
As expected, only when these strange and unusual topics came up did Luna abandon her usual calm and show genuine enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, because of the Wrackspurt discussion, it seemed they had completely forgotten about someone sitting right beside them.
Being left out like that made Ginny roll her eyes at Luna in helpless annoyance. She muttered under her breath,
"You two are chatting away so happily and just leave me here alone? If you end up getting fooled by that guy, don't come crying to me later."
By the time she finished speaking, she seemed to think of something and suddenly let out a silent laugh. Maybe she simply couldn't imagine Luna with a runny nose and tears streaming down her face.
That version of Luna would probably be pretty cute too....
Just as Ginny's thoughts started to spiral, a wave of noisy chatter suddenly reached her ears.
From the sound of it, there was a hint of sympathy mixed with warning.
Shaking off her runaway thoughts, Ginny looked up.
Her face, usually full of energy and youthful brightness, froze in shock the instant she saw who was approaching. Then, as if recalling something unpleasant, dark clouds gathered across her expression.
By contrast, Draco and Luna appeared much calmer and more composed when facing the newcomer.
Even so, there was still a trace of confusion.
After all, the witch walking toward them was Dolores Umbridge, who had only recently returned to the school. She was the very same woman most young wizards privately referred to as that pink toad.
It was unclear who her target was this time....
A Slytherin wizard?
Luna Lovegood?
Ginny Weasley?
Or perhaps... Draco Malfoy?