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It's been a few days since I had that conversation with the Headmaster, and nothing very interesting has happened since that day.
After my visit to the Headmaster's office, I realized that our conversation only generated more questions in my mind.
And I also noticed that the Headmaster didn't ask some questions that would be obvious to ask in that situation, such as: How did I know the stone was in danger? Or why did I trust Fawkes?
I don't think he asked any more questions because he was already convinced with my answers, or because he didn't want to put me up against the wall, especially after I said I didn't trust him before.
I also wanted to ask him some questions, but I knew this was not the right time to bring up certain matters.
But well, changing the subject.
As I said before, nothing very interesting happened after the conversation with the Headmaster, and my days here at school went on as normal.
I still trained regularly, and sometimes my training was so extreme that I barely had the strength to move afterward.
My current training consisted of training my agility and reflex, and the power of my magic and spells.
I still trained in my martial arts, but not as much as I used to, as I knew my fighting proficiency was at a more than satisfactory level, especially against untrained wizards.
And in that time, I also got good news from Nick.
He sent me a letter saying that an old friend of his was getting rid of some items, and among those items was a dagger made of goblin silver.
I don't know what went through Nick's friend's mind for him to discard a goblin silver dagger so easily, but well... maybe he's someone ridiculously rich or someone who doesn't care about material possessions.
But back to the point, Nick told me that when the dagger arrived at his house, he would send it to me through Fawkes, but that it would probably not arrive until the 25th of this month.
Since I basically had less than a month before the dagger was delivered to Nick, I decided that I would use that time preparing myself for when I go into the chamber to face the damn snake.
Knowing that I would have the dagger in my hands in a few days, yet another weight was lifted from my shoulders, as I could now train with peace of mind knowing that I would have a way to store the poison to destroy the Horcruxes.
And with all my preparations basically done, I just had to wait.
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-February 11th-
-Forbidden Forest-
"So Ethan, how did you meet Arch?" Luna asked me as she caressed Arch with a happy smile on her face.
"Hmm, we met on my first visit to the forbidden forest in my first year" I replied, "I was just leaving the forest when he showed up, and just like any normal person would when they saw a strange and frightening creature, I approached him and then we became friends" as soon as I said that, I gave Arch a light playful pat, who neighed in agreement.
"Oh" Luna said, and I sensed that she was disappointed, which made me look at her curiously, "I thought your meeting with him would have been more lively, adventurous and dangerous" she said.
"Huh?" I said, with me and Arch looking at Luna strangely.
"If you want to see a lively, adventurous and dangerous encounter, then I'll take you to the acromantula nest deep in the forest," I huffed, rolling my eyes playfully.
"Is there an acromantula nest here?" Luna asked with anticipation in her voice, which caused me to look at her warily.
Seeing how Luna looking at me with her innocent eyes shining with anticipation and excitement, I realized my mistake.
Telling a rather peculiar girl who has a great love and appreciation for magical creatures that there was a nest of class XXXXX creatures nearby was irresponsible and stupid of me.
"Hehe... Acromantula nest? Who said that?" I asked, sweating as I looked away.
"Huh? You said" Luna said looking at me confused.
Seeing that Luna was waiting for an answer from me, I used my last master-level move... The distraction.
"Oh look, a Crumple-Horned Snorkack!" I said, pointing behind Luna.
"What? Where?!" Luna asked, turning quickly, only to see nothing.
"Oops, my mistake, I think it was just a squirrel," I said, scratching the back of my neck as I laughed awkwardly.
"Awn" Luna said crestfallen, before reverting to her usual cheerful self, "Maybe the Crumple-Horned Snorkack just got away too fast...or did you get confused because of the Wrackspurts?" she asked me, cocking her head to the side curiously, totally forgetting the subject of the acromantulas causing me to sigh in relief.
"Nah, I'm still safe from them," I said, patting my chest where my necklace of Butterbeer caps was.
"Maybe the effect of your necklace is wearing off" Luna said lost in thought, "Well, I think the only way I can help you would be if I made another one for you, only with more butterbeer caps"
"Err...Thanks" I said with a wry smile on my face, "What would I do without a friend as kind and caring as you?" I asked jokingly.
"Maybe more friends" Luna replied, which caused me to stop and look at her confused, but then I understood that she meant that I don't have friends anymore because I am her friend.
"Hmph" I huffed, crossing my arms, "I think the amount of friends I have is enough," I said.
"Are you sure?" she asked me, "Having lots of friends must be a really good thing... You would never be alone" she said, and I could feel a little sadness and longing in her tone.
"Yes, I'm sure. I already find it hard to keep my sanity with the friends I have, if that number increased I could end up going crazy" I said amusedly.
"Hehe, but aren't we all crazy?" she said philosophically, and then we both looked at each other before we started laughing.
"Phew…yeah, I think I'm crazy already," I said.
"Welcome to my world" Luna answered me.
She then continued petting Arch while lost in thought, and I stared at her waiting for her to speak.
"You know, I'm really happy to have you all as friends" she said smiling peacefully, "Especially you"
"Especially me?" I asked confused.
"Yes, since it's just because of you that they're all my friends too," she said, and I frowned at that.
"Listen Luna, they're your friends too and—"
"I know they're my friends, but I also know it's because of you that they accepted me into their group" she said, still with a smile on her face, "I'm not saying they're forcing themselves to be my friends, but that day in the common room, it was you who took the initiative to talk to me, and it was you who introduced me to them"
"Well... I just thought you'd be someone nice to join our group," I said, even though I knew one of the reasons was pity as well.
"Are you sure you weren't just looking for someone crazier than you?" she asked me with a mischievous smile on her face.
"Hah, as if that were possible! Have you seen Anthony and Terry? They seem to share the same neuron" I said laughing, and Luna laughed with me.
"Yes... That's true," she said, tapping her index finger on her chin with a light smile.
"And besides, you don't have to worry about why we made friends with you... I'm sure if you ask any of them if they're happy being your friend, they'll say yes" I said with a shrug, "Maybe they'll even reply that, if possible, they'd like to have you accompany us to our classes instead of Michael, just to spend more time with you."
"Or maybe just to spend less time like Michael," Luna commented, and I laughed a little.
"Yeah, I won't deny that maybe that could be one of the reasons too" I said smiling.
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After that conversation of mine with Luna in the forbidden forest, I remembered that her birthday was coming up, or more specifically, her birthday was only two days away.
With that in mind I decided it would be nice to have a little surprise party for her, having all of our friends as guests.
I was hoping that a surprise on her birthday would make her happier, and make her realize that she had friends and people to trust besides her father.
Furthermore, we also couldn't forget the fact that this would also be her first birthday without her family, as well as another birthday without her mother, so I wanted to make this day fun and special for her.
Now I just needed to figure out what to get her as a present.
I think I already have an ideal present for her, but I don't think it's a good enough present.
I could ask her what present she would like to receive, but I'm sure her answer would be that she would like a picture of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack as a present.
'Sigh... As I said on my mother's birthday, of all the things I've done or plan to do, choosing a present for a girl is the hardest, especially when this girl has such a different personality and tastes... and peculiar as Luna' I thought.
'Maybe even killing a basilisk or casting a Patronus corporeal isn't as difficult as choosing a good present...'
End.
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(End AN: As I read Prisoner of Azkaban, I noticed that when Fudge, Hagrid, McGonagall, Flitwick, and Madame Rosmeta were at the Three Broomsticks talking about Sirius' betrayal, Fudge said something about Voldemort's defeat that made me realize that the actions of him in the fifth book were stupid and cowardly.
He said it more than once and even confirmed to Rosmeta that he knew Voldemort was alive but weak.
Sigh... Fudge is a weak and cowardly little man.)