Chapter 187

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After my morning classes, I went to the forbidden forest where I could read and study outdoors peacefully, as the Room of Requirement, even though it was a secret and calming place, it was still a stifling place after being in it for so long.

I had the book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and an animal anatomy book in hand, with the intention of understanding more about the body of a snake.

Thanks to watching a lot of Animal Planet in my past life out of boredom, I knew there was a specific point on a snake's body that was a weakness for them.

I didn't know if a basilisk would have that weak point, but I couldn't rule out that plan.

I knew that a basilisk shouldn't be as fast as a normal snake, mainly because of its weight and size, so I already had an advantage against it thanks to my agility and speed.

With those thoughts in mind, I sat under a tree in the same clearing where I played with the little unicorn foal on weekends.

Opening the books to the marked pages, I started to read them, jotting down a few things in my journal.

The weak point or achilles heel of a snake, according to what was written in the book of animal anatomy, was a point that was between its neck and its back.

By pressing this point, the snake would lose all sensation in its body, with only its head able to react. However, because the point was very close to its head, the snake wouldn't be able to make many moves.

The pressure applied at this point also causes the snake to unconsciously open its mouth, and it is with this method that some scientists and experts extract venom from snakes to produce medicines and cures.

And that's why in the Muggle world the snake is the symbol of health and healing, which is ironic, since in the wizarding world the snake is the symbol of evil and the dark side.

'Now I just need to think of a way to hit that point on the basilisk, but that's easier said than done, since I don't even know if that weak point is on a basilisk either' I thought, closing the book and leaning against the tree behind me, "Why couldn't things be simpler?" I wondered.

"What could be simpler?" I then heard someone speak behind me, causing me to turn around in fright.

As I turned around, I saw that crouching beside me, looking at me curiously, was Luna.

"Luna? What are you doing here?" I asked, loosening the grip I had on my wand, 'How the hell did she manage to approach me without me noticing?' I asked myself, calming my heartbeat.

"Me? Well, I wanted to take a walk to get some fresh air," she said, smiling at me innocently.

"In the forbidden forest?"

"Yes," she replied, still smiling.

"..."

"..."

"You came looking for a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, didn't you?" I asked with an empty face.

"Why? Did you find any? Where is it? Do they like chocolate or do they prefer caramel?" Luna started asking me, and I couldn't help but smile at her, because without even needing Legilimency I could tell she was just trying to get my attention off the subject that was stressing me out.

"Haha no Luna, I haven't found any Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, but when I find one I'll let you know" I said smiling.

"Well, it's a shame, so I brought these sweets for nothing," she said, taking a lot of sweets from the pockets of her blue dress, and I looked at her strangely.

Looking at her as she was fiddling with her sweets, something came to my mind and I cracked a small smile.

"Well, I don't know if the Crumple-Horned Snorkack would like these sweets, but I know one creature that does," I said, getting up off the floor and wiping the dirt off my pants.

"Oh, which creature?" Luna asked.

"Secret," I said, a mysterious smile on my face. I then started walking through the forest, with Luna following close behind.

"Is the creature deep in the forest?" Luna asked, bouncing around as she looked around with interest and curiosity, "Or are you suffering from a Wrackspurts infestation?"

"Heh, don't worry about the Wrackspurts, I'm safe from them," I said, pulling a necklace made of Butterbeer caps from inside my shirt, which was a present from Luna.

"Oh" was the only thing Luna said to me, with a happy smile on her face.

We then continued to walk and talk, and I learned that this was Luna's first time in the Forbidden Forest, which is a surprise since I thought she was going to try to come to the forest on her first day of school.

"We're almost there," I said, and after a few more steps I stopped, with Luna stopping too.

"I know you're hiding there," I yelled at the forest, and Luna looked around as if trying to find something.

Just after I screamed, we heard rustling from behind some large bushes.

Luna was looking in the direction of the sound with a curious look, and when the creature appeared she got a surprised look.

"Is this... Is this a--?" Luna começou a dizer.

"A Thestral? Yes, he is," I said, turning to see Luna looking at the Thestral with a look of wonder.

I then held her hand, catching her attention, to which I only gave her a reassuring smile.

And I then, still holding Luna's hand, approached the Thestral, who just let out a small amused snort and waited for me.

Coming in front of him, I caressed him with my free hand, and he rested his head in my hand satisfied.

"Arch, this is Luna, and Luna, this is Arch," I said, introducing each other.

"Hi Arch!" Luna said with her usual cheerful personality, and Arch neighed happily at her.

I then started to lift Luna's hand that I was holding, and under Luna's questioning gaze I started to bring her hand closer to Arch's head. And to my surprise, after seeing my action, Arch decided by himself to bring his head closer to Luna's hand.

"Well, I think he liked you," I commented amusedly, letting go of Luna's hand.

"Yes" Luna replied with a happy smile, but I could see a little sadness in her tone.

"Luna?" I called, looking at her with concern.

She then turned to me, and seeing my worried look she answered me.

"I've read about Thestrals before, and I know the criteria needed to see them," she said, looking at Arch with a sad smile, "How did you know?" She asked me, and I knew what she meant.

...

...

"I've seen you looking at a picture that you always carry with you... And one day out of curiosity I looked at the picture over your shoulder without you knowing, sorry" I said, which was true.

I already knew about Pandora's death from having read the books, but I only found out some time ago that Luna had a picture in which she appeared to be 5 years old and was sitting between the legs of a blonde woman, who was smiling happily looking at the camera.

"Oh," Luna said, putting her hand over the pocket of her dress, where the photo should have been.

"I've heard you talking about your dad, but you hardly ever talk about your mom, and I may not be a mind reader, but I can see you get sad when you look at this picture, so I added two plus two" I kept talking, "And I've also seen you looking out the common room window at the Thestrals that are near Hagrid's enclosure, so I assumed you'd already seen someone die"

After I finished speaking, Luna looked down and I felt some confused emotions coming from her. She then lifted her head and turned to me.

"It's been two years since she died... I was 9", Luna started to say, and I just looked at her waiting for her to continue, "She was amazing, smart, and the best mother in the world... She loved to read to me, and also showed and taught me about many magical creatures... But then... One day a spell she was testing went wrong, and she... and she..."

Not letting Luna continue, I brought her into my arms, and I could feel her shake a little and many feelings of sadness and pain hit me, but Luna didn't shed any tears.

"I'm sure no matter where your mother's soul is, she sure is very happy with the amazing daughter she raised and cared for" I said, saying words of comfort to Luna, "You are strong... much stronger than anyone else I know. Even with everything you've been through, you still have the strength to smile and be yourself every day... You can make everyone around you feel happier... You are amazing Luna Lovegood"

As soon as I said that, I could feel my shirt was a little wet, but I didn't care and let Luna cry as much as she wanted.

Arch, who had been quietly watching, approached us, and showing how smart he was, he placed his head in Luna's palm in a form of silent support.

Luna, seeing this, stopped crying and pulled out of my embrace, looking at Arch with a soft smile on her face.

"Thank you" she whispered to him.

She then turned to me with a big smile on her face, probably the happiest and truest I've ever seen on her face.

"And thanks Ethan…for everything," she said, and I smiled softly at her.

"That was nothing, and you're my friend," I said.

"A crazy and weird friend?" Luna asked with a playful smile.

"Heh, yeah... A crazy and weird friend" I said amusedly, "And besides, any friend would do the same in my place" I said.

"Maybe, but you did it, so thanks," she said, and I could only smile at her.

*Neigh*

Arch, who was being ignored, whinnied to get our attention.

Luna, to calm Arch, put her hand on his head and began to caress him.

"You know, I'm curious about something. Why is his name Arch?" she asked me.

"Well, his name comes from Archí (Αρχή), which means beginning in Greek," I said, looking at Arch satisfied with my naming creativity.

"Beginning?" Luna asked, cocking her head to the side in confusion.

"Yes, but you can also consider that his name means a new beginning... A new life" I said, which made Luna even more confused, but I just smiled at her mysteriously.

End.

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(End AN: Last Sunday was Father's Day in my country, and my family and I made lunch for my father, who is on bed rest because of his broken leg.

Saturday was also a bit busy and unfortunately I didn't get to do many things on my to-do list, mainly because my neighbor decided to throw a big party.)