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The grand Ravenclaw common room was adorned with blue ribbons and silver garlands that shimmered in the light of magical candles. Above the students’ heads, an enchanted starry sky sparkled, doubling the one in the Great Hall. The starlight glimmered upon the small improvised dance floor, which, for now, remained empty.
Theo Nott stood by the pumpkin juice table, leaning against it. The Weasley twins had already spiked the pitchers with Firewhisky to liven up the "nerds’" party, but Theo didn’t care. Alcohol didn’t interest him.
His gaze remained fixed on the blonde girl in a colorful dress, once again walking barefoot, alone among the crowd. Even the students of her own house, known for their intelligence, didn't hesitate to mock her, following the herd instinct. Or they simply avoided her altogether, as if she brought them shame.
Luna Lovegood. Eccentric, misunderstood, always apart from everyone else.
She was still friendless, and every time Theo saw it, his heart clenched with pity. Even the "Golden Trio" of Gryffindor, known for rescuing the downtrodden, whether it was Dobby or Hagrid, had never thought to invite her into their circle. As if she were invisible.
At best, this damned school ignored her. At worst, they mocked her cruelly. And Theo could no longer tolerate this injustice.
Because Luna was special, like a nymph from another world. Her smile was always gentle and kind, and her warm eyes seemed to gaze beyond this realm. She found beauty where others remained indifferent. She cherished the little things others deemed unimportant. Not everyone could comprehend her inner world; some simply lacked the depth to understand anything beyond the sensationalist trash in the Daily Prophet. But Theo understood Luna. And he believed he was the only one who truly did.
Of course, it hadn’t always been this way. At first, he, too, had laughed at "Loony’s" strange ramblings. But gradually, his heart softened as he secretly watched her, unable to look away. One day, Theo caught himself thinking that despite all her oddities, she was incredibly alluring, even beautiful. She was sweet and genuinely enigmatic, and he couldn’t ignore his growing fascination.
Perhaps he also liked her delicate, pale, bare feet, which blushed from the cold whenever someone stole her shoes again. He dreamed of them so often that they haunted his nights, bringing heated fantasies that left his sheets sticky by morning.
At first, it had been mere curiosity. But it quickly grew into obsession. Theo never expected that this Ravenclaw girl would become his most treasured secret, someone he would protect above all else. She was kind to every creature, endlessly sincere, naively innocent, and fragile enough to melt even his cold, Slytherin heart.
As a child, Theo had lost his mother. When he first arrived at Hogwarts, he was terrified at the sight of the creatures pulling the carriages: beasts straight from his nightmares. They resembled skeletal Abraxan winged horses, cloaked in thick, black smoke. Horrifying, eyeless, surrounded by an aura of darkness. But no one believed him. His classmates only ridiculed him, accusing him of making things up for attention.
Later, through his studies, Theo learned that Thestrals could only be seen by those who had witnessed death. From that moment on, he hated those eerie creatures even more—they were a painful reminder of his mother’s loss.
Yet when he saw Luna gently stroking their manes, feeding them, and speaking to them in her soft, lilting voice, he felt, for the first time, that he wasn’t alone. As if she could understand his pain, even without knowing it. It was strange, considering they had never even spoken.
Theo had never lacked attention. As part of Slytherin’s "Silver Trio" alongside Draco and Blaise, he was always a popular boy. Girls dreamed of him and his wealth, while boys wished to be him and have his fortune. Yet even in the company of his closest mates, Theo had never felt the completeness and comfort that came when he watched Luna. He understood her actions without words, as if he saw in her a reflection of something long hidden within himself.
He had never admitted to anyone that he, too, could see Nargles. Not after being mocked for speaking about Thestrals.
And now, after half a year of doubts, denials, and failed attempts to suppress his feelings, he had finally decided he wanted to be with her. He wanted to protect her from the mindless bullies who weren’t worth even the tip of her delicate, bare toe.
As a true pure-blood aristocrat, he planned to court her properly, officially and publicly. To let everyone know: Luna Lovegood was his. So no one would dare to insult her again.
Even though his father, Tiberius Nott, had long since arranged his engagement to Daphne Greengrass for the sake of merging their families, Theo didn’t care. Neither did Daphne.
He and Daphne were just close friends who shared their deepest secrets. She knew about his infatuation with Luna, and he had known forever about her crush on Blaise.
Theo tapped his foot nervously, as if waiting for something, his grip tightening around his wand. The blue light set up by the Ravenclaws for the party cast a soft glow on his contemplative face, his gaze never straying from the lone blonde girl across the common room.
"If not today, then when? I can’t keep putting this off," Theo steeled himself. He knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He wanted her now. And he wanted everyone to understand that she was his and untouchable.
"Those foolish pranksters stole her shoes again," Daphne murmured beside him, sighing. She poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice and downed it in one go, grimacing at the bitter taste of Firewhisky.
Theo only exhaled.
Tonight, he had a plan. He would make her a queen... his queen. She would be respected, as she deserved to be, because no one would dare say a word against his girl. Theo had a fearsome reputation: no one would cross a member of the Silver Trio, the sole heir of the Nott family, one of the wealthiest pure-blood lineages in magical Britain.
The doors to the common room opened, and the Golden Trio joined the party. Harry Potter walked in, holding Ginny Weasley’s hand, while Hermione Granger stood beside Ron Weasley, though they didn’t quite look like a couple.
Luna immediately ran to them, her bare feet barely making a sound against the cold stone floor. She cheerfully chattered about a new species of Nargles, but the Gryffindors, at best, barely tolerated her ramblings. At least they had the decency not to mock her outright, unlike the others. No wonder Luna clung to them.
The party’s music grew louder, Muggle tunes filling the room as the real dancing began.
Rock ‘n’ roll played non-stop until the rhythm suddenly shifted to something slow and romantic, encouraging couples to waltz.
Theo flicked his wand. And suddenly… a meteor shower rained from the ceiling.
Everyone gasped, rushing away from the dance floor in confusion. Everyone, except Luna, who continued spinning slowly, lost in her thoughts.
Hundreds of tiny, shimmering stars drifted down to her bare feet, as if bowing before her.
The party fell silent, every eye fixed on Luna and the mesmerizing spectacle the falling stars created.
Luna abruptly stopped, blinking in surprise as she finally noticed the stars.
Theo approached the girl who was admiring the stars at her feet, cleared his throat slightly, and asked her in front of everyone:
"Will you dance with me, Luna?" he stepped closer than ever before.
She lifted her blue eyes, and Theo could swear on his inheritance that they held the very twinkle of the stars.
"Oh," she smiled lightly, "I’ve always wanted to dance among celestial lights," Luna said confidently, as if this situation was entirely ordinary in her world.
With a swift flick of his wand, the stars at her feet instantly transformed into fine stardust, clinging to Luna’s legs in a luminous, shimmering glow.
"Like Cinderella without the shoes," murmured an awestruck Hermione, who was bored in Ron’s company; he hadn’t stopped stuffing himself with snacks even in such a magical moment.
Luna and Theo began to swirl in a dance, her feet sparkling like those of a fairy-tale princess.
After the dance, Theo stepped back and removed his black leather Oxfords, standing barefoot before her.
He knelt down, gently taking each of Luna’s feet in turn and slipping them into his shoes, carefully tying the laces.
Theo smiled to himself, pleased with the result, then stood up straight. The entire hall held its breath.
He extended his hand to Luna.
"Come on, beautiful," he winked. "My shining star doesn’t belong among these losers."
"She’s with me now — and no one touches my star."he said, addressing everyone in the hall as if it were a general statement.
"He said MY?!" someone in the crowd exclaimed in shock.
"NO WAY! He called Lovegood beautiful!"
Theo could feel the weight of dozens of astonished stares, but he didn’t care. For the first time, he was truly happy. Together, they left the common room and headed toward the Astronomy Tower.
~
"Are you okay, Daph?" Blaise asked anxiously, rushing to her. He had no idea how Daphne would react to the fact that her supposed fiancé had openly courted someone else.
Though Blaise had always known that Theo and Daphne didn’t love each other, he couldn’t help but worry about her. Now, her parents would be furious at her for the broken engagement, even though it wasn’t her fault. Blaise wanted to punch Theo for putting her in such a position. And yet, deep down, he felt immense relief. Now there was no doubt, she was finally free.
Daphne gazed at Blaise dreamily. His dark skin gleamed like copper in the candlelight, and his deep black eyes held such tenderness. She had always wished that his concern meant more than just friendship.
"I want to dance… with you," she admitted softly. A faint blush dusted her cheeks. Theo’s boldness had, after all, inspired her to take her own leap.
Blaise didn’t hesitate. He took her hand and led her to the center of the dance floor. Daphne felt dizzy, either from the whiskey laced into the pumpkin juice or from Blaise himself, he smelled intoxicating, of cardamom and eucalyptus.
She swayed slightly on her high heels and nearly stumbled, but Blaise pulled her close against his chest. For a magical moment, they just stared at each other, their noses barely brushing. And neither of them wanted the moment to end.
"Let’s run away together too," Blaise whispered against her lips.
And Daphne agreed, closing the distance for a fleeting, innocent kiss, one they would continue in private.
~
Hermione stepped outside for some fresh air. She didn’t want to stay among the crowd any longer, especially after Ron had once again been drooling over Lavender’s short skirt.
"What do guys even see in her? Just bare skin!" Hermione huffed. Ron was supposed to be her escort for the evening, but once again, he had failed miserably and ruined everything. Thank Merlin her heart didn’t care; she had only gone with him because there were no other options.
She was heading toward the Gryffindor Tower when she was intercepted by the childhood menace, her partner in Potions class, and the one who was always second to her in academics, Draco Malfoy, standing against the wall with his arms crossed as if waiting for someone.
When he noticed her approaching, his expression brightened immediately.
"Leaving the party already, Granger?" Draco smirked, looking pleased.
"And even if I am, it’s none of your business, Malfoy," Hermione snapped, preparing for yet another verbal duel with her sworn enemy.
"Relax, Gryffindor. Believe it or not, I’m not here to mock you tonight," his tone turned serious.
"Then what else would you be doing in front of the Gryffindor dorm, snake?"
Draco gave her a meaningful look. "You’re supposed to be the brightest witch of our generation. Can you figure it out on your own, or do you need a hint?"
"Wait… you were waiting for me?!" Hermione blinked in surprise, unable to believe her own suspicion.
He shrugged.
"Ten points to Gryffindor for observation skills, Granger."
Clearing his throat, he continued:
"I’m here because I know you haven’t danced tonight, and Malfoy men don’t leave beautiful girls without a dance. You need a real partner, not that Weasel you waste your time with," he sneered.
"Beautiful?"
Hermione blushed. The way he said it so confidently and sincerely, made it seem like he had spoken without thinking and would soon regret it.
Her mind refused to believe a word he said, but she had no idea how to explain that to her foolish heart.
"I don’t…" Hermione started to protest, but he had already taken her hand, sending shivers up her skin.
"Just for one night, Granger, can’t you do something that isn’t by the rules?"
Hermione sighed. "...Fine. But just one dance."
He grinned like a cat that had just gotten the cream.
"And this means nothing!" she added quickly before he got any ideas.
Draco chuckled softly. "Whatever you say, Granger. But I wouldn’t be so sure," he winked and pulled her closer, leading her into an intimate dance only shared by enemies who were hopelessly falling for each other.
Meanwhile, at the party:
Gregory Goyle was waiting for his secret admirer, the one who had sent him a letter confessing her feelings and inviting him to dance. The letter had arrived embarrassingly late, changing Greg’s plans at the last minute.
But all around him, the girls were already dancing with their partners, paying him no attention. Greg had begun to think it was some sort of cruel joke when his childhood friend, Millicent Bulstrode, approached him. The plump Slytherin girl was well known for her talent in magical baking and often shared her treats with him and Crabbe.
"H-hey, Greg, would you… maybe dance with me?" Milly asked shyly, her cheeks flushed, fingers nervously clutching the fabric of her voluminous dress.
"Why not? Let’s dance," Greg agreed without a second thought. After all, this was Milly, his old friend. She was surprisingly sweet and kind for a Slytherin, and he had always punched anyone who dared say a bad word about her.
He took her hand, and they began moving in sync with the music, ignoring the other couples on the dance floor. A strange sense of peace settled over Greg, a warmth he hadn’t expected. He even thought, for the first time, that maybe Milly was more than just a friend to him.
He remembered the girl who had written him the letter and felt relieved that she had never shown up. He only wanted to dance with Milly.
"I’m glad you came instead," he accidentally voiced his thoughts.
Milly looked up at him, nervous but happier than he had ever seen her.
"And I’m glad you came, Greg. I didn’t have the courage to invite you in person, so I sent the letter. But I was so scared I’d sent it too late. I thought it wouldn’t reach you in time…"
Gregory froze for a moment, stunned by her confession and even more so by the realization that Milly liked him as more than just a friend.
And for the first time that night, he truly smiled.
~
Theo and Luna sat at the very top of the Astronomy Tower, wrapped in his elegant cloak with its green lining and Slytherin crest.
"Thank you for the dance… and the shoes. This has been an unforgettable night," Luna said softly, gazing at the starry sky from the balcony.
"I just wanted to show you how special you are, Luna," Theo smiled at her.
"Thank you, Theo," Luna whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. Even someone like Theo couldn’t help but blush.
And above them, the stars continued to shine brightly on this magical night, a night that had brought so many hearts together.