Since Victor hadn't had the opportunity to retrieve the diary at Flourish and Blotts, he could only wait. For now, it sat in Ginny Weasley's possession, hidden in plain sight among her school things.
Taking it by force would be reckless.
Better to wait for the right moment.
Summer thinned into its final days, and soon King's Cross was crowded with trunks, owls, and hurried goodbyes. The barrier at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters shimmered discreetly as families passed through.
In the train compartment, Draco sat in front of Victor, already eager for the new year at Hogwarts.
"Brother," Draco said eagerly, "we have to win the House Cup again this year. Did you see the Gryffindors' faces? They were furious."
"Then earn it properly. Study. Collect points. Avoid unnecessary detentions."
Draco made a faint face at the last part but nodded.
The compartment door slid open.
Hermione stepped inside without hesitation and took the empty seat opposite Victor, placing her books neatly on her lap.
Draco stiffened immediately. "Do you not knock? Or at least ask before entering?"
Hermione didn't even look at Draco. "Victor is my friend. I don't require formal permission."
"She has a point, Draco. The compartment isn't reserved. As long as the seats are empty, anyone can sit." said Victor
Draco stared at him as if mildly betrayed. "You're taking her side?"
"I'm taking the practical one," Victor replied.
Hermione allowed herself the smallest hint of satisfaction and folded her hands neatly in her lap.
The compartment door slid open again.
Victor looked up — and nearly sighed.
Luna Lovegood stood in the doorway, her pale hair slightly windblown from the corridor, eyes drifting dreamily across the compartment before settling on him.
Of course, Victor thought.
Luna brightened immediately and gave a small wave as though she had discovered something delightful rather than walked into tension.
"Hello, Victor."
Without hesitation, she stepped inside and stopped directly between Victor and Hermione, peering down at the remaining space.
"May I sit beside Victor?" she asked gently, though her gaze was fixed more on him than on Hermione.
Hermione stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Draco raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained now.
Victor looked from Luna to Hermione and immediately understood he was standing at the edge of a very preventable disaster.
"Why?" Hermione asked, brows drawing together. "Why should I move?"
"Because I want to sit beside Victor," Luna replied serenely, as though that settled everything.
Hermione straightened. "I'm already sitting here. He's my friend."
Luna tilted her head slightly, eyes bright. "Then he is my fian—"
Victor moved instantly.
He stood up and gently but firmly covered Luna's mouth before the final word could escape into the compartment like a Bludger aimed at his future.
Draco's eyes widened in open delight.
"Luna," Victor said with forced calm, carefully steering her toward the window seat, "you like observing the scenery, don't you? The fields. The clouds. Potential Wrackspurts."
Luna blinked at him but nodded agreeably once released.
"Yes."
"Excellent. Window," Victor confirmed.
He then slid into the middle seat before either girl could reposition themselves.
Hermione was staring at him.
Not mildly. Not curiously.
Sharply.
"Who," she asked slowly, "is that? And what was she about to say before you decided to silence her?"
Draco leaned back, clearly enjoying this far too much.
"Yes, brother," Draco added smoothly, eyes gleaming. "What exactly was she about to say?"
Victor did not hesitate.
"She was going to say I'm also her friend."
Hermione's stare did not soften.
Luna, meanwhile, was gazing out the window peacefully as if nothing remotely dramatic had occurred.
Draco gave Victor a slow, exaggerated clap.
"Brother," he said pleasantly, "you could simply explain the true nature of this… relationship."
Victor turned his head just enough to meet Draco's eyes.
"One more word," he said calmly, "and you will be completing my entire set of second-year essays. For the full year."
Draco stopped clapping.
Hermione looked between them. "There are some very strange reactions happening right now. What is going on?"
"Nothing," Victor replied evenly. "She's Luna Lovegood. She'll be starting Hogwarts this year."
Hermione blinked. "A first year?"
"Yes."
"And you know her how?"
"She's from a family my mother is acquainted with," Victor said smoothly. "Our families are… familiar."
That was technically true.
Hermione studied him, clearly sensing missing pieces but unable to pinpoint them.
Luna turned from the window at last. "I like trains," she announced softly. "They hum in a comforting way."
The compartment fell into brief, awkward silence.
Draco was enjoying it because, although he couldn't see exactly what was happening, he could clearly see his brother trying to hide the fact that he had a fiancée—from this Muggle girl—and he took particular pleasure in the sight of his brother's usual smug expression now faltering as he sat between two of them, no longer looking nearly as composed as he always did.
*****
A/N : 🔥 On Patreon, the story has already been updated up to Chapter 74🔥
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