"Luna!"

  Harry exclaimed, a radiant smile chasing away the confusion and heaviness that had just settled in his heart. Without another thought, ignoring Snape's darkening gaze behind him, Harry dashed across the wet street, heedless of the fine rain stinging his face.

  Luna stood under the awning, her smile as bright as the morning sun, wearing an eagle-shaped hat, her golden hair shimmering, waving at him incessantly. A powerful emotion surged within him, a familiar warmth flooding Harry's heart, compelling him to embrace her tightly.

  Luna's arms squeezed Harry, her soft hair brushing against his cheek. The familiar gentle scent of bluebells enveloped him, soothing all the tension and unease in his heart. In that moment, Harry felt as if he had come home, Luna's embrace the safest and most peaceful place in the world.

  But then, a sudden wave of embarrassment washed over him, making Harry's face burn. He shouldn't have hugged her so abruptly, even if they were friends. He quickly released Luna, stammering,

  "I'm sorry… that was a bit… much…"

  But Luna didn't seem bothered at all. She continued to smile brightly, her pale silver eyes sparkling with mischief.

  "What is there to apologize for, Harry? I never expected to see you here. Where are you going? I came to buy a few books."

  Then, before Harry could react, Luna hugged him again, even tighter than before, burying her face affectionately in his shoulder.

  From across the street, Snape witnessed the entire scene. A simmering flame of jealousy erupted in his chest, burning away all reason and restraint. That intimate embrace, the boy's radiant smile for Lovegood, all were like knives twisting deep into his heart.

  Blood rushed to his head, Snape gritted his teeth, and strode quickly towards the two children.

  "Harry Potter!" His voice growled, low but full of menace. "Get back here! It's raining!"

  Harry startled, releasing Luna and turning to look at Snape with a bewildered expression.

  "Who's that? Is that Professor Snape?" she asked.

  "Sir… this is Luna, my friend," he stammered, flustered.

  "I don't care who that is!" Snape snapped, his black eyes like pits, as if wanting to swallow the girl whole. "I told you to get back here immediately!"

  He no longer looked anything like the kind man from before, as if it had all been a forced act. A flash of anger and disappointment crossed Harry's green eyes.

  "No!" Harry said, his voice firm, not at all intimidated by Snape's fury. "I want to talk to Luna. Just for a moment."

  Snape glared at Harry, anger blazing in the depths of his eyes.

  "You dare to disobey me?"

  "Why shouldn't I?" Harry retorted, his voice defiant. "You have no right to order me not to talk to anyone."

  Luna stood beside Harry, taking his hand, her gaze steady as she looked directly at Snape.

  "Professor," she said, "if you won't allow Harry's friends to visit him, the least you could do is let us talk for a little while, couldn't you?"

  Despite wearing a homemade-looking eagle hat, there was nothing silly about her. Her eyes were bright and very calm.

  "Shut your mouth!" Snape hissed, his wand already trembling in his sleeve. "Are you deliberately defying me, Harry?"

  His voice echoed in the rain, attracting the attention of a few passersby. Snape realized he was making a scene in public, but jealousy and anger had completely overwhelmed his reason.

  "You will regret this," Snape gritted out, his eyes spitting fire at Harry and Luna. "I will never allow…"

  But Harry didn't wait for him to finish. He sensed Snape's unusual behavior and instinct warned him of the danger aimed not only at him but also at Luna. He squeezed her hand tightly, looking straight into Snape's eyes with a determination the professor had never seen before.

  "I'll take the Underground back to Spinner's End myself. You go on ahead," Harry declared, his voice sharp.

  Then, before Snape could react, he pulled Luna along the street at top speed, leaving the black-clad man standing frozen in the rain with a heart bleeding with jealousy and an uncontrollable rage.

  —------------------------

  "I don't understand what's wrong with Snape, but he's been very strange lately," Harry said softly, sipping his warm tea and gazing at the drizzling rain outside the cafe window. "But today was the strangest."

  He recounted to Luna the changes in Professor Snape's behavior, omitting the cellar incident. She sat in the chair beside him, listening intently.

  Then, without warning, Luna frowned slightly and said,

  "I think… perhaps he's jealous."

  Harry nearly choked. He quickly put down his teacup, turning to stare at Luna in disbelief.

  "Jealous? What? Jealous of what?"

  "Of me." Luna sighed heavily. "Or rather, of anyone who makes you happy and comfortable. I don't think he knows how to achieve that. So when he sees someone else doing it, he… reacts."

  Harry's mouth hung open, unable to speak, both bewildered and incredulous.

  "But… that's Snape! He hates everything."

  Luna shook her head, her golden hair swaying gently like feathers.

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  "But you said it yourself, he's changed the way he treats you. I don't think he hates you anymore, Harry. He just… doesn't know how to love. Some people, when they've been hurt for too long, forget how to be gentle. But that doesn't mean they don't feel anything."

  Harry was silent. He watched the raindrops race down the windowpane, a sudden sadness settling in his heart.

  "But… the way he looked at you just now… it was really scary," Harry whispered. "If someone cares about someone, they wouldn't be so rude to their friends."

  "That was the look of someone left behind," she turned the eagle hat in her lap, then tilted her head. Her expression looked somber. "I don't think Professor Snape has ever truly cared about anyone, until you came along. When you smiled at me, when you ran to hug me… he felt threatened. Not because of who I am, but because it reminded him that he isn't the only person in your world."

  Harry stiffened. A chill ran down his spine, and it wasn't from the weather. He had never thought of… that.

  "You think Professor Snape… loves me?" he asked softly, his voice almost a breath.

  Luna didn't answer immediately. She looked at him, her silver eyes as deep as the morning mist, seemingly considering carefully what to say.

  "I don't know. But he's feeling something very strong. And that, Harry… I think you need to be very careful living in the same house as Snape."

  She took Harry's hand, her thick, curved eyelashes fluttering slightly as her silver eyes looked down at the teenager's long, slender, scholarly fingers, concealing a fleeting, complex emotion.

  "You still need him to heal you," Luna raised her head, looking deeply into Harry's eyes, her voice gentle. "But remember that you still have me, you have friends, you have Professor Dumbledore. You're not as alone as you were in your childhood with your aunt and uncle. Back then, you were dependent on their care, but now, your treatment is directed by Professor Dumbledore, and he has the authority to deal with Professor Snape if he goes too far. Or if you need to, just write to me, and I'm ready to do anything to protect you, Harry."

  There was something earnest and profound in her silver eyes, leaving the teenager stunned.

  "Luna… you…" Harry's voice was hoarser than usual.

  The girl sensed the change in Harry's voice – a slight tremor, hoarse like a whisper lost in the fog. Luna loved the teenager's voice. Gentle, polite, warm, there was something in it that made her feel very safe and trusting. She swallowed softly, lowering her head slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings in the breeze. A wave of emotion surged in her chest, quiet but intense.

  "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," she said softly, her voice wavering. "But… I can't help but worry about you, Harry. I always worry, even when I try to appear calm."

  Harry was silent, astonished. Luna had always been a beautiful, dreamy, gentle, and pure enigma, as if she didn't belong to this world, but now, in the golden light and the faint scent of tea, she seemed so close, so human, so fragile.

  "I'm used to keeping my feelings to myself," Luna continued, her gaze still fixed on their intertwined fingers, as if letting go would make everything vanish. "Because I'm different. Because everyone thinks I'm vague and eccentric. But with you, I don't want to hide anymore."

  She looked up, her silver eyes now like moonlight through mist, clear, trembling, and so sincere that they could make someone's heart skip a beat.

  "I… I like you, Harry," she said. "Not because you're the Chosen One. But because you're kind, because you listen to me, because when you smile at me, I feel like I'm not 'Loony Lovegood' anymore, but someone truly valuable."

  Professor Snape made her feel so scared and worried that she couldn't help but blurt out the words from the bottom of her heart, words she had cherished in her mind for many days. She was afraid that if she wasn't quick, if she hesitated any longer, someone else would step in and take her man away.

  Harry's heart clenched. Emotions churned within him – partly bewildered, partly moved to the point of choking.

  "Luna…" he called her name again, this time as soft as a trembling musical note, as if even a loud sound could shatter this fragile moment.

  Luna smiled sadly, her eyes reddening, but her voice remained as soft as silk.

  "No one has ever given me feelings like this. No one has ever made me think and dream so much. I… truly want to be with you."

  A tear rolled silently down Luna's cheek, reflecting the golden lamplight like a lost dewdrop in the twilight.

  And Harry, his heart contracting with something very real, very close, could only hold her hand tighter. Not to answer immediately. But to say with that silent squeeze: I understand. I hear you. And you are important to me.

  "Really… I should have said this sooner," Harry's voice was hoarse, the after-rain sunlight from the window casting a glow on the young teenager's face, making his smile seem to shine brightly.

  And then, Harry lowered his head and placed a kiss on the girl's lips.

  It was perhaps the happiest day of Luna's summer.

  She held her boy's hand as they strolled through the ancient streets of Plymouth, never having seen the sky so beautiful, despite the fact that the weather remained unusually cold. The suspicious gloom that was spreading across England seemed unable to dampen the joy in the blossoming hearts of the two young people.

  Hand in hand, they walked down the old cobblestone streets, where each pebble seemed to still hold the echoes of footsteps from centuries past. The rain left a thin layer of shimmering mist on the ancient roofs of Plymouth. The weak sunlight pierced through the grey clouds, casting a pale golden halo on Luna's hair.

  Harry had never imagined he would have an afternoon like this – no Voldemort, no worries, not even magic – just a rapidly beating heart and a girl as gentle as water beside him. He felt as if he was living a part of the life he should have had a long time ago.

  Luna pulled Harry's hand, turning into a small alleyway where there was a charming old bookstore with a faded hand-painted sign that she had visited a few times before. They squatted together in front of the outdoor shelf, where old books were sold for just a few pence, their covers worn but full of promise. Luna picked up a book titled "The Lost Souls of Devonshire," her eyes lighting up like a child's.

  "I think this one might really have ghosts. Let's buy two and read them at night, okay? See who gets scared first."

  "Definitely you," Harry laughed, but his eyes remained fixed on Luna.

  "There aren't any Muggle political or history books here, are there?" she looked around. "I know you like those."

  "I used to take the Underground to the city library in London to read for free," Harry replied. "There are a lot of old books there that aren't circulated outside. You should go there, Luna, of course with your father for safety these days."

  "What about the book I sent you, have you finished it yet?" the small girl tilted her head.

  "Finished it in just a few days," Harry smiled. "A very profound look at the meaning of life. I'm not a Buddhist, but I really felt my heart become calmer after reading it. If every encounter is a predestined connection from many lifetimes, then whether it's to repay a debt or to return a favor, we should be ready to welcome it."

  "That's right," Luna smiled brightly. "It would be very difficult for ordinary people like us to be compassionate towards those who treat us badly. I can't do it either. But if you have time, you should read it again and again, to let it sink in more, to slowly change, because…"

  "…because kindness will lead people to a better afterlife," Harry nodded. "Or take us to heaven with God. I understand."

  "I'll send you more," Luna replied gently. "My house has a lot. My mother was influenced by Buddhism."

  They continued to stroll through the seaside streets, where the scent of salt and the wind from the nearby sea cooled their faces. Harry bought Luna a blue cotton candy, almost as big as her head. She giggled, took a bite, then smeared a small piece on the tip of Harry's nose.

  "Gotcha! My Chosen One is just a sugar puff!"

  They both laughed, their laughter echoing in the sea breeze like joyful notes.

  They ended the afternoon on a rocky promontory overlooking the ocean. The waves crashed loudly below, the sky turning ash purple. Luna rested her head on Harry's shoulder, their hands clasped, silently listening to the sound of the sea and the gradually synchronizing rhythm of their hearts.

  "You know," Luna said softly, "if today is a dream, I hope I never wake up."

  Harry squeezed her hand gently, leaning his head to place a kiss on her soft hair.

  "It's not a dream, Luna. This is the first real thing I've felt in a very long time."

  And they sat like that, in the salty sea breeze, amidst a world that was quietly changing. It seemed that Voldemort, the Death Eaters, or the prophecy, or… Snape were all very far away, in another universe. At this moment, for them, only their hearts and their gazes were eternal.