Outside the Umbrella Room, Luna appeared beside Astoria.
She tilted her head, her silver-gray eyes gazing hazily at Ron and Theo. There was neither hostility nor scrutiny in her look; it was more as though she had spotted something interesting.
In her slow, unhurried voice, she said to Ron, "It seems you've been tangled up by Blibbering Humdingers. Do you need me to drive them away for you?"
Ron looked utterly baffled. "Drive away... what?"
"All right, Ron."
A hand settled on his shoulder from behind and pressed down lightly.
Ron turned around to see Wade saying, "Go on and keep practicing. I'll handle this."
"Oh... all right."
Ron had actually wanted to ask what a Blibbering Humdinger was, but Luna's dazed-looking eyes told his instincts that he had better not ask.
He scratched his hair and glanced at Astoria again. He wanted to say something, but the words never came out.
Ron reminded himself—as a newcomer, he had better not offer any opinions about who they chose.
Harry patted his arm. Ron headed toward the Practice Area, but his ears remained perked up, his attention fixed entirely on the voices behind him.
Wade walked to the door and looked at the three people standing there.
Luna waved, her face bright with delight. "Hi, Wade."
Her voice drifted along, carrying the natural ease of we've met again.
Astoria, meanwhile, looked up at him. Her eyes were clear and bright, without the slightest hint of avoidance, while her lips pressed together faintly.
Beside the two girls stood someone who had not said a word from beginning to end—Rolf Scamander.
The boy stood there with his hands behind his back, a trace of unease on his face as he scratched his cheek with one finger.
His gaze met Wade's. He gave a