"Hmm..." She thought for a moment. "Like loose threads, coming out of your brain and quickly burrowing back in. They're especially obvious when you're thinking."
"What about the Crumple-Horned Snorkack?"
"I saw that the day Mum died. Actually, I don't know what it's called either. I just gave it a name based on how it looked. It seemed to have come to take Mum away, but for some reason it gave up."
Luna sounded very serious, as though she were describing something definite and real.
"Hey, hurry up! The water's boiled."
Just then, Lovegood waved and called from the doorway.
The Lovegood family's door was covered in nails and fitted with an eagle-shaped knocker. Inside was a fairly standard circular room, where everything had been curved to match the walls-the stove, the sink, the cupboards-and everything was painted with flowers, insects, and birds in bright colors.
Lovegood deftly brewed two cups of black tea and handed one to Edward, saying, "My office is upstairs. I can take you up for a look in a bit. All my ideas and masterpieces to date are up there! But try the tea first."
"Sure."
Holding the scalding cup, Edward moved his fingers slightly and released his freezing ability to bring it down to a suitable temperature before taking a small sip. Fortunately, Lovegood's tastes weren't as bizarre as his aesthetic sense.
"The Wrackspurts around you suddenly increased just now."
Luna spoke abruptly, her eyes bulging a little more as she stared. "Now there are fewer again."
"Huh?"
Edward couldn't help freezing for a moment. Just now... just now I... only used my freezing ability, didn't I?
He extended a finger and produced a small flame. "What about now?"
Luna immediately nodded. "There are more again!"
Edward took out a gold coin and tossed