A/N: I realize I went a bit too fanficy and unhinged in this chapter. The dreamland concept is inspired by Lovecraft, but I’ll try to make it… interesting.

Aaric and Luna met in his dream again, Luna floated down gently, fairy-like wings glowing faintly as Noctelle circled her, chirping a melodious, soft tune.

Luna smiled as she reached him. “Would you like to dream with me?” she asked, her voice light and calm.

Aaric smirked and took her hand. “Always.”

He led her toward the stairs that had appeared once again but paused at the first step. “Can I bring anything into this place?” he asked curiously.

Luna tilted her head. “Into the dreamlands?”

Aaric nodded.

“That we can do,” she said. “To the real world… not yet. That takes more strength.”

Aaric accepted this and closed his eyes. A majestic stag appeared before them, towering and regal, with white wings and deep green eyes. Its black antlers curved like blades.

He and Luna approached it together. Luna raised her hand, scattering golden dust over its form. The creature shifted, becoming more solid, more alive. It lowered its head, allowing them to climb on.

Aaric lifted Luna onto the stag with ease, earning a quiet giggle from her, then settled in behind her. The stag spread its wings and walked the stairs, carrying them toward the dreamlands.

This time, there were no horrors lurking on the stairway, no whisper of Vasuki’s voice. Just the rhythmic beat of hooves and the endless dark around them until they emerged into the familiar forest.

“Back to the well?” Aaric asked.

Luna shook her head. “No. There are cities and whole worlds here. We should see them.”

“Whole worlds?” Aaric raised an eyebrow.

Luna turned to face him, sitting cross-legged on the stag’s back. “Dreams are infinite,” she said simply. “Every thought, every story… they spill into this place and take shape.”

“Other worlds’ dreams end up here too?” Aaric asked.

“Why not?” Luna said with a small smile. “Dreams don’t care where they come from.”

Aaric gave a short laugh. “Then how about we carve out a little piece of it for ourselves?”

Luna’s eyes lit up. “A city just for us,” she said, holding out her hand.

Noctelle chirped and flew ahead as the stag took flight once more, soaring high until the entire land stretched beneath them.

Strange islands and mountains rolled below like a map of scattered dreams.

They chose a large island and descended, landing near its center. To their surprise, a well stood there, almost identical to the one they had discovered before.

They dismounted, leaving the stag to graze peacefully, and explored the area. The island was lush, filled with unfamiliar plants and animals, but no signs of intelligent beings.

At its very heart, they found a massive golden tree covered in glowing runes. Its trunk was wide enough to house a castle, its branches reaching impossibly high.

Aaric rested his hand on the tree. A faint, curious presence brushed against his mind, warm and welcoming. He smiled. “This will do.”

From his robes, he drew the celestial gourd. It felt natural, as if it had followed him here because it is connected to his soul.

He uncorked it and poured every drop of the silver liquid at the tree’s base.

The runes flared brilliantly, and the tree pulsed with life.

Luna stepped forward and let a handful of golden sand drift from her palm, the grains settling among the tree’s roots.

A voice brushed their minds, gentle and grateful. Thank you.

Aaric and Luna exchanged a glance. Luna reached out and squeezed his hand, smiling softly.

Over the next few nights, they returned often, exploring the dreamlands together.

They found a city where cats ruled over men.

A golden city born from the dream of a greedy soul.

A colorful realm of candies and toys, spun from a child’s imagination.

And once, an island filled entirely with beautiful women, the dream of someone… cultured.

“Luna… is there a way I could come here alone?” Aaric asked casually after they left that particular island.

Luna raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You don’t wish to come with me?”

Aaric panicked, shaking his head “No, no! I love exploring with you.”

Her smirk softened into a smile. “Good answer. Don’t ask foolish questions now.”

The more they traveled, the stronger Noctelle seemed to grow, its glow deepening each time they returned.

In the waking world, Halloween approached, and with it, the arrival of the visiting delegations.

“Dumbledore asked me to be there when he welcomes them,” Aaric told Daphne one afternoon.

“What was he thinking?” Daphne said, scandalized. “What will they think of Hogwarts when the first student they meet is you?”

Aaric’s lips thinned. Without a word, he stood and walked away.

Daphne winced. She hurried after him, apologizing and congratulating him repeatedly, clearly embarrassed. Aaric didn’t respond, secretly enjoying the attention.

After almost two hours of coaxing, Daphne finally asked, “Will there be other students there?” She was poking his cheek, her elbow on his shoulder.

“Yes. You,” Aaric said simply, scatisfied with the pampering.

She blinked in surprise. “Me?”

“Dumbledore asked if I’d recommend someone. I recommended you.”

Daphne squealed and threw her arms around him. “You’re the best!” she said, looking up at him, her eyes shining.

“What’s going on?” Luna’s calm voice cut through as she approached, Noctelle perched serenely on her shoulder.

Daphne grinned and quickly explained everything—though she plucked Noctelle off Luna’s shoulder first, cuddling it as she spoke.

A/n: please give me your though on the chapter before leaving, I am a little uncertain about it.

And power stones please.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep