After finishing The Hobbit and witnessing how warmly Bilbo Baggins' adventure story was received by The Quibbler's readers, Ludwig felt his heart full. He had not only successfully presented a story but also brought new magic into a wizarding society often filled with tension and prejudice. Even Charlie, Bill, and the other Weasley children now frequently quoted their favorite parts while playing. Little Luna, still a toddler, loved listening to the story of Smaug the dragon again, her eyes sparkling.
But Ludwig wasn't finished. He knew that the world's adventure had not yet ended. So, one quiet afternoon, as he gazed at the sky from his bedroom window, he began writing the next story:
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
He wrote it as before—calmly, slowly, with feeling, and with the hope that this story could touch readers as the previous one had. He never imagined that the first part of The Lord of the Rings would explode in popularity even more than The Hobbit.
The Quibbler, once considered merely an eccentric magazine filled with theories about strange creatures, now became a topic of conversation in various corners of the wizarding world. Bookstores began displaying special editions. Many families, including those who previously only read The Daily Prophet, now switched to enjoy the adventure series that took readers to places beyond their imagination.
Xenophilius Lovegood, his father, could not hide his pride.
"Your father used to only want to write truths that people rejected," he said with a small laugh during dinner, "but you... you bring hope through stories."
Pandora also smiled, stroking Luna's hair as she sat on her lap.
"It's not just about the stories, but about what you bring to the readers' hearts, Lud."
Due to the success of Ludwig's novel series, many young wizards—and even some adults—were inspired to write their own stories. They sent manuscripts to The Quibbler, hoping their writings could be published. Within a few months, the "Fiction Corner" column became the most anticipated segment of each issue, with a style vastly different from The Daily Prophet's serious and heavy tone.
And for the first time since its inception, The Quibbler recorded sales that surpassed The Daily Prophet.
Xenophilius even once cried while counting the number of subscription letters pouring in from all over England and Ireland. He hugged Ludwig tightly in his study, which was full of stacks of magazine issues, saying:
"Your father never imagined all this, son. Thank you... thank you for believing in things people considered impossible."
With the royalties continuously flowing from the stories he wrote, Ludwig decided to fulfill a long-held dream. He wanted his own study place—not just a reading corner in his room, but a special place where he could experiment, read, write, and delve deeper into magic without disturbing other family members.
Thus began the construction of the Mage Tower—a small tower that stood gracefully beside the Lovegood family home. It wasn't tall, only three stories, but it was enough to be Ludwig's private space. He designed it himself, adding a small basement for magical ingredients, a central room for reading and writing, and an upper room open to the sky for practicing magic and observing stars.
Charlie and Bill helped with the construction, sometimes with magic, sometimes with their bare hands, laughing as if building a secret fort. Even Xenophilius contributed some colorful stained-glass windows and a spiral staircase that he claimed came from his mother's ancient reading room.
Pandora had only one piece of advice:
"This Mage Tower isn't just a place to learn, but a place to keep your mind sane, Lud. Don't lose sight of the most important thing: the reason why you learn magic."
Once completed, the Mage Tower stood serenely with light gray stone walls and a gently sloping blue roof. Inside, bookshelves filled the walls, writing tools were neatly arranged, and practice wands stood in the corner of the room. There was also a large table where Ludwig drew and wrote, and a small swing chair by the window where he often sat gazing at the night sky.
Every afternoon, after helping Pandora look after Luna, Ludwig would enter the tower, carrying a book, or simply sit and write with the phoenix feather quill his father had given him for his birthday.
Above the tower door, he carved a sentence himself:
"For the world I wish to understand, and the sister I wish to protect."
And from then on, the Mage Tower became the second heart of the Lovegood home—a place where magic, stories, and the future were slowly written by a boy who believed that knowledge and imagination were true magic.
Several years passed since the Mage Tower was built. Ludwig grew into a calm yet energetic teenager. His face increasingly resembled Pandora's, but his eyes carried a sharpness of thought no less than Xenophilius'. His days were filled with small experiments, writing new chapters of stories, and of course—reading bedtime stories to Luna.
Luna herself grew into a unique and curious child. She was like a wildflower blooming in unexpected places. She often talked to creatures only she could see, named objects in the house with strange names, and wrote in an imaginary diary that she claimed could talk if whispered to at night.
But one thing was certain:
Luna trusted Ludwig the most.
She always clung to her brother wherever he went—from the backyard herb garden, the Mage Tower basement, to the kitchen when Ludwig just wanted to make tea. Even when Pandora or Xenophilius called, Luna often whispered softly, "Just a moment, I'm with Brother Ludwig."
Ludwig never felt bothered. Instead, he felt Luna was his little best friend. He often explained about stars, ancient languages, stories of mythical creatures, and even strange questions whose answers he didn't know himself. They sometimes slept in the Mage Tower's central room, sharing a blanket and gazing at the ceiling while talking about the world they would explore one day.
And that day came.
The letter from Hogwarts arrived.
The morning was ordinary. Ludwig was helping Pandora tidy up her potion collection, while Luna was busy drawing something on the wooden floor with white chalk. Suddenly, from the window, an owl swooped down and dropped a rolled letter with a blazing red seal.
Pandora grinned,
"It finally came."
Ludwig slowly unrolled it, reading the classical script on the parchment. There was no big surprise, as he knew this would come. But as he read his full name—Ludwig Lovegood—at the top, his heart still pounded. Not out of fear, but because a big new step had just begun.
Xenophilius was almost moved to tears when he learned his son would soon go to Hogwarts.
"Your father is sure you'll flood that school library with questions," he said, wiping tears from behind his large glasses.
Luna? She just looked at Ludwig for a long time… then slowly hugged her brother, murmuring,
"Can I come too? I can't sleep if I don't hear a story."
The next day, Molly Weasley sent a message via Floo Network—she would be going to Diagon Alley with Charlie and some of the other children to buy school supplies. Pandora immediately welcomed the idea gladly.
So that morning, Ludwig, Charlie, Luna, Pandora, Ginny, Molly, and the other children set off together.
Charlie looked taller now, his body beginning to build up from Quidditch practice. But his spirit remained the same as before—friendly, a bit clumsy, and always ready to burst with stories about dragons, matches, or the spirit of adventure.
In Diagon Alley, the atmosphere was bustling. The aroma from magical pastry shops mingled with the sounds of haggling in robe shops. Ludwig appeared calm, his eyes scanning everything with curiosity. He lingered at Flourish and Blotts bookstore, while Charlie was busy choosing a new wand at Ollivanders.
Luna? She clung to Ludwig's arm, occasionally pointing at strange things and whispering:
"That looks like a Crumple-Horned Snorkack…" "Can that stone talk?" "Why is that doll winking at me?"
Molly just laughed, holding her shopping list. Pandora calmly held Luna's hand when Ludwig had to enter a shop to buy a cauldron. Occasionally, they stopped to buy magical ice cream with strange flavors like "minty flying root" or "inverted strawberry."
After all the items were purchased, they sat on a long bench near a small fountain that bubbled with star-like spheres. Ludwig looked at his book list and quietly said to Charlie,
"I think I've read all of them."
Charlie laughed, patting his shoulder,
"Good. But don't read too much while on a broom. You might crash into a wall."
Pandora looked at the children with a calm smile, then at Molly.
"It feels like a dream, doesn't it? They used to just play in the garden, now they're ready to enter their own world."
Molly nodded, looking at Fred and George busy chasing chocolate frogs,
"Time flies so fast."
And amidst that magical bustle, Ludwig held Luna's hand tightly. He knew that when he left later, the house would be quiet. But he also knew that Luna would wait for him to come home, and as always, he would bring many stories.
Chapter 3: Diagon Alley
Ludwig and Charlie arrived at Ollivanders, a small shop that looked narrow from the outside, but once they stepped in, the scent of old wood and magical dust warmly greeted them. Tall shelves stretched to the ceiling, filled with thousands of dusty wand boxes with faded labels. The atmosphere was quiet, like a library full of secrets.
A bell chimed softly as the door closed, and from behind the shadowy shelves, an old figure emerged with sharp eyes and a mysterious smile.
"Ah... two aspiring Hogwarts students," Mr. Ollivander murmured, stepping forward. "I can sense it. Who would like to try their wand first?"
Charlie stepped forward, his eyes sparkling.
"Me, sir."
Ollivander looked at him for a moment, then nodded gently. He fumbled through the shelves, pulling out a long box and opening it.
"Ash wood. 11 inches, unicorn hair core. Slightly springy. Suitable for wizards with diligent natures and strong hearts... like you."
Charlie tried it—and as soon as he gripped it, a warm light enveloped the room, and several wand boxes trembled softly. Ollivander smiled widely.
"Yes. Precisely. That's your wand."
Then he turned to Ludwig. For a moment, he paused, looking at the young man more deeply.
"Hmm... you are different. Very different."
He walked slowly down the aisle of shelves, his fingers tracing the neatly arranged boxes, until he finally stopped at a purplish-black box, somewhat dusty, as if it had been waiting a long time for someone.
"I don't think this is for everyone... But for you perhaps... yes, perhaps it's time."
He opened the box and lifted a wand that appeared smooth, almost shimmering silver in the dim light of the shop.
"A wand of Rowan wood, 12 ¾ inches, very flexible. Thestral tail-hair core. Very rare and extremely sensitive to sharp minds and souls that have known death... or, in your case, something very ancient and profound."
Ludwig extended his hand, and as his fingers touched the Rowan wood, a gentle breeze swirled around him, as if the room was welcoming his arrival. The hanging lamps vibrated lightly, and a calm aura enveloped them all.
Mr. Ollivander nodded with an expression of awe.
"Rowan is known as the tree of scholars. This wand almost exclusively chooses those with deep intelligence and strong principles. Even Rowena Ravenclaw herself—so it is said—once wielded the same wood."
"And a Thestral tail-hair core..." he added softly, "chooses those who can see things that most wizards cannot comprehend. Not easily subdued, but in the right hands, it can be a very powerful wand."
Charlie whistled softly. "Wow... that's cool, Ludwig."
Ludwig just held the wand gently, feeling a faint yet strong energy flowing like a calm but deep river.
"Yes," he murmured softly. "This fits."
Ollivander smiled faintly, then closed the empty box.
"Take good care of your wands. But remember, though the wand chooses the wizard, your bond will continue to grow over time. Do not underestimate that."
They paid and exited the shop, the late afternoon sun welcoming their steps. Ludwig glanced at the wand in his hand, then smiled slightly.
And Luna, who had been waiting outside with Pandora and Molly, immediately ran up to him.
"How was it, Big Brother? Can your wand talk?"
Ludwig chuckled softly, then knelt down and touched the tip of his wand to Luna's forehead. "Not yet. But maybe, if you whisper something magical, it will start listening."
Luna then closed her eyes and whispered... something. But Ludwig knew, the wand had just met family.
After finishing at Ollivanders, their day in Diagon Alley wasn't over. There were still many supplies to buy for Ludwig as a new Hogwarts student. They stopped by the writing supplies shop, buying deep black ink and the finest goose quill. Then to Madam Malkin's for school robes, and also managed to stop at Flourish and Blotts, where Ludwig was like a child entering a playground—his eyes sparkling at the sight of the majestically arranged magical bookshelves.
Charlie and Luna even had to pull at his sleeve to get Ludwig to move from the advanced spellbook section. Meanwhile, Molly and Pandora divided the purchases into lightly charmed bags.
Towards evening, their steps finally led them to Magical Menagerie, a bustling and noisy magical pet shop—the hiss of snakes, the sound of claws scratching wood, to the squeak of giant rats being sold in golden cages.
Ludwig initially only wanted to browse. He hadn't really decided what kind of pet he wanted. Charlie was looking at owls, while Luna continuously clung to a cage full of tiny Nifflers busy trying to steal Pandora's coat buttons.
However, as Ludwig walked through the quieter back part of the shop, a large, jet-black raven flew from atop a shelf and landed gently on his shoulder, silently, without hesitation—as if it had known him for a long time.
Ludwig froze, momentarily stunned.
The bird wasn't wild. Its eyes were sharp, black with a night-blue shimmer, staring straight at Ludwig as if delving into his thoughts. Its talons gripped Ludwig's shoulder lightly, almost with familiarity.
The shopkeeper—an old wizard with disheveled hair—peeked from behind a shelf and looked surprised.
"Good heavens... is that the raven?"
Ludwig turned. "What's wrong with it?"
The keeper stroked his bearded chin.
"That bird has been here a long time. Never let anyone touch it. Never ate anything offered by the shop. We almost gave up. But now it's..."
Pandora, who had just arrived behind Ludwig, saw the raven and smiled gently. "Looks like it found its master."
Charlie called from a distance, "What's its name, Ludwig?"
Ludwig looked at the raven for a moment. The bird blinked slowly and made a small sound, like a faint whisper from an ancient forest.
"Nyx," Ludwig said softly. "Its name is Nyx."
"Nyx?" Luna asked curiously.
"The goddess of night in Greek mythology," Ludwig replied, stroking the bird's black feathers. "Something about it feels... familiar."
Finally, Ludwig officially bought Nyx. The shopkeeper looked relieved and amazed, even giving him a special cage made of dark wood and light, intricately carved iron.
As the sun began to set, they all headed back home. Throughout the journey, Nyx remained calmly perched on Ludwig's shoulder, occasionally flapping its wings or making soft sounds as if conversing in bird language.
The late afternoon sun began to dip as they arrived back at the Lovegood house. The sky of Ottery St. Catchpole blushed softly, a gentle summer breeze wafting from the west. After their shopping trip in Diagon Alley, the house was a little bustling with stories and laughter. But soon, the atmosphere settled again, and in the most captivating corner of the house—Ludwig's Mage Tower—three figures were seen stepping inside: Ludwig, Pandora, and little Luna, who held a small doll crafted by her brother.
Ludwig's Mage Tower stood proudly beside the main Lovegood family home. The building wasn't too large, only two stories tall with a conical roof and round windows on each side. But inside, the world seemed to transform. The room was filled with shelves packed with glass bottles, crystals, parchments, experimental notes, and strange objects not usually found in an ordinary wizard's home.
A large wooden table stood in the center of the room, laden with alchemy tools: retorts, alembics, large mortars, and small bottles containing emerald, gold, and blood-red liquids.
Ludwig opened a neatly written sheet of experimental notes. He pointed to a diagram within it, then smiled at his mother and sister.
"We just need to combine these last two essences, Mum. If it works, the figurines will emit a little light when touched."
Pandora nodded, putting on her magical gloves. "Have you measured the stabilizer?"
"Yes," Ludwig replied, stirring a small concoction that released a thin, silvery vapor. "I used moonfern root soaked for three days, according to the last experiment."
While Ludwig and Pandora were busy preparing ingredients, Luna sat in the corner of the room near Ludwig's handcrafted toy shelf. There were many small figurines from the worlds of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings—Gandalf, Bilbo, Smaug, Gollum, even Orcs and Elves—all made by Ludwig himself, using a mixture of magical resin and alchemical metal powder, so their forms were highly detailed and beautiful. Some of these figurines could even move slightly, nod, or raise their weapons when touched.
Luna held a small Gandalf figurine and made it converse with a Smaug figurine. "You shall not pass here, Smaug. This way is for the good-hearted." Smaug gently growled, emitting a faint sound from the magical runes Ludwig had embedded within the figurine.
Not just toys, Ludwig also designed something more ambitious—a card game. He called it Legend of the Rings, a magical card game similar to wizarding Duels or even card games like Yu-Gi-Oh! that he had seen in his previous life. But this time, it featured cards depicting creatures, locations, and events from the The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings stories he wrote.
On a side table, neatly arranged, were dozens of handcrafted cards, each with a unique frame and illustrations drawn by Ludwig himself. There was a "Gandalf the Grey" card with a "Blinding Light" effect, a "One Ring" card that could hide a character for three turns, and a "Smaug the Terrible" card that had the ability to destroy an entire area if not controlled.
Each card was made using alchemical techniques. Ludwig learned how to combine rune ink, silver-flecked paper, and light magical spells that allowed some cards to truly glow or produce illusory effects when played.
Pandora helped stabilize the rune ink used on the cards, while Ludwig tested the combination of their effects.