//------------------------------//
// Spellbooks 
// Story: A Tale of Two Lunas 
// by Everythingpossible 
//------------------------------//

	“You really should consider a little rest,” Dumbledore said, walking calmly into Hogwarts’ massive library late in the evening. “This is the fourth night in a row you’ve been here”.
“What, go to sleep? And be tortured again to the endless succession of melancholy fantasies of strangers?” Luna replied, looking up from the veritable fort of books she had built upon a desk.
“Well, when you put it that way, it doesn’t sound very restful, does it?”
“Trust me. It isn’t.”
Dumbledore took a seat directly opposite the blue alicorn. She shoved aside a stack of worn spellbooks, to better facilitate conversation. The dusty books abruptly fell off of the desk and landed on the floor with a percussive sound.
“Must I remind you again not to damage school property?” Dumbledore said jokingly.
“Professor, if I could be convicted for that, I’d be out of a job months ago” she said, remembering fondly the fiery genocide of pink kitsch that occurred briefly after she had taken possession of Umbridge’s office.
Dumbledore smiled. “Nonetheless, many of these books are priceless antiques. I, for one, don’t mind them being tossed around every now and again, but there are some who value these books more than human life” he said, vaguely hinting to Madame Pince, the librarian.
“I’m sorry. I just need to figure this whole thing out”.
“I was not reprimanding you; in fact, I find your little capers quite amusing. I was merely saying that you should be more careful. There are some here who would not shed a tear over your departure.”
“Professor Snape?”
“Professor Snape is a man I can trust, however I am not yet sure if you can. Keep in mind that he has envied the job you now have for years”.
“Then why didn’t you give it to him?”
“Although I trust him, I feel that it may be too risky to put him in that position. Besides, you have much more practical experience” Dumbledore said.
“What is he hiding?” Luna asked, a bit demandingly, before quickly apologizing. 
Dumbledore ignored her apology. “Severus Snape is a complex man. He was briefly overcome by forces of evil, but he redeemed himself when he saw the results of his actions” he said.
“Hmmm, who does that remind me of?” Luna said, quite facetiously.
“I know that you two have a lot in common. Snape is a talented Occlumens, so it’s pretty much useless to try and find anything about him from his dreams”.
“I know”.
Dumbledore was not surprised. Instead, he simply picked up the nearest book to him and began to browse nonchalantly.
“Have you made any progress in your research?” he asked Princess Luna.
“Not yet. While I admire your library, Headmaster, it has neither the scale or age of the one in Canterlot” she replied.
“I am sorry for our shortcomings” he said, looking around at the desolate shelves. “Hopefully, your sister is doing the same?”
“Hopefully” Luna said with a sigh.
Dumbledore’s smile quickly became an expression that might be worn by a concerned father; loving, yet stern.
“I must apologize profusely that I have not concerned myself more with this. Even though you are one of the best professors this school has ever had, I could not stand to see you stranded here, away from your own world, your family.”
“Th…. thank you..” Luna said, letting a single tear escape her eye.
“Now, I think you should retire for the night. I do not ask you to sleep, just to rest until morning”.
“I… Yes, that would be good,” Luna said, wiping away more tears. “I guess I just let the time escape me, I guess” she said, chuckling. “I should just take these back..” she said, organizing the books into a neat pile with her magic.
“Don’t bother. It will be taken care of. Go rest” Dumbledore said.
“Thank you, Headmaster” she said, getting out of her chair and walking towards the door.
“And, Luna?”
“Yes, Professor?”
“Thank you”.
“It is no problem, Headmaster” she said; “I am sure that you and this Grindelwald fellow would like your privacy” she said to him as she slowly disappeared behind the large wooden doors.