Chapter Text
"Dear Mr. Malfoy,
I am truly happy to hear that the two of you will be coming to visit me at Salazar's Pit next year. I am most definitely looking forward to it. Sorry that I am not able to receive you now, but it is the nature of the stars to cross, and never was Shakespeare wronger than when he had Cassius note, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves." I would say the fault, in this case, is in the Kalernorls.
Thank you also for your interest in my expedition. Yes, the Kalernorls are very much alive, and we are already tracking some specimens. It is very likely that we will be able to document their existence for the first time in history. As you asked for it—and I am very pleased to see that smart young boys like you are interested in learning beyond what is taught in class, in discovering the world as it truly is—, I have included a sketch of how a Kalernorl looks. We have only seen them from afar, but worry not; they are big enough so as to ensure that we did not miss any limb or horn.
Having specialized on Magic Creatures, I had never heard of magiconecrosis before, but I deeply mourn your condition, Mr. Malfoy. It is not fair that such a young and wonderful boy shall suffer from such a horrible disease. I asked some of my colleagues about it, and I am terrified to hear that you have already outlived the average life expectancy. Even though I do not know you personally, it dreads me to think that you may pass away any moment. Still, I do not think that it is fair to leave young Mr. Potter out of your life.
Life is made up of choices, Mr. Malfoy. There are choices you make, and then choices others make. And here is the difference between them: you have a saying on your own choices, but none on the other's. You can choose to push Mr. Potter away, but you cannot make his choice to stay away from you. You cannot make his choice to be your friend, the way he cannot make your choice to be his.
I digress, but here is what I want to say: You are still alive, and it is your duty to make the most out of it, yet not your right to do it alone. You can decide you do not want to impose yourself and consequently your death upon anyone, but you cannot decide for him whether he can enter your life and tear your walls down or not. You are still alive, Mr. Malfoy, and you must not impose your will upon young Mr. Potter's decision, particularly when it is one that comes not from greed, but from true friendship and acceptance. He wishes to be by your side, and you should let him. You may not find my logic persuasive, but I have experienced enough losses to assure you that it is better to love and be loved, even if the loss tears us apart, than to petrify our hearts by exiling love from our lives.
Best wishes,
Luna Lovegood"