The following days went by according to Hermione's plan. When he would wake up, after breakfast, he would join Hermione in the courtyard, where she would teach him spells he would need for the tournament. She had make a list, and she would scratch the spells when he mastered them. In the afternoon, they would be joined by Glozelle and the other "pupils". She would teach them basic spells, and they would prepare for the great entrance. Then followed a moment of rest, during which he would usually meditate, and then a new practice session before diner. The day before departure, Lucy came to see him in his room. He was sitting on the bed, eyes far away, when his sister opened the door.

"Sorry..." She said when she saw him.

"Come in." He said. "You're not disturbing me."

"I just wanted to know if you're okay."

"I'm okay."

"This competition you're about to do... is it dangerous?"

"Yes. It is. Are you worrying about me, Lucy?"

"Of course, I am. You're my brother..."

He thanked her with a smile, and silence settled.

"I just want my brother to be happy again." She suddenly said. "Do you think he will be, one day?"

"Maybe one day, he will stop feeling guilty..."

"Maybe Hermione could help him heal..."

Edmund had a frank laugh.

"Hermione is in love, yes, but not with me! She has her friend Ron. Apparently they've been turning around each other for years, and it's about has obvious as Caspian and Susan."

Disappointment was clearly showing on Lucy's face, so he added:

"There might be someone who could fix me, though."

"What's her name?" Lucy asked with a beaming smile.

"Luna..." Ed dreamingly said. "Her name is Luna... she's a witch, like Hermione. She's nice... gentle... beautiful... she has huge eyes. Magnificent eyes. She's... she's from another world, and she appeases me."

"Did you tell her?"

"No..."

"What are you waiting for, then, silly?"

"She kissed me, once."

"Really?"

"Yes. I was leaving for a risky mission, and she was about to go back to her school. She came to me, she kissed me, and she told me to be careful. It was weird, though, I didn't have my own face."

"What did you do?"

"The same thing..."

Lucy's smile widen.

"I hope I can meet her, someday."

"You might. Meanwhile, you should go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day."

Lucy nodded, and wished him a good night. When Ed went to sleep, his entire mind was turned to Luna. He slept peacefully. On the next morning, as he went for his breakfast, Ed found Hermione having a conversation with Glozelle. The general had put on his black leather clothings, and Hermione was giving him the last details.

"You are gonna meet with the three Headmasters. The old man with a long grey beard is Albus Dumbledore. He's Hogwarts' Headmaster, which is the school that welcomes us. The man with black hair and rotten teeth is Igor Karkaroff, Headmaster of Durmstrang. And the last one is the only woman. She is Madam Maxim, from Beaubaton. Don't mention her size. She's a half-giant, but she is very sensitive about it."

"Dumbledore, Hogwarts." Glozelle repeated. "Karkaroff, Durmstrang, Maxim Beaubaton. Glozelle, Narnia."

"Excellent. Salute them when you arrive, but keep the mystery. Don't talk too much, and if they ask you questions, give loose answers."

Glozelle nodded, and then saluted Ed. The young king then came to talk to Hermione. A few minutes later, Peter cleared his throat to attract there attention.

"They're ready for you." he said. "They're waiting."

The three others followed him, and they joined the other "pupils" in the courtyard, where Aslan was waiting for them. The lion created a door in the air, which lead them on the border of the forbidden forest.