Chapter 249: The Eccentric Girl, Luna
Harry, thinking Wrackspurts might be some sort of insect, instinctively scratched at his ear, but didn't feel anything even after he'd rubbed it red. He wanted to ask what a Wrackspurt actually was, but before he could, Luna had already skipped back over to her father.
She studied the bump on Mr. Lovegood's head with fascination and reached out to touch it.
"Ouch..." Mr. Lovegood winced, his face scrunching in pain.
"Sorry, Dad," Luna said quickly, though she couldn't resist poking it again.
"Did the Crumple-Horned Snorkack do this? Did you actually see it?"
At this, Mr. Lovegood's pain seemed to evaporate. Standing up, he brushed off his vibrant yellow robe and said, "No, Luna, I didn't actually see the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. But I believe it knew we were looking for it and left us this little... reminder."
"You're amazing, Dad," Luna said, twirling with a delighted smile.
Harry, listening to this, grew more confused by the minute. He couldn't shake the thought that maybe the bump on Mr. Lovegood's head wasn't caused by the gnome after all. He glanced around and saw the gnome he had hit earlier, muttering and stomping off nearby. But if the gnome hadn't caused the bump, why had Mr. Lovegood mentioned a... what? And what was a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, anyway?
Harry scratched his head, feeling utterly out of his depth. By the looks on their faces, Ron and the others seemed just as puzzled. Only Kyle seemed unfazed and curious as he asked, "Mr. Lovegood, did you manage to find a Crumple-Horned Snorkack this time?"
"We were very close," Mr. Lovegood said with a hint of regret. "We found signs of it in the southern valley, but it must have moved on before we got there."
"And I found this!" Luna chimed in, proudly holding up a half-nibbled leaf. "It's leftover from the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. Dad, it must have left this behind when it passed through."