I am not J.K. Rowling, so I own nothing. Enjoy please!

Fourth Year

Luna Lovegood stared off into the distance. It was times like these that she wished her mum was here to help her. She wanted to go to the Yule Ball more than anything—Luna loved dancing and she was good! But who would ask Loony Lovegood? No one. She thought maybe Neville, the kind fourth year, might have asked her. He hung out with her and Ginny Weasley, her best friend. But he hadn't asked her, although she had hoped against hope since the Triwizard Tournament was announced that he would.

No such luck. Instead he asked her best friend Ginny, and Ginny had, of course, accepted. Who wouldn't accept such an invitation? She had a chance to go and have fun. Luna knew Gin and Neville were only going as friends, but they could certainly come back as something else.

Luna sighed again, her heart giving a pang at the thought. She loved Neville and had since the moment she first met him. She remembered the moment too well, in her opinion, because it had been two years since it happened.

Luna was a first year and Neville a second year. She was lost, trying to find her way to her common room and the end of the first day.

"Trevor!" a worried voice called. 'Trevor!"

Luna hurried forward to find the voice—maybe he could show her where the common room was if he was in Ravenclaw. But it was a boy in Gryffindor, on his hands and knees, trying to get something out from a desk.

"Come on," the boy groaned. He sat back on his feet.

"Er… excuse me?" she hurried forward. "Do you know where the Ravenclaw common room is?"

The boy looked up at her, completely disregarding her question. His handsome face was laced with worry. She felt butterflies begin to flutter around in her stomach and tried to smile at the cute boy.

"My toad's gotten under the desk, and he won't come out!"

Luna crouched down near the desk. "Move back," she commanded him. He scooted back, watching anxiously as she cupped her hands together and put them under the desk.

"What's his name?" she asked in a gentle, dreamy fashion.

"Trevor!" the boy wailed.

"Shh," Luna shushed him. "Come on, Trevor… that's it… come on. I won't hurt you, little guy. I won't hurt you. There you go," she cooed softly. 'That's it. Thanks, Trevor!" She pulled him on it her gently cupped hands, and handed him to Neville. "You just have to be patient, that's all."

Luna smiled at him.

"Thanks," Neville replied gratefully.

"You're welcome," Luna said. For a fraction of a second, they stared at each other, and the Neville blinked.

"I've got to get back," he said. "Look at the time!" He turned around and added, "I'm not sure exactly where, but your common room is around that way."

Back in the present, Luna sighed and turned away from the window. There was one week until the Yule Ball, and she was going to have a partner. She would make sure of that.

* * *

Draco Malfoy sat in the Slytherin common room listening to Pansy prattle on about what dress robes she was going to wear to the Yule Ball. He could feel everyone's eyes on him while she talked about it. Blaise, Crabbe, and even Goyle were all watching, waiting to see if he would asked her to the ball already, but Draco had no intention of going to the ball with Pansy. He knew who he would like to ask, but the was impossible.

Her flowing blonde hair, her sparkling blue eyes… the way she seemed above everyone else and their stupid, silly, inconsequential problems that in the long run, they wouldn't even remember. The way she forgive everything without a second thought, and didn't judge anything.

She was beautiful.

And Draco would give just about anything to be with her. But she was a Ravenclaw, and so he would never be with her. His father would kill him. His mother would be happy that he was happy, but too scared to stand up to his father, as usual.

"What are you wearing, Draco?" Pansy asked. "To the ball, I mean."

"Dress robes," sneered Draco. "What else would I wear, a dress?"

The boys sniggered while Pansy narrowed her eyes.

"Right, I suppose boys don't give much thought to what they wear. They only have to show up to look gorgeous, because no one expects their clothes to look good." Pansy eyed Draco. "Girls have to look gorgeous and dress well, too." She smirked, waiting for a complement that didn't come.

"I guess so," he shrugged indifferently.

Pansy sighed and turned away. "Who are you going with, then?"

He felt everyone's eyes on him again. Draco was the gang's leader—he had always controlled them and been in charge, making the decisions. Of course they would already expect him to have a date. In Slytherin, he was the most sought-after fourth year.

"Er… well, I have a few girls in mind, but I'm not sure if they could tempt me to take them," Draco laughed smugly, knowing any Slytherin would accept his invitation.

Blaise, Goyle, and Crabbe all laughed.

"What about you?" Draco turned the conversation on Pansy suddenly, hoping to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Me? Oh," Pansy murmured, thinking fast. "Well, maybe a couple of people. Not sure yet." She smirked at Draco, feeling his irritation at her copying his answer. Then she softened her features, remembering she didn't want to upset him.

"Name them." Draco's temper flared and the words burst from him. His eyes seemed to dare her to make up some names on the spot.

Pansy was silent, and then she laughed easily. "Ooh, jealous, are we, Draco? Well, you'll just have to show up and find out, won't you?"

It was true that Pansy could easily get any other Slytherin boy, but she wanted Draco. And it appeared she wouldn't avoid acting desperate for a chance to be his date to the Yule Ball.

Draco chuckled, letting her know he wasn't about to be jealous of her. He stood up. "I'll see you guys around, I'm going to detention," he lied. "Didn't do my Transfiguration homework," he laughed.

Draco hurried out of them room and hid in the shadows. He checked his expensive watch and waited. Only a couple more minutes now. She always came by here at six o'clock. He didn't know why; he only knew that she came.

Then he heard it—the sound of her footsteps echoing up and down the hallway. She skipped past him, humming a tune to herself. Her moonlight bean blonde hair, pulled into a ponytail today, bobbed up and down. Her cornflower blue eyes sparkled brightly, and Draco felt his heart melt at the sight of her.

This is surely a very messed-up world, Draco thought longingly, if Luna Lovegood can make your heart melt.

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