Change

Change. It was a six-letter word that described everything: the universe, magic, people, relationships. The word had a power behind it that most people didn't see. But Luna saw it, and Draco felt it. It was obvious in the way, after a year, he was shying away from her. He had too much pride to run away, but he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

Luna took it in stride. It was a way of life that she learned from Draco. Take everything seriously, but don't let a soul know you are. Be flippant and cold. But his eyes always held a different story. It took her a while to notice that if his eyes darkened to a grey, he was upset or hurt. Luna loved that. He was so easy to read now, but in the beginning, he was as hard to read as a foreign language.

He took her to places she'd never been, and she told him of things he would never believe in. It was a give and take.

Everything changed.

The dynamic of their relationship changed both of them. He had a love and faith in purebloods, but she had no such prejudices. Perhaps one day she would, but not now. She was still clinging to the beliefs of a child.

"Can't you see what's right in front of you?" Draco asked her often. His voice was cold and harsh, like he was chastising her. But he wasn't. He wanted to know what made her different than the rest. He wanted to know what made her free.

"I do see it, but like you, I don't always believe in it," she said without a thought. Her voice was always teasing and dreamily when she replied.

It was a ritual. Whenever things got too tough for him to take, Draco would act cold. She never believed it. Well, actually, in the beginning, she did believe it. Not now.

Leaning forward, she would brush her lips against his, and he would back away, like her lips were burning him. But a moment later, he'd catch her lips in a quick, but passionate kiss. His lips were soft yet strong and guiding.

Perhaps that was the real change.

Perhaps the way his body reacted to a simple touch was what changed in him. He was struggling with his feelings, struggling with wanting to be with her, but his brain telling him she was wrong for him. Maybe he thought she was beneath him, but she wasn't. She was at his level. She was strong and defiant, breaking the mold easily.

Today the change was stronger though. Draco's arms were around her waist, holding her close. Their body heat mingled with each other's. Luna leaned against him. She was happy. Perhaps this was loves feels like. A belonging. A comfort. An acceptance.

Perhaps love was change. Perhaps change was love. Luna didn't know. All she knew was she never wanted to see Draco leave again.