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When she saw Hermione and Ron leave the Great Hall with just enough room for another person to be walking between them even though the space appeared to be quite empty, she stood up and scanned the room. She approached the Slytherin table, although it certainly didn't look like the Slytherin table, for witches and wizards of all ages and houses were seated there. Some were laughing, some were weeping, but a blonde trio were doing neither. There were looking around quietly as if they felt they didn't belong.
"Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy," the older man shook when she tapped lightly on his shoulder, "may I sit here?" He cleared his throat in an attempt to speak and so she sat. "Good morning, Mrs. Malfoy." She said kindly, peering at the woman on the other side of Mr. Malfoy. Mrs. Malfoy nodded. "Good morning, Draco." Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy looked expectantly at their son, who was seated in front of them from across the table.
"Good morning, Luna." He struggled. He looked back to his parents. "Mum, Dad, I think we should go home." Before they could heartily agree as Luna knew they would, she cut them off.
"Oh, no! You mustn't leave now. The house elves have just begun preparing breakfast. They're very quick." They did not argue. "Besides," she whispered to Mr. Malfoy, though she was sure that the other two could hear, "if you stay, they may be a little more forgiving."
Mr. Malfoy turned and looked at her, his eyes wide. He gulped and looked to his wife. Her lips became thin and she nodded. Draco rested his arms on the table, preparing to stay for a while longer. Luna took off her sweater and put it in her lap. Mr. Malfoy gaped.
"What a nasty scar you have." He whispered, perhaps more to himself than to her. He looked up her arm and to her exposed collar bones and neck. "They're everywhere."
"Oh, yes." She said simply. "I received them from your sister-in-law, actually. Oh, pardon me- your late sister-in-law, when I was brought to your manor." She brushed over the soft, raised, dark brown lines on her forearm with her dirty fingers. "She fancied that whip."
Mrs. Malfoy reached across Mr. Malfoy and handed Luna a white handkerchief. It was embroidered with a lovely black 'M'.
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy." Luna said, petting the soft fabric and tracing the 'M' with her finger.
"Narcissa," she whispered, a tear peaking from the corner of her eye. She swallowed and said, "I think you're right about the house elves. They're very quick. Breakfast is starting to appear. I thought you might want to wipe your hands." She nodded to the handkerchief.
"Oh, why, yes. Thank you, Narcissa." And just then, a gold plate appeared along with at least three-hundred more. Dishes of breakfast items popped up among them. The tapping of a glass was heard near the front of the hall. Professor McGonagall stood at the podium. A hush fell among them.
"Good morning dear students, colleagues, friends," she said, "and yes, it is finally morning." She sighed and looked about the hall. "As much as I adored the windows of the Great Hall, I must say that the sun shines so much better without them here." Everyone looked around at the window frames laced with jagged pieces of remaining glass. Beams of soft golden light glided through, making every single face glow with warmth. "I would like to thank you all for fighting, thank you all for your sacrifice, and thank you all for you faith. Never has Hogwarts seen so much destruction, so much evil, or so much loss, but neither has it ever seen so much courage, determination and love. Now, as our good friend Albus Dumbledore would have said, 'Tuck in!'"
The hall erupted with applause, fresh sets of sobs and a standing ovation that reduced Professor McGonagall to tears instantly. Luna clapped until her palms were red. Draco rose unashamedly, also clapping. Slowly, Narcissa rose, wiping her tears from her cheek with the back of her hand. And perhaps last to rise was Mr. Malfoy who covered his mouth and nodded vigorously with closed eyes.
When they had all recovered, they sat down to a long-awaited breakfast. Luna had thought it was the best she had ever tasted, but perhaps that was just due to the taste of victory that refused to leave her smiling mouth. Halfway through, someone placed their hands on her shoulders.
"Daddy!" She exclaimed and she flung herself into his arms. He twirled her about and laughed, kissing her dirty cheeks with joy.
"Oh, Luna," he whispered into her hair when he had finally set her down. "My Luna, I love you so much."
"I love you, too, Daddy." She said. "Come, sit. I'm having breakfast with the Malfoy's." She took him by the hand to the bench. "Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy? Would you mind scooting down a bit so my father might join us?"
"Not at all," he said, surprisingly cheery. He stood and shook his hand. "Good morning, Xenophilius."
"Ah, it certainly is, Lucius," he said, sitting on the other side of Luna, "a beautiful morning." He peered down the table. "Good morning, Narcissa."
"Good morning, Xenophilius." She said warmly.
"And to you, Draco." Xenophilius said, extending his hand to Draco across the table.
"Of course, Mr. Lovegood." Draco said, shaking his hand.
"Please, call me Xenophilius." Draco was about to observe his request, but Xenophilius gasped. "Oh, Great Scott, Luna!" He traced one of the scars on her jaw. "Who did this to you?" The Malfoy's went starch-white.
"Oh, I got them from Bellatrix Lestrange when she took me away. I was taken to the Malfoy Manor, actually, with a goblin from Gringotts named Griphook and Mr. Ollivander." She saw her father's shoulders tense. "But not to fret, Dad, all has been forgiven in my book." She looked directly to Draco, and to her satisfaction, he caught her eyes, but then looked away, thoroughly grateful, but dreadfully confused.
When breakfast had been finished, Professor McGonagall returned to the podium to discuss various orders of business.
"Students, you are free to return to your dormitories to gather what might be left of your belongings. The remains of the castle have been stabilized, so the ground will not fall out from beneath your feet, but be wary nonetheless. The Hogwarts Express will be arriving in an hour's time, should you choose to board it." She looked wrung her hands with angst as if she didn't want her words to be true. "You must all return home now. No exceptions." She nodded and straightened up. "A time to repair the grounds will be in order soon enough and should I require your assistance, I will contact you by owl post. Quills, inkwells and parchment have been set out behind me at the staff table should you need to contact anyone. If you have any personal concerns, I will be in the headmaster's office." She sighed, pushing a black tangled tendril behind her ear. "I thank you again. It was very nice to see you all, I just wish it would have been under more pleasurable circumstances."
The hall began to rumble with the sounds of quills on parchment, shuffling feet and teary farewells. Students began to creep cautiously out the hall for the first time since the fighting had stopped. Teachers were returning to their offices to gather up their books and files. Crowds were starting down the trail to the boarding station to await the Hogwarts Express. In a manner of minutes, the hall was nearly empty.
"Draco, I suppose you should go get your things, dear." Narcissa said, standing up and pulling her cloak over her shoulders.
"And you should do the same, Luna." Xenophilius said. Luna nodded. "I'll meet you at the boarding station, alright?" He kissed her head.
"Let's go, Draco." Luna said. He looked at her blankly.
"That's a good idea, Draco," Mr. Malfoy said, "why don't you meet us at the boarding station?" Draco nodded and departed with Luna into the Entrance Hall.
"Do you mind if we go to the Ravenclaw tower first?" Luna asked Draco. "There's portrait on the fifth floor I need to speak to."