I was a bit sad that I got more story alerts than reviews :( Reviews really make me feel like people are reading. I tend to lose my inspiration when silent readers read silently, lol. So I'd appreciate if more readers reviewed! And thank you as well for the two people that reviewed! I really appreciated it. Here goes chapter two, enjoy.
TWO
Ending The Night
"Did you see the way Lavander looked tonight?" Ron blabbed on to Harry who could care less about his best friend's thoughts on Lavander and her lavender colored dress. Ironic, Harry thought. "To wear such a short thing! Who gave her permission to wear it anyways? If I was her boyfriend, I would hide that nasty thing and burn it into shreds so she never has to see it again!" The tips of his ears had gone red and anger was written very obviously all through out his face.
"Ron, have you forgotten that you two aren't exactly together anymore?" Harry frowned, folding his sleeves to his elbows. He pressed the Ground Floor button and closed his eyes. The noises and alcohol were mixing in his mind and the last thing he needed was Ron talking on and on about how his ex-girlfriend was wearing an unforgivable dress that he disapproved of. It was impossible for Ron to rekindle his old romantic feelings for his former girlfriend. Or was it? Harry stared at him and he looked away, turning a shade of crimson. Harry convinced himself that it was the amount of alcohol Ron drank tonight. Because if it was really true that he's regained his old emotions for her, he'd have to slap him to hell and back. Lavander Brown was someone Ron should be glad about; she was nothing to him but a former flame and that's how it should be. And Harry didn't say this to be mean to his friend, of course not. But rather because he wanted the best for his best mate.
He blinked. "Oh, are we not?" he looked at Harry for a moment and then around the elevator. "Still doesn't give her a right to wear such a short dress."
"Oh give it up, Ronald. She's got Seamus now and I think it's very apparent that they are very much happy and in love. It's a relief that she's found someone who is able and willing to take in all her nagging and just think of how much of a relief it is to have rid of her."
He sighed. "Oh, I don't know mate. I've been missing those feeling you know. Those feelings I really liked while I was with Lav-Lav-" Harry shot him a look. He frowned. "Er, I mean Lavander. And I've been thinking that maybe it's about time I find myself a girl." He announced this with such pride and dignity in his voice that Harry couldn't help but snort. Ron fumed and Harry just shrugged, putting his hands up. "I'm serious about this Harry! This is no time to laugh at my wishes. But honestly, where do I search for her?"
"Maybe you should reconsider that offer Hermione made earlier about going to Hogwarts again."
"Oh please." He frowned. "I'd rather be stuck with Malfoy on a hut for a week than be stranded in that God forsaken place. Although I gotta say we've had a lot of fun memories there, I most certainly do not want to go back there and reflect on all the memories such as spiders and a bald headed man with a non existent nose." Harry laughed. "Say, what about going for Hermione?" Harry glared at him once more and Ron took an upper cut, obviously enjoying the anger and annoyance forming in his best friend's atmosphere. "Hermione's really gotten prettier through the years don't you think so? Her hair is so much more lovelier compared to how it use to be when we were first year students. And she's got quite a petite figure. Very slender don't you think?" Too slender, Harry thought. She really should consider eating more meats. "And did you see the way she looked tonight? Blimey, Hermione would have managed to make Malfoy fall in love with her in a heartbeat! She's got them killer legs don't you think Harry?" Ron smirked as Harry looked at him blankly. The elevator made a loud 'bling' and the doors opened to the ground floor of the ministry. People were in and out of the place and Ron bursted out into laughter as Harry prepared to join the minion. "Really Harry, why don't you just confess to Hermione that you've feelings for her? I mean, she's never going to know unless you tell her." Ron shook his head as he ran his hands through his ginger clean cut hair.
"Ron, did you see the way Lavander looked with that dress tonight?"
He frowned. "Very funny, Harry."
Draco couldn't believe it. Luna Lovegood was not lunatic anymore? He never thought that a day like this would come when she did not yap and chattered about The Quibbler or how there are bees a sbig as elephants in the Forbidden Forest. Instead she talked about possible improvements she thinks the ministry could do, plans after graduating, and many more he didn't expect her to think about, ever. And although she sometimes spoke of nonsense such as nargles and wrechparts (or was it wrechports?), he didn't mind one bit. She was a wise young woman and a very good debater when it comes to arguing for her opinions. He was completely smitten by her, and not only that, but her wonderful personality as well. He couldn't help but listen to her voice, fill of peace and sophistication. As they stood side by side on the balcony, the cold summer breeze blew and danced with her long blonde hair, making her the epitome of beauty. "You're the last person I expected to be with tonight Lovegood."
She turned to him and beamed. "How many times do I have to tell you, please, do call me by my first name."
"Luna."
"There we go." She giggled. "You're the last person I least expected to talk with as well Draco, and I have to say, you managed to seek up to my expectations."
He smirked. "You had expectations?"
She nodded and bounced her head up and down with excitement, as if she's been waiting for this moment to tell him. "Of course I had! I always wanted to talk to you, you know. But your friends always dubbed me as lunatic and therefore I didn't manage to get closer to you. But I don't think you would have had any interest in me anyways, I was pretty much a disgrace to Ravenclaw and people often misjudged me as having no shame. And don't argue with me and tell me you've given me a chance, I know you wouldn't. You probably thought of me as a mudblood lover or something." The way she carelessly spoke the word made him laugh and surprised. Who knew that Luna spoke of such a foul language.
"So you had a little crush on me then?" He couldn't help but feel smug. He never imagined to grow a liking for her but then again, he never got to know her as well either. Though one night was certainly not long enough to get to know her, he secretly hoped that there were many days to come where they would be just chattering, sharing opinions and thoughts.
She didn't seem shocked nor did she feel embarrassed. Instead, she looked at him and gave him a dreamy smile. "I wouldn't necessary call it a crush Draco, don't flatter yourself too much." she sternly yet playfully told him. "I'm afraid I'm not the only one who felt the same way towards the Prince of Slytherin however. I knew many girls younger and older who admired you from afar."
"Is that so?"
She nodded. "It is so. I can even tell you that 99.9% of them is still bonkers for you." she threaded her fingers with her golden locks, her electric blue eyes never leaving his. He crossed his arms and looked at the scenery, the loud music and constant chattering growing as the minutes passed by. "Oh these party animals." she chuckled. "I'm afraid I'll be going soon however. It's getting quite late. I promised Hermione and Ginny that we'll have a sleepover at my house tonight." He nodded in disappointment. "But I really hope that this won't be the last time we get to talk like this?" He suddenly looked at her and realized that she was interested in meeting sometime soon again. "So do promise me that this isn't the last time we'd see each other."
"I can most certainly assure you that it won't." He grinned wickedly, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. Just like that, a promise was sealed with a kiss.
"Oh, she's never late!" Ginny Weasely muttered under her breath, pacing back and forth in Luna's kitchen. Luna carefully sliced the tomato, making sure to have a bite of it before she can swish her wand and produce a helpful brightening mask. She chewed on it as a child would as her eyes traveled to her friend. "I mean, it's Hermione we're talking about here you know? She's always consistent and never incompetent. What if she got drunk and wasted at the party? Oh dear Merlin, I better fly real quick to the burrow and aware Harry and Ron that Hermione still hasn't—-"
Screech.
Both Luna and Ginny stood straight, Ginny rushing quickly to see who the visitor was. Alas to answer her prayers, Hermione stood in the center of Luna's living room. "Oh, I'm so sorry I'm late." she hugged Ginny first and then Luna. "But I bumped into an old friend and got so caught up with our chat that I didn't track my time well. So I said why not invite her?"
"You invited someone else?" Ginny asked grimly.
Luna laughed. "Now, now, Ginerva. There's still room for more in this house of mine that my father's passed on to me."
Ginny pouted. "Still. It was suppose to be a night for just the three of us." Hermione looked at her with puppy eyes. Her chocolate eyes popped vividly and there was no way that anyone would be able to say no to her. "Oh fine, fine. You always had your way of convincing people." she grumbled. "You're so unfair you know?"
She giggled. "Oh, I knew you'd understand!" Within a few moments, another screeching noise was made and there stood Cho Chang, Harry's ex-girlfriend. She still looked unbelievably gorgeous, her long black hair cascading down past her shoulders. She wore a black long dress that suited and did her figure justice. She looked very elegant and dashing indeed, with her face only covered with blood red lipstick. She absolutely looked amazing. "You guys remember Cho, don't you?"
Ginny laughed, giving Cho an embrace. "How can we forget?"
"No need to dwindle with the past." Cho chuckled nervously. "I was very hesitant to go here but Hermione was persistent."
"Let me guess," Luna said, smirking. "She used those darn puppy eyes on you."
"You can say she did."
Ginny laughed. "Works like a charm.
"It was a fun night, wasn't it?" Narcissa asked his son who didn't answer him. Their old house elf appeared the minute they appararated back to the manor, taking her masters' belongings. "I had such a lovely chat with . Did you know that she has 2 daughters from Slytherin? One of them is the same age as you are Draco, Astoria was it?"
He rubbed his temples with his middle and index finger briefly before answering her. "Astoria is 2 years younger mother. I believe you are referring to Daphne."
"My mistake then," she laughed, taking off her gloves. "They looked rather dashing tonight. Did you have a chance to chat with them?" Draco shook his head, wanting to excuse himself from his mum. Ever since his father died, all of Narcissa's focus went to Draco, if that was even more possible. Personality, manners, education, social life, and heck even love life. "Oh what a pity!" she exclaimed in sadness. "However I will make sure that you three have time to talk. They're really lovely girls, those Greengrass ladies. I am sure you'll fancy one of them and take them into your liking. Much more better than that Parkinson girl you brought to our house before the war. I never thought that you two would last long. She was very dominant and strong, I didn't think you'd appeal to it much later on."
"Mother, let's please not talk about Pansy. She's a dear friend to me even though we're not romantically involved with one another."
She sighed, plopping herself down at their living room's antique sofa. "Oh fine, Draco." she mumbled in defeat. "But I am planning to invite Astoria and Daphne for tea tomorrow afternoon."
"Not necessary mother." he frowned at her.
"Oh, but I want to see you with someone already! By this point, you should have a girlfriend already! You'll be finishing-"
"Mother, I would like to excuse myself." he gave her a look that he knew she wouldn't be able to resist. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you when I say I don't take any interest on the Greengrass girls. But I am telling you now that there is a young woman I am interested in." He stopped himself from smiling at her.
Her face was suddenly pulled up into a big beam. "Oh really Draco?" she stood up and quickly paced to him, wanting to know more. "Tell me about her, what's she like?"
"I'm not quite sure if it'll work though. I don't want to speak too soon."
"You promise I'll get to meet her soon, won't you?"
"I promise." He gave his mother a kiss on the cheek before excusing himself. But before climbing up the staircase, he looked back at his mother once more and said, "There was no woman in that ball tonight that looked as dashing as you did. Father would have regretted cheating on you if he only saw how you looked tonight." he stopped momentarily as his mother's eyes met his. "You were the most beautiful woman there tonight."
