Chapter 2: First Year Can Be Confusing.
A/N: I would just like to say that there is a fair bit of Italian in this chapter because of our dear Mr Zabini but to explain the words, I'll have translations at the bottom of the story :). I will WARN YOU - there is some rather heavy swearing in this chapter. You've been warned. Thank you and please - read and review!
It was September 2nd in Spinner's End, Cokeworth where an eleven year old Luna Snape had just gotten her acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had boarded the Hogwarts Express earlier that morning, sharing a compartment with the Weasley twins – Fred and George as she couldn't find her best friend – Draco Malfoy. She had arrived at Hogwarts and was patiently waiting to join the other first years in their Sorting, who were just about to be Sorted into their new Houses. Luna was ecstatic, knowing that she would more than likely be Sorted into either Slytherin or Gryffindor like her mother or father. She was excited and nervous, as most first years were. As Luna was waiting to be Sorted, she was talking to her half brother; Harry Potter as well his two friends that he had made on the train. The red-haired boy named Ronald Weasley, a Pureblood boy seemed to already dislike Luna for simply being herself. Hermione Lestrange, a Pureblood girl, seemed to like Luna straight away, as they merrily bonded over books that they had read over the years – knowing each other from the age of nine. They would play together in the garden or read together as their parents attended Death Eater meetings together. Harry and Luna had their differences, being half-siblings who had shared the same mother, until she had been murdered by Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord. Harry and Luna were talking about what houses they would be put in. Harry was adamant to be in anything but Slytherin, Luna was determind to be in Slytherin, Ron hoped for Gryffindor and Hermione didn't mind either Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
It was in that moment, talking to her half brother when Luna spotted a familiar head of white blond hair and smiled to herself. It was her best friend, Draco Malfoy. With steely, sharp, stormy grey eyes, short, spiky platinum blond hair and a confident smirk; he was the most beautiful boy Luna knew, but would never even dream of telling him how she felt, for fear of jeopardizing their long term strong friendship. He was smirking in Luna's direction, at that and trying to spot her reddish-black curls so that he could catch up with her; despite having spent most of the summer together. Luna excused herself from the trio of friends and made her way over to her oldest friend to greet him. "Excuse me Harry, Ronald and Hermione but my best mate is over there and I'm going to say hi. I'll see you soon, good luck!" she happily bid them goodbye as she went over to her old friend, Draco. She found him almost instantly and all but ran over to him. She smiled at him and softly spoke, just loud enough for the Malfoy heir to hear, "Hello Draco. How was the rest of my summer?" Draco smirked at her happily and replied cordially with pride, "I'm good thanks, Luna. My summer was great. My father took me to work last week. It was very interesting." As they talked, a dark-skinned boy made his way over to the two paler future Slytherins. "The name's Blaise Zabini, what's your name, bella?" he asked smoothly with a smirk. Luna blushed harshly, feeling awkward as she had never been flirted with before. Luckily, Draco stepped in and addressed the other Pureblood boy, "I believe we were having a conversation, Zabini. By the way, this is my best friend, Luna Lily Daima Snape. Over there is my cousin Hermione Narcissa Lestrange. That's Potter and Ronald Weasel." Draco introduced his flirtatious Italian friend to the blushing young deep red haired witch. She shyly spoke to Blaise, as he was a stranger to her, "It's lovely to meet you, Blaise." He smirked at that and walked off somewhere. Draco muttered something to himself, but Luna was too distracted about thinking about which Hogwarts house she would be placed in. Would it be Slytherin – to make her father proud and to see Draco every day? Or would it be Gryffindor – to honour her deceased mother Lily and to befriend Harry's friends? She wasn't wise enough for Ravenclaw and had far too many trust issues to be put in the house of loyalty, Hufflepuff. As if reading his best friend's mind, Draco asked "What house do me think me'll be in?" Luna smiled at him and answered in a much calmer voice than she actually felt, "I'm hoping for Slytherin or even Gryffindor... Maybe even Hufflepuff but you and I both know that I have too many trust issues for that house... But I can hope, right?" Draco raised his left eyebrow and asked her, "So, why Hufflepuff and Gryffindor? Why not just hope for Slytherin?" Luna shrewdly answered her friend with a small smirk, "You have to have a backup plan, Draco. Our fathers taught us many things as well as this." Luna went to talk to Fred and George, the Weasley twins who had pulled her to the side and asked to talk to her while Draco was talking to Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. Draco thought to himself, not really paying attention as to what Pansy was shrieking at him, 'Luna is brilliant. She's the smartest and prettiest girl here. Luna wouldn't prattle on endlessly like Parkinson is doing right now... I'm going to stay friends with the Half-Blood Princess, no matter what house she gets put in.' Draco promised himself to stay a true friend to his loyal, ambitious fun-loving red haired friend. Luna came back to them and was followed by Ron, Hermione and Harry. Luna was a curious girl by nature. She asked Draco what his new friend's name was. He told her that the dark skinned wizard's name was Blaise Zabini. And that he had befriended him when he went to the Ministry of Magic to go to work with his father, as Blaise's mother worked at the Ministry. Blaise was very charming and had tried to gain Luna's romantic affections but the shy girl had just blushed and pretended that it didn't happen before Draco had told Blaise to back off. In regards to that little incident, without knowing so, Draco had a slightly disgusted look on his face. Luna was worried and asked about his wellbeing, "What's wrong Draco? Are you OK?" Draco nodded and reassured her that he was fine, "Don't mind Zabini here, if he knows what's good for him, he'll ignore you. This is Pansy Parkinson, by the way." Draco calmly reassured her, introducing her to the pug-faced witch who was obsessed with him. Pansy looked Luna up and down, as if she were a piece of dirt under her nail. "Ooh, who's this Drakey?" Pansy asked with a smirk, looking at Luna as if to say 'Draco's MINE'. "NEVER, EVER, call me that Pansy!" Draco hissed at the witch who was infatuated with him already. "Ooh, nervous are we? Oh, isn't this your little Half-Blood friend?" Pansy enquired with a smirk in Draco's direction, obviously knowing who Luna was. She wasn't a future Slytherin for nothing.
Finally, the new first years were ushered into the Great Hall. The ceiling was bewitched to look just like the night sky with candles scattered randomly everywhere. Luna, being a natural day-dreamer was deep in thought, luckily; she was taken out of them in just enough time to hear a tall, middle-aged woman with grey hair and dressed entirely in grey say her name. Minerva McGonagall was her name, she would be the Tranfiguration teacher for this year. Luna knew this because she had been briefly introduced to some of the teachers already as her father is the Potions Master at Hogwarts. Luna walked up to the podium and placed the infamous Sorting Hat onto her head. "Hmmm… Let me see… Plenty of wit, lots of ambiton.. But there's cunning there too. Very smart. You'd do well in Ravenclaw or Slytherin…" The Sorting Hat told her. She argued with him, as she wished to be in either her father's house or Gryffindor. "Better be... SLYTHERIN!" The Sorting Hat practically screamed to the crowd of excited students. Harry and Ron were in Gryffindor, but Hermione Lestrange had joined the Slytherin table next to Luna. She was glad to have a female friend to talk to as really, all she knew was Draco. Luna was sitting with Hermione Lestrange, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson. The shimmering silver eyes of her best friend, Draco Malfoy could be seen clearly as he sat across from her at their house table. He gave her a little wave, smirking back at her. She grinned at him and waved back. Dumbledore said his start of term speech along with a few nonsense words. The students were told that they could mingle with the other houses if they wished to. Some members from Slytherin House went to greet old friends that had been sorted into different houses. Hermione Lestrange got up to go and talk to Harry and Ron as soon as Dumbledor was finished speaking. Blaise Zabini went to go and say a quick hello to an old friend who had been sorted into Ravenclaw but quickly returned to the table when he had seen that she was talking animatedly to another smug looking Ravenclaw boy. Luna smiled at Draco, looking at the empty seat to his left – as Pansy was to his right and talking non-stop about this and that. Luna smiled at him, as she shyly asked him, "Draco, is anyone sitting here?" Blaise Zabini, who had been the person sitting in the currently empty chair, sat down in Luna's empty chair. He smirked at her, simply telling her with a subtle wink to Draco, "No one at all Luna. Please sit down." Luna blushed to the roots of her red hair and smiled, "Thank you, Blaise." Luna thanked him shyly, still not used to the Italian boy. Draco smiled at her, "Welcome to Slytherin, Luna. I knew you'd get in." he smugly told her with a smirk. She grinned at him and playfully punched his shoulder saying, "Thanks. By the way, it wasn't even funny how fast you were sorted into Slytherin, Draco." He laughed at her and smiled, "Didn't take you long either, moon girl." She grinned at him as she rolled her eyes fondly, "Same to you, star boy." Blaise looked between them oddly. "Do you two know each other or something?" he asked with confusion. Draco smirked as he smugly told his friend, "Catch up Blaise, Luna and I have known each other since we were very young. I was six when we met and she had just turned seven." Blaise smiled, "Ah, it all makes sense now. The banter between you two is adorable by the way. One would almost think that you were dating." he teased the pair. Luna nervously smiled but didn't seem nervous on the outside – she was adept at hiding her emotions just like her father was. Draco's ears turned a little red but nothing noticeable, he hoped. Luna laughed and told Blaise, "That's hilarious. No, Draco and I are just good friends, right Draco?" "Of course, Luna. You're my best friend." Draco told her cordially with a smile. Luna yawned and smiled sleepily at the two. "Well you two, I'm absolutely shattered. I might go to bed. Goodnight, see you at breakfast." Luna quietly told her new friend as well as Draco. Blaise smiled at her as he took her hand and kissed it gently, "Buena notte, signorina." he softly bid her goodnight in his native language. She smiled at him, "Good night to you too, Blaise. It was lovely to meet you, amico." she slyly answered him with the word for 'friend' in Italian having been taught a few different languages by her father before coming to Hogwarts. She just knew French, Italian and Latin. Draco silently fumed in jealousy of his friend and Luna hitting it off so well. "Good night, my dearest friend. I'll see you at breakfast. Oh, would you like me to attempt to drag Parkinson upstairs with me, so she won't bother you for a bit? Thankfully, I've got rooms with dad. I won't have to go insane with this mad lot." she greeted him tenderly with a warm smile, whispering the last part so that Parkinson wouldn't hear her. Draco relished in her warm smile, happy that she had said a special good night to him. "Thanks moon girl, that would be brilliant. I'll ask Godfather if I can come for tea tomorrow so that we can catch up properly, alright?" he answered her happily. "That sounds lovely. See you tomorrow." she answered him before giving him one more warm smile and getting up before walking in the direction of the Slytherin dungeons with a sleeping Pansy Parkinson levitating behind her.
Draco smiled after her, happy that she would get a peaceful night's sleep as she had rooms of her own instead of having to put up with the nosy Slytherin girls that would probably pester poor Luna for information about him, since they all seemed to be bloody infatuated with him. Couldn't they see that he had his eyes on Luna Snape, the girl who had charmed her way into his heart since he was six? He snapped back to reality when Blaise spoke to him with a smug smirk on his dark face, "Somebody's in looove with you Draco!" he commented in a sing-song voice. Draco rolled his eyes and smirked at him, drawling his response "Who, Parkinson? As if I'd ever be interested in her, Blaise." Blaise smirked at him, smugly answering him, with emphasis on the word 'friend', "You and I both know, amico, that I'm not talking about old pug-face. I, am talking about your pretty little red-haired friend." Draco gulped, "Is it that obvious?" he asked apprehensively. Blaise smirked at him, drawling his response, "Not to those who don't know you well enough to see the way you stare at her." Draco snapped at his old friend, "I don't stare at her! Besides, Malfoys don't stare. It's impolite." Blaise smirked as he answered him, "Yes Draco, you do. You look at her as if she hailed the moon. And I can see why. She's a rather pretty witch and quite witty. Not like the other Slytherin girls... And she understands Italian! I'm sold." Draco fumed silently as he told his friend angrily, "Well keep dreaming, because she's mine. Or, at least she will be." Blaise chuckled to himself, "Knew it." Draco glared at him, quietly saying "Shut the fuck up, Zabini." Blaise laughed harder and smirked at his blond British friend. "Buenna notte, you crazy bastard, mio amico." Blaise bid him goodnight heading for the room that he, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle would share. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were two burly wizards that his father had commanded to befriend him. Draco had every intention of blatantly ignoring them, in the hopes that they'd piss off. Draco went to bed too, tucking himself into the emerald green and silver trimmed canopy bed in his black t-shirt and boxers. He fell soundly asleep and dreamt peacefully of Luna singing to him while she knitted. An oddly comforting dream for the young Malfoy to dream of on his first night at Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, Luna was in her room beside her father's quarters where she had stayed during the school year since she was about seven. She smiled at the familiarity of the room – it's comforting grey walls, deep black plush carpet, the huge iron framed canopy bed, small dresser, wardrobe, vanity with a large cosy desk that had a comfy leather dinner chair to accompany it. Most of the wood was cherrywood, it's dark colour making the pale grey walls stand out. Luna sighed and got into her pyjamas – a pair of shorts and an old baggy t-shirt before brushing her hair and teeth. She climbed into bed and slept soundly, dreaming of reading with Draco by the Blakc Lake. Luna woke early, at six o'clock, having a quick shower and dressing in her Slytherin robes. She chose her most comfortable boots for shoes and brushed her hair, carefully braiding it into a simple plait to keep her long red hair out of her eyes. She went to the kitchen and started her usual morning before breakfast ritual – brewing a pot of tea, and making coffee for Draco, putting it in a black Muggle travel mug for him to carry as convience. Proud of herself for remembering to make coffee for her father who she was convinced is an insomniac, she gently knocked on his door with the piping hot sweet black brew knowing that he was a light sleeper. He groggily opened the door and smiled slightly at the sight of his only daughter with a mug of coffee just how he liked it. He kissed her forehead, "Thank you, moonbeam." he quickly thanked her, taking a large gulp from the cup and sighing. "What time is it?" he asked, hoping that he had a while to be ready just yet, since his first class started at eleven o'clock. "It's only seven o'clock, Papa. Why don't you rest for a while? I'm going to the Great Hall to have breakfast." She informed him, kissing his cheek. Her father smirked at her, "And to see Draco?" Luna blushed, "Yes. See you later." she answered and off she went. She met Draco on the way to the Great Hall, walking right into him. Draco – not being a morning person, was just about to snap viciously at whoever had the audacity to walk right into a Malfoy but then saw that it was Luna. He smiled weakly, greeting her simply, "Morning." She laughed, "If I was anyone else, I reckon I would have gotten a proper scolding, right?" she asked with laughter in her green eyes. Draco looked at her, he sighed, "How in Merlin's name are you this chirpy at this ungodly hour of the morning, Luna?" he grumpily asked. She smiled at him, that special heart warming smile that lit up her entire face and made Draco's heart beat faster. "I'm just a morning person, I guess." She answered with a shrug. He smiled at her softly, speaking softly to her in his half asleep daze, "Don't worry, I'll be fine once I get some coffee in me, moon girl." She grinned at him and produced the black travel mug of coffee; three sugars and a splash of milk. He hugged her close, "You're the best. This is why you're my favourite person, Luna." Draco whispered in her ear, making her blush deeply but smiled at him. She whispered back, "You're my favourite person too, Draco." They happily walked to breakfast together. Blaise was at their table so they decided to sit down next to him. "Buongiorno Draco, Luna." Blaise greeted them as he poured richly smelling Italian coffee from a large flask. Draco drained what was left of the coffee Luna made him and hopefully looked at Blaise. "Per favore, mio amico?" Draco asked, surprising them both. Blaise smirked at him, "Well, since you asked so nicely and in my native language, of course, mio amico." Blaise answered filling the travel cup to the brim with sweet-smelling black Italian coffee. Luna, who wasn't a coffee drinker even thought that it smelled amazing. Draco thought that she was mad not to like coffee and she returned the favour by thinking him mad for not liking tea. Luna chose some fruit, cheese and a large chocolate filled pastry for her breakfast, while Draco had eggs and soldiers with his coffee. Blaise was content with fruit, cheese, cold meat and a large Italian sfogliatelle pastry. Draco looked at his friend's plates and smiled fondly teasing them, "You two really need stop having such a sweet tooth, especially you, Miss Chocolate Lover." Luna stuck out her tongue at him answering him, "Well at least we won't be hungry again in an hour because we didn't eat enough, right Blaise?" "Speak for yourself, bello – I'm always hungry." Blaise answered cheerily, just before biting into the pastry of his home. Luna smiled at him, she playfully punched the taller Italian boy's shoulder, "Who are you calling 'lovely'? If we're to be friends, Blaise – you can't flirt with me all the time. It will give people the wrong impression." she joked, knowing that both boys knew she couldn't give a damn about what people thought about her. "Scopare la gente!" Blaise answered merrily as Luna laughed, throwing her head back but missing the adoring look Draco was giving her. It warmed his heart, to hear her laugh which was a happy musical sound that sounded somewhat like wind-chimes.
The trio of Slytherins laughed and made easy conversation for the remainder of breakfast. Luna was the one to take out her schedule which the two Slytherin boys, her dear friends looked at it with her, since they all had the same classes and the boys couldn't be bothered to take theirs out when Luna's was right there. To start off the day, they had Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, which was followed by a hearty lunch. After lunch, they found that they had Divination, Ancient Runes and Potions. Before they trio of Slytherins knew it, it was lunch. Luna checked her schedule for after lunch and groaned. "Ugh, must we take these meaningless subjects that don't actually mean anything?" Draco smirked at her, smugly commenting "Clearly, someone doesn't like Runes or Divination." Luna gave him a look that silently told him to shut up, if he knew what was good for him and wished to keep his limbs. "Do you not like Divination or Runes, Luna?" Blaise asked with a curious note in his Italian accented voice. Luna looked at him with a deadpan expression and replied in a tone that would have made her father immensely proud, "Is Parkinson obsessed with Draco? Does the earth revolve around the sun? No, I do not like either subjects but merda dura, I suppose." Blaise sputtered and tried not to laugh but failed and caused Draco to start laughing with him, soon Luna joined in with the laughter and smirked at the two, "I could always feign a dizzy spell. Papa knows that I get those now and then with this pesky... moon problem of mine." She was trying to be subtle because only Draco knew of her vampire status, or so she thought. "Yeah, vampirism must succhaire, Luna." Blaise whispered in such a low tone, even Luna barely heard him. Unmercifully rage-filled green eyes looked at him as Luna barely hissed out, "Who the fuck, told you?" Blaise chuckled before lowly speaking, "Lovely linguaggio for a lady such as yourself, Luna. I had an uncle once that suffered the same fate. No one told me, I simply know the characteristics of vampirism and as pale as your padre is – it's easy to tell what you are if you know what to look for, bello." Luna calmed down after that, having another piece of fresh buttered toast and another cup of tea before heading to class with the boys. After being forced to suffer through Divination and Runes with the boys, Luna was ready to drop. That was before she saw the last class of the day and rejoiced – Potions. Her absolute favourite class. Not just because her father was there and would be teaching them, oh no – it was because she had a knack for the subject, a knack for it that made her father swell with pride.
The students were told sharply by the iron tongued Professor Snape that there would be no foppery tolerated in the classroom, before making a spectacle of trying to show up Harry Potter, he announced that they would be pairing up for their first potion of the year – a simple potion that regrew dead flowers that Luna could practically do in her sleep. They were told to pick their partners carefully, as they would be with the same partner for the entire year. Luna made a beeline for her best friend, and the second best Potions student in that room. Luna was rather peeved as there were a few people are whispering about her last name and how it was impossible for Professor Snape to have a child, especially one as mild mannered as Luna. Luna and Draco finished the Potions – taking to the same roles as they normally did when brewing potions over the breaks with Severus. Luna would usually find and prepare the ingredients as well as add a few to the cauldron. Draco would usually stir and add the rest, as he was a disciplinarian when it came to stirring, making sure that it was stirred just so. They had plenty of time to talk quietly as they did this as well as manage to get the potion done in about twenty minutes as most of the other students took about forty five to accomplish the potion.
"I'm glad that we're Potions partners. It'll give us a chance to catch up on each other now and then." Luna quietly reassured Draco with a smile. He smirked at her as he answered, "Did you honestly think I'd leave you to partner up with some stranger when I'm accustomed to having you as a Potions partner, moon girl?" Luna smiled that special smile of hers, the one that lit up her entire face, the one that made Draco's heart beat a little faster before answering him, "Not really. I knew you'd do something to be close to me – since we've been best friends for as long as I can remember, star boy." Draco smiled at her. As they were talking, Severus Snape noticed how his daughter and her best friend, his godson were interacting, so closely that it reminded him of he and his Lily, Luna's mother. He snapped out of his reverie and went back to teaching. "Can anyone tell me what I would get if I added liquid wormswart to powdered frog's breath and added newt's blood?" Severus Snape sternly asked the class, not expecting many people to know. Three hands up – Luna Snape's, Hermione Lestrange's and Draco Malfoy's. Severus, not wanting to show much emotion, kept his voice even when allowing his talented daughter to answer the complex question, "Yes, Miss Snape?" Luna smiled at him, clearly understanding what was going on as she answered clearly with shining emerald eyes, "The answer is a highly dangerous yet sweetly smelling poison that can cause it's victims to enter a sleep like state of death." Severus knew that she was correct but knew he could show her how proud he was, so he simply answered, "That is correct. 10 points to Slytherin. Oh, Miss Snape? See me after class." Severus slyly looked at her with a glint in his eyes, just wanting to know how his daughter was getting on. She smiled at him, understanding quite clearly as she answered in a respective tone, "Yes, sir." Severus turned around and wrote down the homework assignment for that night before dismissing the class and beckoning his daughter to come towards him, once all of the other students had left. Severus hugged her tightly and whispered to her, "I would like to thank you for the lovely coffee this morning, your mother used to do that for me when we were in sixth year... I'm immensely proud of you getting into Slytherin, by the way, Luna." Luna grinned at him happily, hugging him closer until he let her go. She smiled at him and answered, "No problem, Papa and thank you, it means the world to me that you're proud. I made a new friend actually. He's a friend of Draco's. His name is Blaise Zabini." Severus raised his eyebrow, "Oh? And is he... alright?" he asked wondering if the young Zabini was worth his daughter's kindess and time. "Would I associate myself with someone if they weren't up to my standards, Papa? Draco's known him for a while and introduced me. He's a rather nice boy. Oh, and he's Italian." Luna answered cheekily with a grin just like her mother's. Severus smiled slightly at her before replying, knowing that one day – the two friends, now potions partners, would realise that they were so much more than friends, "Fair enough, my moonbeam. I'll see you after dinner, I suppose. Off with you now, don't keep Draco waiting." Luna grinned at him, as she replied, "Of course, Papa. Actually, may I meet you in our chambers after dinner, please Papa? My homework should be completed by then as Draco and I are going to library with Blaise to study." Severus smiled at his pride and joy making new friends every day. "Of course, my moonbeam. Off you go now, and I would be glad to proof read your essay for you, Luna." Severus answered her softly with a fatherly smile.
Now for those translations - bella = Beautiful, buena notte = Goodnigh, signorina = Lady, Amico = Friend, Mio Amico = My friend, Buongiorno = Good morning, Per favore = Pleas, sfogliatelle = Italian sweet pastry, Bello = Lovely, Scopare la gente! = Fuck the people! Merda dura = Tough shit, Linguaggio = Language, Padre = Dad.