Draco Malfoy sat in a chair in his father's study, his head turned so that he faced out the window. He was finally home. After all the excitement of Dumbledore's death, it felt nice to be able to relax again. But hard as he tried, he couldn't completely relax. There was still that one annoyance, and its name was Hermione Granger. He knew everything else would work itself out, but for some unidentifiable reason he couldn't get her out of his thoughts. Even worse, he'd begun seeing her everywhere. Any woman with brown hair was suddenly Hermione to him. It was most vexing. As Draco continued to gloomily stare out the window, Lucius Malfoy was heading toward the study to have a talk with his son.

Lucius was extremely proud of his heir. According to Severus, Draco had been wonderful. The Dark Lord would one day be very happy to have Draco in his ranks. Lucius threw open the door to his study. There sat his son, his golden boy, in a chair, staring out a window and daydreaming.

"Draco?" Lucius inquired of his son.

Draco immediately turned and sat up straighter. "You wished to see me?"

"Yes," Lucius replied, coming into the room and taking a seat behind his desk. He leaned forward, putting his arms on the desk and steepling his fingers. "Snape tells me that you were most helpful recently."

Draco nodded stiffly. He was never quite sure how to take praise from his father.

Lucius continued. "You are well on your way to joining the top ranks of the Dark Lord's followers. He is most pleased with recent events."

Draco took in everything his father said. His father never exaggerated his praise, so Draco knew that he was becoming important, useful. It was what he had always wanted, but for some reason, he felt…hollow.

"The Dark Lord has decided it prudent to further your education, so that you may be of use in the future. You are to begin lessons with Bellatrix Lestrange when she is available." Lucius looked smug.

Draco was taken aback. Bellatrix Lestrange was insane; he'd seen her picture from Azkaban. Draco was all for the cause, but Bellatrix was one of those rabid followers; she was willing to give up her life for Voldemort. Draco understood and agreed with most of Voldemort's policies, but he had plans of his own. Voldemort was just a stepping stone to his own greatness. It was dangerous to have such thoughts, especially since he was surrounded by Death Eaters essentially all of the time, but he had the art of occlumency down.

"Bellatrix is to arrive tomorrow. You will begin your lessons then." Lucius studied his son for a moment, then nodded decisively. "You will do well. That is all."

Draco nodded to his father, and pushed back his chair. He got to his feet and proudly walked across the room and out the door. Once in the hall, he sagged against the wall. Everything was happening so quickly, and he didn't understand why his excitement was turning into reluctance. He pushed back his platinum hair and continued down the hallway. Generations of Malfoys and related families stared austerely down at him. Draco quickened his pace to escape the expectations. Something was not right.

The train pulled into the station. Harry stood up and stretched. He offered Luna his hand and she gratefully allowed him to pull her up from her seat. She stretched as well, and stifled a yawn with her hand.

"Do you need any help with your things?" Harry asked her.

"No, I expect father will get everything," Luna replied, smiling up at him.

Together they exited the train. Luna ran to her father, a middle-aged man wearing a bright red sports coat and plum trousers. A lime green bowler hat covered his light blond hair. Luna looked back at Harry and waved him over.

Harry walked towards the two. Luna grabbed his hand to make him walk faster. Harry felt an odd sensation in his stomach, almost like a fluttering. He looked down at their hands; Luna's delicate and white against his rough hand.

"Papa, you remember Harry, right?" she asked her father.

"Of course, of course," Luna's father murmured. Harry thought he looked like he was somewhere else, spacier than Luna if possible. Then remembering where he was, his eyes focused somewhat and he said, "How do you do, Harry Potter?"

Harry looked at him strangely and answered, "Very well, sir."

"Hmmm." Luna's father certainly was odd.

"Are you sure we can't give you a ride, Harry? It really wouldn't be any trouble. And then you can hear about Papa's latest discovery: Spackems. They're just marvelous." Luna's face was so animated when she spoke.

"Spackems?" Harry repeated.

"Yes, they're all over Ireland and are making their way to England. The funny thing is, only certain people can see them!" Luna began to rifle through her bag, looking for her copy of The Quibbler.

Harry thought for a minute. He could either ride alone in a cab, or he could hear about Spackems with Luna and her father. Surprisingly he wanted to go with Luna.

"Actually, I was just thinking it would be silly of me to waste money on cab fare to go somewhere I've never been. If it's alright, could I still ride with you?Luna clapped excitedly. "Brilliant," she replied, then tugged on his hand to lead him to the parking lot.

"You're father has a car?" Harry wondered aloud.

"Oh, yes. He's very into muggle things. He thinks the safest thing to do right now is to live among the muggles. It's easier to blend in that way." Luna led him to a bright orange station wagon with green rims. Her father followed behind, pushing all of their luggage.

"This will be great fun," Luna said, smiling madly.

Harry couldn't help but grin back. He felt good.