It's been too long, there are no excuses. I've decided to update every Wednesday, so I think having a planned date for it will urge me to write. Thank you to all of the very kind comments(: This chapter things begin to start, sparks begin to fly….

The week passed quietly. I distanced myself from everyone, a heavy cloud hanging over me. It was one of those weeks where you wake up feeling… well, bad. Crappy. For no reason. Which was unexplainably frustrating. Not even reading the latest Quibbler could kick my mood up a notch.

Potions class drew to a close, and I packed my bag slowly. Tomorrow, I'd get to sleep in and hide away in my dorm and read. I just had to get through the day.

On my way to lunch, Ginny caught up with me. Her arms were bearing two paper bags, and she held an arm outstretched. "Take one, I woke up early and made us both lunch."

"That's so nice of you," I murmured, taking the bag happily. Ginny was the best cook I knew; it instantly brightened my mood.

"I thought it might cheer you up," Ginny replied, looking too deep into my eyes. I dropped my gaze to the floor.

The cafeteria was lively, everyone itching about the upcoming Yule ball, only a week away. Ginny knew of my resentment towards the event, though I could tell she was hoping someone would ask her. And who could blame her? Everyone wants to be asked to dances. Even little loony Luna.

Neville, Hermione, and Harry had a table saved for us like usual. Pushing our way through the crowds, we finally dropped into our seats. "Where's Ron?"

"He had to stay after with Snape," Hermione explained, a smirk playing on her lips. Ginny pursed her lips, concern clouding her expression.

"Isn't that Oliver?" Hermione nudged Harry and nodded towards the tall, handsome boy making his way towards the table. Harry straightened up immediately, probably expecting his Quidditch teammate was coming to mention a change in practice time or a game cancellation. To all of our surprise, he planted his feet before Ginny and tapped her on the shoulder. Obliviously, she continued sipping her milk. Once she finally spun to see the beautiful gent she choked on her milk. Ginny was always into Oliver Wood; every Quidditch game she would take my binoculars and spy on the kid whirring through the sky.

"Ms. Ginny Weasley?" Oliver grinned ear to ear, his smile so blinding I could hardly look. I knew what was happening. My heart dropped to my stomach. Another example I could add to my long list of why I was the sidekick, the 'ugly friend', the minority of the group, the forgotten.

"Yes?" By now Ginny was beaming so widely I thought her face might burst. I was the only one who couldn't watch.

"Will you come to the Yule Ball with me?" he held his palm in front of her expectantly. Ginny's eyes were larger than golf balls. With trembling fingers she took his hand in hers.

"Of course," her excitement could hardly be contained. The rest of the group had varying reactions. Hermione clutched a hand to her heart and smiled supportively. Neville was shell-shocked; his jaw dropped and his glass tilted, spilling water all over his lap. He didn't seem to even notice. Harry was beet red, and his eyes shone with… anger? Envy? Particularly his expression stunned me. How very odd.

The tables within earshot broke out in roaring applause. I joined, though the smile didn't touch my eyes. Hermione even got to her feet clapping, while Harry rushed off mumbling about the lavatory and Neville was still spilling his dwindling water.

Ginny skipped away to Oliver's table to finish her lunch with him and I was shamefully thankful. I couldn't bear to hear her gush about him.

"Are you going to ask anyone, Neville?" Hermione asked him in between bites. "Time is running out."

"I know…" he muttered, but didn't respond to her question. In silence, we finished lunch. I made sure to clear back to the empty hallways before meeting eyes with anyone else.

Hogwarts during lunchtime was peaceful. The entire student body was crammed into the dining hall, leaving only a few stray teachers and pets roaming the grounds. I decided maybe air was what I needed. I still had forty minutes before my next class. I ventured through the arched double doors onto the grass, contemplating to stop in to Hagrid's to see Fang and have a cup of cocoa. First, I'd better calm myself down with a chapter from my latest read; Empty Dungeons. It was about a strong witch who has to fight her way through crime in London, solving mysteries on the side. I perched myself on the ground and pulled it out of my bag, getting lost in the book.

"I've read that," a voice I knew I couldn't face murmured close to my ear. The shock of being pulled from my book into reality was so abrupt I launched to my feet.

"Oh…hi Draco." The brooding blonde sat parked beside my bag. Warily, I stayed on my feet.

"Luna, I saw you in the dining hall." Hearing my name slip between his lips was the oddest sensation, I could hardly make sense of his words. "You were unhappy. It was… it was odd. With your blonde hair, your pale face, you seem so angelic almost. Like you shouldn't be unhappy."

Had Draco Malfoy just called me angelic?

"Is anything going on?"

I couldn't remove my eyes from my shoes. "Why do you have such a sudden interest?"

He didn't answer. Dejectedly, I seated myself next to him, feeling like he was the only person I had left. And I did what I had never been able to do, I spilled my guts. To practically a stranger. Every thought, every emotion, it all came barreling out. He listened with intently, never interrupting.

Impossibly long, narrow fingers took tender hold of my chin, and he forced me to face him. Nothing was comparable to his eyes. They were hallow, empty, but endlessly beautiful. I could lose myself in them like a good book, and that was saying a lot. "Is there anything I can do? To make you be happy again?"

"You have a sweet side, Mr. Malfoy," I remarked. Blood crept up his cheeks. Never had I seen his unbelievably pale face turn such a shade of red.

"No one's ever said anything remotely that kind," and for the first time in seemingly ever, he smiled.

It put the Eiffel Tower to shame, the way it shined.

"Not even Pansy?" I joked. We chuckled together.

It became increasingly obvious how his hand had no intention of leaving my cheek. He tilted his face closer, our noses were nearly brushing by then. Our breathing grew heavy and synchronized. It wasn't long before he was leaning closer and closer, and our lips touched.

It was passionate and devastatingly perfect. My first kiss. Hard to believe, I know. With Draco Malfoy, no less. What would Ginny say? What would Harry say? It nearly sent me cackling.

We remained that way for a long moment. I dreamed it would never end, but end it did as Draco finally pulled away. Would he run screaming now? Realize what he'd just done?

"Class is about to start," he mentioned, his fingers trembling ever so slightly on his watch. "I should go." With stiff legs, he arrived at his feet and briskly walked off, accidentally dropping a folded piece of paper on his way.

Vocalizing my emotions would be impossible. I had just been kissed. By the most popular, and the most popularly hated boy in the school. And it was beautiful. And he was embarrassed by me.

Hot tears started to fall. I knew it all along. How could I believe a boy like him could ever like a girl like me? He had woken up.

I fingered the paper he dropped, considering whether or not I should just tear it up. But the curiosity ached, so I tore it open with rough fingers.

'Luna-

Meet me in the Astronomy wing at nine.

-D'