Disclaimer: I own nothing. It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
I see that some of you are pleased with the last chapter. I figured it was about time Neville and Draco became buddies.
I was asked to make sure Ginny doesn't hex Draco's face. If Ginny is anything like her mother, Draco's face should be the last thing anyone should worry about. *hint, hint* But don't fret. She won't do too much damage.
So, here is the next chapter. The Duel of the Dragons. Enjoy.
Love,
Avoline.
The two men entered the pub and started towards the table. Draco could see Ginny and Cho Chang saying something to Luna, something that was clearly irritating the blond. Draco was about to speed up when he felt Neville's hand on his shoulder again. He turned his head to see the other man shaking his. They neared the table, and Ginny narrowed her eyes at Draco.
"Maybe we should go somewhere more private," she growled before storming towards the door. Draco glanced at Cho before looking at Luna.
"She's not thrilled about you and Luna," Cho began. "She wants to duel you. Her conditions." Draco shook his head.
"I'll humor her on the duel," he answered, "but if she thinks I'll leave if she wins, she's delusional." He could see Cho's surprised face in his peripheral vision, and turned to face her.
"It's a long story, Cho," Luna's soft voice cut in. "Let's get Ginny calmed down first." She stood and grasped Draco's hand. The four of them joined Ginny outside. The red looked absolutely furious.
She won't make me leave Luna. I won't let her.
Draco snorted challengingly at Ginny.
"I pick the location, I pick the conditions," she snapped.
"You can pick the location, but any conditions are useless," he hissed.
"Let's just get this over with," Neville piped in. Draco and Ginny nodded before the group joined their hands into one huge fist and apparated away. Draco was just climbing to his feet before he was hit with a hex. His stomach felt as though it had been split open, and he doubled in pain as he fell to the ground.
"GINNY," he heard Luna scream.
"He wasn't even ready to start," Cho scolded.
"Do you really think he wouldn't have done the same thing," Ginny barked. Draco felt a pair of arm encircling him, and he opened his eyes to see Luna's tear-streaked face.
"Don't cry, Luna," he whispered. "I'll be fine." He could barely make out Neville's voice, but couldn't make out what he was saying.
"Draco, I'm telling you this to prepare you," Cho began gently. "You're stomach is pouring blood. I've got the stuff to heal you but it's gonna hurt." He closed his eyes and rested his head against Luna's trembling shoulder.
"Just do what you have to do," he gasped. He heard the sound of a cork being pulled out of the top of a bottle, then Luna began to whimper. "Luna, don't worry. I'll be just fine, I promise."
"Get ready," Cho warned. He braced himself just as he felt little drops of fluid his his stomach. He gasped, but gritted his teeth at the sound of Luna's quiet sobs. Before he knew it, the pain was gone. "Okay. Just take it easy for a bit, Draco."
"Is he ready to fight yet," Ginny screeched. Draco grinned and forced himself to his feet.
"Draco," Luna whined. He leaned down and kissed her.
"She won't stop until I duel her," he murmured. "I'll be careful, love." She smiled at him, and he smiled back before straightening up and facing the red-haired girl. He grasped the hilt of his wand.
"Okay, guys," Neville called. "In three, two, one, DUEL!"
Draco snatched his wand out of his pocket and aimed at the girl. "Expelliarmus!" He grinned as she stopped her feet in fury.
"You no good, dirty rotten ferret," she shouted.
"At least you aren't in any physical pain," he taunted. "The only thing that's even bruised is your ego." She stomped towards him, and in a show of nobility and defiance, he held her wand out to her. She stopped and stared at him.
"Told ya he's different," Neville intoned.
"If you were trying to make me leave Luna, it wouldn't have worked," Draco explained. "I promised her that I would never leave her, and I plan on keeping that promise." Ginny crossed her arms and snorted.
"And when did you make that promise," she hissed. He turned to Luna, and she nodded. He turned back to the youngest Weasley.
"A little over a month ago," he answered softly, "when I found out that she was pregnant." He could hear Cho gasp, and Ginny turned to Neville.
"When you plan on telling us," she snapped.
"When Luna was ready," he answered. Ginny whirled to Draco again.
"So," she growled, "when will get to meet the baby." Draco let his shoulders drop a bit.
"You won't," he whispered. "We lost the baby." He heard Luna sob, and he turn to her and wrapped his arms around her. Her tears soaked into his shirt.
"Oh, Merlin," Ginny mutter. "Luna, I'm so sorry." She lifted her head as Draco gently brushed the curls from her face.
"It's okay, Ginny," she murmured. "You didn't know. None of you did." Draco kissed her forehead.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner," Cho asked, almost pleadingly. Draco lifted his gaze to her.
"She wouldn't move for two weeks," he replied. "I had to coax her into eating at least once a day." His silver eyes turned to Ginny. She looked guilty, almost as though it was her fault the baby didn't make it.
"I'll take Luna so she can talk to Cho," Neville whispered in Draco's ear. "You and Ginny need to work this out." Draco nodded and released his hold on Luna. Soon, it was just him and the red head.
"Draco, I didn't," she began, but faltered. "I didn't know that... If she had only..."
"Ginny," he stated firmly. Her eyes met his. "She only told Neville cause she was afraid of how you would react, which you did so just as she had predicted. After the way I've treated you and your brothers, I don't blame you one bit for being angry. But let's try to be civil, for Luna's sake." He felt himself slipping down the emotional slide again. "She's been through enough, don't you think?" Ginny nodded.
"As long as she's happy and you treat her right, I won't hex you to death," she muttered. He smiled.
"Let's go find the others and grab something to eat," he offered. "I'm starving right now."