Luna soothed down the red dress she was wearing, it hugged her body until it reached her hips were it pleated out down to her knees. She bent over and looked at the crimson red highheels she wore, doing up the black laces her mind tried to drift back to her negative thoughts but Luna refused to do so. She had chosen to where this dress in perticular bacuse of the sentimental value it held for her, she had worn this same dress on their first date.
"You ready," Ginny asked, her head poking in trhough the cracked door. Her red hair falling gracefully around her face and glittering in the morning sun.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Luna replied dismally. She followed Ginny down the steps until they reached the front door. Hermione was still getting ready, wrapping her warm gryffindor scarf around her neck and doing up the buttons of her brown fitted jacket.
"Looking snazzy, 'Mione," Ginny said with a small smile scpread across her face.
Luna moved to the coat rack and slispped on her black coat, that was tight near her chest then fanned out to just below her knees, and then she slipped on her cream elbow length gloves. Just as she was smoothing out her ensamble Ginny was slipping on her purple blazer and Hermione was combing her long bown hair from out of her eyes.
They left the burrow and saw Fred and George talking to Harry and Ron and Mr. Weasley closing the car trunk as Mrs. Wealsey rung her hands. They walked down the stone walkway until the rest of the family realsied they had arrived.
"We won't be coming," Fred said in an appologetic tone. "Not enough room."
"There used to be but you've all grown up, we can't fit in anymore!" added George. He punched Ron on the shoulder softly, as Fred shaked Harry's hand. They turned to leave back into the house but stopped once they reached Luna.
"We'll alert you the moment we hear a thing," George said to her.
"Good luck," Luna said lamely as they made their way to the house.
"No good luck to you," Fred replied and they disappeared into the house.
"All packed," Mr. Weasleu exclamied proudly as he prushed his hands together. "Go on, its eight, we only have an hour."
The five of them obeyed and with their assortment of pets thet five of them squahed into the back seat. Harry got in first and Ginny cut in front of Ron so she could sit next to him. Ron gave a shrug and squashed in next to them, and then Hermione and Luna squashed in next to them before closing the car door. Luna's hip bone was pressed up so hard against the closed door she could just feel the huge bruise developing.
"Coming Mrs. Wealey?" Hermione asked as she shifted in the small space she had gotten between Ron and Luna.
"I wouldn't miss sending you off for the world." Mrs. Wealsey said and she got in the front passenger seat as Mr. Weasley sat in the drivers seat. Then they were off on the long stuffy drive.
The scenery that passed by quickly seemed almost hypnotic to Luna. As Ron snored loudly on Hermione's shoulder and Ginny talked loudly about her plans for Herry and her wedding to Mrs. Weasley Luna's mind began to slip into memories. The tall oak trees that were almost bare of their red leaves rushed by as their car wound through the country roads, and Luna's remembered the late night that Draco had tried to stop the eight ball running.
They had planned the meeting for weeks now, the memory of their first kiss still lingered on her lips as she quietly slipped from her dorm. Draco had approached her the Monday after he saved her from Umbridge and it took weeks to plan a rendevous that was completely risk free. Her long blond hair was out and it flowed behind her as she ran down the dark cooridors as silent as a mouse.
She arrived at the seventh floor and the wall had already appeared by the time she arruved to its spot right next to the enterance to the kitchens. She pushed open the wooden doorand saw the small circular room, the walls were made of dark wood and there was a brown couch, a large tv and a drinks cart. Draco stood as he mixed Vodka into what looked like Coke Cola.
Luna stood as she silently observed him from the back, she closed the door and slipped off her long cloak, and as she hung it up on the rack Draco still remained unaware thet she had arrived. Luna crossed the room slowly and finally, as he turned with the drink in his hand, he spotted her whatching him.
"Dear god! Luna, you scared me," he breathed, she cocked her head to the side. She would never hace guessed she would ever hear Draco Malfoy say those words to her, especially as he was on a date with her!
"I didn't want to disturb you," Luna replied.
"Isn't that why you're here," he aksed but he seemed to have a problem with what he had jsut said.
She cleared her throat (Well, this is awkward...) and shifted her weight from her right foot to her left one. Draco moved up to her and she was finally able to see his face clearly in the dim light. His brow was cursed but he had a handsome smile spread across his lips. His teel eyes were burning into her own and his hand wa slowly reaching for hers. Luna got on her tip toes so she could be level with him and their lips connected in a kiss. They pressed together like they had done weeks ago and Luna felt the same exilerated rush she had before. Her hands run through hsi silky hair and she flet him drawing away from her, his grip around her waist and back loosening.
"We can't," He began but she shook her head. Luna knew that she wouldn't be able to go on knowing that she might never feel the same stomach flipping, light headed, giddiness she felt at that moment.
"I don't want to listen to reason," she had said in a ragged whisper. She plunged deep into his hair and brough his face back to her own and began to kiss him again, the feeling in her heart growing (I'll never be the same) and Draco deepened it as he too felt the chemestry between them bubbling.
If she had listened to Draco that night she wouldn't feel so empty, like her soul was shaking, but then she wouldn't have been so happy for the two years leading up to this point. She wiped away a stary tear that was cooling her right cheek but it hadn't escaped Hermione's notice, and she gave Luna's hand a tight squeeze.
"It'll be ok," she mouthed silently to Luna and all Luna could do was give Hermione a small smile before turning back out the window only to see Kings Cross station.
"Here it goes," Harry said, cutting into Ginny's long speech about orchids vs. lillies in her wedding bouqet.
They all stepped out of the car and the cold air nipped at Luna's legs and she began to shiver. Wrapping her coat tighter aroudn her body, she waited for everyone to join her before she approached the large doors to the busy station.
As they wound through the train station Luna spotted excited first years as they ran along side their parents to the pillar between platform nine and ten. Luna walked at the bac of the group, avoiding the gawks a few of her felllow Ravenclaws gave her (They know and they are all judging me!), Ginny sensed Luna was uncomfortable and dropped back to her side. She held Luna's hand and then brought her to the front with Harry, Hermione and Ron.
They all shared a secret smile and Luna was moved into the center of the group where they could all protect her. A third year slytherin openly pointed at Luna but Ron gave the boy a loud growl and he ran back to his parents.
They arrived on the platform where Luna could see family after family quietly run at the pillar and vanish into the magical world where the Hogwarts Express was waiting patiently. Mrs. Wealsey was dabbing at her eye as Rona and Ginny said their goodbyes.
"Don't cry, mum!" Ron groaned. "We've been doing this for god knows hopw long, you think you'd toughened up by now."
"Don't speak to your mother that way," Mr. Weasley scolded but Ron shrugged it off. Ginny wrapped her arms around her mum and kissed her on the cheek beofre moving away and Harry ran up and gave her a one armed hug that made Mrs. Weasley cry harder.
"We'd come with you," she sniflled. "But I would understand why you want to run onto the train once you get over there." Luna gave a small nod, she wasn't looking forward to walking through the dense crowd of her peers, all gossiping about her and Draco, no doubt.
"You watch out for her, now," Mr. Weasley said to Ron, he nodded solemnly then ran at the pillar with his trunk and small twittery owl, and he was englufed by the brick wall.
"Bye, Mrs. Weasley! See you at graduation!" Hermione said with a beaming smile then she ran after Ron. Finally Luna was through the barrier after Harry and Ginny and she could barely see through the train's smoke. Through the light grey smog she could see shillouttes of the mass amount of students and their parents, their shouts echoing off the walls. A hand grabbed hers and she was yanked towards the train, she barely had enough time to grab her trunk before she was ha boarded. She looked over to who had dragged her and saw Ginny smiling.
"Come on, Ron found an empty compartment," she said happily and Luna her down the small hallway. They arrived at a closed door and through the smoked glass she could see three shapes. Ginny slid it open and gave a casual wave to everyone inside. "I found her!" Ginny cheered.
"Let me get your trunk," Harry said and he easily grabbed the thick drak borwn trunk and put it in the upper compartment.
"This will certainly be a most interesting year," Harry muttered and Ginny gave a small snort of laughter as she peered out the train window at all the students who were all piling onto the tain as 9:00am inched closer.
Hermione opened up a sandwitch box and brought out five different sandwitchs and she handed them all out then poured steaming coffee into five cups.
"I thought it was best we have soem morning tea before Ron and I have to go and do out Prefect duties." she said easily as she chomped on her ham sandwitch. "I'll kepp Pansy Parkninson away from here, no doubt she'll be dying for your blood." Luna stared at Hermione for a long time, slightly suprised by her statement. Hermione shifted uneasily under Luna's gaze, and she stuffed ehr sandwicth in her mouth and gulped down her coffee. The train agev a lurch as Hermione jumped out of her seat.
"Better, uh, get going!" She said.
"But I'm not done!" Ron moaned through a mouthful of mushy sandwitch.
"Now, Ronald!" Hermione scolded then thrust him form the seat and through the door and followed quickly after him.
"I should take a few notes from you, Luna. When ever Hermione is annoying me, I can just stare at her until she runs away!" Ginny said and Harry smiled at his fiance.
Luna looked away from the pair, she rememberred moments when she and Draco were together and she caught herself just simply smiling at him. She remembered how much pure joy just loving him gave her, she wondered if she'd ever feel that again (Don't go there!).
The minutes ticked by and the compartment got hotter and hotter. Luna stripped off her coat and took off her gloves stashing them with her trunk she sat back down with Ginny and Harry as they continued to talk about wedding plans. There was a knock at their compartment door and Harry stood up slowly, he walked over to the door and slid it open. Blaise Zabbinni stood in the entrance way, his eyes glaring at Harry for a moment before he saw Luna.
"Blaise!" Luna gasped, she got form her seat and ran forward. He pushed past Harry and wrapped his arms around Luna in a hug. "He's gone!" she cried into his black dress shirt.
"I know, my father told me. I'm so sorry, we'll get him back." Blaise whispered as he stroked her long hair.
"How, Blaise?" Luna asked, drawing away from him and looking up at his deep black eyes that looked like two never ending tunnels.
"You need to come with me, Luna. Crabbe, Goyle and I have thought up a plan but we can't discuss it here." He gave a vemanous look to Harry and Ginny. "There are two many eavesdroppers."
"Luna oesn't go anywhere without us!" Ginny yelled, jumping to her feet. "She belongs with people who love and care for her!"
"That's right, we have her best interests at heart, you only want your fearless leader back!" Harry hissed at Blaise.
"I want Luna to be safe just as much as you do! I love her like a little sister, and I know of her bravery! You merely pity her as a stray puppy!" Blaise shouted.
"Thank you, Blaise," Luna siad, and cut Harry off at another yell. "And you two, Harry and Ginny, but the more you argue is more time whatsed! I want Harry and Ginny to come, Blaise, they will no doubt have a part to play."
"If that's what you wish," Blaise said with a shrug, and he walked out the compartment.
Luna followed colsely behind him, not willing to be away from either him or Harry for too long. The way everyone looked at her made her shiver and she picked up her pace. They made their way to the other end of the train before Bliase fianlly slowed to a stop. He gave three knocks on a compartment door and it slid open.
It was Goyle at the door, he had grown into his thick frame that in year one had looked like lard but now in year seven it looked like muscle, he was now tall enough that he had to hunch to get through the door. He smiled at Blaise then his brown eyes swept over Luna, Harry and Ginny. Draco had once explained to Luna that what he liekd most about his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, was that they knew when not to ask questions, Luna now understood what Draco had meant when Goyle just merrely welcomed all four of them in without a word.
Crabbe was sitting int the compartment also, he was mixing cream into six cups of tea. Bliase motioned for Luna, Harry and Ginny to sit on the bench opposit him. They were all sitting comfortably and Crabbe handed out the tea in the fine china cups.
"Drink up," Bliase said and they all did so, placing the cups on the table between them.
"So down to business?" Goyle asked Blaise.
"Yeah, we have a lot to get through," Blaise replied with a nod. Goyle bent over and brought out a vanilla folder and handed it to Blaise.
"What is this, The Sopranos? Who's getting wacked?" Ginny asked with her laugh. Blaise took it to heart and gave her a hatefilled galre before turning to Luna.
"Last night, I was able to get into the Malfoy's security room, they have every exit under video surveyalance." Blaise began, opeening the folder.
"How'd you manage that?" asked Harry, un able to hide his interest.
"I have an in with the maid," Blaise replied with a suggest lilt to his tone, Harry rolled his eyes and crossed his arms tightly across his chest.
"Anyway!" Blaise said, cheered by the idea that he had made Harry Potter uncomfortable. "I got pictures of um," he cleared hsi throat awkwardly. "Of the kidnapping taking place..." Luna swallowed hard as he handed her the open floder, the moving pictures in full horrific view. "I think it pretty much shows who's involved."
In the picture Luna could see a black car humming silently near the back door of Draco's house. Suddenly the door swung open and she could see Lusious Malfoy swaggering out into the afternood sun, he spoke with who ever was driving the car and then truned and motioned to someone still inside the car. From the dark house two men dargged a boy by the arms out to the car, and then they opened the trunk and shoved huim in roughly. Luna's heart stopped as the picture repeated itself and she saw the boy being dragegd to the car once more, it was Draco! She recognised his silver hair and his long masculine body. She truend his head, unable to whatch him thrash against his captors.
"Sorry, I should have known it was too much," Blaise said, quickly gathering the photos away from Luna.
There were so many thoughts and feelings going through Luna she wondered if she might break under the pressure, she brushed away the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.
"Who was driving the car," Harry asked Blaise.
"It was Prf. Snape," Blaise replied thickly, handing Goyle the closed folder and it was agin hidden under the seat. Ginny placed a hand on Luna's shuddering shoulder as she tried to keep all the negative thoughts at bay.
"Luna, it will be ok," Blaise said, placing his hand on hers. "We have a plan."
"What is it?" Luna asked, her anger mounting. No one coudl take Draco away from her and expect her jsut to stand by and let it happen. Luscious won't get away with this.
"Well, the only reason Luscious is messing with Draco's happiness is -" Blaise began but Ginny cut him off.
"Is he's a prick?" Ginny aksed.
"Yes, but mostly when a son disobeys his family in our traditions, they just let him go off and if given the chance beat him up." Blaise explained. "But what's strange is that Luscious took the trouble to set draco up and then kidnap and troture him then threaten you! Its just so much unnessecary hoop jumping!"
"Well then why did he do it?" Harry asked.
"Luscious hates the fact Draco is happy, he despises how Draco can jsut so easily pick up and leave when Luscious is stuck living with Narcissa so miserably," Blaise replied. "But this gives us a great oppurtunity to get Draco back."
"Blaise, how? I don't understand!" Luna said desperatly.
"We let Luscious have a taste of what hadmade Draco so happy." said Blaise
"And what's that?" Ginny asked.
"Its little Luna Malfoy," Goyle said and all eyes in the compartemtn turned to her. "Its all Luscious wants!"
Luna's heart stopped dead as they all gawked at her.
Draco held her close as they whatched the sun set, "You'll see, my love. Life will be so much more simple once our relationship comes out."
"Luscious won't be able to touch us!" Luna cheered. (Foolish girl!)
(A/N) Well, that was hard! I had to just keep writing :P but oh well, it was certainly fun! I hope you like it!! COMMENT!
The fact that Blaise is hiding he had been the one (though under the influence of truth serium) to spoil Luna and Draco's secret will come and nip him in the butt, so hold your breath :)