Chapter nine :) here it is.
Chapter nine: Castor's POV
Duelling with Luna was probably not the best idea on my part. Snape had given his the use of his potions classroom as it appeared that he didn't know about the room of the requirement or was just choosing not to reveal it to us. We didn't tell him that we knew because he'd just become suspicious and probably end up becoming aware of Dumbledore's army… and that none of us wanted.
She danced elegantly, like a nymph as her feet glided effortlessly over the cold floor. The torch light illuminated the dingy classroom as my eyes flickered to the various bottles which lined the classroom. My hand grasped my wand tighter as Luna aimed a perfectly cast spell at my head, I just managed to duck as the purple light flashed past my hair, hitting the wall and breaking apart. She smiled sweetly as I did my best to counter. With a flick of my hand the spell aguamenti was cast and flew at Luna, with a slight grin she dodged and cast a confringo which I just dodged. She was really going all out, although that's what Snape had told us to do, not hold back, saying that our enemies wouldn't so we needed the practice but it was hard to try to hurt Luna. Hard for me anyway but Snape was right, a Death Eater wouldn't hesitate to use an unforgiveable on us.
I was then flipped on my back to find a giggling Luna standing over me, she offered me her hand to help me up and I took it gladly. I couldn't pretend, she was far better than me… I needed to get much better and quickly.
"You were excellent Phoenix, I reckon Horned-wormslacks helped you," she smiled sweetly as I did my best to stretch out my back.
"That's a new one," I smiled.
"Daddy and I discovered them last year while trekking around Wales, fascinating creatures," she tucked her wand behind her ear, her long blonde hair flowing like a river down her back as she skipped to open the door for me.
I bowed graciously, "Thank you Lady Lovegood," she smiled.
"Lord Black," as if I'd ever be Lord Black: that was Sirius's role. He was great… Sirius, he always knew how to make me smile and unlike my aunt he was happy to tell me stories about mum and sometimes dad without breaking into tears every two seconds. I loved Aunty Andy but it was hard to have a talk with her about the past without her crying half way through. I didn't blame her though, it must be hard for her, seeing someone that she loved so dearly be transformed into… that. A monster.
At least I didn't really even know my mum and dad before they went to Azkaban, that way I didn't have to suffer the heart break. Still, not knowing the extent of their craziness as I hadn't seen it first-hand I couldn't help my curiosity. Who could blame me really? Harry more than others understood how I felt, he always wanted to know anything and everything about his parents.
"Oh! Great, it's the blood traitors!" I growled at Draco's voice whether as I expected Luna merely smiled.
"Hello Draco, lovely whether we're having?" She said without a hint of sarcasm, she just smiled that beautiful smile at my sneering cousin.
I felt my wand hand clench together as I narrowed my eyes, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and the rest were a real pain in the ass. They took any and every opportunity possible to make others' lives miserable. I had to say that for the most part they did a rather good job, though the one person that they and no one else could ever get to was Luna. Even though she was someone who certainly got a lot of crap from people, small minded people like Draco who didn't see the amazing, funny and talented girl that I saw… so what if she was a bit different? That was what made her special.
"Shut up looney Lovegood," I growled. He didn't talk to her that way. I stood up straight, my eyes narrowing further.
"Draco you'd better apologize," I growled, my voice wasn't overly loud but it held an element of you do not want to mess with me… normally I was rather pathetic at confrontation but when it came to defending Luna there was no one better.
"Oh that's quite alright Castor, Draco was only being friendly," Luna smiled in her dream like voice and I couldn't help but sigh. Friendly, friendly? Draco Malfoy was being friendly? Still, she had this quality to see the best in people…even if it was my impossible cousin. I just wished I could wipe that self-important smirk from his smug face.
"Or what are you going to hex me Black? You wouldn't dare!" Draco sniggered as Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles.
He was right, I probably wouldn't hex him, not with Crabbe and Goyle looming over me. Those two could certainly pack a lot of punch, Quidditch had proven that, I sometimes stood in for Fred or George as Gryffindor beater and I knew full well that it took a lot of effort to hit the bludger back after those two had hit it. I'd been hit by a few of their carefully aimed bludgers and it wasn't nice I had to admit. At least they were good at something, they certainly didn't have brains so they needed the brawn. As much as I hated to admit it Draco did have brains… much to my annoyance.
"Oh yeah? You want to back up that theory?" I snarled, drawing my wand… I couldn't win, not three against two and in all honestly I didn't even know if Luna would back me up, not because she didn't care but because she think that we were all just having a bit of good fun.
"Castor… I," Luna began but Draco cut her off. It seemed she did understand that when it came to me and Draco it wasn't all fun and games: this was passion, honour and hatred.
"Shut up freak!" He yelled before casting an expulso at me which narrowly missed my hair line. I gulped, like me Draco wasn't just joking around. Luna seemed to notice this and fired a well-timed protego to protect me as Crabbe got a reducto rather close to my head, it banged into the barrier and fizzled out. Jumping from the cover of the spell I cast an expelliarmus which missed Draco by a long shot. Letting out a sigh of frustration which didn't however last long as Luna cast the same spell and Draco, Crabbe and Goyle's wands were resting in her pale palms.
"Well I think that's enough fun for one day," she smiled, tossing them back their wands as they stood there with gormless looks on their faces. "Come on Castor."
I gladly did as she asked, a bit shocked myself although I shouldn't have been really, Luna was an amazing witch.
"D-Don't they… ever get to you Luna?" I asked as she skipped just slightly ahead of me, her shoulders bouncing with every skip she took.
"Not really, no, it's all just a big joke. I mean sure sometimes I feel they take it too far but I don't mind," I wished I could just remain so oblivious like her. Oblivious to others cruelty. I wondered if her ability to see the best in people extended to Death Eaters. I wondered if she would think it was just a bit of fun if a Death Eater cast crucio or maybe even the killing curse. That didn't bare thinking about… losing Luna, that just couldn't happen. She was the light to my dark, she made me happy and brought me out of the dark so I could see the day again.
Honestly considering that I was often depressed or worried she really had a tough job but she managed to pull it off every time… she was the cure to mending the pain in my chest.
"I wish I could feel like that Luna… not let them bother me," she smiled at this and took my hand. Making me blush somewhat furiously. I didn't know how she did it. Made my insides become all twisted and my cheeks heat up. She was more magical then any potion or spell. I sighed as Ernie came round the corner, he smiled brightly at us both and I let out a tired sigh. They weren't official dating but still, it hurt seeing her so happy every time she saw him, seeing him grin like he was just as madly in love with her as I was. I laughed, so this is what that muggle expression is then… being friend zoned. I certainly didn't like the feeling, it made me feel empty and alone but then she could just smile and it would take away my sadness.
Ernie bundled her up in a hug and gave me a polite smile, I had to admit that out of all the guys out there, he wasn't a bad choice. He was polite, respectable and friendly, he would treat her well if they ever did get together. She would be happy and all I ever wanted was her happiness. To see her smile and laugh. At least he wasn't one of the ones who bullied her.
"Hello Ernie," she said brightly, they were still locked in a hug and I couldn't help but feel like the awkward third wheel.
"Hey, you're looking nice today," Ernie smiled at her. I'd do anything to have that kind of confidence when it came to Luna.
"You too," she giggled happily. I took a few jagged breaths, she was happy. I waved my goodbyes deciding I couldn't bare it anymore.
Snape somehow managed to intercept me and he smiled slightly, "How was your session?" It was weird… seeing Snape smile.
"Good thanks… although I have to ask… why you are doing this for just me and Luna."
Snape knew it was inevitable, he knew how curious I could be and I was smart enough to work out that it wasn't Snape just trying to help us get some more practice. Something was going on.
"You're the son of two of the most powerful and prominent Death Eaters Castor. You're going to be a main target for the Death Eaters… mainly your parents and Rabastan. They will stop at nothing to hurt you and well… I know you like Luna. They will hurt her to hurt you so she needs training as well," Snape told me bluntly.
I felt my breath hitch in my throat as I looked at Snape who was no longer smiling.
"But my parents and Rabastan are in Azkaban!" I yelped, the fear was rising in me now. What was Snape implying? Did he somehow know the Dark Lord's plans?
"Hmmm," Snape replied cryptically before leaving me standing there in shock. What was happening? What did Snape know?
