Forgive me for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
Disclaimer – I own nothing, except the plot!
Hell Berry – Don't worry, I really enjoy your reviews, thank you.
NightTimeCreature – That's not good if Draco is gentle, but I feel bad for Luna. So, maybe Draco will be gentler but still cruel to Luna, but not as cruel as before.
Chapter 11
Luna sat quietly in the chair and let some of the best salon workers from Milan to take care of her. Today is the Winter Ball will be held, and she still has at least 4 hours to get ready. Draco has sent some people to help her get ready for the Ball. She actually doesn't need anyone to get ready, she knows how to do her hair to make it look elegant or how to use makeup, at least she knows how to do both things. But as usual, she can't say no to Draco, so she let him do what he want as long as it didn't hurt.
She smiled a little at thought of her dress. Her dress has been sent by Madam Malkin a few days ago. Honestly, it was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. She was stunned at the moment when her eyes landed on her dress. It's blue as blue as the sky. Blue ball gown with beautiful embroidery around the dress and has a low v-line neck that not only shows her chest but also her cleavage, and also off to the shoulders. Never in her life had imagined wearing such a beautiful dress that Draco given her. The last time she had a beautiful dress was when she was 7 years old on her birthday, and it was damaged by being tarnished by chocolate from her birthday cake.
Draco also looks quite happy with Madam Malkin's performance and gives her more than necessary.
Draco has been waiting downstairs with his best tuxedo. He leans against the banister and fixes his sleeve of his jacket. Just the thought of Luna wearing her dress had brought a smirk on his lips. She will look so amazingly beautiful, no one can compare. He has seen her dress but he hasn't wanted to see her wear it, he wants it to be a surprise.
He has become softer and more patient with her lately, and his treatment to her seems having an effect on her, where she becomes more relaxed when he touches her. And she started eating more and has also stopped taking potions to gain her weight back since last week. He hasn't touched her sexually since she tried to kill herself. Although he has been craving to touch her sexually badly he tries to restrain himself. It's better that way than he should lose her. He has spent a lot of energy, time, and money to get her this close, he won't lose her easily.
As he was busy with his thoughts that he didn't realize that she had descended the stairs. He just realized her presence when he heard the sound of high heels. He must hold his jaws to not fall at sight of her. He had never seen her as beautiful as now, she was simply the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He meets many beautiful women, but no one can match her beauty, she is in a different box than other women. Her beauty is so different that even he doesn't know what makes her different.
His eyes stared from head to foot. Her dress fits perfectly on her body; it looks elegant, graceful, and sexy. And her hair pulled into big high bun. He definitely loves the make-up that applies to her, its light but makes her look more mature. She was wearing the diamond earrings he gave her as a present, and she was wearing the necklace she usually wore every day. He can't take the risk of releasing the necklace from her.
He held out his hand and she take it, he pulled her gently, he wrapped an arm around her waist and his hand grabbed her chin, bringing her face close to his. He kissed her gently, not wanting to get too carried away.
"You look so beautiful," he whispered after he pulled away. She looks flushed and smiles at him. He stared at her for a few moments making her uncomfortable and looking down. He smiled. "Should we go now?"
She nodded.
It's better they leave now, otherwise they will be late and he doesn't want to make the Dark Lord question the presence of him and his partner.
Not long after, they had arrived. The ball room is wonderful with typical winter decor, almost the same as in Hogwarts, Luna thought as she looked around. Draco helps her release her cloak and leads her where the people with the highest status gather. Suddenly she felt her stomach tighten from nervousness.
"It's fine, they won't hurt you," he whispered, trying to make her feel better. He understands what she feels. She hadn't seen many people since she lived with him, and he doubted she had met so many people during her escape.
She knows no one will hurt her, but she can't stop what she feels, especially when her eyes landed on a black-haired woman with a black outfit standing beside Narcissa who was wearing a silver dress. Her body began to shake and her throat felt dry, she was frightened. But Draco keeps leading her toward them, and her legs move automatically.
"Draco, there you are," Narcissa said in relief. She has been waiting for her son for 20 minutes. People are looking for him and she doesn't want to keep them waiting any longer.
"I'm sorry, Mother, I'm late," Draco said.
"Thank God the Dark Lord hasn't questioned your presence," she murmured. She smiled broadly at the sight of Luna in her beautiful dress. "You look wonderful, Luna," she said with eyes shining with pride.
"Thank you," Luna forced a smile.
"Oh, look, who is this." The too familiar voice interrupts their small talk. Bellatrix looked at her with an evil grin. "How are you?"
She swallowed. "I'm fine, thank you," she replied politely.
"My, my, I really miss you. I keep remembering our time together," she said with the laughter of a maniac that always made her weak.
"Stop it, Aunt Bella," Draco said irritably. He has told her repeatedly not to disturb Luna. But apparently she didn't pay any attention to his warning.
"So she's your new doll, dear nephew?" Bellatrix asked, turning her eyes to Draco. "I see you are very fond of dressing your doll with beautiful dresses. She used to be my doll, but the way you and I treat her is very different. "
"Stop this crap, Bella," Narcissa warned. She can see how Luna looks uncomfortable and scared. She looks like a stray little cat.
"What's wrong? I just miss her," Bellatrix argued.
"I think that's enough, Bella, why don't you go somewhere else to disturb others," Lucius Malfoy said who came from nowhere. Bellatrix frowned but she obeyed.
For a moment Bellatrix disappeared, Luna breathed in relief. She wasn't aware that she had held her breath.
"So this is your new lady, Draco?" Lucius questioned as he looked at Luna. He knows who this woman is, who her family is, she is no stranger to him. She is a talented witch, but a rebel.
"I'm sorry that you should see her now, Father," Draco said coolly, he averted his eyes to Luna and smiled, indicating everything was fine.
Lucius waved his hand nonchalantly. "That's fine, Draco. I heard from your Mother that she has health problems, I really understand. "
"Yes, but she's so much better now," he replied.
"That's good, then," Lucius replied, sipping champagne. "I just hope she behaves as she should. But ever since your Mother taught her how to act like a pure-blood woman I don't have to worry, right?"
"Of course, Father," Draco replied.
"All right, then, enjoy the Ball Ms. Lovegood," Lucius said politely and went with Narcissa to mingle with the others.
When his parents disappear from his sight, he turns his attention to her. "Do you mind if we go around and greet some people?" He asked softly.
She shook her head. "No."
"Good girl," he said with a smile that almost looked like a smirk.
So, he took her around and met some people. She doesn't recognize most of them. She is also not very interested in their conversation, she only talks if she is asked and just smiling politely if they don't say anything but treat her politely, it's easier to deal with them than she thought.
After bringing her greet some people. He took her to a young man surrounded by several people. From a distance she can see that people treat him with great respect. As she got closer, she saw the young man having black hair, tall, and not much older than Draco.
"I'll take you to our Lord," he whispered to her.
She was stunned. For a moment she almost forgot how to breathe. He doesn't look like the last time she saw him on the battlefield. Is it possible that he is the Dark Lord? No, it can't be. But suddenly she remembers that Harry once told her who the Dark Lord was before he decided to become a demon. Tom Riddle. He must be Tom Riddle.
"Draco, my boy, I thought you weren't coming," Tom said with joy after spotted him.
"Forgive me for my delay, my Lord," he said in a tone full of great respect.
"Nonsense, I totally understand why you're late. If I were you, I would be late too," he said with a smirk as he looked at Luna."So, I guess, she is the woman who has your attention."
"Yes, my Lord. She had a health problem a few weeks ago so she just got to see you now," Draco said as he glanced at her.
"I see," Tom muttered under his breath. He grabs her hand from Draco's grasp and kisses the back of her hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you Ms. Lovegood, you are so much more charming than the last time we met, really a resemble pure-blood woman."
"Thank you." She was surprised that she could still speak. She's too nervous now.
"If you aren't one of my best soldiers, I might take her with me. But you deserve the best," Tom said coldly to Draco and let go of Luna's hand.
"Thank you, my Lord," he said as he hooked Luna's arm to his and stroked her knuckles with his free hand. Her hand froze.
"Enjoy the Ball, then," Tom said and left them both.
Luna sighed in relief. "I'm thirsty, Draco," she said in a hoarse voice.
He chuckled. "Don't get too tense, Luna, you'll be fine," he tells her as he leads her to a nearby table and takes a glass of water.
"Malfoy," someone called.
He hasn't even finished his business and now someone is coming again.
"Ahh… Pucey," he acknowledged.
Luna lifted up her eyes and meets what she remembers as Adrian Pucey, he is with a woman whom she knows very well. Her anger rose at the sight of her.
"How long have you been here?" Pucey asked.
"About an hour, I just met the Dark Lord," he said dryly.
"So she's the woman that people have been talking about lately? If I'm not mistaken she's a Ravenclaw like my pet," Pucey said, looking at Luna and glancing at the woman beside him.
"You're right," Draco said simply. "But I can assure you that she is not my pet, Pucey. She's hard to get, it takes a lot of energy and money, so she's more than a pet, right, Luna?" He said as he stroked her cheek with the back of his index finger. She just smiled in answer.
"I see," Pucey smirked. "She's so much more exclusive."
"Correct," Draco agreed.
Suddenly, a dark-haired man approached them whom she remembered as Rodolphus Lestrange. "You two come with me."
Draco frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Just come along, it won't be long," Rodolphus said.
"Wait for me here, don't go anywhere," Draco whispered firmly, sounding threatening. Then he went with Adrian Pucey and left her alone with Pucey's date.
"Enjoying yourself?" Luna said coldly, staring at Cho in hatred. How could she?
"I'll ask you the same thing," Cho said. "Of all people, you chose Draco Malfoy."
"I never chose him, he chose me," Luna asserted. "Unlike you, I don't enjoy being here at all. I'm not like you who betray Harry completely."
"Saying the women who wear the most sumptuous dress in this room, I know you must enjoy your new life, don't be a hypocrite, living with Draco Malfoy is heaven. I hear that a lot from other women," Cho commented sarcastically.
"Do not say something you don't even know," Luna hissed. "If Harry is here, he will be disappointed with you."
"He'll be more disappointed with you," Cho pointed out.
"No, the reason I'm here is different from why you're here. You chose to be here, and me ..." she paused for a moment," this is the last place I want to be. "
"So you think I want to be here?" Cho says, sounding angry. "I don't want to be here either, but I'm bound."
Luna frowned in puzzlement.
"I got caught; they took me to the Ministry. They tortured me before I was finally sold as a slave," Cho whispered, tears almost escaping from her eyes."Here," she pointed at the chocker around her neck, "this is what bound me and..."
Before she can finish her story, Draco and Adrian return, and Cho snapped her mouth closed.
"Well, you look very serious," Adrian said, glaring at Cho. Cho just looked down and didn't dare look at anyone. "We better go," Adrian grabs Cho's wrist tightly, she can see that Cho is holding back from not grimacing. Adrian nodded politely to Draco while dragging Cho somewhere.
"Will she be all right?" Luna asked worriedly. Cho's condition is not so different from her, she understands now.
"Why are you worried about her, love?" Draco asked as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Just let them do what they want to do. Let's focus on us," he said with a smirk.
She nodded but couldn't stop worrying about Cho.
Draco saw her when she finally learned a few things, and he thought it was good. She could think of how lucky she was with him. She could end up in the hands of other men and be treated worse. He had to admit that he didn't treat her well several times, but at least with him she would have the best. And the best thing is he wants her not as a pet like any other man, he wants her for her. And the other best thing, he loves her. Who doesn't want to be loved by Draco Malfoy?
Suddenly a male servant passed them with a silver tray with Champagne on it. He's not really in the mood for drinking at the moment, but he recognizes who the male servant is, even from the way he walks it's very easy to tell.
"Drink, Luna?" He offered her gently.
She looked up and nodded. She is quite thirsty at the moment.
"Oi, you," he called the male servant.
The male servant turned and Luna's heart stopped as she recognized who the servant is. "Neville," she murmured under her breath and in disbelief.
Draco smirked arrogantly.
