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Pulled apart

Pansy and Luna both turned to Astoria who stared down at the two of them. Pansy's hand was still holding fast to Luna's arm. She tightened her grip even as she was being questioned.

"Pansy what are you doing?"

"Go away Astoria, this has nothing to do with you."

"You're causing a scene…"

This was true. A few guests were staring over at them, at Pansy's raised voice, very red in the face, at Luna trying to stop the tears that were welling up.

Luna broke her arm away from Pansy, rubbing it as Astoria started to admonish Pansy. She wasn't sure if she was in pain from Pansy grabbing her or from the story she just heard. About Draco being with Pansy last year. About how Draco might be using her. Luna ran a hand over her cheek, trying not to dwell on the wetness and focused her attention on Blaise who had just come up to see what was going on.

"Blaise, where's Draco?"

"He's with his mother, over in the next room. Why?"

Luna turned away from the questions and got up, rushing towards the area that Blaise had indicated. He turned to Pansy and Astoria, still not sure of what was going on.

"Pansy, what the hell is going on here?"

"I was telling her what was what."

"For crying out loud Pansy. Draco is going to be pissed off."

"Fuck him, what do I care? He doesn't care about me." Pansy replied, unable to stop her voice from rising again. "I don't care if he is fucking Looney."

Astoria goggled at Pansy, as Blaise reached his hand out to Pansy, in disbelief. "Did he really? Get out, I knew that he had a thing for her, wait until Weasley hears about that."

"Weasley? Where do you get off telling her anything?"

"I'm not telling her anything, not anything important anyway, just stuff. Like what's going on between Malfoy and Lovegood."

"There's nothing going on between them! He doesn't care for her, he's just using her like he used me…" Pansy drifted off at the look on Blaise's face.

"He is going to be so mad." Astoria shook her head as she took off after Pansy, who had finally had enough and started crying as she stumbled away from the two of them.

Luna had also had enough, she decided. Just like when she had come across Blaise and Draco talking about her at Pansy's party. This was enough.

Draco spotted her coming towards him and murmured something to his mother. Narcissa looked over at Luna curiously as Draco stepped towards her.

"I'm leaving."

"Don't leave. It will be fine, you haven't really eaten anything…" Draco took her elbow, trying to calm her down.

Luna shook her head. "I'm not comfortable here Draco. I'm sorry. I appreciate the invitation, for whatever reason but I'm leaving." Luna started to the room but was blocked by Draco who took her hand and urged her through a side door to another room.

"How many rooms are in this house?"

"A couple." Draco replied. He tried to smile at her but faltered, the look on Luna's face stopping his smile midway.

"What happened?"

"What happened? Let's see, your father harassed me in his study along with some creepy guy. You and I had a very intimate moment in a side bedroom, then you leave and I have Pansy grabbing me downstairs, saying that you had fucked her last year. In that same room. Hmmm. Do I have that sequence right?"

Draco frowned. Damn that Pansy, Merlin she is a pain in the ass, I should never have gotten involved with her…

"I'll take you home."

"No, it's okay. Your friends are all here, they're all having a good time it seems. Just stay here."

"Luna, just wait. I'm driving you home." He fixed a look at her that forbade her to move. A tiny, tiny part of her was glad that he was forceful with her, it made her feel that he cared enough to sort of boss her around at least.

Draco went back into the main room and sought out his mother, speaking to her in a low voice.

"Mother, I have to take Luna back home, she doesn't want to stay."

"Oh, well let me come over and say goodbye."

"You don't have to…"

"Draco, I've known Mr. Lovegood for years, I was quite good friends with her mother until she passed. I would like it if Luna stayed, I hadn't seen her in quite some time. Maybe I could convince her to remain for a little while longer."

"Well, Luna just had a talk with father so I'm not sure if she's in such a receptive mood."

"Your father?" Narcissa frowned a little.

"Yes, he wanted her to be invited for the party, asked me to be friends with her. I'm not sure exactly why."

"He's acquiring the Quibbler."

Draco turned to her mother who stood there blissfully unaware of the reaction in him by her matter-of-fact announcement. "What?"

"Your father has decided it is important to own the Quibbler. Better for us to put out positive stories about our dealings with the town at large." His mother waved hello at a few guests, unaware that her son's world was falling apart.

"Draco what is the matter with you? You look ill." Narcissa looked concerned. Draco did look ill, he felt ill. "You're pale and clammy all of the sudden. Come and sit down."

Draco turned away from her and swiftly went back to Luna, not sure of what he was going to say. She wasn't there and for a moment, Draco was going to bellow out her name, furious that she would leave without him.

"Draco?" Her quiet voice asked. He whirled around and saw her sitting there in a chair, looking tired.

"Luna." He went over and bent down, kissing her hard, wanting to have this moment, one last time. Luna opened her eyes wide in surprise, then closed them, savoring the feeling of his lips. Not allowing her suspicions of him take hold of her.

"Let's go."

Draco was silent as they left, not saying a word after he closed the door after ushering her into the passenger side of his car. Luna started to talk once about the night but he didn't respond, so she stopped talking as well. They arrived in silence in front of her house, the lights on in the field. It had snowed during the night and a dusting of it covered everything.

"It looks magical doesn't it Draco?" Luna turned to him. He didn't say anything for a moment, didn't look at her when he replied.

"Luna, I want you to know…"

"What Draco?"

"That no matter what happens, I will care for you. Still want you."

Luna was puzzled. "I know Draco. Why would you say such a thing?"

"I need you to know that. I meant every gesture since the first time I kissed you back in the alley. Meant every word I've said to you. Well, not every word, just the positive ones."

Luna smiled at him. "I'll see you tomorrow. I had a nice time at your party. Thank you for inviting me again."

"Right. Bye." He couldn't look at her. What am I going to say? When am I going to say it?

Luna opened the door and walked out. Draco waited until she had entered the front door, the lights turned on. Then he drove back, wanting to speak to his father.

Luna turned the lights on in the hallway, expecting to see her father, surprised she didn't. Then she turned and let out a little scream.

"Sorry Luna, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Neville! What are you doing here?"

"I have some news."