AN: Hi there! :) So as promised, here's the update! :D I don't really know if anyone's still reading this but I'd really love it if you can do a review of the chapter to signal me that there's actually someone reading this. Lol. Anyways, please notify me if there are grammatical errors. Thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter universe and its contents. J.K. Rowling, various publishers and film companies own it. I'm just borrowing and playing with it.

Chapter 14

Draco gazed at the students lining up in front of the great hall from his place behind one of the pillars and hoped to be one of them enjoying his day with his mates. Alas, he was stuck with detention with Ms. McGonagall. For 2 consecutive times, he had forgotten to pass his assignments for Transfiguration which prompted the old professor to do immediate action. So, he will be stuck for the day completing his assignments and writing a long essay explaining why he didn't hand it in earlier.

From the distance, he saw the students beginning their journey towards Hogsmeade including his friends who were talking about something interesting and Loony who was looking far off into the distance. Step three of his plan was now in motion.

Draco paced back towards the Transfiguration room and was welcomed by the elderly witch, professor McGonagall, checking some scrolls and a few other unfamiliar faces from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.

"Good morning professor McGonagall."

"Good morning to you as well Draco," The professor greeted him without looking away from her work. "Please sit in the first row at the far end of the room. Once you've sat, please start with your unfinished work."

Draco nodded and walked towards his seat past a wiry Gryffindor boy staring at him with trembling eyes. He looked back at him menacingly then sat down and placed his writing materials and a gold coin on his table. Before starting his work, Draco stared at the gold coin and instinctively looked from side to side checking whether anyone was looking at him. Seeing that everyone had their noses on top of their work, he proceeded to take the dream catcher from under his shirt and stroked it a few times.

"Here goes nothing." He breathed. Removing his hand from the dream catcher and placing it back under his shirt and cloak, he started his unfinished assignments.

Luna skipped along the snowy path of Hogsmeade carrying a handful of Bertie Bott's every flavored beans, chocolate frogs and sugar quills. Usually, she was with Ginny during the Hogsmeade trip but today, Ginny was with Dean at Madam Puddyfoot's tea shop having their date. Luna was happy for her friend as she knew Dean to have a good heart. It'll be her alone time again like normal days.

She walked along a snow-cleared path near the outskirts of Hogsmeade where she was the only soul. Luna actually found it nice to be alone. She got to mull over thoughts she can't share with anyone like her eerie gut feeling towards a certain blonde Slytherin. For quite some time now, Draco has been popping in her mind every now and then—how his silver eyes would dilate a fraction when she said something intriguing and his sharp nose that crinkled when someone was talking about nonsense.

But, she noticed something much more different. His usual demeanor was getting more stressed out every time she saw him. Bags under his eyes started to form and he became much more defensive than he usually was. Even if Luna knew Draco disdained her, she still cared for him like friend would to its friend who's having a rough time. That's why she gave him her handmade dream catcher. It helps in catching good dreams and its other purpose hidden by witches and wizards, trap naughty nargles playing with a wizard's dream. At least in that way, she can help the poor soul who's walking on a tight rope.

"A sickle for your thought?" Someone whispered.

The blonde Ravenclaw lost her train of thought but knew who's voice it was. Tightening her scarf, she turned around and faced her childhood friend, Theodore Nott. He was standing with the slightest of smile in his lips and flipping a sickle. He handed it to her and tucked his glove-covered hands in his pocket.

"How can I say no when you already gave it to me?" Her lips curved upward.

"You can return it when we head to the Hog's Head. I still want the thoughts though." He nodded towards the direction of Hog's Head and he started to walk. Luna followed and together, they walked side by side like old times again.

"Oh you know, the usual stuff. Father's trips are getting much more longer and I'm afraid he can't manage the Quibbler properly," She breathed. "Aren't you worried other students or your mates would see us?"

Theodore kept walking and took the paper bag from her hands and carried it along with his own. "They're at Madam Puddyfoot's trying to get a girl. Left them as soon as they made the bets. Meanwhile, Draco's at Hogwarts for detention. Also, students don't usually go to the Hog's Head. We'll be lucky if there is at least 5 there. I can find us a seat at the back."

Luna nodded and they continued to walk. It worried her a bit that Draco was in detention right now. She hoped that everything was okay with him right now and that her hunches were wrong. Once they reached the door to the tavern, Theodore motioned that he'll go in first. Luna patiently waited and after a few seconds, Theodore came back and told her to go inside.

"No students today." He breathed. "Come on. I found us a table at the back."

Luna followed suit and proceeded towards the back. The Hog's Head is an old Tavern owned by an old man with a beard as white as snow.

They sat down at a dimly lit portion of the tavern where the faces are hard to distinguish when entering the door. Theodore ordered two butterbeers and placed their paper bags on the seat beside him. The blonde witch sat opposite him and smiled serenely. Silence ensued until Theodore spoke up.

"So... are you going to keep the sickle or not?"

Luna smiled sheepishly."I think I'll keep it."

She noticed that it made Theodore's lips curve upward and his body to relax. They've been doing this ever since they were children when Theodore and his family still lived in Ottery St. Catchpole near the Lovegoods and the Weasleys before his mother's death. Fred and George Weasley made them believe to take the catchphrase literally by tricking Luna and Theodore into giving them actual sickles when they asked the question. Now, it's a joke for them.

"I have just been thinking about the OWLs. It makes me really scared if I don't pass Charms with an O level at the least." Luna breathed.

Theodore folded his arms and leaned back a bit. "I know there's more, Lulu...I-I've noticed Draco's been giving you some attention for quite a while now."

"Oh that..." Luna remembered. She forgot all about Draco and his peculiar attitude these days."It's unwonted attention but father always said to give someone a chance. I did observe that he's everywhere I go to these days and he looked more sullen than usual. It's probably Wrackspurts or something else."

"Yeah, something else..." Theo looked off into the distance. Silence wrapped the two. Luna figured out that Theo knew more but will not tell her if it involved his dad's side.

The blonde Ravenclaw sipped her Butterbeer and studied carefully the Slytherin in front of him. Theodore Nott had not always been this mysterious. During their childhood days, he was as imaginative and free-spirited as Luna were. But after moving away after their mothers' death then having lost contact with him, Luna met a new Theodore Nott when she entered Hogwarts; quiet brooding and secretive. It was like his old personality was folded in a box and hidden away in a closet and would only be used at times when they were together.

"Oh! I've forgotten to ask you how were you. How are you Theo?" Luna inquired to change the subject. She saw that he shook his head of the thoughts and replied back with the old personality he had.

"It's okay. NEWT-level Potions and Charms are hard but interesting. My mates are still okay. But I did notice something different..."

Luna's eyes grew wider. "Ooh what is it?"

"I've been feeling some Wrackspurts messing up with my brains and taking away my ability to focus." Theodore sighed. Her old best mate was back.

And so they went on conversing about the Magical Creatures for a few hours. The burden and thoughts they had were kept for later and now was the time to relax and for Theodore to take his real personality as an imaginative and caring boy out of the closet for use.

Being with Theo made Luna relax and be herself as well. She could be as open and as free as she can like with Ginny but it's better because she's with someone who can share her passion for Magical Creatures. Even if they only get to spend time in secret places like this, Luna was still happy she had the opportunity. She understood that Theo's father supported the dark side's cause and that Theodore's attitude had been influenced by his father after his mother's death. If his father knew he was still talking to Luna, the family of Blood Traitors, dire consequences will happen to Theodore. For that, she will keep her distance and help him see to change his neutral stance into fighting for what is right.

"Oh my, Theo. I need to go back to the castle. I need to owl father about my opinion for next month's issue of the Daily Quibbler. I'm terribly sorry we did not have that much time together." Luna checked the time and saw it was already past twelve. She stood up and took her paper bag full of treats.

Theodore stood up as well."No it's okay Lu. At least we got to talk for a while. I'll walk you back then to Hogwarts. Let's just talk again soon at Hogwarts. Tell your father I wish him good health and much more success to the Quibbler. I still have my monthly subscription for it."

Luna nodded and Theo as per every meeting, checked first outside if they can walk out together. Theodore stepped out first. After a few seconds, he stuck his hand in back to the tavern and signaled for her to go out. Luna walked outside and saw several people scurrying in and out of shops to find heat. She continued walking towards the direction of the castle along King Street with Theodore following a few steps behind and finally walking beside her when they were far away.

Luna rummaged something from her paper bag. "Here you go."

"What for?" Theodore eyed the pack of chocolate frogs in his hand.

"I know they're you're favorite." She simply stated then grinned.

"Thank you. You never forget." Theodore's lips curved upward and placed it in his paper bag.

They walked until they heard some voices trailing behind them. Of course, the two would not look back because if they did, they would be recognized. Luna did not care what other people talked behind her back but she cared for her friend and the beating he will receive if his father learned he still associated himself with Luna and her family. Well exceot for Draco Malfoy because he already knew they were mates.

The two continued to walk until their voices got louder and shriller. Luna turned around and saw two indistinct figures of girls behind them. She heard the girl clutching something in her hand saying, "It's nothing to do with you Leanne!"

The blonde Ravenclaw held Theo's arm to make him stop. He turned around and Luna motioned her head to the girls fighting a distance behind them. Luna now recognized the voice as one of Harry's Quidditch teammate, Katie Bell, and the other one must be Leanne. Theodore stopped her from getting any nearer."They might recognize us."

The two behind them continued on shouting until Leanne made to grab hold of the package Katie was holding; Katie tugged it back and the package fell to the ground. At once, Katie rose into the air gracefully with arms outstretched. Yet, there was something wrong, something eerie...Her hair was whipped around her face and her face held no expression. Theodore and Luna stood firm in their place, waiting what was going to happen next.

They did not expect what was about to happen. Katie let out a loud ear-piercing scream. Luna bounded for Katie but was stopped by Theodore.

"Theodore, we have to help her!"

"She's already going to get help. Look." Theodore pointed up ahead. Luna looked and true enough, three figures were already rushing beside the girl, Leanne, and Katie. "Let's get back to Hogwarts safely and assess their what help we can do."

Luna sighed but nodded. She wanted to help the girl but she knows not to reveal any connection between she and Theodore. Also, she trusted the three people helping Katie and girl. They were Harry, Ron and Hermione after all. So, she walked back reluctantly towards the direction of Hogwarts where she heard Harry bumping into Hagrid in the distance.

Admittedly, Draco did a good job of finishing his work within the span of four hours. Not everyone knew that the Slytherin primce had a knack for academics. He was a stickler for passing his assignments and doing well in his favorite subject, Potions. The blonde Slytherin can be as smart as Hermione if he wanted but opted not to because he did not want to be an annoying tosh who will be known to always stick his nose in his books.

As he wrote the last word in his parchment, the door suddenly opened with a loud bang"

"Professor McGonagall we need ye right now." Hagrid said. He bounded for the professor now standing up from the chair and whispered something to her ear. Professor McGonagall's eyes suddenly were the size of saucers and made Draco feel something was wrong. McGonagall smotthed out her robes and took her wand from the drawer of her desk.

"Students. Please place your assignments and essays at the desk once you ae done. After that, you can go. Professor Hagrid and I have to attemd to something. You are dismissed." Professor McGonagall said. The two professors walked quickly outside and headed to Merlin knows where.

Draco sensed something was not right. Something in his plan did not work right. No it worked right. Everything's according to plan right now. He thought. The blonde Slytherin placed his pieces of parchment on top of the table and walked briskly towards the door followed by terrified eyes.

Outside, he walked towards where his feet took him. Unwanted thoughts bombarded him and never stopped. Did the plan work out? Why was Hagrid in a rush when he went in? Was anyone affected by the object?

He continued on and stopped only when he realized he was in front of the door to his room. Frustrated, he went inside and continued on pacing the 4 corners of the room.

"Oi Draco," Theodore went inside the room."I didn't know you were back already."

Draco quickly stopped his pacing and stood beside his drawer and plastered on a blank face.

"Theodore. You're here early aren't you mate?"

Theodore nodded and sat on his bed. He took off his scarf and studied his friend."Yeah it was too chilly outside and Luna wanted to head back early. You know, OWLs year."

"You were with Loony?" At the mention of the Ravenclaw, Draco's eyes grew bigger.

"Luna," Theodore corrected. "yeah I was."

Draco forgot that Theodore and Luna were childhood friends. Of course they can spend time together as much as they want. He did not care whatever they did. If they shopped together for some sweets at Honeydukes, played around in the snow, grabbed some butterbeear at the Hogsmeade or even drank some tea at Madam Ouddyfoot's teashop teeming with couples. Of course he did not mind that. Why would he?

The blonde Slytherin looked at his friend peering into his bag full of goods from Hogsmeade with a small smile on his face and became frustrated. Now he had two things to worry about: what happened with his plan and what Theodore and Lovegood spent the whole trip to Hogsmeade doing.