Chapter Twenty-five:
Ready Or Not
"Do you remember the conversations you had about the Formal with your mother?"
10 year old Luna Lovegood and her father, Xenophilius were sitting in the backyard of their home. It was nearing 8 oclock in the morning and both of them hadn't slept all night. Xenophilius claimed he had a massive headache and Luna didn't want to go to bed. Neither of them knew the other was up until around 6 oclock, when they decided to go outside.
Luna sighed, "yes, I do. I was very young so… I don't remember everything. It's vague."
Luna hadn't gotten the Hogwarts letter yet, but she was one and a half weeks from turning eleven years old. She knew about magic and Hogwarts when she was around nine years old- nearly two years ago when her mother died. Luna was in shock, relying on her father more on afterwards. For the last few weeks, Luna and her father seemed to have coped with the death of their loved one and their friendship was closer than ever.
"'What will you wear at your prom?'," Xenophilius said. "She used to ask you that a lot. She enjoyed dressing you up. I… know you're only going to be in first year soon, but what do you think? Of formals?"
Luna stretched her arms. "Formals are good. I can socialise… I'll probably figure out what to wear the night before the Formal. It's not such a big deal."
Xenophilius laughed, "Fair enough, Luna. Tell me something; what do you want to do today? What would you want to be when you grow up?"
30th of April, 2011. Saturday. The Formal.
"Hermione, I thought we could all do a photo..." Luna said, looking a little un-certain.
Hermione didn't seem to notice Luna's nervousness around her but then again, she probably didn't notice anybody's emotion at that moment. She still was steaming as she stood besides me. "Sure, Luna," she said. She looked calm.
"Ron? Daphne? Lavender? We're doing the photo now!"
"As long as I'm not near Ronald, I'm happy," Hermione hissed.
Nobody replied. Everybody at the Formal seemed to calm after accepting their was no more fighting inbetween our group- for now. They carried on doing what they were doing. It even felt like nothing had changed; people danced, Blaise and Nikkie were back together again and kissing near the dancefloor. The music continued and laughter and conversations floated in the Great Hall.
I grabbed Hermione out of instinct, hoping that what I was about to do, wasn't going to land Hermione's anger from Ron Weasley onto me. I kissed on her the lips and we stayed like that for a moment; the good sign, was that she was kissing me back. Once I stopped, Hermione smiled at me, "Thanks."
"Anytime," I muttered, more than relieved that I hadn't been punch, or worse, kneed.
Harry stood next to me with Ginny. Lavender and Daphne stood on the other side of me. Ron was standing besides Daphne at the end. Neville walked to Luna, "Luna… I'm not going into the photo without you."
"I know… I was thinking to get someone else to take the photo," Luna said. "I'm hopeless at this… sadly. But this photo needs to be perfect."
"I'll do it, if you'd like," Parvati said.
"Could you, please?" Luna asked, hope glimmering in her eyes.
Parvati nodded, smiling and took the camera. Neville stood besides Ron and grabbed Luna's hand. Ernie walked towards Parvati and stood besides her. The Gryffindor glanced at him questioningly but he just gave her a weird look. Paravti rolled her eyes but smiled all the while, "Okay, to the count of 3," Parvati said.
I wrapped my arms around Hermione's waist- she's still standing in front of me.
"One," Parvati said as she positioned the camera.
Neville glanced at Luna and smiled. Luna found his smile and smiled back nervously back after hesitating. When I quickly glanced back at the two, it looked like Neville was going to laugh and Luna was going to cry. I quickly looked back at the camera, so I assumed that my observation was very wrong.
"Two," Parvati glanced above the camera to everyone.
Abruptly, Harry grabbed Ginny and picked her off her feet. Ginny let out a squeal and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. Harry shifted, chuckling softly.
"I love you…" Neville suddenly said.
"What?" Luna exclaimed in shock.
Neville swallowed but was determined not to look away from Luna. He looked calm and collected as he slowly grinned. "I love... you," Neville repeated though as he said it again, his cheeks went a little pink.
Parvati was just about to say three when she heard Neville say that and stopped with her lips slightly parted. She looked a little taken back but then again, everyone in the group looked sort of the same. Everyone in the group turned to stare at Neville and Luna.
"I-" Luna cut off, smiling.
Neville grinned even wider when Luna had said that.
The camera snapped a photo.
"Wait!" Ron said, his head snapping towards Paravti. "We weren't ready!"
"Yes, I know," Parvati said, choosing to ignore the aggravation in his voice. "But it was a moment I just had to take a photo of."
Ron shrugged, choosing that moment to glance back down at Daphne, hiding his embarrassment.
"Okay," Parvati said and everybody got into their position again. "Ready and… three!"
The camera snapped.
Harry put Ginny softly on the floor and Ginny ran to the camera. In the process, she almost stumbled from getting back onto her feet again. "Can I see?"
Parvati nodded and gave the camera to Ginny. Everyone crowded around to see the photo.
"It's perfect!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Yes, it is," Ginny said. "Thanks Parvati."
"You're welcome."
Luna was the first to walk away from the camera and the group. She grabbed Neville's arm and pulled him a bit away.
"Neville…" Luna said. "Why did you choose that moment… to tell me?"
"I don't know… it seems like a perfect moment to me," Neville shrugged. He was blushing a little.
"Neville…" Luna trailed off.
"Do you have any idea how long I've loved you?" Neville asked with a soft half-smile.
Luna shook her head.
"Since… I saw you," Neville whispered.
"From the first time?" Luna asked, shocked.
Neville nodded his head and Luna wrapped her arms around Neville's neck and they embraced in a hug. Once they seperated, Luna bit her lip and looked away from his face. She felt thrilled… but suddenly, in the back of her mind; panic. Panic. She felt like she was going the wrong way- down a dangerous road with this situation. She's never been in a relationship before. And now, she's trapped.
I held Hermione's hand as we walked back to our Dorm. 9.30pm. What exactly did we do for so long? Well, actually quite a lot has happened. Nearly everyone in the group had admitted to something that they had kept hidden or discovered something. To me, it seemed too… sappy. I mean, save that for the movies. In honesty, I felt like I was in some surreal movie when everyone started acting crazy and romantic altogether. I felt like I was the only one who kept a level head. I didn't mind it though- I had Hermione with me most of the time and none of the drama fully concerned me.
I pulled Hermione closer to me.
Overall, I was proud of myself. All day, I didn't get caught up into too much shit. I kept cool about everything; Hermione and Ron, Blaise's proposal, pretty much everything. It was strange to me, not being flustered at these situations.
When we got inside our dorm, Hermione walked into the bathroom and had a shower. Just before I could really do anything, an owl flew in from the window. I grabbed the letter and the bird flew back out the window. I didn't bother taking one second to think; why the fuck would someone send me a letter? Or who it could be. Instead, I just ripped open the envelope, impatient with being careful with the paper.
Dear Draco,
Your mother and I have heard of the Marriage Law before. I know that the stupid law's happened once before but I'm surprised that they brought it back as it did fail miserably. Appalled is not a perfect description of how I feel about you. You are my son and unfortunately you've lost it. I don't know whether I should be disgusted that you haven't told us about the muggleborn earlier, or that you think you feel something in such a short period.
I know you believe that you love this girl. Your mother and I don't mind you getting into this ridiculous Marriage Law or having a girlfriend. You are too young to know you are in love. Love is hopeless, anyhow. I believe that the Marriage Law for you is wrong, I am going to talk to Professor McGonagall on the 21st of June, Tuesday. I am hoping she will make you re-do the test. If you still get Hermione Granger as your 'true match' then you are not taking part in that crap. I am hoping that this can be done at the court at the ministry.
You are a Malfoy. You know that Malfoys have a tradition of pruebloods. Please do not try to put up a fight with me, Draco. Think about this.
Your father, Lucius Malfoy.
There was a moment where I was still filled with some adrenaline from the day and happiness. I almost didn't believe I even got a letter… from my father. Then I realised, this wasn't some dream. I stared at the paper, failing to understand what I was supposed to do.
'Please do not try to put up a fight with me, Draco. Think about this.' That was the line my eyes caught for a second time and I felt the urge to rip up the paper and chuck it outside the stupid window I opened to receive it. Was he serious? How would he think I would respond this? I inhaled, trying to clear my mind but I feeling too mad.
I put the paper on the desk in the kitchen and walked back into the bedroom. The pressure got to me and I couldn't get the two sentences out of my head. I felt like he was literally pushing me- that was the goal from those two lines,, to push my buttons. I screamed, "Fuck!"
Hermione came out of the bathroom, dressed in her usual outfit for the Dorm- bra, simple top and pants. She held her formal dress and shoes, placing them into the closest. "Hey, are you okay? I thought I heard you swearing."
"No," I said. "Come with me."
Hermione didn't say anything as she followed me into the kitchen. She saw the letter and grabbed it. I didn't say anything as she stared at me. Realisation crossed her eyes and her face turned serious as she looked back at the letter, beginning to read it.
I saw her eyes open slightly in anger but she didn't say anything. She looked up at me after a moment and she looked calm. "We… have to go to Professor McGonagall first. Surely, she can stop them?"
"Yeah? And what happens if she can't?" I blurted out. "She can't stop them. What can she do? Negotiatewith them? And at the court… oh right, bloody great! I'll go to fucking court! And it wouldn't be the first time my parents went to-! They could probably just change the court's mind!"
I paused, gaining breath. Hermione rubbed her eye. "I'll probably get separated from you and did you see the second last line, Hermione? He'll probably fight with me if I go against him! Wouldn't that be the first fuckingtime!" I growled, "I should've known this would happen! What the fuck was I thinking sending them the letter?"
I gasped for breath, feeling a headache coming. Hermione noticed I was going into panic and said, "Draco, calm-"
"Hermione, do not tell me to calm down! This is my father we're talking about!"
"I know, Draco-"
"HE WAS A DEATH EATER! YOU DON'T THINK HE COULD GET ME OUT OF THIS?" I bellowed, glaring at the air.
Hermione grabbed my arm and led me around the kitchen bench towards the living room couch. She sat me down and bent down in front of me, holding a hand on my knee. "Deep breath, Draco. Hold on. We have about 10 weeks until he's going to see Professor McGonagall. We're fortunate enough to have that time.
"We can explain to Professor McGonagall the problem and she can talk to the ministry. It's law anyway; the Marriage Law. If we get to them before your parents, then we might be fine. And if we're not, then we plead in the court and we do anything we can to stop from getting separated." Hermione took a breath, "Don't worry. And if nothing works… then we'll see what happens. But maybe before he can even talk to McGonagall… well should talk to him. Maybe to your mum first, maybe if we can get to her, she can get to your dad."
I nodded, remembering how mum changed, slightly in the things she did, after the war. Something happened to her. She did something, maybe. Maybe this way, I could get through to her. "Okay… It- that makes sense. I say we talk to McGonagall about this on the first of June. That- That'lll give me- us- time."
"Okay," Hermione shrugged.
We both stood up and I hugged Hermione. I asked her, "How can you stay so calm?"
She shrugged again and said, "I was a Gryffindor before, remember?"
A/N: I actually like this chapter- it was really fun to write :) I really hope you enjoyed it as well! Please review and let me know.