*Author's note: So it's been forever and a day since I updated last, but here I am! I'm sorry it's been so long, but I was looking through my computer and saw I had a couple of unposted chapters sitting around. The story's conclusion is drawing near, so please stayed tuned!

Chapter Twenty-Five

When I stepped outside, a powerful wind made my robes snap around me. Draco was leaning over the stone railing, watching the sun sinking ever-so-slowly into the earth. The wind left his hair ruffled, and his fair cheeks were rubbed pink.

"Draco," I called out.

Draco turned to me and smiled. "Hello, love," he purred.

I stepped towards him and wrapped one arm around his torso. His arms slid around me, and hung loosely at my waist. "I missed you," I said, smiling up at him.

Draco smiled as he kissed me. "I must say, I was expecting somewhere more private, anyone could walk in at any moment."

I gasped when his lips touched my neck, making my entire body tingle. "Draco! Not here."

Draco laughed and straightened up. "But love, I've been thinking of you this entire time. You owe me for haunting my mind so ceaselessly.

"Hey, how do think I was?" I demanded, pushing him lightly away when he moved to kiss me again. "I was trapped with Daphne and that old bat all week, and I just couldn't stop having these day-dreams about you."

Draco smiled wolfishly and took both of my hands in his. "Did you now?"

I smiled and let him pull me away from the wall. "I did."

"And what went on in these day-dreams?" He asked, his voice low and seductive.

I flushed at his obvious ideas. "Well, you would kiss me."

Draco leaned down to me and touched his lips to mine. He pushed my lips apart so his tongue could dart swiftly into my mouth. I leaned into him, craving more of his fire. "Like this?" He murmured.

"Just like that," I sighed breathlessly as he pulled away, all too soon. "And then would put your hands up the back of my shirt, and whisper things to me."

His warms hands slid up the back of my shirt, running over my spine and shoulders. "Like this?" He whispered with his cheeks pressed to mine. His hot breath tickled my ear.

"Just like that," I whimpered as he held my body to his and kissed my jaw where it met my ear.

I wound my arms beneath his, running one hand though his hair and using the other to touch the back of his neck. I closed my eyes, savoring the sweet sensation of his touch. Oh, how I wanted the give him the same feelings he gave me.

"I wish I knew how to make you feel the way I do," I whispered.

Draco's hands slid from my back to my sides. He laughed and kissed my cheek. "You do make me feel that way."

"I don't know half as much as you do."

"I can teach you," he purred. I practically melted at his meaning.

His moment's pause was enough for me the screw my head back on. "But not here, not now."

Draco sighed. "No, of course not."

I cleared my throat and detangled myself from him, shoving my hands in my pockets. "So, why are we up here?" Draco asked.

"I'm expecting a letter from my mom," I replied as I entered the owlry.

"Say that again," Draco said.

"Say what again?"

"Mum."

"Mom."

"You say it strange. Say 'mum'."

"Mom," I said deliberately.

"Why do you say it like that?" Draco demanded, a smile on his face.

I laughed as I glanced over the owls. "Because I'm American, you dork."

"You're a dork," he replied. "But it's one of the things I love about you."

"Holy cow, Draco," I snorted. "Are you actually being cute, or are you just trying to get me in bed?"

"What happens if I say both?"

I turned and kissed him on the cheek. "Then I'd say I love you, and to be patient."

Draco sighed when an owl perched in the nest closest to me and gave my shoulder a peck. "Oh, hey there," I greeted the bird.

It held out its leg, and tilted its head at me impatiently. I hurriedly untied the letter, and then the owl flew away, to rest in the rafters.

I flipped the envelope around, and recognized the round, messy handwriting. I didn't even need to read the address to know who it was from.

"What is it?" Draco asked as I stared at the envelope blankly.

"It's from Luna," I breathed.

Draco watched me carefully, until I finally threw my arms up and danced in a circle. "Draco, do you know what this means? She's alive! Oh, I knew it. Just wait until I tell Ginny. Oh, but she probably already knows somehow.

"Oh, that crazy, genius girl," I gushed as I tore open the envelope and feasted my eyes on her letter.

"Dear Astoria,

These last few months have been absolutely mad. I would have written you sooner, but I didn't have the memes. It's really a miracle that I'm alive, but knew I would be fine. Got to have hope, always.

I met Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and they're all doing well. You don't know them much, but if you could please tell the DA about them, that would be excellent. It would make them so happy.

This last few months, I've been imprisoned. They kidnapped me so I could be used against daddy, but then they caught the trio, and they saved me and Mister Olivander with the help of a house elf. He died to save us, poor Harry was so upset. He was such a sweet thing, too.

I can't tell you where I am in this letter, just in case the ministry gets ahold of it, but I am safe and sound, for now at least.

Oh goodness, I keep on rambling. Astoria, I've been thinking really hard about whether or not I should tell you this, but you'll find out anyways and you deserve to know. For a little while they kept me in Azkaban, but then they kept me in the basement of Malfoy Manor…"

The letter slipped from my hands, and I turned to Draco with eyes so cold that I could turn him to ice. "What's the trouble, love?" He asked.

"All this time," I said slowly and firmly. "All this time, and you knew where she was."

"Oh no. I knew this would happen," He groaned, and then he reached for me. "Astoria, listen, I-"

"Don't touch me!" I shrieked, jumping away from his touch. "I've given you everything, but you… you knew how much I love her, that I love her more than anything!"

I could feel myself descending into hysterics, but I wouldn't allow that. I bent over to pick up the letter, folded it neatly and put it into my pocket.

"Draco Malfoy," I said in a voice like cold metal, "I can never forgive you for this."

"Astoria, I-" he began.

"Don't say my name," I spat as I began to walk away from him. "Never say my name again."

"Please," he pleaded, grabbing my arm.

In an instant my wand was in my hand and pointed at his cheek. "Do. Not. Touch. Me," I ordered.

I watched fear flicker in his eyes, because he knew full well what I was capable of, what I could do to him for this. He made the smartest decision he could, and let go of my arm.

"This is the kind of thing I'd kill for," I whispered, my voice deadly and low, the tip of my wand pressing into the pale flesh of his cheek, "I could kill you for this, Draco Malfoy."

He did not say anything, his eyes flickering between my wand and my face. He knew me well enough to know I could be merciless, and it disgusted me.

"But I won't," I went on, "I know how to hurt you more. I'll make you wish you were dead."

I kept my wand pointed at him for a moment more, then lowered my arm and shook my sleeve into place. I turned on my heel and went back into the castle. I did not allow myself to cry; that would be showing a weakness.

"I know you love me!" he shouted after me.

It was a lie, but I turned back to him and said, "You're wrong, Draco. I will hate you forever for this."

And the lie was so perfect, so gut-wrenchingly cruel, that Draco's lips wobbled, his brows furrowed in despair, and his legs shook beneath him. "I don't believe you," he called.

I appraised him coldly, noted the pure grief that marked him. I hated to see him like that, but he deserved punishment. For Luna.

There was nothing visible on my face save icy anger. I curled my lip and told him in disgust, "Believe it."

I watched him fall to his knees before I turned and went back into the castle, hating myself and loving Luna.