On Thursday morning, a letter arrived with an unfamiliar owl, Draco's name scrawled in an unfamiliar hand.
Malfoy,
I am not trying to interfere in your relationship, but there was an incident last evening which I thought you should know about, but Luna has no intention of telling you.
We were in the Great Hall at dinner. Emily Hopkirk and Victoria Wood approached Luna. I was at the Gryffindor table, and of course she was at Ravenclaw, so I didn't hear the first things that were said, but then they were screaming things like Luna was a traitor for breeding more Death Eaters and that she belonged in Azkaban along with the rest of the group she had fallen into. Luna of course stayed calm and didn't say much, which made them even more angry. Victoria grabbed Luna, pulled her off the bench, and threw her to the ground. Emily tried to kick her in the stomach but by that time several people apparently cast shields on her and the kick didn't connect. I pulled Emily away and Dennis Creavey grabbed Victoria until the teachers were able to get over there. Luna said she was fine, but Professor McGonagall did send her to the hospital ward to be checked just to make sure.
This is the only time things have gotten physical. There have been several times that people have taunted her, especially some of the Slytherin girls. There's apparently a lot of jealousy among your harem. But Luna is Luna of course, and doesn't take it to heart, just says they are confused or upset due to wrackspurts or bandenbruits or something.
Like I said, I'm not trying to get in the middle of your relationship with Luna, but Luna is my blood sister. (that's a muggle bonding ritual) I care about what happens to her, and for some bloody reason I may never figure out, I really do believe that you will take care of her.
Ginny Weasley
Draco went to the desk in the corner of his room and drew out three pieces of parchment. The first was to is father's solicitor, inquiring about the status of the search for a residence in the Hogsmeade area. The note to Luna was easy.
Hello Beautiful,
Please come to me tonight. I miss you.
Love,
Draco
The letter to Weaselette was actually much harder than he thought it would be. He started the message several times, but each time erased the words he had written: the denial that Slytherin house was his personal harem, that of course he would take care of Luna, the demand to know why the Head Girl had not goten involved immediately when someone was threatening a student who was her so called blood sister. In the end, he only wrote two words, the only ones that really mattered.
Thank you.
A/N - Sorry for the short chapter, but we have a much longer one coming up - Hermione's birthday at the Burrow, probably the one after next. And besides, some people are stll a little discombobulated over the image of Draco working out in the previous chapter. In the original draft I mentioned he was shirtless, but I kept disctracting myself... ;)