Chapter 10: Us in the End
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the concept of Harry Potter, they all belong to J.K. Rowling.
The sun rose from the mountains as another day at Hogwarts is beginning. After yesterday's exciting discoveries, it took a while for Luna to get to sleep last night, but she managed to fall asleep around midnight. Now, she has woken up from her slumber and heads to the bathroom for a quick shower. After putting on her school uniform, she went down stairs with Cho and Padma, who decided to wait for her while she took a shower. They got to the Great hall, which was now filled with students and the teachers at the very back. The three headed for their table and sat down for breakfast. Luna grabbed her meal and started eating. Yesterday's revelation was still stuck in her head. Finding the pages, watching Salazar's memory, knowing the truth, and putting the book back together, it all seemed too much and too real to happen in just 2 days. But she and Draco managed to do all that together. Speaking of Draco, Luna looked over at the Slytherin table and saw Draco chatting with Blaise Zabini. After her 2 day adventure with him, Luna had a newfound impression of him. She did not see him as the selfish and evil Slytherin that her friends have come to tell her, but he followed his house trait very well. He had been ambitious, clever, cunning, resourceful, and determined majority of the time these past 2 days. But Luna would also admire some physical traits that she found appealing, he is physically attractive, letting those Quidditch training pay off. He is also handsome, keeping himself prim and proper, being the pureblood that he is. And he also dressed well, even if it was simply their uniform.
"Luna? Luna, are you alright?" Padma ask. Luna didn't realize she had been looking at Draco the entire time, not touching her breakfast.
"What? Oh yes yes, quite alright, I was just thinking about Crumple Horned Snorkack is all" Luna smiled innocently. Her fellow Ravenclaw just looked at her confused and then shrugged.
"Alright then…" The two then went back to eating but then heard a tapping of a spoon on a golden goblet. The entire table had their eyes on Professor Dumbledore as he began making some announcements. He first mentions some new rules that will be applied, as well as an upcoming ball that will be organized by the prefects and head boy & girl. Once he has finished discussing those, he looked at Luna, then at Draco and smiled.
"Lastly, I would like to make a special announcement. As some of you may not know, there is a special book in the library entitled, "The House Relics". It is a book that was first enchanted by the very founders of this school. It was enchanted to write the stories of the house relics the belonged to them, the sword of Gryffindor, the cup of Hufflepuff, the diadem of Ravenclaw, and the locket of Slytherin..." Luna looked at Draco and saw that he was looking back at her. The two looked ahead again to listen to Professor Dumbledore.
"The book, however, has been missing a few pages for the past 1000 years… The pages of Ravenclaw and Slytherin. No student has ever dared or tried looking for them… Until today… That is why I am awarding, 500 house points, to Ms. Luna Lovegood, and Mr. Draco Malfoy!" Dumbledore announced. Everyone turned their heads at Luna and Draco, and the two students just looked at the professor with surprised eyes.
"The book had found its way to the two students, and through perseverance and curiosity, the two had manage to find the missing pages… As well as some additional information about our dear founders… Let us all give them a round of applause" Soon, the halls erupted with cheers and applause, more on the tables of Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Luna's friends all hugged and patted her on the back and the same goes for Draco with his friends. The two looked at Professor Dumbledore and mouthed a simple thank you to him, which he nodded in respond. Their two head of house clapped as well for their students.
"Oh my gosh Luna! Congratulations! What you did was amazing!" Cho commented. Padma nodded in agreement
"Yeah! I've heard about the book from past students who saw it but I didn't think you'd find those pages, well done and you also helped Ravenclaw receive 500 points!" Padma hugged Luna tight, which she returned
"Nice job, Lovegood!" Michael said, and she just nodded her thanks. The hall soon calmed down and everyone continued to eat their food. After eating, Luna stood up from her seat and went to leave the Great hall. Everyone who passed by her greeted her congratulations, and she would just nod her thanks. She decided to head for the library to see the book again but was stopped by someone calling her from behind.
"Ms. Lovegood!" Luna turned to see Professor Flitwick running up to her.
"Hello Professor, I don't believe I have class with you, until later after lunch…" Luna said. The professor just nodded but spoke up.
"Yes I know, but I wanted to tell you personally, Congratulations on finding the missing pages! Not only did you give 500 points to our house, but you restored a life long missing history. I told you that you would be solving a life long secret on the history of the founders" Flitwick said. Luna smiled and nodded.
"Well, I should get going sir, I… wanted to see the book again, to see if the pages are still there" Luna explained
"Of course, I will be heading there too later in the evening after all of my class. Oh! I must be going now, I have a class in a few minutes. Have a good day Ms. Lovegood, and congratulations again!" Professor Flitwick yelled as he ran off to the Charms classroom. Luna giggled and waved him goodbye.
After the announcement this morning, Draco was feeling very good about himself, not only did Luna and him find the pages, but they solved a mystery which was long overdue. He felt proud of helping his house get 500 points but he felt like more should have placed in Luna's house. She was the one who wanted this adventure. She was the one who had the book first. He was only in it because he took it from her. He didn't understand why he was feeling the way he did, why he was feeling nicer to Luna, knowing the way some of the Slytherins have been treating her. Granted, he had never once teased her, only that time in the library. But it was not out of hate or annoyance, but out trying to get her attention. Truthfully, he has always fancied Luna since his second year, when she was sorted into Ravenclaw. He didn't mind that she was in Ravenclaw, because he knew Slytherins had a neutral relationship with Ravenclaws. But because of her eccentric way of thinking, she was often teased by this, so in order to not make any matters worst, he would just avoid her. But during his entire adventure with her, she never expressed her eccentric behavior, not talking about Nargles or Crumple Horned Snorkack. She was clearly focused in finding those pages. She felt like a different person, a person he wanted to discover.
"Mr. Malfoy…" Draco stopped his thinking and turned around to see Professor Snape.
"Professor?" He asked
"I'd like to congratulate you on finding those pages with Ms. Lovegood… You've certainly done your house proud" Professor Snape complimented. Draco nodded.
"Yes, uhm… Thank you Sir" He said
"I'm sure finding those pages were not all that difficult?" Professor Snape asked.
"It was at the start… But we had a little help from the Bloody Baron and the Grey lady" The professor then looked at him a little surprised.
"I'm surprised to hear that… It's uncommon to see those two working together… If I remember correctly, the Lady despises him…" Draco chuckled and looked away.
"I can understand why…" Draco whispered, the professor looked at him as if asking what he said but Draco just shook his head.
"Very well then, I shall be heading off to my first class… You should also do the same…" The professor then turned his back on him and walked off.
"Despite his congratulations towards you, he still keeps a stern face…" Draco jumped at the new voice that e heard and turned to see the Bloody Baron.
"Yeah, I don't think he will ever give a sincere congratulations" Draco said.
"I'm grateful that you and Luna finally found the pages… And that you finally know the whole story behind Lady Rowena and Lord Salazar…" The Baron said.
"It was nothing… I found it rather enjoyable, it was something new to do… and I'm glad I got to share it with her…" Draco smiled when he said "her", which did not go unnoticed by the Baron.
"Well then, I suggest you stay by her… But if you're like me, think twice before court a woman that can think more than a man can…" The Baron said. Draco looked at him and smirked.
"I wouldn't say that… I've read somewhere in a certain book that Lady Helena fancies you as well" Draco said. If the Baron was still alive, he would be blushing at this moment.
"You must be joking, I don't think Helena would say that…" Draco shook his head and smirked.
"Oh but the book said she does, she just didn't want to be an accessory to any man so she decided to stay away from that…" The Baron looked at him and turned away.
"I would never treat her as some accessory, I would treat her like a queen… Just as long as I am able to stay by her side…" The Baron said.
"Then why not tell her… after all, you have a long time to do so" With that, Draco turned around and headed for the library, just like Luna, he too wanted to see the book again. The Baron turned his head a little to look at Draco's retreating form, and simply smirked and phased away to a wall on his right.
Back with Luna, she was getting so close to the library. Just a couple of steps and she would be at the door. But before she could reach the entrance. She saw the Grey Lady exiting the library herself. Luna smiled and ran up to her, calling her name. The lady then turned and gave Luna a warm smile.
"Luna, it's good to see you, and thank you for finding the pages, as well as… My father's memories…" She said. Luna's smile widened when she called Salazar her father.
"It was an honor trying to find them… and you should also be thanking Draco when you see him…" Helena nodded and smiled at her.
"Did you just come back from the library?" Luna asked
"Yes, I went to see the book for myself… I remember seeing that book as a little girl… It would be writing by itself and I would ask my mother what it contained… She would lie to me about her and father's pages, because she did not want me to know the truth… But thanks to the Baron, I knew who my father was…" Helena explained.
"Do you still love him?" Luna asked. Helena looked at her surprised and lowered her head in embarrassment.
"I'm guessing you read the part where in I did fancy the Baron at one point…?" Luna nodded in response. Helena sighed and looked at her.
"To be honest… I still do… I just do not want to admit it to myself… Because it would be embarrassing…" Luna giggled and shook her head.
"No it would not be… If you're mother and father worked it out, then so can you!" Luna said
"But he left her… He left us!" Helena yelled. Luna backed up a little and shook her head.
"Yes but he came back… He came back when he found out about you… He was in the dark for so long that he didn't know what was happening to the school… But when he found out about you, he came back… and when he learned that you had died… he was distraught… He couldn't handle the lost of the two people he loved… Which caused him to hide the page…" Luna explained. Helena listened to her words and floated away from her.
"... Would he ever love me back?" Helena asked. Luna smiled and nodded.
"Of course! Why do you think he is still here?" Luna asked. Helena thought and looked at Luna again but now with a smile on her face.
"Thank you Luna…" Helena said. And with that, the Grey lady turned and floated down the halls.
"I hope she doesn't hold a grudge against Slytherins anymore… You know, with her being a Slytherin too" Luna smiled at the voice and turned to see Draco by the door of the library.
"Hello Draco, Congratulations on the house points" Luna said. He smirked and nodded to her.
"And to you as well… But I feel like you deserve it more, since you did find the book first…" Draco said. She shook her head and held his hands.
"No, if it weren't for you, I would not have been able to go into the Chamber, or find the clearing alone… You were just as much of a help as I was to you…" Luna said. Draco smiled at her and the two started walking into the library.
"So you came in here to see the book again?" Draco asked.
"Yes, I wanted to make sure if the pages were still there…" Luna said. The two then made it to the aisle that held the House Relics, which was now on a beautifully decorated podium, with an ink and quill next to it, should it write itself again. Luna opened the book to the first chapter, until she turned to the Ravenclaw chapter, only to see that the pages where still there. Draco then stood next to Luna and turned to the page of Slytherin and saw that it was still there too.
"They're all here…" Draco smirked as he said. Luna sighed with joy as she now closed the book.
"Now people will know the true story…" Luna said. They walked out of the aisle and out of the library. They then walked down the hallway until their feet unconsciously lead them to the back of the school that lead to the Forbidden forest. Luna and Draco stopped walking and looked out at the forest.
"You know… since… we are the only ones that know about the clearing… why don't we make it our special spot?" Luna suggested. Draco turned his head to look at her and smirked.
"I suppose we could, Lovegood… If there is anything special about us?" Draco said mockingly. Luna pouted and looked at him.
"Fine, it can be my spot own spot then!" Luna said as she skipped down towards the Forbidden forest. Draco rolled his eyes and followed Luna. The two then went into the forest and head towards the entrance to the clearing. Once they got there, the went through the pathway and finally reach the end of it, which was the clearing.
"Beautiful as always…" Luna said, she walked over to the tree and placed her hand on the trunk.
"Yeah… But not as beautiful as you…" Draco said. Luna rolled her eyes and looked at him.
"Do not flirt with me Draco, you're Slytherin is showing" Luna said, giggling at her comment towards him.
"Do forgive me, Lady Ravenclaw" Draco said with a mocking bow. Luna just laughed and Draco laughed in return. He walked over to Luna and looked up at the tree, looking at the fruits grown by their house founders.
"Draco… Can I was wondering… Why did you join me… on this… Finding the pages, going into memories, finding the clearing...why?" Luna asked. He looked at her then back up at the tree.
"... I don't know… May it's because… I didn't want you to take the credit of finding something important and getting all the house points" With that, Luna slapped him on the shoulder, which Draco rubbed and chuckled.
"That, or… I've loved you ever since you first came to this school…" Now, Luna's eyes widened in shock and turned to look at Draco.
"... Really?" Luna asked. He nodded and looked at her.
"Why…?" He sighed and sat down under the tree, by its roots. Luna soon followed, sitting like an indian.
"At first it was for your looks… You must admit to yourself once in awhile Luna, that without some of the ridiculous things you often were, you are a very beautiful young lady" Draco said. She then blushed at his compliment and looked down at her hands.
"But I then started to love you for the way you think… You do not think like all the other girls I've come across… You are more outspoken and you think outside the box, and so I thought to myself, this woman could make a great conversation starter…" Draco said. Luna continued to blush and smile as he compliments her. Draco then moved closer to her and placed his arm around her neck.
"And mostly importantly… I'm the only one who got to see you're serious moments…" Draco whispered in her ear. Luna shivered at his voice tickling her ear and she looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Luna asked
"Throughout my time with you these past 2 days, you never once mentioned anything about you're creatures that people would often not beleive in… You were more focused on the pages and the memories to even think about these imaginary creatures that people think you believe in… All I'm saying is, if you were put in a serious situation that required focus and attention to thinking… then you would be the smartest and wisest girl in school…" Draco said. Hearing his comment, Luna just looked at him with her mouth a little opened in surprise and her eyes widened.
"And you know what… I wouldn't mind spending my entire life with a woman like that every second of my time…" And with that, Draco leaned in and kissed Luna gently on the lips. Luna gasped at the touch but soon melted into the kiss by kissing back. She wrapped her arms slowly around his neck and Draco wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. The kiss soon deepened from a gentle to a passionate kiss. The two soon stopped and looked into each other's eyes.
"I also would not mind spending my entire life with a man like you, Draco Malfoy…" Luna said. She then realized that Draco pulled her close enough to make her sit on his lap. He chuckled and just held her close into his arms, resting his head on her chin and often kissing her cheek.
"... Funny how we ended up like them…" Draco said. Luna looked at him and asked.
"Like whom?"
"The founders, Professor Salazar and Professor Rowena… I mean look at where we are and what house we are in!" Luna thought about it and giggled.
"Yes, you are certainly right. But I hope we do not end up too much like them… " Luna suggested. Draco nodded. He knew what she meant. The whole, leaving the school, being pregnant with a baby and having a child die due to a man's bad temper.
"No, we will not… As much as I appreciate out founders… I would not want to end like theirs did…" Draco said.
"So that means… We will be telling the school about this?" Luna asked. Draco looked at her and smiled.
"Yes… Of course we will… This will not be a secret to our friends" Draco claimed and smirked. Luna looked at him with her own smile and kissed him on the lips again, which Draco gladly responded with his own.
Back at the school, deep within the school library, in the aisle of the House Relics book, the quill magically lifted itself up and the book opened itself to the very last page. The page was blank but then the quill tip dipped itself into the ink and started to write. It started writing a sentence which then became a paragraph. Soon, the quill stopped and placed itself in the ink bottle, with the book's last message written.
"And so, the pages have been safely returned to its rightful place in the book of the founders. Thanks to the hardwork and perseverance of Ravenclaw and Slytherin own Luna Lovegood and Draco Malfoy, the House Relics will continue its job in being the source of information for any student who wishes to know the story behind the origins of the house relics, no matter how surprising the answers maybe…"
= THE END =