Chapter three:

Yule Ball

A month passed from the four champions chosen out of the goblet in which everyone was surprised that Harry was even picked since he was too young to even enter and even the first task with the dragon. It had also been nearly a month since Draco Malfoy asked Luna Lovegood to be his date to the Yule Ball. Luna had kept the invite to the ball by Draco a secret just as he wanted although she was thrilled. She had written a letter to her father about being able to attend the Yule Ball and sent it by owl, as her father's reaction, he was happy for her. One thing she didn't expect to get was a package in the mail from him after the letter. "Luna, there's a package waiting for you in the owlry." Cho Chang informed her in the Ravenclaw common room, having gotten back from it herself, feeling bad for having to tell Harry that she already had a date she promised. "Thank you, Cho. Who's your date to the Yule ball?" Luna asked curiously.

Cho smiled softly. "Cedric Diggory asked me. I couldn't say no. I was asked by Harry not long ago but i felt bad having to say no. Because i said yes to Cedric." Cho replied, a little down. Luna sighed. "I'm sure Harry understands." Luna reassured her. "Why don't you go? With Harry i mean." Cho insisted. Luna tried to figure out how to explain that she was going with Draco but without saying exactly whom. "I would but i already have a date." Luna explained. Cho seemed rather surprised and also curious. "Who?" she asked. "I can't really say. But he asked me last month, i suppose you will see him at the ball." Luna replied, not trying to sound rude but didn't want to break a promise to Draco. Luna then left the Ravenclaw common room and headed to the owlry, she felt bad that Harry didn't have a date but he clearly didn't ask her when she was dateless. Entering the owlry, Luna spotted her package on the ground from where the owl dropped it off and picked it up to carry it back to Ravenclaw tower. Once arriving and answered the riddle to enter, she set it on the table and opened it to find a purple ball dress that was sleeveless, tied at the neck and ruffles at the bottom of the dress along with star studded black heels, a dragonfly necklace and purple rose earrings that dangled and had silver leaves. A few of the Ravenclaw girls looked over to see her dress, including Cho and were gushing at the style but were also surprised she was invited.

Meanwhile, Draco had gotten his dressrobes from none other than his mother. It was the normal black dressrobe with a white inner shirt and white bowtie. Draco knew it may shock some people that he invited Luna Lovegood to the ball to be his date despite her weirdness around the school but he had also figured that he could get to know her during the date. One thing about Draco, if his ego got bruised, he would be quick to make up an excuse for what he was doing. So he was hoping it would go unnoticed but he highly doubted it. Crabbe and Goyle were curious on who Draco was taking to the ball since they noticed that he had gotten his dressrobes and Pansy was suddenly in a gloomy mood, but he insisted that he wasn't attending the ball.

Luna had left the castle and wandered out to the black lake, thinking about the reactions that she and Draco would get once they arrive to the ball together. She also thought about how some people couldn't see thestrals. As she stood by the frozen lake, she overheard footsteps coming from behind her. Turning around, she realized that it was Harry coming over to the lake to think as well. "Hello Harry." she greeted him in a soft voice. Harry had his hands tucked into his coat pockets once he approached. "Oh, hi Luna." he replied. Luna knew it must be a hard year for Harry with the Triwizard tournament and everything. "Its so peaceful. The lake, even if it is frozen." she stated randomly. Harry nodded with a smile. "Yeah." he added. It was an awkward silence and Luna intended to break the ice. "Did you and Ron find dates to the ball?" Luna asked curiously. "Oh yeah, yeah we did. Parvarti and Padma." he replied, knowing it was whimsical date invites because it was close to the ball, having it being the next night. "That's good. I'm happy for both you and Ron." she replied honestly. She wasn't sure if he knew she was going to the ball but she couldn't lie to herself - she did feel a little insulted she wasn't asked by either of them.

Harry then realized he could've asked Luna the entire time and felt bad for not taking her in for consideration. "Luna, I apologize for not asking you. I've been-" he was cut off by Luna. "Busy? Its okay. I know the tournament seems quite difficult." she stated. Harry nodded and kept his focus on the lake. "I will see you there though. I bet it will be fun." she said. Harry looked over at her in surprise. "You have a date?" he asked first. Luna smiled. "Yes. I was asked about a month ago." she replied softly. Harry seemed both curious and slightly confused. "Who is your date, Luna?" he curiously asked. Luna truly wanted to tell him despite her date being his rival but she knew it has to wait. "I can't tell. Like i said to Cho, you will see at the ball. Take it as a surprise." she explained. Harry remained quiet, he wasn't sure if Luna truly did have a date or was just pretending to in order to fit in with everyone getting dates. Once they left the lake, they returned the castle and Luna passed by Draco with Crabbe and Goyle, only flashing a rather shy smile. Crabbe noticed and elbowed Draco. "Why did Looney smile at you for?" Crabbe blurted out. Draco looked behind himself to make sure Luna wasn't around before looking back at Crabbe. "No idea, she's uh, mad." Draco struggled to gather the opposing words.

As the rest of the day ended, the morning of the Yule Ball was approaching and of course the girls that were going were giddy and the boys, for the most part, dreaded it. As everyone sat down for breakfast, Luna of course sat with her friends at the Gryffindor table and glanced over to spot Draco at the Slytherin table and greeted him with a soft smile as everyone was chatting at the table. Draco, of course, gave a quick disguised yet genuine smile back at her before replacing it with his normal arrogant smug and looked away. Luna had always liked older boys which explained why she liked Draco though Dennis Creevey had a crush on her, he was far too young for her interest though she was flattered. "At least we've got dates." Ron confessed , talking to Harry. Harry noticed Luna looking over at the Slytherin table before looking back to the others at his table, slowly figuring it out on his own but not necessarily knowing its Draco but thinking it was a Slytherin. "Even Luna has a date, Ron." Harry pointed out, replying to Ron's rant. Once Harry said that, Hermione, Ron and Neville looked at Luna. "What?" Luna asked innocently, noticing the attention on her. "Really? Who is your date, Luna?" Hermione asked. Luna felt put on the spot and began to fiddle with her fork at the table. "Um, its a boy. I need to go to class." she played it off, grabbing her bag and leaving the Great Hall. It was rather early for the first of a few classes that day before the Yule Ball but she didn't want to accidentally spill out that it was Draco.

Harry sighed, knowing he shouldn't have said that. "Nice, Hermione. You scared off Luna." Ron said humorously. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Quiet, Ronald." Hermione replied. Harry looked back at the Slytherin table to scope out who it could be but was stumped. "What are you looking at, Potter?" Draco asked spitefully. Harry bit his cheek before ignoring him and looked back to his friends. "Ignore him, Harry." Hermione stated. Harry took a sip of his drink before speaking. "i think its a Slytherin. But not sure who." Harry speculated but he knew he was being slightly nosy. His friends wasn't sure that it would be being how nice Luna was as a person.

Classes had passed by fairly quickly from the hype of the Yule Ball and it was now the night. Luna had gotten ready in her purple ball dress that was sleeveless, tied at the neck with ruffles at the bottom of the dress, put on her star studded black heels, a dragonfly necklace and the purple rose earrings that dangled before styling her hair, leaving her blond hair down with the sides pinned behind her head. She walked out to see her fellow Ravenclaws ready and talking, noticing Cho wearing a white, chinese inspired embroidered gown. "You look lovely, Cho." Luna complimented. Cho smiled. "Thank you. You look nice too. Nervous." Cho claimed. Luna smiled and then everyone exited the common room. Luna was nervous on going, in hopes that Draco didn't change his mind because of his ego and what people would think.

Draco had gotten ready in his dressrobes that were black and had a white inner shirt and bowtie. "Thought you weren't going, Malfoy?" Goyle asked. Draco rolled his eyes. "I changed my mind." Draco replied swiftly before heading out. Crabbe and Goyle assumed that Draco was going solo since Pansy got desperate and decided to go with a third year Slytherin. Draco went to stand by the entrance of the Great Hall as Cho and Cedric were talking to others and of course Harry and Ron got to their dates, having Ron and Padma walk inside first. Luna found herself walking to the staircase near the Great Hall, hearing several girls behind her including Hermione but they were a staircase away. Turning around the corner, Luna took her first step down the stairs and noticed Draco by the doors of the Great Hall that caused her to be relieved and form a soft smile. Draco noticed Luna and how her gown made her look different than her ordinary clothes did and was taken away. Once Luna got to the floor, Draco walked over and couldn't help himself from checking her out. Cho Chang had diverted her attention from who she was speaking to, noticing Luna and Draco speaking - so did Harry.

Both Cho and Harry displayed surprised looks that Draco was Luna's date to the ball but Cho gave off a smile and looked away while Harry looked puzzled before noticing Cho. "You look...quite beautiful actually." Draco complimented Luna. Luna felt a light blush on her cheeks, even someone as different as she was gushed over her crush. "Thanks. You look handsome, Draco." she replied. Draco cracked a crooked smile as he looked around, both of them were nervous as it was making an appearance together. Draco took Luna's hand and they walked into the Great Hall together, noticing the winter wonderland-like Yule Ball. "It's so pretty." Luna commented on the decor as she looked around. Of course others inside noticed Draco with Luna, including Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy seemed rather bothered and jealous that Draco had asked Luna instead of her but Crabbe and Goyle were merely in shock and rather confused.

Stepping aside with the rest of the students who were inside, everyone had to make an empty path for the four champions and their dates when announced for them to start the dance. Draco and Luna remained holding hands as they awaited the champions. Ron and Padma looked over to notice Draco was Luna's date in surprise. Crabbe and Goyle walked over to Draco and Luna, curious as to why he would take her. "Malfoy, why did you take Looney Lovegood?" Goyle asked laughing. Draco looked at the two with furrowed eyebrows in irritation before moving over to shove them against the table. "Because i wanted to, Goyle." Draco snapped before rolling his eyes at the idiots. He decided to ignore the previous remarks they said as he looked towards the empty ball floor. "Its okay, Draco. I tend to ignore comments from ignoramus people." Luna commented. Draco was about to reply before the doors flew open and the four champions along with their dates entered the winter wonderland themed Yule Ball. Luna saw all the beautiful dresses the other girls wore and honestly, she never thought she was pretty even though her father kept telling her that she was.

Soon after the champions started the dance, everyone else were allowed to join the dance floor. Draco looked over at Luna and held out his hand. "Want to dance?" he asked nervously. Luna nodded before taking his hand and they went onto the dance floor. Draco of course didn't seem like he knew how to dance but he attempted and that was enough for Luna. When the song became slower, they danced closer with Draco's hands on her waist and her hands on his shoulders. "So, eh, tell me about you and your family." Draco asked curiously. Luna smiled softly. "Well, my father Xenophilius is the creator of the Quibbler and my mum Pandora, she passed away when i was about nine. She liked to experiment with spells and got slightly carried away once with one she created. Its why unlike some students, i can see thestrals." she explained. Draco felt bad about her mother. "Sorry to hear about your mum." Draco said. "No worries." Luna said softly. "Do you have any siblings?" he asked. Luna wasn't used to talking much about herself to other people so this was new for her. "No. I'm the only child. Do you?" she asked. Once the song ended, Draco directed her to the tables to take a seat. "I'm the only child too. My parent's don't seem to have quite the time to even thinking of having another." he explained.

While everyone else mingled and some danced to more music being played, Harry and Ron sat at another table with Parvarti and Padma. "I can't understand why Luna would go with Malfoy." Harry said in surprise. Ron was more so focused on Hermione going with Viktor Krum. "I cant believe Hermione went with Viktor." Ron replied. Padma frowned. "Are you going to ask me to dance or not?" Padma asked Ron. "No." Ron said simply, causing Padma to leave and Parvarti went away with a Durmstrang boy. Hermione approached them all dazzled from the dancing with Viktor. "He's going to get drinks." she mentioned, sitting down among the silence. "Did you see-" Hermione got cut off by Harry. "Luna with Malfoy? Yeah." Harry stated. Hermione looked over to the table with Luna and Draco talking. "It is really odd. Who would've thought." she added. Hermione had just hoped that Luna wouldn't get hurt by Draco.

Ron seemed to still be frowning and ended up fighting with Hermione about Viktor. Luna and Draco stayed talking to get to know each other a little more as in likes and some dislikes. "I like to travel. Been to quite extraordinary places with my dad while he writes the Quibbler." Luna explained. Draco knew his family and he traveled a lot, up until lately when his father Lucius had gotten more busy. "My parents and i traveled a lot too actually. But lately, father has been busy so it has been on hold." Draco stated. Draco didn't feel the need to explain about his parents because it was more than likely that everyone knew who his father was. They talked a little more before everyone was nearly gone to turn in for the night and decided to head out as well.

Draco walked Luna back to the Ravenclaw tower as it was an awkward silence at times but with the occasional interruptions of Luna mentioning how nice the ball decor looked before they stood in front of the Ravenclaw house. "Thank you for taking me to the ball...and walking me back, Draco. I had fun." Luna smiled before looking at the moving portraits on the wall. Draco nodded, following her stare to the portraits before looking back at her. "No problem. Thanks for coming with me. I, uh actually enjoyed it." Draco replied, finding the words to express. Before leaving, in the midst of the silence, Draco decided to lean in and give Luna a soft kiss, risking possibly getting slapped before pulling back. Luna was caught in surprise but didn't slap him, more so smiling before Draco walked off towards the Slytherin dungeons after kissing her. Of course he didn't know that it was Luna's first ever kiss and Luna was sort of in a daze to react any other way before entering into the Ravenclaw common room. Draco was more so nervous on her reaction to him kissing her but he was caught up in the moment and he actually found himself beginning to like her more and more.