Chapter four:

Newfound Feelings

It was the next day after the Yule Ball and Luna couldn't help but still think about the kiss that Draco had left her with the previous night. She had wished he stayed and that it lasted longer but she knew that he was probably nervous and tired too. She knew her father was right, that her first kiss would come when the time is right and she would be lucky if it was by the boy she liked. She also wished to know more about Draco like he does about her now but he wasn't wanting to open up besides talking about his parents. Perhaps she can get him to open up next time they talk, if it gets to be more than just a simple ball date. Draco had been thinking about Luna ever since that date. There was something about her that he was attracted to and wasnt quite sure what; perhaps her innocence or how they both seemed to feel like the misfit, only child people in the school. Little did anyone know, he strived to fit in with being a Slytherin by his father and tried to make his father proud of him but it seemed like he couldn't ever do enough. Now that he has shown up to the ball with Luna as his date, he wasn't sure how everyone was going to react besides what he had already seen.

Luna had found herself sitting at the Gryffindor table once again and her curious eyes looked over to Draco who seemed to be in a bad mood, picking at his food with his fork with his right hand as he rested the left side of his jaw on his left hand. Draco was first annoyed by the talk of most of the Slytherin house being about him taking the 'weird' third year Ravenclaw to the Yule Ball and then stressing a little over how Luna probably reacted to his random kiss. Draco had only been kissed by a couple girls in his life before he kissed Luna and that was obviously by pureblood girls his parents attempted to set him up with the previous summer before fourth year and the holiday break during his third year that didn't work out. The one during the summer ended up being too bossy for Draco and he was bothered by her every time he saw her over that summer break and the other over the holiday kept wanting to snog him and was just as obsessed with him as Pansy was. Luna then frowned when Draco didn't notice her gaze but she tried to see the positive side of it, maybe he was just having a bad morning.

"Luna, did you have fun last night? At the ball?" Hermione asked curiously. Her friends were surprised that she had gone with their rival, Draco Malfoy. "Yes. It was a lovely ball." she replied. The trio looked at each other before Hermione decided to ask about Draco. "So, Draco was...nice?" Hermione asked. Luna looked at the trio and then smiled. "Yes, he was a gentleman. Even walked me back to the Ravenclaw tower and..." she explained, cutting herself off before she was about to say they kissed. "and what, Luna?" Ron asked, Hermione giving Ron a look before turning back to Luna. "I have to go study." Luna made up before getting up from the table and leaving the Great Hall as the trio watched in confusion. "I wonder what she meant by 'and'?" Ron tried to justify himself. "I have a pretty good idea what she meant." Hermione pointed out. Ron and Harry looked at Hermione, puzzled. "Well." Hermione stated amused, adding in a softer tone "its more likely that he snogged her." Hermione was the brightest witch of her age and it was only obvious since Luna was deemed not only odd but innocent. "Nah, he couldn't have." Ron scoffed, not buying into the rumor. "I'm more than certain, Ronald." Hermione replied.

Draco decided to get up from the table where his fellow Slytherins were chatting and about half of them looked up at him when he did so, which confirmed that they were talking about him. Even Harry and Ron looked over. Draco was a little embarrassed and just walked out of the Great Hall. He didn't understand why it was such a big deal that he took her to the Yule Ball. It wasn't like he took a Gryffindor or a mudblood. Stressed out, Draco stormed down an empty corridor to sit and think but moments later he heard footsteps that alerted him. He noticed that it was Luna walking down with her nose in the Quibbler but he decided to leave, disappearing from the corridor but Luna had already seen him. Draco wasn't at dinner and It seemed that Luna was merely the only one who noticed. Then unable to find Ron or Hermione the next morning was even more odd. Though she speculated it had something to do with the next task. Luna wasn't sure why Draco seemed to avoid her, maybe perhaps he regretted taking her - or even kissing her. But little did she know that wasn't the primary reason.

Still not finding Ron or Hermione, Luna went outside with the other students to watch the champions dive into the lake and compete from the outer dock and surprisingly, she noticed Draco was among the crowd that was watching. Luna decided to make her way over to him and before she could, he had began walking off towards the castle. But soon the task was completed and found that Harry was granted second place for also saving Fleur's sister, with Cedric Diggory in first place. Another week passed by with it being the night before the last task and things seemed to be gaining more tension. Draco exited the Great Hall with barely eating anything besides a chicken leg and a spoonful of pudding. Noticing him leave, Luna got up from the Ravenclaw table and made her way out the doors, figuring she could catch him this time alone.

Luna followed him down an empty corridor, calling his name but of course he attempted to ignore it or was having many things go through his mind. Luna frowned before stopping. "Draco Malfoy, you listen to me right now!" she shouted sternly in her sweet voice. Draco halted in his tracks and turned around to face Luna in surprise of how she commanded him to listen to her. He never thought she would be so brave. Luna then walked up to him, connecting her bright eyes with his. "Why have you been avoiding me?" she asked. Draco looked down for a second before looking over her shoulder to see if anyone was spying before looking back to her. "It wasn't my intention." he replied softly, although it was a half truth. Luna furrowed her eyebrows. "Do you regret taking me to the Yule ball?" she asked. Draco took in a breath before shaking his head. "No. Luna, its just..." he struggled to find the words. "Most of my house find it hilarious that i took you to the ball and honestly, it irritates me. But thats not why I've been...well, distant." he explained. Luna wasn't surprised about Slytherin house not liking her, it was only Draco she cared about. "Then, what is wrong?" she asked curiously.

Draco had became slightly awkward, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. "Well, i didn't think you liked the kiss. Perhaps thought i might've came on too strong in the moment and i wasn't exactly ready to hear an earful or worse." he explained. Luna was slightly amused by what he was telling her and came closer, pulling his hand put of his pocket to place her hand into his. "Well, to be honest...it was my first time being kissed. But i liked it." she explained in her gentle voice. Draco was surprised that he was her first kiss and was relieved that she wasn't angry. Draco noticed her hand in his and he honestly wasn't sure if they were a thing yet - he was honestly bothered by what his house was thinking him being with Luna even though he reassured he wasn't and up until the Yule ball, he was the popular boy in Slytherin.

"Eh well...I'm glad that you did." Draco replied, looking from their hands then back to Luna. Luna blushed a little as she stood there with her crush. "You can try it again, if you want. I didn't get to see how you reacted the first time." Luna pointed out, she didn't want to force him but she liked it. Draco flashed a crooked smile as he let out a small chuckle at her words before leaning in and kissing her again softly. This time Luna kissed him right back, unknowingly turning it gently passionate. Draco, in the moment, gently backed her into the wall as he kissed her while Luna just followed his lead before overhearing footsteps towards their corridor. The footsteps caused Draco to break off the kiss and look towards the noise before noticing it was just a couple of first year Hufflepuffs passing through. Once they left, Draco felt guilty as it dawned on him that he took advantage of Luna in the kiss, knowing he was a bit more experienced than her.

Luna opened her eyes from being lost in the moment and noticed the two Hufflepuffs leave, then her eyes rested on Draco. "Is everything alright?" she asked him. Draco sighed as he looked to his right at the empty corridor before he looked back at her. "I, uh, i apologize for going a little too far in the kiss. I suppose I'm a little more experienced." he explained. Luna frowned, she didn't like hearing that he had possibly kissed a girl before her. "Experienced?" she asked curiously. Draco shrugged. "Yeah. You said i was your first kiss, so i assumed you only kissed once...before now..." he tried to explain. Luna didn't know that it was jealousy that came over her, she wasn't familiar with the feeling. "Thats not what i mean!" she stated before walking off. She wasn't sure what was going on with herself but it was indeed jealousy. Luna was innocent in that way where she never quite experienced jealousy or a romantic relationship. Draco furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, he wasn't sure what he said had made her upset. "Luna!" he called out, following her for a few seconds before she turned the corner. Draco came to a halt and became irritated before deciding to head to the Slytherin dungeons.

Luna walked back to the Ravenclaw tower upset and walked into the common room after answering the riddle, heading to bed as she thought about Draco having been with other girls. The last task had taken place and most of the students were out there watching and rooting for their preferred champion. Draco stood near the Slytherins cheering for Cedric while Luna sat with the Gryffindors cheering for Harry. Draco caught himself looking over at Luna for over a minute while everyone waited for whoever would win the last task but Luna seemed to have avoided him as she had the entire day. Hours later, Harry had came back last but with Cedric on the ground as Harry cried, stating that Voldemort was back. Draco knew his father Lucius was apparently searching briefly for Voldemort but he didnt think any of it. After everyone was shooed back to their houses, Draco was nearly the first one to disappear from the stands, causing Luna to finally look over to not find him.

The next day, Dumbledore held a meeting with the students about Cedric Diggory's death and soon after, everyone was to go home for the summer. Draco began packing up his things for the summer before fifth year with a look of melancholy, a brokenhearted expression, while Luna walked into the Great Hall, spotting Ginny talking with Dean Thomas. Approaching the table, Luna took a seat at the Gryffindor table, causing Ginny and Dean to look over at her. "Hi Luna." Ginny greeted. Luna smiled, Dean did the same. "Is everything okay, Luna?" Dean asked. Luna looked down at the table deep in thought. Ginny figured it might've been Draco and looked at Dean, mouthing silently 'Malfoy', causing Dean to roll his eyes. "I don't know. I feel a little upset." Luna explained before looking back up at them. "Want to explain, Luna?" Ginny asked. Luna sighed. "Well, it's Draco. He kissed me and now I'm all mixed up on how to feel." she began explain. Ginny furrowed her eyebrows. "Was the kiss bad or?" Ginny asked curiously. "No. It was perfect. It's just, he mentioned that he has more experience in the kissing department, because he felt bad for kissing me without asking since i told him it was my first kiss and well...i didn't like thinking he kissed other girls, you know." Luna explained further.

Ginny looked at Dean before looking back to Luna, figuring this was most likely Luna's first ever romantic relationship. "That sounds quite like the emotion of jealousy, Luna. Although Draco is vile, to most of us anyway..." Ginny trailed off, glancing at Dean before looking back at Luna, resuming. "He most likely felt that he was going too fast with you. It actually sounds like he cares, oddly enough." Ginny attempted to explain honestly. Dean decided to butt in. "If Malfoy has put this much effort in, to even make moves on you, its most likely he really likes you. Take it from me, I'm a guy. Besides, you never see him close to anyone here at school besides tweedle dee and tweedle dum." Dean explained, meaning that Crabbe and Goyle were tweedle dee and dum. Luna took in their advice before feeling bad about how she ignored Draco. "Oh. I guess i never felt that emotion before now. I do appreciate your advice." Luna said softly. Deciding to leave, Luna got up and walked out of the Great Hall in hopes to find Draco before everyone left home onto Hogwarts Express.

Draco had finished packing his things and headed to the train a little early, perhaps thinking he could get time to himself for some clarity before the train and crowd would show up, giving him at least a half hour. Passing by other students in his all black suit that were talking and getting their things ready, Draco left the castle and to the platform where Hogwarts Express would arrive. Setting his trunk onto the platform, he took a seat on it and folded his arms on his lap as he leaned a little forward, thinking. Unable to find him, Luna felt sad and decided to pack up for home, hoping to spot him on the train at least. The Hogwarts Express arrived five minutes early and Draco began boarding as students began to arrive to the platform. After placing his trunk, he carried his carry on book bag or case with him and took a seat in the back of the train where there was no compartment doors, at a table near the window.

Looking through the window of the train, he spotted Luna with her friends, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville as they began boarding the train. Looking away from the window, he gave off an irritated expression as Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise walked down to the end of the train and sat near him - Blaise sitting across the table from Draco and then across the aisle, Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy came down as well and decided to sit with another Slytherin as she was still sour about Draco not taking her to the Yule Ball, not that he cared anyway. Draco noticed Luna walked further down as well but stopped midway, before giving up and sitting with Harry, Ron and Hermione in a compartment. Draco wanted to approach her but refrained himself because he figured she was still ignoring him and he wasn't in the mood for embarrassment on the train if it led to an unnecessary dispute. The whole train ride to London was quiet before everyone departed to their parents for the summer break, returning later for fifth year.