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Chapter Four

"The most outgoing people can be shy around the ones they love."

Draco awoke with a rather large backache from spending the night on the old green sofa. He checked a small clock on the coffee table, and realized he had woken up a bit earlier than usual. He was too excited to take a long, steamy bath in the Prefect Bathroom, so he just took a quick shower in the normal bathroom. He wanted to get out of the Slytherin Common Room before Pansy awoke. He didn't think he could stomach her this early in the morning. Not that he ever could truly stomach her...

After using a heat spell to dry himself and his soft blond hair, he dressed in clean robes and quickly left the Slytherin Dungeons. He figured he would go for an early breakfast in the Great Hall before many people arrived.

The Slytherin Table was completely deserted. The only students in the Great Hall were a few third year Hufflepuffs studying for a History of Magic test later that day. He buttered a piece of toast and bit off a large bite. Chewing slowly, Draco thought about last night's occurrences. He couldn't believe he had been rejected. It just didn't seem possible that something like that could happen to him. He knew that one day he would win over Ginny Weasley. He became disgusted with himself and quickly left the Great Hall in a fit of anger.

On his way out, he wasn't exactly watching where he was going, and ran into someone. And of course, that someone was Luna.

"You certainly run into people a lot," she said slowly, bending over to pick up her books. Draco stood and watched her do so. She looked up at him slowly, with a questioning glance. She wondered why he was still there. He practiced flashing another one of his sincere smiles at her.

"Goodness, what's wrong? You look like a nauseated hippogriff. Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" Luna seemed to have forgotten who she was talking to... the proud Draco Malfoy.

"What the hell are you talking about?" he blurted, shuffling uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

Luna shrugged, and started walking into the Great Hall. He grabbed her shoulder.

"Wait, Luna," he said softly. She turned and looked at him quizzically. "I need a favor." He somewhat flinched, fearing what her response might be. But she nodded, and looked at him deeply.

"I'll admit that we don't have good history, but I always try to help someone in need..."

"I-i-it's Ginny. Your friend...Ginny Weasley."

"She's such a dear..."

"Yes. And I certainly would like to get to know her better..."

"Oh, I see..."

"Yeah... and I need your help."

"Why do you need my help?" She looked up, and her large, blue eyes stared at him sweetly. Something about talking to Luna made Draco feel comfortable. He felt like he wasn't being judged or made fun of...he was just talking to an old friend. He cocked his head slightly.

"I guess... I'm just... shy."

"I understand," said Luna. "The most outgoing people can be shy around the ones they love."

"L-l-love?"

She smiled softly at him. "Who knows?"

"So you'll talk to her, Luna..."

"I will try."

Draco heaved in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "So I'll see you around..."

"Yes. I'll keep you posted... and you keep working on that smile..."

Draco continued walking down the Great Hall. He felt different inside... less bitter. Maybe he was even happy.

"Draaaaaa-key!" his repulsive nickname echoed through the hallway causing his skin to crawl.

"Pansy," he said quietly.

"Drakey you forgot about me, didn't you?" She put her arm on his shoulder and rubbed her head on his arm.

"Pansy, we need to talk...."

"Oh, silly Drakey. I've never seen you when you're this sad. Come here... Pansy will make it all better."

"Good God. Pansy...no...no... things aren't working out. I think we need to forget this whole... thing."

Her dark black eyes bulged and her smile quickly faded. "What?!?" she bellowed, tightening her grip on Draco's shoulder. "You're fucking kidding me..."

"No, I'm not," he growled, prying her fingers off his arm. "Get off me!"

"Draco Malfoy... you are the bloodiest idiot I have ever known... and... I hope you fucking die!" She fisted him in the arm and turned around, her short black hair swatting him in the face.

"Well," said Draco, stifling his laughter until the very melodramatic Pansy had turned the corner. "Glad that's over..."