Chapter Four – Quibbler Code

Luna stared at her glass of butterbeer dully. She preferred gillywater with onion but apparently The Three Broomsticks had a new policy, they wouldn't give onions unless you paid extra, and not having a spare sickle Luna had decided to go with butterbeer instead.

Ginny Weasley sat opposite her, looking very confused. Luna had reluctantly told her what had happened and was hoping to get some advice.

"So you're saying that you only kissed Harry to make Malfoy jealous?" Ginny asked, taking a sip of her butterbeer thoughtfully.

"No!" Luna said quickly. "I wouldn't do something like that and Harry's my friend…I think I thought I liked him…but I like Malfoy…it's so complicated!"

"Ok…so you and Harry…tell me more!"

"Well it was really nice, we were just laughing at Ron and Malfoy then we started talking…"

"And?"

"Well then it just…happened. It was rather nice to be honest but it felt so wrong."

Ginny looked a bit ruffled, Luna guessed she was still fond of Harry even after their break-up but decided not to mention it.

"So do you have feelings for Harry?"

Luna stared at her glass for a moment then looked back at her friend.

"I like him as a friend, and I suppose he is rather scantuloom…"

"Scantuloom?"

"Attractive, quibbler code words, issue fifty-nine."

"Oh…" Ginny said deciding not to persist the matter any further.

"I just like Malfoy, I wasn't trying to make him jealous though." She paused. "Actually he did go a bit funny and his t-shirt…it said something about jealousy and hatred."

"I don't see why you like Malfoy, but that sounds positive, he could have been jealous of Harry. What are you going to do?"

"I was hoping you could give me some advice." Luna looked her friend in the eye. "Ginny, I've never been in a relationship like this before but I know you have been in quite a few."

Ginny looked rather pleased but slightly offended.

"You should talk to Malfoy and find out if he likes you, then if he does you'll have to tell Harry that you don't like him in that way…"

"And if he doesn't like me?"

"Well see how you feel, but if you don't like Harry it would be cruel to play with his feelings."

Luna nodded and drained her glass in one go.

"Thanks Ginny." She stood up. "Bye!"

Luna paused before leaving the Ravenclaw table, not sure whether she should go or not. Yes, Ginny was right, she needed to find out what Malfoy thought.

Luna stood up and walked over to the Slytherin table. She heard a familiar laugh and followed the noise.

"Hi Draco, we need to talk." She said breathlessly as he looked up at her.

"Luna, what are you doing here?" he hissed at her.

She opened her mouth to speak just as Cho Chang walked and put her hand on Malfoy's shoulder. She kissed him on the cheek and looked up at Luna.

"Draco, what is Loony Lovegood doing here?"

"I have no idea…" he muttered, his face turning bright red.

"Nothing, I was just going to ermm...nevermind." she said and ran from the great hall.

As Luna walked through the corridors, she thought hard.

Why was Malfoy with Cho Chang? She was a cruel, wimpy cry-baby according to Luna's observations. Lots of boys seemed to like her, even Harry had at one point…still she couldn't see why Malfoy liked her. Hadn't he asked Luna to Hogsmeade with him? Luna was the one he needed help from when it came to his school-work, yet it seemed like Cho Chang had replaced her.

"Luna? Are you ok?"

She didn't need to look up, the voice was familiar.

"I'm fine Harry."

"You look like you've been crying." He lifted his hand and brushed away a tear from her face. Their eyes met.

"Its nothing…just something this person said." Luna lied, her heart beating fast at the touch of Harry's hand.

"Who? If anyone's said anything to upset you I'll curse them!" Harry said, his eyes darting around the corridor furiously.

"No, nevermind it was silly…so how are you?"

Luna didn't listen as Harry began to talk about quidditch and how Hermione was. Maybe Harry wasn't so bad after all. If Malfoy could go out with Cho Change surely she could be with Harry. Someone who cared about her.

Harry's next words awoke Luna from her thoughts.

"Luna, would you like to ermm go for a walk tomorrow evening, by the lake?"

She paused, then smiled broadly as Draco and Cho walked past.

"I'd love to go with you Harry." She said emphasizing the word 'love'.

"Great! I'll see you there around seven." Harry said looking pleased although rather puzzled.

As Malfoy disappeared from sight Luna was sure she saw a frown on his pale face.