Chapter Six – Malfoy's Don't Joke
Draco Malfoy awoke to see Luna sleeping on a chair by his bed and Hermione Granger on his left, lying in her own bed and peering at him.
"Stop looking at me Granger!" he snapped, sitting up in his bed.
"Luna really likes you."
Draco stared at Hermione.
"Sure she does."
"She broke it off with Harry you know. And she's been watching you all night, she only just fell asleep."
"She…did?"
Hermione nodded.
"She likes you."
"Well I can't imagine why, I mean she's friends with Potter and you lot. You all hate me so why doesn't she?"
"I don't know Malfoy but she saved your life, so you'd better thank her!"
"She what?"
"Apparently you were flying over the lake and fell in, then Luna jumped in and saved you."
"Wow…that was…nice of her."
"Its not just Luna being nice, its another sign that she likes you!"
"I've known she likes me for quite awhile Granger."
"So why are you going out with Cho? I know Luna's weird and she believes in all those silly made-up creatures…and ok she does dress strangely but she is a good person underneath!"
"Well, well Granger! Sticking up for Loony Lovegood?"
"Shut up Malfoy! If you're too thick to realize who Luna really is then I have to point it out for you."
"Why this sudden change of heart?"
"About Luna? Well Harry likes her and I respect his choices…and once you get to know her…"
"Wait, let me get this right. You respect Potter's choices? You like him don't you?"
"No…I…oh be quiet Malfoy!"
He was about to throw back a nasty insult when Luna moved in her sleep. Draco turned to watch. He would have imagined Luna sleeping peacefully, like a good baby but he was wrong. Luna was curled up on her chair in a strange manner. Her straggly wet hair hung over her face, dripping onto her already wet clothes. Her hands were clenched up in fists and Malfoy felt a strange sense of guilt as he watched her. Luna's eyes flickered open and she slowly sat up properly.
"Draco! You're awake! Are you ok? Was I asleep long?" she asked, her face full of worry.
"I'm fine, its you we should be worrying about. You're soaked and hardly had any sleep." Malfoy said gruffly, feeling rather embarrassed.
Luna stared at him for a moment, and then she jumped up and hugged him.
"Oh you do care! I knew you would, Hermione didn't agree but I thought...oh Draco!" Luna cried happily.
Malfoy looked very surprised and not knowing what to do, he patted her on the back. She withdrew and her happy face lost its gleam.
"You…do care…?" she said slowly.
Malfoy sighed and looked down at his clean white bed-sheets.
Yeah umm I like…mm…Cho...umm" he muttered.
"Pardon?"
He looked up again.
"Luna, the reason I was flying over the lake was to spy on you and Potter."
Luna stared at him.
"Because…because I was jealous ok! I do like you, however weird you are and however much I don't want these feelings they are here."
Luna beamed, "I think that's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me."
Malfoy looked surprised and distracted himself by straightening his bed-sheets.
"One thing though…why are you going out with Cho Chang if you like me?" she asked.
"I thought it might upset Potter. They went out a few years ago…besides you were with him so even if I had admitted that I liked you then, I didn't think you'd choose me over Potter."
"So you don't really like Cho?"
"Well she is one of the…" he stopped, seeing Luna's face. "No. It's you I want, Luna.
"You're not making fun of me?"
"No Luna." He took her hand. "I'm a Malfoy. We don't joke about things like this."
Luna raised her eyebrow and smiled.
"Ok…"
"Now I command you to get out of those wet things and go to bed!" he said teasingly.
Luna grinned.
"Good-night Draco."
He slid of the bed with ease.
"First I would like to ask you something."
Luna's brow creased slightly.
"Yes…?"
"Would you do the honour of attending the Christmas Ball with me?" Malfoy asked, watching her expression with care.
Luna stared at him in shock for a moment before saying, in a slightly disappointed tone,
"Draco that's very kind of you, but I know you don't want to embarrass yourself being seen with me in front of the whole school, so I'm going to have to say no."
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to go with you. Please Luna?"
She hesitated, "Well if you're sure...then I would be delighted."
He grinned, "Good-night."
She smiled and left the hospital wing.
"Well-done."
Malfoy jumped, to see Hermione in the bed next to him, smiling. He had forgotten she was there.
"I didn't think…especially when you said you already knew she liked you…but you do like her. Luna must be so happy."
Malfoy smirked.
"And asking her to the ball, that was very nice of you! I'm glad you don't mind about people seeing you two together."
"Oh I do…just most people will be at home for the Christmas holidays, so hardly anybody will know." Malfoy said, grinning.
"Cruel." Hermione commented, as he lay down in his bed.