Draco was in their usual meeting place, with a broad grin on his face.
Luna rarely saw him wearing it. She never saw it outside this place, unless it was Quiddich. "What is it?"
"She believes in me..." No need to ask who then.
"Really?"
"She wants to take my case to Dumbledore. Wants the beatings to stop."
"How is that believing in you?" Luna asked, "She clearly believes you'll go to Azkaban."
"People tell themselves lies about Azkaban all the time," Draco said, waving his hand, "Granger's never been. No one who hasn't been can truly understand. Those who have keep mum - it's unpleasantness seeps into your bones, burning a bit of discord into your blood."
"It sounds beautiful," Luna said, "I think a bit of discord would look quite nice on me, don't you think?"
Draco chuckled lowly, "Only you, Luna. As a Slytherin connoisseur of bright things twisted, and of wretched things wrought beautiful again, I do think you could use a touch of discord." His smile was gentle.
"You give the best compliments!" Luna said with a bright smile as she danced a figure eight, spining throughout.
"I know," Draco smirked.
"Belief though," Luna said, frowning slightly.
"She wants me to come back, Luna." Draco said, "She doesn't want me to get kissed."
Luna shook her head firmly at that, "She just believes in people, in general - not you."
Draco shook his head, saying ruefully, "I know. I know. But I admire her for it..."
Luna said, with an achingly small smile, "Don't let it go to your head."
Draco shook his head firmly. "No, you don't understand." He groped for words, for a long moment, feeling as if every shift in his thoughts would send him deeper into the quicksand.
Draco seemed to shine, as his face flashed in euphoric understanding. "That's it. You're an optimist - and she is too."
Luna smiled, and it held sprigs of rue, "You think -?" Those were the eyes of a bullied little girl, grown, yes, but never really over it.
"Oh," Draco said, surging to his feet and nearly landing in Luna's arms. He grabbed her by the shoulders and twirled her, "You believe in possibilities. That's how you made friends with the air itself!"
Luna smiled gently at that, "Poetry, now?"
Draco smiled, "Poetry, always. Hermione Granger may believe in the fundamental goodness of people - you believe in quests, in the finding of truth."
Luna looked suddenly serious, "I believe in journeys. Their destination may become immaterial, but the hardest step is always the first."
Draco smiled back at Luna.
Luna nodded, and continued, "You've started out your journey," She smiled impishly, "I can't wait to see where you wind up!" At that, she jumped into his arms for a hug that managed to use both arms and both legs. It was awkward, and silly, and ever so Luna.
[a/n: Luna's not one to participate in shared delusions. Draco's not known many optimists. Reviews?]