Chapter 5

Luna sat at her table in The Great Hall, attempting to eat her ham sandwich and chicken soup. She couldn't get her mind off of what happened at the lake the evening before. The emotions she felt, the feeling of Draco's lips on hers... To anyone watching her, she looked completely dazed. Which, might not look too out-of-the-ordinary for Luna.

Her eyes flicked up and her gaze traveled to the Slytherin table. Draco sat there with his posse, but they tried to ignore him as he happily talked about something. His gaze caught hers, and he smiled radiantly. Luna could've fainted.

Luna tried to catch Draco after lunch as Daniel was walking with him towards the courtyard. Two peas in a pod, those two. Luna caught up to them.

"Hey, Luna!" Daniel greeted her cheerfully.

Daniel noticed the looks that Draco and Luna exchanged. "What's going on with you two?" he asked. "Did something happen between the two of you?"

"Yes, something quite did," Luna said bluntly, and Draco's pale cheeks pinkened. Daniel beamed.

"Really? Finally! It's about time you two…"

Daniel was cut off by Sara walking by with her friends. She stopped saying what ever she was saying and eyed him. She walked on, smiling to herself. Daniel stood there in a shocked daze.

"Wow, mate," Draco enthused.

"Did you see that?" Daniel exclaimed. "She looked at me! She never does that!"

"Maybe you should try talking to her again," Draco suggested.

Daniel remained silent as he watched Sara walk on with her friends. Luna said, "I think he is so awe-struck, he can't move, or speak."

"Looks like it," Draco laughed.

"It's amazing what one girl can do to a person," Daniel breathed, and Draco looked at Luna with those enchanting blue eyes.

"I quite agree," he said, giving her a pointed look.

"Hey, Draco!"

The three turned and saw a boy from Ravenclaw house beckoning Draco over. Behind him was that group of people Draco hung out with before. Draco looked back at Luna and Daniel.

"Looks like I'm needed," he said. "See you two later?"

"I hope so," said Daniel. "You need to help me out with Sara. Please, please?"

"Alright, mate." He looked at Luna, and said softer, "See you later." He winked at her, and was off.

"Whoa," Daniel said, and looked over at Luna, and person after person passed them in the noisy corridor. "What happened between you two? C'mon, tell me!"

"Something quite extraordinary."

"I'll say. So... you fancy him now?"

"I think I do."

He chuckled. "Knew it. And I knew Draco fancied you, too. So… what are you going to do when the potion wares off? Do you think he'll still fancy you after it does?" He gasped, and alarm encumbered his features. "He probably won't want to have anything to do with me."

"He will remember everything," she said. "He just has the choice to do what he wants with those memories and feelings."

"Hopefully he doesn't throw them away… he's like a older brother to me. And I've never had one of those."

Luna felt her heart sink to her legs, and she tried to suppress the sad emotion rising in her throat. Draco wouldn't just throw all the happy memories and feelings away… would he? After always saying this was the happiest he's ever been? Wouldn't he want to somehow maintain those feelings?

"I want to show you something."

Draco took Luna's hand as they walked down an empty corridor, and he did it like he has done it a thousand times, when this was the first. It felt wonderful having his warm hand wrap around her dainty hand. He wasn't in his school uniform this time, but in a black suit ensemble and shirt. He looked really handsome in it as it drastically contrasted with is fair skin and hair. She still had on her school uniform. They had met up about an hour after dinner, and she and Draco headed straight towards the west wing of the school.

"What is it that you want to show me?" Luna asked as they passed some portraits on the wall, the people in which were giving them bewildered looks.

"You'll see."

They walked on through the empty corridors, and Luna relished Draco's hand entwined with hers. The light of the moon shown through the open windows, casting a cool glow.

"Here," Draco said, and Luna snapped out of her trance. She looked up at the wall, recognizing it from the year before.

"The Room of Requirement," she said.

"Yes."

She looked at him. "Did you want to show me that transportation wardrobe?"

"I do."

At that second, the wall conjured itself into a set of tall double-doors. The two walked into the cluttered room of antiques and other old artifacts. They wove around the various tables, cabinets, stacks of books, and so forth, and then stopped when they reached a tall, pointed structure covered with a large white cloth.

"This is it," Draco said, gazing up at it. He let go of Luna's hand and took off the sheet that was covering it.

"It's lovely," Luna said. "It looks like it would be quite cramped if more than one person tried to fit in there."

"Yeah, it will be one at a time." He paused for a moment, then looked at her as the moonlight lit the room from the tall glass windows. "Have you told Harry about this?"

"No. Like I said before—it's not for me to tell."

He nodded. "He probably knows what I am, anyway, since you already suspected. Anyway, I wanted to show you how this works. Before the happy potion, I thought this was horrible, but now, I find it quite fun." He pulled a green apple out of his pocket and opened the wardrobe and placed it inside. He shut it. A few seconds later, there was a thump. He opened it.

"Oh, it's gone," Luna observed.

"It is." He closed the door again, then a few seconds later, another thump. He opened it and found the apple there. He gestured to it, indicating he wanted Luna to take it. "Go on."

She took the apple out and saw that someone had bitten out of it. "Quite extraordinary."

"Isn't it?" he said like an excited child, smiling. "It's pretty cool."

She examined the apple a little more and pursed her lips together, and her throat tightened slightly. Draco noticed her expression. He took a step closer to her. "Something the matter?"

"Oh, nothing. Well… I guess I'm concerned about something."

"What?"

"I guess I'm trying not to think of the reality... that you're a Death Eater."

For the first time in a week, Draco's face became sullen. "I thought you didn't care about all that."

"I thought I didn't, but…"

"You do?"

She handled the apple, twisting it around with her fingers. "It's hard to explain. You wanted power and acceptance before as a Death Eater, to please The Dark Lord… I'm just afraid that you would want that more than anything after the potion wares off, and not the memories and feelings you had over the two week you were on the potion."

Draco nodded, understanding her meaning. "You're afraid that I wouldn't want anything to do with you, Daniel, or anyone after the potion wares off."

She nodded her eyes on the apple.

"Luna…" he began quietly, and stood right in front of her, placing both hands on her shoulders, and she looked up and met his gaze. "I know I'll remember everything. I know I might be repulsed by some things, but… that won't change what I experienced and felt. I'll try to do everything I can to maintain all that, especially the friendship I have with you and Daniel. You two are the most important people to me now."

She nodded again, noting the sincerity in his blue eyes.

"How about this?" he said, and squeezed her shoulders a little tighter. "I'll promise you that what we have right now will still go on. And if I forget that, you need to remind me of it, no matter how annoyed I may get. Can you do that?"

"I can," she said. "I know you'll be strong enough to push through."

The corner of his mouth quirked up into a cute half-smile. He leaned down a bit and caught her mouth with his in a sweet kiss.

Luna immediately felt her legs weaken and her hands start to tingle. The apple fell out of her hand, and she found herself closing her eyes and taking hold of his arms. Her mouth started moving with his, and the kiss deepened as he wrapped his arms around her back and took hold of her long, kinky blonde hair. Her body pressing against his made her heart pound and head whirl.

Luna couldn't explain the amount of happiness she felt in this moment. It felt as if she were the one on the euphoria potion. If she weren't kissing Draco, feeling his hot breath, moist, warm mouth, and enjoying his arms wrapped around her slender waist tighly, she would be dancing and singing with glee.

The kissing stopped, and she looked back at Draco. "Blymee…" he breathed.

"I agree."

"Yeah, there's no way I'm letting this go."

She smiled and leaned into him. He wrapped his arms more around her as her head rested just below his shoulder. His clean and spiced scent enveloped her senses.

"Draco."

"Hm?"

Her bluntness got away with her. "I think I'm in love with you."

He surprisingly held her tighter. He whispered close to her ear and felt his hot breath, "I think I'm in love with you, too." He chuckled. "Blymee, I never thought I would say that to you."

"I can say the same."

After a few minutes, they leaned back a little. He said, his nose touching hers, "I'm not going to let this, or you, go for anything. I promise you. Remind me of that, too, when the potion wares off."

"I will."

They drew apart, and Draco went and closed the wardrobe. They found an old black leather sofa, probably from a common room, and sat down and talked. Luna rested her head on his shoulder.

She didn't want to leave this for anything, either. It was because of Draco that she found that love is its own euphoria potion.

Three days left of the euphoria potion, and Luna and everyone could see the effects starting to ware off. Draco seemed more like a normal person, who saddens over various things, and is happy over various things, rather than an intensely happy person all the time who's never sad at all. Luna found him hunched over as he sat on a stone bench in a corridor as she walked to her first class.

"Good morning," she said, and sat next to him. He looked over at her.

"Good morning," he said, giving her a small smile, then looked back at the stone floor.

"Something is bothering you, I can tell."

"Yeah… I'm just… I wish I had more of the potion so I could always be happy. The stuff is wearing off."

Luna thought for a moment as she placed a hand on Draco's back and started rubbing it. "Happiness is a choice—that's what me mum has told me. It just depends on whether a person chooses to be happy or sad."

"But I feel like I'll always be sad."

"You have things in your life now, and some things before, that can make you happy. You just need to focus on those things. You know, your friends, your classes, delicious meals... things like that."

Draco eyed Luna for a moment, and despite people walking about the corridor, he leaned in slightly and gently kissed her. Her heart rate kicked up instantly. He leaned back, ignoring the gasps and whispers of people around. "I know I do," he said softly. "Just remind me of all of them. Daniel, too."

Both Draco and Luna started hearing the voices of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They looked over and saw the trio walking in their direction. Both sat up straight.

"Draco…" Hermione began, looking unsure.

"We would like to take you up on that butterbeer offer," Harry said for Hermione. Ron had his arms folded, looking away, and scowling.

Draco blinked. "Oh, I forgot all about that. Sure thing."

Hermione cleared her throat. "Well, we were thinking about meeting in the east courtyard and head over after classes."

Draco nodded. "Alright. I'd be delighted."

Ron was the one who coaxed his friends away from Luna and Draco. Draco looked back at Luna. "I think that was terribly awkward for them."

"No doubt it was. I think I know why they're doing it."

"Why?"

"I think they want to become friends with you before it's too late."

"But why, when they know I'll go back to normal in three days?"

"Maybe you can ask them that."

He looked back at the floor, not responding to that. Luna continued to rub his tense back.

The six of them walked to Hogsmede in the overcast weather, Daniel included, all wearing casual clothes. Hermione insisted that Ron and Harry walk along with Draco while she walked with Luna. Daniel stayed near Draco.

"So," Hermione began, giving Luna a sly look, "we saw what Draco did in the corridor earlier.

"What was that?" Luna asked.

Hermione chuckled and leaned in so the guys wouldn't hear. "He kissed you."

"Oh. Well, that wasn't the first time."

Hermione gasped. "It wasn't?" She looked around, noticing she said that too loudly. She leaned in and demanded, "He's done it before?"

"Yes. Twice."

Hermione's mouth dropped. "No way! Wow…"

"I know it's shocking. But it's the potion, after all."

"I know…" She sighed. "Golly, you and Draco… No one would've imagined it." She leaned in again and whispered, "Were the last two simple kisses or… snogging?"

"Both ended in snogging."

A mild look of disgust entered Hermione's face. "Golly… So you fancy him?"

"More than that," she said simply and met Hermione's hazel eyes. "I love him."

Hermione stared at her after that alarming confession, and was silent the rest of the way to the pub. The boys on the other hand, made a ruckus behind them. Luna was relieved to hear all four of their voices.

Once they all entered the crowded pub which reeked of musty wood and butterbeer, they sat down at a large wooden table and ordered butterbeers all around. Ron was the one who kept up the conversation from earlier. "So," he said, animated, "the second I get back, I'm challenging you to a game of wizard's chess."

"Oh, you're on," Draco said, with an edge of competitiveness.

"I think Ron has met his match," Hermione leaned over and said to Luna across from her. "Two people who have never lost a game."

The butterbeers showed up and all continued talking about this and that.

"Excuse me, everyone," Draco said. "I'm going to the lou. Be right back."

He left and Ron spoke up. "I admit, it's refreshing, Draco not bullying us."

"I told you you'd like it, Ron," Hermione said. "You two were the ones who were mostly talking on the way here."

"Just wish he was like this the rest of the time. You know, not intensely happy, just… normal. Like everyone else."

"I have a question," Luna budded in. "I'm just curious—why suddenly agree to Draco's invitation to come for butterbeers?"

The three looked at each other as Daniel sat there enjoying his drink. "Well…" Hermione began in hesitation.

There was silence for a few moments, and Draco came back and sat down next to Luna. "What'd I miss?"

"Oh, Hermione was just going to tell us why they agreed to your invitation to come here," Luna said, and her friends winced at her tactlessness.

"Oh," he said, and looked at the three of them sitting on the opposite side of the table.

"Well," Hermione began again, "I guess we just wanted to be friends with you. Since… it was difficult before."

Draco nodded, understanding. "I'm sorry. It's my fault we weren't friends before. I was such a bloody bully. And once the potion wares off, I will probably be again."

"It's alright," Harry said. "You had your reasons."

A grimace appeared on Draco's face, and Hermione stepped in. "It's just… we just wanted to get along with you now so when the potion does ware off, you can remember that we were actually nice to you." She chuckled. "And we were kind of to blame before—I know for a fact we weren't nice to you at times, either."

Draco nodded. "Yeah… let's just put the past behind us, alright? Start afresh? And when I'm off the potion, all five of you can knock some sense into me and remind me that we were all friends. God knows I need them."

The trio looked at one another, and Hermione made a look at Harry and Ron, indicating she wanted them to agree. "Alright," Harry said. "We'll do that." He nudged Ron.

"Yep," he said.

"Luna and I already agreed to it," Daniel piped up.

"I know I'm not going to like it," Draco said grimly, "but knock me upside the head if you have to. The past week-and-a-half has been the happiest of my life, and I don't want to throw that away."

Luna felt her eyes sting, only with relief. He doesn't want to throw it all away. She knew that, but hearing him say it made her want to shout with glee.

"Alright," Harry said.

The group finished their butterbeers, and on the way back to the school, Draco walked next to Luna, with the rest behind them. He held her hand. She heard whispers from the back, and Daniel telling them what's been going on with she and Draco.

They're all friends now. Hopefully it would stay that way.