"Expecto Patronum," Draco whispered, flicking his wand the way he had seen other students do. Nothing.
He let out a frustrated grunt. He had been at this for almost two hours, trying to get his patronus to emerge from the tip of his wand, but everything that he tried seemed futile.
"Need some help?" a voice said, causing Draco to jump.
Luna Lovegood emerged from the shadows, her long hair pulled back into a ponytail and her head tilted to the side in curiosity.
He honestly had hoped that no one would find him here, in this condition. His hair was all disheveled, his dress shirt untucked from his trousers, and his tie tied loosely around his neck. His cloak could be seen draped casually across a chair. At least it was only "Loony" Luna Lovegood. He could handle her seeing him like this.
"What do you want Lovegood? As you can see, I'm not in the mood for any of your antics," he said, his voice tired as he ran a hand through his platinum locks.
"Oh that's fine. I wasn't actually planning on any antics today. I was just skipping by looking for a quiet place to read my Quibbler, when I heard a voice coming from here. I hope you don't mind,"
Draco shook his head. He was far too exhausted to try and insult her today.
"You look like you could use some help," she said as she placed her things on the ground and approached him.
Draco was desperate, and that much was evidenced when he nodded.
Luna noticed that he seemed drained, physically and mentally, noticing the slight bags under his eyes.
"Well, first think of your most happy thought. A moment in your life that makes you smile every single time," she instructed as she approached the Slytherin.
"You may not be aware of this Loony, but I didn't necessarily have what people would call a 'happy' childhood. My life was laid out for me, making spur of the moment happiness that you're used to, quite impossible," he replied, his voice straining as he spoke. Luna realized that he must have yelled quite a bit from being frustrated with the patronus spell.
"Just try and think of something that makes you happy," she reiterated.
Draco closed his eyes and tried to think of something that made him smile. He suddenly remembered a time when his father had praised him for his Quidditch skills, applauding him as he caught the Snitch. A smile slowly spread across his face as the memory wove itself into his brain.
"It looks like you've found something!" Luna said happily.
"Now, focus on that memory, and say, 'Expecto Patronum'," she instructed.
Draco did as he was told, and flicked his wand, opening his eyes he immediately frowned. There was still no sign that the elusive charm had worked.
"That's ok, we can try again," Luna said as she walked around the tall boy and began to position his hands correctly and instructed him to do exactly what he had done before.
He closed his eyes and tried again, but still no success.
"That's good! I saw a spark!" she said excitedly.
Draco rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm.
They worked on trying to get Draco's Patronus right for another half hour before he was about to give up again.
"No you can't give up now! You're so close! I can feel it!" she said, grabbing Draco's arm and pulling him back to the center of the room. Draco sighed and allowed himself to be lead. He was far too tired to fight her persistence.
"One more time Draco. Please. Just one more time,"
Draco sighed as he closed his eyes and tried to think of his happy moment again. Instead of what he had been imaging the rest of the time, he thought of the time in his third year when he had broken his arm after just catching the Snitch in Quidditch versus that insufferable Gryffindors. The image of Luna telling him stories to pass his time in the hospital wing flew across his mind, and he found himself smiling.
"Expecto Patronum!" he cried, his voice strong and insistent.
He snapped his eyes open the instant he heard Luna squeal, thinking that maybe something had happened. Instead, his eyes grew wide as he noticed the wispy blue image of a wolf bound around the room.
His mouth was agape as he watched in awe at the creature that was his Patronus. He had done it! He had finally done it!
"You did it Draco!" exclaimed Luna happily as she bounced up and down.
Draco couldn't help but laugh as he watched the creature floating through the air. It was graceful, yet strong and cunning, and felt a strong sense of family which Draco knew he had always possessed.
In all of the excitement of the moment, with his wand still held tightly in his hand, Draco closed his eyes and quickly grasped Luna's face in his hands and brought her lips to his. It was spur of the moment, a moment of sheer happiness for the boy.
Luna quickly melted into the kiss, grasping Draco's arms with her hands.
Their lips moved in perfect synch, and Draco though how wonderfully her mouth tasted of strawberries. In turn, Luna was quite surprised that Draco's lips tasted like vanilla. It was a sweet kiss, one that lasted for a minute before the two broke away from each other, Draco leaning his forehead down against hers.
Draco suddenly realized what he had done, and pulled away from her touch, his cheeks instantly turning red. "I- I-I'm sorry. I don't really know what came over me!" he said, ashamed at his sudden outburst of affection. He turned and grabbed his cloak and fled from the room, but Luna grabbed his wrist before he could escape.
Wordlessly, she pulled him down by his tie for his lips to meet hers again, this time in a much shorter kiss.
"No need to apologize. I enjoyed it," she stated simply, smiling dreamily up at him.
Draco felt the corners of his mouth treading upward in a smirk.
He grasped her hand and squeezed it before heading out of the room.
"Oh and Draco!" she called after him as he headed down the hall. He froze and turned to meet her gaze, thankful that the hall they were in was empty at the moment.
"Congratulations!" she said happily as she disappeared into the room again.
Draco smiled a little smile this time, and as he turned to head back to the Slytherin common room, he touched his lips. "I think I've found my new happiest moment," he thought to himself.