Hello, friends. It would seem that I have a bit of explaining to do. My absence and lack of posting is no fault but my own. I got so caught up in life and final exams that I didn't allow myself to relax or write at all. I was burned out to say the least. However, summer has arrived, and what a lovely stress free three months it shall be. The perfect atmosphere for writing! I look forward to talking to you all, and I do hope that you can forgive me for such a long hiatus. Also, this chapter, unfortunately, is a bit of a filler, but I plan for the next to be packed with many things including the reunion of Draco and Luna! Please take the time and tell me what you think; I absolutely adore hearing from each of you. It would be a lie to say that I don't write for you all, for without you, there would be no reason at all to do this. Thank you for everything. Please forgive me! -Lillie
Chapter Eleven
For the tenth time that afternoon, Luna fought to suppress her giggles as she watched Harry's face turn pink with frustration. For days Harry had attempted to master the wand he now possessed; however, after casting spell after spell, the dark hawthorn wand previously belonging to Draco Malfoy still refused to work properly. Every few spells or so, the wand would produce a flicker of magic, but it was inconsistent and weak. Harry cursed under his breath as he lowered the wand after another failed attempt. Shaking her head, Luna placed her woven flowers down on the rock she was perched upon and hopped onto the sandy ground. She held her hand out expectantly once she reached Harry.
"It's no use, Luna," Harry grumbled shoving the wand into her hands. "The bloody thing refuses to work; it must harbor Malfoy's feelings towards me as well."
"I don't think that's true, Harry," Luna sighed twirling the wand through her fingers ignoring Harry's implication that Draco hated him. "When you're casting the spells, what are you thinking of?"
"Winning," Harry said immediately. "I'm thinking about succeeding in defeating Voldemort and how important it is that the stupid thing works for me."
"That's quite a bit of pressure to place upon a wand, Harry," Luna said peering at him with her wide silvery-blue eyes. "I'm sure it's frightened to let you down."
"Luna, I'm sorry but it's a wand; it doesn't have feelings," Harry sighed rubbing his hands down his face.
"That's simply not true," Luna replied. "Think about all the pressure this wand has been under for the last year. Think of all the confusing and frightening situations it has been used in. I'm fairly certain this is the most horrified wand there has ever been," she said in a dreamy tone as she gazed down at the dark wood lovingly. "Do you mind if I try?"
"Be my guest," Harry replied with a sweeping motion of his hand.
Standing very still, Luna grasped the wand in her right hand and closed her eyes. Letting feelings of security and acceptance rise within her mind, she felt the wand warm slightly under her touch. I believe in you… she said in her mind willing the wand to understand the message; it warmed a fraction more. With her eyes still closed, Luna pointed the wand at the flowers she placed on the rocks.
"Wingardium Leviosa," she stated clearly envisioning the woven circle of flowers rising steadily in the breeze. Very slowly, she opened her eyes as a serene smile took over her face. Right before her eyes, the flower chain hovered over the rock; Harry looked on in amazement. With a broadening smile, Luna moved the wand over and the flower chain followed; she allowed it to rest on top of Harry's messy dark hair.
"Brilliant, Luna!" Harry congratulated. "How'd you do it?"
"It's simple really," Luna shrugged giving the dark wand a gentle caress before handing it back to Harry. "I just believed in it."
As Luna walked away humming, Harry looked down at the wand, his mouth set in a determined line. Luna could hear him casting spells behind her as she walked towards the cottage. Once she reached the door, she turned back to see a rock hovering in the air as Harry looked on triumphantly; the flowers were still perched on his head. With a small giggle, Luna pushed open the door leaving the Boy-Who-Lived to practice alone.
Inside the cottage, Luna walked into the kitchen to find Fleur stirring the contents of a large pot; the scent of fresh herbs permeated the room. The young woman was softly singing in French as her silvery hair blew in the breeze from the opened window. Looking at the sight before her, Luna was hit with a sudden memory of her mother. Like Fleur, Pandora Lovegood would stand over her latest culinary creation as Luna sat on the countertop and tossed ingredients in as she desired while they both sang funny songs about magical creatures. After her mother passed, Luna continued to sing while cooking, but it was never quite the same. Thinking about her mother brought a small smile to her face and a pang to her chest.
"Vut are you tinking about?" Fleur asked breaking Luna from her memories.
"You reminded me very much of my mother for a moment," Luna grinned.
"I vud very much like to meet her one day," Fleur smiled.
From their spot at the table, Ron froze mid-bite and Hermione looked up suddenly as her book plopped onto the table, her dark eyes were wide as they watched Luna for any sign of sadness or reaction. However, Luna's serene smile never waivered.
"I would like that too, Fleur," Luna smiled. "I know she would like you very much."
"Maybe when theez iz all over," Fleur grinned back.
"Fleur," Hermione started but Luna shook her head. Hermione said nothing else, but pursed her lips in frustration as Luna sat next to the Gryffindor girl at the table. "Luna, you need to tell her."
"Tell her what?" Luna asked with wide eyes.
"Well, you know… about your mother?" said Hermione awkwardly.
"Oh, that she's dead?" Luna asked bluntly.
"Well, yes," Hermione blushed looking down due to Luna's brutal honesty.
"I don't think there is a point really," she shrugged.
"Fleur wants to meet her; surely talking about her as if she was, well, you know, alive upsets you. I can tell her if you'd like," Hermione offered with sincere eyes.
"No, that's alright," Luna smiled. "I quite like talking about my mum. Just because she's no longer physically with us does not mean she isn't present. After all, nothing is never really destroyed; it merely changes shape."
"I suppose," Hermione replied hesitantly. "But now that Fleur expects to meet her..."
"Perhaps she will one day," Luna offered. "Though I do hope it is far off indeed."
"Luna…" Ron said around a mouthful of food.
"If I tell her now, it will upset her, and she'll feel insensitive," Luna sighed knowing that the two Gryffindor's would not let the subject rest.
"If you're sure," Hermione huffed as she picked her book up from the table; her eyes instantly began scanning the pages at an alarming speed.
Luna said nothing more turned her gaze to look out of the window; after a few moments of staring at the wind chimes swaying in the breeze, Luna's mind began to wander back to Malfoy Manor. She thought of Draco and hoped he was doing all right considering; she could hardly bear knowing he faced certain punishment for rescuing them even if his true intentions weren't discovered. They had escaped, and for that, there was a price to pay. Luna closed her eyes and sent waves of positivity and strength to Draco hoping that he would feel them somehow.
"Luna," a voice said making her eyes open suddenly; Harry stood before her with a look of concern etched into his face. "Luna, are you okay? I've called your name several times."
"Oh dear," Luna sighed. "It seems the wackspurts have found me once more; I do wish they hadn't taken my Butterbeer cap necklace. It repels more than nargles, you know."
"We'll get you another," Harry grinned knowing that if Luna was talking about her creatures, she was okay.
"I shall make one for us all as soon as I've gathered the necessary supplies," Luna beamed; she didn't miss the frown that overtook Hermione's face, but she did ignore it. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about?" she asked Harry.
"Oh right," he said as a light blush crept over his cheeks. "I just wanted to say thanks; it's not perfect, but the wand is responding better with your suggestion."
"I'm quite happy to hear so!" Luna smiled.
"What was the trick?" Hermione asked. "Draco's wand can't be too happy with its new owner," she chuckled; Luna did not.
"Well, believe it or not, it was just that: belief," Harry responded.
"Come again?" Hermione said shutting her book and placing it on the table. She folded her hands and awaited Harry to repeat what he'd just said.
"Belief. I had to believe the wand could succeed; I had to have faith in it," Harry said once more looking to Luna with pride in his eyes.
"Harry, that's ridiculous," Hermione said shaking her head. "Surely it was all the practice you've been putting in over the last few days. I'm sorry, Luna, but believing things to be true doesn't make it happen."
"You're quite wrong about that, Miss Granger," a scratchy voice sounded. The four students looked up suddenly to see Mr. Ollivander leaning against the kitchen wall. He was still gaunt and weak, but there was a slight color to his face.
"Mr. Ollivander!" Luna jumped up and skipped to his side. Ever so gently, she wrapped her arms around him. "It's so wonderful to see you up and well; I've missed you so," she said looking at him with her wide eyes.
"And I've missed you, my dear child," he grinned at her making the wrinkles beside his eyes deeper. "You're a beam of light in the dark; your presence makes me feel as if I am capable of anything."
"What a lovely thing to say," Luna smiled dreamily. "Please do come sit and talk with us," Luna said ushering him over to the table to take her spot on the end. Ron moved over to the chair closest to the wall so Luna could have his seat, and Harry summoned a chair from the other room. They all looked at the wandmaker expectantly.
"I heard talk of wands and couldn't resist myself," Mr. Ollivander said with a twinkle in his eyes. "What was I hearing about faith and belief?"
"I was having issues with Draco Malfoy's wand, sir," Harry admitted. "I've been working with it for days, but it never produced solid magic; there were flickers, but I couldn't use it properly. Luna took the wand and was able to produce constant magic with the first spell. She told me to believe and have faith in the wand. She was right."
"But that can't be," Hermione said exasperatedly. "It doesn't make sense. You have to be direct with your wand, tell it exactly what to do, and then it does just that. Whether or not you believe in it should have no effect."
"Oh, but it does, Miss Granger," Mr. Ollivander said. "Wands are not inanimate objects; they're life forms, an extension of the wizard it chooses. Mr. Malfoy's wand has been used in some horrible deeds I'm sure, but it has also seen him fail in such duties, a fact I am most happy about. When young Mr. Malfoy held his wand and casted the spells he was ordered to, the wand could feel his hesitation and his resistance. Because Mr. Malfoy was confused, so was his wand. Draco Malfoy doubted himself, and so the wand holds doubts as well."
"But it's just a piece of wood with a magic core," Hermione argued. "It has no brain, no logic, so how can it have a mind of its own?"
"Wandlore is very complicated, Miss Granger," Mr. Ollivander said softly not at all deterred by the young witches doubt. "There is more to it than facts; wands are very reliant on emotions and feeling."
"But—" Hermione began.
"It's a beautiful thing really," Luna said wistfully. "A wand always knows."
"It does indeed," Mr. Ollivander agreed looking at the Ravenclaw girl with emotions swirling in his eyes; to say he adored her would be an understatement.
Hermione looked at them both with disbelief etched deeply into her features; she had numerous questions turning in her mind, but before they could leave her mouth, the front door opened and Bill Weasley walked in. He looked at the table and nodded once.
"Good, most of you are here already," he said before kissing Fleur's cheek softly.
"You have news?" Harry asked. "Should I go get Dean and Griphook?"
"The boy's sleeping," Mr. Ollivander said shaking his head. "Let him rest, Mr. Potter."
"Griphook?" Harry asked looking at Bill.
"No, this really doesn't concern him, but he can be informed later though I doubt he'll care. I just received news from Remus; Draco Malfoy has returned to Hogwarts."
"Draco's at Hogwarts?" Luna asked in a whisper; she could feel all of their eyes on her, gauging her reactions, but she didn't care.
"Yes, apparently he flooed in last night; I was old Dumbledore's portrait sent Phineas Nigellus Black's portrait to alert the Order and McGonagall sent word as well," Bill explained further. "Why are you smiling?" he asked suddenly as he stared at Luna apprehensively.
"Well," Luna said through a giggle. "If he's at Hogwarts, that means he's safe; I don't know why I wouldn't smile at that. It's wonderful news really."
"Right," Bill said slowly before clearing his throat. "We'll need to inform the DA."
"So he can help them?" Luna asked with wide eyes. Her eyes were so blinded by hope she didn't notice everyone shifting uncomfortably around her.
"They need to be alerted another Death Eater is living within Hogwarts," Bill said while avoiding a set of misty eyes. "They need to be ready for any attacks."
"I don't understand," Luna said quietly, her voice nothing above a whisper. "We're here because of Draco; I'm alive because of Draco, Mr. Ollivander, Hermione, Ron, Harry! We're alive because of him. I don't understand."
"At the end of the day, he's a Death Eater, Luna," Hermione said in a seemingly gentle voice; Luna felt as if she were screaming.
"A Death Eater?" Luna repeated staring at the Gryffindor girl with shocked eyes. "A Death Eater? Is that honestly what you all think of him?"
"We're indebted to him," Harry soothed. "I'll admit it, but we don't know if him saving us was to do the right thing or to keep you safe. He wanted you safe; we don't know where he'll stand on the battlefield, Luna."
"How can you not see," Luna said in amazement as she shook her head.
"Luna, he's treated us like scum for over six years; you can't expect us to change our minds about him because he does one good deed," Hermione attempted to reason.
"One good deed," Luna said standing up from her chair. Several pairs of shocked eyes followed her movements; they'd never seen her anything but docile. "One good deed is all you think he's done? I am alive because of him; Mr. Ollivander is alive because of him. One good deed? How could we have survived in that manor for months without him if he's only done one good deed? You are all so blinded by what you think is right in front of you, why is it that you never look beyond the surface, beyond what is on the outside? I will never understand."
"Luna, he may have kept you alive, but you weren't safe; he hurt you extensively. You have no idea how horrible your injuries were; you looked nearly dead," Harry said reaching for her hand; she stepped back from his grasp.
"I had to force him you know," Luna said raising her chin to look Harry directly in the eye. "I had to hold his hand like this," she said reaching for his hand that was holding Draco's wand; she grasped his arm placing the tip of the wand directly over her heart as she'd done with Draco. "I had to force him to do it; he wouldn't. I begged him, pleaded; he didn't want to.
"You have no idea what it was like for him; how he cried and sobbed and ripped himself apart for what he had to do everyday. He hated it; he hates himself so deeply. He stood up to Fenrir Greyback to keep me safe; gave him wand in exchange for me. You may have seen one good deed, but you all barely see what is right before you, so how could you possibly know. He gave you his wand, Harry; it was his only form of protection, and he handed over to you willingly. How can you stand before me and reduce such a good man to nothing more than a Death Eater?"
Luna didn't realize it, but tears were streaming down her face and her hands were clenched at her sides in anger. Her waif frame was shaking with the pent up emotion she felt at the people before her. Though her voice never raised nor did she show any sign of aggression, everyone in the room felt as if they had been subjected to a Howler. No one said a word as Luna stood there shaking at her outburst; instead, they all stared at her with cautious, wary eyes. Unable to take their shifting eyes and silence, Luna spun around and walked out of the cottage clutching Draco's wand to her chest. She slammed the door behind her.
"She's officially gone mental," Ron whispered.
"Shut it, Ron," Harry growled giving his best mate a devastatingly harsh look. "She's right; we don't know what went on in the manor, and it's not fair of us to think of Malfoy so one-dimensionally. He laid everything on the line to help us; we owe him a chance."
"So, we shouldn't alert the DA?" Bill asked with hesitance. "Harry, they need to know, if only for precaution."
"No, they should be warned, but tell them to watch him closely; see if he does anything out of character," Harry suggested. Bill nodded.
"She really needs to break from her Stockholm syndrome though," Hermione sighed. "It's not healthy. She believes in people too much."
"Miss Lovegood is right," Mr. Ollivander said breaking his silence. "The boy is immensely troubled; when he would come down to the dungeons he would talk to her. She brought out something in him this world is in desperate need of."
"Which is?" Hermione asked with her chin raised.
"Hope, Miss Granger," he replied before shakily standing up and walking back into his room.
Outside, Luna sat on the cold sand with knees pulled to her chin; her silvery-blue eyes were closed as she focused on the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks. She timed her breathing with the waves willing for the tears to stop falling from her eyes. The dark hawthorn wand was clutched tightly in her hand; she could feel the slight warmth of it against her skin. It wasn't the same tingling feeling she got when holding her own wand, but there was a slight hum in the wood; she wondered if the wand recognized her. Opening her eyes, Luna swirled the wand around chanting a charm within her mind causing the sand the rise and swirl beside her. Waving the wand in tune to the water, the gains of sand danced to the rhythm. Hearing someone clear their throat behind her, Luna dropped the wand and the sand fell unceremoniously to the ground.
Turning, Luna saw Dean Thomas standing behind her; she greeted him with a small smile and patted the space next to her. Without uttering a sound, Dean joined the Ravenclaw girl on the cool sand. For a few minutes, neither said a word; instead, they stared at the ocean allowing their thoughts to take over their minds. As breeze blew by, Luna shivered slightly pulling her legs closer to her.
"Oh, blimey, I completely forgot; I brought this out for you," Dean said with a shy smile as he handed over a patchwork quilt.
"Thank you, Dean," Luna responded taking the blanket from his hand. "Aren't you cold?"
"I guess," he shrugged. "But I'll be fine."
"Nonsense," Luna said wrapping one corner of the blanket around her far shoulder and stretching the other corner around Dean's broad form as she moved closer to his side. "There's plenty to share."
"Thanks," he sighed pulling the blanket tighter around him so it didn't fall to the ground. "I just needed some air; I hope I didn't disturb you."
"Not at all," Luna assured him with wide blue eyes. "Your presences is very calming; I am quite grateful for it at the moment."
"I heard what happened earlier," Dean admitted looking at Luna under his eyelashes.
"I fear I lost myself for a moment in there," Luna sighed.
"Your losing it is my normal disposition then," Dean laughed; Luna couldn't hide the grin that stretched across her face. "I think you're right by the way."
"About the wand?" Luna smiled. "I've always been curious about them, you know. Magnificent things wands are. I just wish Hermione would believe me or believe anything really," she sighed.
"Oh, well, yeah, I think you're right about that too, " Dean said scratching the back of his ear. "But I was talking about Malfoy."
"Oh," Luna said breathily before a glistening smile broke free. "Oh! I knew other people would see him as I do; he's really not a bad person."
"Yeah," Dean nodded though he didn't seem too convinced.
"You're apprehensive?" Luna asked tilting her head to the side.
"I'm not really able to speak on his morality, but I can tell that he doesn't want to be in the position he's in. I've never told anyone this, but I ran into him last year in the bathroom. He was crying uncontrollably, sobbing really. It was like he was having a panic attack."
"Poor Draco," Luna sighed pulling the wand closer to her heart.
"Yeah, it was rough. Moaning Myrtle was trying to comfort him; he was just so out of it. Shaking and crying, I thought he was injured," Dean recalled staring at the ocean blankly. "Malfoy kept saying 'He's gonna kill me; I can't do this' over and over."
"Did you say anything to him?" Luna asked feeling tears prickle in the back of her eyes at the mere thought of Draco feeling such things.
"No, I knew he would threaten me if he knew I was there or hex me to bits," Dean responded looking down as he drew lazy circles in the sand. "I think about it sometimes; if I would have said something to him or offered help, maybe he wouldn't have let the Death Eaters in, maybe Dumbledore would still be alive."
"Dean," Luna said seriously in her airy voice as she reached over to grasp his hand. "That is too much to put on yourself. You're right in thinking Draco would have retaliated on you witnessing him in such a vulnerable state; he prides himself on his composure. I don't think at that time he was open to accepting help; he wasn't ready yet, as horrible as that sounds."
"But I could have told Harry or Dumbledore, McGonagall or someone, anyone. No one knew what he was up to; I could have gone back and talked to Moaning Myrtle. I could have done something," the dark boy said looking down. "I feel so guilty about it."
"I understand," Luna nodded honestly. "I do, really. But you mustn't blame yourself, Dean. Draco would not have accepted anything, and by exposing him, you could have been in grave danger. There really wasn't a right thing to do in such a situation, I'm afraid. He started his mission caught up in bringing honor to his family name and proving his worth to You-Know-Who, but then the threats started happening and he thought he had no other choice. He did what he did to protect his family in the end."
"You-Know-Who threatened him? I thought Malfoy was his favorite?"
"Yes, Draco was told if he did not succeed, he and his family would be executed. His task was a set up; he wasn't supposed to be successful."
"What do you mean?" Dean asked with furrowed eyebrows; the corners of his dark eyes created deep wrinkles.
"You-Know-Who set him up," Luna sighed. "He was punishing Lucius Malfoy for his failure at the Department of Mysteries. Draco was meant to fail and to be killed."
"Blimey," Dean gasped out.
"I know," Luna sighed giving Dean's hand a squeeze. "We have no idea what he's been through the past year, or his life really. He's thoroughly confused on where he stands and what he believes, what he's willing to fight for. I wanted him to come with us."
"Why didn't he?" Dean asked without hesitation.
"He wanted to, but if he would have left, You-Know-Who would have killed his parents. He had to stay so that he didn't look like a traitor," Luna explained. "But he is; he's a traitor to You-Know-Who, and I couldn't be more proud," she smiled sadly as she looked down at the hawthorn wand in her hand that wasn't intertwined with Dean's.
"You and Malfoy—" Dean said trailing off as he looked down at their intertwined hands nervously.
"Friends, " Luna assured him. "Surviving is the most important thing right now; surviving and making sure there is a world worth living in when it's all over."
Dean nodded at her statement. The two sat in silence for a few minutes mulling over all the information they had shared with one another. Luna felt relieved in knowing that at least one other person knew the truth about Draco or at least some of the truth. It was comforting to know someone could support her claims if it became necessary. However, remembering Draco was alone at Hogwarts with no one to turn to, Luna felt a ball of dread sink in her stomach. He had to be lonely there; he had no one to talk to, no one to be himself around. It was heartbreaking to even consider. Luna knew what she had to do; she could feel the certainty in her bones.
"Thank you, Dean. You've been most wonderful, but I must speak to Mr. Ollivander at once," she said.
Leaning over, Luna placed a quick kiss onto Dean's dark cheek before standing up and walking inside. The dark Gryffindor boy watched her walk away with burning cheeks only turning to stare back at the water once she had disappeared behind the cottage's door. He wrapped the blanket tighter around his tall form and was quickly lost in his own thoughts centered on his family.
Inside Shell Cottage, Luna quietly walked to Mr. Ollivander's room knowing he was alone because Dean was outside. At his door, she knocked softly twice opening the door only when she heard his muffled consent to do so. When he saw her long blonde hair, Mr. Ollivander's face broke into a broad smile.
"Miss Lovegood, it's wonderful to see you," he said genuinely. "I take it the bit of fresh air did you good?"
"Yes sir," she nodded quickly. "The wackspurts seem to fear salt water; I'll be sure to tell Daddy next time I see him."
"Splendid," Mr. Ollivander nodded. "However, I do feel like this is not a social visit; your eyes are sparking with determination. What is it I can help you with?"
"I want to return to Hogwarts immediately," Luna said confidently. "But I need to know where I can get another wand."
"Hogwarts is a very dangerous place, Miss Lovegood," Mr. Ollivander sighed knowing his warning would do no good to persuade her against leaving.
"He needs me, Mr. Ollivander," Luna whispered brokenly. "He needs someone to remind him of who he is and who he can become. I fear being isolated by the other students and only welcomed by those who support You-Know-Who will jeopardize all the revelations he's achieved."
"You don't think he can remain on the right path without you?" Mr. Ollivander said raising a white eyebrow.
"I know he can; I have no doubt about it, but can you imagine how incredibly lonely he will be? He'll have no one to talk to, and I fear his dark thoughts will overtake his mind once more. It took so long to make him see even a glimmer of hope; I'd hate for the shadows to overtake him again," Luna said feeling her jaw tighten with emotion.
"You were captured on your way back to Hogwarts, Miss Lovegood," Mr. Ollivander said gently. "They wanted you for a reason; what's to keep them from taking you again?"
"Daddy is already in Azkaban," Luna shrugged though she felt the admission lodge in her throat. "They don't need me for leverage anymore; I have no purpose to them. Besides, I doubt I'll go to classes; I'll stay with the DA in hiding. I can help them train; I know what curses Death Eaters like to use now. I can help; I can help them all."
"You need a wand you say?" Mr. Ollivander asked with twinkling eyes.
"Yes sir," Luna nodded. "Temporarily of course; as soon as this is over, I'll be buying another from you; I would have it no other way. I just need to know where to get one for now."
"Nonsense, Miss Lovegood," Mr. Ollivander said with a wave of his hand. "For all that you've done for me and for others, it would be my greatest joy to make you a wand before you return."
"I'm flattered, really. But the wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Ollivander; It would break my heart for you work so hard on something only to have it reject me," Luna replied earnestly.
"I've made thousands of wands in my lifetime, Miss Lovegood," Mr. Ollivander smiled at her. "I've noted a pattern with the creation of the wand and the wizard it chooses. In all these years, I've never been more certain about giving a witch or wizard a wand as I do you. There is no doubt in my mind the exact wand that is meant for such a bright, caring young woman as yourself, Miss Lovegood. Of this, I assure you."
"But, your supplies and your—" Luna objected quickly.
"Let me worry about the details, Miss Lovegood," Mr. Ollivander said holding his hand up. "Does three days sound alright with you?"
"I will never be able to thank you enough for this, Mr. Ollivander," Luna cried as she wrapped her arms tightly around him nearly knocking him down in surprise. He let out a sound chuckle and patted her back adoringly.
"You kept me sane and as well as possible in that cellar; you took punishments for me when you knew I couldn't survive them. It is I who is in your debt eternally. Making you a wand would be my greatest pleasure."
Luna looked up at him with her wide silver-blue eyes filled with happy tears and nodded her head before squeezing him a touch tighter. She was beyond grateful and touched by the wise man's sentiment, but she didn't feel as if her actions had warranted such an honorable reward. However, she wasn't going to argue with him; though he was just as open minded as she, Luna knew Mr. Ollivander was determined to make her a wand, not only as thanks but because he felt as if it was the only contribution he could make for the cause. He'd already spoken to Harry about the Elder Wand and the lore that went with it, but knowing he could physically help the Order filled him with a sense of usefulness. Luna sensed this, and she could not take such a feeling away from him. Releasing him from her grasp, Luna gave him a bright smile before quietly leaving him to rest.
Once the door was shut, Luna pressed her back against the smooth wooden surface and released a low breath of relief. Three days. She would be back at Hogwarts in three days. She would be there to help Ginny and Neville with the DA, she would be there to train the others so that they stood their very best chance of survival, and she would be there to help Draco in every way he needed her to. At the thought of all that she could do for the people she held dear, Luna felt her heart hammer in her chest in excitement and a smile overtake her face. It was dangerous returning to Hogwarts, but to Luna, it was well worth the risk.