Chapter Twelve
Hello lovelies! So, unfortunately this is a bit of another filler chapter; however, I promise that more will happen in the next! I had full intentions of having Draco in this chapter, but I couldn't find a way to incorporate him without it feeling forced or cliché. So, I opted to have the next be full of Draco! Yay! Also, This past week, on June 6th, was Draco's birthday, so this is my present to him! I hope you all enjoy this chapter even though I am not its biggest fan. Feel free and encouraged to leave reviews/comments/concerns! I love hearing what you all have to say! Until next time, Lillie.
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Two days seemed to drag on for Luna in a monotonous, agonizingly slow blur. More than once she found herself staring at the clock willing the day to speed by just a fraction faster. On the third day, she found herself outside in the garden looking under leaves and rocks for anything interesting. She found only a few beetles that she placed on the tomato plants so that they would not be squished later. Though she often enjoyed such an activity, Luna found herself restless in her search. She wanted to be back at Hogwarts; she wanted to be with Ginny and Neville, she wanted to help where she could. Though she would be eternally grateful to Bill and Fleur for opening up their home to her in such a time of desperation, Luna was itching to get away. The cottage was beautiful and homey, but it wasn't a place of action, it wasn't somewhere she was useful. Luna ached to help her friends.
Looking at the ground, a flash of yellow caught her eye. Leaning down, Luna scooped the brightly colored insect into her hand and smiled brightly at it. She followed the creature with her eyes as it crawled across her fingers, over her wrist, and up her arm as she giggled along. Slowly, the yellow beetle made it's way back down her skin and rested in in the palm of her hand. She knew the little thing was looking at her with hopeful eyes trusting that she would cause him no harm. Luna gave the beetle a serene smile as she examined it closely.
"Hello, little one," Luna said softly at the small creature bringing her hand closer to her face. "Aren't you beautiful! Here, rest on this leaf; you must be exhausted after your journey," she said placing the insect a leaf growing from a bright red tomato. "There, much better."
"Luna?" a voice said slightly in the distance. "Luna? Who are you talking to?" the voice said slightly closer before Dean Thomas came into view; he looked around expecting another to be with Luna in the garden.
"I found this little beetle; would you like to see?" Luna grinned broadly. Dean smiled back slightly and walked closer to examine the insect she'd placed on the tomato plant.
"Is this what you were talking to?" he asked with twinkling dark eyes.
"Yes," Luna replied confidently.
"I'm sure you'll find loads more; who knows how long we'll be here," Dean sighed looking at the beetle a bit closer. When he got too close, the little creature spread its wings and flew away. Luna frowned.
"Dean, there's something I must tell you," Luna said reaching for his hand; over the past few days, they had spent most of their time together and forged a fast, easy friendship.
"What is it, Luna?" he asked with furrowed eyebrows as he intertwined his fingers with hers. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, well, considering," she said. "Dean, I'm going back to Hogwarts."
"How? Luna, it's dangerous for you to go back; what if they take you again?" Dean asked with widened eyes; his fingers gripped hers slightly tighter.
"I'm no longer needed," she shrugged with a small smile. "Dean, I need to help them," Luna said simply.
"Them or him?" Dean asked bluntly with a set jaw.
"Both," she admitted unashamed.
"Luna, it's not—"
"I'm going, Dean. I just wanted you to know before I told the others; only Mr. Ollivander knows as of now."
"When did you tell him?" Dean asked though he already knew the answer.
"Three days ago, when I left to speak to him. My wand was taken by the Death Eaters; I asked him where I could get another, but he insisted on making me one," Luna told the dark boy with an airy tone.
"I'm going with you," Dean said resolutely.
"Dean, you don't have to," Luna said looking up at him slightly. Though she was tall, he was a head above her in stature. "Like you said, it's dangerous."
"I don't care; I want to help too."
"Alright then," she nodded. "We'll have to tell the others tonight. I'm hoping the wand will be ready tomorrow. Do you have yours?"
"No, it was taken, but I'll figure it out when we get there," he shrugged. A part of Luna felt bad at not having told him sooner; she should have known he would want to go back as well. After all, they were his friends too.
"Okay," Luna said trustingly.
Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, Luna began pulling him towards the shore; he followed without hesitation. When her bare feet sank into the sand, Luna sat down pulling Dean with her as she watched the waves roll in. Hands still intertwined, Luna leaned her head to rest on his shoulder as she closed her eyes imagining seeing her friends once more. She imagined Ginny's face with a glistening smile and bright brown eyes, Neville's goofy grin and warm hugs. She thought of Professor Flitwick and his high pitched twittering and endearing quirks. She couldn't wait to see them. Then there was Draco. With every fiber in her body Luna wanted to see Draco, to see if he was doing well, free from injury and self-hatred. She wanted to feel his cool fingers against hers, to see his shy smile. At the thought of Draco, Luna's eyes popped open and a small gasp left her mouth. Looking over at the blonde Ravenclaw, Dean's dark eyes shadowed in worry. It was clear Luna had been lost in thought and had an epiphany of sorts.
"What is it?" Dean asked keeping his voice level.
"Draco," Luna sighed. "I just realized he's going to have to ignore me."
"Oh," Dean grumbled. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine, really," Luna said. "I just wanted to see if he was doing well, but I don't know how to do that without talking to him directly."
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," Dean assured her with a gentle squeeze of her fingers; he would never understand Luna's deep, unwavering care for Malfoy, but as her friend, he felt the need to support her. "If he's changed like you say he has, like I believe he wanted to, you'll find a way, both of you."
"Thank you, Dean," Luna said snuggling her head deeper into the crook of his neck while keeping her eyes trained on the crashing waves.
"For what?" he asked leaning his head against hers.
"Being here for me, listening to me and not simply hearing the words I say, but truly listening. It's refreshing. You may not know this, but people don't often take what I say seriously."
"That's a shame," Dean responded fully knowing what other people thought and said about the whimsical Ravenclaw by his side; in his opinion, it was their loss for not realizing how incredible she was.
The two teenagers sat in silence for a while longer neither feeling the need to fill the quiet with needless words. They sat on the sandy shore for what they both hoped would be their final day at Shell Cottage for a while. Eventually, the sun began to descend in the sky, and Dean stood up pulling Luna with him. They walked back to the cottage hand in hand knowing that dinner that night was going to be exhausting. Both Luna and Dean knew Harry would object to their leaving. Pushing the wooden door open, Luna released Dean's hand after a final squeeze in order to check on Mr. Ollivander.
Walking down the small hallway, Luna could hear the famed wandmaker humming a light tune to himself; she couldn't suppress the smile that stretched across her face. Gently knocking on his door, Luna heard the melody stop and loud shuffling take its place. She didn't enter until Mr. Ollivander gave her permission to do so.
"Oh, Miss Lovegood," he sighed with a soft smile. "I was expecting you soon. I'm putting the finishing touches on your wand; it's my favorite creation to date, I must admit."
"I'm so grateful, Mr. Ollivander," Luna said brightly. "Really, I will never be able to thank you properly."
"We've been through this before; there is no need for thanks, I assure you," the wandmaker said. Looking at him, Luna noticed a bit more color had returned to his cheeks and his blue eyes were brighter than before, they seemed happy.
"So, it will be ready tomorrow?" Luna asked feeling excitement and nervousness bubbling within her.
"To be honest, it should be ready right after, if not before, dinner; I may have gotten carried away making it; I've missed my craft," he said wistfully.
"Tonight,' she breathed out. "I could return to Hogwarts tonight."
"I suppose so," Mr. Ollivander said reaching out to place a hand on her arm lovingly. "Though I will despise no longer seeing you daily, Miss Lovegood, I know your heart is with your friends."
"You're my friend too, Mr. Ollivander; in fact, I think you might be one of my very best," she said with dreamy eyes.
"That is an honor I will cherish forever," he smiled back. "Now, go prepare for dinner; I'm sure you'll meet your fair share of opposition on the issue. The wand will be ready for you, I promise."
"Thank you," Luna whispered feeling her throat constrict with emotion. She leaned over to place a quick kiss to Mr. Ollivander's wrinkled cheek before leaving him to his work.
Closing the door behind her, Luna wiped the fallen tears from her smiling face. She walked into the living room to see Dean flipping through magazine with far off eyes. Catching his attention, she mouthed the word tonight. She couldn't suppress her giggle as his eyes went wide in shock. Tonight, tonight she would be back with her friends, she would be back at Hogwarts, and she'd be back with Draco or at least as close as she could be. It was overwhelming, but incredibly welcomed. Her stomach filled with fluttering Blibbering Humdingers at the thought.
When dinner was ready, everyone gathered around the large table in the kitchen. Luna reached over and scooped a heaping portion of broccoli and potato hash onto her plate, but she couldn't quite get herself to eat the food on her plate. She was far too nervous for what was going to happen once she told them all of her plans to leave. Dinner passed in a pleasant blur as Luna pushed the food around her plate while listening to the conversation flow around her. Once dinner was over, Fleur brought out a bowl of chocolate pudding dressed with whipped cream and raspberries; when she declined a serving, everyone at the table knew something was wrong.
"Luna, you've barely touched your dinner and you just declined pudding," Harry stated seriously. "Is something wrong?"
"Well, Harry," Luna sighed. "There is something I need to tell you, tell you all really."
"Whatever it is you can tell us, Luna," Harry assured her with worried green eyes. Taking a deep breath, Luna felt Dean's hand reach for hers under the table and squeeze her fingers gently.
"I'm going back to Hogwarts," she said quietly looking directly at Harry. His faced didn't change at first; it seemed as if he didn't process what she said, but as Ron and Hermione looked at him expectantly, the Chosen One realized his ears hadn't deceived him.
"Luna, no," he said simply. "I'm sorry, but it's too dangerous."
"Harry, I need to do something, I need to help," she reasoned. "Please, understand."
"What if they take you again?" Harry asked hitting his hand on the table; everyone jumped in fright. "Luna, if we lost you again, I don't know what I would do—what we would do knowing that you were safe here. I can't risk it."
"It's not your risk to take," Luna sighed reaching across the table for his hand. "Harry, please, I'm not doing this to upset you, but I'm not asking. I'm going back to Hogwarts to help Ginny, Neville, and the rest of the DA. They're my friends, and I can help them."
"Is that the only reason?" Harry bit out. "No one else you're going back for?"
"Harry, don't," Luna sighed. "Draco is part of the reason, yes, but he's not the entirety of it. Please try to understand."
"I don't want you to go back alone," Harry said running a hand through his unruly hair. "You don't have a wand or anyone to protect you on your way to the DA. There are Death Eaters in the school, Luna. They know by now that you've escaped Malfoy Manor; they won't take that lightly."
"Funny you should mention a wand," Luna said with a crooked grin. "Mr. Ollivander has been working on one for me."
"A wand? How long have you been planning this?" Hermione asked with wide eyes.
"Three days," Luna admitted.
"But you'll be alone, Luna," Harry attempted to reason.
"Well," Dean said clearing his throat. "There's a solution to that as well. I'm going with her."
"So you'll both be leaving? Hermione said with furrowed eyebrows.
"That's the plan, yes," Dean nodded.
"Harry, try to reason with them," Hermione whispered rather loudly.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Harry asked looking at Luna and Dean seriously. "Absolutely certain."
"Yes," they said in unison.
"Fine," Harry sighed. "I don't like it, but it's not my decision to make."
"Thank you, Harry," Luna sighed giving his fingers a tight squeeze.
"When is your wand going to be ready?" Harry asked.
"Tonight," Luna replied.
"Tonight?" Hermione shrieked. "But they can't leave tonight, Harry. We'll be leaving as well in the morning. They should stay here; it would be easier on everyone."
"That's not fair, Hermione," Luna said calmly.
"What's not fair?" Hermione asked. "Luna we've been planning this for days; we're trying to help you, help the entire wizarding world! We've all risked our lives saving you, after everything that happened."
"Hermione," Harry warned. "Don't."
"No, Harry," Hermione bristled. "She needs to know the severity of the situation. Do you know why your father is in Azkaban?"
"Hermione!" Ron gasped with wide blue eyes; she ignored him completely.
"He failed in turning Harry, Ron, and me over to Death Eaters; we went to your bloody house to ask him about the Deathly Hallows. He tried serving us up to Vol—You-Know-Who on a broken, multicolored platter and got himself locked up in the process."
"That's enough!" Harry voiced. "Hermione, you had no reason—"
"She should stay here and appreciate what we've sacrificed for her," Hermione said pushing away from the table. "She should help the people who have protected her and not that bloody ferret Malfoy!" the Gryffindor girl shouted before storming out of the room.
All eyes followed her except for Luna's wide blue eyes that were unfocused with shock. A large lump had formed in her throat; she could hardly breath after everything that Hermione said. She felt as if someone had slapped her and ripped her heart out; no curse or attack within Malfoy Manor had hurt as badly as that moment. Her father betrayed Harry Potter and for what? She felt sick at the thought of it; she was thankful she hadn't touched much of her dinner, for she knew if she had, it would have made a reappearance.
"Luna, I'm so sorry; I don't know what came over her," Harry said walking to her side. He squatted down beside her placing a hand on her arm.
"Is it true?" she whispered in a watery voice.
"Luna—"
"Is it true?" she asked with more severity.
"Yes," Harry sighed.
"Oh Merlin, Harry," Luna sobbed. "I'm so sorry; I'm sure Daddy didn't mean it—"
"Luna, I forgave him the moment it happened. He did it to get you back. I can't lie; I would probably have done the same thing if it were my child. I think we all would. I don't blame him, and I don't blame you," Harry told her sincerely.
"Well, clearly Hermione does," Luna sniffed.
"'Mione is wrong to treat you like that though, Luna," Ron said looking forlorn. "It's bloody scary when she gets like that."
"I just can't believe Daddy would do such a thing," Luna whispered more to herself than anyone else. "I just can't."
"It's war, Miss Lovegood; we all do things we aren't proud of," Mr. Ollivander said quietly from his seat. During the entire exchange Mr. Ollivander, Bill, and Fleur remained silent in shock. "I think I have something that will lift your spirits," he said softly reaching into his robe pocket.
Slowly, Mr. Ollivander extended his hand toward Luna as he grasped something within. As soon as her skin touched the wood, a warm hum ran through her blood and her hair swirled delicately around her. As her fingers wrapped around the handle, she marveled at the intricate woodwork Mr. Ollivander had done. The wand was a light color and smooth; the handle was shaped as a tulip, the petals flared out slightly at the ends. Luna felt her lip tremble at the beautiful piece wondering how such a wonderful thing could belong to her.
"It's beautiful, Mr. Ollivander," Luna gasped. "Absolutely exquisite."
"It's made of pear, a wood that produces a most splendid magic in the hands of the warm-hearted, the generous, and the wise. The core is that of a unicorn, a creature of purity. It is thirteen inches long and slightly springy. This is the wand made solely for the likes of you Miss Lovegood. Go on; try it out, my dear child."
"Avis," Luna said watching gleefully as a flock of birds erupted from her wand and flew around the kitchen chirping merry tunes.
"Remarkable," Mr. Ollivander whispered as he watched the birds.
"Bill," Harry said suddenly. "Can you contact McGonagall and ask her the best way to get two students back into Hogwarts?"
"Yeah," Bill said hesitantly; it was the first word he'd voiced since Hermione's outburst. "Just give me a moment," he said getting up and walking into the other room to floo call the Head of Gryffindor House.
While Bill was making the call, the others watched as Luna cast spell after spell making multicolored bubbles erupt from her wand and puffy animal shapes. When all of a sudden, the urge to cast a patronus filled her mind. Without hesitation, she thought of a happy memory, as she uttered the familiar incantation. Out of her new wand came a bouncing silver hare. Fleur gasped in delight as the shining creature hopped around the kitchen walls leaving a trail of light in its path. When the eldest Weasley child walked back into the room, Luna called her patronus back into her wand and held her breath.
"The floo connection into McGonagall's office will be opened tonight starting at eleven; it will only be open for five minutes, so the two of you should be ready to go by then," Bill relayed with a tight smile; it was clear he didn't like the idea either.
"Oh, Luna," Fleur said gently walking to the young Ravenclaw. "I will meez you so," she said wrapping Luna into a warm hug; no matter what she had been doing, Fleur always smelled like vanilla and freesias. "Pleeze be careful, ma chèrie," the beautiful French woman whispered into Luna's hair giving her a tight squeeze.
"I promise," Luna assured her.
At ten minutes until eleven, Luna paced before the fireplace eager to be on her way. Everyone but Griphook and Hermione was in the living room to send Dean and her off, but Luna felt as if she would never leave as the seconds felt like hours. She had never paced before in her life; she was always calm and collected, very go-with-the-flow, but in that moment, she felt as if she could burst from her skin with anxiety. It felt odd to have such a foreign feeling invade her, but Luna knew it was futile to fight against it. Luna's wand was tucked securely behind her left ear and tangled into her blonde hair; she felt somewhat whole again. She longed for her Dirigible plum earrings and her Butterbeer cork necklace, but she knew a wand was far more useful.
Luna could hear the clock in the corner ticking away seconds; she felt as if the sound were in her head and pounding against her skull every second. Looking at the clock, she saw only two minutes had passed; she fought the urge to groan out loud. Looking around, Luna saw that Harry was staring off into the distance most likely caught up in his own thoughts; she thought it best not to disturb him. Ron seemed disinterested in what was happening around him, but she knew he was thinking of the row he and Hermione had a few hours prior; the entire cottage had heard. Bill and Fleur were walking to each other in hushed voices, and Mr. Ollivander was reading through a book; circular spectacles were perched on his nose. The only person who seemed as keyed up as she was Dean; he was seated in a chair, his leg bobbing up and down quickly.
As another tick filled her brain, Luna looked to the clock. They had five more minutes until the floo connection opened. Five more minutes, and she would be back at Hogwarts with her friends. Five more minutes and she would be of use for the cause. Five more minutes and she would be back in the castle she had called home for six years. Five more minutes and she would be in the same building as Draco. Five. More. Minutes.
"Luna," Harry said softly from behind her.
Turning around, Luna saw that he looked crestfallen and wan. Without hesitation, Luna extended her hand towards him smiling slightly when he took his hand into hers. She waited for him to speak knowing that he would do so when he was ready; what ever he had to say wasn't going to be easy.
"Teach them everything you know," he started. "Help them learn everything they can to give them their best shot. I know you can do this."
"Thank you, Harry," Luna whispered. "I will."
"Tell her hello for me," Harry added looking at his trainers.
"I will," Luna nodded not needing a name to know whom Harry was talking about; the blush on his cheeks told her all she needed to know.
"You ready?" Dean asked from behind her. "Two minutes."
"Bill, Fleur," Luna said looking towards the beautiful couple. "Thank you so much for everything; I don't know how to ever repay your kindness and hospitality."
"Never worry about eet," Fleur said. "You are welcome any time you weesh to come back."
"Goodbye, Luna," Bill said with a nod in her direction. "Until next time."
"Mr. Ollivander," Luna said extending her other hand toward the wandmaker who was sitting close to Harry. "Thank you, for everything."
"I shall say the same to you, Miss Lovegood," Mr. Ollivander nodded. "Be well, my dear child. Keep yourself safe."
"Goodbye, Ronald," Luna waved letting go of Mr. Ollivander's hand; the youngest Weasley son waved back with a small grin.
"Goodbye, Harry," Luna said giving him a tight embrace. "Thank you for rescuing me and forgiving Daddy; you're an amazing friend."
"As are you, Luna," Harry repelled squeezing her tighter. "Tell everyone hello for us."
"I will. Please tell Hermione goodbye for me," Luna said letting go and walking toward the fireplace just as the clock struck eleven. Grabbing a handful of floo powder, Luna watched as Dean stepped into the fireplace and gave her a nod.
"Bye, everyone. See you again," Dean said before tossing down the powder at his feet and saying "Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall's office," very clearly.
Once Dean was gone, Luna stepped in his place giving a final wave to everyone before doing the same as Dean. Her vision swirled around her and Luna caught a glimpse into several homes before appearing in Professor McGonagall's office. She looked at the Head of Gryffindor for a moment unable to move her feet due to excitement. Suddenly, Luna flung herself at Professor McGonagall embracing her tightly.
"My, Miss Lovegood," the Transfiguration teacher gasped in shock breaking her severe façade. After a few seconds, the professor returned the embrace with a small smile on her face. Soon, however, she cleared her throat and stepped back giving a nod to replace her usual disposition. "Well, it's wonderful to see you both, but I'm afraid this visit has to be short; Professor Snape will most likely know about your arrival come morning if he does not already," she clipped. "I'm sure the both of you know where to go?"
"Yes, Professor," Dean said grabbing Luna's hand in his own. "Thank you."
"Yes, thank you, thank you so much!" Luna chirped as she was pulled from the office room.
Once the door was shut and the floo connection disconnected, Minerva McGonagall stood before the tall window overlooking the shadowed grounds with a crystal glass in her hand. Knowing that two more of her students were alive and well caused tears to fill her eyes. Though she would never tell the students directly, she considered them all her children and felt the need to keep them all from danger. Knowing that two more were under the castle both relieved and frightened her. Taking another sip of the amber liquid, Professor McGonagall watched over the grounds as she had every night since the beginning of the school year alert for anything that might transpire while hoping all would remain calm.
"Luna," Dean hissed as they ran down the barren corridors. "We have to hurry."
"Oh, right," Luna said allowing him to pull her away from the portrait she was observing. "I've just missed it all deeply."
"I know," he said softly giving her fingers a squeeze as they ran up the staircase as it began to move; luckily, it switched in their favor. "Almost there."
Luna felt a rush of calm overtake her knowing she was back in the castle and would soon be reunited with her friends. A serene smile overtook her face as she looked up at the Gryffindor boy. Reaching the top step, Luna and Dean jogged to where the tapestry hung on the wall and walked before it three times. The door appeared immediately; behind it, they could hear frantic whispers. Releasing a deep breath, Dean opened the door to reveal Dumbledore's Army Headquarters; they were welcomed with wands aiming at their face.
"Inside," a voice said fiercely. "Now!"
Dean and Luna ran into the door and shut it behind them; turning around, the wands were still pointed directly at them. Almost immediately, Luna spotted Ginny due to her flaming red hair; she felt her stomach flip at the sight of her best friend. However, Luna knew that if she were to make any sudden movements, she would be hit with a jinx or hex. Instead, Luna waited patiently with a dreamy smile on her face. Dean, however, was not nearly as calm as Luna; he felt exposed and defenseless without a wand despite the fact that he wouldn't need to protect himself within the room.
"State your names. You first," Seamus Finnegan said pointing his wand directly at Dean.
"Uh, Dean Thomas," the dark Gryffindor boy said hesitantly.
"Alright then," Seamus said, his mouth in a grim line. "In fourth year, Professor Lupin had us face our greatest fears. What was yours?"
"A severed hand," Dean said immediately. "A severed had walking on its own."
Seamus immediately lowered his wand and raced towards Dean wrapping him in a fierce embrace. Dean laughed and returned the gesture dropping Luna's hand in the process. The serene Ravenclaw watched joyfully as the two best friends were reunited. Turning away from the two Gryffindor's, Luna focused her wide eyes on Ginny Weasley who had not smiled at the exchange.
"And you?" she said harshly. "State your name."
"Luna Lovegood," she said airily.
"Where are your radish earrings?" Ginny asked starting at her with steely brown eyes.
"They're Dirigable plums," Luna informed her. "But they were confiscated when I was captured before Christmas. Curious things they are," Luna smiled. "They enhance one's ability to accept the extraordinary."
"No further questions," Ginny smiled before running to Luna and enveloping her in a tight hug. "I've missed you so much," the Weasley daughter said into Luna's hair.
"I've missed you," Luna said in return wrapping her long arms around Ginny. The two friends hugged for a moment before another body joined the embrace. Luna didn't need to look up to know it was Neville; she could feel his caring aura.
"Good to have you back, Luna," he said quietly before stepping back awkwardly to allow the two girls to separate. As they did, Ginny reached over and grabbed Luna's hand tightly in her own.
"It's wonderful to be back," Luna smiled. "Harry says hello," she announced to everyone while giving Ginny's hand an extra squeeze. The redheaded girl blushed slightly.
"You've seen Harry?" Neville asked with wide eyes.
"We have, yes," Luna said nodding her blonde head towards Dean who was now enveloped in a hug from Lavender Brown.
"Did he break you out of Azkaban?" Ginny asked. "We haven't heard anything in about a week."
"Azkaban?" Luna asked tilting her head to the side. "I was never in Azkaban."
"Where were you?" Ginny asked. "We just assumed…"
"I was at Malfoy Manor," Luna smiled serenely. However, her admission caused a response that was anything but serene.
"Malfoy Manor? That's why that bouncing ferret is back," Ginny hissed. "He was probably sent away for failing once again, the git," she bit out; Luna felt as if she'd been slapped. However, she kept her face unaffected. "Did you see him while you were there?"
"Yes," Luna admitted feeling Dean's dark eyes on her. "I saw Draco Malfoy," she said adding his last name as to not seem too friendly with the Slytherin boy; she knew now was not the time to discuss their friendship.
"Did he hurt you?" Ginny asked while attempting to discretely check Luna for injury. Ginny had noticed immediately how thin Luna looked when she first entered the DA Headquarters. Luna Lovegood had always been thin, but after spending months in the cellar, her weight had plummeted severely; a few days at Shell Cottage had enabled Luna to gain a few pounds back, but not nearly enough to makeup for what she lost. Although her wounds had been healed, she still bared a stray bruise and cut that was not severe enough to heal with magic. Ginny noted there was something else off with her best friend. Her eyes were not as innocent or carefree as they once were. Though Luna's wide, silvery-blue orbs still shone with dreaminess, her eyes held sparks of intensity and focus as if she were on a mission. It was not a new sight for Ginny, but rather one she'd only seen in Luna during the Battle of Mysteries and other times of conflict. Luna only wore this expression when someone needed protection, and this intrigued Ginny.
"No," Luna said quickly as her eyes darted to Dean Thomas who was watching the scene before him with caution. "No, he only ever brought us food."
"Us?" Neville voiced.
"Oh, well, Mr. Ollivander was with me, you see," Luna responded with a smile.
"So that's where he's been!" Ginny said.
"Yes," Luna nodded. "But he's safe now."
"That's good to hear," Ginny nodded. "Did anything else happen?"
"Dobby died," Luna said quietly.
"Dobby?" Neville gasped. "Blimey," he sighed sadly.
"How'd Harry take it?" Ginny asked.
"As well as he could, of course," Luna voiced. "We all buried him together and held a small memorial. It was lovely, very peaceful."
"I'm so sorry you were taken, Luna," Ginny said giving her hand a squeeze. "We sent people out everywhere looking for you."
"You didn't need to do that," Luna whispered feeling the weight of her friends' love for her.
"Of course we did," Neville said. "We were worried sick about you."
"Thank you," Luna said reaching for his hand as well.
As she held two of her best friends' hands, Luna's mind drifted back to her bedroom at Rook House where their portraits were painted on her ceiling; she felt her mouth pull into a smile at the thought. Neither Ginny nor Neville responded but merely smiled back at her happily knowing their friend was safe. For the rest of the evening, Luna, Neville, and Ginny sat and talked about what had transpired while Luna was away. Although things were bad at Hogwarts when Luna left, they had gotten worse in her absence.
Most of the DA stayed within Headquarters during classes no longer feeling safe enough to leave or attend lessons. The Carrows had continued teaching Unforgivables and allowing students to use them on each other; most of the Slytherins opted for a Gryffindor target. The hospital wing was almost always full with students suffering from curses and injuries; Madam Pomfrey was finding it difficult to keep up with all of her charges. It was clear lessons were no longer being taught not only in Defense Against the Dark Arts but in other classes as well. Due to fear and injury, class attendance had dwindled to almost nothing. Due to the circumstances, no professor wanted to risk their students' well being and never forced them to attend lessons. After all, their jobs were to ultimately keep the students safe. As they told her about how much life at Hogwarts had suffered, Luna held on to the small sliver of hope that things would turn around soon. She had to believe it, not only for her sake but for them all.