Hello, lovely souls! Another chapter has been delivered. It was suggested to me that I should put breaks within the story to signal scene changes, so I've tried them out. Do let me know if you like them as opposed to not having them at all. There are two things I want to say. The first being that I'm sorry I've been a little sporadic in my posting and the quality of the chapters. I've been a little uninspired lately, and I've been trying to combat that. I find that when I read responses from you all that I'm more eager and excited to put out content for you all. I will never, ever use comments/reviews as a bribe to post the next chapter. They are never demanded, but they are in fact greatly appreciated.
The second thing I wanted to say is that I'm sending out good vibes, prayers, and bursts of light and positivity to every single one of you. As I'm sure you've seen, my home has been on the news a lot recently in a very negative light. Louisiana has been my home since the day I was born. There is no state more rich in culture or diverse in people. With that being said, I want you all to know how valuable your lives are, how necessary you are on this earth, and how vital a role you play in every life you've encountered. Be kind to one another, support each other, and always be the best person you can be. Practice patience and understanding, condone individuality and acceptance of all people. Spread love and peace. Create the world you wish to be a part of. It is up to us to show the world what we want; show the best parts of yourself while working on the worst. Do not fear emotions or vulnerability, for this is what makes humanity so amazing. Never, ever forget to love and to be loved. You are worthy of everything good in this world. I love each and every one of you though we have never met. You are not numbers to me, you are living souls, living beings. You are precious in my life. I'm blessed beyond words for you. Stay safe wherever you are in the world. All my love, Lillie.
Chapter Fourteen
Dreaming had always felt natural for Luna; it was a moment in time where her thoughts could take over completely creating fantastic images and landscapes unknown to the outside world. She dreamed of fields of flowers that changed colors with the wind, pastel pink snow that was warm to the touch, and curling up on a crescent moon with a shimmering book. She dreamed often of her friends, of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, of Ginny, Neville, and Dean; they would always accompany her within her dreamscapes and lounge on the twinkling stars and the dancing fields of color. She was never called "Looney" in her dreams; she was simply Luna in her most natural state of whimsy. Like everyone else in the Room of Requirement snoring away, Luna was sighing contently in her sleep as shimmering animals ran through a meadow of puffy clouds. However, a fierce whisper began to seep into her consciousness.
"Luna," a voice said as a warm hand touched her shoulder. "Luna."
Opening her eyes groggily, Luna looked into the dark eyes of Dean Thomas. Her mouth started to form a bright smile until she noticed the severe expression he wore. Sitting up, Luna noticed that no one else in the room had awoken, and Dean had stacked three chairs together in order to reach her hammock. Looking back at her friend, Luna's eyes were shining with question. Dean said a phrase she had never heard before, yet it spread shards of ice through her veins.
"We need to talk," Dean said lowly. "Now."
Now fully alert, Luna followed Dean accepting his help down as she sat on the stack of chairs. His strong hands led her safely to the ground with only a gentle thud. She followed behind him until they reached a secluded corner of the room where a single door she had never notice before stood. Opening the wooded feature, Dean ushered Luna into a small room no larger than a supply cabinet. It was lit only with a single torch that hung from the ceiling. Looking at Dean, Luna raised her pale eyebrows encouraging him to speak.
"I woke up last night," Dean began. "I woke up last night just as the door leading out of the room was closed. I got up and looked in your bunk, Luna, and you were gone. You promised you wouldn't leave."
"Dean, I—"
"Do you have any idea how worried I was? I tried to follow you, but I couldn't find you anywhere. You completely disappeared. Where did you go?" he asked with fire in his eyes. Luna could tell he was exhausted; he looked as if he had only a wink of sleep the night before.
"Dean, I'm so sorry," Luna said honestly reaching for his hands. She felt warmth spread in her chest at his fierce concern for her. "I promise I didn't leave the room on purpose."
"Luna, please," Dean sighed exasperatedly. "I waited hours for you to return until I passed out from sheer exhaustion. Why did you leave?"
"I was sleepwalking," Luna said with sincerity in her wide silvery-blue eyes. "I promised you all that I won't leave, and I kept that promise while awake, but I suppose my feet made no such agreement."
"Sleepwalking?" Dean said apprehensively though he couldn't deny the shining truth in her eyes.
"Truly," Luna nodded. "I typically wear shoes to bed; I started doing so after stepping on a pot of ink my first year. It took ages to rid my feet of the purple stains though I can't say the rug in Ravenclaw Tower faired as well."
"I believe you, Luna. I trust you, I do, but I was so worried about you. I nearly woke Ginny," Dean confessed.
"Why didn't you?"
"I'm not sure," Dean admitted. "Maybe my mind has been filled with wackspurts, but something just told me not to wake her. But that doesn't mean I wasn't worried sick."
"Thank you," Luna said giving his large, warm hands a tight squeeze. "Ginny would have taken to tying me up at night."
"Don't think I'm not tempted to do the same," Dean said sternly though there was a slight twinkle in his eye. "Obviously you didn't get yourself into trouble; do you know where you went?"
"Oh yes," Luna said with a bright smile. "I was woken up in the Astronomy Tower."
"Woken up?" Dean said alarmed. "Please tell me it was Professor McGonagall or someone we can trust."
"Yes, it was a trustworthy friend," Luna nodded. "It was fate that I left the room when I did, for Draco was the one to find me. He was in dire need of an ear to listen."
"Of all people," Dean muttered under his breath as he closed his eyes. After releasing a breath, Dean looked at her calmly. "I'm glad you were able to see that he's surviving, but please don't go out looking for him, Luna. It could get you into serious trouble, and what would we do without you."
"I promised that I wouldn't go on my own will," Luna responded. "However, some things are aligned without us knowing they're to happen. Who am I to mess with what is destined to be?"
"Luna, are you saying you and Malfoy are soul mates?" Dean asked with a confused expression. Luna let out a rush of laughter at his words.
"Well of course not," Luna said with a smile still plastered on her face. "But we were destined to be friends, and we are."
"You tend to be fearless when it comes to protecting your friends," Dean said apprehensively.
With a serene smile, Luna reached up and placed a quick peck on Dean's smooth cheek before releasing his hands. She turned towards the small door and wrapped her hand around the brass knob. As she opened the door slightly, she looked back at Dean with a spark in her eyes.
"Yes, I am," she agreed before walking out into the main room. As Dean followed muttering to himself incoherently, the door disappeared from its place on the wall.
Seeing as she was fully awake, Luna took advantage of the empty showers. After showering and changing into fresh clothes, the blonde Ravenclaw also took advantage of a reversed situation: she was awake while Ginny Weasley was still sleeping. As a bright smile danced over her face, Luna grabbed a chair and quietly sat it to the side beneath Ginny's hammock. Climbing onto the wooden seat, Luna peered into Ginny's bed to see the redhead fast asleep. Just as she was about to wake Ginny with a singing tale of nargles infesting her hammock, one of Ginny's warm brown eyes opened to peer at her.
"How did you know?" Luna said as her smile turned into a dramatic pout.
"I have six older brothers," Ginny said in response as she threw off her blankets. "I'm always ready for an attack," she smirked before sliding out of her bunk and jumping to the floor below. She landed gracefully and with a flip of her bright red hair, Ginny leaned over to wake Neville who grumbled deeply and rolled over.
Soon everyone within the room was awake and going through their morning routines. Neville stumbled through the portrait hole with breakfast, and everyone gathered around to survey the rations. The clumsy Gryffindor carried a basket full of muffins and a large bowl of porridge; he gently placed it onto the table before stepping back as everyone eyed it warily. There was clearly not enough for everyone in the room, and the multiplying spell was still proving to be a bit of a problem for everyone. With a spark of an idea, Luna stepped beside Neville and placed a hand on his arm.
"May I try something?" she asked with a bright smile.
"Um, yeah, of course," Neville said hesitantly knowing that, like her mother, Luna liked to experiment with spells.
"Engorgio," Luna said pointing her pear wood wand at the bowl of porridge. It immediately tripled in size; the serving spoon Neville held in his hand seemed miniature in comparison. Turning her wand to the basket of muffins, Luna said the spell once more watching as the basket and its contents tripled in size. Each muffin was now the size of a cake.
"Great thinking, Luna!" Ginny said proudly. "We only ever thought of multiplying the food; we could have had giant muffins this entire time! A hundred points to Ravenclaw for your impeccable cleverness," Ginny winked. The Ravenclaw students within the room gave a bright cheer though Ginny had no authority to appoint House points.
"Well done," Cho Chang said shyly as she passed Luna; the two Ravenclaw girls shared smiles in return before Luna stepped up to cut the muffins into thick slices for everyone.
"This is amazing," Dean said sitting down beside Ginny, Neville, and Luna; he had piled a massive piece of blueberry muffin onto a plate along with a steaming bowl of porridge.
"I can't believe no one else ever thought about simply enlarging the food," Ginny said for the tenth time since Luna had sat down beside her. "It seems so obvious now."
"Things always do when they come to pass," Luna shrugged. "You all would have thought of another solution; I'm sure of it."
"Thanks, Luna," Neville laughed though they all knew it wasn't true. "Say, would you fancy going down to meet Aberforth today? I'm sure you're aching to get out of the room for a bit."
"I'd love to," Luna said before sneaking a glance at Dean who stared back at her with guarded eyes.
"Great, you can help bring up lunch!" Neville grinned.
After breakfast had been cleared and the muffin basket and porridge bowl returned to their normal size, the hiding Hogwarts students practiced their spells and counter spells, jinxes and hexes learned the day before. Luna was amazed at the skill level and the rate of improvement shown by everyone in the room; she was proud of each of then, and she knew, without a doubt, Harry would be too.
Throwing his books onto the desk with an audible thump, Draco slid onto his stool in Potions class. Beside him, Pansy was already seated as she read over the instructions for a potion they were to learn today. With her face relaxed in concentration, she almost looked like a different person. Her mouth wasn't pinched in a tight smirk nor were her eyes narrowed in a scowl; she looked prettiest when she relaxed. He nearly told her so, but he knew it would either lead her into thinking one of two things had changed: he now had feelings for her or he was a better person than he once was. Both were to be avoided. Instead, Draco looked over her shoulder at Blaise and Theo who were speaking quietly to one another; a drop of dread fell into his stomach at the possibility of being the topic of their discussion.
"You know," Pansy said not moving her eyes away from her Potions book, "it's not polite to stare. What would your dear mother think?"
"I wasn't staring," Draco said turning away from her and pulling his eyes away from his fellow Slytherins.
"Interesting," she smirked making her mouth pinch at the sides. "Because I could have sworn I felt two eyes burning holes into the side of my face."
Ah, Draco thought to himself, she thinks I was staring at her and not Blaise and Theo.
"Interesting indeed," Draco smirked back; she said nothing in return but merely studied him for a moment.
"Something's different about you today," Pansy said after studying him through squinted eyes. "You seem… happier?"
"What makes you think that?" Draco said forcing the smirk to stay on his face though his eyes hardened considerably.
"I know you," Pansy shrugged before turning back to her Potions book. "So, tell me what has you kept you from brooding this morning?" she asked nonchalantly. Draco turned away from her and looked to the front of the classroom with a hard stare as Professor Slughorn came fumbling into the room.
"I don't think your clearance level is quite high enough for that information," Draco smarted back just as Professor Slughorn opened his mouth to speak.
"Good morning, good morning," the man with a nod of his head as he stood before the class. "I hope you've all come prepared for a difficult lesson today. We'll be brewing Draught of Peace, a most difficult potion due to the exactness associated with its brew."
"We've already learned how to brew Draught of Peace," Millicent Bulstrode huffed from her seat. "Professor Snape taught us our fifth year."
"Yeah, when are we going to learn something new? Something that can be used against the blood traitors left in Hogwarts," Goyle asked in a booming voice.
"What you're speaking of, Mr. Goyle is poisons, and no such things will be taught in my classroom. But, yes, of course, Miss Bulstrode. I've been told so by previous classes," Professor Slughorn nodded. "Now tell me, did any of you brew a sufficient potion able to be used? Honesty, please."
The class was eerily silent as everyone knew their potions in fifth year had been graded for closeness not exactness. Professor Slughorn clapped his chubby hands together after the silence rang on for a moment too long.
"Yes, as I suspected," Professor Slughorn said. "Now, if you all will turn to page—Ah, Professor Snape, what a splendid surprise! Come to check out your old dwellings?"
"I haven't the time for reminiscing, Professor Slughorn. I have a school to run," Professor Snape said from his place at the door. The dark classroom did nothing to brighten up the sullen man wrapped in black robes. "I need to speak with Mr. Malfoy at present."
"Of course," Professor Slughorn said with an overly enthusiastic nod. "By all means."
"Bring your books, Draco," Snape said before turning and walking out of the classroom.
Draco could feel the other students staring at him curiously, but he ignored their stares as he walked out of the room. As the door slammed shut, he heard the murmur of whispers before Professor Slughorn called the class to order. Without a word, Severus Snape turned on his heal leaving Draco to follow behind. They walked in silence until they reached the entrance into the Headmaster's office. In a hushed whisper, Snape said the password just low enough so that Draco was unable to hear. As the statue revealed the hidden staircase, Snape walked forward; Draco followed behind silently.
Once within the office, Professor Snape took a seat at his desk and motioned Draco to sit in the chair across from him. Draco did as he was told knowing the gesture was more of a command than a suggestion. Once seated, Professor Snape looked at the boy before him seemingly calm and collected though he detected a bit of apprehension and caution in his silver eyes.
"Draco, I'll skip the small talk and get right to the point as I'm sure the news will be heard around Hogwarts come lunch time. Harry Potter was caught breaking into Bellatrix's vault at Gringotts," he said.
"Harry Potter was caught?" Draco asked keeping his voice level though a panic began to rise within.
"No, as usual, Mr. Potter has evaded capture. This time on the back of a dragon."
"Always a bloody showman," Draco huffed throwing himself back into the chair. "Why was he in Aunt Bella's vault?"
"That is something of which you need not know; what you need to know is that he was successful in retrieving what he wanted," Snape said with dark eyes.
"My family," Draco said fiercely his previous lax posture rigid and leaning towards Snape. "What's happened?"
"Bellatrix was punished of course for not protecting what the Dark Lord asked her to," Snape explained. "Though I can't imagine his punishment was any worse than what Bellatrix will do to herself knowing she disappointed him."
"Yes, but what of my mother?" Draco asked impatiently not caring about the fate of his insane relative.
"Narcissa is perfectly unharmed," Snape assured him. "As it was not her vault nor her responsibility, she has not been punished for the loss of the item. Your father has not been punished either," Snape added watching Draco's face for any signs of acknowledgement at the additional news.
"Yes, that is good news as well," Draco said in response as relief flooded his body at the mention of his mother being safe. "Though I would expect them to be punished should they disappoint the Dark Lord."
"Yes, of course," Snape deadpanned as his eyes continued to scan Draco's body language meticulously. Draco could feel his nerves heighten at the obvious stare.
"Is that all? Can I return to my lessons?" Draco asked wanting to be away from the analyzing Headmaster.
"You're dismissed," Snape said gesturing towards the door. "Though I don't know why you would bother. Your execution of the Draught of Peace fifth year was nearly flawless."
"Nearly, sir," Draco said. "But I want it to be perfect."
However, Draco did not return to Potions class; instead he found himself in the bathroom on the first floor splashing water on his face as he stared into the cracked mirror. He willed himself to remain calm and collected. His family, at least the ones he cared about, was safe and unharmed for the moment. He was safe. Harry Potter was still free to save the wizarding world. Everything was going as well as it could be. After regaining his composure, Draco began walking to the Great Hall for lunch. Strolling into the once full room, Draco was once again shocked at the small number of students that remained. The Slytherin table was the fullest, the Gryffindor table was all but empty, and the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables were slowly dwindling in number. He wondered where they all were; where they with Luna?
Ignoring his thoughts, Draco slid into the spot Pansy saved him. Though it was beside her, it was directly across from Theodore Nott's seemingly harmless gaze; however, the slight glint of knowledge caused a threatening feeling to well within Draco. He noticed Blaise was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm sure you've heard the news," Pansy sullenly as she folded her cloth napkin delicately in her lap.
"Of course," Draco said leaking the proper amount of arrogance into his voice. "Professor Snape and I were just discussing it within his office," he added as he spooned a serving of herbed potatoes onto his place.
"I heard all the goblins and watching Death Eaters were killed by the Dark Lord," Crabbe added. "Can you imagine all those little idiots running around with blood everywhere?" he laughed. The potatoes in Draco's mouth tasted like ash at his words.
"What do you think of it, Draco?" Theo asked.
"I think Potter better hope the dragon he escaped on eats him whole, for when he's within the Dark Lord's grasp, he'll be begging for so merciful a death," Draco said before shoving another bite of food into his mouth so that he seemed unaffected by the news. The tremble in his hand was almost undetected.
"Aberforth, you really should put up some mistletoe," Luna said as she sat on a barstool in the vacant Hog's Head. "It would keep all the nargles away from your Butterbeer."
"It's not the nargles who've been taking my Butterbeers," Aberforth Dumbledore grunted as he attempted to wipe the bar top clean. "It's those bloody snatchers that have been setting up in Hogsmeade waiting for Potter to show up."
"Well, they're not very bright," Luna grinned. "Hermione would never allow him to do something so reckless."
"Speaking of reckless," Aberforth said giving Luna a pointed look. "What are you doing here? Don't you know it's the Hogsmeade weekend for Hogwarts?"
Ever since Neville had introduced Luna to Aberforth Dumbledore a week before, she had made it a point to visit him every few days to just sit and talk. She wanted him to feel appreciated for all of the support he had shown the students hiding within Hogwarts with food and water. Though she would never say so aloud, Luna could see past Aberforth's hard demeanor; she could tell he was lonely, and she did her best to alleviate that loneliness. She could tell he liked her too, for he always gave her a Butterbeer when she walked in and had even given her a heavy cloak to wear within the pub so that a passerby wouldn't recognize her.
Although she did visit Aberforth in order to show thanks for his generosity, it wasn't an entirely selfless act. After spending months within the Malfoy Manor dungeons, Luna craved sunlight. Though the pub was dark and musty, it had windows, and after sitting at the bar for a while, Luna could feel the rays of light seeping into the thick cloak and warming her back. Outside, the winter snow was melting into piles of mush and the crisp spring air was arriving. However, despite it being late March, weather was much cooler than usual. Luna knew the Dark Magic happening all around Great Britain had a hand in the strange weather.
"Do students come here often?" Luna asked tilting her head to the side.
"No, I reckon not," he grunted. "Though I have become more popular with the staff."
"Do the Carrows or Professor Snape come in?" Luna asked.
"Of course not," Aberforth said throwing the filthy rag into the bucket of water at his feet. "Snape wouldn't dare show his face in here. Not after… Well, you know," he added looking around him for something to do, something to keep his hands busy.
"Then I should be fine," Luna smiled pulling the dark hood tighter around her face. "That is if you'll have me."
"Sure, sure," Aberforth waved his hand; he would never admit he enjoyed her company. "Where is that bloody boy?" he grumbled walking to the back to look for Dean who had taken to helping Aberforth in his down time.
Luna giggled as she took another sip of her Butterbeer enjoying the feeling of the foamy bubbles popping in her mouth. As the door creaked open, Luna hunched her back and ducked her head deeper into the cloak to hide her face. She casted a small disillusionment charm on her face before coming down to the pub through the portrait hole, but she had no way of knowing if the spell was still in tact or if it had faded over time. As she hid within the dark fabric, she felt safer and not as exposed. She heard Aberforth come back into the main room and address his customers.
"Minerva, Fillius, Pomona," he nodded from behind the counter. "What can I get for you?"
"Oh, I think just three Firewhiskeys will do," Professor McGonagall sighed; Luna could tell by her voice alone she was exhausted.
"That kind of week?" Aberforth asked.
"I think it applies to the year, Aberforth, I must admit," McGonagall replied.
"I'll make it an Odgen's Old then," the burly bartender said as he pulled out three glasses and began pouring the deep, amber liquid. He gave a pointed look to Luna as he walked over to the table containing three of her former teachers.
"Ah, thank you," Professor Flitwick squeaked before taking a sip followed by a loud hiccup.
"How's everything in the castle?" Aberforth asked once all the drinks were handed out. "People have been talking around the village."
"Yes, well, I'm sure what they're saying is not far off from the truth," McGonagall said as she placed her glass down.
"The Carrows still allowing Unforgivables to be practiced amongst the students?" Aberforth asked.
"Yes," Professor Sprout said with a shuddering breath. "My poor Hufflepuffs, they have all come to me sobbing and terrified; it's so unfair to them all."
"Irrefutably," Professor Flitwick agreed. "I fear just about all of our Houses have disappeared within the walls at this point."
"I see the Malfoy boy returned," Aberforth said in a clipped tone as he looked out of the window. Luna heard rustling fabric as all of the professors turned to look out at the scene before him.
"Yes," McGonagall said darkly. "Draco Malfoy has returned."
Though she dared not turn around, Luna felt a feeling well within her that she could not place. It wasn't excitement or joy nor was it trepidation, but it was more of a need. She needed to see him to make sure he was all right. News of Harry's breaking into Bellatrix's vault had been a cause of celebration within the Room of Requirement, but Luna found herself worried more so than excited. She feared Draco's reaction to such an event, and for a week she had tried to think of every way possible to contact him. An owl was far too risky and he didn't possess a DA coin. Plus, Dean had been extra alert at night due to her sleepwalking a week before. There was no way to sneak out of the room, conscious or otherwise.
Slipping off of her barstool silently, Luna walked down the narrow hallway leading to the back of the pub with her head down. She saw Dean organizing a dusty shelf in the back room as she walked slowly past as to not make a sound. Once out of view, Luna slipped out the backdoor and stood in the shadowed alley between the building next door. Without dwelling too much on her lack of a plan, Luna pulled out her wand from within her robe pocket and cast the patronus charm. She smiled brightly as a bouncing hare emerged from her wand and hopped joyously around her feet.
"Hello to you too," Luna giggled. "I need you to do me a favor."
As the silvery hare looked at her with a twitching nose, Luna relayed her request to the creature. Once she was finished, the small hare bounced off blending in with the remaining snow. Luna waited patiently as she walked away from the Hogs Head and deeper into the dark alley. She kept the dark hood around her face to shield her from anyone who may pass by, but she kept her eyes alert for the person she wanted to see, the person she needed to see most.
Walking though the slushy snow, Draco Malfoy had his hands shoved deep within his pockets as he half listened to Pansy as she rattled on about gossip he had no desire to know. The latest scandal she'd uncovered was Daphne Greengrass and Cormac McLaggen Christmas fling. She had been rattling on since they'd left the castle about the secret affair that had come to pass at the annual Greengrass Christmas Gala. Due to his high society connections, the Gryffindor playboy and his family had been invited, and according to Pansy, Daphne had certainly taken advantage of his attendance.
"Can you believe it? A Gryffindor," Pansy scoffed. "Though I must admit, McLaggen's taste in women has seemed to improve as apparently he no longer interested in Mudblood Granger."
"Right, can't blame him on that one," Draco replied halfheartedly.
"And I suppose Daphne is pretty," Pansy said in reasoning. "Though everyone knows Astoria is prettier."
"Pansy," Blaise sighed. "Haven't you any girl friends you can talk to about things like this? No offense, but we really don't care."
"Well, I can't really talk to Daphne about her own indiscretions now can I?" Pansy smarted with a clipped tone. "I thought you of all people would be interested, Blaise," she added knowingly.
"You thought wrong," he stated simply denying Pansy the reaction she hoped to extract. "Sorry, Pans," he shrugged not seeming sorry at all; she huffed in annoyance.
"You look exhausted, Draco," Pansy commented turning her attention to the tall blonde to her right. "Have you been sleeping at all?"
"I suppose I've gotten accustomed to sleeping in silence at home," Draco shrugged. "Blaise's unrelenting snoring has kept me up at night."
"I do not snore," Blaise said glaring at Draco. "It's obviously Crabbe and Goyle."
Though Draco pointed the blame at Blaise, he knew the dark Slytherin did not have a snoring problem; beginning their first year, Crabbe and Goyle had bothered their roommates with their roaring snores. However, in directing the attention towards Blaise for a moment, Pansy would stop analyzing Draco's face for a reason for his sleep deprivation. He would never admit to the nightmares, but even he had to admit that wasn't the reason he'd been lacking sleep as of late. Draco had taken to walking around the castle at night; he told himself it was to clear his mind and let his guard down, but that wasn't the entirety of it. While on his walks, he always hoped he'd run into Luna again. He hadn't seen her in over a week, and knowing she was within the castle but out of reach was the worse than any Cruciatus.
He despised the way he seemed to crave her presence. The absolute serenity she projected was a drug to sooth his constant anxiety; he wanted to close his eyes and hear her ramble about creatures she believed in and about the joke of a magazine her father owned. He yearned for the feel of her fingers tracing patterns in his skin and how she would seek out physical contact despite his hesitance to return the gesture. She knew how to calm him without calling attention to his obvious distress. She would listen silently never feeling the need to divulge in petty gossip or pointless small talk. She was unapologetically herself, and he admired her for such. He craved her genuine gentleness. He felt all of these things and hated every second of it. However, he knew nothing could be done to erase such feelings. He'd opened himself up to her, and he knew there was no going back. They were friends now; he no longer possessed the self-control to keep his distance.
Out of the corner of his eye, Draco saw a something bounding in the soggy snow. It bared the look of a rabbit, yet it was translucent. As he peered at it, it stopped moving and stared at him intently. With a twitching of its nose, the silvery hare wiggled its ears before tilting its head to the side; it resembled someone very much when it did so. Shaking his head, Draco continued to walk with his Slytherin mates until he heard a soft whispering of his name coming from the direction of the hare. It was a voice he knew all too well.
"I completely forgot to pick up a few Sugar Quills at Honeydukes," Draco said suddenly internally cringing at his weak excuse. "I'm going to head back," he added lamely.
"Oh, I'll come with," Pansy offered.
"No," Draco said quickly. "I really can't bare to hear anymore gossip. I'll be quicker on my own," he said before turning away. He could feel eyes linger on his back as he walked away leaving Pansy, Blaise, and Theo staring dumbly at his retreating form.
As he left them behind, Draco walked in the direction of Honeydukes all while keeping an eye on the bouncing, shimmering hare that seemed to be made up of silver wisps. Every once in a while the hare would whisper his name in a dreamy tone though no one he past seemed to hear it. Turning back briefly, Draco saw that his Slytherin companions were no longer in sight. He quickly ducked into the dark alleyway as the hare bounced before him. In the shadowed area, Draco could see that the creature wasn't sliver colored, but rather it was transparent. In a sudden rush of realization, Draco knew he was looking a patronus. A smile small formed on his lips as his legs carried him a fraction faster.
Walking deeper into the alley, Draco saw a cloaked figure at the end, and he came to a sudden stop. A thought crossed his mind that perhaps this was lure to get him away from the protection of witnesses. Looking behind him, Draco saw that other than the heavily cloaked figure, there was no one else in the alley behind the Hogs Head and other shops. The silver hare bounced around his feet and a soft chuckle erupted from the end of the alley.
"Come on now, little one," the sweet serene voice said. "You've done a beautiful job; thank you."
At once, the hare bounced towards the figure before dissolving into swirling wisps of silver. Slowly, the person pushed the hood back from her face to reveal a calm smile and happy silvery-blue eyes. Luna reached towards Draco enticing him to come closer; he found his legs moving before he realized he was doing so. Quickly, his long legs carried him to her, and he found his hand within hers. Her smile brightened impossibly more.
"Lovely to see you," she said as if seeing him in a dark alley was a normal occurrence. Draco found himself chuckling at the oddness of her statement.
"As it is to see you," Draco replied shyly giving her cool fingers a gentle squeeze.
Luna looked down at their intertwined hands with an amused glint visible in her large eyes. Without warning, she dropped his hand in favor of wrapping her arms around his torso and pressing her cheek against his chest. Draco complied immediately to her embrace and wrapped one arm around her waist and buried the other into her hair still hidden behind the hooded cloak.
"This is a much better greeting, don't you think?" Luna asked; Draco felt her words against his skin despite wearing heavy woolen robes.
"I'm not opposed to it," Draco replied tightening his arm around her waist a bit more. Luna laughed into his chest.
"Friends can greet each other with an embrace, Draco," Luna said pulling back slightly to look up at the young man before her. She reached up and traced the sharp angle of his cheekbone as she always did. She giggled when his ivory skin blushed pink.
Draco leaned his head slightly into her touch as he closed his eyes to block out the intensity in her eyes. He supposed friends could embrace upon greeting one another, but it was something he had avoided his entire life deeming it inappropriate. However, feeling Luna's fingers against his face, Draco thought perhaps he was correct in thinking so, for this felt far too intimate for a friendly embrace. He couldn't find it within him to care though, at least not in the moment.
"I've worried over you," Luna said honestly; Draco opened his eyes to see her peering at him with an unwavering gentleness.
"Why?" Draco asked.
"I heard of Harry's breaking into Bellatrix's vault," she replied staring at her fingers as they slid down a lock of his white hair. "Is your family okay?" she asked connecting her eyes once more with his.
"Yes, they're fine," Draco nodded. "Bellatrix was punished of course; whatever Potter was searching for, he found it."
"I'm sorry your aunt was punished," Luna said honestly; Draco stared at her in disbelief.
"I'm not," he replied. "She had it coming to her after everything she's done. I hope it was ten times as powerful as what she cursed you with. I hope she was left unable to walk or even think," he said feeling white-hot anger boiling in his chest.
"Don't," Luna said placing her palm over his heart, fingers resting lightly against his collarbone. "She may have done horrible things, but no one deserves that."
"She does," Draco retorted. "Trust me, Luna. What you saw is good compared to what she's done. She's the reason Longbottom—"
"The reason Neville Longbottom has grown up without a mother and father. Yes, I know," Luna replied. "But at the end of the day, she is a person, and I wouldn't wish the fate she met upon anyone despite his or her past offenses."
"Unbelievable," Draco sighed leaning his head down to rest upon hers; he wished the hood wasn't covering her messy blonde hair. "Simply unbelievable."
"Nothing is beyond belief, Draco," Luna whispered tracing his collarbone. "But your mother, she's unharmed?"
"Yes, she was not harmed in any way from what Snape tells me," Draco said pulling a strand of her long hair out of the hood.
"I'm very happy to hear so," Luna smiled. "She's a lovely woman."
Draco said nothing but nodded instead, his cheek rubbing against the rough fabric of the cloak she wore. It was dark and dingy, smelling slightly of stale firewhisky and old age. He assumed she found it somewhere or another gave it to her. However she came by it, Draco didn't care; he simply hated it. It was too dark for her, too heavy and shadowed. She belonged in bright colors, in white and yellow, purple, pink, and blue. She didn't belong in black; that was a color he reserved for himself.
"Are you alright, Draco?" Luna asked lowly.
"I am right now," he replied honestly.
This was what he had desired more so than anything. He just wanted her near, to see she was faring well on her own. She looked healthier. She had gained a little weight back as her face didn't seem as sunken in. Her jawline was softer in a delicate oval shape, and her cheekbones were not as jutting as they had been within the Manor. She was still exceptionally thin, drowning within the overly large cloak, but she was getting better. She looked stronger and impossibly brighter than before. He could have stayed there all day in her embrace, feeling her chest rise and fall against his, but fate was never so kind to him.
"Draco?" a familiar voice called. "Draco, where are you? Theodore Nott called.
With wide eyes, Luna stepped back pulling the hood tighter against her face, and Draco quickly grabbed his wand out of his pocket ready to curse Theo if necessary. Luna turned to run, but Draco saw that Theo was already blocking the exit out of the dark alley. Reaching into his robe pocket, Draco picked up one of her earrings before grabbing her hand. He tried to convey everything he couldn't say with his eyes as he slipped the earring into her fingers just as Theo emerged. Draco shifted his grip from Luna's fingers to her wrist in a seemingly tight embrace as if he were gripping her from running away.
"Draco?" Theo questioned. "Who is that?"
Playing her part, Luna tried to pry her wrist from Draco's grasp, but he held it tighter though not painfully. With a hard yank at her arm, the hood slipped back revealing her face slightly. Draco nearly cursed; before her face was shown, he could have said it was anybody, but now, Theo saw exactly who was trapped within Draco's grasp.
"Isn't that the Lovegood girl?" Theo asked. "Looney Lovegood?"
"It is," Draco replied trying to convey disgust he didn't feel in his voice. "She looks a little different from the last time I saw her. Though I suppose not being covered in blood has that effect," he chuckled darkly hating the way her face fell at his words.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Turn her into Professor Snape and be done with her," Theo suggested; Draco could tell he regretted stumbling into this situation.
"No, that would be too easy," Draco grinned releasing Luna's wrist after softly running his thumb across the soft skin where he could feel her steady heartbeat; she wasn't scared at all. "I have a better idea," he said raising his wand to her face. Luna took in a deep breath making her eyes wider with an appearance of fright.
"Please don't," Luna whispered loud enough for Theo to hear.
"This is for my family you filthy blood traitor," Draco sneered. "I hope your little friends find you here convulsing in waves of unbearable pain. Crucio!" he yelled as a jet of light erupted from his wand and hitting Luna directly in the chest.
Luna fought with everything in her not to laugh at the tickling sensation, but instead, she did what she knew she was meant to do: she screamed loudly as if the light caress was complete agony as she fell to the cold ground below her. She screamed and screamed as the ghostly caress continued to dance across her skin though all she wanted to do was giggle. It wasn't painful, not in the least bit for Draco did not truly mean the curse, therefore, she felt nothing other than a gentle touch.
"Let up, mate," Theo laughed though a twinge of nervousness edged his voice. "You'll kill her if you don't stop; you don't want to clean up that mess."
It was obvious that Luna's screams were very convincing. Theodore Nott had turned extremely pale with a tint of green to his face. He was not the only one to be convinced. From his place in the back room of the Hogs Head, Dean Thomas heard Luna's screams and recognized her voice immediately. Throwing a crate of Butterbeer to the ground, Dean ran out of the back room and into the alley as he followed the sound of Luna's screams. Seeing Draco Malfoy's wand pointed at her as a menacing look overtook his features, Dean lost all control, and in a reckless fashion rushed forward pushing Draco against the brick wall of the building beside them.
As he was distracted, the curse broke and the tickling sensation stopped as did Luna's screams. Dean had Draco against the brick, his hand wrapped around his neck as Draco's wand pressed under the Gryffindor's chin menacingly. Both young men stared at each other with fire in their eyes neither willing to appear weak before the other. Draco heard Theo robes rustling as he searched for his wand with fumbling hands.
"Leave it, Theo," Draco spat as Dean continued to stare at him with murderous eyes. Quickly, Draco cast a nonverbal spell that sent Dean stumbling back as he clutched his head within his hands. She's fine, Draco said into his mind. It felt like nothing more than a tickle, I swear. I wouldn't hurt Luna.
Free from Dean Thomas' grasp, Draco dusted off his robes nonchalantly as he continued to send silent messages into Dean's head hoping one would find it's way through the pain. He assumed Dean had never experienced the evasion of his mind; Draco knew from experience that Legilimency being used against you the first time was extremely painful. However, in this situation casting Legilimens was necessary. Walking towards Theo, Draco gestured his head towards the alley's opening where the center of Hogsmeade awaited them. Draco fought against every instinct to not look back at Luna once more. Once out in the open, Theo turned to Draco with an unreadable expression.
"What spell did you use against Thomas?" he asked with guarded eyes.
"Sorry, Nott," Draco replied nonchalantly. "Merely being the son of a Death Eater only gets you so far," he replied before walking towards Honeydukes to get the Sugar Quills he had supposedly intended on.
Once Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott were out of view, Dean Thomas heaved himself off of the ground with a pounding head. He was dizzy and his vision was unfocused; he'd heard Draco's mental messaged and felt the horrid pain that came with it, but part of him didn't believe what the Slytherin said. Stumbling, Dean made his way over to Luna only to stop short at the view before him. Sitting with her face in full view was Luna Lovegood with a radiant smile as she stared transfixed at the vegetable shaped earring dangling from her fingers. Dean opened his mouth several times, but couldn't force any words to come out as he looked at her dumbfounded. She was really alright; Malfoy was honest.
"Come on now," Luna said standing up happily. "I could go for a Butterbeer as my throat is quite parched," she said slipping the earring into her robe pocket and extending her hand out towards Dean. He didn't know what to do, so he took her hand in his and followed her into the Hog's Head.