Hello everyone! Let me start by saying that I sincerely apologize for such a long wait! If any of you live in the US, you may have heard of the catastrophic flooding that has affected South Louisiana. I had family and friends heavily impacted by this disaster, and I've taken the past 1.5 months to help gut houses, salvage furniture and pictures, and doing whatever I can to help. The city of Baton Rouge helped New Orleans so much in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina destroyed my city; I felt it was my way of paying back the people who helped us. With that being said, I will try my best to regulate my updating of this story, but school does come first. I hope you all understand!
Oh, by the way, my birthday is next Friday! So exciting! I hope you enjoy the chapter! -Lillie
Chapter Seventeen
In all of Madam Pomfrey's time, no student had ever refused a pain potion. They all begged for it; they desired the floating feeling it left behind and the sweet and herbal taste. From cuts and bruises to broken bones and deep lacerations, her pain potion had never been turned away until Draco Malfoy sat before her with his arms crossed and pointed chin in the air. No longer dressed in the hospital issued pajamas, the emerald silk of his nightclothes reflected the candlelight from beside his bed illuminating the scowl plastered on the nurse's face.
"Mr. Malfoy," she huffed once more. "I must insist. You need your rest in order to heal, and to do so, you need to be without pain."
"I'm fine," the Slytherin student gritted out willing himself not to grimace in pain from the aching in his leg; it was clear Madam Pomfrey didn't believe a word he said.
"Mr. Malfoy—"
"Just leave it by my bedside then," he exclaimed exasperatedly. "I'll take it when I'm ready."
"I need to watch you take it; for all I know you could be hoarding it to share with your classmates. I've seen it before," she reasoned.
"I think my friends would rather undiluted Dreamless Sleep," Draco said with a cold stare; the motherly nurse's face softened a fraction no doubt thinking of the horrible sights the Slytherin students must witness in their homes.
"Very well then," she finally surrendered. "I'll leave it for you just this once, but tomorrow night, should you still be here, you are taking it before I retire to my chambers. Is that understood?"
"Fine," Draco sneered though he celebrated his small victory internally.
With a defeated sigh, Madam Pomfrey turned on her heel and retreated into her bedchambers on the far end of the hospital wing. Once her door was firmly shut, Draco slumped back against the mountain of pillows Pansy had situated for him earlier that day. Not only had she made sure he was comfortable with his forest green Egyptian cotton linens and plush pillows, she'd also brought him a set of silk pajamas. Above his heart, a silver snake was embroidered; every once in a while, the serpent would slither into another position before freezing once more.
Despite his luxuries, Draco still found the hospital wing to be nearly unbearable do to boredom. Throughout the day, Blaise, Theo, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle all visited telling him of the latest gossip or stories of Dark Arts class; at once point, Daphne Greengrass stopped in just to say hello only to leave three minutes after she arrived; Millicent Bulstrode only stayed for two. In the quiet moments between visitors, Draco would stare at the ceiling counting the number of candlesticks floating above or gaze at the floor counting the number of stones. He was nearly losing his mind in the monotonous blur of nothingness. Nights were all he had to look forward to; it was the only time he could see her.
He knew she would bound into the wing with a bright smile and swinging blonde curls in a ghastly outfit of far too many colors and patters while somehow pulling it off with ease. She would plop down on a chair beside him and ask silly questions about his life while a curious gleam sparked in her blue-grey eyes; she always wanted to know more, but she never pushed. He couldn't have been more thankful. He knew he could bear the pain so long as he could see her for just a while. She made him forget the pain for a little while; she made him forget it all.
Staring at the ticking clock in the corner, Draco willed the large wooden doors to creak open and have her thin frame squeeze through the small opening. The arms ticked on, but the doors never opened. The pain in his leg continued to throb in uncomfortable bursts, but still he refused to swallow a drop of the pain potion beside him. In an attempt to ignore the restlessness he felt, Draco closed his eyes as he continued to listen to the ceaseless ticking of the clock.
"Draco," a slow, calm voice called. Immediately, his eyes opened in shock, for he hadn't heard the doors creak open. Before him, in a hazy glow stood Helena Ravenclaw.
"Helena," he said slowly trying to formulate an answer as to why the Ravenclaw House ghost was visiting him in a hospital wing. "Luna, is she—?"
"She's fine," Helena said, her eyes never meeting his; he noticed how sad she always looked. "She asked me to look out for you, and I promised to do so."
"Do you know if she's coming tonight?" he asked; the potion was tempting him more with each second.
"If there is a way to do so, I know she will," she replied most unhelpfully.
"Right," Draco sighed as he closed his eyes and let his head fall back to the pillows. "She asked you to look after me, you say?"
"Yes," Helena said calmly though she looked rather sad at being in the hospital wing.
"What for? I mean, you can't—" Draco started before clamping his mouth shut as the Ravenclaw daughter gave him a steely look.
"Protect you? Help you?" Helena questioned back with a raised brow as she drifted over to the darkened windows; the pale moonlight shimmering through her translucent form. "No, I suppose I cannot."
"I didn't mean to offend," Draco sighed knowing Helena was rather sensitive though not as much as Myrtle. "I apologize."
"It takes a strong man to admit he's wrong," Helena whispered still glancing out the window. "Though often times, it's far too late."
"I have a feeling you aren't speaking of my offending you," Draco said pushing himself up slightly so he could watch her closer.
"No, Mr. Malfoy," Helena sighed turning from the window to face him once more; her dark eyes held a deep sadness Draco had never seen so obvious. "I fear I get lost in the past sometimes, do forgive me."
"Luna does that too," Draco said as reassurance. "She says she often gets lost in her mind; she says things that don't make sense, but then, days later, something happens and her words do."
"A true Ravenclaw," Helena smiled softly as she looked to the ground. "She's everything my mother would have loved. Creative, free-thinking, in constant search of wisdom."
"Were—Are you not?"
"I am," Helena replied. "But living up to a family name is no easy task; surely you understand."
"I do," Draco nodded pushing down a lump in his throat. "I understand that more so than anyone."
As Helena started to open her mouth, a loud clanging erupted from outside followed by a loud grunt. Draco's body instantly tensed as his hand went to grab the wand under his pillowcase. Helena looked at him with guarded eyes before turning around and floating towards the large wooden doors. Assuming she intended upon seeing what caused the ruckus, Draco whispered her name harshly causing her to turn around with a sad smile sitting on her lips.
"They can't hurt me, Mr. Malfoy," she sighed. "I fear I'm already dead."
With those words, she drifted through the door and escaped his sight. Alone, Draco felt his heart beating throughout his body; his fingertips aching with the erratic pulsing, his hurt leg numb due to the adrenalin rushing through his body. His eyes remained locked on the door willing it to open just a fraction so he could see the events taking place outside. It was silent; no whizzing of spells or muttering incantations. It was eerily, creepily silent. Waiting for a sign of life outside, Draco held his breath until it became necessary to take another. His brain began to filter through all possibilities. Luna could have been outside the door before she was attacked, she could have been on her way to visit him, the Carrows could have cursed her, hexed her, killed her… He felt lightheaded as all the possibilities ran through his mind. He felt sick with worry, sick with guilt.
Slowly, Draco saw the door push open, an amber sliver of light stretched across the floor. His muscles tensed anticipating an attack, and his mind began to organize defensive spells to utter once it began. A figure started to walk in very slowly, feet dragging across the floor. When the candlelight touched its face, a sigh of relief escaped him. It was Luna with a sharp bruise on her cheek, a busted lip, and a bright smile.
"Good evening, Draco; nice breeze out tonight," she said. In a shock of realization, Draco noticed the limp figure she carried in her arms. It was a house elf dressed in a filthy cloth. "Oh, yes. I think the elf was sent to deliver something to Madam Pomfrey."
"What happened?" Draco asked as he turned to watch Luna place the collapsed figure on an empty bed. She placed the elf's head on a pillow and drew the blankets up to its chin.
"Well, the perimeter spell works," Luna grinned as she plopped down in the chair beside his bed. "We tried a new one tonight; it stuns anyone who crosses it."
"And the elf crossed it," Draco finished for her.
"Yes, poor dear," Luna said gently turning to look at the creatures lifeless form. "She should wake in an hour or so. I was looking at the ceiling searching for the source of the hospital wings wackspurt infestation, and I tripped over her falling right on my face."
"Are you alright?" Draco asked reaching his hand out to softly turn her chin to the side so he could assess it better.
"Perfectly fine," Luna shrugged. The implied I'd survived worse echoed in Draco's mind.
"Can I heal it for you? They're minor enough for my abilities," he said.
"If you'd like. But, Draco, you're an exceptional healer," Luna said breathily. "Luckily so," she added.
"Come here then," he said patting the side of his bed opposite his injured leg. Once Luna was situated on the hospital bed with her legs crossed and arms folded in her lap, Draco leaned closer to see the full extent of her small injuries. "Lumos," he whispered before using the light to fully see. There was a definite bruise climbing up her cheekbone and her lip was bleeding from a split in the middle. Overall, they were nothing much to worry about.
"Be still," he whispered before muttering the healing incantation he'd perfected for bruising and minor cuts. He trailed the wand over her cheek watching as the budding blue and red disappeared into her creamy skin. He did the same for her bottom lip watching as the blood disappeared and the skin sealed itself back together.
"Much better," he nodded though he didn't remove his hand from the side of her face he used to keep her steady.
"Thank you," she whispered stretching her healed lips into a bright smile. Her hand reached up to gently grasp his wrist, her cool fingers tickling his skin. "It seems we are always in a state of healing, the two of us."
"I suppose we are," Draco agreed watching her fingers touch his skin.
"You look a little better; has the pain gone away?" Luna asked gaining his attention once more.
"No," he said honestly trying to shake the dazed feeling overtaking his senses. Now that there was no longer a threatening presence outside, the adrenalin had subsided and the pain was throbbing through his leg. "No, it's not yet gone, I'm afraid."
"Has it lessened?" she asked leaning into his hands as a smile danced across her face. "Have you been taking your potions?" she asked eyeing the full bottle sitting on the tray beside his bed.
"Yes, it has, and I have been, mostly," he replied.
"Mostly?" Luna chuckled. "What do you mean by 'mostly'?"
"Well, I've taken them all other than this one," Draco shrugged as he slid his hand from her cheek, down her jawline and neck. Her hand fell from his wrist, and he took the opportunity to intertwine their fingers. "I wanted to be awake in case you decided to visit."
"You should take your potion, Draco," Luna sighed her grip on his hand tightening fractionally. "It will help you heal faster."
"Then I'll go back to the Slytherin dormitory, back to classes where I'm expected to hurt people, back to my friends who say things I don't want—never mind. Just forget it," he sighed turning his face from her. He was weak to think this way; he should have been elated at the thought of getting out of the hospital wing, but he wasn't.
"What do your friends say, Draco? What has upset you?" she asked reaching over to gently place her other fingertips on his pointed chin. "Talk to me, please," she said softly caressing his jaw in attempt to get him to look at her once more.
"You wouldn't understand, Luna," he whispered.
"Don't you trust me?" she asked gently.
"Of course I do," Draco said shocked. "I trust you more than anyone."
"Then talk to me; I can help you figure it out."
"I'm worried you won't like the resolution," Draco admitted finally turning to look at her. Luna's wide eyes were soft with trust and gentleness swimming in her silvery blue orbs. No one ever looked at him the way she did.
"I trust you, Draco. I trust that you aren't the boy you've had everyone believe you are; I trust that you're a compassionate person who protects the people he cares about. Just because we believe in different things doesn't mean I will no longer be your friend. You have to trust me," Luna said encouragingly. "Please."
For a moment, Draco simply stared at Luna, with her open eyes and caring smile, he didn't want to break the friendship they had. He never wanted her to turn away from him or leave him alone. She was the only person at Hogwarts who truly believed in him, knew who he was, and genuinely liked him. He wondered how he'd gotten so lucky as to have a friend like Luna Lovegood, to have a person who would stand by him until the end. He feared should he admit the truth to her, she would abandon him. However, as he looked at her face beaming with support, he found the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them
"I still agree with some of the things my parents have taught me to believe," Draco admitted. "Not all of it, but some things, I do, and it scares me. I'm supposed to be changed."
Luna's face did not change; she made no sign or gesture that she'd heard him, but rather, she looked at him with a neutral expression. Slowly, her eyes closed, and Draco felt his heart sink. She was disappointed; she was hurt by his admission. As the corners of her mouth rose, Draco awaited the words that would fall from her lips with dread pooling in his stomach. As her large eyes opened, he prepared for the worst.
"Draco," Luna said softly. "I don't think you realize how much you have changed. I see so much good in you. Why don't you?"
"I agree with them, Luna," Draco reasoned with her. He could feel his skin heating up against her cool hand. "The people who treated you like dirt, the people who treat everyone like scum. How can I be changed if I agree with them?"
"Do you think people should die because of their blood status?" Luna asked with a calm expression. "Do you think muggles are filth?"
"No, I guess not," Draco answered honestly. "They don't deserve to die."
"What is it that you believe then?" Luna asked as her eyebrows knitted together.
"I think that in procreating with muggles, eventually the magic wizards possess will be eradicated," Draco said hanging his head.
"Ah," Luna nodded. "I see where you're coming from. However, have you ever thought about what would happen if wizards only mated with the same gene pool over and over? Soon we would all be related, and that could lead to serious issues genetically speaking."
"What are you talking about?" Draco asked.
"Well, it's a fascinating study muggle scientists explore, that of genetics," Luna grinned with a spark of light burning in her eyes. "You see, most of the wizarding Britain are related already by marriage; this eventually, will lead to blood relations once the families begin to have children. I don't really know the logistics of it, but when two people who have very similar genetic makeup procreate, there is an increased rate of birth defects, most of which magic cannot cure."
"Pansy and I are eighth cousins," Draco paled.
"By marriage?" Luna asked tilting her head to the side.
"I don't know," Draco admitted trying to remember what Mrs. Parkinson told when he was merely eight at the Greengrass Christmas Gala. "I can't remember."
"Just something to think about," Luna shrugged. "But, Draco, you're not a bad person for believing in different things than I do. It's how you treat people because of your beliefs that matter."
"How do you do that?" Draco asked squeezing her fingers lightly. Seeing confusion in her eyes, Draco shook his head. "How do you just accept everything so easily?"
"I just listen to people," Luna shrugged. "I find that you can discover incredible things in talking less than you listen, and always be open to ideas. The gift of humanity is free will and freedom of thought; it's imperative that we all use it to help rather than harm."
After a few moments of silence, Draco let out a loud sigh of breath causing Luna to lean towards him; the small hospital bed gave a loud creak, but neither of them paid it any attention. Dropping his hand, Luna placed both of her palms on either side of his jaw gently turning his face to face her. From under pale lashes, his silver eyes met hers.
"You are a good person, Draco," Luna assured him. "You have the capability to do good. Never forget that."
"Thank you," he whispered in a voice so hushed Luna barely heard him. Giving him a gentle smile, Luna planted a quick kiss on his cheek causing it to blush pink.
"Now please take your potion; you need to get better," Luna said releasing his face. She leaned over him grabbing the purple bottle and pulling out the cork stopper. "We need you, Draco. The war is going to end soon; I can feel it," she said gesturing the bottle towards him.
"What if I can't fight with you," he said looking down. "My parents, my family, everyone, I don't know—"
"Draco," Luna sighed lifting his chin with her finger. "Who you fight with, who you fight for is your choice and yours alone, but either way, you need to be well in order to do so."
With a slow nod, Draco reached out grasping the glass bottle in his hand and pulling it to his lips. In a quick gulp, the contents of the bottle were emptied into his stomach. Ever so gently, his eyes fluttered as the taste of sage and honey tickled his tongue. His shoulders relaxed, and he felt his bones melt into the mattress below him. Luna began to hum a slow melody as she stood up and pulled the blankets up to his chin. Smoothing the blankets out around him, she leaned over from her standing position and smoothed out his hair. With her fingers softly etching his scalp, Draco let out a deep sign and leaned his head into her fingers as she continued to hum.
"I've heard this song before," he mumbled.
"I hummed it often in the cellar," she admitted breaking the tune for a moment before resuming the slow melody.
"It's beautiful," Draco whispered.
"You'll fight with me in the end, Draco," Luna said tracing the shell of his ear.
"I hope so," he breathed. I'll fight for you, a foggy voice echoed in his mind; they seemed so real he hoped he hadn't spoken them aloud.
"I know so," she chuckled as his breathing slowed into a steady rhythm and his mouth opened slightly due to his heavy sleeping.
Luna resumed her sitting position on the bed once more to continue her calm brushing of his hair marveling at the fine, silk-like quality of his hair. Compared to her thick, wavy hair that had the tendency to appear stringy and frizzed, Draco's white locks were like threads of luxurious fabric. Slowly, Luna pulled her hand away from Draco, for she could feel a pair of eyes on her back. Without moving, Luna let out a soft sigh.
"I know you're there," she whispered hoping it wasn't someone who could cause her bodily harm, yet she knew it wasn't Ginny, Dean, or Neville. She knew what their stares felt like.
"So it's you," a high-pitched voice sounded from behind her. "The Loony Bin has captured my Draco's heart?"
"Myrtle," Luna sighed in relief before turning around to face the ghost.
"Relieved are you?" the ghost questioned in her shrieking tone. "After all, sad, horrible Moaning Myrtle can't hurt you because she's already dead right? I knew it had to be a Ravenclaw; Draco wanted so badly to get into Ravenclaw Tower, but I never dreamed it would be you," she sneered.
Luna knew there was no use trying to reason with the hysterical ghost, so she remained quiet as she listened to her rant. Reaching over, Luna draped her hand over Draco's as she touched the wand in her robe pocket casting a Silencing Spell around him should Myrtle's squealing disturb his slumber. She realized too late she should have removed her hand before the ghost noticed.
"What does he see in you other than touchable flesh? You're not very pretty!" Myrtle screeched. "We had a connection, Draco and I. He promised to visit me, but you kept him away!"
"Myrtle, please," Luna said finally. "You mustn't yell; you'll wake Draco or Madam Pomfrey."
"I don't care!" Myrtle shouted slightly louder. "Let them wake! Let them see you here! You're not supposed to be here; you're not even supposed to be in Hogwarts! I thought they captured you on the train!"
"They did," Luna nodded. "Draco helped me escape."
"Well I hope they take you again!" Myrtle shouted. "You've ruined everything! Everything!" she screamed louder than before.
Luna cringed as the piercing shrill rattled in her ears. In her peripheral vision, Luna saw a flicker of light shine in Madam Pomfrey's quarters. Immediately, Luna scrambled off the bed nearly tripping over her own feet; without giving it a second thought, Luna leaned over placing a quick kiss to Draco's forehead as she wished him a goodnight. This angered Myrtle further causing a horrible scream to echo throughout the room. Luna bolted out of the hospital wing not bothering to close the large doors. Outside the wing, she could hear footsteps echoing down the hallway. Pulling out her wand, she cast a Disillusionment Charm on herself and pressed her body into the shadows.
Luna dared not breath as a shadow twisted around the corner. Amycus Carrow's squat, round silhouette appeared across the stone floors; she could hear an excited wheeze escape his throat. Encasing herself deeper within the shadows, Luna watched as the stout man shuffled towards the sound of Moaning Myrtle's bellows that were turning into hysterical sobs; however, when he crossed the invisible barrier just before Luna, he fell to the ground with a echoing thud. With no time to release a breath of relief, Luna jumped out of hiding, swished her wand while saying the counter spell to the warding perimeter, and sprinted towards the Room of Requirement.
Feeling the Disillusionment Charm fading, Luna pushed her legs harder willing them to speed up impossibly faster. She could hear voices echoing from a nearby corridor. As she rounded the corner, Luna's chest collided with something solid and steadfast sending her sprawling to the ground grasping for breath as a sharp pain erupted from her left shoulder. Her wand tumbled from her fingers and head collided with the stone floor below causing her teeth to rattle. Without anytime to waste, Luna flipped over and crawled to retrieve her wand as quickly as possible. Just as she stood up, her knees wobbling slightly, she directed her wand right at Alecto Carrow who had also been knocked to the ground. The new Muggle Studies teacher grinned a sinister smile at Luna as her dark wand pointed at the Ravenclaw student as she stood up, a knot already forming on her forehead.
"Lovegood, is it?" she asked in a raspy voice. "How nice to see you. Have a pleasant Christmas?" she mocked.
"It wasn't so bad," Luna said keeping her wide eyes trained on the woman's every move. Her squat figure was swaying side to side preparing her attack.
"Perhaps we'll send you back, in pieces should I get my way," the Death Eater laughed. "You're a stupid, stupid girl for coming back here," she taunted as she pulled her wand back.
"Protego!" Luna yelled quickly.
"Crucio!" Alecto Carrow shrieked.
Luna felt her footing falter as the spell hit her shield with a bright burst of light; however, she hadn't expected a loud thump. With a few quick blinks, Luna saw Alecto Carrow sprawled upon the stone floor, her beady eyes open as the rest of her body was frozen. Tearing her eyes away, Luna looked further down the hall to see a dark cloaked figure standing with a wand pointed towards her. Whether the figure was friend or foe, Luna knew not, and she wasn't going to wait to find out. Instead, she turned around and quickly fled the scene in hopes of reaching the Room of Requirement unscathed and unfollowed
Running up the stairs two steps at a time, Luna's legs were burning but she pushed on. Jumping on instinct, she soared over the trick step and continued to bolt up the staircase. Only a few steps from the top, it began to shift to the left, but Luna couldn't take the chance of wondering around the castle. In a grand leap, she just made the landing as her heart jumped into her throat from the fear of falling. Once safely on solid floor, Luna's exhausted legs carried her to the Room of Requirement where she paced three times before the tapestry reciting the desire to find a room safe from the Carrows and those who support their teachings. Within seconds, the door appeared, and Luna quickly tumbled inside nearly falling to the ground in eagerness.
Slamming the wooden door behind her, Luna leaned forward placing her hands on her knees and attempted to catch her breath. Her chest was heaving, legs wobbling from effort, her face red and blotchy from exertion, lungs aching. Squeezing her eyes shut, Luna leaned forward and dropped her head willing herself to take deep slow breaths. She was in no way an inactive person, but she was no athlete. After a few moments of recollection, Luna stood up straight ignoring the fluttering black dots in her vision. Instead, she saw the entire room staring at her with concern and confusion. Ginny stared at her for a moment before gesturing her to the side with a quick nod.
"Nice night, everyone," Luna chipped happily though she retained a slightly breathless tone. No one said anything back to her, but instead turned away to continue what they were doing before. Unperturbed, Luna walked over to meet Ginny.
"What happened?" the red head asked fiercely. "Are you alright?"
"Peachy," Luna grinned. "It really is a nice night."
"Why are you so out of breath? Were you nearly caught?"
"I wouldn't use the word nearly," Luna shrugged as if her capture would not have been a big deal. "The perimeter stunning spell was a success though."
"I don't care about the spell right now, Luna," Ginny huffed in annoyance. "Tell me what happened."
"Well, I was visiting with Draco and finally convinced him to take his sleep and pain potion. Right as he fell asleep, Moaning Myrtle appeared, and she was not so happy to see me. She must be affected from the wackspurt infestation in the hospital wing. I've been telling Madam Pomfrey for years she should—"
"Luna," Ginny said bringing the dreamy blonde back to reality.
"Oh, right," Luna grinned unembarrassed. "Anyway, she began to shout, scream, and wail—"
"Her specialty," Ginny mumbled.
"—and she became increasingly angry when I touched Draco's hand to place a silencing spell around him and when I told him goodbye," Luna said with furrowed eyebrows.
"Why would she be annoyed that you said goodbye?" Ginny asked perplexed.
"I don't know," Luna shrugged. "I did as I normally do, a quick kiss and wishes of pleasant dreams. She referred to me as 'touchable flesh;' extremely off putting if you ask me."
"You kissed Malfoy?" Ginny whispered harshly.
"Yes, on the forehead," Luna answered seemingly unaffected. "Myrtle became quite upset, I assure you."
"Oh Merlin, Luna," Ginny sighed raking a hand through her thick red hair. "Myrtle has a massive crush on Malfoy; Harry will be thrilled to hear such news."
"That makes sense," Luna nodded replaying Myrtles accusations in her brain. "She did accuse me of keeping him away from her; she also said Draco had questioned her about how to get into Ravenclaw Tower. Myrtle thinks he was searching for a girl."
"I have no doubt that he was," Ginny huffed with a roll of her brown eyes. Seeing Luna's confused gaze, Ginny repressed the overwhelming feeling to roll her eyes again. "You, Luna," she said. "Draco was more than likely searching for you."
"You think?" Luna asked tilting her head to the side.
"Who else would he be looking for?" Ginny challenged.
"I haven't the slightest clue; he's very charming."
"Gross, Malfoy is not charming; he's a right foul git," Ginny cringed. "Oh, right sorry. Old habits," Ginny blushed seeing Luna's fallen expression.
"It's fine, Ginny," Luna grinned softly. "Really, it's all fine."
"But you're alright, yeah? No wounds in need of healing?" Ginny asked with a raise eyebrow.
"No, I had a few upon walking into the hospital wing – I tripped over a fallen elf who'd wondered over the perimeter – but Draco healed those up for me," Luna shrugged.
"Luna, if you'll look down at your arm, you'll see that you're bleeding; there's blood on your hand," Ginny sighed.
"Oh, look at that," Luna giggled seeing the crimson lines tracing over fingers. "Well, I suppose you know me better than myself. Let me take these robes off," she said before shrugging out of the too large Ravenclaw robes.
Once she was free of the long, black garment, Luna saw that the entirety of her left sleeve was stained in red. Ginny gasped at the sight before pulling Luna to the outskirts of the room saying that she was going to need a closer look. At once, Luna noticed the yellow door appear from before, and she and Ginny quickly darted inside.
"I'm going to need a closer look," Ginny said quietly. "I can go get you a blanket or something for modesty if you'd like."
"It's fine," Luna shrugged as she lifted the hem of her long sleeved shirt over her head leaving her torso covered only in a thin camisole. Looking to her left shoulder, Luna saw a sizeable gap trailing down her upper arm. Assessing the wound, Luna deducted that she'd scraped her arm after falling from her collision with Alecto Carrow.
"Blimey, Luna," Ginny sighed. "How do you not feel that?"
"I don't know," Luna whispered unable to tear her gaze away from the injury. She could see Ginny muttering incantations while aiming her wand at the cut, but nothing happened. "Is it beyond your repair?" she asked as the bleeding intensified slightly.
"No," Ginny muttered, her forehead wrinkling with concentration. "I've healed worse, far worse. How did you get this?"
"I'm not sure. I ran into Alecto Carrow, and fell to the ground, but I don't know if it could have caused this," Luna replied.
"I don't either. It looks like a cursed wound; did she stab you or cut you with anything?" Ginny asked with a fierce gleam in her brown eyes.
"Maybe," Luna said honestly. "When I knocked into her on accident, we both tumbled to the ground, but I did feel a stinging sensation in my arm. I just assumed it was from the fall."
"No," Ginny said in a hushed voice. "That monster probably cut you with her wand after dipping it into some kind of poison or with a silent curse. I've never seen anything like this, Luna. I don't—I don't know what to do," she replied with a shaking voice.
"It's alright," Luna said gently. "Go get Dean and Neville; perhaps they'll know something about this."
"Perhaps," Ginny said under her breath as she walked out of the small room leaving Luna alone in the flickering light.
By herself, Luna could feel the blood loss causing her brain to become light and hazy. She picked up her stained shirt from the floor and began tearing it into strips to act as a tourniquet for the cut in hopes of slowing the bleeding or stopping it all together. As she was tightening a strip around her arm, the door burst open distracting her momentarily. Through blurry eyes, she saw Ginny rush forwards unraveling the knot and wrenching the fabric from her hand.
"What are you doing?!" Ginny gasped, but Luna simply looked at her in shock. "Luna, answer me! What are you doing!?"
"I'm—I'm not," Luna choked out surprised at the raspiness in her voice and the way it hurt to talk.
In a panic, Luna shot her eyes to the door where Dean Thomas stood in shock, his dark eyes wide, muscles frozen with obvious tension. Beside him, Neville Longbottom stared at her with tears welling in his eyes, his body shaking, mouth agape. Luna reached her hand up to touch her throat and winced at the burning sensation it caused. Her skin was tender and raw, painful just to touch.
"Luna, why? What—Why would you—I don't understand," Ginny sobbed.
"Ginny, I don't think she realizes," Dean said walking into the room slowly as if any sudden movement would alter the space completely. "Luna, what were you trying to do?"
"Tie my arm," she responded hoarsely wincing at the pain the movement caused her.
"Your arm?!" Ginny shouted. "Your bloody arm?"
"Luna, you tied your neck," Dean said softly reaching his hand up to touch her tender flesh; her large, misty blue eyes stared at him in shock. "You were turning blue, Luna; your eyes are bloodshot."
"I didn't—I'm sor—" she tried to say but her voice cut off.
"Don't touch her arm!" Neville yelled suddenly causing everyone to jump in fright. "You see that? Her wound, smoke is coming from it."
Sure enough, a smoky red was rising from her arm in wispy clouds. The edges of the laceration had turned a dark green with black etching tracing the inner segments of her arm. The bleeding had stopped, but instead of crimson, a dark, black substance was leaking from the cut. Not one of the students said it aloud, but it was obvious Luna had been cut by a weapon dipped in poison, a poison that caused black goop to leak from wounds, red smoke to rise, and hallucinations to mask killing oneself. A poison of which they knew nothing about and thus knew no way to cure one from it. They all knew it, but none wanted to be the first to admit it.
"We'll find a way," Ginny voiced in the strongest tone she could muster. "We always do. No exceptions."
"No exceptions," Dean said; Neville gave a resolute nod of agreement.
"I'll go see if Aberforth has any knowledge of such ailments, perhaps there's a plant that could help," Neville said.
"I'll write to McGonagall," Dean said nodding towards a small desk where parchment and ink appeared.
"Dean, can you hand me a bit of parchment so I can write to Bill; maybe he's seen something like this before while working in Egypt," Ginny said as another quill and ink appeared on the desk.
"Draco," Luna rasped, but no one heard her. Neville was busy fastening his coat while Ginny and Dean scribbled furiously on the parchments before them. "Draco!" she said louder though her voiced ached in protest. Ginny nearly knocked over the inkwell in shock.
"Draco?" Ginny asked. "What about Draco? Do you think he had something to do with this?" Luna opened her mouth to protest Ginny's thoughts, but her voice would not allow it. Instead, Luna reached for a blank piece of parchment and grabbed the quill from Ginny's fingers.
Absolutely not, Luna wrote. However, Draco is probably familiar with this area of Dark Magic and perhaps with Alecto Carrow's use of such curses. Tomorrow, when he wakes, go to him or send Helena. He will help.
"Are you absolutely certain he can be trusted," Ginny asked with pleading eyes. Resolutely, Luna nodded her head before writing once more.
I have, and will continue to trust him with my life. Without question.
"Okay then," Dean nodded reading the note over her shoulder careful not to touch her infected flesh. "We'll send for him in the morning. Until then, I think we should stay in here with one of us keeping watch over Luna."
"It's for your own good," Ginny sighed after Luna made a strong sound of protest. "If I hadn't come in, Luna… Merlin, I don't even want to think about what could have happened."
"It's not your fault, Luna," Dean sighed. "But we can't let you hurt yourself."
"Yeah," Neville agreed. "We need you."
"Fine," Luna croaked in agreement.
Ginny tucked a lock of dark red hair behind her ear as she looked at Dean and Neville. Luna sensed a form of silent communication was transmitting between the three, and Luna knew she was the topic. With a deep sigh, Luna lied down on the plush, multicolored pillows and looked up at her friends expectantly. After a few moments, they all looked down to see her waiting patiently with her eyes wide and trusting.
"It's okay," Luna rasped with a gentle nod. She knew they were trying to decide the best route possible to keep her safe and comfortable. "Bewitched sleep," Luna whispered serenely. Ginny it her lip but nodded as she pulled out her wand and began muttering the advanced incantation.
Closing her eyes gently, Luna felt a lovely sensation take over her body as her muscles relaxed and her mind went blank. Then, there was nothing. Not even a flutter of breath or a spark of life. Luna was completely still just as Ron and Hermione had been beneath the Black Lake during the Triwizard Tournament. She was fully at ease and unaware of what was happening around her. Ginny was relived knowing her best friend wouldn't see the heavy tear fall down her freckled cheek.
"Petrificus Totalus," Neville said softly with his wand pointed at Luna's body. "Just to be safe," he nodded at the other two.
"She's just sleeping, right?" Ginny asked her friends warily as Luna looked completely lifeless under the spell.
"Just like the Fairytales she loves to tell the younger kids," Dean nodded reaching his hand out towards Ginny who cautiously took it. "It will be fine, Ginny. We just have to decide what course of action we want to take, but Luna is safest when she isn't conscious at the moment. She could have killed herself."
"I know that, Dean," Ginny snapped. "I'm sorry," she sighed. "I didn't mean to snap; I'll go to Draco before sunrise. The castle should be calmed down by then. Neville, you should still go to Aberforth to see if he knows anything. I'll resume my letter to Bill."
"Got it," Neville nodded as he stood by the door awaiting the letters.
"Come on, Gin," Dean said pulling her hand towards the desk where their half written letters lied forgotten. "She's just dreaming."
"Ron said it was just blackness, like a blink of an eye and then nothingness until the spell is over," Ginny whispered with a watery voice.
"It's Luna though," Dean grinned. "When is she not dreaming?"
With a loud sniff, Ginny nodded her head and turned to resume her writing. She signed her name with urgency and handed the bound parchment off the Neville who then left the room. Ginny turned away from the desk to sit upon the pillows next to Luna. Reaching down, she stroked her best friend's long blonde hair and she slept peacefully.
"We'll fix this, Luna," Ginny promised.
"I'll take the first shift," Dean stated after he finished writing to Professor McGonagall. "You have to be up soon to get to the Hospital Wing."
"Right," Ginny nodded. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Dean shrugged leaning against the wall where he had a perfect sight of Luna and her hands should they try to harm her again.
Hours passed and Luna never once twitched; she remained still and silent, a sight that did nothing to soothe the worry welling within Dean. Had the rosy hue not remained on her cheeks, he would have assumed her dead, for she was so still. No fluttering eyelids, no sighs or giggles he'd become accustomed to, and absolutely no sleepwalking. She was just still, lifelessly still.
When Ginny started to wake, Dean jumped at the sudden noise. He'd been staring directly at Luna's face for over and hour; his eyes were burning and stinging. He needed to sleep, badly. With a fierce yawn, Ginny stretched her arms above her head before giving Dean a nod of acknowledgement. She leaned over to rouse Neville who barely protested. After little encouragement, Dean lied down and instantly fell asleep.
"You have about two hours until sunrise," Neville told Ginny. "You'll be alright, won't you?"
"Don't worry about me," Ginny grinned pulling her dark Gryffindor robes around her. "Luna said the defensive perimeter worked; I'll set it up as I'm going into the hospital wing."
"But Malfoy," Neville said nervously looking away from the redhead.
"Luna trusts him," Ginny said sounding resolute though she shared the same reservations as her friend.
"Luna trusts most people," Neville mumbled.
"Well, we have to trust her now," Ginny responded. "Take watch while I'm away. I'll be back soon."
Out in the main room, everyone was still fast asleep in their hammocks. There were symphonies of snoring and sighing, the rustling of blankets and the huffs of aggrevation at not finding a comfortable position. Ginny gave the room a quick lookover before ducking out of the door and walking out into the shadowed hallways of Hogwarts. Pushing her shoulders back and readying her wand, Ginny began the newly perilous walk to the hospital wing to find answers.
His mouth was parched, dry like the summer days in Cairo where he once visited with his father. Draco squeezed his eyes shut attempting to fall back into the colorful dream he'd left behind; it was to no avail. Huffing with annoyance, Draco reached up to rub the sleep from his eyes pressing firmly against his skin.
"It's about time," a voice said from close beside him; he could hear the rustling of paper. "I've been waiting for over half an hour."
"Ginny," Draco said opening his eyes at once.
The Weasley daughter had purple signs of exhaustion beneath her worrisome brown eyes; her lips were drawn into a thin line and her hands had a slight tremor to them. Draco looked to the windows to see that the sun had to rise. Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong for Ginny Weasley to be there so early without Luna.
"Luna," Draco whispered. "What's happened?" he asked, panic seeping into his voice.
"I'm hoping you'll help me with that," Ginny said softly folding the Daily Prophet back together and placing it on her lap. "As of now, I have no idea. We need your help, Draco."
Staring at the girl before him, Draco could see how much she cared for Luna, how much she loved the strange girl as one of her own. Without hesitance, Draco nodded his head rapidly ignoring the rush of pain in his leg. Ginny continued to look at him, though her expression changed slightly. She still looked tired and scared, but more so now, she looked surprised and hopeful. She gave a curt nod to which Draco responded.
"Anything for Luna," Draco said softly, fiercely. "Anything."
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