It's been longer than I would have liked, but for some insane reason I made my New Year's resolution and decided to actually do my homework this year. So chapters will hopefully come closer together!

Without further ado, the second chapter of Changed Lives!

Except for this: Disclaimer- I do not own anything that belongs to others!

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Changed Lives Chapter 2: A New Ally

Draco's eyes widened at the show of acceptance from his former enemy. His slightly sweaty hand finally raised to shake Harry's outstretched hand, Luna still beaming proudly. Harry and Ginny nodded to Luna as they took their leave to disperse the lingering students and get them all back to work.

Luna took hold of Draco's hand and proceeded to drag him towards the back of the room once more. They reached a door that lead to a room with dozens of boxes stacked on top of each other, and the Ravenclaw began to search for the items they needed to repel the Wrackspurts plaguing the D.A. members. Draco only began to assist when he saw Luna having trouble reaching the boxes at the top of the mound. This box undoubtedly held what Luna was searching for, lengths of string and oddly colored radishes were the contents of the box Draco held and the one under it.

The blonde girl motioned for Draco to follow her out of the room to a table nearby and placed her box on top of it. The Slytherin followed her lead as she began to string the colorful objects to hang them. They continued for a few minutes when Luna decided that they had enough for the entire room.

"Come, Draco. I need you to hold the ladder as I place these around the room, they should help the others notice the Wrackspurts and stop whatever it is they are doing to attract the small creatures." She began to push him back towards the room they were just in and he walked at a steady pace trying not to focus on the dozens of eyes that watched him interact with Luna and trace him as he continued to the large storage room.

He tripped on his way towards the back of the room where he had seen a ladder; he looked down to see a circular golden object with an hourglass carved into it. Pushing it aside he continued toward the ladder, picked it up, and went to find his girlfriend who was waiting at the opposite corner of the room with the decorated wire. She was talking to Neville as he walked toward her dragging the magically expanding ladder behind him. Luna and Neville turned toward him as he reached him, Luna smiling at him and Neville looking at him with a calculating look.

Draco nodded to Neville in greeting, "Hello, Longbottom." Surprising him, Neville seemed to make a decision and smiled at the blonde boy.

"Malfoy," Neville stuck out his hand and nodded to the green clad boy, "Fortunately for you Luna explained some things and I've decided to forgive you and try to be friends, how about it?" The young Malfoy's eyes widened as he took Neville's hand and shook it, Luna now beside him beaming once more at his progress of reconciling with his old enemies.

"Thank you; I'd like that Long…Neville."

Luna stepped forward then, and turned toward the Griffindor male. "I was wondering if you would assist me with catching Draco up with the work we've done this year. I'd ask one of the others but I'm afraid their Wrackspurts might not have left them by the next meeting." Draco noticed how Neville didn't miss a beat when the Ravenclaw mentioned her creatures and the two shared a glance and grin when Luna's idea was agreed upon. As Neville went to work with Ron on the proper way to mutilate a practice dummy Luna tugged on Draco's hand impatiently and had him place the ladder as she climbed up to place her colorful decorations on the hooks the room magically provided.

"Just be careful, Lune. We wouldn't want you to fall and snap your neck," warned the Slytherin.

"I'm perfectly fine, Draco. Anyways I have my wand and I can count on you to break my fall whether or not you catch me." The boy below her had to bite back a chuckle at her comment and moved the ladder around the room so that she could continue to hang the strings. She climbed down once they had made their circuit of the room. She took his hand and led him to the area where the other D.A. members were practicing Disarming charms and Shielding Charms. Draco turned to the spritely girl who still held on to his hand.

"What are they doing?" he asked tipping his head towards the students performing a spell that caused smoke to leave their wants and make attempts to form a shape.

"Their casting the Patronus charm, it allows us to keep Dementors at bay." His mind drifts to when the hooded creatures boarded the Hogwarts Express in search of the recently escaped Sirius Black. Images of himself being forced to take the Dark Mark and commit the sins that his father had done willingly caused his stomach to twist and bile to rise in his throat.

As if she knew where his thoughts had taken him she tightened her grip on his hand and took her wand out from behind her ear. She turned and spoke in her clear and serene tone, "Expecto Patronum." To his amazement a silver hare sprung from her wand and jumped away from them.

Seconds later, more silvery animals joined it. Some brighter, some more solidly made, a stag, horse, otter, terrier, bear, fox, boar, and swan circled the room with Luna's hare. After a lap the creatures returned to stand by their casters. They stood by Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Cho Chang respectively.

Draco watched wide-eyed as Luna's silver hare stood in front of him then faded from existence. Luna then pulled him forward and let go of his hand.

"Now you, Draco."

"I don't know how to do it, Lune." She smiled and held his hand once more.

"Just think of a moment when you were at your happiest. Hold it in your mind and say the spell." Luna's eyes then took the rare appearance of mischief as she slipped her small hands over his silver eyes and kissed his cheek lightly. "Now concentrate, dear."He shut his eyes and sank deep into a memory.

He was at Malfoy Manor in the Slytherin and Christmas themed living room. His mother and father were seated on the loveseat in front of the fire place and he was curled on the seat near the brightly lit tree. The large doors opened to reveal a house elf floating a medium sized box behind him. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy lifted their heads from their hushed conversation to see the elf place the parcel in front of their ten year old son.

"What is this Dobby? I thought all of your kind were informed not to disturb us?" spat Lucius as the small creature cowered near the door.

"Dobby knows not, Master. Dobby was told by Mistress to bring in the parcel when it arrived." Dobby continued to slowly edge towards the door so as not to anger his master anymore than necessary. Lucius' glare increased until a hand was placed on his arm. He turned to his wife for an explanation, she gave one.

"Its fine Lucius, Draco's gift was to arrive today and I asked Dobby to bring it to him at once." Her tone did not allow for contradictions, as Lucius knew his wife enjoyed to dote on their only child. The boy started to uncurl himself and stood to walk over to the brightly wrapped gift.

Draco looked closer at the wrapping on the box, small dragons breathed fire and flew in circles. The dark blue ribbon had crescent moons adorning it as well. He picked up the small card that was tucked neatly under the ribbon, he read it quickly:

Draco,

I do hope you enjoy the gift I've gotten you; Daddy says that it's used to keep the Wrackspurts at bay. I've gotten one as well and her name is Persephone. I'd open the box quickly.

Happy Christmas,

Luna

P.S.: He's a boy. And your mother has all that you need.

Draco opened Luna's advice and quickly opened his gift. What was inside surprised him; a snow white baby ferret looked up at him from the box. Both staring at the other until the small creature decided it had enough of its confinement and climbed up the blonde boy's arm. He reached for it and brought it into his arms once again staring at the little one. His mother's voice brought him out of his revere.

"Well, what will you name him Draco? A proper name will be needed for your new companion." He thought for a moment, recalling Luna named hers a name from mythology, something similar would be appropriate. He turned to the small animal once more.

"Pluto, his name is Pluto."

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Draco opened his eyes, whispering the charm. "Expecto Patronum." Mist began to leave his wand; gasps were heard as it started to take shape. The small slivery animal stood on its hind legs before fading away.

"It's a bit ironic isn't it?" a smack was heard and the two blondes turned and saw Ginny and Hermione with their hands over Ron's mouth to prevent any other stupidity from leaving it. Next to them Harry gave a cough to turn everyone's attention toward him.

"Well done Draco. At any rate we'll have to call it a night, but I'd like Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Draco to stay I need to speak with you about something important." Luna pulled Draco to a table to wait with the others as the rest of the D.A. filed out of the room. Everyone slowly left until one was left, Cho Chang lingered and tried to make eye contact with Harry who was preoccupied and speaking to Ginny, his back to the door. She closed the door and Harry turned to address those who he instructed to stay.

"I've decided to trust all of you for one reason or another, and I thought of a way we could have some form of defense from Voldemort." He paused then, as if gauging what their reactions would be, "I've decided we should learn how to become Animagi."

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Yes, I've left you with a slight cliff hanger, but also with a longer chapter. So enjoy the more Druna. :D