It was a few minutes into the 'party' and already Luna was deep in conversation with one of the many notable guests, discussing her concern for the effect global warming could have on the genetic variation of dirigible plums. He seemed to be nodding along politely but it was clear to everyone except Luna that he had no interest at all in her company.

Draco strolled into the room and assessed that it was going to be a long night. He had changed his usual black shirt for a white one, a small difference but not small enough for it to go unnoticed. It made him look less threatening somehow.

You could not, on the other hand, miss Luna. Although she did not look unattractive, her lime green dress stood out among the more subdued blacks and pastels. Her dress was halter-neck and floaty, with so many layers of thin, graceful material, Draco wondered how you couldn't hear her rustle she walked. Green flowers adorned one side of the dress, starting at the left shoulder and trailing around the skirt. She reminded Draco of something but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

Draco watched the party from afar, sipping a glass of punch which, much to his surprise seemed to contain something a bit stronger than butterbeer and fruit juice. His eyes took in every face but he could find no possible culprit so he assumed that perhaps the punch hadn't been spiked and continued to drink it contentedly.

Luna met his eyes as he entered but for once she seemed aware of people's opinions and until the time came for them to all sit down around one lavishly decorated table, she didn't even speak one word to him.

When Dumbledore had stood up and announced that food was served, Draco put down his glass, took one step and realised he must had drunk more than he thought. After steadying himself he sat down at his place, which coincidently, or not so as Draco immediately thought, was next to Luna.

She smiled as he sat down.

'Dumbledore said the house elves have been working all day. I hope there's pudding.'

Draco rolled his eyes at her unhealthy obsession and rested his elbows on the table, his chin leaning on his hand.

He hated meal times at home, at hogwarts, anywhere that required him to make polite conversation whilst eating. He thought it was such a waste of valuable time.

'Do you want some?'

It took Draco a second to realise that Luna was offering him something from one of the many plates of food. He shook his head without looking at what he was rejecting and went back to picking at the food already on his plate, letting Luna chat away happily.

When the table was close to empty and Luna seemed to have eaten her fill of pudding, the food disappeared and Dumbledore stood up.

'My dear friends and honoured guests, I would like to thank you all for attending and ask that you continue to enjoy the rest of this evening as much as I have already enjoyed it.'

As if on cue, music began to play out of nowhere from all angles of the hall.

A smile that seemed to stretch to both of her ears covered Luna's face.

'It's so cheerful don't you think? It makes up for having to stay at school for the holidays.'

Draco shrugged. 'Some of us didn't have a choice.'

Luna's smile vanished at the sudden seriousness of Draco's voice just as Dumbledore appeared behind her. Most of the guests were already out of their seats dancing and talking.

'For some, Miss Lovegood, Hogwarts is home and I don't think a home is complete without fun and laugher. And I do enjoy a good party.' He made as though to walk away but turned back suddenly.

'And if Mr Malfoy doesn't ask you to dance soon, you ask him.' He winked and walked back to talk with another of the guests.

It was barely a whisper but Draco heard and begrudgingly offered Luna his hand, glaring at the headmaster who's death he should be planning. He made the excuse that with his head as clouded as it was, he wouldn't have any success in murdering him if he tried so he might as well try to enjoy himself, not that dancing with Luna would be enjoyable.

It was the dance they had danced at the yule ball. Draco had been drilled through it so many times that he managed without thinking. Only when they had done the whole sequence three times did he question Luna's knowledge of the dance.

'Ginny went to the ball with Neville. She made me learn it with her so she could practise.'

They must have been round the hall at least twice now and the spinning combined with alcohol was making Draco feel nauseous. Without warning, he let go of Luna's hands and marched outside, leaving Luna stranded on her own.

She was soon rescued by a man she assumed must know her Father as the first thing he commented on was the difference in her height since he had last seen her. He was talking about his son but the only thing Luna had managed to take in was that he was a couple of years older than her and that they would get on very well.

Without trying to seem rude, she excused herself and followed in the direction of Draco.

In an almost exact repeat of their meeting at the beginning of the holidays, Draco was leaning against the door frame and Luna continued in a daze without looking back.

Only this time, Draco didn't speak. He had realised what, dressed as she was, Luna reminded him of.

In the grounds of Malfoy Manor there were statues. They captured the images of family members, famous wizards and in some cases, the mythical beings which corresponded to the names of the family members. Draco could remember being afraid of the statue of the dragon from which his name came when he was a toddler. Looking back, it was clear he was a coward from the beginning.

But in that moment, as Luna had stepped into the moonlight, her skin had been turned a ghostly white and Draco had been transported back to when he was a small boy and he would hide from his father when he was in trouble. There was a marble statue on which the girl was sat on a crescent moon. It was old, cracked and the constant rain had worn away the intricate patterns that were once there but in their place, ivy had grown, weaving its own patterns around the girl. It was behind this statue that Draco had often hidden and Luna, with her face white as stone, green dress floating in the wind, looked like a moving version of it.

The similarities making him dizzy, Draco forced himself to walk towards her. He drew level and she pointed to the sky.

'Which constellation is Draco?'

Draco began to search the sky, his eyes scanning the stars in a way that Luna found almost unnerving

'Just there. Look at that tower and then directly up.' Luna followed his instructions and soon spotted it.

'It's beautiful. I suppose one day you'll name one of your children after one of those stars. It's your family's tradition, isn't it?'

Draco shook his head. The whole night's experience had felt surreal and he felt carefree. It was dangerous to talk about what you did and did not want. Draco had learned that from growing up. He did what other people wanted him to do, thought what other people told him he should think and acted as he had seen other people act.

But drink and confusion had made him forget the danger.

'I don't want children. It's just the thought of having someone so utterly dependent upon you. Knowing that every action, every word you say could change them for the rest of their lives... I'm not father material.'

'That's why you're safe.'

Draco looked down at Luna's thoughtful face.

'At least attempt to make sense, Loony. I'm not fluent in babbling idiot.'

'Your family. It's about as pure blood as they get, wouldn't you say? And Voldemort values blood purity above anything. He needs you for breeding stock.' It was as if she wasn't speaking to him anymore, just thinking aloud in her dreamy voice.

'Well you're not exactly mudblood yourself, Lovegood.'

Luna suddenly gripped his arm in excitement and pointed again to the sky.

'Make a wish, Draco.'

Draco had seen the shooting star and although of course he didn't believe in such rubbish, in the back of his mind he made the smallest of requests.

Luna had closed her eyes as she made her wish, her arms still wrapped around his.

'What did you wish for, Loony?'

Luna let go of his arm, smiling.

'I've already told you.'

From where he was stood in the astronomy tower, Dumbledore saw the next few moments unfold. He watched Luna skip away and Draco consider for barely a second before going after her. He saw Draco catch her wrist and kiss her before she had even looked round.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly.

They had been thrown together and a bond had formed. In fact, watching them throughout the evening, Dumbledore couldn't even determine if their connection could even be considered friendship. It was a reliance on each other that kept them together, that was all and there were a million and one things that forced them apart. The kiss was not one of affection, it was a way for Draco to express emotions that he couldn't put into words. Emotions that he was unfamiliar and uncomfortable with.

Dumbledore couldn't help feeling relief at the night's events. There was no love between them. At least none that could put them in danger. The potential was there and the headmaster was sure that, if circumstances had been more kind, their relationship would be different.

But of course, if circumstances had been more kind, they probably would have never met.

I just decided to check up on my stats and wowza! This is my most popular fanfiction by a mile so thanks a lot everyone!
As always, reviews are great and keep my motivation going.