Two nights later the goblin was returned, bruised but otherwised physically unharmed and grumbling at double the usual rate. Luna gave up on her attempts to console him and accepted that some people just enjoy grumbling. He seemed to only quieten when he slept, a fact even Draco had managed to figure out. He waited not only for the occupants of the house to be asleep but also the occupants of the basement before he entered.

When he entered he found Luna sleeping peacefully and although he tried his best not to wake her, as soon as the key turned in the lock, her eyelids fluttered open.

'Good evening, Draco. Or is it morning? I can never tell.'

'It's three o clock in the bloody morning, Lovegood.'

'Oh, well good morning then. It's so dark in here, it's difficult to tell when it's day or night.'

'Well I've told you, haven't I?, so be quiet.'

He sat on the floor next to her, his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes glaring into the darkness.

'Draco, what's wrong?'

'The screaming's stopped.'

Luna's brows furrowed. 'You mean Mr Ollivander? He's not dead, is he?'

Draco shook his head. 'No it's worse. It means they've got what they wanted. He's told them.'

'But what did they want?'

'He's a wandmaker, dimwit. They wanted the most powerful wand in the world. And he's told them where to find it. So whatever Potter tries now it useless. He might as well give up. Your wonderful wandmaker has betrayed them.'

'Stop it!' Luna leapt to her feet as though his words had bitten her. 'We have to trust Harry!' She tried desperately to stop herself from shaking but her attempts were futile. Draco got to his feet, his face emotionless and calm.

'You can tell yourself that all you want, Luna. But he's not here. Voldemort has the wand now and every person he can threaten out looking for them. It's only a matter of time.'

'Please stop. This place has taken my freedom from me. I refuse to let it take my hope as well.'

Her fists were clenched but her knees continued to shake.

'It's the truth, Luna. There's no point in denying it. Being brave will do nothing but get you killed.'

'But I'm not brave.' Luna was still shaking. 'I try so so hard. But I'm scared.' Tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she placed her head in her hands. 'Merlin, I'm so so scared.'

What Draco did next surprised everyone. It surprised Luna who's tears stopped abruptly in shock. It surprised Draco, who found himself doing it before he's even thought about it and it surprised Griphook, watching with one eye from across the room and made him think that perhaps there was more to the Malfoy boy than meets the eye.

In the moment that Luna had finished speaking, Draco's arms had encased her and pulled her close, his hand had stroked her hair gently and into her hair he had whispered that she was the bravest friend he had, to which Luna had replied that she was the only friend he had and laughed in spite of herself.

His actions were the final proof that something inside of Draco had altered. For when Luna had cried and doubted herself. Draco had felt no contempt for her weakness and no thought for his own gain. He had finally learned to care for someone more than he cared for himself.

Draco himself was still trying to get to grips with what he had just done. Holding her against him felt strange. It was role reversal. He was supporting her when for the whole time he had been falling apart she had supported him. She was Luna Lovegood. Stupidly positive, annoyingly distant and a rainbow of refreshment in the black, rain cloud that was the wizarding world. Yet even her light seemed to be fading before his eyes. He wasn't used to being the strong one. All his life he had followed the crowd or lead them. Never had he had to put even an ounce of effort into his life. Now suddenly he felt the pressure of someone who was relying on him to help her.

He took her face in his hands, wiping the last remnants of her tears away.

'Luna, you've been brave for so long, I think you've forgotten that you are.' Luna looked puzzled so he continued. He'd never comforted anyone before, yet he found it surprisingly easy. 'You've spent your whole life standing up for what you believe in no matter what. That is bravery.'

'But what if they torture me? What if I give in? What if I betray my friends, Draco?'

Draco's hands forced Luna's head to stop shaking.

'You won't.'He sneered suddenly to himself 'Oh merlin, I'm starting to sound like you.'

Luna smiled weakly. 'Well as long as you don't give me all that hippy crap about believing in yourself, Malfoy. I think I'll be fine.'

Draco laughed and then Luna noticed a familiar smirk sneak across his face.

'Draco? You're thinking something that will probably make me feel uncomfortable, aren't you?'

Draco brought his face close to hers.

'I was just thinking that since we're already in such close proximity, Miss Lovegood, you probably won't object to me doing this.'

And certainly Luna did not object to Draco kissing her. She did not object at all.

In fact, the only person who objected was Griphook, who five minutes later made an audible grunt that told the two blondes exactly what he thought.

And later, when Draco had gone, Luna received a long lecture from Griphook about how insufferably stupid she was for fraternising with the enemy and trusting 'that Malfoy Boy'. But she didn't care. Because in that kiss he had convinced her that there was hope. That even in the darkest situations, there was always something positive that could come of it.