Chapter 2

**I own nothing as all belongs to J.K. Rowling.**

The sun's rays streamed in through the window. Luna's eyes fluttered open and she stretched before climbing out of bed. She made her bed then headed to the loo to get ready for classes to start today.

Luna turned on the shower and stepped into the warm water. She lathered her body with her favorite peach smelling body wash. She washed her hair with her favorite coconut shampoo and conditioner. Once Luna was done, she dried off and got into her school uniform. She used a hair drying spell and let her long waves hang down her back.

Once Luna finished getting ready, she grabbed her knapsack with her books and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. The walk to the hall was uneventful as she walked past Hufflepuff first year girls gawking at a 5th year Slytherin boy.

Upon arriving at the Great Hall, Luna sat down at the Ravenclaw table and plated her food with a warm biscuit, eggs, and fresh fruit. She had pumpkin juice in her goblet and she began to eat. Some more Ravenclaw girls joined her and soon the Great Hall was filled with students once again.

Luna looked around the room and this time her eyes met Draco Malfoy's eyes. They stared at each other for a moment then Draco turned to lBlaise and began to have a conversation with him.

Luna quietly finished her breakfast as she flipped through the Quibbler. Soon Luna finished and headed towards the first class of the day. She had Charms with the 7th year Slytherins.

Luna made her way to the classroom and took a seat near the window. The students filed in and each took a spot as Professor Flitwick appeared at the front of the class. Draco Malfoy entered and there was only one spot left. He slowly sat down next to Luna and did not acknowledge her in the moment.

Professor Flitwick began his lesson and Luna took notes while Draco's mind seemed occupied.

"Now then, who you are sitting next to is your partner for this assignment in class. I want you each to produce the Lumos Solem Charm correctly. I will have you begin now" Professor Flitwick said and the students began practicing the charm.

Luna turned to Draco and said, "Did you want to go first or shall I?"

Draco looked at Luna and said, "Alright, yeah sure."

Draco pointed his wand and said, "Lumos Solem!" A bright light shot from his wand.

"Excellent Mr. Malfoy! 20 points to Slytherin" said Professor Flitwick.

The rest of class was spent practicing the charm and once class was done Luna went off to the rest of her classes.

Once all of her classes were done, Luna headed outside to do some homework under some trees. She sat down and began to work on an essay for Transfiguration.

Suddenly, Luna's thoughts were interrupted by yelling she heard in the distance.

"Draco, you know our parents expect us to be together. It is expected of us as purebloods" Astoria said as she tried to grab onto Draco's hand.

"I do not want to do what my father says anymore. He led me down a dark path and many people died and were hurt by all of the darkness that happened. I want to make my own choices" Draco said as he moved his hand away from Astoria.

"Draco, you know this is expected of us. We need to do this for our families and you know it as well as I do" Astoria said as she tried to embrace Draco.

Luna watched as Draco lowered his head and said, "Just leave me alone right now. I want to be alone."

Astoria huffed and said, "Fine, but we will be discussing this soon enough." Astoria walked away and headed back to the castle.

Luna quickly averted her eyes to focus back on her homework, but Draco had noticed her there.

Draco went over to Luna and sat besides her. Luna looked at Draco and said, "You can sit with me if you like. You do not have to talk about anything. I will just do my homework." Luna continued to work on her essay, but felt Draco scoot closer to her.

"I don't even know why I am telling you this, but I don't want to do what my parents want me to do. I just want to be happy. I know I don't deserve to be happy, but I really want to be. All of my life I have done what he wanted me to do…." Draco paused as he looked at Luna, who by now had turned her attention to him. "….I want to be able to make my own decisions. I do not want to keep being afraid of him."

"Well, I can't say I can speak from experience as my dad lets me do what I want and make my own decisions, but I can say that you deserve to be happy. Everyone has a choice to do what is right and wrong. Yes, you chose to do many wrong things, but I would not say they were unforgivable. You deserve to know what love is truly like. From what you have said and meeting your family, it does not seem as though you had much love in that house. Your mother loves you I can tell, but your father I think loves the fact he has an heir. As I know in pureblood society that is the sole purpose of why one gets married. Draco, you have to make that decision for yourself as to how far you will continue to be pushed" Luna said as she looked into Draco's eyes for a moment then looked out towards the grounds of Hogwarts.

Draco thought for a few moments as to what Luna said. Could she be right? Was he now going to have to stand up to his father? He knew he did not want to marry Astoria. It was nothing about how she looked as she was beautiful in her own right, but more so that Draco was not in love with her. He wanted to actually be in love with the person he would marry.

"Thanks Luna. I really do appreciate you talking with me" Draco said as he smiled at Luna.

Luna looked up as she gathered her books and said, "Of course Draco, that's what friends are for!"

Luna was about to walk away as she heard Draco yell, "Luna are you saying we are friends?"

Luna turned and smiled at Draco, "Well of course we are friends. See you around Draco and good luck with your decision."

Draco watched dumbfounded as Luna walked back to the castle.

Draco noticed how pure and loving Luna was. She had been a captive in his home during the war and he could not figure out how she was comfortable being around him at all.

Draco got up himself and headed back towards the castle. One thing kept crossing his mind as he headed back to the castle. He kept thinking how he enjoyed being so close to Luna and listening to her talk. My oh my how things had changed from when he first met her. Then again, many things changed because of the war. Draco wanted to get to know Luna better, but he knew there were going to be obstacles in his way.