Luna flinched at the sudden shouting from above. She glanced up at the ceiling, exchanging a wary look with Ollivander.

"That sounds... intense," she murmured. "Do you think they're arguing?"

Ollivander gave a noncommittal shrug.

"It probably doesn't concern us."

Luna nodded, though a knot of unease tightened in her chest. Even if he was right, she couldn't help but wonder what the fight was about. The shouting continued for nearly twenty minutes before cutting off, abrupt and jarring.

A long, tense silence followed. Then, the cellar door creaked open. Draco stepped inside, carrying the daily food tray. His eyes were red-rimmed, his usually sleek hair tousled and damp with sweat.

"Draco, were you fighting with them?" Luna asked gently. "Is everything alright?"

He sighed and avoided her gaze, motioning subtly toward the far end of the cellar.

"Not here," he muttered.

Luna followed him to the corner, out of earshot.

"They found the cuts on my arm," he said flatly. "My mother. My father. Bellatrix. They lost it. Said I'd ruined the Dark Mark." His mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "I told them that was kind of the point. They didn't take it well."

He let out a harsh, humorless laugh.

"You were right, Luna. I didn't ask for any of this. I never wanted it. But here I am."

She offered a small, sad smile.

"I'm sorry. No one should be trapped like that. But in a way, it's a rite of passage, isn't it? We all have to realize our parents aren't always right. I'm even starting to question whether my father was wrong about Crumple-Horned Snorkacks." She gave him a pointed look. "Anyway, what are you going to do now?"

Draco began to pace, raking a hand through his hair.

"That's the thing, I don't know. This isn't just about belief, this is life or death. For me, and for my family. It's not like not believing in magical creatures. If I screw this up..."

He trailed off, eyes dark with dread.

"Well," Luna said thoughtfully, "isn't that true for anyone who stands up to You-Know-Who?"

Draco stopped cold, turning to her with wild eyes.

"Come on, Luna, be serious! Aren't you afraid of dying!?"

His voice cracked. He looked desperate, frightened. A shadow of someone unraveling.

But Luna didn't flinch. She tilted her head, calm and steady.

"Not really. I'd get to see my mum again. And there are worse things than dying."

"Like what?" he demanded.

She shrugged. "A Dementor's Kiss. Or... living in a world where he wins. Be honest, Draco. Would you rather die as your own man, or live forever as your father's shadow?"

Draco stared at her, stunned. Her words hit deeper than he expected. Something shifted behind his eyes.

"What even happens when we die?" he asked quietly.

Luna smiled, her voice soft and dreamy.

"We get a choice. To return as a ghost, or move on. I plan to move on. I miss her." She held his gaze. "But you still haven't answered my question."

For a moment, Draco said nothing. He then advanced towards her with an unsettling fervor. Luna's breath caught, her body tensing as he neared. She half expected him to lash out in anger. Instead, he did something she never could have predicted.

He pulled her in for a kiss.

His lips were warm, the taste of mead and firewhisky on his breath, explaining the erratic edge in his behavior. A surge of shock and confusion rushed through her entire body. She didn't kiss him back—but she didn't pull away, either. He pressed into the kiss with steady determination for several seconds until he broke it off.

She blinked, cheeks flushed.

"W-what was that?"

Draco gave a crooked grin, his face still close to hers.

"I figured if I'm going to die soon, I might as well kiss a girl before I go," he winked. Luna let out a nervous laugh.

"Was it your first too?" he asked.

She nodded.

There was a moment of hesitation.

"Dare I ask how I did?"

Luna looked down, fidgeting with her sleeve.

"It wasn't bad, really. It's just... I think of you more as a friend."

Draco nodded slowly, a faint, almost grateful smile tugging at his lips.

"Considering how I've treated you," he said quietly, "that's more than I deserve."

He turned to leave, but Luna stopped him with a soft call.

"Draco?"

He glanced back.

"For what it's worth... keep hoping. We might survive this yet. And also," she smiled, "welcome to our side."