The Reunion

Rose was discharged a few more days after she woke up. Since she continued being her usual self, Draco took that as a good sign. He had reverently stayed in her room as much as his schedule permitted him. Admittedly, he was starting to neglect his work in the DIMC (and surely McLaggen wasn't understanding), but Rose's welfare was all that mattered to him right now.

Hermione was also excused from work and constantly accompanied her daughter. Sometimes, Potter would drop by to update them on Lestrange's case. Thankfully, the bastard was finally scheduled for a trial. Harry assured them he would mostly likely rot in Azkaban, and Draco felt a little disappointed Dementors were banned in Azkaban already and therefore unable to give kisses for evil gits like him.

Both Hermione and Rose insisted for him to sleepover the night they returned home. Draco, knowing he had no other choice, relented to their wishes. This time, he slept on their couch alone and it took all of his willpower not to invite Hermione over.

The sleepover happened the next day, too. And the next day. And the day after that.

Their lives were slowly returning to their proper paces. Draco was once again swamped with work, piles of paperwork left untouched due to his constant absence during Rose's recuperation. He usually went home late, and missed most of the dinners in Granger's flat, but Draco knew it was the only way if he didn't want to suffer the wrath of Henrik McLaggen.

Now, amidst a particularly crappy project he had to finish before the week ended, he still could not understand how Harry Potter successfully invited him over for lunch alone. Draco mindlessly agreed at first, thinking that Hermione would join them anyway, but when the bushy-haired witch was nowhere to be found, he panicked.

"Hermione's busy," Potter said, also looking uneasy. "And err... ugh, damn it. I didn't invite you for lunch just for some friendly chat, Malfoy."

"Imagine the horror if that's the case," the blond replied, grimacing.

Harry also made a face and nervously cleared his throat. A waiter came over to take their orders, and once he left, The-Boy-Who-Lived started to explain the purpose of their meeting.

"Look, Davies was immensely impressed with you during Rose's rescue."

Draco lifted an eyebrow. "Why do I have a feeling this meeting isn't about gratitude and all that shite?" he drawled, leaning back on his chair.

Harry rolled his eyes and rummaged inside his pockets. "It's not," he simply said. Then, he pulled two envelopes from his coat and placed them on the table. Draco eyed them in question, and Harry explained, "Those are the glowing recommendations you needed to apply as a Curse Breaker in the ministry. Hermione really wanted to give this to you in person, but she's swamped with work. However, she specifically told me she already penned this the night you said you wanted to be a Curse Breaker."

He snorted in disbelief, not even doubting what Potter said. "And the other letter?" he asked.

Potter looked at him as if he was stupid. "The other ones from me," he slowly said a tinge of pink on both of his cheeks. Draco's eyebrows flew behind his fringes, actually surprised that Potter would give him the other recommendation he needed to apply. "I'm only saying this once, Malfoy, but you were bloody brilliant during the rescue mission. You have the knowledge and skills that are perfect for Curse Breakers. Hell, you can even be a damn good auror if you like. Davies desperately wants you to apply." He wildly gestured at the letters and smiled. "These are all just technicalities, to be honest. Our Department Head is merely waiting for you to haul your arse into the DMLE."

Draco, with slightly shaking hands, grasped the letters. He still was conflicted; although tedious, he really wanted his proposal to push through in the DIMC. But, bloody hell, this was his dream. When he was on the field, deactivating dark artifacts and booby traps, every nerve in his fiber was alive. He honestly couldn't remember the last time his magic had hummed in exhilaration before they saved Rose.

"I'll... think about it," he finally replied, head already reeling with pros and cons.

Harry nodded his head in understanding. "Seriously think about it, Malfoy," he warned. "I know you think people might not accept you in the DMLE, but fuck them, I will still vouch for you like what I did during your trial."

He looked at The-Boy-Who-Lived with barely concealed surprise.

"You've... changed, which is a good thing," Harry expounded, refusing to meet his eyes. "And Hermione trusts you with her whole life. I might not have done well in Hogwarts, but one important lesson I've learned is that Hermione is always right."

Draco slightly smirked, absolutely concurring. He knew if Granger wasn't part of the Golden Trio, there might have been a chance that Potter didn't win in the Second War. Shivering, he refused to think what life would have been if Voldemort had won and wreaked havoc in the whole Wizarding World.

"Think about it!" was Potter's parting words. Draco opted to stay a little longer, head still muddled with the choices he had to make.

Suffice to say, he was late for the afternoon shift, and McLaggen looked like he would have an aneurysm. Draco wondered if he'd be able to endure this in the long run.

His golden ticket weighed heavily inside his wizard robes. He seriously needed to decide soon.

_________

"Why won't you let me wash the dishes?" he asked, perhaps for the umpteenth time, and he could see that Hermione was starting to get fed up by it. A slow, very Malfoy smirk grew on his face as the brunette bristled and gave him a glare. She would have looked terrifying, but the soap bubbles on her hand made her a little too endearing.

"Because," she grounded out, "this is my house. And you're just a guest, Draco. I can't let you wash the dishes."

Draco sighed and leaned back on his chair. "I've been crashing here for days, Granger," he reminded. "The least I can do is help you with the chores."

She shot him a distrustful look, prompting him to roll his eyes.

"I may have a house-elf, but I still know how to do my own chores, thank you very much," he snarled with a scowl.

"You've been doing enough by keeping Rose out of my hair," she insisted. "Just... bugger off, Malfoy. I like washing dishes!"

The Malfoy heir huffed in annoyance, but didn't fight back anymore. He was, after all, fighting with a stubborn witch. He knew whatever arguments he raised, his effort would be put to waste when Hermione's mind was already set.

"You're still staying here for the night, right?" Hermione then asked, her back fully facing him as she went back to washing the dishes. Draco's eyes unwittingly beheld her sight, lingering a little too long at how her Muggle denim jeans wonderfully accentuated her bum. "Draco?" she asked, craning her head to look at him when he still hadn't answered her question.

The blond noisily cleared his throat and averted his gaze, his cheekbones slightly pink in embarrassment at being caught. "Right," he said, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. "Well, I think Tippy had been crying these past few days because I don't go home often so..."

His gaze returned to Hermione. Although he could only make out one half of her face, he knew she was pouting.

Sighing, he lightly smiled. "Maybe if you allow me to summon Tippy in your flat, he would feel better," he said. "Think about it. Rose will see him too, and you know how much your daughter loves my house-elf."

She was thoughtful for a while before releasing a huge sigh. "Fine," she said, a look of warning in her eyes. "But I still don't like it if you order him around."

"It's his job," Draco explained, rolling his eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you house-elves love to be ordered around by their masters? I'm taking good care of Tippy, Granger. Don't give me all that spew crap you kept on yammering about because I have been a good master."

"It's S.P.E.W.," Hermione corrected with mild irritation. "Fine, ugh, you are incorrigible, Draco Malfoy."

"I know," he said, a wide smirk on his face. "And also, Granger?"

"Yes?"

"I think I'm going to crash here for tonight again."

The irritation on her face was completely replaced by a wide smile on her face that made his throat dry. "Okay," she chirped in reply.

"Mama, I'm back!"

Rose's pattering footsteps resounded in the whole flat until she arrived in the kitchen. Upon seeing that Draco was also there, she grinned widely and gave him a big hug. "Draco, you're here too!"

Mrs. Figg also entered the room and pleasantly smiled at the two adults in the kitchen.

"I'm eternally grateful to you, Mrs. Figg," Hermione gushed, finally setting aside the clean utensils. She wiped her hands dry against her apron and removed it. "I'm sorry I had to ask you to accompany Rose for her playdate today. Something came up at work today, and I had to miss it."

"Oh, don't worry about it, my dear girl," the older witch said, waving her hand dismissively. "This girl is such a dear so of course I'd gladly accompany her." Then, bending slightly, she addressed Rose and said, "Now, be good, little miss. Don't give your mother a hard time."

"I will, Aunt Figgy! Goodbye!" Rose enthusiastically waved her hand as her babysitter bid them goodbye and left the house.

Hermione strode forward and lifted Rose onto the kitchen top. "How was your day, sweetheart?" she inquired.

"It was fun!" Rose squealed. "I get to play auror today! Sophie didn't like it, but she always gets to play auror. Frank said she should learn to share, like what his Papa tells him everyday, but I think it only made Sophie cry. But that's okay, because her Mama came and promised to give them ice cream."

Rose then paused, widening her blue eyes and puckering out her bottom lip. Draco smirked, knowing that look meant she was about to request something from her mother.

"Can we go to Florean's today, Mama? I want ice cream too," she hopefully asked. "Please? Pretty, pretty please, Mama?"

"I don't know, love," her mother replied, hesitant. "We can ask your Uncle Harry to drop by with Florean's, though."

Her daughter vigorously shook her head, the petulant pout still in place. "Nooo," she whined. "It's Saturday, Mama! We go to Florean's, please. Draco can come with us, too. Please, Mama."

Hermione shot him a glance, asking for his help. He knew the mother was still hesitant of letting Rose go out to crowded places. It took a lot of convincing to let her attend her playdate, after all. She only finally agreed when Draco pointed out that Neville Longbottom would be there and her daughter was in good hands, so she didn't need to worry.

"Rosie..."

"Mamaaa," she whined, wrapping her tiny arms around Hermione's neck. Draco smirked, knowing that Hermione was starting to melt with her daughter's request. "Please. Rosie wants her ice cream."

The brunette finally expelled a humongous sigh. "Fine," she grumbled, pulling her squealing daughter away from her. "I don't know why people are being so stubborn today." She gave him a glare, still quite sore with how their row about Tippy ended. This only made Draco's smirk widen.

"You're coming, right?" Rose hopefully asked him, once again sporting that huge eyes and pout.

"Of course," Draco said. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Yay! Ice cream!" Rose exclaimed, jumping down from the kitchen top. "May I please wear my favorite dress, Mama?"

Hermione sighed, a small smile growing on her face. "Yes you may," she replied. "Now go change first before we go."

Her daughter didn't need to be told twice as she dashed out from the kitchen and immediately went up to her room.

"Don't be such a worrywart, Granger," Draco said upon seeing the witch frown. "We'll both be with her this time. Nothing's going to happen to your daughter."

Hermione nervously tucked a curl behind her ear. "Of course," she said, worrying her bottom lip. "Rose is safe."

Draco firmly nodded his head. "Rose is safe," he echoed in return.

__________

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor was thankfully not crowded. Hermione chose to sit in a secluded booth at the farthest corner of the shop for some privacy. Craning her neck, it looked like Draco didn't mind as he was too absorbed with Rose recounting all her adventures with her friends this morning.

"Hermione!" Florean greeted with a huge smile. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"I was too busy with work, Florean," she explained with an apologetic smile. "I miss your ice creams, too." Chuckling, she pointed at her giggling daughter, and added, "Rosie was insistent, actually, and wouldn't stop pestering me until I bring her out for ice cream."

Instead of smiling, Florean was now lightly frowning with distrust. She understood his look as Draco settled Rose on the bench, still completely listening to her daughter's absurd tales.

"Hmm," the kind owner murmured, eyes swivelling back onto Hermione. "The last time that man was here, he almost killed Rose."

Hermione sighed and nodded her head. "I heard," she replied. She was momentarily distracted as a loud, booming laugh escaped from Draco's mouth, sending pleasant shivers down her spine. She caught Florean looking at her strangely, prompting her to lightly blush.

"Anyway," she said, a wide smile now on her face, "I think he was sorry for it."

Florean's eyes landed on the blond once more, a thoughtful look on his face. "Rose looks happy," he pointed out as a small smile tugged on his lips upon hearing Rose's infectious giggles.

"She is," Hermione said with a nod.

The old man then held her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "I read about her abduction in the Prophet a few days ago," he murmured under his breath, eyes shining with worry and sincerity. "She is all right, isn't she?"

Hermione's heart swelled a little for this old man who steadily became a dear friend to her. "She is," she assured. "The Healers said there weren't any lasting damage." A lump formed in her throat, her mind bringing her back to that nightmarish event in her life. Her eyes landed on Draco once more, who caught her eyes and gave her a small smile in return. "I'm just... glad Draco was there."

Florean squeezed her hand once more, catching her attention. "You deserve to be happy, my dear girl," Florean told her with his sincerest smiles. "Please remember that."

She firmly nodded her head as he shot a knowing look at Draco. 'Soon,' she reassured herself. She still had a lot of planning to do, and to make sure that Draco was interested in her! How horrifying it would be if Draco Malfoy was actually just being nice to her for the sake of Rose, who had already undoubtedly captured his heart.

The ice cream parlour owner then quickly got her orders – "No peanut butter flavored ice cream, please" – and then helped Hermione bring their ice creams over.

Rose was besides herself with happiness, excitedly clapping her hands as a blueberry cheesecake-flavored ice cream was placed in front of her.

"I added extra sprinkles because I heard you had been a brave girl, Rose," Florean said with a wink.

"Thank you, Florean!" she chirped back in reply, waving her hand enthusiastically until the old man went back behind his counter.

Hermione placed the vanilla ice cream in front of Draco. "I'm surprised you remember what I liked," the blond pointed out.

"Oh, please," she replied with a laugh, "I remembered how much you disliked sweets and only settled for vanilla ice creams when Minerva brought over some treats after a particularly stressful mission."

The handsome smile he gave her made her heart jump into her throat. Hermione, fearing that her emotions would be too obvious, opted to devour her coffee crumble ice cream as a welcome distraction.

As soon as they finished eating, Rose requested to buy new books for her bedtime stories. Although Hermione had originally planned they would go home after Florean's, she couldn't deny her little bookworm. She pointedly ignored Draco's knowing smirk and merely ushered an overeager Rose into Flourish and Blotts.

Thankfully, like Florean's, it wasn't too crowded. Christmas break would start next week; therefore the students were still in Hogwarts. Only a handful of wizards and witches were seen littered about, and it somehow put Hermione's heart at ease.

Rose pulled both Hermione and Draco towards the kid's section. The child was already excitedly ripping one book to another from all the bookshelves and ended up choosing a whooping fifteen books to read. Rose's favorite was a story about a lonely dragon, who forged a friendship with a kind knight. She said it looked like Sir Ginger.

Hermione's eyes bulged out at the cost of Rose's books. The brunette sighed, thinking it was unfair how something educational could be so expensive, but then glared when she heard Draco chuckle.

"Let me pay for it," he said, fishing out a bag of coins from his pockets. Hermione frowned and compared it with her obviously lighter pouch.

"No, she's my child," she protested. "I'll pay for it."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Bloody hell, Granger, I'm rich," he said, waving the heavy pouch in front of her face. "This is nothing. Besides, these are books. I'm sure my galleons will not go to waste."

It still didn't settle nicely to her that Draco would pay for her daughter's things. "No," she grounded out.

"Don't be so stubborn, Granger," Draco insisted. "Let me pay for them."

"Ugh, Malfoy, no," she muttered in annoyance, reaching behind her back to grab onto Rose's arm. But then, when her hand met air, she swivelled around and was horrified to see that Rose was nowhere to be found. "Rose?" she called out, panic quickly rising into her system.

Draco's eyes widened as he too noticed the absence of the girl. His eyes frantically roamed all over the bookshop to see any telltale signs of the bushy redhead.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no," Hermione nervously muttered, terrified tears welling in her eyes. "I knew it was a bad idea to bring her out."

"Granger," Draco said, catching both of her hands. "Calm down. We will find her. I promise. Just calm down." 

A few tears escaped from her eyes but she nodded her head at the resolution in his eyes.

"I believe she is yours?"

Hermione's eyes widened, recognizing the owner of the voice. Turning around, a sob tore away from her mouth upon seeing Ginny Weasley carrying her daughter in her arms.

"Mama, look!" Rose exclaimed in excitement as she grasped a few strands of Ginny's hair. "We have the same hair!"

The brunette chuckled, more tears escaping from her eyes. The look in Ginny's eyes wasn't that of animosity, but of mild amusement at the child in her arms. Then, as her blue eyes settled on Hermione once more, tears pooled in her blue eyes.

"H-Hermione," she hiccupped. "I'm sorry."

Rose looked at her mother in alarm, noting the tears in her eyes.

"Oh, Ginny," Hermione sobbed. "You have nothing to apologize."

"I miss you, Hermione," her old friend confessed.

Heart humming in joy, Hermione threw her arms around Ginny and held onto her tightly. "I miss you, too," she replied. "Oh, Ginny, you have no idea how much I've missed you."

"Mama," Rose complained. "I can't breathe!"

Both witches chuckled, momentarily forgetting that there was a child squeezed between the two of them.

Rose wiggled both of her arms above and reached for the blond. "Draco, save Rosie!" she cried, squirming wildly in Ginny's arms.

Draco smiled at her in amusement and unburdened Ginny by gathering Rose in his arms. Hermione chuckled, hearing Rose ask Draco who the 'pretty, crying lady' was. She wasn't able to hear Draco's answer since he left with Rose, just to give the two of them some privacy.

"I read what happened with Rose in the Prophet," Ginny then said, after she lightly pulled away from Hermione to look her in the eyes. "I-I was so scared. It was horrible, Hermione." She closed her eyes tightly, allowing some tear to stream down her cheeks. "I was horrible."

Guilt was in her eyes when she opened them once more, but Hermione was having none of it.

"You didn't do anything wrong," the older witch insisted, vigorously shaking her head. "Ginny, I understand. You lost your brother. I cannot take that against you."

"But you lost your husband, Hermione, and we antagonized you over something you didn't do."

Hermione sighed and wiped away some of her tears. "But you were right," she murmured in reply. "If I just didn't give up, if I still gave us another chance -"

"You didn't love him, Hermione," Ginny whispered, her eyes shining with understanding and sadness. "As a friend, yes, but as a partner..." She sighed and tucked a few curls behind Hermione's ear and sadly smiled. "I've seen the signs, Hermione. I've seen how you were miserable with my brother, but I turned a blind eye because I was rooting for you both. I wanted you to be part of my family."

"Oh, Ginny," Hermione said, gathering the younger witch into her arms again. "You'll always be my sister, whatever happens."

"Will you forgive me, Hermione?" the young Weasley asked. "After neglecting you all these years... and Rose! I was supposed to be the doting aunt. She doesn't remember me anymore."

The brunette released a wet chuckle and patted her head. "I have nothing to forgive, Ginny," Hermione said. "Besides, you have plenty of time to dote on my daughter."

"You will let me?" she softly asked.

"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed. "You're family. Rose would love you to be part of her life."

Ginny held both of her hands and gave them a comforting squeeze. "All these years I've wasted..." She took a deep, shuddering breath and continued, "I will make it up to you, Hermione. I promise you. We'll spend more time together, with Rose!"

"Okay," she smiled, nodding her head. "I'd like that." Her eyes lit up as an idea suddenly came to her. "Why don't we have some tea? Just to catch up? I'll let Draco and Rose know where we will go so that they can meet up with us."

The redhead had a strange look on her face. "So it's really true?" she whispered, askance. "Malfoy is already a big part of your life. And Rose's."

Hermione, not quite understanding the glint in the younger witch's eye, slowly nodded her head. "He is changed, Ginny," she explained, having this desperate urge to let her understand. After everything Draco had done for her and her daughter, Hermione was terrified to think she couldn't sacrifice her friendship with him for the sake of rekindling her own with Ginny.

To her utmost relief, a small, sincere smile appeared on Ginny's face. "Harry said so, too," she assured, giving her hand another squeeze. "I'm just... not used to seeing him like that."

"Well, you have to get used to it because you're going to see him a lot."

Ginny eyed her curiously. "Are you two both -"

"Merlin, no!" Hermione hastily exclaimed, eyes widening at the implication of her words and gaze. Ginny looked highly doubtful, especially when she was positively sure her face was as red as the famous Weasley hair. "I-I mean... err... it's complicated because... no."

The younger witch's eyes sparkled in a way that made Hermione nervous. "Okay," she flippantly said. Hermione's eyes slightly narrowed at how easily her friend gave up on this topic. "Come on, then. I'd like to have some tea to warm myself from the cold."

"Hold on," Hermione said, remembering the books that were left unpaid. When she turned to the cashier, she was surprised to see that Rose's books were already gone.

"The gentlemen already paid for them all, Miss," the kind, old lady told her with a lovely smile.

The brunette rolled her eyes, not missing the look of amusement that flittered on Ginny's face.

"That sneaky bastard."

__________

"You're late."

Luna flinched, eyes growing wide, as she swiveled around and spotted Theo lounging on a bench in the Nott gardens.

When he arrived, meaning to march towards the library just to spend the whole Friday night with Luna once more, he was surprised when Stimpy barred him from doing so.

"Miss Luna hasn't arrived yet, Master Theo," his loyal house-elf declared. "Miss ordered Stimpy to tell Master Theo not to enter without her."

"This is my house," he pointed out. "I am the one who orders things."

But Stimpy, bless his bloody heart, had taken a shine on the eccentric Miss Luna and had stood his ground. Thus, Theo had no choice but to wait in the gardens for the blonde's arrival. Stimpy had told him Luna always lingered for a few minutes in the Nott gardens before venturing to the library and resuming her work.

He had waited for an hour before her pretty face finally showed up. He would have appreciated her yellow dress today, if he hadn't been grumpy from impatience and the cold.

"What are you doing outside?" Luna asked, her eyes unnaturally twinkling in the dark garden. "It is cold out here."

"Obviously," Theo snapped, mentally smacking himself for forgetting to charm himself warm. But he was too distracted with thoughts of Luna during his wait, wondering if something bad had happened her. He had to stop himself countless times from barging into the Muggle world just to search for her. Admittedly, he was thoroughly relieved that she was well, but he was too annoyed with her at the same time to admit that.

"Where the hell have you been?"

Luna frowned at him lightly. "There is no need for that tone, Theo," she said disapprovingly. She then pulled out a paintbrush from her satchel and used it to put her hair into a messy bun. "But I apologize for not sending a notice. I had to work on another project before getting here."

"I thought you'd refuse other projects until the Nott Library is finished," he inquired with a frown of his own.

"I did," she replied.

He expectantly looked at her, thinking she would expound more on her short answer, but when she merely stared at him with mild amusement in her eyes, he finally understood. "You're done with the library," he stated matter-of-factly, ignoring how his heart clenched at the thought he might not be seeing her anymore.

"Yes," she simply said. Then, with a brilliant smile, she continued, "Come. I'll show you the end product."

His heart was heavy whilst following Luna through the corridors of Nott Manor. Throughout the short journey, she was humming a soft song under her breath. Theo sighed, heart breaking a little that his short moments with Luna Lovegood would finally end.

"I heard what happened to Rose," she said, breaking the silence between them.

He noted the worry in her voice and quickly replied, "She's all right now." Blushing, he recalled that she was exchanging letters with Hermione so, naturally, she knew that, too.

"She is a brave girl," was her mere reply, once again resuming her humming.

Staring at the back of her head, Theo expelled a soft, soundless sigh. He would undoubtedly miss seeing her every week, that was for sure.

Such was his despondence he didn't notice they already arrived in the library. His sadness, however was momentarily forgotten once his eyes settled on the black ceiling, or Luna's masterpiece really.

The whole ceiling looked like the velvet night outside, complete with stars that actually twinkled. He even spied a few shooting stars scattered about, and Theo couldn't help releasing a gasp in wonder. He believed that the placement of the stars was accurate, for he could point out familiar constellations he remembered from his Astronomy classes.

"It's... it's beautiful," he murmured, turning to the witch that looked very proud of herself.

"Thank you, Theo," she said, complete with a pretty smile. "But look more closely."

Confused, he did what he was told and craned his neck. A dark cloud suddenly drifted away, finally revealing a huge, bright moon. Theo's eyes bulged out at how intricately it was made, complete with craters and shadows and it was just so, so breathtaking.

"The night needs his own moon," she then whispered.

Looking at her, eyes wide and bright like the moon above, Theo thought he had never seen someone as beautiful as her. Her words echoed in his mind repeatedly, heart beating too wildly inside his chest. His legs suddenly had a mind of their own as they brought him to her, closer and closer, while her eyes grew wider and brighter.

"W-what are you doing?" she asked in surprise and Theo would have normally chuckled at her unusually flustered state, but his mind was consumed of her. Of her eyes, her hair, the paint streaks on her cheeks, and her lips. She was... she was suddenly everywhere and Theo couldn't breathe.

"The night needs his own moon," he echoed her words, gingerly placing a hand against her cheek. He thickly swallowed when she slowly closed her eyes and inched closer. He never intended this, to lose control, but this roaring fire had engulfed his heart, screaming for him to finally, finally kiss the girl that had been plaguing his dreams.

"Nott, I need a fav – oh."

Luna's eyes flew open and pulled away from him, her face a lovely shade of maroon. Anger and disappointment overwhelmed his being as he glared darkly at Draco. At least his best friend had enough decency to look sheepish and apologetic.

"I'm sorry, I'm just going to quietly leave and -"

"No!" Luna exclaimed, breathless and flabbergasted. Theo's traitorous eyes landed on her parted lips, producing an insatiable ache in his heart. "I-I was just about to leave a-and..." Her wide, confused eyes landed on him before she wordlessly turned around and ran away from the library.

Heavy silence settled between the two wizards once Luna disappeared.

"I fucked that up, didn't I?"

Theo mustered the darkest glare he could and was satisfied to see Draco flinch in remorse. "Big time," he snarled. "Big fucking time."