1 Chaptered: Buried a Lie (Draco/Ginny)
Sep. 26th, 2007 05:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amorphousTitle: Buried a Lie; Chapter 3: Surprises
Words: circa 2500 (this chapter)
Rating: PG (this chapter)
Characters/Pairings: Main: Draco/Ginny, Minor/Beginning/Temporary: Draco/Luna, Harry/Ginny (other couples mentioned)
Warnings: CHARACTER DEATH. Pretty much totally disregards the epilogue of DH.
Author's Notes: I know a super beta and her name is![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jandjsalmon.
Summary: (this chapter) Pansy surprises Draco and Luna by interrupting their private moment inadvertently giving them grievous news.
Previous chapters: 1 | 2
Luna closed her eyes and leaned back, breathing in deeply. "Doesn't the air smell… warm?"
Draco looked over at her with surprise and confusion. "Smell warm?"
Luna's lips gently tugged into a smile. "Yes, it seems warm."
"Whatever you say, Luna."
Turning to Draco, she laid her head on his lap. Absentmindedly, Draco stroked her hair, pondering her ridiculous words.
"Draco?" she whispered softly, looking straight up at him. He looked down at her. "Do you ever wish you could make something happen?"
"Of course I do."
"Well, not just anything…" Her silver eyes seemed to loose focus. Her words left hanging in the air. Her smile turned more wistful than it had been before.
"What do you want to make happen?" Draco prodded.
"I want to make someone love me," Luna whispered.
He didn't know what to say. He wanted to know who she wanted to love her, but was afraid the answer would be anyone but him.
"Damn, Luna, you have a better chance of world peace than that," a harsh voice said the acid reply from behind him.
Draco turned toward the voice, knowing exactly who it was the moment she had spoken. "Pansy what do you want?"
"Goddess, isn't that Draco Malfoy?" The small woman crossed her arms over her chest and smirked at him.
"You know who I am," Draco retorted rudely.
"I haven't seen you in a long time," Pansy stated, walking over to the pair. "I can't believe I find you here with Loony Lovegood."
"Her name is Luna," Draco corrected her automatically.
Pansy rolled her eyes, her smirk never faltering. "That's what I said. Loony Lovegood."
Luna, who had not spoken since Pansy appeared, said, "Pansy don't you have a nargle to bother?"
Draco smirked. Annoyance flashed briefly in Pansy's dark eyes. "Nargles?" Pansy laughed loudly. "Draco, you cannot tell me you believe in nargles now?"
He glanced down at Luna. She was looking up at him expectantly. "What if I do?"
Laughing, Pansy shook her head and clutched her stomach.
"What are you laughing at?" Luna said, her voice still dreamy.
"Draco. I'm laughing at Draco. Not to mention you, but I'm sure you already knew that," Pansy said between her laughter.
"Go away Pansy," Draco said coldly, turning away from her. His hand resumed stroking Luna's hair.
"Oh come on, Draco." Pansy walked over to him and, kneeling beside him, put his arm around his shoulders. "You know you've missed me." The tone in her voice told Draco exactly what she meant.
"No, I haven't."
"Draco…" her voice trailed off as she leaned forward and began to suck on his ear.
"Get off me! Get off me, Pansy, now!"
She laughed in his ear as she dropped down on the ground beside them. "I'm just kidding, Draco. I'd never actually do you again. I do have standards, and I'd never touch anyone who has touched Loony anyway."
"Go away, Pansy," Luna said. Her voice finally showed annoyance, yet didn't loose its faraway quality completely.
"I'm just here to catch up with an old friend," Pansy said innocently.
"Catch up and then go away."
"Feisty, isn't she?" Pansy said.
"What do you want?" Draco asked finally sick of beating around the bush.
"No pleasantries?"
"Pansy, out with it!"
"I just heard you were with Miss Space-case here and wanted to see for myself."
"You saw. Now you can go."
"Draco! I'm insulted. I haven't seen you in weeks and before that had to read about you buying part of that ridiculous excuse for a paper in the Daily Prophet, and now you won't even be pleasant with me. Haven't you missed me?"
"I haven't I told you already that I didn't miss you?"
Pansy giggled. "Not in that way, of course. Again, I say, I wouldn't touch you now. You've been contaminated."
"Go away Pansy," Luna said her voice finally loosing its dreamy tone.
"Speaking of the Quibbler—"
"Who was speaking of the Quibbler?" Draco interrupted her, his patience completely gone.
"Technicalities, technicalities," the dark haired witch said dismissively. "I heard Mr. Space Cadet himself was in an accident last night."
Sitting straight up immediately, Luna looked at the woman. Any color in her face had drained and her silver eyes were wide with panic. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Oh you didn't know?" Pansy's caustic normal seemed to fade. "I thought you'd know…"
"Pansy, what the hell are you talking about?" Draco asked, his hands resting on Luna's shoulders as if to brace her.
"In the Daily Prophet…" Reaching in her arms, Pansy pulled out a rolled up paper. "Here." Flipping to the pages, she held out an article called, "Accident in the Skies."
Scanning the article Draco read that Xenophilius had went plummeting to the ground as he flew over Newport the night before. The reason for his accident was unknown as of now but he was at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries in London.
"Why the hell wasn't Luna told?!" Draco exclaimed.
Pansy shrugged. "I'm sure they tried her house. Was she at home last night?" Despite the seriousness of the situation, her question was clearly suggestive.
"Damn it!" Draco said, jumping to his feet. He had expected Luna to be beside him, but he noticed she was still sitting on the ground, her eyes glued to the article that was now shaking in her hand. "Luna?"
The blond looked up at him, her eyes unfocused and dreamy. "We have to go see him."
Reaching out, Draco grabbed her hand and gently pulled her to her feet. "Luna, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She smiled vaguely at him.
"I'm sorry. I thought you knew," Pansy said. Despite her normal cold nature, her words were genuine and sincere.
"It's fine Pansy. Thanks for letting us know," Draco said hurriedly as Luna and him started to run up the hill toward the Malfoy Manor.
"Owl me sometime!" Pansy's voice called.
The pair entered the manor and ignored his house elf as they went to the living room to the fireplace to Floo to the hospital. He stepped out of the green fire into the lobby of the hospital and scanned the room, looking for Luna. She was already standing at the information desk and talking to the receptionist. He joined her and placed his hand on the small of her back.
"Xenophilius Lovegood? He's on the ground floor, room 21," the black haired witch was telling Luna.
"Thank you, ma'am," Luna said politely as she turned away. "Come on, Draco." Gently she tugged the sleeve of Draco's robe down the hall toward the patient rooms.
Hurrying down the corridors, room 21 was easy to find. "Should we knock?" Luna whispered.
"No," Draco answered as he pushed the door open. The room was empty expect for the man lying in the white linen bed.
"Dad!" Luna cried as she ran toward to bed. Tears spilled down her face. Draco follow her slowly, not sure if he should give her time alone or not. "Dad?"
The wizard in the bed didn't move.
"Miss Lovegood?" a voice suddenly said from behind them.
Draco turned and saw a mediwizard standing in the open door. Gesturing to Luna, Draco said, "This is Luna Lovegood."
"Miss Lovegood?" the mediwizard prompted again.
Luna turned around and stared blankly at the man silently.
"Miss Lovegood, can we step outside and talk alone please?"
"Just tell me how my father is," Luna whispered, tears slipping out of her eyes again.
"This should be a conversation we have alone—"
"No. Whatever you have to say you can say in front of Draco."
Looking uncomfortable, the mediwizard said, "Well, it's your father, of course. He's… he's in bad shape. It wasn't just a broom accident."
"It wasn't?" Draco said.
"He had Basilisk poison in his system when the emergency squad found him."
"Basilisk poison?" Luna repeated, confused.
"Yes. We are unsure at this time how it got in his system, but to be truthful, he will most likely be dead in a few hours."
"What?!" Draco exclaimed, anger surging through him.
Luna's face drained of all its color. "Dead?"
"I'm sorry to say we could not administer the antidote in time. As you know, Basilisk poison is fatal."
Draco reached out instinctively and pulled Luna back against his chest. Dropping his chin on the top of her head, he asked the mediwizard, "What else can you do?"
"There is nothing else we can do."
"What? So you are just going to let this man die?!" Draco yelled, still holding Luna who had began to shake.
"I'm sorry," the man said quietly as he backed out of the room.
"Thank you," Draco called to him rudely, "For nothing," he added in a sharp whisper.
Luna shook in his arms, clinging to his arms that were wrapped around her.
"Luna?" he whispered softly. She didn't response. "Luna? What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking… my dad is finally going to be with my mum again," Luna whispered seriously. The tears that had been running down her face before seemed to have already dried up.
"Luna…" he whispered, pressing his lips to the top of her head.
"Draco, remember when we were talking about wanting to make something happened?"
"Yes."
"I said I wanted to make someone love me. I meant I wanted to make you love me. Like I love you."
Realizing he never actually said that he loved her, he felt stupid. "I already love you, Luna." He pulled her tighter.
"Draco?"
"Yeah, Luna."
"Can I have a moment alone with my dad?"
He released her immediately. "Of course. I'll wait outside. Come out when you're ready okay? Take as long as you need, I won't go anywhere."
She nodded with her back still to him. "Thank you."
Impulsively, he reached over and pulled her into a quick kiss. "I love you," he whispered into her mouth.
"I love you, too," she whispered, tears running down her face again.
Reluctantly, he left her in the room alone. He was fighting the urge to go back into the room to try to comfort Luna or perhaps lend her his strength if she needed it. On edge, he paced back and forth.
After what seemed like hours, the door opened and Luna walked out. "I'm okay now," she whispered, her lightheartedness back in her tone as if nothing was wrong.
Draco frowned at her, not believing her.
"We need to see the Mediwizard. My father is dead." Her voice was suddenly flat.
Reaching out, he touched her shoulder. "I'll be right back, Luna. Stay here." She nodded, and he walked toward the information desk. "Excuse me, but the man in room 21… well, he died."
The reception stared at Draco in silence for a long moment. "Excuse me?"
"The man in room 21 died," he repeated calmly. Her silences made him want to reach out and slap her.
"Oh! Okay, I'll go get Mediwizard Apple then," the witch said uncomfortably. She paused. "Right then." Hurrying off she left him standing at the desk alone.
Shaking his head at her unprofessional reply, Draco walked back to find Luna looked off into space. Her eyes were unfocused, yet there wasn't a hint of grief in them.
"Luna?" he whispered, approaching her cautiously.
Jumping slightly, she turned to him, a vague smile on her lips. "Hello again."
"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern evident.
"I'm fine, Draco. Mum and Dad are together now."
"Luna," he whispered as he reached out and pulled her into his arms, "It's okay to be sad."
Suddenly, Luna started to shake as she wrapped her arms around his waist. It only took Draco a moment to realize she was crying uncontrollably. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and tightened his arms, wanting her as close as possible.
"I'm sorry, Draco, but I am sad. He was my dad. He was the only one I had left," she sobbed.
"You have me, Luna; you still have me."
"Miss Lovegood?" someone asked from behind Draco.
Draco refused to release Luna. "He's in the room. There is no need to bother Luna." The threatening tone he said it told the Mediwizard to leave.
The funeral was held two days later. It was a quiet ceremony by his grave next to Luna's late mother's. Draco held Luna's hand the entire time, wanting to give her any strength he could. She didn't cry during the actual service, but when they were alone afterward at Malfoy Manor, she sobbed. The sight of her tears tore at Draco's heart. If there was anything in the world he truly hated, it would be a woman's tears.
He held her. Embracing her was all he could do in a way to comfort her even though it didn't work. Around midnight the night of the funeral, there was a knock on the door, jarring Draco awake. Luna and him had fallen asleep on the living room couch; she was still curled in his arms, sleeping soundly. He didn't move to answer the door as the house elf came around the corner.
He couldn't hear the conversation at the door, but a moment later a redheaded woman was walking into the room, a glare on her face. "Tell your house-elf to let me in," she demanded.
"You are in," Draco pointed out. He found himself absentmindedly stroking Luna's hair.
"Well tell him I'm allowed to be here," she amended.
"Galen, Miss Weasley is allowed to be here," Draco called to the nervous house elf waiting behind Ginny.
"Thank you," Ginny said curtly, turning around and glancing at the house-elf behind her pointedly.
Galen scurried off. "Now, what can I do for you, Miss Weasley?" Draco asked politely.
"I came to see Luna of course," Ginny said, looking at her friend with concern and affection in her eyes.
"She's asleep now. Can you come back in the morning?"
Ginny fidgeted. "I really want to talk to her now."
"As you can see, she's asleep," Draco said firmly.
"But I'm really worried about her!"
"Do you want to wake her? Quiet down."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"I said quiet down before you wake her. If you really were concerned with her, you need to be quiet so you don’t wake her up."
"Fine," Ginny said her tone lowering.
Luna stirred in his arms. "Please, leave. Come back tomorrow morning. I'm sure she'd love to see you then."
Ginny frowned. "Please, Malfoy, she's my friend and I'm worried."
"You can see she's alive. She's sleeping. Finally."
Sighing, Ginny relented. "Fine. I'll be back in the morning. I'll be back first thing in the morning. Six sharp."
"Fine. Please go now," he requested, as Luna moved closer to him in her sleep.
"Good night," Ginny bid farewell curtly. She turned on her heel and walked out of the room before Draco could reply in a like fashion.
"Draco?" Luna's whisper caught him off guard.
"Go back to sleep, Luna. It's okay. Everything is okay," he whispered. Feel her relax fully into sleep once again, he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to her hair. "I love you."
Words: circa 2500 (this chapter)
Rating: PG (this chapter)
Characters/Pairings: Main: Draco/Ginny, Minor/Beginning/Temporary: Draco/Luna, Harry/Ginny (other couples mentioned)
Warnings: CHARACTER DEATH. Pretty much totally disregards the epilogue of DH.
Author's Notes: I know a super beta and her name is
jandjsalmon.Summary: (this chapter) Pansy surprises Draco and Luna by interrupting their private moment inadvertently giving them grievous news.
Previous chapters: 1 | 2
Luna closed her eyes and leaned back, breathing in deeply. "Doesn't the air smell… warm?"
Draco looked over at her with surprise and confusion. "Smell warm?"
Luna's lips gently tugged into a smile. "Yes, it seems warm."
"Whatever you say, Luna."
Turning to Draco, she laid her head on his lap. Absentmindedly, Draco stroked her hair, pondering her ridiculous words.
"Draco?" she whispered softly, looking straight up at him. He looked down at her. "Do you ever wish you could make something happen?"
"Of course I do."
"Well, not just anything…" Her silver eyes seemed to loose focus. Her words left hanging in the air. Her smile turned more wistful than it had been before.
"What do you want to make happen?" Draco prodded.
"I want to make someone love me," Luna whispered.
He didn't know what to say. He wanted to know who she wanted to love her, but was afraid the answer would be anyone but him.
"Damn, Luna, you have a better chance of world peace than that," a harsh voice said the acid reply from behind him.
Draco turned toward the voice, knowing exactly who it was the moment she had spoken. "Pansy what do you want?"
"Goddess, isn't that Draco Malfoy?" The small woman crossed her arms over her chest and smirked at him.
"You know who I am," Draco retorted rudely.
"I haven't seen you in a long time," Pansy stated, walking over to the pair. "I can't believe I find you here with Loony Lovegood."
"Her name is Luna," Draco corrected her automatically.
Pansy rolled her eyes, her smirk never faltering. "That's what I said. Loony Lovegood."
Luna, who had not spoken since Pansy appeared, said, "Pansy don't you have a nargle to bother?"
Draco smirked. Annoyance flashed briefly in Pansy's dark eyes. "Nargles?" Pansy laughed loudly. "Draco, you cannot tell me you believe in nargles now?"
He glanced down at Luna. She was looking up at him expectantly. "What if I do?"
Laughing, Pansy shook her head and clutched her stomach.
"What are you laughing at?" Luna said, her voice still dreamy.
"Draco. I'm laughing at Draco. Not to mention you, but I'm sure you already knew that," Pansy said between her laughter.
"Go away Pansy," Draco said coldly, turning away from her. His hand resumed stroking Luna's hair.
"Oh come on, Draco." Pansy walked over to him and, kneeling beside him, put his arm around his shoulders. "You know you've missed me." The tone in her voice told Draco exactly what she meant.
"No, I haven't."
"Draco…" her voice trailed off as she leaned forward and began to suck on his ear.
"Get off me! Get off me, Pansy, now!"
She laughed in his ear as she dropped down on the ground beside them. "I'm just kidding, Draco. I'd never actually do you again. I do have standards, and I'd never touch anyone who has touched Loony anyway."
"Go away, Pansy," Luna said. Her voice finally showed annoyance, yet didn't loose its faraway quality completely.
"I'm just here to catch up with an old friend," Pansy said innocently.
"Catch up and then go away."
"Feisty, isn't she?" Pansy said.
"What do you want?" Draco asked finally sick of beating around the bush.
"No pleasantries?"
"Pansy, out with it!"
"I just heard you were with Miss Space-case here and wanted to see for myself."
"You saw. Now you can go."
"Draco! I'm insulted. I haven't seen you in weeks and before that had to read about you buying part of that ridiculous excuse for a paper in the Daily Prophet, and now you won't even be pleasant with me. Haven't you missed me?"
"I haven't I told you already that I didn't miss you?"
Pansy giggled. "Not in that way, of course. Again, I say, I wouldn't touch you now. You've been contaminated."
"Go away Pansy," Luna said her voice finally loosing its dreamy tone.
"Speaking of the Quibbler—"
"Who was speaking of the Quibbler?" Draco interrupted her, his patience completely gone.
"Technicalities, technicalities," the dark haired witch said dismissively. "I heard Mr. Space Cadet himself was in an accident last night."
Sitting straight up immediately, Luna looked at the woman. Any color in her face had drained and her silver eyes were wide with panic. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Oh you didn't know?" Pansy's caustic normal seemed to fade. "I thought you'd know…"
"Pansy, what the hell are you talking about?" Draco asked, his hands resting on Luna's shoulders as if to brace her.
"In the Daily Prophet…" Reaching in her arms, Pansy pulled out a rolled up paper. "Here." Flipping to the pages, she held out an article called, "Accident in the Skies."
Scanning the article Draco read that Xenophilius had went plummeting to the ground as he flew over Newport the night before. The reason for his accident was unknown as of now but he was at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries in London.
"Why the hell wasn't Luna told?!" Draco exclaimed.
Pansy shrugged. "I'm sure they tried her house. Was she at home last night?" Despite the seriousness of the situation, her question was clearly suggestive.
"Damn it!" Draco said, jumping to his feet. He had expected Luna to be beside him, but he noticed she was still sitting on the ground, her eyes glued to the article that was now shaking in her hand. "Luna?"
The blond looked up at him, her eyes unfocused and dreamy. "We have to go see him."
Reaching out, Draco grabbed her hand and gently pulled her to her feet. "Luna, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She smiled vaguely at him.
"I'm sorry. I thought you knew," Pansy said. Despite her normal cold nature, her words were genuine and sincere.
"It's fine Pansy. Thanks for letting us know," Draco said hurriedly as Luna and him started to run up the hill toward the Malfoy Manor.
"Owl me sometime!" Pansy's voice called.
The pair entered the manor and ignored his house elf as they went to the living room to the fireplace to Floo to the hospital. He stepped out of the green fire into the lobby of the hospital and scanned the room, looking for Luna. She was already standing at the information desk and talking to the receptionist. He joined her and placed his hand on the small of her back.
"Xenophilius Lovegood? He's on the ground floor, room 21," the black haired witch was telling Luna.
"Thank you, ma'am," Luna said politely as she turned away. "Come on, Draco." Gently she tugged the sleeve of Draco's robe down the hall toward the patient rooms.
Hurrying down the corridors, room 21 was easy to find. "Should we knock?" Luna whispered.
"No," Draco answered as he pushed the door open. The room was empty expect for the man lying in the white linen bed.
"Dad!" Luna cried as she ran toward to bed. Tears spilled down her face. Draco follow her slowly, not sure if he should give her time alone or not. "Dad?"
The wizard in the bed didn't move.
"Miss Lovegood?" a voice suddenly said from behind them.
Draco turned and saw a mediwizard standing in the open door. Gesturing to Luna, Draco said, "This is Luna Lovegood."
"Miss Lovegood?" the mediwizard prompted again.
Luna turned around and stared blankly at the man silently.
"Miss Lovegood, can we step outside and talk alone please?"
"Just tell me how my father is," Luna whispered, tears slipping out of her eyes again.
"This should be a conversation we have alone—"
"No. Whatever you have to say you can say in front of Draco."
Looking uncomfortable, the mediwizard said, "Well, it's your father, of course. He's… he's in bad shape. It wasn't just a broom accident."
"It wasn't?" Draco said.
"He had Basilisk poison in his system when the emergency squad found him."
"Basilisk poison?" Luna repeated, confused.
"Yes. We are unsure at this time how it got in his system, but to be truthful, he will most likely be dead in a few hours."
"What?!" Draco exclaimed, anger surging through him.
Luna's face drained of all its color. "Dead?"
"I'm sorry to say we could not administer the antidote in time. As you know, Basilisk poison is fatal."
Draco reached out instinctively and pulled Luna back against his chest. Dropping his chin on the top of her head, he asked the mediwizard, "What else can you do?"
"There is nothing else we can do."
"What? So you are just going to let this man die?!" Draco yelled, still holding Luna who had began to shake.
"I'm sorry," the man said quietly as he backed out of the room.
"Thank you," Draco called to him rudely, "For nothing," he added in a sharp whisper.
Luna shook in his arms, clinging to his arms that were wrapped around her.
"Luna?" he whispered softly. She didn't response. "Luna? What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking… my dad is finally going to be with my mum again," Luna whispered seriously. The tears that had been running down her face before seemed to have already dried up.
"Luna…" he whispered, pressing his lips to the top of her head.
"Draco, remember when we were talking about wanting to make something happened?"
"Yes."
"I said I wanted to make someone love me. I meant I wanted to make you love me. Like I love you."
Realizing he never actually said that he loved her, he felt stupid. "I already love you, Luna." He pulled her tighter.
"Draco?"
"Yeah, Luna."
"Can I have a moment alone with my dad?"
He released her immediately. "Of course. I'll wait outside. Come out when you're ready okay? Take as long as you need, I won't go anywhere."
She nodded with her back still to him. "Thank you."
Impulsively, he reached over and pulled her into a quick kiss. "I love you," he whispered into her mouth.
"I love you, too," she whispered, tears running down her face again.
Reluctantly, he left her in the room alone. He was fighting the urge to go back into the room to try to comfort Luna or perhaps lend her his strength if she needed it. On edge, he paced back and forth.
After what seemed like hours, the door opened and Luna walked out. "I'm okay now," she whispered, her lightheartedness back in her tone as if nothing was wrong.
Draco frowned at her, not believing her.
"We need to see the Mediwizard. My father is dead." Her voice was suddenly flat.
Reaching out, he touched her shoulder. "I'll be right back, Luna. Stay here." She nodded, and he walked toward the information desk. "Excuse me, but the man in room 21… well, he died."
The reception stared at Draco in silence for a long moment. "Excuse me?"
"The man in room 21 died," he repeated calmly. Her silences made him want to reach out and slap her.
"Oh! Okay, I'll go get Mediwizard Apple then," the witch said uncomfortably. She paused. "Right then." Hurrying off she left him standing at the desk alone.
Shaking his head at her unprofessional reply, Draco walked back to find Luna looked off into space. Her eyes were unfocused, yet there wasn't a hint of grief in them.
"Luna?" he whispered, approaching her cautiously.
Jumping slightly, she turned to him, a vague smile on her lips. "Hello again."
"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern evident.
"I'm fine, Draco. Mum and Dad are together now."
"Luna," he whispered as he reached out and pulled her into his arms, "It's okay to be sad."
Suddenly, Luna started to shake as she wrapped her arms around his waist. It only took Draco a moment to realize she was crying uncontrollably. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and tightened his arms, wanting her as close as possible.
"I'm sorry, Draco, but I am sad. He was my dad. He was the only one I had left," she sobbed.
"You have me, Luna; you still have me."
"Miss Lovegood?" someone asked from behind Draco.
Draco refused to release Luna. "He's in the room. There is no need to bother Luna." The threatening tone he said it told the Mediwizard to leave.
The funeral was held two days later. It was a quiet ceremony by his grave next to Luna's late mother's. Draco held Luna's hand the entire time, wanting to give her any strength he could. She didn't cry during the actual service, but when they were alone afterward at Malfoy Manor, she sobbed. The sight of her tears tore at Draco's heart. If there was anything in the world he truly hated, it would be a woman's tears.
He held her. Embracing her was all he could do in a way to comfort her even though it didn't work. Around midnight the night of the funeral, there was a knock on the door, jarring Draco awake. Luna and him had fallen asleep on the living room couch; she was still curled in his arms, sleeping soundly. He didn't move to answer the door as the house elf came around the corner.
He couldn't hear the conversation at the door, but a moment later a redheaded woman was walking into the room, a glare on her face. "Tell your house-elf to let me in," she demanded.
"You are in," Draco pointed out. He found himself absentmindedly stroking Luna's hair.
"Well tell him I'm allowed to be here," she amended.
"Galen, Miss Weasley is allowed to be here," Draco called to the nervous house elf waiting behind Ginny.
"Thank you," Ginny said curtly, turning around and glancing at the house-elf behind her pointedly.
Galen scurried off. "Now, what can I do for you, Miss Weasley?" Draco asked politely.
"I came to see Luna of course," Ginny said, looking at her friend with concern and affection in her eyes.
"She's asleep now. Can you come back in the morning?"
Ginny fidgeted. "I really want to talk to her now."
"As you can see, she's asleep," Draco said firmly.
"But I'm really worried about her!"
"Do you want to wake her? Quiet down."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"I said quiet down before you wake her. If you really were concerned with her, you need to be quiet so you don’t wake her up."
"Fine," Ginny said her tone lowering.
Luna stirred in his arms. "Please, leave. Come back tomorrow morning. I'm sure she'd love to see you then."
Ginny frowned. "Please, Malfoy, she's my friend and I'm worried."
"You can see she's alive. She's sleeping. Finally."
Sighing, Ginny relented. "Fine. I'll be back in the morning. I'll be back first thing in the morning. Six sharp."
"Fine. Please go now," he requested, as Luna moved closer to him in her sleep.
"Good night," Ginny bid farewell curtly. She turned on her heel and walked out of the room before Draco could reply in a like fashion.
"Draco?" Luna's whisper caught him off guard.
"Go back to sleep, Luna. It's okay. Everything is okay," he whispered. Feel her relax fully into sleep once again, he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to her hair. "I love you."
