After Saving Draco [ONGOING / REWRITING]

chapter nineteen

Tala. 121 days before May 4, 1999.

     "Luna, what do you think of Harry?" I asked.

     Wow, deja vu.

    Our short bodies continued to bask in the moonlight, enjoying the last night of break before term would resume tomorrow. The sound of the Black Lake's waves crashing against the rocks relieved my migraine, feeling a little jet lagged from Harry and I's flight from New York this morning.

     The crisp breeze combed through the frozen grass and kissed my flushed cheeks softly, tangling Luna's blonde strands with my dark ones, carrying the scent of the little white flowers that grew near the well beside us. Flowers that smelled like mom, vanilla like Draco.

     My eyes kept closed but I could still picture the stars above us, blending with the image of the flashing city reflecting onto the dark waters, imitating the crowded night sky. All I could think of was Harry and I's time there, allowing myself to feel a little less guilty as days went on.

     "Why do you ask? Do you fancy him?" Luna's dreamy voice asked me softly. "I wouldn't think you'd move on from Malfoy so soon, to be honest."

     Me? "Fancying" Harry?

     Hm, maybe.

     "What if I do?" I asked helplessly as I turned to her. "Thinking about Draco hurts too much."

     Luna gave me a reassuring smile. "Well, Harry's got that devil-may-care look still going for him," she said, both of us laughing lightly. "He's good for you, but I feel bad for Malfoy, especially over Christmas."

      "What happened?" I asked nervously. "How was it anyways? Dinner with your two families?"

     "Great, actually," Luna said a little dumbfounded. "Dad went to talk about his beliefs and Draco engaged a bit, mentioning the lessons you'd give him for the last year. Narcissa was quite proud of him, I think Draco likes Dad."

     "Wow," I said, a little dumbfounded too.

     "I know, it's unexpected," Luna said before frowning a little. "But his eyes were very strained and puffy the whole night, it seemed like he'd been crying for days and hadn't slept or eaten. And when dad and I were preparing to leave, we passed by Draco's room and heard sobbing from the inside."

     I stayed silent at that, gulping down the guilt that began to hit me repeatedly.

     "I mean," Luna continued. "Don't you love him still? He obviously loves you very much. Harry's a good option but don't you think it's all a bit of a waste? You and Draco, you're soulmates I think."

     "Of course I do," I said quietly. "But he's different now and so am I, I can't be with him when he's like this. Watching him destroy himself after so much progress? After redeeming himself in the war? It hurts too much, Luna. I can't let myself get treated this way, I won't."

     "I understand," Luna said genuinely, giving me a smile. "Whatever you choose Tala, you'll always have us, your friends for the rest of our lives."

     "Thanks," I forced a smile, knowing forever might only last for four more months. "You're right you know, our names? Moon and Stars, we are soulmates."

Luna giggled. "Let's leave the boys and marry each other instead."

"Definitely," I joked along, both of us chuckling lightly.

Luna's genuine smile became a little sad as her gaze landed on something behind me, the sound of footsteps that I recognized too well becoming louder. She greeted me goodnight as we both stood up, leaving me alone.