Chapter 6

Draco walked through the corridors leading to the Great Hall, gritting his teeth against all the whispers and stares. He was used to starting the rumours not being the center of them. He heard some fourth year whisper, “I heard that at the end of the year, they’re going to move to the country to raise their kid in peace.”

He ignored them.

“Lorelia told me that she heard it’s a girl,” someone else whispered.

He ignored them.

“I heard that they’d been sneaking off every night since the start of the year and that her getting pregnant wasn’t as big of a coincidence as everyone thought,” another whispered.

Draco couldn’t take it anymore. He turned to the kid that made the last assumption, towering over him with his wand raised.

“I did not sleep with Loony Lovegood!” He roared, causing the little first year to cower away from him. Draco was going to hex him into sixth year but Professor McGonagall walked by at that moment and with a parting glare, Draco headed into the Great Hall.

Luna was used to being made fun of, but she wasn’t used to everyone gawking at her stomach and whispering about whether or not the baby would have Draco’s eyes. It was awful! At least her friends didn’t believe the rumours. She was actually eating in the Great Hall for once, but she had no intentions of sitting at the Ravenclaw table. Instead she took a seat at the Gryffindor table, next to Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Neville. They kept glancing at her as if making sure she was okay. She wished they would stop but didn’t say so, not wanting to drive away the only people she had.

“So, Luna, are you going to be at the first Quidditch match of the year?” Harry asked.

She nodded, “wouldn’t miss it.”

Ron smiled anxiously, “I’m so nervous, I’ve been practising as much as I can.”

“You’ll do fine Ron,” Hermione assured, which set the three boys off on a discussion about Quidditch.

Hermione turned to Luna, “so Luna, how are you enjoying your classes?”

“They’re okay... although Hagrid still hasn’t taken my suggestion to learn about Crumple Horned Snorkacks... (sp)” Luna replied absentmindedly.

Hermione looked like she was going to argue about the existence of such creatures once again but Ginny interrupted her, “I think we should have a girl’s night out someday soon!” She randomly exclaimed.

“That would be fun,” Hermione smiled.

“What do you do on a girl’s night out?” Luna asked, having never been on one.

Ginny and Hermione stared at her like she was mad, “you have fun!” They said at the same time then giggled.

“We would go shopping, have pillow fights, play truth or dare, tell secrets and stay up all night!” Ginny said excitedly.

Luna frowned, “but I’m not in the same house as you two, and Ginny neither of us are in the same year as Hermione.”

Ginny shrugged, “who says we have to go by the rules? I’m sure Hermione’s roommates wouldn’t mind if you and I stay the night there.”

Hermione thought it over, “well, I am head girl, which means I could get in huge trouble and possibly lose my head girl status if we get caught... but it also means I could think of a pretty believable excuse,” she grinned.

“Then it’s settled, this weekend is the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, we’ll all go together then have a sleepover in ‘Mione’s dorm,” Ginny said happily.

The three girls agreed and started talking excitedly about their plans. Luna even managed to forget about the harsh rumours for a little while.

After diner in the Great Hall, Luna headed up to her dormitory to get some rest. It was far too early to actually sleep, but not wanting to get caught up in the rumours again, she laid on her bed anyway. She started thinking about things and was soon lost in her thoughts. A tap on the window beside her bed caused her to lose her train of thought and glance warily at the window. A large tawny owl was sitting outside with a note tied to its leg. Luna quickly jumped up and let it in, untying the note. The owl watched her as she read the note. She read it another time, then a third time before it totally sunk in, then she thanked the owl and let it back outside before collapsing onto her bed with a lot more to think about.

Draco paced in his dormitory, completely refusing to go down to the common room. Everyone would laugh at him and that was one thing he couldn’t take. Diner had been a disaster; he hadn’t even finished his meal before the stares and whispers got to him and he’d headed up to his dorm. He’d sent his father an owl, asking about the weird gadget before heading to the Great Hall and he hoped he would get a reply soon. It was bothering him not knowing. Draco picked up the little ball again, wondering what it did and it turned a bright orange color. He stared at it, still puzzling over what the confusing thing did. Just then, Blaise came up to the dormitory and sat on his bed. Draco stared at him menacingly, wanting to be left alone but Blaise either didn’t get the hint or ignored it.

“Hey Draco, I heard the baby’s a girl and there’s a large debate on whether or not it will have your eyes,” Blaise teased with a grin.

The ball in Draco’s hand changed to a deep red and he angrily said, “Shut up! I didn’t sleep with Loony!”

“I guess that means the baby won’t have your eyes,” Blaise joked then quickly said, “I know you didn’t sleep with Loony, but you have been awful nice to her the past few weeks.”

Draco flushed, “It’s none of your business whether I’m nice to Loony or not!”

“Just pointing it out,” Blaise shrugged.

Draco sighed and sat on his bed. Sometimes he felt like Blaise was the only Slytherin he could trust. Blaise was his only real friend but that didn’t mean he was going to tell him about the weird feeling he had whenever he was around Luna. That would stay a secret.