1 Fanfic: The Moon And The Air Part II (Draco/Luna)
Title: The Moon And The Air Part II
Word Count: ~6000 (~15000 total)
Rating: PG13
Pairing(s): Draco/Luna (Rolf/Luna and Draco/Astoria)
Warnings: adultery
Summary: After Luna and Draco strike up an unexpected friendships, their lives continue with them apart of each other's. As time passes, something more unexpected than their friendships evolves between them.
Author's Notes: First scene is set "in the future" or "at the end", however you want to look at it. It was just one way to start things. The title is a play on Luna's name and Draco being the Malfoy heir. The simple idea became this monster so I had to split it into two parts. Sorry about that. I hope someone else enjoys it since I enjoyed writing it!
Part I
It was Scorpius' first Halloween when Luna found out she was pregnant. It wasn't much of a surprise, but it was their first year of marriage and she knew she had to calm down more and more on the expeditions now. Being stuck in London more wasn't something she looked forward to at all, wanting to get all her need for beautiful, mysterious creatures out of her system before she had to stop until after the baby was born. Even after the baby was born, they wouldn't be able to go the first year or two. It simply wasn't fair to cast their child onto someone else to watch with as much as they traveled for their work. But Rolf and Luna decided when that time came they would take turns so both got out of the house.
With so many of her friends already having little humans running around rather than even babies, Luna wasn't afraid of the knowledge of motherhood. She was apprehensive, however. Draco had coldly laughed at her concerns, telling her everyone has them and it's not only the baby is born that you can really face them. Some people still were scared and anxious of parenthood even after the baby was born; he was sure that Astoria never got over her new mother anxieties even though she was a good mother. For some reason, especially hearing them from Draco who rebuffed her work some of the time to her face, hearing her fears and worries were normal and founded helped.
The months ticked by slowly. She watched her friends' children learn and grow before her eyes, wondering who her children would be most like. When would they learn to turn the page in a book? Pick something up? Say 'Mama'? She hadn't a notion even if she could guess by the progression of the children around her. Rolf took the idea of parenthood both seriously and easily. He didn't seem to have the same concerns as she did, that were supposedly normal, but he was quite serious about being a good father and raising a family to be proud of.
A few months after Scorpius' first birthday, Luna gave birth to her and Rolf's twin sons, Lorcan and Lysander. To Luna, they were by far the most beautiful babies she'd ever seen. From the moment they were placed in her arms, she knew she could never stop loving them. They were her boys, a part of her; they had a part of her heart that only they could. She fussed over them, told them stories of fanciful creatures that were yet to be discovered and creatures that had been. Even though the babies couldn't understand, she told them stories of expeditions Rolf and she had been on, the creatures they had discovered together. She wanted them to know everything it seemed. Rolf doted on his boys too, adding to the stories with his own favorites or singing silly songs to them.
For awhile it was easy not to be around others. Strange as it seemed, with twin boys, they had their hands full already. But even as a few weeks passed, Luna missed people. She missed her friends that didn't stop by for a visit. Mostly, because Draco lived his own busy life, she missed Draco. And Astoria, but it was less. The two women hadn't grown particularly close in all the years they had known each other. The meetings less and less until they seemed to disappear, Luna grew sad. She hid it well, not understanding why it effected her so. He could come visit her; she had visited him when he had a new baby at home. But instead he chose to stay away, to not even owl. Maybe this was their goodbye, she wondered.
But about two months after the babies were born, she got an owl that delighted her as it proved her wrong. It seemed he was merely giving her time to adjust to being a mother and had not disappeared on her. He wanted to meet for coffee like the old days before either of them had even been married. She readily agreed and set a date and time she knew she could make. Rolf didn't mind caring care of the boys alone while she disappeared for a little while; he got out of the house plenty to return the favor now and then to her.
At the coffee shop Luna had to resist the urge to hug him once again. It would have been their third hug in all their years of friendship, but she refrained, merely smiled at him as she said, "Hello Draco," in greeting. Her tone was whimsical and happy, clearly she was glad to be there.
Taking a look at Draco himself, while he tried to hide it, she could tell he was happy to be there. He wasn't quite smiling, but it was in his grey eyes as he looked at her. He was dressed primly while she was in a simple set of robes, making her wonder where he'd just came from or what he was in the middle of. Before she could ask how he was, he spoke, "Hello, Luna. How is motherhood?" he asked, properly
She looked at him strangely at the proper way he spoke. That was something she'd come to expect from someone who barely knew her. Draco spoke properly normally, she knew, but referring to it such as that? Maybe it was the last coffee they'd have. The thought made her sad, made her wish that he'd never owled her if that's how it was going to be. She didn't want to say goodbye. They may both have families, but people needed friends too. And deep down, she knew that Draco was her friend and considered her as such in return. She looked at her friend for a moment in silence, unsure what to say. "The boys are lovely," she said finally, her voice giving away nothing of her sadness or the happiness that used to be there. It was simply her normal, dreamlike tone that she used for everything with a hint of pride over her sons.
"That's good," he said in his drawl, sitting down at a table with two cups of coffee on it. He gestured to the chair across from his, "For you."
Luna hated it when he arrived first and proceeded to get her coffee. It was a nice thought in theory, but really, she could get her own coffee. Either way, she sat down and started to add some sugar and cream. They remained silent as he took a sip of his, already ready. When she was done, she took a sip and looked across the table at him. Those grey eyes of his bored right through her suddenly, telling her it was not a goodbye. He had been avoiding her, she was suddenly sure. The way he was looking at her so closely and intently told her there was something going on. He was confounded by her, confused and left in a state of annoyance. What had she done to annoy him? She hadn't seen him in weeks. Had he expected her to owl him? She had made the first contact after Scorpius was born, surely he could return the favor.
Still, they didn't speak. She met his grey eyes, gauging their warmth. They weren't cold and chilly as they could be, has they had been in the past, but they weren't as warm as she'd seen either. The murky depth's temperature lingered somewhere near lukewarm, not quite anything. She hated that. If he was angry with her, she could have it out with him; if he was hurt, he should say something! Instead, all she got was air devoid of words which meant something she didn't know.
"How is Astoria?" she asked finally, not being able to stand the quiet any longer. Lifting her cup, she didn't take her eyes off Draco's. To her surprise, something unnamed flashed in his eyes at the mention of his wish. She had no idea what it was, but it certainly mattered to him if he didn't hide it.
"Astoria is fine," Draco said stiffly. There wasn't a single happy thing in how he answered, how he looked now. He looked uncomfortable, annoyance renewed for a difference reason. "She's been busy at work lately. With my job and hers, Scorpius is being left with nannies."
Luna knew Draco wouldn't like that. He had been raised plenty by the help when he was growing up while his parents had loved him. He had wished for his parents' attention when he was younger more often since it wasn't always there. He didn't want Scorpius raised the same way. Well, that explained that. He was irritated at Astoria for not being home more often. They'd spoken before that he didn't want her to be at home all the time, but more often was all he requested. Draco worked few hours as he could while maintaining his job at the Ministry in order to be more available for his son. With both Luna and Rolf's jobs, they could afford and manage for one if not both of them to be with the boys constantly. When they got older, they could go on expeditions and leave the boys for only a few days a few times a year to go together like they used to. She had to remind herself she was lucky to have the option. "I'm sorry, Draco," she said, meaning it.
Draco just shrugged, trying to not look bothered. He forgot that Luna can read him sometimes, and she knew this truly bothered him. Or else he wouldn't have brought it up so easily, without thinking. "It is what it is." She hated when he became cold in his words, even if his eyes weren't. He can't ask if things that mattered to him weren't important, like his own desires on how to raise his son wasn't important when they were. In end, it probably wasn't something Draco could win, Luna knew, but she wished he could. Astoria should understand him better after all these years, to know what he needs and wants. Rolf knew without a doubt that Luna had needed this coffee with Draco and hadn't hesitated to making sure she could go.
Looking at Luna toying with the spoon she had used to stir her coffee, he insisted, "Come on. How is it? Harder than expected? Easier than you thought? Or are you just thinking of how fast you can drink your coffee and go home to them?" It was a rare sight to see Draco Malfoy nice, playful, and genuinely interested. But his eyes danced back at her, egging her on to answer him fully and honestly. It was amazing how different he could be sometimes and it was why he was her friend. She accepted him for all of him - the cold shell he put on, the lukewarm attitude of not attitude, the rare sides of actual happiness, playfulness, or anger - and he accepted her for, well, just all of her.
"The boys are great. I am convinced they are the best babies in the world. That has ever been in the world. They seem as fascinated as we are over the creatures we tell them about, listening to us without crying, letting the tales lull them to sleep..." she gushed for a moment in a wishful voice. "And no, it is not harder than I thought, but it's not easy either. I do know respect some of you that were parents before me for doing it. I never had a clue."
Draco chuckled. "Well, now you do. And they're babies, Luna, you can tell them anything and they will listen seeing how they have no idea what you're saying yet. One day, however, they will, and they the true story telling will begin with you." He smiled, seeing nonplussed by the idea. He probably told stories or read books to his son all the time, loving when the boy liked what he was hearing most.
Luna smiled at Draco, glad to see the lukewarm temperature leave his grey eyes and be replaced with something warm and friendly, delighted and happy. She took a drink of her coffee at the same moment he did, both of them looking over their cups at each other. When they set down the cup. it seemed to be a friendly game of who was going to break and speak first. Luna could go days without speaking to another person unlike Draco who she assumed wouldn't lost minutes. And she was proven right when about five minutes into the probing grey eyed stare, getting more restless by the minute, he spoke up, "How is Rolf adjusting? As good as you?"
Luna was pleasantly surprised by the question and considered the answer for a moment. "Probably better."
Draco's fine blond eyebrow shut up in question as he looked at her. "Better? Really? He's a better father than I am then. I found it terrifying and hard to adjust to having to be at the beck and call of this little life. Sure, I loved him, but to adjust to him actually being there was... hard."
She book her head. "No, he's not. I've seen you with Scorpius and jump up when Scorpius cried. You're a brilliant father!"
Giving her a small smile. he said, "Thank you."
----
The twins were three when it started. No one expected it. No one planned it. Somehow we just drifted toward each other. Back when we first got families we seemed to have less time for reach other, but slowly, time didn't matter. We created our own times, meeting more in public placed the kids could be with us at, going to each other's flats, invited each other to every dinner party, every birthday party or dinner. If there was a reason we could be together, we used it and relished in that time.
No one seemed to notice anything wrong. No one seemed to notice we were spending more time together than previously, or that our families and other friends were spending more time with the other rather then carefully trying to keep them separated. The kids began to know who each other are by name, knowing the adults as well. There was no mistaking they had a friendship, a real connection over something most people didn't understand. Holidays came and went, days passed by slowly intermingling both their lives. But still. somehow, they longed for the times it was just the two of them, so they could be who they were and no one put on airs for anyone else.
Paying her an unexpected visit at her flat, Draco was there when she received the news. Rolf was off on an expedition in Asia. His exact location wasn't known. It left Luna alone with the boys at home. They were three, rowdy and played loudly when she wasn't trying to get them down for naps for bed or settle down long enough to eat. Now she longed for the day they were babies, more cuddly. When she opened the flat door, and he stood there, she smiled at him, ushering him in immediately before she spoke. "What brings you by?" she asked in her wistful tone.
Draco shrugged. It was practically a patented gesture for him at times as if he didn't need to explain himself to anyone. She just shook her head slightly, and brushed her blond hair over her shoulder. He didn't actually need to explain why he'd just appeared at her door. Both of them knew he was always welcome, but she did note that he didn't have Scorpius with him. Perhaps he was on a lunch break? Then why wasn't he eating anything? His eyes gave nothing awhile when she gave them a quick look.
"The boys just went down for a nap," she informed him airily, moving farther into the home. He followed suit, sitting down and making himself comfortable on the sofa. She smiled at the sight, as a familiar as it could be considered. "Do you want something to drink? Eat?" He had to be on his lunch break.
"A cup of coffee if you have any," Draco requested, a glint of amusement in his eyes. Unfortunately the look did not provide an answer to her unasked questions as it was.
She moved easily to the kitchen to get a cup of the coffee she'd made earlier for Draco. It wasn't freshly made like they coffee they normally shared, nor was it professionally brewed. Somehow, despite this, she knew he complain and if he did she had some fresh iced tea to offer as a replacement. Carrying out the two cups. she placed one in front of Draco and kept the other for herself. He picked up the cup timidly, looking at her curiously. When he took a sip, he smirked. It was clear he knew it wasn't fresh, but the smirk said it was more of a joke to him. At least that particular smirk did. Another one might say it was horrible and he needed something better.
They sat in silence for a moment, but it was comfortable, both sipping and drinking the coffee. Finally Luna spoke. "Are you on lunch, Draco?" She was a woman who liked to sedate her curiosity and didn't mind asking questions.
"No, I had a partial day at work," he explained with another shrug. "I figured I would stop by before I go home." His raised eyebrow asked his question for him of if it was a problem. It wasn't a problem; it was a good expected surprise in fact. She loved seeing him for any reason, even if it was no reason.
"You picked a good time then," she said vaguely. She meant of course the twins were sleeping. Once they settled down long enough to nap, they slept incredibly well, their little bodies exhausted from all the rowdy play before. This was normally the time she made sure the house was tidy so she and the boys could run any errands they had after they woke up. Today she got a special treat of spending unexpected time with her friend instead.
"I see that," he said, "But a Malfoy does have good timing." Luna had to agree that Malfoys she had known or knew of had proven that to her. Defecting right at the end of the war, Draco proving himself to be a decent person and become her friend right when they both needed it. If they hadn't needed the friendship at the time, she doubted it would have developed like it had. "Are the boys still napping well? Scorpius doesn't like nap time, but once he realizes he won't win he'll lay down. Then he's out."
Luna giggled. "Yes, they still nap well, but they too don't want to nap." Draco smiled at her. It was nice to have things in common with a friend. "They keep each other up, too, talking. But once one follows asleep the other one is sure to follow soon after. They grow bored just laying there."
He chuckled. 'Doesn't everything grow bored just laying somewhere?"
Tilting her head to the side, she shrugged her own version of the gesture. "Not necessarily. Just laying somewhere can give someone a nice place to think. Consumed with your own thoughts--" She was cut off by an owl soaring through her window. The sight wasn't surprising in a busy home, but she hadn't been expecting one either much like she hadn't been expecting her visitor.
Walking over to where the owl perched itself on the back of the couch right beside Draco. Reaching to undo the message from the bird's leg, she gave Draco a small, 'excuse me' smile. However, he didn't draw away from her at all, but remained comfortable in his seat on the couch as before. Unrolling the note, the words felt like daggers in her heart. Pincers grabbed her words so she couldn't even talk and tell Draco what was on the parchment when he looked at her inquiringly. She felt the blood drain from her face, her body feeling suddenly and unusually cold and weak. The only thought running through her mind was how this could not be happening. Her father could not be at St. Mungo's for some poisonous bite. No. He could not be hurt or sick or in danger. She couldn't believe it.
"Luna?" Draco inquired after a moment of silence, concerned. "Luna!" He jumped to his feet, turning his body so he was facing hers. Draco reached out and pried the parchment from her fingers, then read the words himself. "Merlin, Luna, it['ll be alright. Your father will be fine." He said the words with surprise, but determination like he could make her father alright by sheer will. "Go to St. Mungo's. I'll watch the boys."
She just stood there, looking at the back of the parchment in his hands. She could barely feel his eyes looking at her, or remember the boys were in a room nearby. All she heard was St. Mungo's. She had to get there; she was all her father had in the world and he needed her! He'd been forgiving of her busy life, but they still talked regularly and she took the boys to see him every other weekend at his home - her childhood home. She nodded numbly at his words, but still didn't look up at him.
"Luna! Look at me," Draco demanded, and when she didn't, he reached out grabbed her chin. He wasn't rough, but the touch pulled her back from her thoughts and fears. Her silver eyes met his grey ones, for the first time realizing she had tears in them. As if on an unexplainable, undeniable impulse, Draco reached out to her. The parchment dropped, drifting down to the couch, and Luna found herself pulled against Draco's chest in an embrace. He held her tightly, but not too tight, keeping her close and giving her comfort since she wad clearly in a state to need it. Her arms found their way around his body, pulling him closer to her in return and tightening the embrace they shared. "It'll be okay. He's at the best hospital in the world. He'll be okay," Draco whispered to her, his tone and voice like a caress to ease her fears.
Luna's head rested on his shoulder as he held her to him, taking comfort in his arms and warmth. They rarely hugged, and this was certainly a first anyway. Never had Draco held her before. Right now the moment was one of them despite the things running through her head around her father she couldn't help but notice how nice this was and how she almost wanted to stay like this. It was awaking things in her that she never knew where there, not for Draco. The moment she realized where her thoughts were leading, she looked up at Draco.
His grey eyes were mesmerizing. They weren't clouded over anyway. The grey was clear and nearly silver-like as they looked back at her, probing her like they always do. But it wasn't the same probing and she couldn't put a word to what it was. He was searching for something, something he hoped was there or hoped wasn't. He could be feeling something like she was, that he shouldn't feel for her. That thought actually made everything fall into place - they both knew they shouldn't be doing this, holding each other or feelings this way during the embrace.
She dropped her arms, but he kept one arm around her, reaching down and gently place his hand below her chin again. It rested there, keeping her face turned upward as he leaned down. Heat radiated from his body, from his touch; the heat warming her so she felt the same way if she didn't already. His kiss was feather-like, not like a kiss from Draco Malfoy she'd ever think. He wasn't the gentle, kind, endearing type. But a moment later, he leaned down again and touched his lips to hers, but this time it wasn't soft. The kiss was confident, hard without being rough, and full of passion and desire. How she longed to feel those things coming from Draco into her, her hands reached up and slid in his hair, combing it back lightly as she kissed him back. After a long. breathless kiss, she pulled back and immediately realized that kiss jarred her senses, bringing her back to reality to the fact she was in the arms of a man that wasn't her husband, feeling his lips against hers. And wanting to be and liking it.
Stepping back, she broke the embrace completely, her hands dropping. "My father," she said, trying to be firm.
"Your father. I'll watch the boys, you go," he insisted, his voice not having to try at being firm. He was - out of caring, she knew - telling her what to do. He moved to where the closet was, opened the door, and held her cloak out to her. "Go, Luna."
Her mind reeling from what just happened, she grabbed her cloak before she could go numb again and focused her thoughts on her father as far from the man standing in front of her as she could. "I'll send another baby sitter soo--"
"Go. I can watch them," he repeated strongly. Without hesitating, he reached out and took her shoulder, gently leading her to the fireplace in the middle of the living room. Not removing his one hand, he grabbed the pot of Floo powder for her. "Go."
She secured her cloak more firmly, not bothering to say anything about his touch. It felt nice, comforting, something real to cling to with one part of her mind so she didn't get lost. Steadying herself, she took the powder from him then stepped away, taking a bit in her hand, she placed the pot back on the mantel. "Thank you, Draco," she said in a soft, dream-like voice before she tossed the powder into the flame and watched it dance green before she stepped inside. "St. Mungo's!"
----
Her father spent two weeks in the hospital over a bite from a monsa. They were horrible little creatures discovered officially just two years prior. With humans starting to invade their home in the forest of South America, their bites killed many who didn't know they were dangerous. But her father had thankfully known the monsa was dangerous and bite poisonous and was able to go to the hospital in time. Still, recovery wasn't immediate for a bite that wasn't well known. She had sent another few to relieve Draco from baby sitting just a few hours after she relieved her word her father would most likely live and what happened exactly. But in the two weeks after, she hadn't spoken to him.
For once, she hadn't wanted to actually speak to him. As soon as Rolf had gotten her owl that something was wrong with her father, he had immediately came back home. The fact he came as soon as he could, cutting his trip short, make her feel even more guilty that she had kissed Draco. Until that day, she couldn't remember thinking of her friend as anything more than a friend. They were both married - supposedly happily. But during the two weeks without Draco, knowing why she was without him and having him not contact her, Luna felt even more miserable in her marriage. She craved the passion that was in Draco's kiss, the heat in his touch.
To make sure her father was okay, she and the boys stayed with him at her own childhood home for two weeks after. Once he was full recovered, Luna returned to her normal life with Rolf and the boys at the flat. In her mind, Draco and her friendship was through. She carried on easily for two weeks, keeping busy with her family and friends. but then Rolf went off to finish his trip. With how quickly he had came back just for her and her father, she couldn't bare to tell him no.
It was the day he left - about two hours after she'd dropped the boys off at her father's for another visit just the three of them - there was a knock on the door of the flat. Startled, she went to the door and was even more surprised it was Draco. She had half a mind to tell him to go away. but the other half wanted a reason for his silence for over a month. He hadn't even bother to ask her how her father was. He was hear that day yet he didn't care. Maybe Draco was as cold as everyone else thought he was.
They stood there locked in a strong and probing stare for a long moment before she sighed softly and stepped aside, letting him inside. With confidence, he strode into her home as if there was no question about his presence there. Even still, somehow, Luna didn't either. It felt like he belonged there. Then why hadn't he been there for over a month?
"How is your father? How are you doing?" Draco asked, turning to face her. This time he didn't sit straight down. He stood in the middle of the room, calling attention to himself. Her eyes couldn't look away from those familiar, grey eyes that haunted her. The questions were both a surprise and not. They should be expected questions after what happened, but somehow they were different from Draco, who hadn't already asked her, who hadn't been around, who had been there that day.
"Do you really care?" she asked in a soft voice, looking at him.
"Of course I care, Luna," he said, looking nearly hurt by her accusation. She could tell he meant the words and even seemed half hurt by her words.
"Then why haven't I heard from you?"
"Because of what happened. I wanted to ask about your father, about you. But what about what happened? Luna, I kissed you. Twice and I meant them. I've wanted to kiss you for awhile now and I finally did." He paused and took a deep breath. His grey eyes were beautiful as he said those words. They were the same clear grey that bordered on silver they had been that day when he looked at her. Had they been like that since he arrived? What did all this really mean? "I don't regret it."
She blinked at him. Her immediate reaction was that she didn't regret it either. She hadn't the entire time he'd been away and she'd missed him. Why couldn't he have come over the next day? Why couldn't he had come over when her father was still in the hospital or even at home? Why? "Regret is a waste of time," she replied softly in her dreamy voice as she looked at him without flinching.
Draco smiled, almost looking relieved. He crossed the room to her, his arms reaching out for her, but she stepped back, side stepping. "No," she said, "Tell me why. Where did you go? You say you care, but you left. Why?"
Draco looked at her with surprise. "It's not like that. I do care that's why. You were worried about your father and I wanted to have this conversation after it settled. We couldn't ignore what happened the next time we saw each other. At least I couldn't." His eyes were gentle, honest. He wanted to have a real conversation about it. Did that mean he wanted something to happen now? They were both married.
"Draco, what happened..." she trailed off, her voice dream-like as she looked at him, uncertain now. Now that he implied even vaguely he thought something about happen again, she couldn't get the thought of his touch - heated and gentle both - or the feel of his lips out of her mind. She wanted it again; she wanted to fling herself at him and hold on for dear life. But she couldn't, could she?
"It happened," he said firmly, taking a step closer to her. "You cannot deny that you don't regret it. You already told me. Where do you want to go from here? Nowhere? To continue to be friends? To continuing acting like we don't care for each other as more? That we don't have thoughts of more, of kissing, of touching? Do you want to continue as we have? I can't do that, Luna. I can't continue as we have. The only other choice is for me to walk out the door and never come back."
"Draco, I'm married," she pointed out, gesturing around her flat. "You're married. We had no right. We can't do again." Part of her knew her words were true. They shouldn't do it again, but they could, they can. She wanted to. The kiss, the touch, the man... she wanted it all. She had seen such amazing change in Draco in their years of friendship that the friendship had unknowingly developed into something more. They couldn't deny it any longer, and such a big part of her didn't want to.
"Alright," he said, moving past her toward the door. "If that's your decision, I can't change your mind." He strode to the door purposely as if not expecting the hand that reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. But as soon as the warm hand landed on his sleeve, he smirked. It was his smirk that said "I told you so". It was the smirk that said he'd been expecting all of this and was playing it up. It wasn't playing with her. She knew that without even looking in his eyes this time. Slowly he turned to her, taking her in his arms and this time she let him.
Sinking into him, her arms went around his neck as she breathed in the scent she knew would become familiar. Now it was just something she'd smelled at random during small moments of close contact. It was spicy and manly, all Draco. The way his hand stroked down her back was comforting, warm and sent tingles throughout her body; her eyes fluttered closed as she leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment. "Luna," he whispered, his voice full of emotion and sweetness as well as fire and passion. Turning her head, she caught a glimpse into those familiar grey silver eyes before his mouth slid over hers. His kiss was gentle yet such passion was in its depths. She had had no chance. There was no way she could have let this walk right out the door never to return.
Merlin help her, somewhere down the line, she had fallen in love with Draco Malfoy.
----
They spent their time in secret, meetings at their places when no one was around and hotels. Sometimes the meetings were frequent, but sometimes they were rare. In the end, all she could think of was Draco Malfoy. All she could think of was reasons not to be intimate with her husband. All she could do was try not to show her dealings in her face when she was with Astoria or her husband. She felt guilt and shame as she should, but she also felt love. It was a love that had been building for years, that they forsake their friends' shaking heads at first for. They did it all without knowing their friendship would lead to her bedroom when her husband was out of the country and her children being baby sat.
But the moment his fingers grazed her skin or she felt the heat of his mouth on hers, she knew she couldn't do without it.
Word Count: ~6000 (~15000 total)
Rating: PG13
Pairing(s): Draco/Luna (Rolf/Luna and Draco/Astoria)
Warnings: adultery
Summary: After Luna and Draco strike up an unexpected friendships, their lives continue with them apart of each other's. As time passes, something more unexpected than their friendships evolves between them.
Author's Notes: First scene is set "in the future" or "at the end", however you want to look at it. It was just one way to start things. The title is a play on Luna's name and Draco being the Malfoy heir. The simple idea became this monster so I had to split it into two parts. Sorry about that. I hope someone else enjoys it since I enjoyed writing it!
Part I
It was Scorpius' first Halloween when Luna found out she was pregnant. It wasn't much of a surprise, but it was their first year of marriage and she knew she had to calm down more and more on the expeditions now. Being stuck in London more wasn't something she looked forward to at all, wanting to get all her need for beautiful, mysterious creatures out of her system before she had to stop until after the baby was born. Even after the baby was born, they wouldn't be able to go the first year or two. It simply wasn't fair to cast their child onto someone else to watch with as much as they traveled for their work. But Rolf and Luna decided when that time came they would take turns so both got out of the house.
With so many of her friends already having little humans running around rather than even babies, Luna wasn't afraid of the knowledge of motherhood. She was apprehensive, however. Draco had coldly laughed at her concerns, telling her everyone has them and it's not only the baby is born that you can really face them. Some people still were scared and anxious of parenthood even after the baby was born; he was sure that Astoria never got over her new mother anxieties even though she was a good mother. For some reason, especially hearing them from Draco who rebuffed her work some of the time to her face, hearing her fears and worries were normal and founded helped.
The months ticked by slowly. She watched her friends' children learn and grow before her eyes, wondering who her children would be most like. When would they learn to turn the page in a book? Pick something up? Say 'Mama'? She hadn't a notion even if she could guess by the progression of the children around her. Rolf took the idea of parenthood both seriously and easily. He didn't seem to have the same concerns as she did, that were supposedly normal, but he was quite serious about being a good father and raising a family to be proud of.
A few months after Scorpius' first birthday, Luna gave birth to her and Rolf's twin sons, Lorcan and Lysander. To Luna, they were by far the most beautiful babies she'd ever seen. From the moment they were placed in her arms, she knew she could never stop loving them. They were her boys, a part of her; they had a part of her heart that only they could. She fussed over them, told them stories of fanciful creatures that were yet to be discovered and creatures that had been. Even though the babies couldn't understand, she told them stories of expeditions Rolf and she had been on, the creatures they had discovered together. She wanted them to know everything it seemed. Rolf doted on his boys too, adding to the stories with his own favorites or singing silly songs to them.
For awhile it was easy not to be around others. Strange as it seemed, with twin boys, they had their hands full already. But even as a few weeks passed, Luna missed people. She missed her friends that didn't stop by for a visit. Mostly, because Draco lived his own busy life, she missed Draco. And Astoria, but it was less. The two women hadn't grown particularly close in all the years they had known each other. The meetings less and less until they seemed to disappear, Luna grew sad. She hid it well, not understanding why it effected her so. He could come visit her; she had visited him when he had a new baby at home. But instead he chose to stay away, to not even owl. Maybe this was their goodbye, she wondered.
But about two months after the babies were born, she got an owl that delighted her as it proved her wrong. It seemed he was merely giving her time to adjust to being a mother and had not disappeared on her. He wanted to meet for coffee like the old days before either of them had even been married. She readily agreed and set a date and time she knew she could make. Rolf didn't mind caring care of the boys alone while she disappeared for a little while; he got out of the house plenty to return the favor now and then to her.
At the coffee shop Luna had to resist the urge to hug him once again. It would have been their third hug in all their years of friendship, but she refrained, merely smiled at him as she said, "Hello Draco," in greeting. Her tone was whimsical and happy, clearly she was glad to be there.
Taking a look at Draco himself, while he tried to hide it, she could tell he was happy to be there. He wasn't quite smiling, but it was in his grey eyes as he looked at her. He was dressed primly while she was in a simple set of robes, making her wonder where he'd just came from or what he was in the middle of. Before she could ask how he was, he spoke, "Hello, Luna. How is motherhood?" he asked, properly
She looked at him strangely at the proper way he spoke. That was something she'd come to expect from someone who barely knew her. Draco spoke properly normally, she knew, but referring to it such as that? Maybe it was the last coffee they'd have. The thought made her sad, made her wish that he'd never owled her if that's how it was going to be. She didn't want to say goodbye. They may both have families, but people needed friends too. And deep down, she knew that Draco was her friend and considered her as such in return. She looked at her friend for a moment in silence, unsure what to say. "The boys are lovely," she said finally, her voice giving away nothing of her sadness or the happiness that used to be there. It was simply her normal, dreamlike tone that she used for everything with a hint of pride over her sons.
"That's good," he said in his drawl, sitting down at a table with two cups of coffee on it. He gestured to the chair across from his, "For you."
Luna hated it when he arrived first and proceeded to get her coffee. It was a nice thought in theory, but really, she could get her own coffee. Either way, she sat down and started to add some sugar and cream. They remained silent as he took a sip of his, already ready. When she was done, she took a sip and looked across the table at him. Those grey eyes of his bored right through her suddenly, telling her it was not a goodbye. He had been avoiding her, she was suddenly sure. The way he was looking at her so closely and intently told her there was something going on. He was confounded by her, confused and left in a state of annoyance. What had she done to annoy him? She hadn't seen him in weeks. Had he expected her to owl him? She had made the first contact after Scorpius was born, surely he could return the favor.
Still, they didn't speak. She met his grey eyes, gauging their warmth. They weren't cold and chilly as they could be, has they had been in the past, but they weren't as warm as she'd seen either. The murky depth's temperature lingered somewhere near lukewarm, not quite anything. She hated that. If he was angry with her, she could have it out with him; if he was hurt, he should say something! Instead, all she got was air devoid of words which meant something she didn't know.
"How is Astoria?" she asked finally, not being able to stand the quiet any longer. Lifting her cup, she didn't take her eyes off Draco's. To her surprise, something unnamed flashed in his eyes at the mention of his wish. She had no idea what it was, but it certainly mattered to him if he didn't hide it.
"Astoria is fine," Draco said stiffly. There wasn't a single happy thing in how he answered, how he looked now. He looked uncomfortable, annoyance renewed for a difference reason. "She's been busy at work lately. With my job and hers, Scorpius is being left with nannies."
Luna knew Draco wouldn't like that. He had been raised plenty by the help when he was growing up while his parents had loved him. He had wished for his parents' attention when he was younger more often since it wasn't always there. He didn't want Scorpius raised the same way. Well, that explained that. He was irritated at Astoria for not being home more often. They'd spoken before that he didn't want her to be at home all the time, but more often was all he requested. Draco worked few hours as he could while maintaining his job at the Ministry in order to be more available for his son. With both Luna and Rolf's jobs, they could afford and manage for one if not both of them to be with the boys constantly. When they got older, they could go on expeditions and leave the boys for only a few days a few times a year to go together like they used to. She had to remind herself she was lucky to have the option. "I'm sorry, Draco," she said, meaning it.
Draco just shrugged, trying to not look bothered. He forgot that Luna can read him sometimes, and she knew this truly bothered him. Or else he wouldn't have brought it up so easily, without thinking. "It is what it is." She hated when he became cold in his words, even if his eyes weren't. He can't ask if things that mattered to him weren't important, like his own desires on how to raise his son wasn't important when they were. In end, it probably wasn't something Draco could win, Luna knew, but she wished he could. Astoria should understand him better after all these years, to know what he needs and wants. Rolf knew without a doubt that Luna had needed this coffee with Draco and hadn't hesitated to making sure she could go.
Looking at Luna toying with the spoon she had used to stir her coffee, he insisted, "Come on. How is it? Harder than expected? Easier than you thought? Or are you just thinking of how fast you can drink your coffee and go home to them?" It was a rare sight to see Draco Malfoy nice, playful, and genuinely interested. But his eyes danced back at her, egging her on to answer him fully and honestly. It was amazing how different he could be sometimes and it was why he was her friend. She accepted him for all of him - the cold shell he put on, the lukewarm attitude of not attitude, the rare sides of actual happiness, playfulness, or anger - and he accepted her for, well, just all of her.
"The boys are great. I am convinced they are the best babies in the world. That has ever been in the world. They seem as fascinated as we are over the creatures we tell them about, listening to us without crying, letting the tales lull them to sleep..." she gushed for a moment in a wishful voice. "And no, it is not harder than I thought, but it's not easy either. I do know respect some of you that were parents before me for doing it. I never had a clue."
Draco chuckled. "Well, now you do. And they're babies, Luna, you can tell them anything and they will listen seeing how they have no idea what you're saying yet. One day, however, they will, and they the true story telling will begin with you." He smiled, seeing nonplussed by the idea. He probably told stories or read books to his son all the time, loving when the boy liked what he was hearing most.
Luna smiled at Draco, glad to see the lukewarm temperature leave his grey eyes and be replaced with something warm and friendly, delighted and happy. She took a drink of her coffee at the same moment he did, both of them looking over their cups at each other. When they set down the cup. it seemed to be a friendly game of who was going to break and speak first. Luna could go days without speaking to another person unlike Draco who she assumed wouldn't lost minutes. And she was proven right when about five minutes into the probing grey eyed stare, getting more restless by the minute, he spoke up, "How is Rolf adjusting? As good as you?"
Luna was pleasantly surprised by the question and considered the answer for a moment. "Probably better."
Draco's fine blond eyebrow shut up in question as he looked at her. "Better? Really? He's a better father than I am then. I found it terrifying and hard to adjust to having to be at the beck and call of this little life. Sure, I loved him, but to adjust to him actually being there was... hard."
She book her head. "No, he's not. I've seen you with Scorpius and jump up when Scorpius cried. You're a brilliant father!"
Giving her a small smile. he said, "Thank you."
----
The twins were three when it started. No one expected it. No one planned it. Somehow we just drifted toward each other. Back when we first got families we seemed to have less time for reach other, but slowly, time didn't matter. We created our own times, meeting more in public placed the kids could be with us at, going to each other's flats, invited each other to every dinner party, every birthday party or dinner. If there was a reason we could be together, we used it and relished in that time.
No one seemed to notice anything wrong. No one seemed to notice we were spending more time together than previously, or that our families and other friends were spending more time with the other rather then carefully trying to keep them separated. The kids began to know who each other are by name, knowing the adults as well. There was no mistaking they had a friendship, a real connection over something most people didn't understand. Holidays came and went, days passed by slowly intermingling both their lives. But still. somehow, they longed for the times it was just the two of them, so they could be who they were and no one put on airs for anyone else.
Paying her an unexpected visit at her flat, Draco was there when she received the news. Rolf was off on an expedition in Asia. His exact location wasn't known. It left Luna alone with the boys at home. They were three, rowdy and played loudly when she wasn't trying to get them down for naps for bed or settle down long enough to eat. Now she longed for the day they were babies, more cuddly. When she opened the flat door, and he stood there, she smiled at him, ushering him in immediately before she spoke. "What brings you by?" she asked in her wistful tone.
Draco shrugged. It was practically a patented gesture for him at times as if he didn't need to explain himself to anyone. She just shook her head slightly, and brushed her blond hair over her shoulder. He didn't actually need to explain why he'd just appeared at her door. Both of them knew he was always welcome, but she did note that he didn't have Scorpius with him. Perhaps he was on a lunch break? Then why wasn't he eating anything? His eyes gave nothing awhile when she gave them a quick look.
"The boys just went down for a nap," she informed him airily, moving farther into the home. He followed suit, sitting down and making himself comfortable on the sofa. She smiled at the sight, as a familiar as it could be considered. "Do you want something to drink? Eat?" He had to be on his lunch break.
"A cup of coffee if you have any," Draco requested, a glint of amusement in his eyes. Unfortunately the look did not provide an answer to her unasked questions as it was.
She moved easily to the kitchen to get a cup of the coffee she'd made earlier for Draco. It wasn't freshly made like they coffee they normally shared, nor was it professionally brewed. Somehow, despite this, she knew he complain and if he did she had some fresh iced tea to offer as a replacement. Carrying out the two cups. she placed one in front of Draco and kept the other for herself. He picked up the cup timidly, looking at her curiously. When he took a sip, he smirked. It was clear he knew it wasn't fresh, but the smirk said it was more of a joke to him. At least that particular smirk did. Another one might say it was horrible and he needed something better.
They sat in silence for a moment, but it was comfortable, both sipping and drinking the coffee. Finally Luna spoke. "Are you on lunch, Draco?" She was a woman who liked to sedate her curiosity and didn't mind asking questions.
"No, I had a partial day at work," he explained with another shrug. "I figured I would stop by before I go home." His raised eyebrow asked his question for him of if it was a problem. It wasn't a problem; it was a good expected surprise in fact. She loved seeing him for any reason, even if it was no reason.
"You picked a good time then," she said vaguely. She meant of course the twins were sleeping. Once they settled down long enough to nap, they slept incredibly well, their little bodies exhausted from all the rowdy play before. This was normally the time she made sure the house was tidy so she and the boys could run any errands they had after they woke up. Today she got a special treat of spending unexpected time with her friend instead.
"I see that," he said, "But a Malfoy does have good timing." Luna had to agree that Malfoys she had known or knew of had proven that to her. Defecting right at the end of the war, Draco proving himself to be a decent person and become her friend right when they both needed it. If they hadn't needed the friendship at the time, she doubted it would have developed like it had. "Are the boys still napping well? Scorpius doesn't like nap time, but once he realizes he won't win he'll lay down. Then he's out."
Luna giggled. "Yes, they still nap well, but they too don't want to nap." Draco smiled at her. It was nice to have things in common with a friend. "They keep each other up, too, talking. But once one follows asleep the other one is sure to follow soon after. They grow bored just laying there."
He chuckled. 'Doesn't everything grow bored just laying somewhere?"
Tilting her head to the side, she shrugged her own version of the gesture. "Not necessarily. Just laying somewhere can give someone a nice place to think. Consumed with your own thoughts--" She was cut off by an owl soaring through her window. The sight wasn't surprising in a busy home, but she hadn't been expecting one either much like she hadn't been expecting her visitor.
Walking over to where the owl perched itself on the back of the couch right beside Draco. Reaching to undo the message from the bird's leg, she gave Draco a small, 'excuse me' smile. However, he didn't draw away from her at all, but remained comfortable in his seat on the couch as before. Unrolling the note, the words felt like daggers in her heart. Pincers grabbed her words so she couldn't even talk and tell Draco what was on the parchment when he looked at her inquiringly. She felt the blood drain from her face, her body feeling suddenly and unusually cold and weak. The only thought running through her mind was how this could not be happening. Her father could not be at St. Mungo's for some poisonous bite. No. He could not be hurt or sick or in danger. She couldn't believe it.
"Luna?" Draco inquired after a moment of silence, concerned. "Luna!" He jumped to his feet, turning his body so he was facing hers. Draco reached out and pried the parchment from her fingers, then read the words himself. "Merlin, Luna, it['ll be alright. Your father will be fine." He said the words with surprise, but determination like he could make her father alright by sheer will. "Go to St. Mungo's. I'll watch the boys."
She just stood there, looking at the back of the parchment in his hands. She could barely feel his eyes looking at her, or remember the boys were in a room nearby. All she heard was St. Mungo's. She had to get there; she was all her father had in the world and he needed her! He'd been forgiving of her busy life, but they still talked regularly and she took the boys to see him every other weekend at his home - her childhood home. She nodded numbly at his words, but still didn't look up at him.
"Luna! Look at me," Draco demanded, and when she didn't, he reached out grabbed her chin. He wasn't rough, but the touch pulled her back from her thoughts and fears. Her silver eyes met his grey ones, for the first time realizing she had tears in them. As if on an unexplainable, undeniable impulse, Draco reached out to her. The parchment dropped, drifting down to the couch, and Luna found herself pulled against Draco's chest in an embrace. He held her tightly, but not too tight, keeping her close and giving her comfort since she wad clearly in a state to need it. Her arms found their way around his body, pulling him closer to her in return and tightening the embrace they shared. "It'll be okay. He's at the best hospital in the world. He'll be okay," Draco whispered to her, his tone and voice like a caress to ease her fears.
Luna's head rested on his shoulder as he held her to him, taking comfort in his arms and warmth. They rarely hugged, and this was certainly a first anyway. Never had Draco held her before. Right now the moment was one of them despite the things running through her head around her father she couldn't help but notice how nice this was and how she almost wanted to stay like this. It was awaking things in her that she never knew where there, not for Draco. The moment she realized where her thoughts were leading, she looked up at Draco.
His grey eyes were mesmerizing. They weren't clouded over anyway. The grey was clear and nearly silver-like as they looked back at her, probing her like they always do. But it wasn't the same probing and she couldn't put a word to what it was. He was searching for something, something he hoped was there or hoped wasn't. He could be feeling something like she was, that he shouldn't feel for her. That thought actually made everything fall into place - they both knew they shouldn't be doing this, holding each other or feelings this way during the embrace.
She dropped her arms, but he kept one arm around her, reaching down and gently place his hand below her chin again. It rested there, keeping her face turned upward as he leaned down. Heat radiated from his body, from his touch; the heat warming her so she felt the same way if she didn't already. His kiss was feather-like, not like a kiss from Draco Malfoy she'd ever think. He wasn't the gentle, kind, endearing type. But a moment later, he leaned down again and touched his lips to hers, but this time it wasn't soft. The kiss was confident, hard without being rough, and full of passion and desire. How she longed to feel those things coming from Draco into her, her hands reached up and slid in his hair, combing it back lightly as she kissed him back. After a long. breathless kiss, she pulled back and immediately realized that kiss jarred her senses, bringing her back to reality to the fact she was in the arms of a man that wasn't her husband, feeling his lips against hers. And wanting to be and liking it.
Stepping back, she broke the embrace completely, her hands dropping. "My father," she said, trying to be firm.
"Your father. I'll watch the boys, you go," he insisted, his voice not having to try at being firm. He was - out of caring, she knew - telling her what to do. He moved to where the closet was, opened the door, and held her cloak out to her. "Go, Luna."
Her mind reeling from what just happened, she grabbed her cloak before she could go numb again and focused her thoughts on her father as far from the man standing in front of her as she could. "I'll send another baby sitter soo--"
"Go. I can watch them," he repeated strongly. Without hesitating, he reached out and took her shoulder, gently leading her to the fireplace in the middle of the living room. Not removing his one hand, he grabbed the pot of Floo powder for her. "Go."
She secured her cloak more firmly, not bothering to say anything about his touch. It felt nice, comforting, something real to cling to with one part of her mind so she didn't get lost. Steadying herself, she took the powder from him then stepped away, taking a bit in her hand, she placed the pot back on the mantel. "Thank you, Draco," she said in a soft, dream-like voice before she tossed the powder into the flame and watched it dance green before she stepped inside. "St. Mungo's!"
----
Her father spent two weeks in the hospital over a bite from a monsa. They were horrible little creatures discovered officially just two years prior. With humans starting to invade their home in the forest of South America, their bites killed many who didn't know they were dangerous. But her father had thankfully known the monsa was dangerous and bite poisonous and was able to go to the hospital in time. Still, recovery wasn't immediate for a bite that wasn't well known. She had sent another few to relieve Draco from baby sitting just a few hours after she relieved her word her father would most likely live and what happened exactly. But in the two weeks after, she hadn't spoken to him.
For once, she hadn't wanted to actually speak to him. As soon as Rolf had gotten her owl that something was wrong with her father, he had immediately came back home. The fact he came as soon as he could, cutting his trip short, make her feel even more guilty that she had kissed Draco. Until that day, she couldn't remember thinking of her friend as anything more than a friend. They were both married - supposedly happily. But during the two weeks without Draco, knowing why she was without him and having him not contact her, Luna felt even more miserable in her marriage. She craved the passion that was in Draco's kiss, the heat in his touch.
To make sure her father was okay, she and the boys stayed with him at her own childhood home for two weeks after. Once he was full recovered, Luna returned to her normal life with Rolf and the boys at the flat. In her mind, Draco and her friendship was through. She carried on easily for two weeks, keeping busy with her family and friends. but then Rolf went off to finish his trip. With how quickly he had came back just for her and her father, she couldn't bare to tell him no.
It was the day he left - about two hours after she'd dropped the boys off at her father's for another visit just the three of them - there was a knock on the door of the flat. Startled, she went to the door and was even more surprised it was Draco. She had half a mind to tell him to go away. but the other half wanted a reason for his silence for over a month. He hadn't even bother to ask her how her father was. He was hear that day yet he didn't care. Maybe Draco was as cold as everyone else thought he was.
They stood there locked in a strong and probing stare for a long moment before she sighed softly and stepped aside, letting him inside. With confidence, he strode into her home as if there was no question about his presence there. Even still, somehow, Luna didn't either. It felt like he belonged there. Then why hadn't he been there for over a month?
"How is your father? How are you doing?" Draco asked, turning to face her. This time he didn't sit straight down. He stood in the middle of the room, calling attention to himself. Her eyes couldn't look away from those familiar, grey eyes that haunted her. The questions were both a surprise and not. They should be expected questions after what happened, but somehow they were different from Draco, who hadn't already asked her, who hadn't been around, who had been there that day.
"Do you really care?" she asked in a soft voice, looking at him.
"Of course I care, Luna," he said, looking nearly hurt by her accusation. She could tell he meant the words and even seemed half hurt by her words.
"Then why haven't I heard from you?"
"Because of what happened. I wanted to ask about your father, about you. But what about what happened? Luna, I kissed you. Twice and I meant them. I've wanted to kiss you for awhile now and I finally did." He paused and took a deep breath. His grey eyes were beautiful as he said those words. They were the same clear grey that bordered on silver they had been that day when he looked at her. Had they been like that since he arrived? What did all this really mean? "I don't regret it."
She blinked at him. Her immediate reaction was that she didn't regret it either. She hadn't the entire time he'd been away and she'd missed him. Why couldn't he have come over the next day? Why couldn't he had come over when her father was still in the hospital or even at home? Why? "Regret is a waste of time," she replied softly in her dreamy voice as she looked at him without flinching.
Draco smiled, almost looking relieved. He crossed the room to her, his arms reaching out for her, but she stepped back, side stepping. "No," she said, "Tell me why. Where did you go? You say you care, but you left. Why?"
Draco looked at her with surprise. "It's not like that. I do care that's why. You were worried about your father and I wanted to have this conversation after it settled. We couldn't ignore what happened the next time we saw each other. At least I couldn't." His eyes were gentle, honest. He wanted to have a real conversation about it. Did that mean he wanted something to happen now? They were both married.
"Draco, what happened..." she trailed off, her voice dream-like as she looked at him, uncertain now. Now that he implied even vaguely he thought something about happen again, she couldn't get the thought of his touch - heated and gentle both - or the feel of his lips out of her mind. She wanted it again; she wanted to fling herself at him and hold on for dear life. But she couldn't, could she?
"It happened," he said firmly, taking a step closer to her. "You cannot deny that you don't regret it. You already told me. Where do you want to go from here? Nowhere? To continue to be friends? To continuing acting like we don't care for each other as more? That we don't have thoughts of more, of kissing, of touching? Do you want to continue as we have? I can't do that, Luna. I can't continue as we have. The only other choice is for me to walk out the door and never come back."
"Draco, I'm married," she pointed out, gesturing around her flat. "You're married. We had no right. We can't do again." Part of her knew her words were true. They shouldn't do it again, but they could, they can. She wanted to. The kiss, the touch, the man... she wanted it all. She had seen such amazing change in Draco in their years of friendship that the friendship had unknowingly developed into something more. They couldn't deny it any longer, and such a big part of her didn't want to.
"Alright," he said, moving past her toward the door. "If that's your decision, I can't change your mind." He strode to the door purposely as if not expecting the hand that reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. But as soon as the warm hand landed on his sleeve, he smirked. It was his smirk that said "I told you so". It was the smirk that said he'd been expecting all of this and was playing it up. It wasn't playing with her. She knew that without even looking in his eyes this time. Slowly he turned to her, taking her in his arms and this time she let him.
Sinking into him, her arms went around his neck as she breathed in the scent she knew would become familiar. Now it was just something she'd smelled at random during small moments of close contact. It was spicy and manly, all Draco. The way his hand stroked down her back was comforting, warm and sent tingles throughout her body; her eyes fluttered closed as she leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment. "Luna," he whispered, his voice full of emotion and sweetness as well as fire and passion. Turning her head, she caught a glimpse into those familiar grey silver eyes before his mouth slid over hers. His kiss was gentle yet such passion was in its depths. She had had no chance. There was no way she could have let this walk right out the door never to return.
Merlin help her, somewhere down the line, she had fallen in love with Draco Malfoy.
----
They spent their time in secret, meetings at their places when no one was around and hotels. Sometimes the meetings were frequent, but sometimes they were rare. In the end, all she could think of was Draco Malfoy. All she could think of was reasons not to be intimate with her husband. All she could do was try not to show her dealings in her face when she was with Astoria or her husband. She felt guilt and shame as she should, but she also felt love. It was a love that had been building for years, that they forsake their friends' shaking heads at first for. They did it all without knowing their friendship would lead to her bedroom when her husband was out of the country and her children being baby sat.
But the moment his fingers grazed her skin or she felt the heat of his mouth on hers, she knew she couldn't do without it.