Chapter 3 - Dinner at Malfoy Manor

                                    

                                          
Draco sat nervously in the parlour of Malfoy Manor his eyes fixed on the fireplace waiting for Luna to arrive. She had been worried about just suddenly appearing in his fireplace but he had insisted, this way he could be right here to meet her as soon as she popped up. 
                          
The humiliation of telling Luna the truth would be worth it when his father saw her. He had the sneaky feeling that his father hadn't totally believed his story and that annoyed him immensely. His mother on the other hand had been delighted by the news and had warned Lucius not to be scary. That had made Draco laugh, but he had silently thanked his mother for remembering that her husband had the knack of terrifying people just by being in the same room as them. 
                          
He glanced up at the clock it was seven o'clock, Luna would be arriving at any moment. He rubbed his hands together willing himself not to mess this evening up. 
                          
"What time did you say she would be here?" Lucius asked from the door way. 
                          
Draco jumped, he had been so busy watching the fireplace he hadn't registered his father was even there. "Seven." He replied, quite glad to find his voice was normal and not squeaky. 
                          
Lucius nodded towards the clock. "It's seven now." 
                          
"I know that." Draco snapped, "She doesn't have to be here dead on seven does she?" 
                          
Lucuis shrugged and left the room, Draco was positive he heard his father mumble something that sounded like "If she comes at all." 
                          
He glared after his father, he'd show him once Luna arrived. She'd shut him up, and she was just so pretty and perfect his father wouldn't be able to find fault with her at all. 
                          
Draco frowned, suddenly remembering that he hadn't requested that she change her accessories. He groaned, if she wore those earrings and that stupid necklace his father would have a field day. Normally it didn't bother him, he thought they made her look quirky and interesting; but his father was a different matter. 
                          
"Come on Luna, where are you?" Draco shifted about in his seat, he had a horrible feeling that she had changed her mind and wouldn't come. There was no real reason why she should help him out was there? But she had agreed to come; and Draco had the feeling that Luna didn't back away from her promises. 
                          
Bright green flames licking in the grate alerted him to someone's arrival. He let out a long breath of relief. She had come. A little late, but better late than not at all. "Luna!" He jumped up but quickly stopped himself from hugging her. He wasn't sure he was allowed to do that so he figured it was best to keep his hands to himself. 
                          
"Sorry I'm late, I couldn't find my shoe." She apologised, brushing some floo power from the pale pink off the shoulder dress she wore. She'd had to rush out shopping to find something appropriate for dinning with the Malfoy's. With Ginny's help, (under the guise that she was accompanying her father to an editor's dinner) she had just managed to clobber together an outfit. 
                          
Luna didn't like to lie to Ginny; but she wouldn't understand if Luna had told her what she was really doing. She didn't fully understand her actions herself, and she didn't want to embarrass Draco by telling his secret. 
                          
Draco just stood and stared hungrily at her. Considering her usual creative dress code who knew she could look so elegant and sophisticated? He could find no fault with how she was dressed, she just looked even more beautiful to him now than she usually did. 
                          
"It's ok, I'm glad your here, I thought you changed your mind." 
                          
Luna looked annoyed, "I said I'd be here and my word is good, Draco." 
                          
Draco nodded, "I figured it would be, I was just worrying that's all. You look nice." He added uncertainly. 
                          
Luna breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought she looked nice but she wasn't sure if Draco would agree with her. After all, he saw women dressed up all the time and she might not have lived up to expectations. For some reason she could not decipher she wanted him to realise that she could look like all the pureblood women he socialised with, and she wasn't just some loony girl from school.