This is a rewrite!

Dark Light

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~ let's embrace the point of no return

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He's not scared.

He hasn't seen the dragons, not yet, but he can hear them whine loudly as the crowd cheers (the massacre of young children is so fun, clap and scream everyone). Rayna is pressed to his side while Viktor keeps telling him to be careful and that, yes, he will jump in to save his ass even that means they are both disqualified. Even with Lavender's information (about dragons and spying for him 'I'm not about to let you go down without a fight') there is no knowing how this will turn out. His emerald eyes shoot up while Rayna tries to smile, both at him and Viktor. Harry's eyes find his guardian's ones and the older man winks (but the worry, it makes him look older).

He knows he should be, but he's not scared.

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"Luna, look – he made it." Lavender feels bad for her friend, because she's trying so hard to look unbothered by all of this (and usually, she wouldn't be. But the blonde has been jumpier these days, on guard, like she expects something to happen – something bad). The brunette squeezes Luna's hand in her own – Lavender's scared for Harry too.

The fourteen year old chances a look a few seats below. Everyone from the Slytherin house is cheering loudly for the wide-eyed champion. Some even have 'Potter' inked on their foreheads and cheeks while others chant loudly for him. Her eyes catch Draco, who is up and clapping (he doesn't have ink on his forehead and he doesn't scream – because he just doesn't).

He couldn't sit with them. No, he said something about territory and house unity and a father's expectations. Luna doesn't mind – she understands what a father's expectations mean after all. But Lavender,

Lavender feels a small tug in her heart when he doesn't turn around.

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People clap and cheer and scream.

He wins, of course he does. There is a golden egg under his arm when he reaches his common room, people greeting him with smiles and pats on the back like they are suddenly best buddies. Draco smirks – mostly because this is Harry Potter who is a Slytherin and worse, a Slytherin champion and in another world, this is so unlikely.

The fourteen year old champion doesn't smile and doesn't stay for applauds (this is not some little boy who grew up in a cupboard under the stairs – this is a boy with friends and love and family and plans that do not include saving the Wizarding World). Instead, he escapes the first chance he gets to his dorm; the egg thrown carelessly on the floor and limbs sprawled on his bed. Draco wonders why it's always the ones who shy away from fame that finish in the spotlight. If the blonde had been any different, he would have felt envy (but this is not some spoiled brat, who dreamt of fame, he is the heir to the Malfoy name, which is fame in itself, not the good kind).

"Not to burnout." It's a pun, a very bad one. But Harry smiles nonetheless and turns to face him. He's obviously tired (and Draco thinks that anyone would be tired after battling a dragon).

"I'll survive." It's like nothing of this truly reaches him. Ever since his guardian arrived (he'd explained it all, how the man had rescued him from his abusive relatives and raised him like his own) Harry has been a lot less worried about what happens next – or his safety.

Sometimes, he disappears for hours, probably spending time with the man and Draco wonders what it's like to have a relative who actually gives a shit.

"Hey…" Harry looks at him with a small smile. "When is the Yule Ball again?" Draco blinks and forgets about life-threatening situations and family figures and conniving mothers for about a second – he completely forgot about that ball.

Worst, he can't think of anyone to ask.

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He finds her perched high up in the astronomy tower, sitting on the windowsill like she isn't afraid she'll fall and break her pretty little bones. She won't; of course, she just needs the fresh air.

Luna's been feeling queasy – like she's suffocating. As if the school she's known and come to call home isn't welcoming her anymore (ever since her midnight talk with Harry's friend, she's been trying to come up with reasons for all that happens here and it doesn't, it's doesn't make sense).

Days are hazy, but not like before. Harry battles dragons and Lavender crushes on Draco and Draco is just way too oblivious to notice.

Things are shifting and Luna… Luna is lost.

"Luna?" He doesn't startle her (he always seems to find her these days, even in the oddest places he comes looking). He smiles, his eyes reflecting pure moonlight in the deepest shade of green. "I knew you'd be here." She gazes at him – her heart doesn't skip a beat but she smiles as he sits next to her.

"Congratulations for today." She forgets to mention her fears, that when he stood in the middle of that ring, in front of that dragon she almost turned her head away (but this is Luna Lovegood and she can hide anything under her calm blue eyes). He shrugs.

"Thanks." He shifts – he's nervous and the moon is bright. She looks at him, really looks at him, like she's trying to find an answer. He wants to ask something, she doesn't know what. "Did you hear about the Yule Ball?" Luna blinks, of course she has; half of the girls in her house have gone mad, talking about dresses and shoes comfortable enough to dance in.

"Oh, well yes. Although third year and under can't go unless someone asks them." When he moves his fingers, the crack and she remains calm. It hits her even before the words have left his mouth.

"Do you want to go? I mean with me, to the ball?" Her eyes are tainted with disbelief. Here he is, Harry Potter, asking her to the Yule ball – her, Luna Lovegood. His shoulders tense at her reaction. "If you don't want to go it's fine or if someone already asked you…"

It's sickeningly sweet, the way her gut drops to her feet.

"Yes, Harry." She puts him out of his misery. He let's the words sink in. "I'll go to the ball with you." And then he smiles, a real smile. Luna looks up at the moon and wonders what happens next.

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"Rayna, you'll scare her." Harry looks truly worried, but Lavender laughs. Even Draco chuckles slightly (Lavender has to stop herself from looking at him too much and she's screwed – she really is). Viktor looks at his girlfriend, ready to stop her from choking someone.

"Boys wouldn't understand. Come on Lavender, we have to go." Rayna tugs at Luna's arm, Lavender chasing after them. Harry and Draco stare at each other while Viktor just shakes his head. Hogsmeade is supposed to be friend time, but apparently Rayna has a plan.

The three boys stand there for a few seconds.

"Quidditch shop, anyone?" Harry gives Draco a smile and Viktor nods distantly – he looks at the retreating figure of his girlfriend sceptically.

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Hogsmeade has only one proper dress shop. Rayna and Lavender babble on about a lack of boutiques and color palettes, debating on whether a baby or navy blue go better with blonde hair. Lavender has a hand on Luna's shoulder as Rayna pulls her around the store.

It's all so new to Luna, this having girlfriends thing. She knows most thirteen year old have already experiences most of this, shopping and giggling and gossiping.

"Did somebody ask you yet?" Rayna holds a floor length baby blue dress with sparkles on it to the blonde's chest. It's beautiful, but the brunette ticks and then places back on the rack.

"No. Well, someone asked but…" Luna smiles.

"It wasn't the right person." She finishes for her friend. Truth is, a few boys had already asked Lavender; she'd just declined because… well she didn't want to go with any of them.

"I'm sure Draco will grow a pair soon enough." Lavender turns a deep shade of pink and hides her face behind a brown dress. Rayna doesn't notice the effect of her words, merely continues to look for a dress – the perfect dress. Luna doesn't understand why the fifteen year old takes this so seriously, they don't mean much to one another. "I imagined something shorter…"

"Did you already find a dress?" Rayna pauses and turns to face the fourteen year old.

"My mom sent one for me. Besides, black is a bit of a tradition." And then she's back to rummaging through dresses, pulling Luna with her. It's a good fifteen minutes before she finds one and holds it up to her. "There, what do you think?"

Lavender, a dress flung on her shoulder, smiles. "It's perfect. You should try it on." And Luna just stares at the dress, thinks it's beautiful and that maybe blue and blonde do go together perfectly and she wants to say thank you, but the words catch in her throat.

Rayna and Lavender have started talking about heels and straight hair.

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It's two weeks after their shopping spree and a few days before the Yule Ball and everyone has gone bat shit crazy. In the Gryffindor common room, Lavender has to dodge boys and girls, trips over make up and heels in her room and has to watch as everyone goes mad.

But there is a plus to all of this. The people of her house are far too busy to pay her attention and, before Harry and Luna and Draco, she'd never thought she'd be happy about it. She used to love her house, now everyone is mean and suspecting.

She actually finds solace in the library. Lavender has never been this studious, but the library is quiet and with the Yule Ball approaching it seems homework is far away from anyone's mind. Her dress is already bought, her mom has sent her matching heels and she has a vague idea of what to do with her hair (or maybe Rayna can do it, because the girl is on a freaking mission).

"Lavender." She turns around, the hand that was trying to reach a book on a particularly high shelf pausing in mid-air. Her mind goes blank. Draco raises an eyebrow, brushes past her (and she can smell his expensive cologne and feels his robes shuffle against hers) and grabs the book with ease. She smiles (she wonders if her face is as red as she thinks).

"Thanks." She holds the book close to her chest and when he doesn't leave, she starts fidgeting. "What are you doing here?" He chuckles (he looks like he wants to pat her on the head, like a two year old kid). She wants to smack herself – this is a library and he's obviously here to study.

"Charm exam in a week." She nods. "Do you have a table?" She points to the small, two place table in between two bookshelves. "I'll go get a book and then I'll join you." And she nods again because that's the only thing she seems able to do.

Hidden away behind bookshelves, she can almost hope he reciprocates whatever feelings she has for him.

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"So, you find a date to dance?" Harry actually blushes and looks towards the Ravenclaw table. Draco doesn't bother to ask whom it was or if that person said yes.

"You?" The platinum blonde shakes him head.

"I'm thinking of going solo." Draco munches on a piece of toast as Harry rolls his eyes in his direction.

"Lavender doesn't have anyone yet." Truth be told, Draco has considered asking Lavender (and yesterday, when she stood so close to him he could feel her breathe and the way she bit her lip when she didn't understand something, it almost slipped – almost). But again, there is something about father's expectations that stopped him every time.

Harry rolls his eyes again.

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"Here. Let me do this for you." Professor Levski pulls on the collar of Harry's shirt to straighten it and finishes to place his tie – Harry hates it. He'd rather be in jeans or even his school robes. Formal events make him feel totally clueless. Viktor smiles at the two and Draco looks up from where he's sitting, already primed and polished and perfect.

Rayna vanished over three hours ago, with a large bag of make up and her dress flung on her shoulder. She said she needed to do something and the girl is on a freaking mission.

"There." Harry turns to look at himself in the mirror. His reflection makes him feel uneasy. He looks at Draco, in comparison he looks short and like an amateur.

"Thanks." His mentor smiles and turns back to adjusting his own tie. Viktor smiles up at him while placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. It's the most normal they've acted since he's received Sirius' letter and it's nice – almost like they are back at Durmstrang exchanging Quidditch tips while watching Rayna stress over whatever new plan has formed in her head. Even Draco, the newest addition, seems to fit perfectly with them.

"Come on. If we are late, Rayna will kill us in our sleep." Harry rolls his eyes. Of course she will.

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Rayna is simply gorgeous (Harry's breath itches and he remembers suddenly, the crush he's had on her for four years). Something in Viktor eyes shimmer as she walks down the flight of stairs to the Great Hall – it's pride. She wears a black, layered ruffled strapless dress that shows just enough leg to make a few boys turn around. Her hair has been slicked back, cascading on her back and her eyes are darkened with black eyeliner, her lips glossy and nude. There is a simple necklace that falls into her cleavage and a pair of six each stiletto – when Viktor takes her arm she winks at him.

Lavender comes down with floor length one shoulder forest green dress that has a high slit, showcasing her tone left thigh. The strap looks festive, just like mistletoe and the silver heels she wears match her earrings and bracelet. Her hair is curled to perfection and pulled up in a messy bun with a few strands falling around her face. Her make up is subtle, her lips glossy pink and the blush on her face making her glow. She bats her eyelashes, fully intending on walking down, head held high because she doesn't have a date. But then Draco, out of his stupor, walks up to her and whispers something in her hear. She blushes and waves at Harry shyly.

Luna stands at the back until she doesn't have a choice anymore. She takes a few shy steps and notices people staring – people never stare at her that way. Her dress is very simple. It's a royal blue mini dress that barely reaches her thighs. The long sleeves are made of black lace just like the trim and the A-line doesn't stick to her skin and makes it comfortable to move. For the cause, Rayna had straightened her hair and only curled the end, had put on a good coat of mascara and some translucent gloss. Luna had even put on black heels and her very own golden cabbage earrings.

Harry sends a glare to a few wide-eyed fourth years that stare at her and offers her his arm. She takes it gratefully because Luna Lovegood is a good at a lot of things, but walking in heels isn't one of them. "You look stunning." Luna doesn't blush, but pause.

"You too." She clutches his arm a little tighter as they move behind Rayna and Viktor. Harry can't help the stupid smile on his face. Rayna sends Viktor a satisfied smile and tightens her hold on his hand. Viktor rolls his eyes – but he just loves her.

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"Thanks for earlier." Draco raises an eyebrow, not really sure why she's thanking him. "You know, I didn't have a date." Lavender is currently stretching her feet, heels off and sitting on a windowsill close to the Great Hall. Everyone is still enjoying the party, which is in full mode now. The snow has started falling outside, pilling down on the ground.

"Ah." He nods his head, understanding. "You do look beautiful tonight, it would be a shame if no one stepped up." He drawls out like the perfect gentleman his mother made him into (like he really had a choice to begin with). Lavender smiles. Luna and Harry still haven't reappeared from wherever they wondered off to.

"It's too bad those heels hurt, they're gorgeous." Draco smiles as she flexes her feet. He's an idiot. He looks at Lavender, who just babbles on about whatever is on her mind, happy to be here with him and not worried about his status or money. She wants nothing but his time and company (it's such a change from the others hang around him because they have to).

"Lavender." She turns to look at him, candlelight reflecting in her brown eyes. He can see it plainly now, the way she looks at him. He can't believe he didn't realize it sooner. "I wanted to invite you to the dance." He bends down his face." I'm sorry I didn't." Their foreheads brush.

"It's ok." She's gone very, very still. She's afraid that any movement will suddenly make him realize what he's doing and he'll pull away. But instead, his hand reaches out to her cheek and her thoughts are interrupted.

"Let me make it up to you." She doesn't understand what he means until his lips are covering hers. She can't help the warmth that spreads through her body or the way she answers the kiss hard. His hand moves towards her back and pulls her closer and she gasps – so unlike her previous kisses.

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Luna twirls in her dress, blue fabric swaying softly with her. She loves the snow – that's what she tells Harry when she takes off her shoes and runs towards the gardens, laughing slowly and letting the white snowflakes dampen her hair.

For a minute, he forgets the fact that she could very well catch a cold. He's used to this kind of weather – Durmstrang is used to a lot worse, especially in December. He follows her to the gardens, always with the feeling that if he looks away she'll disappear. He can't help it and pushes his dress robe on her shoulders, leaving him with a white dress shirt.

"Dance with me." He can't help the way his eyebrows shoot up. There is a room filled with music and people dancing and here she is, in the cold snow, wanting to dance. He shakes his hand but can't help the smile that spreads on his face.

He takes her outstretched hand and makes her twirl. The sudden warmth makes their hands sweat against one another and when Harry pulls her closer he can feel both of their warmth mix together. It's silly, really. His hand on her waist, he takes a step backward as she does forward and she seems genuinely happy that they are dancing out here, alone, with barely light.

He makes her twirl for probably the fourth time when the urge to pull her to him is finally too strong. She feels good in his arms, her arms wrapped around his lower back as she carefully reciprocates the hug. Her face is muffled in his shoulder and his arms are wrapped around her pretty little neck.

"Harry?" Her voice comes out muffled.

"Hmmm?"

"Shouldn't we go back inside?"

"Not yet." He can feel her smile spread on his shoulder and, even if it's physically impossible, he tries to pull her closer to him.

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A/N : I've been thinking about redoing this chapter for some time, mostly because I wanted to add a few new parts, especially the last one. Anyways, now that this is done with, I'll focus on Chapter 6 - there's isn't much left, only four or five chapters. I know you are very patient with me. As always, you're reviews make my days. Hope you enjoyed and thank you for reading.