A.N.: So, I know that Educational Decree Number Thirty-One is only in the movies and isn't technically canon, but this opportunity was too good to pass up.

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter


The sound of a hammer banging into a nail reverberated off the stone walls of the Entrance Hall. A smattering of students gathered, a safe distance away from the sneering Filch as he worked, while Mrs Norris curled herself around his legs.

Once the nail was in place, Filch gave a stiff nod and a satisfied grunt, then picked up his toolbox and slouched off.

The students flocked to the wall.

"Educational Decree Number Thirty-One," Luna read in her sing-song voice. "Boys and girls are not permitted to be within eight inches of each other."

"Oh, this is just getting ridiculous," Ginny scoffed. She took Luna's arm and pulled her from the throng of students.

"It does seem a bit excessive," Luna agreed once they were a safe distance away.

"Authoritarian, more like. Down right totalitarian."

Ginny paused, her expression thoughtful. She turned to Luna.

"Maybe we should protest?"

Luna's crystal eyes sparkled. "What did you have in mind?"

~{harry-potter}~

Dinner was just starting. The Entrance Hall was packed to the rafters, full of students and staff heading for the Great Hall with salivating mouths and growling stomachs. Ginny and Luna managed to fight their way to Educational Decree Number Thirty-One.

"Can you see her?" Ginny craned her head over the crowd.

"Yes," Luna answered. "She's in the Great Hall."

Ginny followed Luna's line of sight. She huffed.

"Oh, well. We better hope we make a big enough scene for her to come running."

Ginny grabbed Luna by the shoulders and slammed her back into Educational Decree Number Thirty-One, then slammed her lips against Luna's.

From somewhere to Ginny's right, a cheer rang out, and the flow of students slowed to a halt around them. The cheering passed through the crowd, accompanied with claps and whistles.

Ginny curled her hands into Luna's hair and Luna held Ginny's hips, pulling her closer.

They were rewarded with the click-clack of inch-high heels on the stone floor, followed by a shriek.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Ginny pulled back, and she and Luna turned towards the door to the Great Hall to see a red-faced Umbridge with her hands curled into fists by her sides.

Ginny was struggling to breathe, her lips pained and swollen, so Luna answered for her.

"The Decree says boys and girls can't be within eight inches of each other. Professor, are we doing anything wrong?"

Umbridge spluttered, spittle flying every which way.

She was saved from having to come up with a reply when Professor McGonagall appeared next to her, with a smirk playing on her lips.

"No, I don't believe you are, Miss Weasley, Miss Lovegood." She turned to Umbridge. "Are they, Dolores?"

Umbridge growled.

"Come now, girls, you don't want to miss your dinner."

Ginny and Luna peeled themselves off the wall, following Professor McGonagall into the Great Hall.

Professor McGonagall put a hand on each of their shoulders.

"Ten points to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."