A/N: This fic is for Hogwarts assignment 9, RE, Task 3: Fasting - write about sacrificing something. It's 607 words.
Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love, is by far, the truest type of love - Unknown
Ginny looked at the embossed envelope which had arrived with sadness. Although the witch knew that it was going to be sent months ago, the fact that it was here meant she had to face reality; and that was something she didn't want to do.
Opening the envelope, Ginny pulled out and read the contents:
William and Anna Greengrass
invite you to celebrate the wedding of
Daphne Greengrass and Harry Potter
at Godric's Hollow Church, 15th July at 2.30pm
A separate RSVP card was inside but she took no notice of what it said. Ginny knew that this day would come sooner or later, but a selfish part of her hoped that it would never come at all.
She and Harry had dated for almost a year after the final battle until he told her it wasn't working.
"I love you," he said, "but I'm not in love with you anymore."
It had devastated her as her feelings for him had only grown stronger, but Ginny respected his decision and let him go. About a year later he started seeing Daphne and she could tell that Harry cared for her very much and wasn't surprised when he proposed two and a half years later.
The sound of her floo activating made Ginny tense. The only person who knew about her feelings for Harry was her mum and she didn't feel up to seeing her just yet.
"Hello, Ginny," Luna said walking into the room.
Ginny let out a sigh of relief; Luna fortunately wasn't aware of how she felt.
"Hi Luna, how are you?" she asked smiling.
"I'm good, thank you. Rolf and I have just finished plans for our next expedition. How are you?"
"I'm good," Ginny lied hoping her friend wouldn't pick up on it.
"Are you sure? It can't be easy watching the man you love marry someone else," she said unusually blunt.
"What do you mean?"
"I can tell how you feel. You manage to hide it really well from most people, but I know you," Luna said gently.
Ginny tried to speak but the emotions swirling in her made it hard. She always tried to suppress her feelings in public because she didn't want to be pitied, or make things awkward between her and Harry.
"Daphne is really nice and she makes him happy. That's all I care about," Ginny said thickly.
"What about your happiness?" Luna asked frowning.
There was no doubt in Ginny's mind that Harry had been the one for her, and she would gladly sacrifice her happiness if it meant that he would be happy.
"It doesn't matter. So long as Harry is happy, so am I," she replied.
"You would give up your only chance at love and happiness? That's very noble of you, Ginny."
"I love Harry, and I won't spoil this for him. Perhaps in time I may have space for someone else, but my heart will always belong to him," she said.
"If you ever need to talk, or cry, I'm here for you. Harry might be my friend, but you're my best friend," Luna told her.
"Thank you," Ginny said tearfully.
It was only now that she had Luna to confide in that she felt as if she could let out everything she felt. Ginny always made a point of downplaying the depth of her feelings to her mum, but she didn't have to do that with her friend.
It hurt to know that another woman would be living her life with the man she loved, but with her friends support Ginny knew that she would be able to get through it.