Dedicated to the amazing AJ, my beloved wifey and twin. You're the Luna to my Ginny. I'm so, so, so grateful for every conversation, joke, and plan we've shared together. Happy national friendship day and I love you so much, my darling!
x.X.x
Sometimes, Luna feels like she's drifting, stuck in an endless loop. Everyday, she wakes up in a room far too cold (everything in Ravenclaw tower is so-very-cold) with roommates who hate her (she hasn't lost anything in years but her things keep disappearing and she's not that naive.)
Then comes along Ginny. That's how Luna lives her life: before and after Ginny Weasley, with her fiery hair and fiercer personality.
The after is her favourite part. It's nice, having a friend. It's even nicer having a best friend.
x.X.x
It's two in the afternoon when Ginny wakes up on the floor of the library, a stack of library books piled high beside her.
She's so behind on everything that it hurts. Tom broke her mind and stole time out of her hands like the kind of thief he was. Ginny may have stolen herself back but her hands will never be clean.
"You know, nargles are more easily attracted by how close you are to the floor," a dreamy voice says patiently.
Ginny looks up exhaustedly, her hair falling into her face. She swipes at it impatiently, and cranes her neck to look at the speaker: Luna 'Loony' Lovegood.
Luna is odd, her radish earrings shining brightly in the pristineness of the library, and Ginny winces. Luna isn't the best option but… it has been weeks since Ginny has has someone to talk to. Her roommates are polite but weary, with good reason.
"What's a Nargle?" Ginny asks after a long pause.
Luna beams brightly. "I thought you'd never ask, Ginny."
Despite her misgivings, Luna's smile is contagious. Ginny grins back just as passionately.
x.X.x
"Ginny, is something wrong?" Luna asks as they walked down the hallway leading to the great hall. "You've been quiet all day. It's unlike you."
"Are you saying I never shut up?" Ginny jokes, sticking her tongue out.
Luna laughs too, mirroring Ginny and making a goofy face. "Oh, yes, you don't, but I quite enjoy listening to you talk. You're very good at it."
Ginny bats her eyeslashes. "Is that a compliment?"
Luna cocks her head to the side, laughing. "Possibly."
Ginny rolls her eyes, fondness leaking into her tone. "I can't tell if you're making fun of me, or flirting with me. ."
"Oh, I'm doing both." Luna says easily and Ginny laughs, tossing an arm over her best friend's shoulder.
Luna smiles for a few beats longer before raising an eyebrow. Ginny sighs.
"I'm angry," Ginny admits. "Those boys, they were being rude and you didn't even react!"
"You don't have to fight my battles for me, Ginny," Luna says softly. "I'm capable of doing it myself."
Ginny rolls her eyes. "Obviously you are. But you don't have to do it all by yourself ever again."
x.X.x
"Hey, Loony," a voice calls and Ginny turns around, her fists already clutched together. "Loony, are you listening to me?"
"Call her Loony once again and you'll never be able to listen to anything ever again." Ginny said coolly.
The boys burst into laughter and Ginny scowls. Beside her, Luna is paler then ever and rage boils in Ginny's bones.
A quick spell is all it takes to make the boys scream as bats attack them. Even better, is the sound of cracking as Ginny swings.
She doesn't miss. Luna smiles. It's always going to be worth it.
(That's just what friend do, they go to the ends of the earth for each other and then drag each other back from hell. Always.)