― Uneven Odds;
A lunny drabble by Ali Williams
For theunseeliecourt. You requested this so long ago and I'm so sorry, I honestly cannot fathom why you put up with me ❤ ilysm xx
"WHY DON'T YOU COME OVER HERE AND MAKE ME?"
"darkness exists to make light truly count"
Her eyes hover over Luna's long, blonde hair for a moment, and she doesn't want to forget the way it falls over her shoulders, the way her wand is precariously shoved behind her ear. This is war. This is what would later be called "The Battle of Hogwarts" and Ginny wants to commit Luna, this wonderful girl who runs barefoot down corridors, to memory. Tonight felt endless, and Ginny is terrified the end of the night will mean someone's death. She cannot let it be Luna's.
"Gin," her voice is soft and her hand intertwines slowly with Ginny's confident and terrified and calm all at once. Ginny feels soothed at her touch, but her pulse still jumps as she feels the rumbling of gravel below them. She knows the Room of Requirement will keep her safe, but she doesn't trust what will happen when they leave.
"Gin, I'm going out there. I have to find Harry." Luna slowly untangles her hand, but Ginny jerks back, and Luna jolts in a mild shock.
"You can't go!" Ginny doesn't mean to raise her voice, but she has, because she can't lose Luna. Luna is vulnerable. Luna is gentle. She was not hardened by war like the rest of them. She cannot go out there alone.
Luna's eyes harden, a tiniest fraction colder, but Ginny's mouth is agape, reaching out for a hand again. Luna doesn't take it.
"Why not? I want to help our friends!" Her voice is gentle, but Luna is fierce, and it's at this moment that Luna looks bigger than ever before. She truly looks shaped by war, truly broken and smashed and still holding on to each piece, fighting for what is right despite the odds, and she is fighting for what she believes in, despite what everyone says. For she is still sane, still breathing, and she is more so than any of the others.
It is here where Ginny realises she loves her.
And why she cannot let her go.
"Please, don't go." Ginny's voice is but a whisper, clinging to her pride by a thread, keeping her from shedding. She cannot shed them here.
"Come over here and make me stay then," Something shifts. Luna is challenging her. This is new. Her eyes begin to shine again, and it's Luna's mischief, and Ginny's heart soars, because Luna is so beautiful and graceful that a war can be a little easier with her presence.
And so, Ginny grabs her around the waist and kisses Luna like she's never kissed her before. Her hands tangle in dirty blonde hair as Luna's tangle in ginger knots. Tears slip out and she knows she will let Luna go, but she needs to have this first. This kiss is hope. This kiss is fighting.
"I love you," Luna whispers as they break apart, and Ginny nods, and she doesn't even need to say more, because Luna knows her answer.
"Why don't we both go then?" Ginny presses her forehead against her girlfriends, clinging to the las strand of peace.
"I'll meet you at dawn." Luna nods.
"Stay alive." Ginny kisses her once more before they leave the room.
"I know we will," They part ways as Luna heads to Ravenclaw Tower, and Ginny feels a sigh of relief, and hopes that Luna will continue to thrive. Even against all odds.