Written for Crystals, Gemstones & Astrology at HPFC (prompt: Incorporate a full moon into your story. (150-600 words)).
Written for Pairing One Hour Challenge at HPFC (prompts: Ginny/Gabrielle, nostalgic).
Written for Challenges by the Dozen at Caesar's Palace (prompt: write about a minor character).
Written for September Event at Hogwarts (prompts: (dialogue) "Oh my god, she used me. I was used. Cool.", (emotion) Exhausted)
Written for Life is Just One Huge Song at Caesar's Palace (prompts: falling in innocent love, country - "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift).
Written for Caesar's Palace Prompts (prompts: night, ghostly).
WC: 538
Gabrielle remembers the first time they met. She was eleven, still teetering on the edge of childhood, but not quite young enough to think of herself as so. Ginny, sixteen, was everything that Gabrielle wasn't - grown, fiery, strong, peering over the edge into womanhood. So, Gabrielle did the only thing she could think of. She fluttered her eyelashes and smiled at Harry Potter.
After all, how could she compete with Harry Potter? Screaming, "you belong with me, even though I'm a baby!" wasn't the answer.
Now, the five year age difference doesn't seem so important, and that's just the way Gabrielle likes it.
"Hello," she says, turning up the accent. The word slides out between her lips like caramel.
Ginny looks up, though she doesn't move from her spot on the moss under the old tree. The yellow light from the Burrow draws dark caverns on Ginny's face, while the moonlight slipping between the trees makes her skin ghostly. She looks gaunt, wasted.
"Didn't expect to see anyone out here," says Ginny, her voice sounding like it's out of practice.
"I thought you might want some company."
"Well," Ginny says simply, and stops there.
Gabrielle takes that as a reluctant invitation and sits down next Ginny, putting her back against the huge trunk.
"What are you doing out here for?"
"I love the feeling of bug bites."
"Wait, really?"
Ginny snorts, shaking her head. "I just come out here when I need some air."
Gabrielle inhales deeply. Behind her, she can hear the rowdy family in the Burrow. They all can get so loud when it comes to playing board games together.
And all she can smell is Ginny's shampoo and the leftover chicken from inside. "Well, the air is rather crisp."
Ginny smiles, though the smile doesn't meet her eyes. "Yeah?"
Letting the silence linger in the air for a bit, Gabrielle holds her breath. "Is everything okay, Ginny?"
"Yes," Ginny replies, a little quickly. "Everything's fine. I'm fine. Just tired."
"Exhausted?" Gabrielle lays her hand on Ginny's arm, hoping that Ginny doesn't find that too forward. She and Harry had just broken up a two months ago, but Gabrielle couldn't wait much longer. Many gossip columns had cited Harry Potter as the newest, most eligible bachelor, but Ginny was more her type. Actually, Ginny had been her type for ten years.
"Yeah."
Gabrielle turns towards the woman sitting next to her, noticing the way that conflict contorts Ginny's face. Weasleys have never come across as being able to conceal their emotions, have they?
Finally, Ginny speaks again. "It's just... the Quidditch season is starting up again, and I feel a little lonely."
When Ginny turns towards Gabrielle, taking note of Gabrielle's fingers, something in her eyes changes. Something sad flickers in there at first, then is fanned into desire.
The next morning, when Gabrielle wakes up alone in a bed that isn't hers, her body feeling sore, but in a pleasant way, she can't stop the little giggle that escapes her lips.
"Oh my god," she whispers at the ceiling, "she used me. I was used. Cool."
Gabrielle swings her legs over the side of the bed and stands, feeling every bit like a catch.
