Written for Femslash February on tumblr. I own nothing.
The library is mostly empty at this hour, which is exactly what I need to get my homework finished. Sometimes the Gryffindor common room is just too noisy to get any real work done, and this evening it seems extra tumultuous. Walking past rows of shelves, I look for the perfect spot to sit: somewhere secluded and well lit. I don't usually need such a quiet place to do my homework, but quidditch practice has been keeping me from completing this particular assignment, and I'm nervous about getting it finished on time.
Sitting at a table by a window, I put my books down and tuck a red lock behind my ear. The assignment is fairly straightforward, so I set to work without delay, stars twinkling down at me through the frosted window. After a while, I realize Luna Lovegood has joined me, sitting across the table. How long has she been there? I must have been so absorbed in my homework that I didn't see her arrive.
"Hello, Ginny," she says once I notice her.
"Hello, Luna."
It's a bit odd to have someone join you without asking if you mind, but that's just Luna. She doesn't usually care for social conventions. There's an unrolled scroll lying on the table in front of her, but her dreamy eyes are focused on the stars outside the window.
"What are you working on?" I ask. She looks away from the night sky and smiles at me. A soft tingle tickles my spine, and I try not to shiver. Luna's eyes twinkle as brightly as the stars.
"Runes. It's such a lovely night for runes." Her voice reminds me of a breeze rustling the branches of a willow tree, barely more than a whisper.
"What makes tonight special?"
"Every night is special, Ginny." Momentarily, her silvery grey eyes become crystal clear and pierce my brown ones. A slight blush creeps onto my cheeks, and I look down at my homework, examining it like it's the most fascinating thing in the world. The library suddenly feels unnaturally quiet. "The moon."
"What?"
"Tonight's moon is suited to runes." I stare at her dumbfounded, having completely forgotten that I asked about her homework.
"The moon is good for working on runes?"
"Oh, yes. It's a magical language, you know." I'm not really sure what she means by that, having never studied runes. Knowing Luna, it may not mean anything all.
"Oh." It's such a lame response that I grimace, turning back to my assignment. Luna leans forward and tucks back into place the lock of hair that's escaped from behind my ear again. Her skin is warm and soft as it grazes the side of my face. I flush a deeper shade of red, the heat spreading up across my scalp. Rolling up her parchment, she gets up from the table and pushes in her chair.
"Goodnight, Ginny." The sparkle is back in her eyes, shimmering like a mirage.
"Goodnight," I manage to say, despite the fact that I suddenly find myself short of breath. As she walks away, I slump back in my chair. There's no way I'll be able to focus on my homework now.