A/N: For the House Cup Competition, round 2 (Gryffindor, year 3) using the prompts: Ginny/Luna, Thunderstorm, A character must deny something, and delicate. I also used the bonus prompts: library, faith.

Also for the Song Fic Boot Camp using the song 'Say Goodbye' by Skillet

xox

They had said it would get easier.

Nothing had gotten easier. The pain numbed a bit, yes. But loss was never easy to cope with, and you had lost so much in such a short time. You were beginning to worry if you'd ever be put back together.

It had been nearly five months, yet you were still piecing yourself back together, finding lost shards of yourself in places where you had found happiness before the war took over: the Quidditch pitch, the castle itself. It all reminded you that there were happier times before, that there'd be many happy times to come.

You were in the library with Luna, working late nights to finish essays that had been piling up. Luna had her quill behind her ear, reading over what she had written. You watched as her eyes moved back and forth across the parchment.

"Things are still changing out there, aren't they?" you remarked, gesturing out to the dark skies beyond the windows. A storm was brewing, rain barraging the glass panes and lightning illuminating the night sky.

She looked up and nodded. "Nothing'll be the same anymore, I suspect. After the war and everything," she said gently, glancing up into your brown eyes sorrowfully. "I'm sorry," she said.

You shook your head. "Don't be. It's just… the shocking reality that it's all ended, and we're nearly out of Hogwarts already. I guess we'll go our separate ways, won't we?" Luna had her life, you had yours. You vaguely wondered how many of your classmates you'd see outside of school once you left.

"I doubt that," she responded simply.

"What makes you say that?" you ask.

"Well, it's just that we've grown so close here at Hogwarts, I'd be surprised if that changed once we leave."

"I suppose…" You sigh and look out the window, watching the rain race down the windowpanes and lightning crack through the sky. "Seems like just yesterday we were laughing, so carefree and innocent. Now look at us, seventh years, about to take our NEWTs and leave school. Where'd all the time go?"

Luna looked thoughtful, pondering your question before shooting you a look full of raw emotion. You and Luna had been best friends throughout your school years, and recently it had been growing into something more. You had seen this look on her face so many times lately.

"We're growing up," you sighed. "It's so hard to believe we'll be done here soon. I don't want to believe it. What'll happen when I don't see you every day after we leave? You and I both know we'll be separated—it won't be like this anymore, seeing you every day. I can't bring myself to say goodbye to you, Luna."

"You won't need to say goodbye. My mum always said that goodbye is too definite for humans. That we shouldn't use that because we never know how things are going to end. Besides, we've got plenty of time before then. Let's make the most of it while we have the chance." Her voice was as delicate as you had become, but it was also strong, sure. Luna took your hand in hers, and you saw the faith and hope shining brightly out of her eyes, shining on you to show you that it wasn't over, that goodbye was just a word with no firm meaning for the two of them.

Because goodbye would mean being torn apart, and you weren't sure if there was enough of your heart left to be torn. What remained clung to Luna's heart, so pure, so happy, like the sun shining through the dark clouds of the thunderstorm. Like the music playing that masked the thunderclaps and the rays of light that blinded the lightning. It wasn't over, it was just beginning.

Now you never say goodbye. Beginnings are no time for endings, and you never know when it's going to end.