A/N: This is for ladyoftheknightley's "The Canon vs. Fanon" competition, sparkling soul's "The 'I kissed a girl'" competition, ladyoftheknightley's "Bechdel Test" competition, HedwigBlack's "Slash/Femmslash Boot Camp" challenge with the prompt beginning, and Lady Phoenix Fire Rose's "Boot Camp One Hour" challenge with the prompts tempting, the right time, yellow, peach and stop. Wow. That was a lot.


.:. Part Two .:.

.:. The Picnic .:.

Astoria picked her way across the lawn to greenhouse one, unsurprised when she found she was the only one at the building. She had grown up with the idea that there was no such thing as 'on time'. The right time to show up was based on your position in society; if you were lesser ranked than your companion, you would do well to arrive early so as to show proper respect, while if you were ranked higher, it was perfectly reasonable to show up late, expecting that companion would have no problem waiting for you. Normally, Astoria would have thought that the Greengrass family carried more prestige than the Lovegood family, and been inclined to show up late, but she was worried that Luna Lovegood might not be familiar with the idea and leave, believing Astoria had bailed on the meeting.

As she forced herself to remain calm, knowing the couldn't afford to be worked up when she met up with Ginny, Astoria watched the time tick by on her watch, eleven o'clock coming and passing. Belatedly, Astoria remembered Lovegood was a Pureblood also, and wondered if the girl was deliberate in showing up late, thereby proving her importance over Astoria for the favor by making her wait, or if she had simply been distracted in her usual carefree attitude.

When blonde hair showed around the corner of the greenhouse, Astoria's sigh was almost unnoticeable. "This way." Lovegood remarked calmly, turning and heading across the lawn toward the Forbidden Forest. Astoria followed for several silent minutes before she realized that Lovegood appeared to be taking them into the forest and stopped suddenly. "Oh, don't worry, it's not really in it. You won't get eaten today." Lovegood remarked, apparently having noticed Astoria's halt. Astoria bit back a retort and resumed following Luna as the older girl found a path that lead along the edge of the trees to a simple clearing. "I'll be back," Lovegood told her before turning abruptly around and heading back the way they came.

Astoria wished there had been a little more talk and planning, but she supposed that beggars couldn't be choosers. She smoothed out her skirt and sat herself down on a fallen log, focusing on taking deep breaths to keep herself from stressing out on what was about to occur. She knew she truly wanted to date Ginny Weasley, but she just wasn't used to taking the lead in relationships, especially when she knew that if she made a wrong move, she could ruin the slightest possibility of having a chance.

As the minutes ticked by, Astoria was alerted to the two girls' approach by the cheerful conversation that approached her. Finally, the bright yellow sundress that Lovegood had been wearing came into view, accompanied by the dark blue one that showed a lot more of Ginny Weasley than Astoria had previously been able to see due to the Hogwarts robes.

"It looks like someone beat us here. Maybe we should go by the lake instead," Ginny commented, noticing Astoria's presence.

"No, she's supposed to be here," Lovegood commented calmly, unfolding the picnic blanket she was carrying with a flick of her wand. Once the item was laid flat, she levitated the basket into the middle.

"Oh, you didn't tell me she was joining us," the red-head remarked to Lovegood as she took a seat on the corner of the blanket.

"The picnic is just for the two of you. I have to go try to remove the nargles that took up residence in Ravendclaw tower after the renovations from the battle. Have fun," Lovegood instructed as she turned and skipped off, leaving the two girls alone in the clearing.

Ginny turned and shook her head at Astoria. "I'm afraid Luna had the wrong idea. I don't date girls. I'm sorry she dragged you all the way out here for no reason," she said as she started to stand.

"No, wait," Astoria said, coming and taking a seat on the blanket across from Ginny. "Couldn't we at least get to know each other a little and maybe become friends? It seems like a shame to waste this whole lunch L-Luna put together," Astoria asked, stumbling over using the girl's given name, rather than her surname. She noticed as Ginny's eyes narrowed a little as she was studied, and she opened the basket, pulling out the first thing her hand came in contact with to try to use as a distraction. "Peach?"

Apparently, that was a magic word, given that Ginny's attention was immediately diverted to the offered fruit. "Well, I guess it can't hurt," Ginny commented, taking the peach and biting into it. "I'm Ginny Weasley."

"Astoria Greengrass," she introduced herself, reaching into the basket and pulling out a peach for herself. She bit into it, carefully chewing and swallowing like she had been taught before speaking again. "I've seen you play on the Quidditch team. Are you going to be trying out again this year?"

Ginny nodded her head. "I'd possibly like to play professionally, so getting on the team this year could help me. Hopefully we can find someone to play a decent seeker, since I prefer chasing." Ginny seemed to catch onto the fact that she was discussing all this with a rival house and her gaze narrowed again. "I shouldn't be telling you any of this."

"I won't say a word," Astoria promised. "The Slytherins underestimate girls, so they still haven't added any to our team. Anything I could have told them would be ignored. I wouldn't be interested in playing anyway, it's too fast paced for me. I just enjoy watching. Meat pie?" She offered, pulling more food out of the basket. Ginny nodded her head and took the offered food and silverware. As tempting as it was to call Ginny out on her denial, Astoria opted to allow them to continue eating in silence, laying out a plan in her mind, given that the redhead didn't seem inclined to pursue the conversation anymore.

Once the meal was eaten and everything packed up, Astoria stood. "Thank you for the company. I'm sorry if you were uncomfortable," she said, offering her hand to Ginny. Thankfully, Ginny took it and used it to pull herself up. Once she was fully standing, Astoria took the necessary steps to close the distance between them, and pressed her lips to Ginny's, noting in satisfaction as Ginny's eyes widened, but the girl seemed too stunned to react. She bought her free hand up to Ginny's back, helping to keep her close and feeling relieved as she was tentatively kissed back.

Suddenly, Ginny seemed to catch onto what she was doing and pulled away. "Stop! Just stop! I told you, I'm not into girls." Her eyes were wide in panic, and Astoria couldn't tell whom she was trying to convince, Astoria or herself.

"No, you said you don't date girls. But you watch them, you study them when you think no one is looking. You want to, don't you?"

Ginny shook her head. "I- no, it's not right. I'm interested in boys, it's just... No, it's all his fault. I only pay attention to girls because of, of Tom. It's from when he possessed me. Just like when I get the ideas of doing horrible things, it's just a part of him that never went away," Ginny countered desperately. "I don't like girls, not that way."

Astoria remained silent for a moment. "Tom who?" She wasn't familiar with what Ginny was talking about.

"Tom Riddle. He had a diary, and I was possessed my first year. It's got to be the reason why I think I like girls. It's not proper otherwise."

Astoria shook her head, now recognizing the name from resent articles. "Tom Riddle? You really think Voldemort would have had an interest in anyone, female or male?" Ginny stared at Astoria, her eyes pleading her not to continue talking, but Astoria ignored her, too close to give up. "It's not a bad thing. It's okay to like girls. You don't have to tell yourself otherwise." She leaned in once more and kissed Ginny again, and Ginny responded with a desperate zeal that she hadn't expected. It was several long moments before they pulled away.

"What would my family think?" Ginny moaned, leaning her forehead against Astoria's as they both caught their breaths.

"I'm sure they'll love you just the same. I'll help you figure out how to tell them if you'd like. We can keep this silent for the moment, if it will help," Astoria offered, as Ginny nodded her head furiously. She smiled at the other girl. "I have a feeling this is the beginning of something wonderful," she stated, capturing Ginny's lips in another kiss.


Disclaimer: I am not J. K. Rowling, and I do not own Luna, Ginny or Astoria, no matter how much I adore them.