Written for Hogwarts' Funfair: Eastern - Penny Slot Machine: 6 - Ginny Weasley, 72 - (quote) "This kind of love? Has to be a verb.", 73 - (quote) "The caged bird sings of freedom.", and the Writing Club: Character Appreciation 9 - (Character) Ginny.

Word count: 457

The grass was cold and wet underneath her feet. Ginny was wearing trainers, of course, but she could feel the water slowly infiltrating the soles of her shoes.

Her socks were cold, and it was uncomfortable, but she sat down anyway.

Hogwarts was becoming more of a prison with every passing day, and now that Luna was gone — something she tried very hard not to think too much about — it was getting even harder to see anything good about this school.

Getting out, even when the weather was cold and humid like this, was pretty much the only escape she had left.

She sighed and leaned back on her elbows, looking up at the grey sky.

Ginny wasn't sure how long she had been there, quietly breathing, when she heard something. Some wood. Breaking as someone stepped over it.

"Why did I know I'd find you here?" came from a voice behind her, and Ginny leaned further back, her lips lifting into a soft smile as she caught a sight of familiar blonde hair.

It made her chest feel warmer, somehow, to know that there were still things and people that made her smile just by being there.

"You know me too well," she retorted, still smiling. She gestured at the grass beside her. "Sit down."

Astoria eyed the damp ground with a grimace and shook her head. "No, thanks," she said. "I'd rather stand."

Ginny shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Astoria kept standing for a while, silent, but eventually, she sighed, muttering a low curse that Ginny didn't quite catch.

She plopped down next to Ginny, shivering as her ass hit the ground. "How do you stand this?" she muttered, frowning.

Ginny laughed. "I don't know." She shrugged again, looking at Astoria with a smile. "I guess I just do? I just… This is quiet, and after everything that's going on… I need quiet."

Astoria's face softened. "Yeah, I get that," she said, drawing her knees up to her chest and resting her chin on top of them.

"It's peaceful," Ginny continued. "And no one ever really bothers to come looking for me when I'm here."

Astoria smiled, a small quirk of her lips as she tilted her head toward Ginny. "I did, though."

Ginny nodded. "You did." She grinned. "But you do know me better than most."

Astoria hummed in agreement and let one of her arms fall to the side. She found Ginny's hand and laced their fingers together.

Just then, as if by some kind of magic, a ray of sunshine pierced through the clouds. Its light shone through the still humid air, scattering into a barely visible rainbow.

Ginny closed her eyes, held on tight to Astoria's hand, and made a wish.