14. Perfect
Friendship/Romance, 2009 words, Rated K
All her life, Ginny Weasley had known exactly what she'd wanted.
At age six, she wanted to play Quidditch with her brothers, despite her parents' insistence that she was too young. At age ten, she wanted to go to Hogwarts, even though she had another year to wait. At age fourteen, she wanted to fight back - against the corrupt Ministry, against Umbridge, against Voldemort. At age eighteen, she wanted to play Quidditch professionally. She wanted to move past the trauma of a war. She wanted to travel the world; she wanted to experience something new and positive.
And all her life, she'd known what she needed to do to get what she wanted. Whether it was breaking into the family broom shed, joining a secret school club to learn how to fight, or trying out for the position of Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. And now she felt slightly clueless.
Because at age twenty-two, she wasn't really sure what she wanted. Because she kind of wanted Luna Lovegood to look at her and see more than a close friend.
Perhaps it wouldn't be such a confusing situation if it wasn't Luna. But it was; it was Luna, her best friend of nearly ten years now; the young woman she'd been travelling the world with, the girl who still loved magical creatures, despite most of her beliefs shifting to the ones she could actually see.
In fact, Luna was actually the reason the pair were staying in Wales. Having pursued a career as a wizarding naturalist, Luna was frequently on the move, studying certain creatures and seeking out new ones. Ginny had been happy to join her, and Luna appreciated the company. They'd spent a lot of time together over the years, and had learned a lot about each other - and in Ginny's case, had come to really like the other.
"Hello, Ginny," Luna greeted the redhead, as she returned to their hotel room. It was one of the fancier places they had stayed at during their travels. The room was quite spacious and bright, with walls the colour of sea foam and beds softer than anything they'd ever had in their own houses. The shower was one of the coolest things Ginny had ever seen, and she had plans to stuff the small, cherry-blossom scented bottles of body wash and shampoo into her suitcase before they checked out.
"Hi Luna," Ginny replied, giving the blonde a cheerful smile from where she sat cross-legged on her bed. "Any sightings this morning?"
"No," Luna responded in her usual sing-song tone, absent-mindedly fiddling with her gold and silver necklace. "I actually just walked around the gardens while I was waiting for you to wake up. They are really beautiful; we should visit them later today."
"Sounds like a plan," Ginny mused, her bright brown gaze shifting to admire the blue skies of a gorgeous summer morning. She was almost angry at herself, at how conscious she was becoming of her every move around Luna. It was different with anyone else she'd ever dated; Michael, Dean, even Harry; she was usually so upfront about her feelings.
And it wasn't like she hadn't considered dating another girl. The young Weasley had known for a while that she was bisexual. She'd always kept her options open regarding her romantic relationships, though admittedly, had never actually been in one with someone of her own gender. So this was a first for her.
"You look distracted," Luna pointed out, observant as ever. The dirty blond took a seat beside Ginny, smoothing out her dress before taking up one of the redhead's hands. Ginny felt a familiar flutter in her chest at the contact. Luna smiled at her. "Wrackspurts messing with your head?" she joked.
Ginny allowed herself to laugh lightly. "Maybe they really are," she replied with a grin, giving Luna's hand a squeeze before slipping away to stand and stretch. "Hopefully they won't scare away any of these Dugbogs."
Luna hummed thoughtfully. "I would advise wearing your reinforced boots, because we're going to have to wade through marshland - and Dugbogs are quite fond of biting ankles."
"How lovely," Ginny commented sarcastically, and grinned as Luna replied.
"Not really. They're not strong enough to break your bones, but they could leave a nasty wound."
"Thanks for clearing that up, Luna."
-o-O-o-
"I cannot believe that it ripped through my boot."
Ginny scowled as she slid off the mangled remains of one of her leather boots, tossing it to the side. She cringed at the sight of her ankle; the boot had taken the worst of the attack but it was still scratched up and bloody from the swamp monster's razor teeth.
Luna smiled to herself as she listened to the redhead ranting ("I mean, seriously! Those boots are expensive!") and conjured a roll of bandaging without checking for Muggles.
She had seated the injured woman on one of the sleek wooden benches in the gardens of their hotel, out of the way of onlookers. The hedges, taller than she was and too thick to see through, were providing a wonderful private spot for the two witches as they returned from a couple hours of poking what looked like rotting wood and wading through murky water. They had indeed discovered a Dugbog - two, in fact, a nesting couple that did not take kindly to Ginny accidentally stepping on them.
"At least I managed to tag them with a ribbon," Luna said light-heartedly. She shot Ginny an optimistic smile.
The redhead couldn't help but smile back, however hard she tried not to. She sighed, slumping back into the bench as Luna began wrapping her foot.
"Yeah, I guess you did. You're planning on going back there, then?" she inquired, though she already knew the answer.
"Of course," Luna answered sweetly, her dreamy voice filled with enthusiasm. "They were nesting, Ginny. At this time of year, their kids will be emerging from the eggs soon. Wouldn't that be wonderful to watch?"
Ginny smiled. "Maybe from a distance," she said, almost laughing at her own remark.
Luna finished with her foot and gently let it go, her light touch causing Ginny to blush again. She turned away, busying herself with combing her fingers through her hair.
"Thanks, Luna."
"You're welcome." The blond stood up, brushing off her knees. She offered her hand to Ginny, helping her to her feet. "Shall we walk?"
"I only have one shoe," Ginny pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
"You could take it off," Luna suggested, before slipping off her own boots. "Here, I'll go barefoot too; that way we'll match."
Ginny couldn't help but grin at her crazy girlfriend - she's not her girlfriend - her crazy friend. She took off her other boot and sock, tossing them beneath the bench.
The two began to walk, the folds of Luna's tangerine-coloured dress gently flowing in the breeze and her blonde hair bouncing with every step. Ginny found herself reaching to hold the young woman's hand before she realised what she was doing; as their fingers brushed, she flinched and froze, regret washing over her rapidly. Before she could backtrack, Luna shot her a smile and intertwined their fingers, swinging their hands together as they walked to the songs of birds.
The gardens were as luxurious and relaxing as their hotel room. Thick, pine green hedges squared off different square sections of plants; one filled with roses of deep reds and sunset oranges; one with thick-trunked palm trees and massive ferns; one with an old mossy fountain and blooming water lilies. They walked in silence, Ginny blushing heavily though smiling as she felt the warmth of Luna's palm and the cool, smooth cobblestone of the pathways beneath her bare feet. They could hear distant yelps and the excited screams of children playing in the swimming pool on the other side of the building, and could see young Muggle couples looking out over the Welsh landscape from their balconies. It was only as they strolled through an arch of ivy and jasmine and entered a section with a rainbow of wildflowers that Ginny felt completely compelled to speak her mind.
"Hey Luna," she began, unable to look at the blonde just yet but confident enough to steady her voice. "You know, I've had this sort of silly idea for a while..."
"Don't be afraid of your silly ideas," Luna chirped. "They're often the best ones. Let's sit, so I can do your hair."
Ginny smiled as Luna led her over to another bench, crossing her ankles and closing her eyes as she felt the soothing sensation of Luna beginning to brush out her hair with her fingers.
"It's just that - oh Merlin, I don't know-"
"Ooh, do you want a flower crown?"
Ginny's eyes opened momentarily. "Um, sure?" she answered reluctantly. "But Luna - I think... I think..." With a sharp intake of breath, she almost shouted it out fiercely, "I think I'm in love with you!"
There was a short beat of silence that seemed to last an eternity. Ginny listened to her heart beat, wishing she knew what Luna's face looked like. Nevertheless, dainty fingers continued to work a thin braid from a strand of hair on the back of her head.
"So, yellow tulips for the flower crown," Luna suggested, the fingers pausing as she reached for her wand. Ginny slumped, almost miserable. It wasn't like Luna hadn't heard her; was it that awkward of a statement that she had elected to ignore it? "They'll be perfect for us. They represent being hopelessly in love."
Ginny sat straight up once again, her heart skipping a beat as she whipped around to stare at the quirky blonde, her fiery red hair flying around her. Luna smiled knowingly at her, conjuring the bright flower crown upon her head. Ginny blushed furiously, a small smile forming on her pale lips, which grew wider until she was grinning with no control over it.
Luna smiled back, reaching out to brush a strand of ginger hair behind the Weasley girl's ear. "I knew it wasn't really Wrackspurts messing with your brain," she hummed thoughtfully. "They're pests, but they wouldn't stick around for that long."
Ginny smiled through her confusion, basking in her moment of triumphant joy while it lasted. "So I take it - I mean, the tulips - that you feel the same way about me?"
"Of course," Luna replied cheerily, almost puzzled that the redhead would think otherwise. "Are we not girlfriends, now?"
Ginny felt her face heat up even more, if it was possible. At the same time, her heart warmed at the thought. My girlfriend Luna sounded lovely in her head. "Yeah, I guess we are," she admitted, grinning almost stupidly. A thought crossed her mind. "So, can I - do you mind if I-"
"Kiss me?" Luna finished, smiling. She tucked her own hair out of the way as her new girlfriend nodded, flustered. "You may."
Ginny smiled, tomato red all over, and gently slid a hand up Luna's cheek, holding it with care. She leaned in, aware of how supremely awkward this felt, gently tilting her head one way and ensuring Luna's was not tilted the same way so that their noses wouldn't bump. Eventually, through half-lidded eyes, she felt the warm breath of her lover on her lips and connected them in one bold move. Maybe a little too bold, because Luna made a small noise of surprise as their lips brushed. Ginny was quick to take charge, as Luna was loving but ultimately clueless, and after a few moments of gentle kisses and light giggles, the two allowed space to fall between them, smiling sheepishly.
It may have been awkward, and messy, and unfamiliar and new, but it was joyful and tender and warm. It was perfect.
A/N: Ginuna is lowkey one of my OTPs but Luna is so difficult to write ahhhh
Also, the confession was inspired by a short comic I'm sure a few of you have seen, so credit to the respective artist for that :)
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY (CHALLENGES & ASSIGNMENTS)
Assignment #2: Geography Task 8: Write about a luxurious place
Chocolate Frog Cards Club: Common Welsh Green (Gold): Set your story in Wales
Dragon Breeding Club: Angelica the Peruvian Vipertooth
Gobstones Club: Yellow Stone: (theme) Joy; Accuracy: (action) Brushing hair; Power: (colour) Sea Foam; Technique: (item) Necklace
Insane House Challenge: 543: (plot point) Declaring your true love
Seasonal Challenges: Days of the Year: Gay Pride: Write Slash/Femmeslash; Summer Prompts: (word) Relax; Colour Prompts: Tangerine; Birthstones: Sardonyx: (dialogue) "Don't be afraid of your silly ideas."; Flowers: Peony: (sexuality) Bisexual; Gryffindor Themed Prompts: Characters (Easy): Ginny Weasley
Writing Club: Showtime: Man Up: (emotion) Joy; Count Your Buttons: (word) Luxurious; Em's Emporium: Gabby: Write femslash; Angel's Arcade: Sonya Blade: (character) Ginny Weasley, (word) fierce, (action) kissing; Lo's Lowdown: Character Based Prompts: Penelope Garcia: (character) Luna Lovegood