A/N: I'm sorry it's been so long since my last update. What with finals coming up and all, I've got a ton of work to do for school before the end of the year, so my updates for the next month might be a bit scarce compared to usual. I'll still try to get a chapter up every week, but this is my pre-apology if I don't.

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"Here, Ginny, I got this letter from your brother." Luna set a piece of folded, weather-worn paper before Ginny, who simply stared at it. She and Draco were sitting at the table drinking tea; it had been two days since their first kiss and for the past few days time had seemed to fly as she and Draco spent more time together. Now that they had gotten over the initial bump in their relationship, the floodgates had opened, and they had spent almost every waking moment learning more about each other and exploring one another's souls and bodies. Of course, they hadn't gone beyond kissing yet; Ginny was still fairly shy when it came to boys, but she knew Draco wanted her. The thought both frightened and thrilled her at the same time, but he never pushed her, never crossed the line they were still setting.

Ginny gulped and stared at parchment. It had seen better days: it was creased and rain wrinkled at the edges and fading. She felt a brief wave of nausea and disbelief that her brother was in fact still alive. The new revelation was hard to get used to and truth be told, she had put off thinking about it at all since she had woken up from her fever. But now here it was, factual evidence rearing its ugly head in her face, and she was afraid to open the letter, afraid of how she would react.

Was that really what she was scared of? Or was she more frightened that it would turn out not to be true? That if she really gave in and accepted he was still alive, it would turn out to be some big hoax, a mistake. That, or as soon as she finally began to believe it, she would lose him again. It was similar to what she went through with Draco, with accepting her feelings for him. Sooner or later, she realized, she would have to recognize the truth and move on.

Only she could make that leap. Luna and Draco couldn't hold her hand and guide her across every time. But after one revelation, a second change might be easier. Ginny's shaky hand reached for the letter and picked it up, turning it over in her hands. There was no stamp in the thick wax holding it together, just a glob of candle goop the color of mud. She broke the seal and opened it, her eyes flitting over the shortness of the letter, absorbing it, before going back to the top and reading slowly, word for word. Each one held a special meaning, a love in her heart, and by the end of the letter she was reading greedily, soaking it all in, her brother's warmth, his smell, his freckles and red hair. Tears streamed down her face, but this time, they were tears of joy.

Luna,

Is it true? Is Ginny really alive? I hope this isn't some sick joke…No, I know you wouldn't make something like that up. Thank you for letting me know, the rest of the Order is celebrating over here. I can't leave the Headquarters, but Lupin said he would set up a Portkey that can be ready by Thursday morning. Send Ginny my love and give her this letter.

Ron Weasley

Ginny smiled to herself, running her hands over the sloppy handwriting and tear-streaked parchment. His hands were probably shaking as badly as her own when he wrote this. She folded the letter gently and kissed it before placing it in her pocket, as if she could absorb his warmth, his life, just through contact with the paper. Draco's hand reached under the table, clutching her own, and she returned his squeeze.

"He said that they're setting up a Portkey to leave Thursday morning. That's tomorrow." Ginny suddenly felt sad. Of course she wanted to see her brother, but she would miss this Eden that she and Draco had spent the last few days in.

"Yes, I got more information in Lupin's letter. He was right to assume Ron would forget the details in his joy of hearing the news about your safe return." Luna sat down gracefully across from Ginny. "Tomorrow. That's perfect. That means you two can stay for the Festival."

"Festival?" Draco looked interested. "Is that what all the decorations and good food smells have been about?"

Luna nodded, a little smile on her lips. "It's the Harvest Festival to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox."

"The Fall Equinox? You mean it's September already?" Ginny was surprised. For the past few weeks that they had been traveling they had completely lost track of time. Now it seemed almost a month had passed since they had escaped from Tom.

"Oh yes, it will be my second time attending. It's a lovely festival, lights, music, food, dancing, games. You'll enjoy it…" Luna looked thoughtful. "I can't believe I didn't get you two anything to wear! Ginny, you can fit in my clothes, but I might have to ask my neighbor to let me borrow something for you Draco."

"Are we getting ready now? The Festival isn't until tonight."

Luna was already up and heading towards her room. She turned, blinking in surprise at Ginny's objection. "But of course! There is so much to prepare! And it will take a long time to get you ready. The Festival is for celebration, and everyone dresses up extravagantly." She smiled. "I can assure you, Ginny, you'll love it."

Ginny shared an apprehensive glance with Draco before getting up to follow Luna. This would be interesting, to say the least.

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Draco wandered aimlessly through the crowds of people, his hands full of food. It seemed at the Festival everyone wanted you to eat everything they had made, and he had stopped bothering to tell the Elves that he wasn't hungry and just accepted whatever they gave him, for fear of being offensive. It wasn't that Elven food was bad, quite the contrary, but he had eaten more in the past hour than he had in the last few weeks.

Draco's eyes scanned the crowd, trying to find a familiar face or a shock of red hair, but when you were shorter than everyone else in the city, it made finding someone fairly hard. He felt ungraceful, small, and clumsy as he stumbled through masses of celebrating elves singing, dancing, and eating, all the while searching for Ginny. After Luna had whisked her away to play dress-up, Draco had been recruited by Luna's neighbor to set up decorations and hadn't seen either of the girls since.

"Lost, little human?" Draco whipped around, ready to tell off the Elf that had called him little, but found him face to…err…chest with Fianait. She smirked at him, clearly amused that he felt so inferior surrounded by such a beautiful, elegant race of people. It was true. Draco was used to being viewed as rich, smart, elegant, and handsome, and since he had run away from his father's manor, it seemed he was losing each one of those assets piece by piece.

"I was looking for Ginny." He didn't bother to retaliate about the short comment. Fianait's eyes scanned the crowd briefly before she shrugged. Even that looked graceful. "I haven't seen her, but I'm sure she will turn up."

Draco nodded. "So umm…what exactly did you want to say to me? You did approach me."

She began walking, silent for some time, and he followed. "Yes…I have heard you and Ginny will be leaving tomorrow to return to your wizarding family."

"Her family. I don't really know them."

She nodded contemplatively. "I would like to ask a request of you."

"Sure."

"I would like…to go with you. Well, not I specifically, but my daughter. Her father is a wizard and she wants to get in touch with her roots and be amongst other wizards. She wants to learn your ways and magic."

"Don't you think that's a bit dangerous, what with the war and all? Maybe she should wait until it's safer."

Fianait sighed. "That is what I told her, but your war may not end any time soon, and she is still a curious child. I believe she will be safe amongst powerful wizards such as yourself, and I will be going with her. I don't ask that you keep her around forever, just for a few days, to let her see if this fancy dies out or if she really wants to learn your magic. If she decides she does, then I will arrange something with those mentors that taught you at your school. I am not imposing by asking this, am I?"

Draco thought about this. "I don't see why not. Sure, bring her along. I'm sure you can work something out with Professor Lupin, though I suppose he doesn't really go by professor anymore."

"I thank you Draco. This means a lot to my daughter and me." Fianait looked over to where a large group of elves were gathered around a giant bonfire taller than any of them. "I do believe you found your Ginny."

Draco followed her gaze until his eyes found bright red hair. He glanced back at Fianait. "I never did get to thank you for what you did. Not just for saving Ginny's life from those nymphs, but for defending us in the trial."

"It was not just I. Your friend Laelius, the one you call Luna, she vouched on your behalf before the courts, I merely told them I believed you were harmless."

"I didn't quite understand everything that went on."

She smiled. "I suppose you would not, you were not even allowed to attend your own trial. You were trespassing on Elven land, and in the past, Elves have come to hate and fear most wizards. That is why we are in hiding now. But recently Laelius, I apologize, Luna, came to stay with us, and my own daughter was born from a past relationship with a wizard. Seeing that mixing Elven and wizard blood was not so horrible after all, and that we might have a lot to learn from the wizards and an alliance with them, my people have become more open to new ideas. That, and your friend defending you, were the reasons you were not only let off without punishment, but were given the status of honored guests.

"You see, my daughter's curiosity is not the only reason I want to go with you. I admit, I do have other motives. I would like to meet with your leaders and arrange a trade agreement, even an alliance, on behalf of my people. I do not know how open they will be to this idea, but I hope we can make something work."

Draco nodded. "Now things are starting to make sense. I can't say I know any of the Order very well, but I think they wouldn't mind having an ally during this war, even if just for trade. But…why do you call Luna Laelius?"

Fianait smiled. "That is her Elven name. It means lunar, so you can obviously tell why she picked it. Perhaps someday you and Ginny will earn Elven names as well. I believe your friend has spotted you."

Draco glanced back to the crowd around the fire. Ginny was waving at him, her bright red hair blowing in the cool autumn breeze. The crowd parted briefly and he caught a glimpse of her. She wore an intricate, delicate outfit that looked like something he imagined a Gypsy would wear. The top was barely more than a bra and sequined with beads and jewels that glimmered emerald green in the moonlight. Beads hung from parts of it, decorating her torso in loops of loose green jewels that swayed against her stomach when she moved. The skirt was nothing but layers upon layers of silky green cloth also sequined with the same emerald colored stones and flowing around her thighs where it ended in choppy sections, occasionally revealing flashes of skin. She wore delicate slippers on her feet and an assortment of necklaces, bracelets, and anklets that jangled when she walked. Ginny's red hair was decorated with intricate braids and a crown of wildflowers, and from the curve of her nose and cheeks up to her forehead was a mask of glittery silver makeup with occasional emerald stones stuck at the corners of her eyes and sprinkled across her temple.

She looked like a green goddess, and Draco, entranced, left Fianait without so much as a parting goodbye. His feet carried him to Ginny, his body burning to hold her, and he had to resist the urge to grab her up in his arms and run his hands along every inch of her skin. He reluctantly pulled his eyes away from her cleavage and instead found it just as delightful to stare at her lively face. Never before had she looked so carefree and happy. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and joy and her lips were pulled up in an unchecked, lighthearted smile. Her bright laughter filled his heart with joy.

She seemed so different from when she first entered his life as a frightened girl dragged through a crowd of cruel Death Eaters and forced to bow at his feet. No, now she was a deity, a supernatural being, shining with a light of her own and a vivacious fire he had never seen burn so strongly in anyone before, and he found he was enchanted by it, by her.

Ginny stumbled into his arms, still laughing, her breath smelling strongly of alcohol. Up close he could see that her lips, too, were stained with a light green makeup, and he longed to kiss them, to kiss every inch of her skin. He cursed that he had chosen to wear loose pants of a similarly thin silk as her own clothing. Ginny smiled up at him, her eyes slightly dazed, and looped an arm around his body. The nearness of her body and the feeling of her soft chest pressing into his excited him, but he tried to push down the reaction.

"You look happy." Draco couldn't keep a grin off of his face when he looked at hers. It was like her happiness was contagious.

She rested her head on his shoulder, kissing his neck. "I'm having so much fun, Draco! The food is soo good and they taught me all of these songs and dances." Ginny swayed and Draco had to grab her hip to hold her up. "I am feeling a bit lightheaded though."

"I'd say. I think your drunk, Ginny."

She shook her head vehemently. "Oh no, I'm not drunk. I'm just a little…intoxicated.

"Ginny!" Draco's eyes followed Ginny's to where a young elf was waving at her. "Come leap the fire with us, Gin!"

Her face lit up in a smile and she tugged on his hand, dragging him over to the bonfire. "That sounds like so much fun! C'mon, Draco, let's jump over the fire."

"Uhh…I don't think that's such a good idea. We're a lot shorter than the Elves and that fire is pretty high…Ginny? Are you listening to me?"

She was taking off her slippers, handing them to him, and staring determinately at the flames before them. The girl before her went, her long legs striding, and she leapt the fire in a graceful bound, landing unharmed on the other side. "Your turn!"

Ginny grinned and hitched up her already short skirts. "Ginny…really, that's not a good idea…Ginny…Gin-!"

She took off running, stumbling slightly, but got her footing and picked up speed. Between fearing for her life and yelling at her to stop, Draco admired the muscles moving under the soft skin of her exposed thighs. She reached the edge of the fire ring and kicked off with her left foot, lifting the other leg high. The fire leapt up to catch her clothes, and Draco realized she wasn't going to clear it. It engulfed first her right leg, then her torso, then her head, then her entire body, until he couldn't separate her from the flames. Time seemed to slow as her body descended, still moving towards the other side, and she emerged.

It was as if the clock had to pick up speed to make up for the few moments that his heart had stopped. Ginny was suddenly crashing to the ground, landing with a hard thud, and Draco was running to her side with no recollection of ever telling his legs to move. He kneeled down beside her, but her body looked unharmed, her hair and skin still perfectly intact, her clothes not even charred at the edges. Not only that, she was laughing. Laughing!

"Wow, you should see the look on your face! Don't you know, we cover ourselves in flame resistant balms before we leap the fire. Silly wizard." The young elf that had convinced Ginny to jump over the bonfire skipped off with a little laugh. Draco glared at her back until it disappeared into the crowd before turning back to Ginny.

She grinned up at him, her shoulders bobbing with the occasional giggle. "That's not funny! You scared the shit out of me, Ginny! I almost pissed myself!"

Ginny chuckled and ran her hands through Draco's long hair, pulling his head down. "Yeah, but it was pretty funny." Draco let his face tick in a small smile. "And besides, I liked the way you looked at me when I lifted my skirts up." She pulled his face down to hers, their lips colliding in a passionate kiss. The two lay snogging in the grass as the Elves celebrated all around them.