Chapter 22 - Confession

George apparated directly into his sister's bedroom at the Burrow. A shirtless Harry jumped onto the other bed, eyes wide with alarm. Ginny hastily readjusted her pajama top and hissed, "I thought you put the wards up!"

"I thought you did!"

It was a testament to George's state of mind that it didn't even register what he had popped in on. He gave the dark haired man a distracted, "Hullo, Harry," before turning his attention to his sister.

"Sorry to bother you Gin but I need the address of that Salamander bloke in Dorset."

Ginny looked at him as if horns had suddenly sprouted from his head. "What?!"

"I need to find Luna and she was supposed to go see him. Can you tell me where he lives?"

"No! Besides, Luna isn't in Dorset. Not yet anyway."

George's countenance brightened. "Really? Where is she?"

Ginny crossed her arms and regarded him suspiciously. "Why should I tell you? You made it pretty clear you didn't care what she did."

She was taken aback when George gripped her firmly by the shoulders and pleaded, "Please, Ginny. I promise I'll tell you everything later but right now it is imperative that I speak to Luna, okay?"

She made a point of letting her brother suffer a moment before telling him, "She's not scheduled for her interview until tomorrow. Tonight she's at Shell Cottage watching Victoire while Bill and Fleur are on their date."

"Thanks, Gin! I owe you one!" He kissed his sister on the forehead then disappeared with a loud pop.

He landed hard on the flagstone path leading to the Cottage and dashed to the door. He rang the bell repeatedly and was startled when Fleur answered.

"Hello, Fleur. Why are you home? Thought you and Bill were going out tonight."

"We were until Beel got into an argument with ze maitre d regarding the way 'is steak was cooked." It was obvious that Fleur was not pleased. "We weel be lucky if we are ever allowed to eat zere again!"

"That's nice," he said, peering over her shoulder. "Is Luna still here?"

Fleur arched an eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips. "Zat depends. Why do you want to know?"

"I really need to speak with her. Please?"

Fleur pursed her lips and stared until George was certain the door was going to be slammed in his face. Finally, his sister in law tipped her head towards the side of the cottage. "She 'ad already planned on staying 'ere tonight. She decided to take a walk along the beach before bed."

"Merci! Merci beaucoup, Fleur!" George gave a stunned Fleur an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek before charging off in the direction she had indicated.

George raced along the beach, the salt air burning his lungs as he called Luna's name. Finally he spotted her standing on a sand dune bathed in the soft moonlight. She was wrapped in a blanket, staring wistfully at the wide, empty sea. She looked confused as he scrambled up to meet her.

"George? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

"No," George panted, trying to catch his breath. "No, it's not."

"Why? What's wrong? What's happened?"

"I...I need your help."

"With what?"

"I need your help finding something. Something I've lost. A very specific something, actually."

Luna's expression turned from one of curiosity to concern. "Of course, George. It must be something terribly important to bring you out at this time of night. What is it you've lost?"

George took her hand and laid it on his chest. He inhaled sharply and said, "My heart. I seem to have misplaced it. It was last seen somewhere in the vicinity of a beautiful blonde witch that until very recently lived down the hall from me. I was wondering if you might know where I can find it?"

For a long time all George could hear was the crash of the waves and the pounding of his heart then his stomach fell as Luna stepped away from him. His dismay turned to bewilderment when she tugged him over to a large piece of nearby driftwood and climbed upon it so they were face to face.

She placed her hands on his shoulders and silently searched his eyes for what felt to George like an eternity. She must have found what she was looking for because she finally whispered, "You really mean that, don't you?"

"Yes." He laid a trembling hand against her cheek. "More than I've ever meant anything in my entire life."

George held his breath as Luna slowly leaned in and brushed her lips against his once then twice. They were warm and soft and he missed them when she hesitantly pulled back. "But you said..."

"I didn't mean it. I was scared." His words came out in a rush. "I know this expedition is an amazing opportunity for you and you have to take it but I panicked at the thought of you going off with that Salamander guy then when I finally figured out what I needed to do and couldn't find you I was terrified that it was too late then I finally tracked you down here and no matter what you decide I just can't let you leave without first telling you how I feel."

"And how do you feel?" she asked quietly

"How do I feel?" George cradled her face in his hands. "I love you, Luna. I don't know exactly when I went from liking you to loving you to being in love with you but that line has definitely been crossed and there's no going back. Not for me. You are not just part of my journey. You are my destination."

Luna's eyes shone in the moonlight. "I'm very glad to hear that, George, because I love you too."

He pulled her close, digging his fingers in her hair and kissing her passionately, his pulse racing as he felt her respond. He breathed her in as he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up to deepen the kiss. She tasted of chocolate pudding and raspberry currant and he found it so intoxicating that he wished he could bottle it so he would never have to drink anything else ever again.

He began kissing along her jaw and down her neck, stopping momentarily when she giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Your beard. It tickles."

He nibbled at her earlobe. "I'll shave as soon as I get home."

"No. Don't," she whispered. He gave her a quizzical look as she ran a finger lightly over his lips. "I didn't say I didn't like it. I just said it tickled."

"Fine. If that's the way you want it then I'll give you something to laugh about." With a low growl he claimed her lips once again. They sank to the ground and stayed there for hours, wrapped in each other's arms - snogging and stargazing, speaking of the past and the future, laughing and crying until Luna finally said, "I suppose we ought to head back. Bill and Fleur will be wondering what happened to us."

George sat up and waggled his eyebrows. "They've been married for a while and have a child. I'm pretty sure they've worked it out by now."

"George!" Luna laughed as she got to her feet and began shaking the sand off their blanket. George took it and wrapped it around her shoulders then tenderly kissed her forehead.

She tipped her head up and asked, "So...You came here looking for something you'd lost. Did you find it?"

He took her hand and laced their fingers together. "Absolutely. And I've no intention of losing it ever again."