"You like pain, Lovegood? Try wearing a corset." Ginny struggled to tie the corset, swearing as the stupid string slipped between her fingers. "A little help here?"

Luna stepped forward, effortlessly looping the string through the holes and pulled it taut. Ginny sucked in until she couldn't breathe. That was the only way she could hide the number of cakes she'd eaten before the ball like an idiot.

"What makes you say that, Miss Weasley?" Luna asked serenely, sounding completely at ease, but she wasn't the one in a tight corset.

"I hate these balls," Ginny complained. "All I wanted was a hot bath and a bottle of whiskey, but I'm not getting that tonight. The sky will fall if even so much look at a bottle of anything but fancy champagne."

"You don't have to go to the ball. You could stay here with me," Luna murmured, her fingers crawling up to rub a sore spot on Ginny's neck. Ginny sighed contentedly and closed her eyes, letting Luna's fingers work their magic.

"I wish, my love," whispered Ginny, the longing clear in his voice. "But all eyes are on me to secure a marriage tonight...if I am not engaged by the end of the night, my family will become a laughingstock. They will look down their noses and say, 'well, at least our daughter has a suitor'. Our relationship will have to remain secret for now."

"I understand," Luna said simply. "You must do your family's bidding. My only regret is that I won't be marrying you, but I suppose I'll learn to watch from afar…"

"I'm so sorry." Ginny's eyes filled with tears and she turned, hugging Luna with ferocity. When they separated, she closed the gap again, kissing her sweetly but passionately, passing along every bit of love she had for this girl. "I love you," she murmured between kisses. "I love you more than I will ever love anyone."

"I love you too."

I love you too.

Those words rang in her head as she walked down the aisle, holding a bouquet of flowers. Luna was not there, but she felt an old burden resurface as she thought of Luna's brilliant smile, her selflessness, her sacrifice, and she felt like crying all over again.

It was Luna's name she longed to say as she recited her vows, and it was Luna who she wished to be kissing, and it was Luna's face that replaced her husband's as they fell into bed that night.

But some things weren't meant to be.

425 words

Auction: Elizabeth Swann - "You like pain? Try wearing a corset." (14-1)

Pick a Wick - 21. Oak moss

Skyscraper, Floor One - GinnyLuna

Build a Better Breakfast - 4. Green Tea

Founder Says - Rowena: "All I wanted was a hot shower [replaced with bath] and a [drink]."

1000 - 949. (title) Impossible Things