A/N: Challenges listed at the bottom.
Warning: Mentions of character death.
Beta: Shout out to Ikuni Hattori for not only betaing this, but also helping me to get out of the writing funk I was in.
WC: 746
"Your father died in Azkaban."
"I'm sorry."
"Our condolences."
"Do you have a place to stay?"
"Unfortunately, we can't help. We don't have room."
"Our family is big and our house is small, but we can find room for you. Would you like to stay with us, dear?"
~GL~
This is how I came to live at the Burrow. Everyone called it a "temporary arrangement," but I couldn't see how it would change. I went back to Hogwarts for my seventh year after the castle had been repaired, along with Ginny and Hermione.
We spent the Christmas holidays at the castle, but Molly insisted that we come home for Easter. I didn't know what I was getting into when I agreed.
~GL~
The first thing on the agenda was an Easter egg hunt. I was astonished at the level of intense competition, until Ginny explained to me that whoever won the hunt got the largest chocolate bunny. I was content just to watch the other people; I wasn't used to the air of chaotic energy that permeated the air. Easters at our house were less eventful.
There were also a lot less people. Twelve people was almost too many for me, since even the extended Weasley family was there, like Fleur, Harry, and Hermione.. I missed the times when it was just my father and me together.
My thoughts were cut short by Ginny's shout.. "You stole my chocolate bunny! You will pay for this!" Ginny had won the Easter egg hunt, but it appeared that George had made off with the bunny. George winked at me before taking off across the yard, Ginny in hot pursuit.
Molly rushed over and tried to stop the two, but I heard Ginny shouting, "No! I'll not rest till I have my Easter bunny!"
Finally, George relented and gave her the bunny back. Then it was time to open our Easter baskets. We sat in a circle on the grass and Molly began handing them out.
It was silent except for the sound of various boxes and wrappers being opened. Suddenly, the quietness was broken by a cough and Ron's plaintive voice. "Why do I always get a booger flavoured jelly bean?" he complained as everyone else burst out laughing.
The whirlwind continued as everyone finished opening their baskets and rushed off to start some other activity. I stayed behind though, because I needed some time to myself. I lay back on the grass and watched the clouds slowly making their way across the sky. The sunshine was warm on my skin, and I let my eyes slip shut, listening to the sounds of nature. I could hear the faint noises of the Weasley family floating across the garden. I missed my own family so much. I tried to blink back the tears forming in the corners of my eyes, but I couldn't manage it.
I was surprised when George sat down next to me. I had been so absorbed in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed him approaching. I quickly sat up and turned my head away, avoiding his eyes. It was always embarrassing when someone knew I was crying, especially someone who I had a crush on ever since we were paired in a Dumbledore's Army meeting three years ago.
I blushed when I felt his arm wrap around my shoulders. "Luna, please look at me," he said softly. I was about to shake my head, but something in his tone compelled me to do what he asked. I was stunned to see that he was crying too. "It's hard to lose someone you love," he said, "but there will always be others to help you through it. You're part of our family now, and family takes care of each other."
We sat for a while in silence, each mourning our lost family members. Finally, George stood up, offering me his hand. I was just expecting him to help me up, so I squeaked in surprise when he pulled me into a hug. "We may not be able to cope with the pain alone, but together we are stronger," he said quietly. He released me from his arms, only to take my hand and say, "Now, how about let's go win the egg and spoon race that's about to start?"
I nodded and he led me across the yard to join the circle of Weasleys again. George was right, I thought. These people are my family now.
A/N: Written for:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)
[April] Spring Funfair
Leap Frog: (Character) George Weasley
Milkshake Bar: Flavour: 9. Coconut - Character: Luna Lovegood
Wingardium Levi-Kart Racing: Howler Goblet: 1. Embarrassed
Paint a Rainbow: Orange: 1. Luna Lovegood
Tree Planting: Cherry: (restriction) Rare pair - less than 100 fics
Teddy Bears Picnic: Victoria Sponge cake - (weather) Sunshine
Birdhouse Building: Step 1: (genre) Romance
Egg Swap: LunaGeorge, Ginny Weasley, "You stole my chocolate bunny! You will pay for this!", (setting) the Burrow, and Easter egg hunt
Spring Petting Zoo: Sheep: (trope) found family
Spring Parade: How to Train Your Dragon: Hiccup - (Trope) Found Family
[Spring] Seasonal Challenges Thread
Days of the Year: 55. May 13th - Leprechaun Day: Dialogue: "I'll not rest till I have my [object]."
Aquarium Month: 4. Light: Write about someone from the light side of the war.
Children's Book Day: 18. Oliver Twist - (character type) write about an orphan
World Autism Day: 1. Write about someone avoiding eye contact.
Zoo Lover's Day: 14. Orangutan: Write about the Weasleys.
Crystals and Gemstones: 6. Sunstone (weather) Sunshine
Writing Club - April
Written in the Star: 3. (character) George Weasley
Elizabeth's Empire: 6. Can You Hold Me - NF (ft. Britt Nicole) / (action) embracing
Liza's Loves - Stickers: Ginny: 20. (Plot Point) Having a crush - (shiny - bonus)
Scamander's Case: 18. (family) Weasleys
TV Spree: 17. (Relationship) Found family
Hobby Hole: 19. Genre: Romance
Yearly Events Thread: 2021
365 Prompts: 211. (weather) sunny
Yearly Scavenger Hunt: 36. Write a story in first person.
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Collect Them: 97. Imp: Character: George Weasley
[Spring Quarterly] Leaving on a Jet Plane
Planned Traveller: 19. San Francisco: (Character) George Weasley
[April] Would You Rather?
Write a Slytherin/Hufflepuff pairing OR a Gryffindor/Ravenclaw pairing?
Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges
Potions Class Challenge
10. Calming Draught: Write a fic with the genre hurt/comfort