Ginny had to admit, she had been expecting something a little more impressive.

After they had broke their way through the door, the agents (combined with Sky's local activists) had led the way inside. A long, winding pathway that descended down a good few hundred feet. Ginny couldn't be sure, but it seemed that the crime syndicate hadn't bothered to expand or reinforce the existing cave system that much. If anything, they had simply installed some minimal lighting and left things as they were.

Which made it embarrassingly easy for the agents to get the drop on them. Ginny sighed, as yet another group of syndicate members were left tied up on the floor. Honestly, her gym had better security than this place!

The syndicate had clearly assumed that no-one would even realise they were even there.

'Well,' Tonks said, opening a door to let Ginny through into a room they had just cleared of syndicate members. Sam had gone on ahead with several other agents, as had Remus. 'We know what they were up to here.'

'This is a lab!' Ginny said, gazing at the various test tubes stored along tables. 'Good grief, no wonder they wanted somewhere close to the plants!'

Tonks nodded.

'From what the kidnapped scientists have been telling us,' Sky said. 'The crime syndicate were trying to create biological weapons to sell to extremist groups worldwide. Looks like we have now got everyone, except for…'

'Wait, where's Luna?' Ginny asked, her forehead creasing with renewed worry. 'Why haven't we found her yet?'

Tonks was about to answer, when a loud clanking sound reached them through the nearby wall.

'Let me go!'

Ginny's eyes widened in horror. That was Luna's voice!

'You've brought MI6 down on us!' exclaimed another voice from the same direction. It sounded dangerous. As if who spoke wanted to hurt Luna.

Without thinking, Ginny rammed her shoulder against the wall.

Like the rest of the infrastructure, the wall was of dubious structural integrity, and crumbled under Ginny's weight, leaving a hole just big enough to crawl through.

'Ginny, no!'

But Sky was too late. Ginny had already scrambled through. As she climbed out on the other side, she could hear Tonks shouting into her earpiece for back-up.

Ginny looked around her. The other side of the wall backed onto another part of the cave system. It didn't seem to have the lighting used in the main passageways, and was piled with old boxes and rusty crates.

However, it was also not much more structurally sound than the wall Ginny had just burst through. There were several large holes in the ground, dipping down into utter blackness. Ginny could vaguely hear the sound of water running below, but it was a very long way down.

'Those fools in MI6 should have never gotten here!'

Ginny's blood turned to ice. Hurrying forward in the direction of the raised voice, she came to a corner, and peeked round, taking care not to move too quickly.

There was a thump as Luna fell to the ground. Ginny felt her heartrate increase with worry as she saw her girlfriend glare at the man standing a couple of paces in front. Luna looked mostly unharmed, but there were a few cuts and grazes along her arms and legs. Her dirty blonde hair was far scruffier than normal, and there was a clump standing up on end from where it had been pulled out earlier. Luna was now lying near the end of one of the chasms in the ground, which had curls of plant roots growing around the edges. There were ropes tied around Luna's arms and legs, preventing her from rising to her feet.

The man standing in front of her was…

Ginny's eyes widened.

He was tall, and thin, and very pale. He had a vaguely aristocratic and snake-like face, a weird mixture of jagged edges and uneven bone structure. He was wearing a black shirt and trousers.

He was also holding a gun.

'You really think you could lead MI6 here and suffer no consequences?' he spat. 'You thought you could pool the wool over Thomas Riddle's eyes?'

He aimed the gun at Luna, but then seemed to change his mind.

'No; a shooting would attract too much attention,' he said, switching his gun to his other hand. 'I imagine the fall from this height into the cave system will suffice. Goodbye, Ms Lovegood-'

'NO!'

Before she knew what she was doing, Ginny had barrelled forward and slammed herself into Riddle, knocking him over. Shouts echoed around them, but Ginny didn't know if she or Riddle was the one making them.

But Ginny had thrown herself too far forwards. With her momentum, she rolled over the ground, tumbling with no control, until she reached the edge.

She heard Luna scream nearby, and Ginny felt herself slip right over the side.

Her limbs flailing, Ginny's hands wrapped around the root of the strange plants growing just under the edge of the chasm.

The plant held, and Ginny felt her legs dangling beneath her.

Looking up, she could see a scuffle happening. Tonks and Remus had caught up with them, and were wrestling Riddle to the floor.

'Ginny!'

There was a great tearing sound, and then Luna's head appeared above her. The blonde woman had clearly broken her bonds through sheer desperation.

'Luna!' Ginny cried, trying to pull herself up. 'Are you okay?'

'Nevermind me!' Luna yelled, reaching down and wrapping her arms around Ginny's. 'We need to pull you up!'

There was a slow, drawn out ripping sound. Ginny saw the plant root begin to tear. The added weight was weakening it.

Dust began to fly, and Ginny was horrified to see cracks begin to appear in the ground around the edge. The plant seemed to be holding the place together.

Her grey eyes widening in horror, Luna pulled even harder on Ginny's arm, and the redhead rose slightly higher. But the blonde just wasn't strong enough to pull her the whole way up, and Ginny didn't have the strength to do so either.

'No!' Luna cried, tears begin to slide down her face. 'No! I'm not losing you now!'

'Luna…' Ginny exclaimed. 'I'm… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you like I promised-'

'Don't be silly; you did protect me!' Luna replied, her eyes wide as she struggled desperately to pull Ginny up. 'You saved my life!'

Ginny found tears slipping down her own face.

'Luna… I… I love you.'

'Don't tell me that when we're about to die!'

'You don't need to die!' Ginny cried. 'Just let me go; you can get away before the ground collapses!'

'No,' Luna sobbed. 'I'm not leaving you! I… I love you, Ginny; I'm not letting you go!'

'Oh, how touching…'

Ginny looked up past Luna. Riddle was standing above them, pointing his gun at Luna's head. Ginny could hear the sounds of Tonks and Remus groaning in confusion, as if drugged.

'Chemical compounds have their uses in close-quarter fighting,' Riddle said. 'But I'm getting off-topic. Ms Lovegood, I'm afraid that you and your little girlfriend may well have to take a tumble into oblivion.'

A horrible smile stretched across his face, Riddle pressed his gun up against Luna's head.

'After a bullet in both your heads, of course-'

'And just what do you think you're doing to my sister and her girlfriend?'

BANG!

Ginny stared up in shock, as Riddle crumpled to the ground where he had been stood. His gun fell harmlessly to the ground; the trigger hadn't been compressed.

Standing above them was a tall redhead, his blue eyes serious and yet utterly confident.

'Ron?!'

Before Ginny knew what was happening, Ron had grabbed Ginny's hands and -combined with Luna's strength- Ginny was pulled back up and onto solid ground. As they all scrambled away, the edge of the floor finally gave way, crashing into the chasm below.

Luna had wrapped her arms around Ginny, and Ginny did likewise. She could still tears streaking down Luna's face as she leaned into Ginny's shoulder.

'I'm… I'm okay,' Ginny said, softly to her girlfriend. 'I'm not going anyway.'

Luna nodded, sniffling as she cradled Ginny in her arms.

'You okay, Ginny?'

Ginny looked up. Ron had crouched down next to them.

'Could be worse,' Ginny said, not letting go of Luna. 'But Ron- what are you-'

'You didn't tell her?'

Ginny turned round.

Neville was crouched beside Tonks and Remus, administering what was presumably an antidote to the drugs Riddle had given them.

'Didn't tell me what?' Ginny exclaimed. 'And, Neville, why are you here? I thought you were back in Rio?'

'We needed as many people as we could muster,' Ron said. 'And it always pays to have someone who knows about plants round here.'

'Ron, that still doesn't explain why you're here! In the amazon! At an underground base!'

As if purely to confuse Ginny even further, Harry was handcuffing Riddle nearby. There was the sound of running feet, and Sky appeared, with several agents. She immediately dropped down to the ground and began to administer to Luna's various cuts and bruises. Reluctantly, Luna let go of Ginny, so that Sky could reach the cuts on her arms and legs.

'Tranquiliser darts,' Ron said, motioning to his gun in answer to Ginny's unspoken question. 'That git needs to stand trial. Luckily, one of the scientists in this place was being held against their will, and decided to give me these when our team turned up.'

'Wait, your team-'

'Actually, it's my team.'

Ginny turned. A very familiar face had appeared from round the corner, accompanied by more agents.

'Oh, Kingsley's here too?' She exclaimed, sarcastically. 'The whole gang's here; why don't we wait around and see who else turns up?'

'Weasley, this isn't standard procedure,' Kingsley said, speaking to Ron.

'Neither is letting civilians get involved with missions or raids, but here we are,' Ron replied. 'How the heck did Riddle get Luna and Ginny on their own anyway?'

'Why do you think?'

Tonks was sitting up, rubbing her throat as the antidote took effect.

'Ginny ran off ahead the second she heard Riddle threatening Luna,' Tonks continued. 'It was a miracle me and Remus got here in time.'

'In time to get knocked out by Riddle's drugs, apparently,' Remus said, his voice raspy. 'You all sure took your time.'

'Er, sorry,' Harry said. 'It took us forever to scout out the entire base. Does Ginny know about our involvement now?'

'Bit late to be asking that now, mate,' Ron said, before turning to Ginny and Luna. 'No biggie; me and Harry are secret agents. Spooks, if you will.'

'This would explain a lot…'

Ron laughed.

'Sorry I couldn't say anything. Only spouses and parents have security clearance, and even then it's pretty strictly controlled.'

'Did he get you badly?' Remus asked, leaning closer to Tonks. He sounded concerned. 'I'm sorry, I should've-

'What, worried about me, Remus?' Tonks chuckled, nudging him with her shoulder. 'You did all you could. Not that I mind you worrying about me, of course.'

Remus smiled, his cheeks reddening, and Tonks face responded in kind.

As Riddle was dragged away by the agents, a cheer went up from the kidnapped scientists and the local activists.

'You're very resourceful, Luna.' Sky said, as she and Ginny helped the florist to her feet. 'I think you've done rather well, given how much of a dangerous situation you were in.'

'Thank you. But I knew that you would all get here eventually.' Luna said. 'Thank you so much for tracking this place down.'

'You're most welcome,' Sky said, smiling. 'You did a great job of showing where the entrance was. Quick thinking with the hair. No wonder Ginny likes you so much.'

Ginny felt her cheeks flush as Luna smiled at her.

It was a long car ride back to Rio. Sky was accompanying them back. Ginny and Luna had fallen asleep against each-other. When they had woken back up, they had greeted by the perplexing sight of Sam reading what looked like a fantasy book. The cover showed a man dressed in a golden suit.

'He always was an idiot,' Sam muttered, chuckling under his breath. Then he noticed the two women staring at him. 'What?'

Ginny and Luna exchanged confused looks, but didn't ask for details.

Several hours later, the jeep finally came to a stop outside the hotel in Rio they had been staying in. Ginny slipped her hand into Luna's.

'Well… back in Rio.'

'Actually,' Ron said, as they climbed out of the jeep. 'There is someone else you know here. You remember the research team who Neville was working with?'

'Yeeeesss…'

'Well-'

At that moment, Ron stopped speaking, as a bushy-haired woman darted out from the hotel and kissed him full on the mouth, throwing her arms around his neck as she did so. Ron responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted her off her feet.

'Oh, for pity's sake… Hermione's involved, too?!' Ginny said. 'Really?'

'Shut up, Ginny, I want my ginger man,' Hermione said, briefly pulling away from her husband's lips. 'I've been stuck in a research block halfway across the city for the past week. No Ron to spend time with. Unlike you and Luna who got to make some lovely memories here.'

Ginny exchanged looks with Luna, and the two women blushed.

'I guess we can't have a proper holiday in Rio, can we?' Luna said. 'Shame, really.'

'Afraid not. Considering the amount of diplomatic stress this has caused,' Sky said, 'I think it's better that you all get back to the UK as soon as possible. Just for security's sake.'

'Keep in touch, Sky,' Ginny said, shaking the older woman's hand. 'You've helped us so much; I don't know how we can ever repay you.'

'Don't worry,' Sky said, as she hugged Luna. 'A small part of the Amazon has been protected, and that's something to celebrate. But, if you are asking, how about a wedding invitation?'

'O-oh…' Ginny said, as she and Luna both blushed again. 'I… well, we haven't really gotten that far along yet.'

Sky smiled, placing her hands on their shoulders.

'Doesn't seem that way to me.'

As Ginny and Luna smiled at each-other, Ginny was distantly of Sam getting his phone out, and beginning to speak into it.

'Where is my cow?… is that my cow?..'

Dear Sky,

I'm glad to hear that the logging companies have been pushed back. Myself and Neville have been organising protests for later this month about the continued logging in your part of the Amazon delta. Hopefully, we can get the British government to embargo the logging companies. It's not much, but it's a start.

Speaking of starts, me and Ginny have set a date for next spring. Hopefully, your invitation should be arriving soon.

Love,

Luna

xxxx

Luna put down her pen, and slipped the letter into an envelope. She was sat at the desk in her room above the shop. Evening sunshine was peaking through the window nearby. Writing out Sky's PO box number put her in mind of the memories of their time in the Amazon delta. So many memories, both good and bad.

She was just sticking the stamp to the front when Ginny knocked on her door and crossed the room.

'Time to go, Lu,' the redhead said, wrapping an arm around Luna's waist and kissing her on the neck. 'Our reservation's booked for seven.'

Luna smiled, and kissed Ginny on the cheek. She followed Ginny downstairs and out through the shop. Outside, London was turning hazy on the sunny Friday evening.

'Do you think Sky's invitation has reached her yet?'

'Bound to,' Ginny said, as they left the post-office, after having posted the letter direct to Brazil. 'I mean, Sam's already received his, and we don't even know what country he lives in!'

'I honestly be surprised if he didn't even live on earth at all.'

'Like, on some other planet?' Ginny chuckled, intertwining their fingers as they approached the park. 'You've always had a wonderful way of looking at things.'

'Says the person who insists we go to the same restaurant every time we have a special occasion.'

Ginny gave a freckled smile.

'It's where we had one of our first dates; we can't not go to it. Especially on the two month anniversary.'

Luna chuckled, squeezing their hands together.

'I know. And I love you for it.'

'I love you too, Lu.'

The two women smiled at each other, looking forward to a wonderful evening spent between the two of them. A small bit of perfection in a very bizarre but utterly wonderful world. A world that wasn't perfect, but was steadily getting better. With love, and dedication to make things better. And that was fine with both Ginny and Luna.

Bands glinted on their ring fingers, reflecting the golden evening sunlight. Both rings resembled a basketball hoop intwined with a hyacinth. The future was like a blooming garden; full of possibilities. And both Ginny and Luna intended to explore those possibilities.

The End