MC4A Challenge Block

Stacked with: Shipping Wars; Summer Bingo; StL; ER; FPC; BAON; SS; SoW

Individual Challenges: Short Jog; The Third Rule; Gryffindor MC (x2); Ravenclaw MC; Red Moon Quindrabble; Old Flames; Witches Coven 2; Flags and Ribbons (Y); Inks; Old Shoes; Times to Come (Y); Themes and Things A—Friendship (Y); Themes and Things B—Reunion (Y); Shipmas

Representations: Luna Lovegood/Ginny Weasley; Harry Potter; TattooShop!AU; Post-Hogwarts

Bonus Challenges: Clio's Conclusion; Unicorn; A Long Dog; Second Verse (Bechdel Test; Not a Lamp; Found Family; Nontraditional); Chorus (Endless Wonder; Odd Feathers; Fire Song; Tomorrow's Shade)

Tertiary Bonus Challenges: Satisfaction (FR); Thimble (T3); LiCK (Poppy)

Word Count: 1407

Shipping Wars:

Ship (Team): Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley (Dreamy Redhead)

List (Prompt): Summer Micro 1 (Running)

Summer Bingo:

Space Address: 3C

Prompt: Dust

Warnings: Extensive discussion of needles and other tattoo paraphernalia; actual depiction of tattooing process

Chapter Two

Ginny flicked her wand at the cash register, removing the fine layer of dust that had settled there over the past week. Their first week open and not a single customer had bothered to come in. They'd had a few Hogwarts students on summer holiday pop in and pretend to be interested, but Ginny shooed them away. They were only there to brag to their friends who were too afraid to enter such a taboo establishment. Besides, Luna made it clear that she wouldn't work on anyone who wasn't of age. Instead, their equipment was still pristine in its drawers, and they'd resorted to cleaning to keep busy.

With a heavy sigh, Ginny sat back down on the stool she'd become far too accustomed to. The shop wouldn't make it a month if business didn't pick up, and the prospects of that happening weren't good.

The bell over the door tinkled, and Ginny, not looking up from her copy of Witch Weekly, decided to finish the article she was reading before she chased out another group of kids this morning.

"So this is what a magical tattoo parlor looks like," a familiar voice said.

Ginny's head snapped up.

"Harry!" she cried, running around the counter to pull him into a hug. "What on earth are you doing in here? How are you? And Hermione?"

Harry chuckled as he squeezed her back. "I'm good, Gin, really good. Hermione, too. We need to have you and Luna over for dinner again sometime soon."

"You can say that again," Luna laughed as she skipped into the front lobby from her studio area in the back. "I've missed your coq à vin—and you too, I suppose."

Harry, in a very mature move, stuck his tongue out at her.

"But really, what are you doing here?" Ginny asked.

"Can't a guy come check out two of his best friends' new shop? I've been dying to get over here," Harry replied.

"Well, you're our first real visitor," Luna told him.

His gaped at them. "Seriously? How has no one been in here yet? People know how good Luna's paintings are. Surely someone wants would want to have a piece of her art permanently."

"You know how the magical world is about tattoos," Ginny said. "We didn't think we'd change any opinions over night, but I thought we'd at least get a few Muggleborns or a rebellious young guy or two. But nothing so far."

Harry appeared as though he wanted to console Ginny and Luna, but instead he looked around the shop, studying everything and avoiding their gazes.

Without warning, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Luna, are you free this afternoon?"

"Yes," she said slowly. "Why do you ask?"

Harry straightened and looked her square in the eye. "I'd like to schedule a consultation. I'm afraid it might take quite a bit of time."

A beat of silence passed.

"You're serious?" Ginny asked.

"Of course," Harry said confidently. "I said it myself—Luna's work is incredible, and I'd be honored to be able to keep a piece of it permanently."

Luna shot him a small smile. "Thanks, Harry. That means a lot coming from you."

"Well, let's not keep the customer waiting!" Ginny cried. "Step on back into the consultation area, Mr. Potter."

She led them behind a curtain of beads to a small space with a table and desk chair for Luna and a few extra stools for potential customers.

"Do you have anything specific in mind, Harry?" Luna asked as she pulled out a sketchpad.

Harry smirked. "Well, I seem to remember that one of my first real girlfriends telling everyone that I had a Hungarian Horntail tattooed on my chest. Much more macho than a hippogriff, you know."

Ginny's face and neck flushed as red as her hair as Harry and Luna shared a little chuckle at her expense.

"I was just trying to help you out," she muttered, trying to will the blood in her cheeks back its normal place.

"I know, Gin, I just like to tease you." Harry pulled her into a one-armed half-apology. "But in all seriousness, I really do think I'd like the Horntail on my chest. It reminds me of Cedric and why I fought so hard for so long. It also makes me think of one of my closest friends who never let me fight alone—even if she did leave me for the person that would be doing the tattoo."

Ginny lightly swatted his arm. "Ugh, that's been ages. And besides, the whole world knew you were in love with Hermione, even if you didn't."

"Yes, and you've been like a sister to me since then. You still could have told me that you preferred other women before I walked in on you snogging Luna in a random classroom."

"In our defense, you two never actually got back together after the final battle, and we really thought you were rebuilding in a different part of the castle," Luna added, her own cheeks flushing.

"And it's not that I prefer women, per se. I just liked Luna more than you," Ginny finished with a huff.

Harry waved dismissively. "I know, you and I covered that a long time ago. I just thought it was ironic that Luna is the one who will be giving me a tattoo that reminds me so much of you."

At that, Luna perked up. "Will be giving? So you really want to do this?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, now that I've talked about it, I realized I do. I just want to hammer out a few details first."

Over the next couple of hours, Harry and Luna discussed style, placement, and other particulars. Ginny went out to pick up lunch at the Leaky Cauldron and came back to find them with a finalized design. After a quick bite to eat, the real fun started.

Luna worked almost silently, so Ginny kept Harry company and tried to distract him from the pain.

"Is there a reason you can't use a Numbing Charm?" he hissed.

Ginny shrugged. "Luna told me it'll interference with the enchantment on the needle. She started to go into the specifics of it, and I honestly tuned her out. All of that is way above my head."

"I heard that," Luna said, wiping the skin clean again. "I'm almost finished anyway."

"Good," Harry muttered through clenched teeth.

Before long, Luna was smoothing a clear plastic dressing over the new tattoo.

"Luna, this is amazing," Harry breathed, lightly touching the edge of the dressing.

Ginny had to agree. The black, fierce-looking dragon slowly circled his right pectoral muscle, occasionally opening its mouth to roar or shoot flames towards Harry's sternum. The minute details, from the dragon's yellow, cat-like eyes to the individual scales on its back, were absolutely stunning.

"Now remember, no potions or salves on the area until it's fully healed," Luna clucked. "Come back and see me next week so I can check up on it and we can see how you're liking it."

"I'll do it!" Harry said, shrugging on his shirt. "How much do I owe you, Luna?"

After a quick bit of mental math, she said, "Let's call it thirty galleons."

Harry shook his head, counted out a stack of coins, and put them next to the till. "I think you're selling yourself short, Luna. What you've given is worth a lot more."

With that, he kissed them both on the cheek and walked out of the store with a bit of swagger that hadn't been there before.

"How much do you want to bet he actually left?" Luna asked.

Ginny slipped an arm around her waist and glanced at the pile of gold coins. "Probably at least fifty, if not more. He was right, though. You're selling your art, your creativity, your skill. Don't underbid your own abilities, babe."

"I suppose you're right," she replied, dropping her head to Ginny's shoulder. "It's been a long day. Why don't we close up and head home before Hermione realizes what he's done?"

Ginny's heart stuttered. Crap. Hermione.

"Think she'll like it eventually?"

Luna laughed. "Totally. But I'd bet that stack of Galleons that she throws a fit about it first. The question is whether or not Harry will be her only victim."

Ginny ran to flip the sign to 'Closed' and started tugging Luna toward the Floo. "Let's not stick around and find out."