For Audrey

Word Count: 1114


i.

The world around her is suddenly grey and cold, and all the sound seems to disappear. Ginny stands, her body growing numb as she tries to process what she sees before her.

First Fred. Now Harry lies in Hagrid's arms, a stiff and unmoving.

It's over. They've lost.

She almost laughs. In all these years, she never thought it would be possible that they could lose. She had believed with every scrap of hope in her heart that Harry would keep them safe.

And now the Dark Lord is victorious.

"Ginny." Ron tugs her hand urgently. "We have to go. Now."

She doesn't know how to respond. Ginny opens her mouth, but no words come out. That's how she knows it really is hopeless. Ron and Hermione were loyal to Harry until the end. If they're running…

Numb, she allows her brother to lead the way. Everything is a blur around her. Noise and movement, but nothing really registers. People scream. Jets of green light fly past.

And yet she isn't quite aware.

"There's a passage into Hogsmeade," she hears George say. "We should be able to get out like that."

Ginny doesn't know if she wants to escape at all. What's the point? Now that Harry is gone, things are going to get so much worse. Maybe it would be wiser to stay, to let the green light find home in her body and send her into oblivion.

But she doesn't stop. Even as the world crashes around her and she wants nothing more than to stop, drop to her knees, and scream at the top of her lungs, her legs carry her to safety.

ii.

"He isn't gone," Luna tells her as they sit outside.

It's been three days since the battle. They have found safety in an old farmhouse that Professor McGonagall's brother owned before his death. There are only a few survivors at the camp, but her mother has been trying to reach out. So far, they know Kingsley and four others are in Cardiff while Bill, Fleur, and a few others are trying to find a way out of London.

Under ordinary circumstances, this place might be beautiful. For Ginny, in this moment, it is the epitome of hell.

"He is gone," Ginny says, her tone sharper than she intends. "This isn't some bloody fairytale. He isn't going to live just because you believe."

She shouldn't be so hard on Luna. Ginny knows that her best friend is suffering too. Last any of them heard, her father is still a prisoner. Even though Luna always wears a smile, she has to be close to breaking too.

But if Luna is bothered by Ginny's bluntness, she doesn't show it. Instead, Luna just wears her usual smile, plucking flowers and skillfully tie the stems together. "Not really," Luna says. "Only physically. You know, I still hear my mum whisper to me sometimes."

Ginny wants to point out that it isn't good to hear voices. She can't bring herself to. If it gives Luna comfort, so be it.

Still smiling, Luna holds up the flowers. She's formed them into a crown. "Here," she says, gently placing the flower crown on Ginny's head.

It doesn't take the pain away, but it helps. For the first time in a long time, Ginny finds herself smiling.

iii.

The nightmares are the worst. Ginny wakes, screaming. Her throat is raw, and tears cling to her lashes. She sits up, trying to steady herself with a deep breath. It's no use.

Luna is by her side in seconds. They've been put in the same room together, though Luna has the habit of falling asleep near the window with a book in her hands. Sometimes it feels like Ginny is completely alone in the room.

But not now. Now that she needs her, Luna is there, wrapping her arms around Ginny and holding her close. "It's okay," Luna whispers. "Only a bad dream. Nightmares can't hurt you."

"Please don't leave me," Ginny says.

"I won't. I promise."

Ginny doesn't even think. She kisses Luna gently. Even though she still loves Harry, it doesn't feel like a betrayal. It has been a month since the battle, and the pain is still raw and stinging, but she knows that she will be okay. Harry would want her to be happy. Well, as happy as she can be under the circumstances.

"You kissed me," Luna says, her eyes meeting Ginny's.

"I did."

Luna considers this in silence for several moments. "Does this mean we're more than friends?"

"If you want to be," Ginny says.

The silence that follows is maddening. Ginny feels her stomach twisting itself into knots.

Finally, Luna smiles. "I think I would like that."

iv.

They're by the stream, collecting berries for dessert. Ginny likes it out her. Both of her parents, Ron, and Hermione are off with rebellion work. Ginny longs to be there too, but she and Luna are out here, caring for the new members of their community.

Over the past two months following the war, more than a dozen survivors have found their way to the base. Others have managed to make contact, and bases are springing up across Britain. Slowly but surely, hope is beginning to spread.

The fight isn't over. Maybe it never will be. Ginny is so tired of war and pain and darkness, but she isn't afraid to fight. It means a chance for a better future, and she is willing to give anything for that.

As she sets her basket down and steps into the stream, smiling as she feels the cold water caress her bare feet, she feels something change. It's a subtle shift in the atmosphere, but she can feel it all the way in her soul. Warmth washes over her, and there is a sense of happiness and belonging, like maybe everything really will work out for the best, one way or another.

Luna takes Ginny's hand and lifts it to her lips, kissing her knuckles gently. Ginny smiles. The peaceful feeling passes, but still feels calm and happy.

In that moment, she understands what Luna had meant in those days following the battle. Harry is still with her, just like Fred. They've touched a part of her soul that will never be the same.

But the world is still turning. The future is theirs, and there are so many chances to smile and laugh and just live.

That has to be enough.

Ginny kisses Luna's cheek before resting against her, letting a soft sigh. "There may still be beauty in the world."

"There is," Luna confirms. "You just need to know where to look."