February 2nd, 1992

While Ginny's brothers were off to school again, and Bill moved out, Ginny found herself spending almost every day with Luna. She still hadn't wanted to speak about her mum, but that was okay. Ginny learned her quirks pretty quickly, and figured out that Luna rarely danced to the beat of anyone else's drum but her own. She was like those free spirits her brother Bill told her about. She had her own ideas and lived each day with a positive outlook. She enjoyed going with the flow, and even if sometimes she didn't speak a whole lot, Ginny could tell she was always thinking. She was actually quite clever, and Ginny had guessed she'd be sorted into Ravenclaw when it was their time to attend Hogwarts.

On this particular rainy day, Ginny was in the mood to be messy and wild. She wanted to run around outside and wondered if Luna would go for that. It had never come up before, so now Ginny was curious. It was one of her most favorite things to do in a rain storm, as long as there was no lightening.

Luna arrived to the Burrow by mid morning. She wore a lilac one piece trouser and top ensemble with hot pink sneakers and her bottle cap earrings.

"Ginny, hello. What would you like to do today? Play another game of Monoloply?"

Ginny laughed. "Monopoly, Luna, and no. I thought if you were up for it, we could run around in the garden?" She asked, hopefully.

Luna raised her eyebrows and her lips poked out like she was puckering for a kiss. Ginny laughed again.

"What's wrong, Luna?"

"Nothing, I... I just haven't done that since... since before mum died. We used to do that together, you see.."

"Oh..." Ginny trailed off. She did not know that. This was the first time Luna spoke of her mum since she'd told her the news of her passing. "Well, nevermind then. Lets go play-"

"No, it's okay. I think it'll be fun." Luna said, cutting her off. She dropped her messenger bag onto the couch and skipped out through the kitchen and into the back garden.

Ginny followed closely after and a huge smile was on her face at the sight of her friend twirling around in circles, arms outstretched and face toward the sky. She ran outside and they both chased each other around and laughed whenever they slipped and slid over the muddier patches of the garden. The gnomes started chasing them and Luna was teasing them by pretending she didn't see them coming and then whirling around to run after them. Ginny bellowed a particularly unladylike laugh when she watched a gnome collide into another and they toppled over, sliding down the hill.

They eventually collapsed against the apple tree trunk when the rain started to die down, laughing and gasping for air.

"This has been the best day. Thank you, Ginny." Luna said in her sweet sing song voice and Ginny pulled her into a side armed hug.

"You don't have to thank me. You're my best friend!"

If Ginny hadn't started laughing hysterically again at the garden gnomes trying and failing to climb up the slick hill, she would have seen Luna staring at her with those big, teary, doe eyes of hers.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

February 12th, 1992

"Mum, can you take me to Diagon Alley today?" Ginny asked her mother as she went downstairs for breakfast.

"Of course, sweetheart, what do you need?" Mrs. Weasley asked, smiling at her daughter as she placed a full English breakfast down in front of her.

"Tomorrow is Luna's birthday. I want to get her a gift."

"Oh, how lovely! Yes, dear, we will go after lunch."

Ginny smiled, and quickly ate her breakfast so she could get showered and ready for the day ahead.

Ginny had been ansty all morning, but finally she was off with her mother to the shops and she was practically skipping along side her on the cobbled path. Mrs. Weasley wanted to run a few errands first while they were there, but eventually Ginny was able to pull her into a small storefront tucked away in the corner of the alley. It was called Dazzled Gem, and carried all kinds of sparkly, frilly, ornate, decorative fashion pieces. She headed straight for all the assorted beading, and picked out several different types, varied in size, shape, color and material. They all sparkled brilliantly, and they were all so vibrant in color. She made sure to get plenty for what she had in mind, and hurried over to the til so she could pay. She saved her allowance ever since her and Luna started their play dates because she knew she wanted to get her a nice birthday gift before their year at Hogwarts. Their time together would be cut short by quite alot, so Ginny made sure to come up with the perfect thing to give Luna.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

February 13th, 1992

Back at the Burrow the next day, Ginny was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her friend. She had stayed up as late as her mum would allow last night in order to complete Luna's gift. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself.

"Oh, Ginny stop fidgeting. She will be here as soon as she can. Her father deserves some time with his daughter on her birthday, don't you think?" Mrs. Weasley said while she fussed over the birthday cake Ginny helped her bake. It was a lovely little marble cake with bright pink and green frosting, and eleven long candles sticking out of the top.

Ginny rolled her eyes and left the kitchen, settling on pacing the sitting room until finally the fireplace roared to life and out stepped the quirky blond holding her messenger bag firmly to her hip. She was sporting a fluorescent yellow track suit with the sleeves rolled up half way this time and a bright red t-shirt, paired with some black and white converse. Her hair was pulled to the side in a loose braid and she had on about twenty bracelets on one arm.

Ginny grinned at her and rushed forward, pulling her into a tight hug while bouncing up and down.

"Happy birthday, Luna! Happy birthday, to youuuuu!" She sang happily, and Luna giggled.

"Thank you, Ginny." She replied with a smile and set her bag down on the couch when she was finally released from the redheads grasp.

"Come on! I have a surprise!" Ginny exclaimed, pulling her by the hand into the kitchen.

Molly Weasley was beaming at the two girls rushing in, and said a loving happy birthday to Luna before pulling her in for a hug as well and placed a small peck to her cheeks. Ginny impatiently pulled Luna outside, much to the amusement of her mother, and promptly twirled behind her to cover her eyes with her hands. Luna giggled, lifting her own to brush lightly across Ginny's fingers.

"What are you up to, Ginevra?"

Ginny was bouncing on her heels and whispered, "I told you, I have a surprise for you! Walk forward some... that's it, careful.. okay, a little further.."

Ginny gently guided her friend, who walked with surprising grace even with her eyes covered. Ginny was beaming as they came up to their spot on the hill, and once instructing Luna to stay put where she was, she lowered her hands, jumped forward and yelled a jovial, "Surprise!! Happy birthday, Luna!"

Luna dropped her gaze from the giddy red head to the ground where she saw a blanket spread out, and a large picnic basket with a steaming tea pot and cups beside it. Just behind the basket on a small stand was a birthday cake in the brightest pink and green with those large candles sticking out of it, as well as a prettily wrapped little birthday box. Luna usually didn't make a fuss, or become emotional on the surface, but Ginny could see her eyes glistening with tears when she looked back up at her.

"Do you like it?" Ginny asked worriedly, only to have Luna fling her arms around the girls shoulders and hug her tight. "Oompf... Luna," Ginny laughed, and peeled her friend off her. Luna was smiling so wide, her face wet with tears.

"You're my best friend, Ginny. Thank you for this."

Ginny laughed again and pulled her friend to sit with her. They made quick work of the little sandwiches and pastries Mrs. Weasley had provided them, as well as the warm tea. Even though it was the middle of February, they felt warm and comfortable. Mr. Weasley always set a nice warming charm on the garden when he knew Luna was coming by, as the girls preferred to spend their shared time outdoors.

"Here, open your present and then we can have cake!" Ginny said, happily handing the box over. Luna placed her teacup down and graciously accepted the gift. She unwrapped it slowly, always saving the paper to reuse later in one of her many odd projects, and Ginny watched her eyes go wide at the contents. She was clapping her hands together while Luna pulled out a stunning pair of beaded earrings that dangled and the matching necklace.

"I made those! Stayed up all night, lost a few beads, broke a couple clasps, but I finally did it! The beads are enchanted to shift between all the colors of the rainbow in a cool gradient effect. Do you like it?"

Luna smiled sweetly and leaned over to give Ginny another hug.

"These are simply beautiful, Gin. The rainbow matches all my clothes!" Luna said, and was already fitting the earrings on and quickly added the necklace.

Ginny laughed. That was exactly why she chose to go with a sparkling rainbow. Luna seldom wore less than four or five different colors at once, so at least she knew these pieces of jewelry would get some use.

Ginny called her mum, who came out to light the candles on the cake, and she called Mr. Weasley to tag along and sing happy birthday with Ginny to the quirky little blond. Luna was smiling serenely, and was very thoughtful about the wish she made. Confident it would come true, she smiled again at the Weasleys and they all enjoyed some of that delicious cake.

End Chapter 2

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