A/N Hi everyone. First, I want to apologize for my absence. I recently dealt with a death in our family, and its been a very difficult time for all of us. I slipped into a writing funk since then, and nothing felt right. I wrote and re-wrote this chapter so many times, but trashed them all, until this one. Fair warning, theres a MASSIVE jump forward, but I still hope you like it. I was tired of stalling their relationship and I look forward to writing more. I will try to update again soon. Please remember to leave some reviews. xx
May 3rd, 1998
Alot changed since their 3rd year at Hogwarts. So much that Ginny kept thinking what a whirlwind it actually was. Between You Know Who returning, Cedrics death, Umbridge, breaking into the Department of Mysteries, Sirius' death, dating Dean Thomas, Slug Club, Death Eaters at Hogwarts, Dumbledores death and Snapes betrayal, or Bill and Fleurs disaster wedding, none of it managed to prepare her for her final year of school, the D.A. and battling it out in a final showdown on the Hogwarts grounds. That's what it ultimately all came down to, and they survived. They won and they could finally rebuild a better future for the wizarding community.
All the while, her attentions and affections for her oddball friend grew into something she was quite unprepared for. Was it love? Not the same love you attribute to a sister or best friend. The kind of love that makes you skin hot, toes curl and belly flip. The kind that occupies your mind so much, reality and fantasy walk a fine line between each other. She tried to pretend it wasn't what it seemed. She saw the way her friend looked at Neville, but hadn't she caught that same look directed toward her, too?
She tried to love Harry. She tried to give him what he was seeking out in her, but in her heart she knew she was lying to herself and to him.
"Gin?"
Ginny looked up and gave a sort of half smile to her brother, Bill.
She was sat outside the school, in a courtyard of rubble and dirt. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her cheeks streaked with tears.
"Hey, Bill." she replied with a quiet hiccup as she held herself back from crying again. He sat next to her on a large broken off stone from the castle walls.
"You holding up okay? After battle stress kicked in. yeah?" he asked quietly, and she nodded
"I miss Fred. I miss Tonks and Lupin. Lavender. Colin. I even miss Snape a bit, the damn git, after everything Harry told us... I hated this so much Bill. Our youth was ripped away from us. Everything has been tainted... but I'm also glad it was us. Us, and not anyone after us. We get to provide a better life for our children, and their children and it's worth it." Her lip trembled and she collapsed into more tears while Bill pulled her in for a tight hug, encasing her in both arms and running a hand down her hair.
oO0Oo
The next couple weeks were hard. The amount of funerals and gatherings they all attended was sickening, and Ginny felt weak emotionally and physically from it all. They'd just arrived home after attending the funeral of Colin Creevey, and Luna joined them.
"Do you want to talk about it now?" Luna asked, sitting beside Ginny on her bed. She pulled her legs up and to the side of her so she could lean back on the headboard. Ginny sighed and pulled the ties out of her hair.
"About what, Luna? How miserable I feel? How I can't understand why Colin died and not me? You know, they told us to leave. Everyone was evacuating, but Colin and I turned to one another and just knew we couldn't leave. We snuck back in together. We fought side by side. I watched him take on some really foul guys, and he had my back, Luna. I wish we'd never gotten separated. Maybe I could have..." she choked on her words and placed her fingers over her lips.
"Colin sure did make all of us proud. He was a wonderful and fierce friend, and I'm certain he would do it all over again if it meant protecting someone else from harm. Don't blame yourself, Ginevra. He wouldn't want that."
Luna rested a soothing hand on her back and Ginny nodded. She took a couple deep breaths before turning to face her friend. They looked upon one another for a moment, Luna reaching forward to swipe away the tears remaining on her flushed cheeks.
"I'm glad you made it, Luna."
Luna smiled and nodded as she replied, "I'm very glad you did, too."
oO0Oo
Eventually, it was time for life to start. Ginny was determined to pursue Quidditch professionally, but she was sad leaving her friends and family to tour. Luna confided to her that she would be travelling as well. After the war ANF everything they went through, Luna especially, she said she wanted to remind herselfnthat the world is actually full of great things and great people and she didn't need to be afraid. Ginny was actually quite proud of her.
Luna and Neville arrived at the Burrow on a early Sunday afternoon and joined Ginny, George, Ron and Harry out in the garden. Hermione was in the library with Bill and Fleur, while Percy was keeping Arthur company in the shed. Molly was fussing about the kitchen as usual and Charlie was back in Romania.
"Neville, are you really going to travel with Luna? I thought you were keen to become the new Herbology professor at Hogwarts?" Harry asked and Ginnys head snapped up. Since when was Neville travelling with Luna?! Alone!?
The tall, brunette boy nodded and grinned. Luna was swaying in her seat with her hands resting in her lap.
"Yeah, em, Luna suggested it would help my confidence a bit." Neville replied and glanced at the dreamy blond with her head in the clouds.
"What are you on about, confidence? Did you forget you slayed You Know Who's bloody cursed snake, or was I just imagining things that day?" Ron barked from his spot on the bench by the back door. Neville blushed and George clapped him on the back.
"Well yeah, I know, but I'm still the same Neville I suppose. It wouldn't hurt to gain a little more self esteem, right?"
Ron shrugged and slumped back in his seat. Mrs. Weasley rushed out, her wand waving over several trays with sandwiches, fruit and a lovely tea service for everyone, before she turned without a word and headed back inside.
Ginny felt her mood sour and she grumpily grabbed a small plate piling it full of the food before her. Luna picked up a cucumber sandwich and a tea cup, nibbling and sipping as thought there were not a care in the world. Ginny took angry bites, practically shoving the sandwich full in her mouth and gulping the tea which promptly burnt her entire tongue.
"Agh! Damnit!" she yelped, causing everyone to look her way. Ron let out a loud guffaw while popping a handful of grapes into his mouth. He sat up quickly as he choked on one. George lazily wandered over to thump him hard on the back a few times before returning to his seat while Ron sputtered and Ginny glared.
"Serves you right for laughing you prick." Ginny growled. Luna finally looked her way and tilted her head.
"Ginevra, why are you so upset right now?" she asked lightly, and took another sip of her tea. Ginny shoved a large strawberry in her mouth in response and shook her head.
Bloody Neville is why, you ignorant, innocent witch.
Luna quirked a brow at her and for a moment Ginny had to question if she'd managed to say that out loud, regardless of struggling to chew up her berry.
"Well, uh, Luna... Where are you going first?" Harry asked while he picked up a tea cup of his own and held it gingerly in his hands.
"I don't really know at the moment. Neville agrees we should go where the nargles lead us. Hopefully, to the crumple horned snorkacks, if I'm honest. That's my most wished for encounter." Luna replied sweetly and took another bite of her sandwich. Neville shrugged in response to Harry's confused expression and Ginny had a white hot grip on her tea cup and plate. Ron chuckled, and George sighed.
"I'm going to my room. I'm feeling tired." Ginny said, and promptly stood and left before anyone could ask unwanted questions. She ran up the stairs and entered her room in a huff. Of all the frustrating things, why did Luna have to travel with Luna? Ginny felt a bit silly getting upset over that. It was obviously safer if Luna did not travel alone, and she would probably have alot more fun with Neville tagging along. It would also be great for Neville, not just for a self esteem boost, but the plant life he could potentially encounter along the way and connections with other wizards would undoubtedly be extremely beneficial for him in the long run.
Ginny groaned and flopped unto her bed just as a knock sounded at her door and before she could curse whoever it was to Hades if they opened the door, Luna walked in. Ginny sat up quickly and averted her eyes elsewhere.
"Are you going to tell me why you're cross with me, Ginevra?" Luna asked quietly, shutting the door and sitting on the floor cross legged in front of the redhead. Ginny scowled and looked down at her friend.
"I'm not cross with you, Luna." she snapped, and immediately realized how hypocritical she sounded just then. Luna frowned, an expression that didn't happen often on her delicately pale face.
"I didn't know you invited Nevie, that's all." Ginny mumbled, twiddling with her bed cover. Luna tilted her head to the side slightly, her messy bun of curls flopping with the movement.
Ginny straighted up and looked in surprise at Luna when she shifted to her knees and leaned onto Ginnys knees. She was looking up at her curiously, and Ginny felt her heart rate quicken.
"Do you like me, Ginevra?" Luna asked innocently and Ginny blushed. Their faces were so close, she could feel Luna's breath across her cheeks.
"O-or course I do, Luna, you're my best friend..." she answered quietly, to nervous to speak properly, or move, or breath, or...
Ginnys eyes went wide when Luna leaned up ever so slightly and pressed her lips to hers. It was a barely there touch, so warm and sweet and absolutely shocking to her system. She pulled back and looked back into Ginnys eyes.
"Don't be jealous of Neville, Gin. I've only got eyes on you. after all."
Stunned could never adequately describe how floored Ginny was by her friend at that very moment.