Disclaimer: Deep in the jungle, there is a magical monkey that farts every time someone is born, by the time that monkey stops farting, I will still not own Harry Potter.

Warning: Slash (yaoi), Femme-slash (yuri), AU-ish, Spoilers for DH.

AN: hey people, it's me again!

Chapter Eight: Falling Again

Astoria smiled warmly when her house elf, Chippy informed her that Miss Ginevra was waiting for her in the parlor. She rushed down the steps of her lush villa, down the hall and into the parlor.

Ginny was walking slowly around the room, admiring the gorgeous muggle paintings and the family portrait of the Malfoys that hung above the gigantic white marble fireplace, when Astoria entered the room.

"Hello Ginevra," said Astoria in a formal, but pleasant voice.

Ginny jumped about a foot in the air, and whirled around to face Astoria.

"Did I startle you?" asked Astoria worriedly.

Ginny quickly regained her composure, however.

"A little, but don't worry about it, I just didn't hear you come in," said Ginny reassuringly.

Astoria smiled warmly and beckoned Ginny closer.

"Good...shall we take tea in the gardens since it is such a beautiful day?" asked Astoria softly when Ginny was at her side.

Ginny nodded, smiling shyly, and followed Astoria out of the parlor through the glass doors and into the lush, expansive gardens.

Upon sight of the gardens, Ginny stopped short and gasped.

Astoria, turned to look at her, and seeing Ginny's shocked face, hurried to her side and took her hand, gently guiding her to an intricately carved marble patio table.

"I know," she said, smiling in understanding, "I did the same thing when Draco first gave this villa to me as a wedding present."

Ginny looked up sharply at this.

"Draco?" she asked.

Astoria looked at her strangely.

"Yes, Draco...I was married to him for almost as many years as you were married to Potter," she replied, sounding somewhat puzzled.

"Oh, right," said Ginny, flushing in embarrassment at her memory lapse, "It slipped my mind that you were actually married to him!"

Ginny shuddered.

"I can't imagine what that was like!" she exclaimed.

Astoria frowned slightly, then said slowly, "It wasn't that bad, actually. Draco is rather kind when one bothers to get to know him....and of course ignore his prickliness. One must have a tough hide to be able to tolerate his scathing wit," she said, smiling softly.

Ginny looked at Astoria curiously.

"Did you love him?" she asked hesitantly, as if not wanting to know the answer.

Astoria noticed the hesitation and smiled warmly, taking Ginny's breath away.

"I did," said Astoria, Ginny began to slump in disappointment, then, "But only as a brother and nothing else."

Ginny looked up.

"Really?" she asked in what she hoped was a nonchalant way.

Astoria smiled and nodded.

"I've always loved my Gryffindor girl, and I always will," said Astoria, smiling in such a sweet and dreamy way, that Ginny felt strangely envious.

"So..." said Ginny casually, "when are you going to make your existence known to your beloved lioness?"

Astoria smiled a secret smile, looking wistful.

"I already have," she said in a soft, vague way.

Ginny was stunned, and felt oddly betrayed.

"Oh?" she said in a forced way, "How'd it go? Is she still with her husband?"

Astoria frowned slightly at Ginny's suddenly cold, almost hostile tone.

"No..." said Astoria slowly, picking her words carefully, "He left her for a former flame, apparently."

Ginny was gobsmacked.

"He left her for another woman!?" she cried.

Astoria smiled her strange secret smile again and inclined her head ever so subtly.

"You could say that," she conceded, "He's a foolish, foolish man to leave behind such a jewel. Ah well, his loss shall be my gain, I hope."

Ginny sat in shocked silence, before saying softly, "How did she react to you?"

Astoria sighed.

"She doesn't love me...that I know for sure...but maybe someday, if I am patient, she will see me as something more," she said softly, sadly.

Ginny's heart clenched at the sorrow in Astoria's lilting and musical soprano voice.

"Astoria," said Ginny softly, gaining the pretty blonde woman's attention.

She hesitated for a moment, before speaking, "If this woman has any brains...any at all...she'll see you for what you are: a treasure. And if she's smart, then she'll cherish, love and protect you at all costs. You deserve that much...even though I've only known you for a short while, I feel as if I have known you far longer, and I somehow know, in my heart and soul that you are a precious person to have as a friend, and for this girl, a lover."

Astoria was stunned into silence, before, eyes filling with tears, she smiled tremulously and launched herself into Ginny's arms.

It was Ginny's turn to be shocked, but she quickly got over it as the lovely blonde woman drew back slightly and placed a soft kiss on Ginny's forehead.

"Thank you Ginevra," whispered Astoria, "you don't know how much those words mean to me, especially coming from someone as special as you are."

Ginny blushed, embarrassed, and murmured, "Oh Astoria...I'm not special at all! I mean, I wasn't good enough for the man of my dreams to love me in return, and even now, as I find myself falling again for the wrong person, I know they could never love me back either! I'm just Ginny, a foolish little unlovable girl who loves the wrong people and begs to be hurt. Who would possibly want someone as pitiful as me!?"

Ginny choked back a sob and turned away, ashamed of her tears.

Astoria, snapping out of her shock—and finding herself, angry, sorrowful, and oddly protective—quickly drew the distressed Ginny back into her embrace and held her close.

"Oh Ginevra...you must never say such things ever again! I forbid you! Potter not loving you was NOT your fault, and you can't help who you fall for...but I promise that one day, you will find someone who will love you more than life itself. I swear it," said Astoria passionately.

Ginny continued to sob quietly.

"H-how could you possibly know that?! How?!" she wept.

Astoria smiled her secret smile.

"Because one would have to be insane not to love you, Ginevra!" she said affectionately, her gray eyes sparkling like stars.

Ginny looked up in time to catch the expression on Astoria's lovely face, and her breath caught, for Astoria looked stunningly ethereal and angelic.

Without thinking of the consequences, Ginny pulled Astoria's face down and kissed her.

AN: Mwahahaha, CLIFFIE!!! That was SO much fun to write!!! Conflicts will arise and misunderstandings will run abound!!!

What will Tori do, I wonder? And will Gin Gin regret her actions? Keep reading to find out!!!

Oh, and don't forget that reviews make the world go 'round, so don't hesitate to press that green button at the bottom of the page!!!!

Reggie DeLune