Blonde Bombshell
Author's Note: This story has been going on for far too long. So there will only two chapters after this one. If you have any requests I'd say get them in now. I got this idea from not only a request but also from watching the Bachelorette. The crew was in London and it looked spectacular and romantic. And just so you know, I've never been there. I'm an American who has never left her state aside from several Caribbean vacations. Let's begin.
Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable.
Chapter Five: Waterfall Braid
George awoke the next morning tired but feeling good. He'd given in and asked Fred for help. Since Fred had had it easy courting Angelina, he'd actually had all sorts of ideas that had never materialized. Angelina was low-key and pretty straightforward. But what was the fun in that, George wondered? Luna was essentially an advocate for unique individuality. So after some brainstorming, a plan was set.
"Good morning darling." Molly said walking into the kitchen a little surprised to see one of her children up early on a school break.
"Hi mom."
"What is this?" Molly asked gesturing to the book George had tucked underneath his bowl of oatmeal.
"Frankenstein. Have you ever read it?"
"Actually yes, it's quite stimulating. Why are you reading it?" The matriarch laughed at her own joke then reached out to ruffle her son's hair. Making a face George took another bite before turning a page.
Upstairs, the best friend pair of Ginny and Luna was also awake. Luna had woken up at daybreak in order to sketch the sun rising.
"Luna, would you mind braiding my hair?"
"Sure, of course not." As Luna's fingers braided, Ginny babbled about her feelings for Harry. She joked about a wedding in the Hinsdale square, a gorgeous resort in north Rockwood. Luna made appropriate comments but her mind continued to drift to George. Ginny noticed the blonde's mind had wandered and just laughed.
"Lou, listen! What kind of wedding would you want to George?" Luna tilted her head then secured a band around the ends of Ginny's copper tresses.
"I don't know."
"I feel like it would somewhere like Fiji, you know a waterfall in the background." Luna smiled and agreed saying that it would be wonderful to exchange vows then jump into the crystal clear water.
A few hours later, everyone was outside. Even though it was late December snow hadn't fallen yet which was actually good because Quidditch in the snow wasn't the best activity.
"Pass much?" Fred teased Ginny who had been appointed his partner by the unbiased authority Luna who wasn't even paying attention. She was seated on the hill her sketchbook in her lap, her fingers coated in the crayon paste she used. George watched from the top of the roof half-watching Ron bobble the ball but also watching Luna work. Everyone that had seen her work had stated many times that Luna was such a promising artist and George craved to see her abilities. He looked down as she continued drawing. Her hair had been twisted into some interesting configuration that fall back resembling a waterfall.
After Ginny and Fred soundly defeated George and Ron, who basically bailed on George after only ten minutes citing coldness, the crew started inside for the hot chocolate and sugar cookies Molly had promised. But instead George raced back to the hill ready for his plan to start.
"Hey, Lou."
"Hi." Luna looked to her side wondering why George had run back towards her. Wouldn't she met him inside?
"What are you drawing?"
"Nothing." Luna replied covering her drawing pad with her arm.
"Why can't I see?"
"Cause you can't."
"Lou, come on. But whatever, let's go inside before Ron devours all the cookies." Luna heard the passive tone but didn't think about it once George held out his hand to help her up. In one quick movement George had not only helped her up but also swiped her book out of her hands. And he'd also taken off!
"George!" Luna gasped running after him, full well knowing that she wouldn't catch up. She followed as quickly as she could into the tall grass. She followed until he disappeared in front of her and decided to just resign herself to yelling his name. Mere feet away George could easily make out Luna's hair but not much else. Not wanting to invade all of her privacy and infuriate her more, George promised himself he'd only look at the last picture. It fell open and showed George up in the air, the light snow falling around him. Luna really was talented. The picture looked so realistic that George could swear that she'd drawn it from real life. He shut the book then pushed through the brush towards the fifteen year old.
"Here you go Luna." George swung his arm over Luna's shoulder and steered her towards the door. She snatched the book back, made a face, but didn't wiggle out of his grasp. Luna could feel her heart pound. Just before the steps George paused and took a step away.
"Lou, before we go inside, can I ask you something?"
"Of course." George stuck his hands into his pockets.
"Well, Fred wants to go into London for the night with Angelina, but mom hates when we go into the city alone and since I don't really want to play third wheel, I was hoping you'd want to go with."
"Yes, yeah, of course." Luna hugged her book to her chest feeling like a child once again. She craved to question the validity of the date. If it was a date at all, in fact. But her fear George could shut her down was more terrifying.
"Thanks Lou, come on let's get inside." Luna didn't know how she kept herself together during the tea, but once she got Ginny alone, she babbled everything out at such speed that only a best friend could understand. And understand Ginny did. She set about discussing clothes, things that was going on during the holiday season, and just general advice.
By seven, a lot of the other houses' occupants were taking showers, but Fred and George were sitting downstairs gathering things into their pockets. Fred had said it would be a good idea for George to tell Mom that Luna was going along, before the lecture started.
"Mom, Georgey has something to tell you." The matriarch redhead put her hand on her hip and waited.
"Uh, mom, Luna's coming with us. With me." She said nothing for amount but then her face lit up and she grasped her son's face. For ten minutes Molly gushed about how sweet Luna was and she hoped it would all work out. But then she started lecturing about how Luna was young and how they absolutely had to be back by midnight. Unless, unless, they absolutely felt they had to stay out all night and in that case they had to be home before breakfast at seven.
"Well then, Fred if you can get Luna from upstairs, I'd like to talk to George alone." Fred obliged and cautiously left the room.
"Sweetie, just so you know, I'm glad you like Luna. But don't wait too long to tell her. Okay?" That was the last thing Molly said before Fred came back Luna in tow. Molly kissed all the teenagers as they left and George hoped that the fact he hadn't over planned was good.
They met in Trafalgar Square to take in the Christmas tree. Angelina was flanked by her parents who seemed very apprehensive to allow their daughter alone in London at a late hour. As her parents grilled Fred, George grasped Luna's hand and pulled her away at a rapid pace. As they walked along the path each held their breath simply enjoying the hand holding.
"Sorry, I had to sneak us off. But that was getting a little too weird."
"It's okay." Luna watched her breath spew out of her mouth, the cold air freezing it. Her other hand was placed firmly in her jacket.
"So when was the last time you can into the city?"
"Not in a while, actually. Daddy doesn't like coming to the city. He met my mom here. On the Eye actually." Luna paused and looked up at the giant Ferris wheel that was only a few yards away.
"Would you tell me about it?"
"Sure." Luna chewed on her lip and smiled.
"My mom was on the Eye. She was heading to Oxford in the fall and she was just taking in the London sights before she left. She really liked living among the muggles. She was always fascinated by how they lived without magic. And my dad was there because he really liked the Eye, like how big it was. And they met and that was it."
"Love at first sight?"
"I guess so."
"So you have family around here?"
"I do. My grandparents live right next to the Palace."
"Maybe I'll meet them, one day."
"Maybe." They continued walking looking at the tree and marveling at the lights. If anyplace was more beautiful than London at Christmas time, then they probably hadn't seen it yet. Luna told George more about growing up and even about how her parent's wedding was a disaster that involved enchanted swans and a drunken bridesmaid. It made him laugh and before long George realized that it was hedging close to midnight. If he wanted to stay out with Luna he would need to tell her how he felt now. Getting another idea he dragged Luna back to the attendant station of the Eye. The ride had been closed for the night but George still apparated them to the highest carriage.
"Wow, look you can see everything." Luna marveled. The view was spectacular. Lights stretched for miles and miles.
"Lou, can I ask you something?"
"Of course." George stepped closer to Luna, only then realizing that he was close enough to kiss her. He reached for her hands and wanted to say how he felt but nothing would materialize. All he could be aware of was Luna's lips and how Luna stared at him.
Hogwarts had become unbearable once April moved in. Every day the temperature would hit 80 and just keep going up. And the only thing that kept the kids sane was trips to the lake that was situated in the woods. While teachers would try to stop students from going, all their attempts were futile. Dumbledore had done nothing to stop it, he himself was hot. Instead he just instituted the buddy policy and said that under no circumstances was anyone to go alone.
"Yeah, and then she has the nerve to tell me that I'm selfish. Me!" Fred whined once again ranting on how Angelina was pissing him off. George felt bad that his brother's relationship wasn't going so well, when his own was going spectacularly. Well, in his mind. In his mind, it was incredible.
"Really? That's awful." Lee had also grown sick of hearing how evil and rude Angelina was and had enough sense just to make passive remarks to keep Fred occupied. The boys stepped off the main grass and made it to the lake before anyone else arrived. They set out their towels and started discussing various other non-Angelina topics.
"Hey look, it's Luna. Damn George, if you decide you don't you don't want her, can I have her?" Following Lee's gaze George watched as Luna walked slowly down the rock steps down to the lake, other students following behind. Luna looked so grown up in her pink bandeau top with white high-waisted shorts. Her blonde hair was loose aside from an interesting braid on the side of her head. She didn't seem to notice anyone around her.
"No you can't." George replied gathering all his stuff before jogging off towards.
"Lou!" Luna turned in surprise but her smiled quickly took place upon seeing who called her name.
"Hi," Luna craved to say something intellectual but the sight of George's chest fried her brain. Instead she just listened as George told her about how he had a math test that morning and how he would be so angry if he failed because while he didn't apply himself in many subjects, he did try in math. He was quite good at numbers. The two set up their spots near the wooden dock and George watched with a lust filled eye as Luna peeled away her shorts to reveal white bottoms with a tiny pink bow on the back.
"Want to go in the water?" Luna asked sweetly. Powerless to say no, George jumped in first hoping the water was cold enough to conceal any evidence of an erected structure in his pants. Luna took a different approach and slowly lowered herself into the water. The two swan around each other in awkward silence until a screech on the other end of the water averted their attention. Angelina was standing yelling at Fred who was sitting with some pretty blonde. The blonde stood and then Angelina's face transitioned to horror when she was pushed fully clothed in the lake. Fred looked torn but didn't do anything.
"Poor Angelina." Luna mused, brushing back her bangs.
"What do you mean?"
"She just loves Fred so much. It's sad that she's really bad at discussing her feelings."
"You think she still loves Fred?"
"Of course. If she didn't, she wouldn't be here yelling at him."
"Lou, you think it's that simple?"
"Of course not. Love is not simple. It's confusing, unless you're in love." Luna stated sure of her statement. George didn't answer. Instead he gathered Luna's waterfall braid and surrounding hair into his hands and kissed her square on the mouth and started to believe that love was ridiculously easy, contrary to popular belief.
"Did you want to ask me something?" Luna asked hopeful it would be something relating to dating. George shook his head. Still he stared. Starting to feel uncomfortable Luna put her hands in her pockets and fiddled with the coin she had in one.
"Is…" Luna couldn't finish her question because George had leaned over and kissed. He was kissing her! Luna wanted to scream. She wanted to keep kissing her forever. Simply put, Luna just wanted to be bound by the lips to George forever.
So yeah, the next chapter is Bun. And I think the fantasy points are also tired so I'm thinking the next chapters won't involve them. Just give me your thoughts. Thanks kids!