"You're in denial," Hermione states candidly, and without waiting for protest from her redheaded friend, says, "Don't even deny your denial."

"But she's just a friend!" Ginny vehemently ignores Hermione's order. "I just happen to be exceptionally close to her, that's all!"

"No, you're not," Hermione disagrees. "I see the way you look at her when no one's watching. She may not notice, but I do."

Ginny rolls her eyes. "Give it a rest, Hermione. We're friends. Close friends. That's it."

"I tried. She wouldn't admit it, even though it's so obvious."

"She's just being stubborn. It's only a matter of time before she accepts it."

"I hope you're right."

Ginny starts falling for Luna on a crisp, warm August evening. It's a few days before they return to newly reopened Hogwarts. They're sitting in a patch of grass outside the Burrow. Luna is sketching, Ginny is watching the boys play Quidditch. She would've been with them, but she doesn't really feel up to participating today. She'd much rather prefer being in Luna's company.

"It's weird, you know," Luna says, breaking the thin silence between them. "The last time we saw Hogwarts was when it was being assailed by Voldemort. It's weird to think how things will be different now."

Ginny's been thinking the exact same thing, but Luna puts it more frankly. "Mhm."

"I wonder if they remodeled the dorms," Luna continues avidly. "I never did like the beds — they were a breeding ground for Wrackspurts."

Ginny stares at her as memories come back to her unbidden — of lost days at Hogwarts, of the two of them, them being each other's support, and the carefree days by the lake poring over Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them — and she giggles.

"What?" Luna looks confused. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing." Ginny's giggles die and she looks at her best friend, the girl who she'd grown up with, and had grown up as well. Luna's eccentric, borderline mad, but absolutely incredible.

She can't live without Luna in her life — her life would be empty, colorless without her.

"Think she's realized it?"

"Nope, but she's getting there."

359 words

Back to School - 18. Luna Lovegood

Seasonal Challenges - Days: Hermione; Autumn: warm; Dessert: Luna; Ravenclaw: Luna

Leaf Pile: Notice