#hpshipweeks

Ginny picked up her wand off of the desk and went downstairs. There was one person who would be amenable to her and listen, politely if not anything else. Luna’s dialogue would be a welcome distraction today and maybe help her calm down.

Ginny scribbled a note on a spare piece of parchment on the chance that Mum would come out of her room and wonder where her daughter was. She pushed through the back door, letting the screen bang hard into the house. All she wanted was her bloody battered Cleansweep and a fast flight on it over to Stoatshead Hill. Luna, Merlin love her, would be a welcome sight since she’d not seen her in almost three weeks. Three weeks was entirely too long to go without seeing dear best friend.  If anyone could calm the raging fire inside her soul, it was her cherished friend.

Ginny pulled her battered broom from the broom shed, ignoring the others in there and kicked off immediately. The air was humid but above the orchard tops, the air cooled slightly and the wind was a welcome relief. She took a few laps through the orchard, flying as fast as she dared, avoiding trees at the very last second and skimming the grass tops.

She flew one more lap, repeated the same daring maneuvers before ascending above the tree tops for the short flight to Luna’s almost-rebuilt residence. It came into view, this high above the other trees, standing on top of the hill as she cleared the last of the trees.

The Lovegood residence, broken and battered as it is, was her second home, even more than Hogwarts. It represented acceptance, up half the night giggling about silly things, and honest talks once they were off at Hogwarts.

Xenophilius wouldn’t be home, probably. It was early afternoon and if what Luna said still stood, he’d be in London collecting news that wasn’t fit to print in the Daily Prophet. Then again, he might be in the basement, working the ancient typewriter, making the stories for the next publishing.

He didn’t matter – only Luna, today.

Ginny landed gracefully and took off, broom in hand, up the hill to Luna’s house.  She made it easily and rang the knocker. Luna appeared momentarily, holding a tea pot. “Ginny! Tea?”

Luna turned back around and went inside, leaving Ginny to follow her into the abode, closing the door behind her. The kitchen was warm but not hot and the house was quiet. “Daddy’s away right now. He’s at the Ministry answering questions about the foul men who kidnapped me and blackmailed him. He’s in a spot of bother with the Minister but I think it’ll turn out fine.”

Luna handed a tea cup and a pastry to Ginny, who gladly took it. “You look tired. Too many Wrackspurts at night keeping you awake?”

Ginny shook her head, feeling the weight of the bottled emotions boiling inside her skin. “It’s not that, Luna.”

Luna waited for Ginny to sit down on the cozy couch in their living room. Ginny settled in and sucked in a deep breath, watching Luna bend over to put her cup and saucer on the table. Ginny felt her cheeks going red at the faint outline of Luna’s knickers through her thin broomstick skirt.

Luna turned and smiled before sitting down on the other end of the couch. Ginny felt her tummy perform somersaults when Luna shifted again, seeing a bare strip of skin at her waist. Immediately, Ginny felt some of the anger seeping out of her.

She’d not felt that way about anyone since she had Harry to herself over a year ago. What the hell?

Maybe it was Luna or maybe she was desperate for someone, anyone she loved and trusted, to focus on her for once, instead of having to support the family while she drowns. Could she have fallen for her best friend, someone not named Harry, and just now realized it?

“Has Harry said something to upset you?”

Ginny shoved down the previous train of thought, focusing on Luna’s question. “Harry’s not been at the Burrow in three days. He’s been so busy at the Ministry that he doesn’t have time.” Ginny felt more than just anger with regards to Harry. He was, right now, a sore spot. “But it’s just – “ Articulating how lost she was right now was beyond her grasp.

“You need me, don’t you?” Luna, of course, would see right to the heart of the matter, and speak honestly while also unaware of what she was offering yet giving freely.  

Luna sat up taller on the couch and opened her arms. Ginny snuggled into them, putting her head on Luna’s ample chest. “You’re lonely and hurting, aren’t you?”

Ginny hugged Luna tighter and knew it was a matter of time before the tears erupted. “I am. Mum won’t talk and Daddy’s never home. Ron and Hermione left and Harry’s busy without me.”

“And no one thinks that you need support, not when you are doing so much for everyone else.”

“Luna, I – ” Ginny felt the first tear fall. She didn’t bother to wipe it from her face. “Fuck,” she whispered.

“How long have you held onto this pain?”

Ginny sat up and took Luna’s hands into her own. “Years, and months.” Ginny put her head back down, this time onto Luna’s lap.

“I’m not Hermione so you’ll have to start at the beginning. I’m confused at what you are talking about.”

“I reckon it started when we were kids,” Ginny spoke and Luna ran her fingers through her friend’s hair. “Your Mum died and you stayed over some, and you slept in my bed so many nights. I guess it started then.”

“No, silly. I’m talking about how much you’re hurting right now.” Luna continued to use her fingers to comb through Ginny’s hair. “This isn’t about us, at least right now. This is about your pain.”

Ginny hiccuped and felt a little better, having confessed the first. “Months, because of the sodding Carrows.”

“They hurt you, didn’t they?”

Ginny nodded. “If they weren’t dead or unable to hurt anyone again, I’d take a wand to them personally.”

“Someone hurt me too,” Luna whispered.

Ginny sat up and looked closely at her confidante. “No, please Merlin, no.”

“I don’t blame him for what happened. He was an unwilling instrument.” Luna stared out her window. “No, I blame the one wielding the wand. But she’s dead and can’t hurt anyone anymore. She hurt him and he couldn’t fight it. What happened, happened, but he was a victim, too.”

“If I were you, I’d be furious.” Ginny tucked her knees up close and wrapped her arms around her knees. “How can you not be mad at the person who hurt you?”

“I was. You saw it. I’ve never done those kinds of magic before.” Luna shifted and Ginny saw her wiping her eyes. “I was so angry. I wanted to kill her.”

“Bellatrix, right?”

“She hurt me.” Luna wiped her face again and looked out the window. “She used her wand to make others hurt me.”

Ginny felt her anger growing inside her. That witch of a bitch hurt Luna, who fed thestrals and loved all creatures great and small.  Yet the one who masterminded the trauma Luna lived through was dead.

Ginny slid over on the couch next to Luna and took her hands. “I’m here.”

Luna turned towards Ginny and smiled through the tears on her face. “I know. I’m thankful. Daddy is gone so much and you’re always sending Errol, telling me how you’re doing.”

“It’s not that much,” Ginny spoke up and leaned forward towards the ignored teacups.

“More than you realize,” Luna reached forward and they touched hands on the teacup.

Ginny turned at the same time as Luna and their lips met, accidentally.

Ginny felt her stomach flip-flop before pulling away from the accidental kiss. She hadn’t meant for that to happen, at least accidentally, now.  Maybe later on once everything settled down into something resembling normalcy, if that would ever happen.

“You haven’t kissed me like that in years.”  Luna opened her eyes and smiled.  “I didn’t realize you fancied me.  I wish you had said something before.”  She grinned.  “Then again, It must be the wrackspurts infesting your house.”

“Shit,” she blushed hard and scrambled to the other end of the couch. “Fuck. I am – “

“I like you too, certainly enough to kiss you.”

“You do?” Ginny felt lost yet found.

Luna leaned in and kissed Ginny gently again. “I missed kissing you, like we did when we were younger.”

“That’s been years.”

“I know. I thought you didn’t feel that way any longer. I saw how you looked -”

Ginny turned towards the door and they both watched Xenophilius walk in. “Ah, Ginny. Staying for dinner? We have soup and pasties.”

Ginny watched Luna get up from the couch and put her hand out. “After dinner, we could take a walk.” Luna pulled Ginny up and leaned in for another kiss. “Or we could kiss more, if you still want.”

“Wash your hands before you start dinner,” Xenophilius yelled from the kitchen.

Ginny gave Luna another quick kiss, pouring some of the anger and lust into it. Luna reciprocated immediately before Ginny pulled back, giggling profusely. “That much?”

“Tea, Ginny?”

Luna pulled Ginny into the small eating area to share dinner. Maybe staying with Luna for a few hours wouldn’t be missed at home.

Knock Knock

Xenophilius opened the door and saw Arthur Weasley standing on his stoop. “Arthur, you must be looking for Ginny. She’s still here, up in Luna’s room.”

“Thanks,” Arthur came in and took off his hat. “She’d left a note but since curfew passed I didn’t want her coming back unescorted. There’s still Death Eaters on the loose and I didn’t want to take a chance.”

“No, that’s a good idea. I wouldn’t risk Luna for any reason either.”

Xenophilius led Arthur to the stairs and went up a flight to Luna’s door or what should have been a door but was a string bead curtain with charms attached to obscure the interior of the room. “She was distraught that her bedroom was ruined. The walls are closed and she has a roof over her head but it needs decorating and repainting. Until then, it’ll do.  But she promised that her friends will be on her wall again.  At least I found this in a shop in London.  We charmed it so its like a door but it’s Luna’s taste.”

Xenophilius used his wand to open the beaded curtain and stepped into the room, with Arthur Weasley following. Both men stopped instantly.

The girls were snuggled together in the bed, fast asleep.  The bright yellow covers were tucked under their arms while a vibrant pink blanket was over Luna.

Arthur stood speechless.

“Should I wake them?” Xenophilius asked first.

Arthur bit his lip and shook his head. “No, let them sleep.” Arthur saw that Ginny’s shorts were on the floor along with the jumper she had on this morning at breakfast. “She’s had a very hard go of it since we came home. This might be the first time in a month she’s slept more than an hour at a time.”

“Luna normally can’t sleep at night anymore. She’s up with me, working in the basement on something or another.” The men stood in the doorway, keeping quiet. “I don’t know what all happened, but I’m doing all I can to help her.”

“Ginny’s done so much, trying to keep Molly going along with cooking for me and tending her brothers. I never – She’s – “ Arthur took off his glasses and wiped them down.  Arthur turned to leave with Xenophilius following. “If Molly found out about this, she’d have a clutch of Dragons.” Arthur descended the steps.

Xenophilius saw Ginny’s eyes open and looking at him. He nodded slightly and she went back to sleep, in Luna’s arms. “I’m not saying anything, Arthur. But then I also realize that Luna loves Ginny and has for years. But then love is love to me, however we find it, in whatever form it takes.”

He pointed his wand towards the beaded curtain, applying the charms once again. He followed Mr. Weasley down to the first floor. Arthur was standing in the cozy living room, wringing his hands with his hat on his head.

“Not everyone is as open-minded as you are, Xenophilius.” Arthur pinched his nose.  “But then it’s not Molly I’m really worried about.”

“You mean – “

“Yeah, him. Ginny said they broke up some time back but I also know my little girl and I know that young man. I don’t want her mucking things up while the situation is sideways.” Arthur huffed. “Merlin’s pants, I get it. I do. But – “

“It’s Luna, Arthur. She loves Harry, and Ginny, equally. I’m not concerned. I mean,”

Arthur interrupted. “Luna is Ginny’s best friend but it seems there is more. I never realized.”