Work Text:
Chapter 1
"Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood go together together like glue and paper, strawberries and cream"
That's what people would say. One could not be seen without the other nearby.
~o~
Ginny was not excited for her seventh year at Hogwarts. On the contrary, she felt rather dull and indifferent towards it now that Dumbledore was dead and Harry wouldn't be returning. He had to go off and save the world, be a hero, of course.
Truth be told, Ginny really did love Harry; just not in the way Harry loved her. She didn't mind his kisses, they were tolerable at best and suffocating at worst, but she never felt anything. Not like she knew he did.
For the longest time, she tried so hard to believe she had a crush on him, but she was just confusing herself. She dated Michael Corner to distract herself, that just made things worse.
The summer had presented her with many opportunities but she was surrounded by her family, who loved Harry. She knew she had to end things with Harry before he left, it would be harder to hurt him after he returned.
~o~
It was the morning of Bill and Fleur's wedding and Ginny awoke to many sounds. Crashes, bangs, curses, spells, showers, but primarily, her mother's piercing screams, trying to get everyone into order.
Ginny groaned, rubbed her eyes and rolled over. She knew she had to get up.
An hour later she stood in the kitchen in her golden bridesmaid dress.
Curses to whoever decided I was a bridesmaid.
She couldn't reach the zipper.
"Need a hand?" It was Harry of course.
"Thanks" she replied gratefully.
Now would be a good time to tell him.
Harry rested his hands on her waist after he had done the zipper.
Now or never, I don't want to hurt him any longer.
"Harry, I-" she started but was cut off by a kiss he pressed to her mouth. Promptly after they broke apart her mum rushed in, hands on hips and wearing a scowl that said: "what are you two doing nothing and standing around for?" Harry gave her a reassuring smile and walked away. She sighed.
~o~
She saw Luna dancing dreamily by herself, swaying in rhythm to the music. She also saw her idiot brother Ron laughing indiscreetly. She walked over to Luna, who was looking very bright in canary yellow ruffled robes. She also appeared to have a large sunflower tucked behind one ear. For some reason Ginny was nervous. Maybe it was the fact that Luna's attire was certainly making an impact on Ginny, or it could have been because it was the first time she had seen her friend since July. Probably both.
Ginny approached her grumbling "I swear if I have to wear this dress for one more second..."
"Ginny!" was the enthusiastic reply, and a hug that nearly knocked Ginny over. She leaned into the embrace. Luna smelled vaguely earthy, like soil and autumn leaves, but also free, like summer breezes and fresh linen. It made Ginny feel safe and free and grounded all at once. With a laugh Luna disentangled herself from Ginny.
"Oh but it looks so wonderful on you," Luna said solemnly. It caught Ginny off guard and she felt pleasantly surprised.
"Gold is also good, the Nargles hate it," she remarked with a wise expression on her face. Ginny laughed and suddenly realised how much she had missed Luna's company over the summer. It felt good to laugh again. Ginny verbalised her thoughts without meaning to, a habit she had always had.
"It's so good to see you again."
"And you!" Luna agreed heartily.
"Dance?" Luna gestured towards the dance floor. Ginny nodded.
"Sure."
~o~
"So, the new school year." Ginny wanted to get Luna's thoughts before sharing any of her own.
"The new school year," Luna echoed airily, revealing nothing.
Ginny steered Luna away from Great Aunt Muriel, who had been at the champagne. Luna was quite happy to be led, in both dancing and conversation, and just let her hands rest atop Ginny's freckled shoulders and resumed her far-off look as Ginny swayed them to the rhythm of the ballad.
"This year will definitely be..... different," Ginny's gaze flickered to the ground for a split second and Luna squeezed her shoulders. How can she always tell? Thought Ginny.
"Are my thoughts really that obvious?" But Luna's eyes were kind.
"I suppose you'll miss Harry," Luna remarked wisely.
"Yes, of course," was Ginny's defensive reply. Luna smiled. Then another thought crossed Ginny's mind.
"Wait, how did you know about him dropping out?"
"Hermione told me. I think she used the whole goodbye speech as an excuse to apologise for her rudeness towards me when we first met. She really did seem quite sorry. I forgave her of course and assured her I wouldn't say a word about them."
This was one of these akward but brutally honest things that Luna sometimes said that Ginny had no idea how to reply to. So she just nodded.
A song with a faster tempo was playing now and they tried to follow the other couples. Ginny decided to open up to her friend about Harry.
"Things with Harry, aren't quite working."
"I see," Luna responded tentatively.
They clapped their hands together. Once. Twice. Thrice.
"I was just wondering if you'd ever felt the same."
Luna span. As she span she said matter- of- factly but quite out of breath-
"Well obviously I don't have all the details and I've never had a boyfriend but-"
Three claps again. Ginny's turn to spin.
"- I would say go with your gut. Instinct is very useful."
Ginny came to a halt and Luna dipped her for the final bit, her soft blond hair and plum shampoo ticking Ginny's nose. Luna pulled her back up as the final note hit and the song was over.
"Thanks," Ginny said breathlessly, a little worried she had been insensitive.
"Anytime" came the soft reply.
"I'm just sorry I don't have more experience with these things."
She suddenly looked alarmed.
"I'll be back in two minutes. My gnome bite is pestering me again. I must fetch some mugwort."
And with that she melted away, leaving Ginny smiling after her.