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“You remind me of a Fruit Dove.”
Ginny whirled to confront the person making comments about her Yule Ball robes, only to see bright blonde hair and silver eyes.
“Luna!” Ginny exclaimed, smiling. If Luna was comparing her dress to an exotic creature, it wasn’t an insult. “Umm, thanks?”
The petite witch lit up, eyes shining. “They’re quite lovely birds actually, friendly and rare.”
Ginny fought off a blush at the compliment. Luna always had a unique view. “I like your robes, too.”
“Oh, thank you. Daddy sent them,” Luna said, gesturing to the shimmering robes she wore. “He knows I like dancing.”
Images popped into Ginny’s mind of them as little girls dancing in the orchards. Luna’s mum would sing to them along with enchanted instruments as they pretended to be guests at fancy Ministry parties.
“Well, there will be plenty of dancing tonight,” Ginny responded.
Luna looked wistful but didn’t say anything else, so Ginny continued. “I’m sure your date will dance with you.”
The blonde flitted over to one of the decorative trees in the Great Hall, fiddling with its branches. “Oh, I don’t have one!” Then she skipped off, leaving Ginny a little bemused and curious.
****
Ginny spotted Luna from a distance a few times throughout the dance but tried to focus on her date. Neville was a charming boy, but Ginny couldn’t help but keep searching out platinum curls.
The truth was she missed Luna. Hogwarts had a way of dividing people and houses that meant they didn’t see each other as much as they did as children. When Luna was the one she spent hours with: whispering secrets in the dark, catching fairies and dancing under the moon.
Now, they saw each other infrequently, but Ginny was determined to change that. So, when she felt the familiar presence approach, she took the chance and slipped her hand into Luna’s as they used to when they were young.
“Remember when we would play pretend Ball when we were little?” Ginny asked.
Luna hummed and nodded. “That was always my favourite— you’re a good dance partner.”
Ginny leaned in close, bringing their shoulders together. “So were you.”
“Are you having fun dancing with your date?” Luna asked.
She shrugged. “He’s a nice enough boy— if you like that sort of thing.” She wrinkled her nose a bit and frowned.
Luna’s eyes twinkled again, her fingers tracing patterns in Ginny’s palm. “I like things that are soft.”
“Hey, Luna,” Ginny whispered, “do you—“
She was cut off by Neville claiming her attention, so when Luna pulled her hand from Ginny’s and slipped away, she couldn’t follow.
****
Ginny didn’t see Luna after that. She tried to have fun–Neville was a sweet date– but she missed the feel of Luna’s hand in hers.
So she was pleasantly surprised when she stepped out into the courtyard and spotted the blonde in the distance.
She plopped down next to Luna on the grass, bumping their knees in greeting. “What’cha doing out here?”
“Watching for fairies… they’re drawn to happiness.”
Ginny smiled, “Do you mind if I look too?”
“Sure.”
Ginny leaned close into Luna’s warmth, watching the night sky with her in silence. It was comfortable, and if fairies were drawn to happiness, she was sure they would appear.
“Did you ever get to dance?” Ginny asked, breaking their comfortable quiet.
“Hmm? Oh, no… no one to dance with.”
Luna said it so plainly Ginny couldn’t help but think of the little girl who dreamed about fancy-dress parties.
“Get up,” Ginny demanded, standing to offer Luna her hand. She looked puzzled for a minute but grasped Ginny’s arm firmly. She didn’t let go.
“We’re going to dance,” Ginny said, determined. “You have to, at least once.”
Luna beamed and Ginny swore fairies buzzed in her stomach.
“What about music?”
“We’ll make our own. Unless you don’t….”
“I know just the tune,” Luna whispered. “The one my mum taught us.”
“I remember!” They shared a glance and Ginny bit her lip, hesitant. Then she decided she didn’t care. She pulled the petite girl close, starting to sway.
Luna began to hum the old familiar song they used to love as they danced together in the moonlight.
They twirled and swayed playfully, humming and singing, and eventually slowed, stepping in close, arms around each other and foreheads touching.
Ginny was so happy, she didn’t even think; she pressed her lips softly against Luna’s— a sweet, tender brush of lips. They stayed like that for a moment, connected, until Luna pulled away with a tiny murmur.
Her eyes were bright and shining, and Ginny felt so fond, safe and happy at this moment. She squeezed Luna’s hand as the girl exclaimed “oh!” in a surprised tone.
“How was that?”
Ginny smiled, “Soft.”