This just makes Arthur calling Molly “Mollywobbles” a million times more adorable!!! She gives him the collywobbles!! Could these two be more precious?
A/N: So I told @thearcherballet at @hpshipweeks that I would write one more for free week. My thanks to @jenahid, @barmy-owl, and @rongasm (who is away doing schoolwork.) for their assistance on this one.
For those of you in Bristol, this fic is Rated T.
She wanted to scream like a fucking banshee. It would make up for the smothering silence in the bloody house.
Ron and Hermione were gone, two days now to Australia and bugger them for it. Harry was away at the ministry and hadn’t come home in three days. His constant moping didn’t help her temper in the least, having yelled at him and his chronic apologies the last time she saw him. But then they weren’t dating either, not since Harry was still trying to come to terms that he lived through the nightmare known as Voldemort.
Charlie? He went home to Romania and his beloved dragons. George and Percy? They were staying in Percy’s flat in London and sod them both for bailing out of the house. Dad was at work while Bill was working in the Ministry along with Fleur, but they were staying at their own home, which left her with Mum who hadn’t come out of her room in four days.
She could scream bloody murder and no one would be arsed. She had screamed bloody murder and no one cared.
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.”
“Luna talks about her friends often and Harry is one of them. They’ll get it sorted in their own time.” Arthur went to the front door, followed by Xenophilius. “Who knows? Maybe they can both love Harry, in their own ways. Merlin knows our world needs more love in it.”
It is done! Mystery solved! Just in time for the end of @hpshipweeks! Also tagging @aloemilk because she asked me to :)
“Her eyes went wide as looked at him, like she was really seeing him fully for the first time. She was not one step ahead, she had been behind, for over a year really, but in that moment everything clicked into place and she had finally caught up.”
A special thanks to all the sweet followers and reviewers! You guys are awesome! I love knowing that you are out their loving my precious babies as much as I do!
Can I draw? Nah. Does that stop me from doing it anyway? Nah.
Have some Percy/Audrey for your troubles because we all need a bit more of these cuties in our lives.
I like to imagine that the first picture is them newly married (I should have drawn Audrey a ring…), and the second is one of the inevitable “You work too much, love” moments I’m sure they have on the regular
“It seems we are in for one of the most anticipated matches in the season, folks. The semifinal between Gryffindor and Slytherin! Both teams have fought tooth and nail to be here, and I think it’s safe to say the competition will be fierce. Our beloved captains know the stakes are higher than ever, as this could be their last chance of winning the prized cup before they graduate. Now, this humble comentator couldn’t be more eager to see what these two will be bringing into the pitch today. The rivalry between Rose Granger-Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy is as old as the hills, but, dare I say, a thousand times more interesting. You can place your bets on whether this will result in a catastrophe similar to their Fourth year face-off or even a bigger one. They seem extremely serious as they approach for the mandatory handshake. Rumour has it that Granger-Weasley has been in the library researching fast ways to break a man’s knuckles. This could... Merlin’s beard! DID THEY JUST KISS?!?
This sure is an unexpected outcome, folks... I, for one, am speechless. The crowd is going crazy. Man, it was about damn time!”
I’m trash and didn’t finish my other work in time for the end of @hpshipweeks , but here’s one that’s been completed for a while. :) Find previous ones here.
Things you said when you were crying
She’s not quite sure of what to do with herself. She’s standing a few feet away from the Weasleys, as they stand over their dead member, either sobbing or comforting someone who is or both. A part of her is thinking Where’s Harry but the other part of her wants, more than anything, to wrap her arms around Ron and hold him, because she’s never seen him look so lost, and angry, and defeated—
But they still have to fight, once this hour of ceasefire is up, and she doesn’t think he’ll have the strength to do so, unless he’s facing the ones who killed Fred. To be honest, she doesn’t think she has the energy, either. She’s so tired. Her eyelids are begging to droop down over her eyes and hide them from the horror surrounding her. She’s had enough. And suddenly she feels herself shaking, as she stands, like an outsider, watching a still yet awfully devastating scene in front of her.
Then she sees Ron tense and look up from Percy’s shoulder. He looks around confusedly, fresh tears still clinging to his cheeks, but he seems to relax a little as his tired eyes rest on her. His hand, limp at his side, reaches up weakly, and she knows what he wants even though the invitation is hardly obvious.
She’s over at his side within a few seconds, and he’s leaning away from Percy slightly to wrap his arms around her, and it feels so good and she wants to rest her head against his chest for the rest of her life, no matter how little of it she feels she has left.
But Ron is shaking against her and she can feel he’s holding back. “Ron, don’t—“ she begins, but Ron is already falling apart, and she can feel his sobs against her head as he cries into her hair.
“I was wondering where you’d gone,” he manages to whisper. “Thought you weren’t here.”
“Of course I was here,” she says. “I just thought you’d want some time alone, I didn’t think you wanted me…”
“I’ll always want you,” he says, and she blushes – now, really? – but if he’s embarrassed, he certainly doesn’t show it. He sniffs, and she thinks he’s calmed down, but she can still feel his wet tears falling onto her hair.
“I’ll always be here,” she says. And she grips him tighter and vows that always will be longer than they both think it will be.
