FIC + ART: Calm Waters [Luna/Ginny]
Title: Calm Waters
Author: shady_umbrella
Prompt: # F2 by shiftylinguini
Pairing(s): Luna/Ginny
Word Count: 6K
Rating: R
Warning(s): Contains one NSFW image (top nudity).
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thank you to Roxy for always being there to beta me (in the middle of the night when I suddenly feel like writing).
Summary: Everything around Luna is always unpredictable, but Ginny can count on her for one thing-she knows Ginny better than anyone. And will use Ginny’s love of night-swimming to get what she wants.
“Luna, slow down!”
When that garnered no reaction, Ginny continued to grumble under her breath, angry in part because Luna was dragging her along and threatening to dislocate her shoulder but also because she wasn’t sure what they were doing.
She hated being out of the loop-it meant being the next target for a practical joke in the Weasley household and that was never good.
Luna was somehow running and skipping, managing to look peaceful though the pace was punishing. They darted between trees, Ginny’s rucksack slipping off the shoulder it was slung over, with no end in sight along the path they were forging.
“Are we about there?” she shouted. And wasn’t she supposed to be the one in training to be a professional athlete?
"Almost,” Luna answered, sending a small smile in Ginny’s direction. After one more turn around a thick, twisting tree, the trees and shade opened up in front of them to reveal a steep downward grade into a valley.
Some polite, early-summer sun warmed Ginny’s face as she tried to look around. She slowly let her frustration and confusion ebb away.
“The birds are chirping!” Luna sounded overjoyed-and like she was hardly out of breath. Ginny nearly lost it.
A few seconds passed as they both glanced around. Green grass spotted with flowers sprawled out in every direction, as far as Ginny could see. A breeze picked up, heard more than seen as it snaked through the leaves.
“Mama and I used to come and birdwatch. Lovely, isn’t it?”
Sneaking a look through squinting eyes, Ginny’s annoyance disappeared entirely. She knew how Luna missed her mother - a little abstractly but deeply. Luna had invited her here, and Ginny made the mental note to keep that fact in mind, whatever the reason.
“She would have been happy we came,” Luna said. “I haven’t been in ages. She would be happy I brought you.”
“I’m touched you thought of me.”
Luna rested a hand on Ginny’s arm and squeezed, once, though she avoided Ginny’s attempt at eye contact.
Then, Ginny raised one eyebrow and asked, “I just wonder... we couldn’t have skipped the running and, oh, I don’t know, apparated here directly?”
Luna laughed lightly, taking Ginny’s joking for what it was. Their contact broke as she lifted both arms and did a little spin, blonde hair floating in some phantom wind. “You can’t rush these things; the trip up is important.”
Pushing through bewilderment for Luna’s sake, Ginny nodded.
“All right, then,” Ginny began, “where are we setting up the tent?”
Hours earlier, at Luna’s request, Ginny had packed some food and a small tent. After a meandering walk along a small river behind the Lovegood house, Luna had taken Ginny by the hands and told her, seriously, “I’d like you to come with me.”
Upon Ginny’s acquiescence, Luna had apparated them both to some unknown destination. Up until the running, events had been unfolding slowly, sweetly, full of quiet lulls and some emotional conversation... and then the running. That was the part of their adventure that Ginny had complaints about.
To her relief, Luna pointed to the middle of the small valley and began to make her way there without much more fuss. The girls pushed through quickly and efficiently.
Ginny knew Xenophilius rarely left their rebuilt house, even months after the end of the war. Watching Luna settling into her old self caused pride to swell in Ginny. Unlike Ginny, she had stayed home the year after the war and had not finished her seventh year.
Ginny was proud of her and of them for making it, regardless.
Picking up the pace to catch up, determined to see the adventure through, Ginny shook the melancholy thoughts from her mind. Of all their friends, Luna had chosen Ginny to come with her-no sense wasting time on nonsense in her own head.
“We’ll stop here.” Luna announced after a few more minutes. “It must be the right spot.”
Pride and admiration, Ginny amended. That was what she felt when she saw Luna’s bright eyes and heard her once-easy but now hard-earned excited tones.
They were in the valley, the ground flat around them, but not quite in the middle. Low grass surrounded them and the air was thick with humidity. Ginny wondered for a second why Luna had picked the spot, and then shook herself.
“What?” she gasped. Blinked. Rubbed her eyes. “Is that...” Ginny turned to look at Luna, then quickly whipped around to stare at the body of water just metres from their camping spot. A pool that had appeared out of nowhere! “That wasn’t always there.”
For all that she had grown up with magic, Ginny had never seen something like that. It was mesmerizing. Large and quiet, the sparkling, clear water looked extremely inviting.
“Hmm...” Luna hummed in her direction, seemingly unfazed by the gentle lap of water that Ginny had definitely only just started hearing. “Faeries live in the woods behind us. This funny cloaking magic is how they keep it safe. Marvellous fun.” Her eyes twinkled at Ginny. “I brought them some treats.”
Ginny watched, wondering what exactly she’d got herself into, as Luna produced some twigs from a pocket. She crossed to the edge of the water and stuck them into the wet earth, between some rocks.
“Hawthorn,” Luna called over her shoulder as she worked, building up an intricate pattern with the various lengths. “Mr. Ollivander had some for me. I think they’ll like it for building.”
Ginny sat down without a word, leaning back on her arms. Pride, admiration, and an endless supply of unpredictability was what she could count on Luna for.
“You know, I’m fairly certain the faeries bathe here. We mustn't disturb them.”
“You’re very strange,” Ginny called out.
Then, allowing herself the realization that it was easier if she didn’t try to understand everything that was going on, Ginny felt herself relax. She drank in the quiet waves of contentment that her surroundings were providing. The sun was no longer overbearing, twinkling along the water’s surface, and birds sang tunefully in the distance.
They spent the afternoon in companionable silence after putting the tent up. Ginny explored, leaving Luna to sketch plants and press leaves into a small book, and then returned to study her playbook alongside her friend.
“Hey!” she interrupted the silence, cheeks flaming hot as she realized that Luna had been sketching her. She caught the briefest glimpse of the sketch before Luna put it away, always calm and a little mysterious. Even the peek was enough to embarrass Ginny, though - the sketch was blurry around the edges, featuring her hollowed cheeks and thick eyebrows lowered in concentration as she sucked a sugar quill between her lips.
Part of her tingled at the thought of such close attention, though.
The silence was a bit heavier after that, and Ginny couldn’t focus on her plays.
Nonetheless, before Ginny could even blink, it seemed, night was falling and they were sitting by the small fire they’d built. Luna’s hands were up as though to warm them, despite the temperate evening. Ginny had insisted that it wasn’t a camping trip without a campfire, and Luna had been happy to play along.
The mood changed as darkness overtook the sky and Ginny felt the laziness of afternoon give way to nerves. Trying to ground herself in where she was and who she was with, she pushed thoughts of family camping trips and that dreadful Quidditch World Cup away.
More recent memories pushed to the forefront of her mind, like when she’d felt overwhelmed at the welcome feast in September and needed to escape the pressure. Ginny had slept on the bank of the Great Lake that night, fearless in the open.
She shook herself. Now, she was warm and their tent was prepared with warm blankets and protective charms. It was enough built-in safety to silence her worries. Ginny wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against Luna.
After that minor panic, Ginny wondered if there wasn’t much to do except stare into the fire until they decided to go to sleep. She felt restless, craving some kind of distraction.
As though she could tell, Luna broke the silence for the first time in what felt like hours.
“Do you miss him?” she asked without affectation, voice clear, and dropping her hands into her lap. She was sitting upright, cross-legged, but didn’t look at Ginny.
“Who?” Given that Luna was just the right height for Ginny to comfortably rest her head on her shoulder, she leaned against her friend.
“Harry, of course,” Luna said. “I wondered if you were ready to talk about it.”
Harry, of course. Ginny swallowed her immediate reaction. “You already know what happened.” she said, slowly. “We split up. As much as we wanted to give it a go, we weren’t happy together.”
That was true. They hadn’t fit together again, after the war. While they’d been apart, both had come to some personal realizations. Their differences were insurmountable and the decision had been mutual and inevitable, if rather a bombshell to one Molly Weasley.
“Did he tell you, then?” Luna lowered her cheek to the top of Ginny’s head. “That he fancies boys?”
“I’m happy for him.” Ginny couldn’t help the bitter taste the words left on her tongue. “I just wish that I wasn’t going to look a fool. Stuff Skeeter and her pack of hound-dog journalists. I know he loved me as best he could, but -”
Once it became public, she would be the pity of all of Wizarding Britain. Poor Ginny Weasley, who’d pined after Harry for years, alone again.
“It’s no less than either of you deserved. He was honest with you and it made sense.” Luna said, as though it were obvious.
Ginny considered that. “I suppose you’re right. I think… maybe I’m just lonely.” She swallowed hard against the regret of saying something emotional. It was good for her. “I told him, too.”
“Ah!” Ginny felt Luna smile and couldn’t bring herself to pretend she understood why. She pulled Ginny closer with an arm around her shoulders. “You told him about...”
Feeling blood rush to her cheeks, even though she’d talked to Luna about it before and it really wasn’t such a big deal, Ginny shook her head minutely. “I didn’t tell him about Isla, not specifically.”
Ginny had kissed a girl in the year below them after a DA meeting. Once. Stuttering breaths and acrid air from spell-casting had made her heart race, but it wasn’t anything deeper than a whim. Which had given way to a handful of revelations, true.
“I think he would have been overwhelmed. I did tell him I fancy all genders and he seemed to take it in stride.” Ginny grimaced, feeling awkward.
Luna said nothing, but dropped a soft kiss on the crown of Ginny’s head. They sat like that for a long time, or so it felt, Ginny sinking back into that same strange settledness, contentment, and stability from earlier. Maybe talking to a friend had been long overdue.
Luna was always so comforting. She was strange and warm and different from everyone else.
After a few seconds passed, Ginny felt Luna smile. “Mama always said this was a good place to start fresh. I suspect you understand her, too.”
The words felt right. Ginny caught the waver in her friend’s voice. Her eyes, when Ginny moved to look at her directly, were wide and betrayed some nervousness. Love was such a beautiful thing, and the thought of Luna caring about her-she had to think of some way to show her how much it meant.
“Your mother sounds very clever. As are you.”
“The cleverest.” Luna agreed with a slight smile on her lips. Their chuckles gave way to silence again, an extended pause, but then Luna cleared her throat delicately and said, “Sometimes, we would swim here. I know you like to.”
Ginny looked out at the black water, glimmering with the light from the moon but still foreboding. Unknown. Some of the warmth in her chest recoiled at the thought of getting in.
That wasn’t to say she hadn’t gone nightswimming before-she had done a few times and loved it, raving to anyone who might listen afterwards-but always with Fred and George and sometimes her other brothers, all of whom made the darkness a little brighter and friendlier. Never alone.
Then again, she wasn’t alone.
Parallel to those thoughts, another realization dawned on her.
“You've been asking me to go swimming for ages-it must be months. That must be why this was so urgent you asked me to skive off my last hour of training. So sneaky!”
Both of them knew that was an exaggeration and that Luna had only suggested they meet early-Ginny had accepted and subsequently begged off training. Luna shrugged, dislodging Ginny from her spot with the playful movement.
“You kept promising we would go, but I thought you might need a push-in case you forgot.”
“I'm only happy to hear this was about you, and not a pity party for me and my pathetic feelings!”
Somehow, Ginny felt much lighter about the whole thing after their brief chat-and credit had to go to Luna, who had clearly set her mind on swimming and wasn’t letting any of Ginny’s wallowing get in the way of that.
A thrill ran through Ginny as she toyed with the idea of going into the water with Luna. Talking herself in circles, Ginny felt what must have been fear cause her heartbeat to pick up and her mind to go a little blank.
“Couldn’t we wait until tomorrow morning?” Ginny rallied through the strange twist in her stomach.
As she’d expected, though, Luna shook her head. “Didn’t you tell me swimming is best in the moonlight? I’m going with you, so there’s no need to feel frightened.”
“I’m not scared.” said the Gryffindor in Ginny, but maybe that was a lie. On the other hand, Luna’s tone was persuasive and inviting.
“Hmm,” Luna answered. Without another sound but with more than one imploring glance over at Ginny, Luna hauled herself to her feet and tugged her loose shirt over her head. “I won't be long.”
With the slight buzz of insects filling the air and her head, Ginny closed her eyes. She could hear clothing sliding against Luna’s skin as she undressed; her sandals unclasped, the zip of her skirt sounded out and was followed by the sound of fabric pooling on grass.
All that was followed by the soft padding of her feet in the grass, which quickly gave way to soil, and a splash as Luna reached the edge. Ginny allowed herself to open her eyes once Luna was some distance away, watching her friend toe at the water.
She appeared pale in the moonlight, back bare and only just illuminated. Her hair had been charmed into a quick plait, somehow glinting golden, and Ginny had to catch her breath.
Long, reaching legs took sure steps into the darkness, and Ginny admired the romantic sway of Luna’s hips, the easy posture she maintained, and then blushed deeply when Luna turned to look at her. Ginny felt the heat of embarrassment first because Luna seemed completely at ease with water up to her waist, chest bared, then because her eye contact was challenging and she looked so powerful, backlit by the moon.
Finally, the embarrassment sharpened; what kind of a Gryffindor was she, anyway, scared of swimming with Luna?
Without waiting until she could change her mind again, Ginny efficiently removed her Cannons shirt, fiddling with the clasp of her bra for a second or two before refocusing her attention on the elastic waistband of her joggers. Once they were off and her toes were curling around the grass, Ginny threw caution to the wind and her bra off, beginning the walk to the water herself.
The thrill of doing something a little bit dangerous finally took over, a familiar feeling to Ginny.
It was cool, swallowing up her toes and ankles, though not jarringly so. Luna had turned around to look at the moon. Appreciating the moment of privacy, Ginny stepped closer and deeper, following Luna until they were both nearly up to their shoulders in water. Quietly, Ginny let herself fall, legs rising as she floated serenely on her back.
This had been a brilliant idea, she thought contentedly. She could practically kiss Luna for having requested it and persisted. She stared up at the moon, banishing her remaining thoughts to some other corner of her mind.
How could she be anything but perfectly at ease when the light was shimmering and pure, when she could see Luna, and when the two of them were so far from everyone else?
Luna floated beside her, and Ginny tensed at the brush of skin-on-skin until she realized Luna had gone to hold her hand.
They continued floating, joined now, and Ginny lost track of time and reality completely.
The world could have disappeared for all that Ginny was lost in complete peace.
Her hair tangled and untangled, brushing her shoulders every so often as the water sloshed around her ears. Ginny got used to the sound of her own breathing and the feeling of her body bobbing in the water as she inhaled and exhaled.
“It feels like anything could happen,” Luna said, and Ginny lifted her head briefly to look over. Luna wasn’t looking at her, so Ginny decided the strange lilt to her voice must have been her own imagination. “Do you remember anything from Astronomy?”
Ginny screwed her nose up as she swept her gaze away from the bright moon and focused on the dark sky. As she adjusted, spots of light began to reveal themselves.
Luna continued without waiting. “The three stars we see, right there -” she lifted a hand to point, moving it to trace out a shape. Ginny could hardly make out the outline of Luna’s hand, let alone where it pointed, “- form a triangle. Altair, Deneb, and -”
“Vega.” They finished together. Luna's laugh filled the motionless air around them. Ginny’s chest tightened for a moment with pride again.
Then, she thought for a second. “Wasn't there something about Hercules? I can't recall...”
“That’s a pity,” Luna said, “because the stars can tell us more than you think. If you trace a line from Vega and directly between the other two-or was it from Deneb?-it points to Hercules.”
Ginny wasn't sure what Hercules looked like, to be perfectly honest, but she fell into speculative silence easily as Luna searched.
“What have the stars said tonight?” she eventually asked. “Any gossip?”
“They’re telling me tonight is special,” was Luna’s cryptic response. “Ah! There's Cassiopeia.”
Ginny’s eyes honed in on the wide W that marked the constellation. It had been hidden in plain sight by virtue of being upside down from their perspective, though she still should have recognized it earlier. As she opened her mouth to speak, she felt a disturbance in the water. Standing up, Ginny realized Luna had kicked once, drifting away.
Luna stopped eventually, then stood and watched Ginny catch up.
“Are you okay?” Ginny had to ask, seeing some tears glinting in the moonlight and new ones welling in Luna’s eyes.
“Perfect,” Luna said. “I'm quite happy.”
Swimming a little closer, Ginny tried to look supportive.
Luna spoke first. “Are you sad to have left Hogwarts for the last time?” The question bewildered Ginny, but she gave it a moment of thought.
“Sure, I'm sad,” she admitted, treading water easily. “Mum cried for days, too. I suspect it's hard to watch us all growing up. I'm just happy to have had the chance to return, but it wasn't like before. I missed you and Nev.”
Luna nodded through tears that continued to spill over. “I missed you, too. After last Christmas -” she broke off, and a weight settled in Ginny. “You know. I couldn’t go but I should have.”
Ginny knew. She knew the stories about Malfoy Manor, about “Draco” and his surprising support, Dean, and Mr. Ollivander. She knew of their escape. And she knew Luna.
“But here we are, Luna. Free and safe.” Ginny angled for softness to her voice, but there was a note of desperation she couldn't keep out. “Whenever you want, you can go to Hogwarts-McGonagall will welcome you back. You can do whatever you want.”
Luna smiled at Ginny, stricken expression smoothing into hope. “I do have some things in mind,” she said, that familiar twinkle returning.
Ginny’s leg made impact with Luna’s then, kicking out further than it should. Ginny apologized quickly but a frown tugged at the other girl’s lips-followed by a huge splash.
She dipped under the surface of the water once, Ginny looking on in confusion, heart already hammering against her ribs.
A ragged gasp sounded out as Luna broke through again, and then her arms swung out, slapping the surface of the water. She shouted again, but the sound was cut off as she was submerged a second time, arms pushing and disturbing the water.
Ginny squinted to see, a futile effort, then blindly grabbed for her friend, managing to close her hand around a wrist.
“Luna!” she shouted, panicking. Her wand was on shore! Ginny tucked her head under the surface with a deep breath, trying to reach even deeper, feet finding purchase on the sticky ground as she tugged Luna up. A shiver ran up her spine with the squelch, momentarily struck with the thought that she was stuck.
They struggled underwater, Luna a little too slippery, but they were eventually spat out somewhere close to shore, Ginny’s hand never releasing Luna’s. The ground was solid and Ginny was shocked back into her body as they returned to reality.
Her heart filled with relief very quickly as Luna let out a few gurgling coughs and then appeared to recover.
They walked to shore, both shaking.
“Must have been a plimpy,” Luna said cheerfully, “and a rather enthusiastic one, at that.” Her weak smile was broken by a sharp cough.
Ginny, beside her, was fuming. “Excuse me? I don’t care if that was a plimpy-I don’t care if it was greeting you, play-fighting, or asking your hand in marriage- you nearly-” Ginny had to take a deep breath. “Are you all right?”
A nod was Luna’s response.
“Good.” Ginny relaxed minutely, but continued to lead them to the tent. “That’s that. I need to get to sleep.”
Once inside the tent, which was bright and warm, it was easy to forget the terror of just a few moments earlier. Ginny could almost set aside the memory of the fear that she wouldn’t be strong enough or quick enough, but her heart was still in her throat and her hands were shaking.
Luna cast an accio and their clothes flew into the tent, folding quickly in the corner. At least she wasn’t coughing every time she spoke, anymore.
Unfortunately, the tent was hardly large enough for a kettle, a deck of exploding snap cards, and a pile of blankets and cushions that served as a bed, even though it was charmed to be larger inside than out.
That meant there wasn’t any space for the huge mood Ginny had worked herself into.
For that reason, when Luna threw herself onto the bed, Ginny was immediately set off. “At least dry yourself, first! I don’t want to sleep in the damp!”
Luna cast the spell without comment, which was fair enough because Ginny had a point, but she regretted the outburst anyway. Except, on the other hand, she wasn’t overreacting!
Ginny, more-than-casual user of the bat-bogey hex and not the kind of person who took shit from just anyone, could admit to herself that she tended to act first, think later. This was different. This was Luna!
“I’m very sorry,” Luna said, shaking Ginny from her internal monologue. “I think the creatures must have sensed something unusual about me tonight.”
Ginny sighed explosively and cast the spell to dry her own hair and skin, suddenly feeling shy about her exposed skin. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and did not rise to that bait. As yet, she was unwilling to hear whatever explanation Luna had.
Instead, she stomped to the kettle, filled it with water with a cutting aguamenti, and waited for it to heat up. She started, feeling a tickle of a touch on her left shoulder, turning her head to look at Luna.
Her eyes were wide, blue, wild, and she looked thoughtful.
“I-” she began, then paused. “I’ve thought about you. To be honest, I haven’t been able to stop.”
The words didn’t connect.
Feeling her pulse flutter, Ginny let her arms fall to her sides, throwing modesty to the wind. Her skin itched, still hot from the adrenaline. But the other thing that was happening, the catch in her breath, that was unrelated to Luna nearly drowning.
The day had been enjoyable, intimate, warm, and Luna was staring at her like she knew what Ginny wanted before Ginny could put words to it.
A few different things fell into place. Luna was going to kiss her. She knew that without being told and without understanding how she knew.
The distance between them was sparking with inevitability, and it should have been obvious to Ginny-it was going to happen any second, soft lips and Ginny’s leaping heart, and she was so unprepared. Fuck, of course they were still topless, and if that wasn’t exactly how a first kiss with Luna would go, kind of backwards but kind of sweet -
“Luna,” Ginny whispered, “what are we doing?”
“I can’t explain it myself,” Luna answered, “but I’ve wanted to do this, and that I think you want to, too.”
“But we’re friends.” Ginny stepped back, hitting the low table with the hissing kettle, one hand grabbing onto solidity.
“Yes.” Luna’s eyes burned holes into Ginny. “We are friends and you’re special. Everyone I know... finds it inexplicably difficult to see what is obvious. You’re different. You’ve always been different.”
Ginny felt heat rise in her cheeks, spreading out to her ears and down her neck. Luna glowed, in front of her, offering everything Ginny had barred herself from thinking about. She stepped forward, pushing off from the table, making eye contact with Luna the whole time.
Maybe this was obvious. They were close friends-not just recently but for years. Ginny’d hardly ever thought about who Luna might like-it had seemed a faraway possibility in Hogwarts, and Ginny had been distracted sometimes...
Of course it was obvious. Ginny was responsible, too, and a bit of an idiot for not realizing. She liked Luna. Found her interesting, intelligent, strong, unusual. She liked Luna.
The gap between them suddenly narrowed to nothing as Ginny made her choice, stepping forward and letting her eyes flutter shut. She knew how to do this, and after stepping over her reservations, she couldn’t help but let her spirit soar with the anticipation of their first touch.
Luna, always relaxed and free, leaned into the embrace, slanting her lips just so and parting them. They came together in a rush but then lingered, barely touching. Their lips met between them, sweet and soft, and every part of Luna was tugging at Ginny. She was dizzy. How could she ever get enough?
Ginny couldn’t help but let her hand cup the soft curve of Luna’s cheek, seeking, feeling, and holding her in place, all the while trying to convince herself that this was really happening.
They broke apart, breathing in some cool air, and then they met again, this time with a little more conviction. Luna’s eyes crinkled with a smile. Their eye contact broke when Luna’s hands swept through Ginny’s hair, pushing it away, always gentle and loving, and Ginny relaxed into the push and pull.
Luna lifted one hand rest on her shoulder, the other under her jaw. Her lips were warm, soft, and Ginny needed more.
A few quick steps and they were flipped around, Luna’s back to the table and Ginny pressing against her, trapping her. Luna took it in good humour, smiling against Ginny’s lips in a way that made Ginny crazy. The world narrowed down to their mouths, which moved playfully but urgently. Ginny could smell the earth on Luna’s skin, the fresh water. Beneath that, she smelled the sweet oils and scents Luna rubbed on her skin. It was mouthwatering, comforting, friendly, and hot.
Ginny let her thumb drag across Luna’s cheek. Luna’s hand drifted to Ginny’s hip, tightening there, then continued to the small of her back. Small breaths left her open lips, which were pink and full. Upon the gentle application of pressure against her, Ginny was persuaded to step forward, between Luna’s legs, with Luna leaning heavily on the table, and the skin of their chests made contact.
Burning, everywhere, with heat and excitement, adrenaline left over from the the fear and now originating from every point of contact between them, Ginny let out a soft groan. The sensitive skin under her ear felt a fluttering kiss, teasing, and she tilted her head to the side to allow Luna access.
The rest of the kisses were scattered down her neck to the hollow of her collarbone, and Ginny couldn’t help the quick breaths that were torn from her. Tingling, elated, she pressed against Luna. The first scrape of teeth against over-sensitized skin pulled a sound from her that she hadn’t known she could produce. Luna, Luna, Luna.
She tangled her hands in Luna’s hair, which had finally fallen completely free of its plait, and tugged her back up for another kiss. “Yes, please,” Luna whispered.
This one grew more urgent, more insistent, Ginny’s tight nipples dragging along Luna’s heated skin as they moved against one another.
All the years of talking to Luna, listening to her, watching her and spending time with her, Ginny could not have imagined the power of Luna’s kiss. It was like an enchantment, capturing every one of her senses. Their tongues danced, shyly sliding together, and Ginny discovered just how full Luna’s bottom lip was. She sucked it into her mouth, allowing her teeth to graze it gently, and then let it slide out. Luna’s enthusiastic hum was enough feedback to know she’d done something right, and Ginny’s mind went blank.
And Merlin, she’d wanted this forever.
All of Luna’s secrets, all of her mystery, opened up and deconstructed for Ginny alone. Something twisted through her, something warm and happy, and Ginny pressed forward, giddy and dizzy when Luna gave as good as she got, responding with more pressure and a little breathy laugh.
“Can I touch you?” Luna asked, when they paused a moment later, eyes bright and a wide smile pulling her reddened lips up at the corners. “I want to -”
Ginny tugged Luna’s wrist, taking a few steps back and they laughed together as they fell onto the blankets, air whooshing out around them. Things got serious very quickly, though, when Luna ran her fingertips up Ginny’s sides.
The urge to laugh dissipated as Ginny watched concentration carve lines into Luna’s forehead. The caress returned down the same path, then trailed in toward Ginny’s navel. Her stomach hollowed as she held her breath, and Luna’s eyes snapped up to hers once more.
The way Luna was kneeling above Ginny, she had to admit that Luna looked powerful, impressive. Her hair was curling around her ears, voluminous and beautiful. Her skin, which had not yet picked up a tan from a summer in the sun, was smooth and glowed warm anyway. Air seemed to swirl around Luna, raising gooseflesh down Ginny’s arms. Beside all that, the thrum in the air radiated from Luna. Magical in origin or not, it was powerful.
“Touch me, please,” Ginny whispered, voice wrecked.
A smile melted away into furious concentration and Luna leaned down, landing a few kisses along Ginny’s shoulder. She shifted, and Luna adjusted so she was sitting back on her heels between Ginny’s legs. Two strong hands planted themselves on Ginny’s hips, and then traced a path up to her breasts. Ginny leaned into the touch, gasping as Luna’s thumbs grazed her nipples, too much and not enough, all at once.
Luna dropped her head to suck one into her mouth, fingers tracing maddening patterns into Ginny’s skin all the while. Her hair tickled where it landed on Ginny, but she couldn’t be bothered to gather it up for Luna. Instead, Ginny groaned, craving more, and then felt two fingers reach up to trace along her jaw. Shocks of pleasure ran through her every time Luna increased the pressure of her mouth a little, and Ginny opened her mouth eagerly to suck in the two fingers when they found her bottom lip. She sucked hard, swallowing involuntarily and letting out another groan when Luna rose to replace her fingers with her mouth.
They kissed desperately, teeth clicking once before they settled into familiar territory. Luna’s free hand continued to trace patterns against Ginny’s side, and Ginny let both of her hands loosely circle Luna’s back, pulling her closer. Ginny felt her body undulate, felt Luna lower herself and slip one leg over Ginny’s. The other slotted between her legs, and then there was a sweet pressure against her clit that made her eyes flutter closed and her chin tilt up.
Ginny’s fingers found their way back into Luna’s hair, raking through and tugging in counterpoint to their motions, and the rocking of Luna’s hips intensified. She ground down, pushing herself on Ginny’s thigh at the same time, and they let out twin groans into the space between them. The pace picked up, demanding, and their stomachs got slick with sweat between them, sticking together. Small sounds dropped from Ginny’s lips with every brush over her clit, overwhelmed by the sensation of it along with Luna idly playing with one of Ginny’s nipples.
Every so often, Luna would smile, almost like she didn’t think Ginny could feel it, and Ginny couldn’t do anything to stop herself when one leg hooked around Luna’s hip to bring them even closer together.
Her breath was coming in pants, pleasure rushing and swelling inside of her, and Luna was just so impressive, managing to keep up all her ministrations while enjoying herself, as well.
“Ugh,” she groaned, lifting her hips when Luna’s moved away for a second, “fuck, yes, yes, Luna.”
Luna matched her pace and fervour, whispering little things against Ginny’s lips that were hard to catch.
“You’re always so warm,” she said, “and so, so good -” she broke off to whisper a curse under her breath, then, “yes, Ginny, yes!”
And then the end was in sight, and Ginny couldn’t stop what was coming. She pressed herself against Luna, rocking back and forth as their orgasms approached. With incredible strength of will, Ginny reached to grab Luna’s arse, separated from the skin by the thin layer of fabric that remained. She pushed it to the side, sliding along the curve, dipping both middle fingers between the crack until she found the slippery, wet opening she was searching for.
Luna twitched forward, caught between pleasure and the exploratory fingers, and Ginny dipped into the hole with both fingers as best she could, given the angle. They groaned together at the slide and the slick sensation, and then Luna was whispering fuck, fuck, fuck into Ginny’s hair, her arse clenching. She shook for a few seconds, just as Ginny rubbed herself over the edge.
“Yes, Ginny, you’re perfect. You sound so good, mmm, so good, and I want to hear you come-right on my thigh, I want to hear you-” Luna couldn’t seem to stop the filthy words that she was saying, and they overwhelmed Ginny.
She came with a shout, breath catching in her throat as her legs went numb and her muscles tightened. She gripped Luna tightly, and then relaxed into the bed with the relief of someone who had been released from a jelly-legs jinx.
“Oh,” Ginny said. “That was brilliant.”
Luna dazzled her with a bright smile, looking pleased, and then her eyes shut. They did nothing to adjust their positions, Luna’s head cradled on Ginny’s chest, one hand covering one of Ginny’s breasts, the other tucked beside them, her legs still tangled with Ginny’s.
Ginny, comfortable and warm, wondered if Luna was listening to her heartbeat and decided that the answer was probably yes. Somewhere far away, the kettle made it known that it was done heating water for tea, but Ginny grabbed her wand, silenced it, and settled into sleep.
Author: shady_umbrella
Prompt: # F2 by shiftylinguini
Pairing(s): Luna/Ginny
Word Count: 6K
Rating: R
Warning(s): Contains one NSFW image (top nudity).
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thank you to Roxy for always being there to beta me (in the middle of the night when I suddenly feel like writing).
Summary: Everything around Luna is always unpredictable, but Ginny can count on her for one thing-she knows Ginny better than anyone. And will use Ginny’s love of night-swimming to get what she wants.
“Luna, slow down!”
When that garnered no reaction, Ginny continued to grumble under her breath, angry in part because Luna was dragging her along and threatening to dislocate her shoulder but also because she wasn’t sure what they were doing.
She hated being out of the loop-it meant being the next target for a practical joke in the Weasley household and that was never good.
Luna was somehow running and skipping, managing to look peaceful though the pace was punishing. They darted between trees, Ginny’s rucksack slipping off the shoulder it was slung over, with no end in sight along the path they were forging.
“Are we about there?” she shouted. And wasn’t she supposed to be the one in training to be a professional athlete?
"Almost,” Luna answered, sending a small smile in Ginny’s direction. After one more turn around a thick, twisting tree, the trees and shade opened up in front of them to reveal a steep downward grade into a valley.
Some polite, early-summer sun warmed Ginny’s face as she tried to look around. She slowly let her frustration and confusion ebb away.
“The birds are chirping!” Luna sounded overjoyed-and like she was hardly out of breath. Ginny nearly lost it.
A few seconds passed as they both glanced around. Green grass spotted with flowers sprawled out in every direction, as far as Ginny could see. A breeze picked up, heard more than seen as it snaked through the leaves.
“Mama and I used to come and birdwatch. Lovely, isn’t it?”
Sneaking a look through squinting eyes, Ginny’s annoyance disappeared entirely. She knew how Luna missed her mother - a little abstractly but deeply. Luna had invited her here, and Ginny made the mental note to keep that fact in mind, whatever the reason.
“She would have been happy we came,” Luna said. “I haven’t been in ages. She would be happy I brought you.”
“I’m touched you thought of me.”
Luna rested a hand on Ginny’s arm and squeezed, once, though she avoided Ginny’s attempt at eye contact.
Then, Ginny raised one eyebrow and asked, “I just wonder... we couldn’t have skipped the running and, oh, I don’t know, apparated here directly?”
Luna laughed lightly, taking Ginny’s joking for what it was. Their contact broke as she lifted both arms and did a little spin, blonde hair floating in some phantom wind. “You can’t rush these things; the trip up is important.”
Pushing through bewilderment for Luna’s sake, Ginny nodded.
“All right, then,” Ginny began, “where are we setting up the tent?”
Hours earlier, at Luna’s request, Ginny had packed some food and a small tent. After a meandering walk along a small river behind the Lovegood house, Luna had taken Ginny by the hands and told her, seriously, “I’d like you to come with me.”
Upon Ginny’s acquiescence, Luna had apparated them both to some unknown destination. Up until the running, events had been unfolding slowly, sweetly, full of quiet lulls and some emotional conversation... and then the running. That was the part of their adventure that Ginny had complaints about.
To her relief, Luna pointed to the middle of the small valley and began to make her way there without much more fuss. The girls pushed through quickly and efficiently.
Ginny knew Xenophilius rarely left their rebuilt house, even months after the end of the war. Watching Luna settling into her old self caused pride to swell in Ginny. Unlike Ginny, she had stayed home the year after the war and had not finished her seventh year.
Ginny was proud of her and of them for making it, regardless.
Picking up the pace to catch up, determined to see the adventure through, Ginny shook the melancholy thoughts from her mind. Of all their friends, Luna had chosen Ginny to come with her-no sense wasting time on nonsense in her own head.
“We’ll stop here.” Luna announced after a few more minutes. “It must be the right spot.”
Pride and admiration, Ginny amended. That was what she felt when she saw Luna’s bright eyes and heard her once-easy but now hard-earned excited tones.
They were in the valley, the ground flat around them, but not quite in the middle. Low grass surrounded them and the air was thick with humidity. Ginny wondered for a second why Luna had picked the spot, and then shook herself.
“What?” she gasped. Blinked. Rubbed her eyes. “Is that...” Ginny turned to look at Luna, then quickly whipped around to stare at the body of water just metres from their camping spot. A pool that had appeared out of nowhere! “That wasn’t always there.”
For all that she had grown up with magic, Ginny had never seen something like that. It was mesmerizing. Large and quiet, the sparkling, clear water looked extremely inviting.
“Hmm...” Luna hummed in her direction, seemingly unfazed by the gentle lap of water that Ginny had definitely only just started hearing. “Faeries live in the woods behind us. This funny cloaking magic is how they keep it safe. Marvellous fun.” Her eyes twinkled at Ginny. “I brought them some treats.”
Ginny watched, wondering what exactly she’d got herself into, as Luna produced some twigs from a pocket. She crossed to the edge of the water and stuck them into the wet earth, between some rocks.
“Hawthorn,” Luna called over her shoulder as she worked, building up an intricate pattern with the various lengths. “Mr. Ollivander had some for me. I think they’ll like it for building.”
Ginny sat down without a word, leaning back on her arms. Pride, admiration, and an endless supply of unpredictability was what she could count on Luna for.
“You know, I’m fairly certain the faeries bathe here. We mustn't disturb them.”
“You’re very strange,” Ginny called out.
Then, allowing herself the realization that it was easier if she didn’t try to understand everything that was going on, Ginny felt herself relax. She drank in the quiet waves of contentment that her surroundings were providing. The sun was no longer overbearing, twinkling along the water’s surface, and birds sang tunefully in the distance.
They spent the afternoon in companionable silence after putting the tent up. Ginny explored, leaving Luna to sketch plants and press leaves into a small book, and then returned to study her playbook alongside her friend.
“Hey!” she interrupted the silence, cheeks flaming hot as she realized that Luna had been sketching her. She caught the briefest glimpse of the sketch before Luna put it away, always calm and a little mysterious. Even the peek was enough to embarrass Ginny, though - the sketch was blurry around the edges, featuring her hollowed cheeks and thick eyebrows lowered in concentration as she sucked a sugar quill between her lips.
Part of her tingled at the thought of such close attention, though.
The silence was a bit heavier after that, and Ginny couldn’t focus on her plays.
Nonetheless, before Ginny could even blink, it seemed, night was falling and they were sitting by the small fire they’d built. Luna’s hands were up as though to warm them, despite the temperate evening. Ginny had insisted that it wasn’t a camping trip without a campfire, and Luna had been happy to play along.
The mood changed as darkness overtook the sky and Ginny felt the laziness of afternoon give way to nerves. Trying to ground herself in where she was and who she was with, she pushed thoughts of family camping trips and that dreadful Quidditch World Cup away.
More recent memories pushed to the forefront of her mind, like when she’d felt overwhelmed at the welcome feast in September and needed to escape the pressure. Ginny had slept on the bank of the Great Lake that night, fearless in the open.
She shook herself. Now, she was warm and their tent was prepared with warm blankets and protective charms. It was enough built-in safety to silence her worries. Ginny wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against Luna.
After that minor panic, Ginny wondered if there wasn’t much to do except stare into the fire until they decided to go to sleep. She felt restless, craving some kind of distraction.
As though she could tell, Luna broke the silence for the first time in what felt like hours.
“Do you miss him?” she asked without affectation, voice clear, and dropping her hands into her lap. She was sitting upright, cross-legged, but didn’t look at Ginny.
“Who?” Given that Luna was just the right height for Ginny to comfortably rest her head on her shoulder, she leaned against her friend.
“Harry, of course,” Luna said. “I wondered if you were ready to talk about it.”
Harry, of course. Ginny swallowed her immediate reaction. “You already know what happened.” she said, slowly. “We split up. As much as we wanted to give it a go, we weren’t happy together.”
That was true. They hadn’t fit together again, after the war. While they’d been apart, both had come to some personal realizations. Their differences were insurmountable and the decision had been mutual and inevitable, if rather a bombshell to one Molly Weasley.
“Did he tell you, then?” Luna lowered her cheek to the top of Ginny’s head. “That he fancies boys?”
“I’m happy for him.” Ginny couldn’t help the bitter taste the words left on her tongue. “I just wish that I wasn’t going to look a fool. Stuff Skeeter and her pack of hound-dog journalists. I know he loved me as best he could, but -”
Once it became public, she would be the pity of all of Wizarding Britain. Poor Ginny Weasley, who’d pined after Harry for years, alone again.
“It’s no less than either of you deserved. He was honest with you and it made sense.” Luna said, as though it were obvious.
Ginny considered that. “I suppose you’re right. I think… maybe I’m just lonely.” She swallowed hard against the regret of saying something emotional. It was good for her. “I told him, too.”
“Ah!” Ginny felt Luna smile and couldn’t bring herself to pretend she understood why. She pulled Ginny closer with an arm around her shoulders. “You told him about...”
Feeling blood rush to her cheeks, even though she’d talked to Luna about it before and it really wasn’t such a big deal, Ginny shook her head minutely. “I didn’t tell him about Isla, not specifically.”
Ginny had kissed a girl in the year below them after a DA meeting. Once. Stuttering breaths and acrid air from spell-casting had made her heart race, but it wasn’t anything deeper than a whim. Which had given way to a handful of revelations, true.
“I think he would have been overwhelmed. I did tell him I fancy all genders and he seemed to take it in stride.” Ginny grimaced, feeling awkward.
Luna said nothing, but dropped a soft kiss on the crown of Ginny’s head. They sat like that for a long time, or so it felt, Ginny sinking back into that same strange settledness, contentment, and stability from earlier. Maybe talking to a friend had been long overdue.
Luna was always so comforting. She was strange and warm and different from everyone else.
After a few seconds passed, Ginny felt Luna smile. “Mama always said this was a good place to start fresh. I suspect you understand her, too.”
The words felt right. Ginny caught the waver in her friend’s voice. Her eyes, when Ginny moved to look at her directly, were wide and betrayed some nervousness. Love was such a beautiful thing, and the thought of Luna caring about her-she had to think of some way to show her how much it meant.
“Your mother sounds very clever. As are you.”
“The cleverest.” Luna agreed with a slight smile on her lips. Their chuckles gave way to silence again, an extended pause, but then Luna cleared her throat delicately and said, “Sometimes, we would swim here. I know you like to.”
Ginny looked out at the black water, glimmering with the light from the moon but still foreboding. Unknown. Some of the warmth in her chest recoiled at the thought of getting in.
That wasn’t to say she hadn’t gone nightswimming before-she had done a few times and loved it, raving to anyone who might listen afterwards-but always with Fred and George and sometimes her other brothers, all of whom made the darkness a little brighter and friendlier. Never alone.
Then again, she wasn’t alone.
Parallel to those thoughts, another realization dawned on her.
“You've been asking me to go swimming for ages-it must be months. That must be why this was so urgent you asked me to skive off my last hour of training. So sneaky!”
Both of them knew that was an exaggeration and that Luna had only suggested they meet early-Ginny had accepted and subsequently begged off training. Luna shrugged, dislodging Ginny from her spot with the playful movement.
“You kept promising we would go, but I thought you might need a push-in case you forgot.”
“I'm only happy to hear this was about you, and not a pity party for me and my pathetic feelings!”
Somehow, Ginny felt much lighter about the whole thing after their brief chat-and credit had to go to Luna, who had clearly set her mind on swimming and wasn’t letting any of Ginny’s wallowing get in the way of that.
A thrill ran through Ginny as she toyed with the idea of going into the water with Luna. Talking herself in circles, Ginny felt what must have been fear cause her heartbeat to pick up and her mind to go a little blank.
“Couldn’t we wait until tomorrow morning?” Ginny rallied through the strange twist in her stomach.
As she’d expected, though, Luna shook her head. “Didn’t you tell me swimming is best in the moonlight? I’m going with you, so there’s no need to feel frightened.”
“I’m not scared.” said the Gryffindor in Ginny, but maybe that was a lie. On the other hand, Luna’s tone was persuasive and inviting.
“Hmm,” Luna answered. Without another sound but with more than one imploring glance over at Ginny, Luna hauled herself to her feet and tugged her loose shirt over her head. “I won't be long.”
With the slight buzz of insects filling the air and her head, Ginny closed her eyes. She could hear clothing sliding against Luna’s skin as she undressed; her sandals unclasped, the zip of her skirt sounded out and was followed by the sound of fabric pooling on grass.
All that was followed by the soft padding of her feet in the grass, which quickly gave way to soil, and a splash as Luna reached the edge. Ginny allowed herself to open her eyes once Luna was some distance away, watching her friend toe at the water.
She appeared pale in the moonlight, back bare and only just illuminated. Her hair had been charmed into a quick plait, somehow glinting golden, and Ginny had to catch her breath.
Long, reaching legs took sure steps into the darkness, and Ginny admired the romantic sway of Luna’s hips, the easy posture she maintained, and then blushed deeply when Luna turned to look at her. Ginny felt the heat of embarrassment first because Luna seemed completely at ease with water up to her waist, chest bared, then because her eye contact was challenging and she looked so powerful, backlit by the moon.
Finally, the embarrassment sharpened; what kind of a Gryffindor was she, anyway, scared of swimming with Luna?
Without waiting until she could change her mind again, Ginny efficiently removed her Cannons shirt, fiddling with the clasp of her bra for a second or two before refocusing her attention on the elastic waistband of her joggers. Once they were off and her toes were curling around the grass, Ginny threw caution to the wind and her bra off, beginning the walk to the water herself.
The thrill of doing something a little bit dangerous finally took over, a familiar feeling to Ginny.
It was cool, swallowing up her toes and ankles, though not jarringly so. Luna had turned around to look at the moon. Appreciating the moment of privacy, Ginny stepped closer and deeper, following Luna until they were both nearly up to their shoulders in water. Quietly, Ginny let herself fall, legs rising as she floated serenely on her back.
This had been a brilliant idea, she thought contentedly. She could practically kiss Luna for having requested it and persisted. She stared up at the moon, banishing her remaining thoughts to some other corner of her mind.
How could she be anything but perfectly at ease when the light was shimmering and pure, when she could see Luna, and when the two of them were so far from everyone else?
Luna floated beside her, and Ginny tensed at the brush of skin-on-skin until she realized Luna had gone to hold her hand.
They continued floating, joined now, and Ginny lost track of time and reality completely.
The world could have disappeared for all that Ginny was lost in complete peace.
Her hair tangled and untangled, brushing her shoulders every so often as the water sloshed around her ears. Ginny got used to the sound of her own breathing and the feeling of her body bobbing in the water as she inhaled and exhaled.
“It feels like anything could happen,” Luna said, and Ginny lifted her head briefly to look over. Luna wasn’t looking at her, so Ginny decided the strange lilt to her voice must have been her own imagination. “Do you remember anything from Astronomy?”
Ginny screwed her nose up as she swept her gaze away from the bright moon and focused on the dark sky. As she adjusted, spots of light began to reveal themselves.
Luna continued without waiting. “The three stars we see, right there -” she lifted a hand to point, moving it to trace out a shape. Ginny could hardly make out the outline of Luna’s hand, let alone where it pointed, “- form a triangle. Altair, Deneb, and -”
“Vega.” They finished together. Luna's laugh filled the motionless air around them. Ginny’s chest tightened for a moment with pride again.
Then, she thought for a second. “Wasn't there something about Hercules? I can't recall...”
“That’s a pity,” Luna said, “because the stars can tell us more than you think. If you trace a line from Vega and directly between the other two-or was it from Deneb?-it points to Hercules.”
Ginny wasn't sure what Hercules looked like, to be perfectly honest, but she fell into speculative silence easily as Luna searched.
“What have the stars said tonight?” she eventually asked. “Any gossip?”
“They’re telling me tonight is special,” was Luna’s cryptic response. “Ah! There's Cassiopeia.”
Ginny’s eyes honed in on the wide W that marked the constellation. It had been hidden in plain sight by virtue of being upside down from their perspective, though she still should have recognized it earlier. As she opened her mouth to speak, she felt a disturbance in the water. Standing up, Ginny realized Luna had kicked once, drifting away.
Luna stopped eventually, then stood and watched Ginny catch up.
“Are you okay?” Ginny had to ask, seeing some tears glinting in the moonlight and new ones welling in Luna’s eyes.
“Perfect,” Luna said. “I'm quite happy.”
Swimming a little closer, Ginny tried to look supportive.
Luna spoke first. “Are you sad to have left Hogwarts for the last time?” The question bewildered Ginny, but she gave it a moment of thought.
“Sure, I'm sad,” she admitted, treading water easily. “Mum cried for days, too. I suspect it's hard to watch us all growing up. I'm just happy to have had the chance to return, but it wasn't like before. I missed you and Nev.”
Luna nodded through tears that continued to spill over. “I missed you, too. After last Christmas -” she broke off, and a weight settled in Ginny. “You know. I couldn’t go but I should have.”
Ginny knew. She knew the stories about Malfoy Manor, about “Draco” and his surprising support, Dean, and Mr. Ollivander. She knew of their escape. And she knew Luna.
“But here we are, Luna. Free and safe.” Ginny angled for softness to her voice, but there was a note of desperation she couldn't keep out. “Whenever you want, you can go to Hogwarts-McGonagall will welcome you back. You can do whatever you want.”
Luna smiled at Ginny, stricken expression smoothing into hope. “I do have some things in mind,” she said, that familiar twinkle returning.
Ginny’s leg made impact with Luna’s then, kicking out further than it should. Ginny apologized quickly but a frown tugged at the other girl’s lips-followed by a huge splash.
She dipped under the surface of the water once, Ginny looking on in confusion, heart already hammering against her ribs.
A ragged gasp sounded out as Luna broke through again, and then her arms swung out, slapping the surface of the water. She shouted again, but the sound was cut off as she was submerged a second time, arms pushing and disturbing the water.
Ginny squinted to see, a futile effort, then blindly grabbed for her friend, managing to close her hand around a wrist.
“Luna!” she shouted, panicking. Her wand was on shore! Ginny tucked her head under the surface with a deep breath, trying to reach even deeper, feet finding purchase on the sticky ground as she tugged Luna up. A shiver ran up her spine with the squelch, momentarily struck with the thought that she was stuck.
They struggled underwater, Luna a little too slippery, but they were eventually spat out somewhere close to shore, Ginny’s hand never releasing Luna’s. The ground was solid and Ginny was shocked back into her body as they returned to reality.
Her heart filled with relief very quickly as Luna let out a few gurgling coughs and then appeared to recover.
They walked to shore, both shaking.
“Must have been a plimpy,” Luna said cheerfully, “and a rather enthusiastic one, at that.” Her weak smile was broken by a sharp cough.
Ginny, beside her, was fuming. “Excuse me? I don’t care if that was a plimpy-I don’t care if it was greeting you, play-fighting, or asking your hand in marriage- you nearly-” Ginny had to take a deep breath. “Are you all right?”
A nod was Luna’s response.
“Good.” Ginny relaxed minutely, but continued to lead them to the tent. “That’s that. I need to get to sleep.”
Once inside the tent, which was bright and warm, it was easy to forget the terror of just a few moments earlier. Ginny could almost set aside the memory of the fear that she wouldn’t be strong enough or quick enough, but her heart was still in her throat and her hands were shaking.
Luna cast an accio and their clothes flew into the tent, folding quickly in the corner. At least she wasn’t coughing every time she spoke, anymore.
Unfortunately, the tent was hardly large enough for a kettle, a deck of exploding snap cards, and a pile of blankets and cushions that served as a bed, even though it was charmed to be larger inside than out.
That meant there wasn’t any space for the huge mood Ginny had worked herself into.
For that reason, when Luna threw herself onto the bed, Ginny was immediately set off. “At least dry yourself, first! I don’t want to sleep in the damp!”
Luna cast the spell without comment, which was fair enough because Ginny had a point, but she regretted the outburst anyway. Except, on the other hand, she wasn’t overreacting!
Ginny, more-than-casual user of the bat-bogey hex and not the kind of person who took shit from just anyone, could admit to herself that she tended to act first, think later. This was different. This was Luna!
“I’m very sorry,” Luna said, shaking Ginny from her internal monologue. “I think the creatures must have sensed something unusual about me tonight.”
Ginny sighed explosively and cast the spell to dry her own hair and skin, suddenly feeling shy about her exposed skin. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and did not rise to that bait. As yet, she was unwilling to hear whatever explanation Luna had.
Instead, she stomped to the kettle, filled it with water with a cutting aguamenti, and waited for it to heat up. She started, feeling a tickle of a touch on her left shoulder, turning her head to look at Luna.
Her eyes were wide, blue, wild, and she looked thoughtful.
“I-” she began, then paused. “I’ve thought about you. To be honest, I haven’t been able to stop.”
The words didn’t connect.
Feeling her pulse flutter, Ginny let her arms fall to her sides, throwing modesty to the wind. Her skin itched, still hot from the adrenaline. But the other thing that was happening, the catch in her breath, that was unrelated to Luna nearly drowning.
The day had been enjoyable, intimate, warm, and Luna was staring at her like she knew what Ginny wanted before Ginny could put words to it.
A few different things fell into place. Luna was going to kiss her. She knew that without being told and without understanding how she knew.
The distance between them was sparking with inevitability, and it should have been obvious to Ginny-it was going to happen any second, soft lips and Ginny’s leaping heart, and she was so unprepared. Fuck, of course they were still topless, and if that wasn’t exactly how a first kiss with Luna would go, kind of backwards but kind of sweet -
“Luna,” Ginny whispered, “what are we doing?”
“I can’t explain it myself,” Luna answered, “but I’ve wanted to do this, and that I think you want to, too.”
“But we’re friends.” Ginny stepped back, hitting the low table with the hissing kettle, one hand grabbing onto solidity.
“Yes.” Luna’s eyes burned holes into Ginny. “We are friends and you’re special. Everyone I know... finds it inexplicably difficult to see what is obvious. You’re different. You’ve always been different.”
Ginny felt heat rise in her cheeks, spreading out to her ears and down her neck. Luna glowed, in front of her, offering everything Ginny had barred herself from thinking about. She stepped forward, pushing off from the table, making eye contact with Luna the whole time.
Maybe this was obvious. They were close friends-not just recently but for years. Ginny’d hardly ever thought about who Luna might like-it had seemed a faraway possibility in Hogwarts, and Ginny had been distracted sometimes...
Of course it was obvious. Ginny was responsible, too, and a bit of an idiot for not realizing. She liked Luna. Found her interesting, intelligent, strong, unusual. She liked Luna.
The gap between them suddenly narrowed to nothing as Ginny made her choice, stepping forward and letting her eyes flutter shut. She knew how to do this, and after stepping over her reservations, she couldn’t help but let her spirit soar with the anticipation of their first touch.
Luna, always relaxed and free, leaned into the embrace, slanting her lips just so and parting them. They came together in a rush but then lingered, barely touching. Their lips met between them, sweet and soft, and every part of Luna was tugging at Ginny. She was dizzy. How could she ever get enough?
Ginny couldn’t help but let her hand cup the soft curve of Luna’s cheek, seeking, feeling, and holding her in place, all the while trying to convince herself that this was really happening.
They broke apart, breathing in some cool air, and then they met again, this time with a little more conviction. Luna’s eyes crinkled with a smile. Their eye contact broke when Luna’s hands swept through Ginny’s hair, pushing it away, always gentle and loving, and Ginny relaxed into the push and pull.
Luna lifted one hand rest on her shoulder, the other under her jaw. Her lips were warm, soft, and Ginny needed more.
A few quick steps and they were flipped around, Luna’s back to the table and Ginny pressing against her, trapping her. Luna took it in good humour, smiling against Ginny’s lips in a way that made Ginny crazy. The world narrowed down to their mouths, which moved playfully but urgently. Ginny could smell the earth on Luna’s skin, the fresh water. Beneath that, she smelled the sweet oils and scents Luna rubbed on her skin. It was mouthwatering, comforting, friendly, and hot.
Ginny let her thumb drag across Luna’s cheek. Luna’s hand drifted to Ginny’s hip, tightening there, then continued to the small of her back. Small breaths left her open lips, which were pink and full. Upon the gentle application of pressure against her, Ginny was persuaded to step forward, between Luna’s legs, with Luna leaning heavily on the table, and the skin of their chests made contact.
Burning, everywhere, with heat and excitement, adrenaline left over from the the fear and now originating from every point of contact between them, Ginny let out a soft groan. The sensitive skin under her ear felt a fluttering kiss, teasing, and she tilted her head to the side to allow Luna access.
The rest of the kisses were scattered down her neck to the hollow of her collarbone, and Ginny couldn’t help the quick breaths that were torn from her. Tingling, elated, she pressed against Luna. The first scrape of teeth against over-sensitized skin pulled a sound from her that she hadn’t known she could produce. Luna, Luna, Luna.
She tangled her hands in Luna’s hair, which had finally fallen completely free of its plait, and tugged her back up for another kiss. “Yes, please,” Luna whispered.
This one grew more urgent, more insistent, Ginny’s tight nipples dragging along Luna’s heated skin as they moved against one another.
All the years of talking to Luna, listening to her, watching her and spending time with her, Ginny could not have imagined the power of Luna’s kiss. It was like an enchantment, capturing every one of her senses. Their tongues danced, shyly sliding together, and Ginny discovered just how full Luna’s bottom lip was. She sucked it into her mouth, allowing her teeth to graze it gently, and then let it slide out. Luna’s enthusiastic hum was enough feedback to know she’d done something right, and Ginny’s mind went blank.
And Merlin, she’d wanted this forever.
All of Luna’s secrets, all of her mystery, opened up and deconstructed for Ginny alone. Something twisted through her, something warm and happy, and Ginny pressed forward, giddy and dizzy when Luna gave as good as she got, responding with more pressure and a little breathy laugh.
“Can I touch you?” Luna asked, when they paused a moment later, eyes bright and a wide smile pulling her reddened lips up at the corners. “I want to -”
Ginny tugged Luna’s wrist, taking a few steps back and they laughed together as they fell onto the blankets, air whooshing out around them. Things got serious very quickly, though, when Luna ran her fingertips up Ginny’s sides.
The urge to laugh dissipated as Ginny watched concentration carve lines into Luna’s forehead. The caress returned down the same path, then trailed in toward Ginny’s navel. Her stomach hollowed as she held her breath, and Luna’s eyes snapped up to hers once more.
The way Luna was kneeling above Ginny, she had to admit that Luna looked powerful, impressive. Her hair was curling around her ears, voluminous and beautiful. Her skin, which had not yet picked up a tan from a summer in the sun, was smooth and glowed warm anyway. Air seemed to swirl around Luna, raising gooseflesh down Ginny’s arms. Beside all that, the thrum in the air radiated from Luna. Magical in origin or not, it was powerful.
“Touch me, please,” Ginny whispered, voice wrecked.
A smile melted away into furious concentration and Luna leaned down, landing a few kisses along Ginny’s shoulder. She shifted, and Luna adjusted so she was sitting back on her heels between Ginny’s legs. Two strong hands planted themselves on Ginny’s hips, and then traced a path up to her breasts. Ginny leaned into the touch, gasping as Luna’s thumbs grazed her nipples, too much and not enough, all at once.
Luna dropped her head to suck one into her mouth, fingers tracing maddening patterns into Ginny’s skin all the while. Her hair tickled where it landed on Ginny, but she couldn’t be bothered to gather it up for Luna. Instead, Ginny groaned, craving more, and then felt two fingers reach up to trace along her jaw. Shocks of pleasure ran through her every time Luna increased the pressure of her mouth a little, and Ginny opened her mouth eagerly to suck in the two fingers when they found her bottom lip. She sucked hard, swallowing involuntarily and letting out another groan when Luna rose to replace her fingers with her mouth.
They kissed desperately, teeth clicking once before they settled into familiar territory. Luna’s free hand continued to trace patterns against Ginny’s side, and Ginny let both of her hands loosely circle Luna’s back, pulling her closer. Ginny felt her body undulate, felt Luna lower herself and slip one leg over Ginny’s. The other slotted between her legs, and then there was a sweet pressure against her clit that made her eyes flutter closed and her chin tilt up.
Ginny’s fingers found their way back into Luna’s hair, raking through and tugging in counterpoint to their motions, and the rocking of Luna’s hips intensified. She ground down, pushing herself on Ginny’s thigh at the same time, and they let out twin groans into the space between them. The pace picked up, demanding, and their stomachs got slick with sweat between them, sticking together. Small sounds dropped from Ginny’s lips with every brush over her clit, overwhelmed by the sensation of it along with Luna idly playing with one of Ginny’s nipples.
Every so often, Luna would smile, almost like she didn’t think Ginny could feel it, and Ginny couldn’t do anything to stop herself when one leg hooked around Luna’s hip to bring them even closer together.
Her breath was coming in pants, pleasure rushing and swelling inside of her, and Luna was just so impressive, managing to keep up all her ministrations while enjoying herself, as well.
“Ugh,” she groaned, lifting her hips when Luna’s moved away for a second, “fuck, yes, yes, Luna.”
Luna matched her pace and fervour, whispering little things against Ginny’s lips that were hard to catch.
“You’re always so warm,” she said, “and so, so good -” she broke off to whisper a curse under her breath, then, “yes, Ginny, yes!”
And then the end was in sight, and Ginny couldn’t stop what was coming. She pressed herself against Luna, rocking back and forth as their orgasms approached. With incredible strength of will, Ginny reached to grab Luna’s arse, separated from the skin by the thin layer of fabric that remained. She pushed it to the side, sliding along the curve, dipping both middle fingers between the crack until she found the slippery, wet opening she was searching for.
Luna twitched forward, caught between pleasure and the exploratory fingers, and Ginny dipped into the hole with both fingers as best she could, given the angle. They groaned together at the slide and the slick sensation, and then Luna was whispering fuck, fuck, fuck into Ginny’s hair, her arse clenching. She shook for a few seconds, just as Ginny rubbed herself over the edge.
“Yes, Ginny, you’re perfect. You sound so good, mmm, so good, and I want to hear you come-right on my thigh, I want to hear you-” Luna couldn’t seem to stop the filthy words that she was saying, and they overwhelmed Ginny.
She came with a shout, breath catching in her throat as her legs went numb and her muscles tightened. She gripped Luna tightly, and then relaxed into the bed with the relief of someone who had been released from a jelly-legs jinx.
“Oh,” Ginny said. “That was brilliant.”
Luna dazzled her with a bright smile, looking pleased, and then her eyes shut. They did nothing to adjust their positions, Luna’s head cradled on Ginny’s chest, one hand covering one of Ginny’s breasts, the other tucked beside them, her legs still tangled with Ginny’s.
Ginny, comfortable and warm, wondered if Luna was listening to her heartbeat and decided that the answer was probably yes. Somewhere far away, the kettle made it known that it was done heating water for tea, but Ginny grabbed her wand, silenced it, and settled into sleep.