Amaranth Book 1: Animae Gemina

Chapter 4: Confessions

Originally published September 15 2011

"Oh", breathed Luna "She's beautiful". She held Star carefully in her palms. Ginny smiled warmly and Hermione noticed, her eyes full of love.

Hermione turned to look at Harry wondering not for the first time tonight if he was even able to tell. That his girlfriend was falling in love with her best friend. He didn't seem to have noticed she had disappeared for a long time, after Luna had wandered outside. Probably to commune with some sort of moon fairy. Chiding herself for thinking ill of Luna, she saw Harry too starring at Ginny with so much adoration reflected there it was almost painful.

"She's really special see" Ginny was saying "because her coat looks like the night sky. She's bred to also glow in the dark."

"Look Hermione" Ron said, breaking her focus on the girls. "I got you something special too."

Ginny sighed with relief to see Mione's attention diverted away from her and Luna. Since they'd come back inside she'd felt a change. They'd stood under the stars lost for words and when Mrs. Weasley had called. Only then had they rejoined the party.

Luna stroked Star's coat, a starry night sky happily while George explained to her how he'd gotten so lucky and developed this particular Pygmy Puff.

As Ginny watched, she felt the cushions of the sofa sink, as did her heart. When she saw it was Harry. Suddenly she felt as though a spotlight was shown on her. As she saw how much he loved her by the way he took her hand. A nervous laugh escaped her as he grinned.

"Ginny"

"Mmmm"

"I know this is only our first official Christmas, but I hope for many more..."

Ginny felt her heart racing, and her cheeks turning red, she told herself smile. Confused as she was about Luna, she knew she adored Harry. If she didn't smile, she'd hurt him.

Ron, who'd given Hermione a beautiful necklace that shimmered scarlet in the firelight. Nudged her, George had stopped talking, Mrs. Weasley froze midway into the kitchen. The room hung with anticipation. Angelina smiled where she'd been standing next to Fleur, Bill and Charlie newly arrived back from Romania. Xenophilous and Mr. Weasley who had been animatedly talking also had stopped.

Luna's expression betrayed no hurt, even as she saw Harry standing and kneeling. She just continued to stroke her Pygmy Puff.

Now the only sound, was from the radio "I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me."

"Ginny, Ginevra Weasley, you were once only Ron's little sister but somewhere you became more to me."

Ginny couldn't find her voice, now as nine pairs of eyes stared, but it was only Luna's she wanted to see. Not surprisingly hers were absent.

"I know were still young. I know you're still in school and I am still working toward becoming an Auror. But you know I love you with my entire heart. You're the reason I kept going last year. My belief in you, in us. Ginny...will you marry me?"

"If only in my dreams" the radio continued.

Ginny knew this was how it had to be. When you grew up you married a boy and lived happily for the most part and had children. If you were a girl you didn't end up with a girl. Biting her lip and asking a silent forgiveness. Feeling her own heart deflate. She looked into Harry's eyes. So sincere and happy, she looked at her family and friends. At Ron, her brother he was smiling. Her mother and father mirroring his joy. Hermione didn't look her directly in the eyes. Luna was...where was Luna? Looking to her place, she was gone. One tear rolled down her cheek.