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Artwork by: yourstruly_quin Luna pushed open the towering iron gates, wincing at the mild screech of the persnickety hinges. She wasn’t particularly bothered by the grating sound—hardly worse than a chorus of Screechsnap—but she worried for the Nargles’ delicate ears. Wily though they were, they deserved a bit of consideration.“Sorry,” she whispered, her breath forming soft clouds in the crisp December air.Carefully, she eased the gate shut, a small rush of relief filling her once the deed was done. Still, one creaky gate was but a Pygmy Puff in a poffle on New Year’s Eve. Soon, the entire sky would erupt with the dazzling cacophony of fireworks—especially here, at Malfoy Manor.Draco would never admit it, but he was fascinated by fireworks. Luna suspected it had little to do with the fireworks themselves and everything to do with how much his father detested them. As a boy, Draco would beg for a grand display each New Year’s Eve, and his parents, bound by their aversion to saying “no,” would inevitably relent.And so, every year—the war excluded—Luna Lovegood had ventured to her cousin’s house for New Year’s Eve hand in hand with her father. This year, though, she’d arrived alone.She meandered down the long walkway, the frostbitten gravel crunching under her silver slippers. A bitter wind whipped through her silvery hair, tugging a few strands free from their loose plaits. The charms she braided into them tinkled faintly, filling the air with a sound like distant wind chimes.She scrunched her nose as she passed the meticulously manicured shrubs—sharp, restrained, and utterly devoid of charm. Of all the extraordinary shapes and creatures in the world, why would anyone choose towering blocks for their greenery? All that wealth, all that agency, and this was what Draco preferred? Luna would never understand her cousin’s aversion to zest—to softening sharp corners and bending rigid lines into something new. Imperfect, yes, but better. Hadn’t they learned that from the war?With a flick of her wand, the hedge to her left twisted and curved, reshaping into a delicate double helix. Bright white narcissus flowers bloomed along its spiraling path, glowing like tiny moons and stars under the watchful light of their celestial mother.Luna’s lips stretched into a bright smile as she stepped back, admiring the small galaxy of life she’d created amidst the sentinels of mundanity. Surely, Draco would have words for her later—he always did—but in this moment, it didn’t matter. This was a tiny moment of bliss.She only wished there was someone to share it with. Luna sighed and tilted her face toward the sky. The evening was overcast, and the stars were hidden behind thick clouds. Luna always found it disappointing when the stars disappeared from view. Their absence made the world feel smaller, closed off. She much preferred a world that was vast and brimming with connection— anything seemed possible then. It made her feel less alone.She grasped the heavy iron loop of the door knocker and gave it a few gentle taps before stepping back. A biting gust of wind swept through, tugging at her lavender outer robes and sending a chill straight through her. Luna burrowed deeper into the rainbow scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. Everyone had received one for Christmas this year. She’d enchanted a few strands of the yarn to ward off Wrackspurts, so, in her mind, she hadn’t just given them a scarf but the gift of clarity. Not that they’d realize it. Rocking back on her heels, Luna shifted forward again, but the wait was mercifully brief. The door groaned open, and her gaze fell to a house-elf bathed in the warm glow of the manor’s foyer.“Happy New Year, Mims,” Luna said, her voice as light as the breeze that teased the edges of her robes.The door closed softly behind her as she reached into her pocket, pulling out a rainbow-knit scarf—smaller in size but identical in style to her own. Mims’ wide, round eyes widened even further, tracking the scarf as Luna knelt and carefully looped it around the elf’s neck.“Mims wishes Mistress Lovegood a very Happy New Year. Mims also wishes Mistress Lovegood wouldn’t be so generous,” she murmured, her hands reverently smoothing over the delicate yarn. She nuzzled into it and looked up, eyes bright and voice soft. “Thank you.”Luna’s smile brightened. “I’m glad you like it. I made enough for everyone.” She swung her lavender satchel off her shoulder—Hermione’s Christmas gift imbued with an Extension Charm—and rummaged inside until her fingers found a bundle of parcels. With a triumphant yank, she pulled them free and placed them in Mims’ waiting arms.The house-elf teetered under the awkwardly large bundle and peered over the top. “Would Mistress Lovegood like Mims to show her to the drawing room?”Before Luna could answer, a soft pop echoed from the far corner, near the foyer Floo. The faint click of heels followed. Luna’s head snapped up, her eyes catching a familiar figure emerging from the shadows beside the grand staircase.Pansy Parkinson’s sharp, green eyes locked with hers, and Luna froze, her mouth suddenly dry as if stuffed with Doxy Floss. She watched, rooted in place, as Pansy approached.It had been almost three years since Luna had last seen her—since Draco’s Death Eater trial. Thanks to Harry and Hermione’s testimonies, Draco had been sentenced to only twenty-six months in Azkaban. He’d completed his sentence last month. Tonight wasn’t just New Year’s Eve but his welcome-home party.Pansy had been dating Draco at the time of the trial, and Luna remembered how she’d looked then: distraught—as distraught as Pansy Parkinson allowed herself to appear. Despite the glamoured makeup and perfectly styled bob, Luna had noticed her collarbones jutting against the snug fabric of her jumper and the uncharacteristic tension in her posture. But it was Pansy’s eyes that stayed with Luna— hollowed and empty.Her gaze drifted down Pansy’s figure, skimming over the slight curves of her breasts and hips before pausing at the hem of her deep green dress, which hovered just below her knickers. Her eyes traced the pale, slender legs that always seemed disproportionately long for Pansy’s petite frame.Luna fancied those legs most of all.She remembered the first time she’d touched them—years ago, between third and fourth year, when she’d come to the manor for dinner. While the adults had pre-dinner drinks, she, Draco, Theo, and Pansy stole a bottle of aged Firewhiskey from Lucius’ collection and took it to Draco’s room.Pansy had perched herself on Draco’s bed, back against the headboard, legs extended and crossed at the ankles in that effortless way she always managed. Luna had taken a seat on the edge of the bed next to her. When it was her turn to take a swig, she’d leaned over, brushing her arm against Pansy’s thigh. The contact had been electric. Her skin was smooth as velvet, and the bolt of fire it sent straight to Luna’s core had seared itself into her memory like a hot brand.Ever since, she’d longed to feel it again.To trace her fingertip along the curve of Pansy’s heel and trail it up her calf as her tongue followed in a languid line. Luna wanted to work her way higher, inching her touch along Pansy’s thigh until her fingers slipped beneath the hem of that infuriatingly short dress, outdoing its taunts with a slow, deliberate rebellion. She’d push the fabric higher, agonizingly slow, until Pansy’s knickers came into view—soaked, clinging to her delicate shape–revealing how much she wanted Luna too. And oh, how Luna wanted to be wanted like that.She wondered if Pansy tasted sweet and tart, like ripe Dirigible Plums warmed by the sun. She imagined the forbidden sounds that would spill from her lips–sounds that would reveal the vulnerable beauty beneath the carefully crafted facade. Would Pansy whimper as Luna’s nail grazed over the damp fabric down her center, or would she bite back a moan, her composure fracturing in the most delicious way? Luna’s pulse quickened as her thoughts spiraled, and the faint scent of Pansy’s imagined cunt—ripe and heady—threatened to overwhelm her reality.“Hello? Looney-Love?”Pansy’s sharp voice sliced through the haze, followed by the soft pop of her hip and the neat fold of her arms. Her long, chrome nails gleamed beneath the grand chandelier as they drummed idly against the crook of her elbow.Hermione used to bristle at the nickname, but Luna had never minded. It wasn’t meant to hurt—not from Pansy. It was an act of protection. She took something cruel and twisted it into a term of endearment until it lost its bite. It was such a Pansy thing to do, and it made Luna’s heart ache because the only way to master that skill was through a lot of practice.Luna startled, blinking rapidly. “Oh! I’m so sorry. Were you saying something?” Heat joined the flush of her cheeks leftover from the cold night air. Feeling suddenly too hot, she fumbled with the scarf around her neck, yanking at it as if it had personally wronged her.Pansy studied her with an arched, slender brow. Arms still folded, she nodded to the double doors to her right. “Are you coming or planning to attend by way of astral projection?”“I wouldn’t be standing here—” Luna began, stuffing her scarf into her bag. “—if that was the plan.” She shrugged. “Maybe next year.”Pansy shot her a strange look, one of those amused, exasperated ones that always made Luna feel both entirely seen and wholly ridiculous. “I didn’t know that was actually something people did.”Luna let out a soft huff. “Of course it is, silly. It’s how Padma and I stole— borrowed —Draco’s poetry journal fourth year.”Pansy stilled. Her brows shot so high they vanished beneath her fringe. “ That was you? ”“It wasn’t mean-spirited if that’s what you think,” Luna assured her quickly. “He read me a few poems over the summer, and Padma didn’t believe me when I told her he’s quite a lovely writer, so—”Pansy’s arms dropped as laughter bubbled from her lips, cutting Luna off. It was a rare thing, Pansy’s laughter—rich and throaty. Like the first swallow of Firewhiskey, it warmed her chest. Luna could listen to it all day.“You know,” Pansy managed between chuckles, “he put us all through rigorous interrogations? I’m pretty sure Theo still hasn’t recovered from the Morgana hostage debacle.”Luna’s brows lifted in surprise. Morgana was Theo’s snooty, judgmental black cat. She followed him everywhere through Hogwarts, only leaving his side to stalk first-years. Then, when that became exhausting, to snooze in front of the Slytherin common room fire, or so Draco would tell her. It was bold of him to stage such a kidnapping. Morgana wasn’t a cat Luna would dare trifle with. In fact, Luna was confident the beast was part Kneazle and maybe even part panther.She frowned. “Oh dear. I never meant for anything to go that far. I just wanted to share his beautiful prose.” She pursed her lips. “Besides, the veil between worlds is thinner in Ravenclaw Tower. Only a couple of sips of moonflower tea, and you could find yourself anywhere in a matter of seconds.”That same strange look flickered across Pansy’s face again. Luna tried her level best to decipher it but came up short.“No need to defend yourself to me,” Pansy said, voice softer now. “I’m impressed. Is that how you returned it too? He never did find out who took it.”“Yes.” Luna hesitated, then chewed her bottom lip before murmuring, “I could show you sometime if you like.”Pansy’s gaze flickered downward, lingering at Luna’s mouth for half a heartbeat before lifting back up. “Your secret’s safe with me, Looney-Love.”A charged silence settled between them. The air thickened, the space between them buzzing like warm static before a summer storm.Pansy was the first to break it, clearing her throat and turning toward the doors. “We’re already quite late. I’m surprised the dragon himself hasn’t come to lecture us on tardiness.”Luna made to reply, but the drawing room doors burst open.Music flooded the foyer in a grand swell of sound before the doors clicked shut again, revealing Theodore Nott—disheveled with a bottle of Firewhiskey in hand. He stumbled forward, narrowly avoiding a collision with the marble floor, and instead threw a long arm around Pansy’s shoulders.“Pans is here!” he declared, though the doors had already shut behind him, leaving Luna as his only audience. Not that he’d noticed her yet. He was angled in such a way that Luna was just out of his periphery.Pansy flinched and wrinkled her nose. “Ew. Bugger off. You reek . Point your rancid fire breath away when you speak to me.”Theo snorted, his head lolling to the opposite shoulder. “You’re so mean to me,” he intoned in mock-offense. He tapped the bottle against his chin, deep in drunken contemplation. “Never mind, I like it. Say something else. Something like… Harry won’t snog me at midnight .”Pansy sighed. “Potter definitely won’t snog your sloppy arse at midnight if you keep this up.”Theo’s spine snapped straight, and he pitched to the side, the action shifting Luna into view. He blew a short, forceful puff of air through his lips, ruffling the mess of mahogany curls from his face.“Lulu is here too?!” His mouth fell open in exaggerated betrayal. “Why didn’t you say something? You truly are the most evil witch.”Luna smiled warmly as Pansy rolled her eyes. “Hello, Theo. It’s nice to see you too. Happy New Year.”Theo nodded, then promptly sighed. “It won’t be if Potter doesn’t snog me at midnight.”Luna studied him, aware of Pansy’s sharp gaze tracking her every move. Theodore Nott was quite striking—his sharp cheekbones and deep blue eyes twinkled like waves at sunrise. His expertly tailored robes matched them. Intentional, she was sure.“You look rather fetching tonight, Theo. Very snoggable,” she said earnestly.Theo’s eyes sparked. He pulled Luna to his other side, draping his arm over her shoulders. She nearly buckled under his weight—he was lean but tall.He turned to Pansy, triumphant. “Hear that, Pans? Snoggable. ” He smacked his lips near her ear.Pansy leaned back with an exaggerated huff. “I didn’t say you weren’t snoggable. I said you were sloppy . Now, let’s get you inside and over to the food. Your liquid supper isn’t doing you any favors.”Luna rummaged through her satchel. “I think I have a Sober-Up Potion somewhere. If not, Hermione will. Don’t worry, Theo, we’ll get you primed for snogging.”Theo squinted at her. “One of you will need to distract his ginger guard dog. It’s already snapped at me twice.”“Which one?” Pansy deadpanned.“The bitch .”Pansy snorted, and Luna bit back a knowing smile—he meant Ron, not Ginny. Theo and the youngest Weasley actually got along swimmingly.“Lavender is here somewhere, I’m sure,” Luna offered.Theo nodded sagely. “She’s been circling him all night. Unsure if she wants to snog him or eat him.” He shrugged. “Probably both.”Pansy huffed a laugh, shaking her head. “Alright, let’s get you inside before Draco has a coronary over our lateness—”“— your lateness,” Theo corrected, grinning as he planted a big, dramatic kiss on her cheek. Then he turned to Luna and bestowed the same treatment.“I love you both so much. I’d kiss you at midnight if I didn’t already have plans.”Luna chuckled as Pansy steered them toward the doors. She reached for the handle when Theo suddenly stopped short.“I know!” he announced proudly. “You can kiss each other at midnight!”He nodded once as if it were the most brilliant idea he’d ever had. “There. Problem solved.”Luna’s cheeks burned. She fought the urge to press her hands to them.She risked a glance past Theo, and her breath hitched.Pansy’s deep emerald eyes darkened, something unreadable flickering just beneath the surface. For a moment, it almost felt as if she could see into Luna’s very psyche—as if she knew every forbidden fantasy Luna had ever spun between them over the years.Luna swallowed and turned her attention to the ivory and black tiles beneath her slippers, suddenly fascinated by their symmetry. She didn’t look up again until the doors opened, and they entered the drawing room.She gasped.What had once been a cold, sterile space—its walls an imposing white, its furnishings stiff and unwelcoming—was now a warm burgundy. The chairs and sofas were overstuffed and inviting, trimmed in golds and greens, a stark departure from the sleek, carved perches for guests who weren’t meant to linger. Dim lighting softened the shadows, and the flickering glow of the fireplace cast amber waves over the rich brown molding and towering bookshelves.Hermione Granger had touched every inch of this room.Luna was sure Lucius Malfoy would beg for The Kiss if he caught even a glimpse of the burgundy walls, or the shelves stuffed with Muggle books in his ancestral home. A ghost of a smile crossed her lips at the thought.This gathering was nothing like the grand affairs Luna had attended at the Manor as a child. No sweeping ballrooms or string quartets, no champagne fountains or house-elves scurrying with silver trays. This was small. Intimate. Warm.And it wasn’t just the decor that felt different. The guests, dressed in their finest robes and dresses, gathered in close clusters, their conversations light, laughter slipping easily between them. No one was divided by house or blood.It felt like a collision of worlds—two realms pushed together by Draco and Hermione. And yet, somehow, the pieces fit.By the fireplace, Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini stood close, glasses full of rich brown liquid, their smiles as warm as the embers beside them.“I caught a couple of strays,” Theo slurred as they unceremoniously deposited him into a chair near the table laden with food.Luna’s head snapped forward.Draco leaned against the far wall, clad in his usual all-black ensemble. One arm folded over his chest, and the other lifted a glass to his lips. He peered at Pansy over its crystal rim.“You’re late, Pans,” he drawled.There it was—the question barely hidden in his otherwise impassive silver eyes, markedly hardened by two years in Azkaban. Pansy stiffened. Pain flared across her face, raw and unguarded. They stared at each other, locked in some unspoken reckoning. It struck Luna, then—this was the first time Pansy had seen Draco since his incarceration. Since the dissolution of them.Again, Pansy was the one to break the silence. “And you’ve forgotten how to comb your hair, it seems.”He ran his hand through the pale blonde locks. Once neatly slicked back, the loose, silvery waves were swept loosely to the side, grazing his brow and brushing his ears. The corner of Draco’s mouth tilted upward, but his eyes stayed unreadable.“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Theo chanted from behind her.Luna didn’t look away from Pansy, who huffed. “You’ve lost the plot, Theo darling.”“Everyone should kiss, Pans,” he insisted loudly, swaying slightly in his seat. Conversations began to hush.Luna turned. Theo had garnered the attention of the entire room. Hermione was crouched beside him, one hand balancing a plate of food, the other chasing his mouth with an open bottle of Sober-Up Potion.“You—” he jabbed a finger at Draco. “—should kiss Hermione. Ginny should kiss Blaise…” His voice dipped low, conspiratorial. “Harry could kiss me. Only if he really wanted to.”Hermione nearly had the potion at his lips when he lurched forward and bellowed, “And the angry Weasel should kiss… my… arse!”Ron’s voice thundered across the room. “Now wait a minute!”Harry was in front of him in an instant, one hand pressed to Ron’s chest, murmuring in low, serious tones.Hermione sighed and glanced up from Theo. “Draco, a little help, please?”Draco pushed off the wall, his movements preternaturally agile, and clapped a firm hand down on Theo’s shoulder. Hermione seized the opportunity, tilting the bottle and pouring the potion past Theo’s lips.Nearby, Ginny and Blaise moved to help Harry with Ron while Draco restrained Theo, who had apparently not lost his fight despite gaining his sobriety.Luna stepped back, observing as everyone assumed their expected roles. It was a familiar scene, one she’d watched play out before, though from the place she always found herself–the fringes.She plucked a flute of champagne from the table and drifted to the edges of the fray, the vantage point where she saw things others overlooked, like the hidden passage that connected McGonagall’s office to Madam Pomfrey’s. Like the way Snape’s textbook bore the signature of Lily Evans .And now, something new.Her gaze flickered to Blaise and Ginny as they held Ron back, then to Harry, whose expression was steeped in something deeper than concern.Sympathy.And Ron—Ron met it with something that looked like hurt. And beneath that, something sharper, something raw.Luna had suspected it for years, but tonight, it was undeniable. Ron had never been jealous of Draco. Not really. His resentment, pain, and anger had never been about Hermione. It had never even been about the past.It had always been about Harry.Across the room, Draco’s gaze met hers.He knew.The shouting continued, words cutting through the heavy air until Hermione exhaled sharply, straightening to her full height. “Alright, Ronald. Time to go.”Draco nodded in agreement.“I’ll take him back to the Burrow,” Ginny offered.“No, Gin. I got him.” Harry stepped forward. “I’ll walk him to the Floo.”Ron sneered, shaking off Blaise’s grip. “I’m not a child.”“You sure?” Theo called. “You certainly fight like one.”“ Nott .” Draco’s voice was low, edged with warning.But it wasn’t Draco’s reprimand that silenced Theo.It was Harry.He glanced over his shoulder, and the look in his green eyes—disappointment, quiet, and cutting—made Theo recoil.Without another word, Harry grasped Ron’s arm and led him out of the room. A moment later, Theo slipped out behind them.Ginny turned to Blaise, speaking in hushed tones. Hermione crossed the floor toward Draco, the gold of her dress catching the light as she stepped into the circle of his arms.“I’m sorry the evening is ruined,” she murmured. “I thought he was ready. I was wrong.”Draco dipped his head, pressing his lips to her hairline. Her riotous curls muffled his words, but Luna thought she heard him say, “It’s not over yet, Granger.”And then—the clock struck twelve.Above them, the ceiling shimmered and dissipated into a fine mist, melting away to reveal the night sky.Fireworks erupted, bursts of blue, green, red, and gold painting the darkness in brilliant, fleeting streaks.Luna flinched.For the briefest second, she was seventeen again, surrounded by the cacophony of war, the streaks of green and red searing through the castle’s broken halls.She blinked, shaking herself free. No one else seemed affected, too caught up in the revelry to notice.Right.It was midnight on New Year’s Eve.Everyone had someone.Everyone but Luna.Her eyes swept the room, searching for a sharp black bob and piercing green eyes, but she found neither. Pansy must have slipped out quietly, as she always did. In all the years she had known her, Luna had never once seen Pansy Parkinson say goodbye.Except—That wasn’t true.The memory surfaced unbidden: Pansy’s white-knuckled grip on Draco’s hands through the crude iron bars of the Wizengamot cage. The tremor in her voice, the raw desperation of her sobs. Don’t say it. Please, don’t say it. And Draco, his voice rough and hollow, rasping, Goodbye, Pans. From the courtroom's front row, Luna had watched Pansy’s lips move, shaping the words but never speaking them aloud. She wondered if that still counted. If Pansy considered that her last goodbye, even if the words never left her tongue.Luna exhaled softly, setting her glass on the mantel before weaving her way toward the doors leading to the foyer. They opened, and a chorus of giggles stopped her in her tracks, high-pitched and breathless, drifting from the corner by the Floo. She turned her head and—Oh.Lavender Brown was pinned against the wall, her black dress bunched around her waist, Ron rutting into her with the urgency of someone desperate to forget.Luna averted her eyes, wincing at the sound of his gruff, angry grunts. Embarrassment flared and then quickly dulled into something closer to pity—for Lavender, mostly. Ron would never admit his feelings for Harry. He had always hidden behind Lavender, and he likely always would.Luna would rather be alone with the Nargles than trapped in a marriage of convenience. It was why her father had never remarried.She quickened her steps, slipping past them across the foyer and pushing open the double doors opposite the drawing room. The dining room was dark and quiet. She let the doors close behind her, leaning against them with a sigh of relief.It didn’t last long.Directly in front of her, Theo braced himself against the long dining table, head tipped back, mouth parted in a breathless groan. One hand gripped the table’s edge, the other tangled in a mussed mop of black hair—Harry’s hair.Luna’s breath caught as realization settled in. Harry was on his knees, his head bobbing in a slow, eager rhythm. A deep, guttural moan hummed from the back of his throat, and Theo exhaled sharply, fingers tightening in his hair.“Fuck,” Theo murmured, a slow, satisfied drawl. “I love this fucking mouth.”Harry made a noise in response—half moan, half whimper—and Theo smirked. “That’s it, Potter. I want to hear all the sounds you can make. Pretty, ugly, and everything in between.”Luna’s fingers fumbled for the handle. Harry was too distracted to notice, but Theo’s eyes snapped open and locked onto hers.He didn’t look startled. Or embarrassed.He looked victorious.He lifted a brow, tilting his chin toward Harry in a slow, deliberate gesture—a silent invitation.Luna blinked, then shook her head lightly, offering what she hoped was a small, encouraging smile before slipping back out the doors.Theo merely shrugged as they clicked shut.The sharp slap of skin against skin, punctuated by Ron and Lavender’s breathless moans, reached her again—unavoidable, inescapable. Panic surged, and Luna lunged for the front door. She abandoned stealth for speed, wrenching it open and slamming it shut behind her before bolting down the steps of the manor.The night air hit her like a shock of ice water, frigid and unforgiving. The cold siphoned away the last remnants of warmth that might have tethered her to the house. Goosebumps rose as embarrassment, self-pity, and longing fell away. A baptism of sorts, she supposed.Her toes barely scraped the gravel before something in her stilled. A sudden, wayward feeling settled in her limbs, locking her in place.She had nowhere to go.With a sigh, Luna sank onto the bottom step. Overhead, fireworks split the inky sky, a riot of color cracking open the darkness. The echoes thundered over the vast manor grounds, hollow in their brilliance.She dropped her head into her hands.She had never felt lonelier.School had been lonely. The war had been lonelier still. But this—this was the world they had fought for. The world where lives and futures and sanity had been sacrificed to build it.And somehow, she felt more alone than ever.No one had told her she was supposed to find love in the war.She had been too focused on the future. And now, she was sitting in it—while the others were living in it.The crunch of gravel filled her ears just as the acrid scent of cigarette smoke curled into her nostrils.“Leaving so soon, Looney-Love?”Luna’s head shot up. She swiped hastily at the tears pooling in her lashes. “I thought you’d left,” she croaked.Pansy exhaled a slow stream of smoke from the corner of her mouth, her lips thinning. “I don’t do goodbyes.” Her sharp gaze flicked to the silver rimming Luna’s eyes. “You alright? That ginger cunt didn’t do something to you, did he? Looked like he was ready to fight anyone who so much as breathed in his direction. He needs a good fucking, if you ask me.”Heat prickled across Luna’s cheeks. She nodded toward the front doors. “Lavender’s handling that now.”Pansy snorted. “No, not that nonsense. He needs a fat dick up the arse.”Luna’s eyes widened.“Oh, don’t look so scandalized. It’s rather obvious, isn’t it?” Pansy flicked ash from the end of her cigarette. “Everyone always assumed Weasley wanted to proverbially gargle Potter’s balls, but they’d be wrong. Good for Theo, though—he says the Chosen One has a chosen cock.” She smirked. “They both deserve a bit of happiness.”She hugged herself then, rubbing her hands up and down her bare arms. How long had Pansy been standing out here without a coat?The fireworks ceased, leaving behind a tenuous silence. This time, Luna broke it.“What about you?”Pansy huffed. “What about me?”Luna’s gaze drifted over her, the moon's cool light bathing her exposed skin. At some point, the clouds cleared, and the stars selected Pansy as the canvas on which to display their luminescence. She was truly breathtaking.“Do you deserve a little bit of happiness?”Pansy let out a short breath. “Depends on who you ask, I suppose.”Luna bit her lip, considering. Pansy’s gaze dropped, snagging on the movement. This time, her focus lingered a little longer, pupils dilating.“Do you think you deserve happiness?” Luna pressed.“It doesn’t matter what I think.”“Well, I think life is too short to be decidedly unhappy.”Pansy scoffed. “So what, you’re undecidedly unhappy then?” Her arms crossed defensively.Luna frowned. Was it that obvious? Did everyone know how lonely she was?“I should go,” she mumbled, pushing to her feet. “I just remembered—I need to realign my crystal pendulum before the moon shifts into its next phase. If I don’t, it might start swinging counterclockwise, and then all my dreams will be backward. That would be terribly inconvenient.” The words tumbled out too fast, her gaze darting anywhere but Pansy’s.“Luna, wait!”She froze.She couldn’t remember the last time Pansy had said her name. For as long as she could recall, it had always been Looney-Love . “Please?”Luna turned fast enough to catch the flicker of relief in Pansy’s expression.Pansy flicked the end of her cigarette, vanishing the smoldering butt with a sweep of her hand before it hit the ground. She shivered, rubbing at her arms.“Walk with me?” she asked quietly. “It’s too fucking cold to sit still, and I refuse to go back into that house of horny horrors.”Luna sighed. “I suppose the pendulum can wait a little longer.” She started unbuttoning her outer robes. “But I’m going to charm these so we both fit under them. Wrackspurts thrive in the cold. You’ll feel terribly foggy-headed tomorrow if you don’t warm up.”Pansy looked ready to argue—right up until Luna’s robes slipped from her shoulders, revealing the dress beneath.Luna lifted her chin, beaming. “Do you like it? I made it myself.”Her fingers skimmed down the length of her gown, a simple slip of deep purple silk. The fabric was several shades darker than her lilac outer robes— plum , her mother’s favorite. The shimmering silver halter straps that clasped behind her neck had once been her mother’s charm bracelets and necklaces, repurposed with care.Pansy didn’t say anything at first, but her gaze dragged over Luna, slow and considering. Finally, she gave a slight nod of approval.Gooseflesh prickled down Luna’s arms as she finally registered the cold—or maybe it was just the weight of Pansy’s stare. Either way, it snapped her back to the task at hand. She pulled out her wand, quickly casting the necessary charm to extend the robes.She slipped one arm back into a sleeve, then held out the other. “C’mon,” she coaxed, gesturing for Pansy to do the same.Pansy hesitated before stepping forward, slipping into the opposite sleeve. Luna wasted no time looping their arms together and drawing her closer. The soft brush of Pansy’s skin against her own sent an unexpected jolt of warmth through her, and she barely managed to suppress a flinch.Pansy was usually a little shorter, but tonight, Luna’s flats gave Pansy’s heels a chance to close the gap. They were nearly at eye level, but not quite.Reaching into her satchel once more, Luna pulled out her rainbow scarf and tossed it over both their shoulders. “This should take care of the Wrackspurts,” she murmured, looking down into Pansy’s emerald eyes.Pansy blinked at her, lips parting slightly before she swallowed. “Thanks,” she murmured slowly. Then, with a quick nod toward the east grounds, where the lake shimmered under the moonlight, she added, “Shall we?”They walked in silence—the kind that belonged to the first month of the year. A quiet filled with promise, a hush that fed hope with the possibility of bigger and better things just beyond reach. But Luna would reject all of it if it meant she could stay like this forever—arms looped, shoulders brushing, Pansy warm at her side.She smelled of amber and fresh florals, a heady scent that made Luna want to lean in just a little closer. And so she did, finding excuses to inch nearer, to savor the feather-light touches of Pansy’s skin against her own.Did Pansy feel it too? The energy crackling between them—the way proximity fed the slow-building heat curling low in Luna’s stomach. She chanced a look and caught Pansy staring, gaze sweeping over her with an intensity that made her breath falter. There was curiosity there, but something else too—something that made Luna suddenly, inexplicably self-conscious.Luna halted, tugging Pansy to stop with her. "What is it?"Pansy’s fingers reached for one of the delicate charms dangling from her silvery hair. "Are all of these your mother’s?"Luna shook her head. "No. But each one holds significance.""Can I ask what they mean?"Luna reached up, plucking at a specific charm. "Each one represents someone special in my life. Alive or dead." Her fingers stopped on a small silver birdcage, its delicate shape glimmering in the moonlight. "This one is yours."Pansy’s breath hitched. Her eyes widened, realization dawning. "A cage?""A birdcage," Luna corrected gently. "Cages aren’t always locked. Sometimes, people just forget they can leave. See? The door opens." She swung the tiny door on its hinges.Pansy stilled, an unreadable expression washing over her features. Luna thought she saw the shimmer of tears."I’m so sorry," Luna whispered. "I didn’t mean to upset you—"“You didn’t.” Pansy shook her head. “It’s just…” Her voice caught, and she turned away, as if composing herself. “I think you just opened the door for me.”The confession plucked at a string in Luna’s chest, the resounding note of longing ringing painfully true. Had Pansy ever been this vulnerable with her? Luna wanted to tell her that she liked this— longed to know there were doors she could help Pansy walk through. But to where? What had she meant exactly?Her silence must have stretched too long. Pansy cleared her throat, smoothing a hand down the robes before suggesting, “Let’s go this way.”She led them down a small, familiar path along the lake. One Luna had wandered countless times over the years. So she wasn’t surprised when they reached the grand gazebo.Its towering dome, forged from ornate white iron, was almost entirely hidden beneath thick cascades of wisteria. The vines had been charmed to bloom even in winter, their lilac petals swallowing the structure whole.Pansy unfastened their robes and slipped out of her sleeve, though she kept the scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. Luna watched her move toward the wisteria, feeling the absence of her touch like a ghost against her skin. Slowly, as if drawn by an invisible tether, she followed. "You always reminded me of this stuff, you know." Pansy’s voice was quieter now as her fingers trailed through the long, drooping clusters of lilac flowers. “Soft, delicate, and prone to floating on wisps of wind.” She paused, turning slowly.Luna’s breath hitched. The moon had carved bright little nooks in her deep emerald irises. “Some species of wisteria can be quite invasive,” she rambled before she could stop herself. Thinking before speaking had never been her strong suit. What she wanted to say was that she had never seen someone wear the moon quite so beautifully before—but the words tangled in her throat and refused to come loose.Pansy tilted her head. “Even more fitting, then.” She reached out, tucking an errant lock of silver hair behind Luna’s ear, and the simple gesture sent a flurry of butterflies bursting beneath Luna’s ribs."You aren’t all lilac gossamer and wind chimes, are you, Looney-Love?" Pansy mused, her voice velvet-smooth. "I think you’d manage to grow roots in bedrock if given the chance."Luna swallowed, her heart fluttering dangerously close to her throat. "Would you ever consider giving one to me?"The words slipped free before she could catch them. Again. Did she even have a filter, or had she misplaced it somewhere between childhood and now?A tiny notch formed between Pansy’s brows. “A purple Muggle bush?” she asked, arching a brow. “If you insist, but that’s a strange request—even for you.”Luna stepped forward, closing the remaining space between them. “A chance.”Her voice was barely more than mist in the cool winter air, but the smirk curving Pansy’s merlot-stained lips told her she had heard just fine.Pansy answered with action, not words—her mouth crashing into Luna’s with the force of a wave breaking upon the shore. Her lips were soft as rose petals despite her urgency, her demand. They stumbled backward, pressing Luna into the wall of wisteria blossoms. Luna met her with equal fervor, sliding her hands over Pansy’s shoulders and looping them around her neck. The heat between them built as the kiss deepened, breath mingling, bodies pressing together as if trying to erase the space between them. Luna rolled her hips in a desperate attempt to achieve just that–to eliminate any remaining space that might keep her from the witch who had occupied every fantasy she’d ever created. Tonight, Luna would experience it fully. Tonight, she would live it. Pansy let out a soft moan, her tongue sweeping along Luna’s lips, seeking entrance. Her hands skimmed down Luna’s back in opposite directions—one finding the curve of her hip, the other grazing the side of her breast in a fleeting, tantalizing touch.Luna’s breath hitched. Pansy took advantage of the moment, breaking away from her lips to trail kisses along her jaw. When she reached her neck, she nipped at her pulse point, then soothed the mark with her tongue.Luna arched into her, chest heaving as she gasped for air, still dizzy and breathless from the kiss.Pansy groaned against her throat. “Fuck, Luna. I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”Luna’s hands slid up the curve of Pansy’s neck, finding her face. Gently, she guided her back until their eyes met.“I’ve wanted— I want —more,” she whispered.Pansy’s eyes darkened, lips parting slightly as she exhaled. “Hold on.” She tightened her hold on Luna, nails digging into her hip and back.Luna barely had time to register the words before the familiar sensation of Apparation folded her into the ether.They landed smoothly, Pansy holding her steady, her touch lingering as Luna fought to regain her bearings. The room around her swayed before settling, and when she blinked it into focus, her breath caught."Are we—are we back in the manor?" Her gaze swept over the grand bedroom, a striking blend of stately elegance and bold, modern lines. Ivory walls and floors contrasted with deep emerald and soft gray accents. To the left, bookshelves brimming with literature and carefully curated curios. To the right, a vanity, framed by two towering glass doors, led to a balcony overlooking the lake. Silver-capped perfume bottles and a polished brush rested neatly atop its surface. She stepped back, nearly colliding with a full-length mirror whose silver frame gleamed in the moonlight. " Don’t touch that, " Pansy said sharply, then added, lower, "Not yet."Luna barely had time to wonder why before Pansy reached under her dress, drawing out her wand. With slow, measured steps, she walked to the nightstand, bending slightly to set it down. The movement lifted the hem of her dress just enough to reveal the delicate creases at the juncture of her thighs—and the delicious curve of her arse.Luna's lips parted, her breath catching as she imagined tracing her tongue along one of those creases, following the path to the edge of those black satin knickers she had just glimpsed.Pansy straightened, and Luna quickly cleared her throat. "Is this your bedroom?"Pansy turned, meeting her gaze over her shoulder. "Yes. It's why I can Apparate on the grounds. I stayed here to look after the manor while Draco was… gone."Luna wanted to press further, but she recognized the look on Pansy’s face—loneliness. A feeling she knew all too well. Talking about it might help, but it wouldn’t fix anything. And Luna had her own ideas about solutions.Silence stretched between them until Pansy finally turned back around, bracing a hand on the nightstand as she reached down to unfasten the clasp of her heel."Wait!" Luna called, breathless.Pansy froze, looking up through her lashes. "Come here," Luna all but begged, her voice trembling with anticipation.A smirk ghosted Pansy’s lips. "Was that a command, Looney-Love?" she purred, prowling closer.Heat coiled in Luna’s core, spreading out in slow waves. She reached for the fastenings of her outer robes, letting them slip from her shoulders to pool around her feet. The silk of her dress did little to shield her from the cool air, and she felt the telltale pebbling of her nipples—whether from the chill or the anticipation, she wasn’t sure.From the corner of her eye, she caught slivers of moonlight glinting off the charms woven into her plaits, dancing along the thin straps of her dress. But all of that faded when Pansy finally stood before her, dark eyes roaming over her body with unabashed hunger.Pansy licked her lips, gaze heavy-lidded. "I'm here." She tilted her head, voice husky. "What now?"Luna’s throat suddenly felt too thick, her thoughts a tangled mess of want. She swallowed, willing herself to speak— nothing came.How was it that she could ramble endlessly about invasive species of plants, yet now, faced with the chance to taste the subject of all her fantasies, she couldn't manage a single bloody word? The witch was practically serving herself up on a platter. All Luna needed to do was act, but her desire was so overwhelming, she froze instead.Pansy reached out, fingers trailing down one of Luna’s long, messy plaits, her nails tinkling against the tiny charms woven into the strands. When she reached Luna’s arm, her touch drifted lower, skating over soft skin until her fingers found Luna’s hand. She laced them together, her grip gentle yet insistent as she tugged her toward the mirror."Let’s try this," she murmured.She positioned Luna before the towering mirror, stepping behind her, brushing her hair over her shoulders. Her hands trailed softly down Luna’s chest and along her back, barely touching, just enough to leave a path of gooseflesh in their wake. Luna exhaled sharply, her nipples tightening beneath the thin silk of her dress. She caught Pansy’s reflection in the mirror—her dark eyes fixed on Luna, her expression caught between hunger and something achingly close to reverence."Touch the mirror," Pansy breathed.Luna hesitated, eyes tracing the polished silver frame. Sharp, geometric sunbursts crowned the top and bottom edges, while delicate engraved lines ran vertically down the sides, giving the illusion of depth—as if the glass were more than a surface, as if it could swallow her whole. Her fingers trembled."What does it do?"Pansy chuckled, the sound low and indulgent. She ran the back of her hand down Luna’s arm, then curled her fingers around her wrist, guiding her hand forward. "Go on," she coaxed, nuzzling into the curve of Luna’s shoulder before grazing her teeth over warm skin. "It won’t bite. I can’t make any promises, though."Luna inhaled sharply, but with Pansy’s grip steady around her wrist, she pressed her hand to the cool glass. The surface rippled, a shimmer like moonlight over water. As the disturbance settled, an image took shape—one Luna recognized instantly because it was hers. A fantasy she had played in her mind a thousand times over the years. One she had lingered on only hours ago in the foyer."Fuck me," Pansy groaned. "That exceeds expectations."Luna’s eyes widened, heat crawling up her neck. She turned quickly, her breath hitching. "What is that?"Pansy caught her bottom lip between her teeth, rolling it before replying, "That, love, is what you want to do to me."Luna shook her head, pulse stammering. "No, I mean—what is that mirror?"Pansy’s lips twitched. "It’s like a horny Mirror of Erised. I found it in a random room on the third floor, which means it’s some naughty Malfoy heirloom, but that’s neither here nor there. You want to know what it showed me the first time I touched it?" Pansy didn’t wait for an answer before adding, “Never mind, I’ll just have to show you.”Before Luna could argue, Pansy’s arm looped around her waist, spinning her back to face the glass. Her free hand glided up the column of Luna’s throat, tilting her head, exposing the crook of her neck. Pansy’s lips brushed over the sensitive skin as she murmured, "Look, Luna. Look at that clever, capable tongue gliding up my calf and thigh. Where do you think it’s headed?"The hand at Luna’s waist drifted lower, fingers gathering the hem of her dress, slowly drawing it up. Cool air kissed her newly exposed skin as the fabric slid higher, anticipation curling hot and insistent in her belly.Just as the mirror’s reflection showed Luna’s mouth reaching Pansy’s black knickers, her fingers skimmed over her own, pressing against the damp fabric covering her cunt so needy, it was already dripping with desire. Pansy exhaled sharply against her neck, her breath warm and unsteady.“What do you think I taste like, Looney-Love?” she purred, her fingers sliding with deliberate slowness over the barrier of silk. The friction sent a pulse of heat through Luna’s core. “Sweet like a peach or tart like cherries?”Luna wasn’t sure what did it—Pansy’s teasing touch or the wicked lilt of her voice—but something inside her snapped. “Ripe,” she rasped, breathless. “Like a Dirigible Plum.”A slow, satisfied smile curved Pansy’s lips as Luna seized her wrist and pulled her toward the bed. At the edge, she pressed Pansy down, watching as the other witch sank into the mattress with effortless elegance. Luna dropped to her knees, hands reaching for the delicate strap around Pansy’s ankle, but a firm grip on her chin halted her.“Look at you,” Pansy murmured, tilting Luna’s face up. Her pupils were blown wide, the emerald of her irises barely visible. “You’ve never looked more beautiful than you do now—right here, between my legs.” Her fingers brushed over Luna’s lips before she flicked her free hand, vanishing Luna’s dress and knickers in a whisper of wandless magic. Luna had always thought her breasts were small compared to Pansy’s, but the way Pansy’s gaze darkened with hunger made her feel nothing short of divine. Leaning back on her elbows, Pansy lifted her foot, arching it slightly. “Proceed.”Luna resumed her task, slipping off the strappy black heel with reverence. As she lowered Pansy’s foot to the floor, she traced a teasing line along the arch with the tip of her nail. A sharp inhale. A twitch of muscle. Encouraged, she removed the second shoe—only this time, she let her tongue drag along the soft underside of Pansy’s foot, slipping between her toes before her teeth grazed the curve of her arch.Pansy cursed through gritted teeth. “You fucking tease.”Luna only smiled, a wicked thing, before her fingers began a slow ascent up Pansy’s calf, her tongue tracing a warm, wet path behind them. The dress had already bunched at Pansy’s hips, revealing the satin black knickers soaked and clinging to the exquisite shape of her—the sight so intoxicatingly familiar—just as Luna had imagined in so many quiet moments of longing. Pansy was indeed ripe and ready for a taste.Her fingertip traced along the delicate lace trim while her nose pressed against the damp center, inhaling the sweet, heady scent of want. A whimper spilled from Pansy’s lips, and the sound sent a molten wave rolling through Luna’s body. No more teasing. She had waited long enough—years—for this moment.With a practiced flick, she slipped Pansy’s knickers down her thighs, discarding them on the floor. Gently, she hooked her hands beneath Pansy’s knees, guiding her legs over her shoulders. Her palms smoothed over the inside of Pansy’s thighs, the skin impossibly soft, and she parted them wider, opening her up to her gaze, her mouth, her touch.Luna leaned in and flattened her tongue, dragging a slow, deliberate stroke up the length of her, savoring the way Pansy’s head tipped back, her moan low and guttural.She traced her fingers through slick folds, spreading them open, and repeated the motion, this time pressing her lips down with aching patience. Pansy dropped onto her back, hands fisting the sheets. “More,” she demanded, her voice rough with need.Luna obliged, her tongue dipping inside, savoring the way Pansy clenched around the intrusion as she initiated an eager, desperate rhythm. The sensation made Luna’s own body tremble, heat pooling low in her belly as wetness dripped down her thigh. Every nerve felt electrified, every touch a live wire sparking beneath her skin ready to ignite.Pansy’s thighs trembled, muscles taut as she teetered on the edge. Luna replaced her tongue with two fingers, thrusting deep, her lips sealing around Pansy’s clit—swollen, needy, begging for attention. She flicked her tongue over the sensitive nub before grazing it with the faintest scrape of teeth. Pansy bucked beneath her, her walls clenching around Luna’s fingers, her breath shattering into desperate gasps.Encouraged, Luna sucked harder, her fingers curling just right, coaxing Pansy toward that inevitable fall.“Don’t fucking stop,” Pansy commanded, voice raw.Luna had no intention of stopping—not until she stripped away every last defense, not until she had Pansy completely undone beneath her. She worked her fingers in deep, savoring the slick, sinful sounds, her mouth never relenting. Pansy’s thighs clenched around Luna’s head, and with one final teasing nip, she unraveled.Pansy came apart with a hoarse cry, hands tangled in Luna’s hair, her body writhing as pleasure crashed over her in relentless waves. Luna held her through it, her mouth and hands coaxing her through every aftershock, drinking in every last drop of Pansy’s pleasure as if it were something sacred—because, to her, it was.After the final tremor of aftershock rolled through, Pansy rose swiftly, pulling Luna up with her. Her fingers curled around the side of Luna’s face, and then her lips crashed into hers. Her tongue slid past the seam of Luna’s mouth, swirling, eager to taste herself on Luna’s tongue.When she pulled away, her gaze darkened with wicked promise. "I’m going to fuck you until that clever little mouth can do nothing but scream. All you need to do is be a good girl and take it. Think you can do that for me, Looney-Love?"Luna’s breath hitched. "Yes."Pansy smirked. "Good girl. Now, get on the bed."Luna didn’t hesitate, crawling onto the mattress as Pansy reached for her wand. With a flick, her dress vanished, and in its place, a sleek, purple silicone cock materialized, strapped tightly against Pansy’s hips. Luna’s breath hitched, eyes widening as she took in its size, tracking the slow, deliberate motion of Pansy’s hand as she stroked along its length."Lay down with your head hanging off the bed," Pansy instructed. "I want access to that mouth and those pretty little nipples."Luna obeyed, staring up at Pansy’s figure, her view upside down. The sight of Pansy’s bare breasts, the way they bounced slightly with each movement, sent a fresh wave of heat through her."Open."Luna parted her lips, and Pansy slid inside, pressing deep until she hit the back of Luna’s throat. One hand curled around Luna’s neck in a possessive caress, while the other dragged a sharp nail over her breast. Luna arched reflexively, sending the cock further down her throat."That’s it, love. Make sure every inch is wet and ready for you." Pansy eased forward slightly, testing the limit of Luna’s restraint until she gagged. She withdrew immediately, and Luna gasped for air, her lips swollen and slick with saliva."On your knees."Luna crawled up, and Pansy followed her onto the bed, positioning herself behind. A strong arm wrapped around Luna’s waist, pulling her flush against Pansy’s chest, the head of the toy slipping between her legs.Their reflection in the mirror at the foot of the bed captured Luna’s attention just as Pansy’s fingers twisted into the plaits of her silver-blonde hair, wrenching her head to the side. Pansy’s merlot lips curled into a sinful smile that sent a fresh pulse of desire straight to Luna’s core."Are you ready to see what the mirror showed me when I first touched it?" Pansy purred.Her free hand slid down Luna’s stomach before wrapping around the cock, gliding it through her slick folds. "Fuck, Luna. I didn’t even need your mouth. You’re dripping."She sighed dramatically. "Not that I regret watching you choke on my cock. That image will keep the other fantasies company for years to come."Pansy pressed just past Luna’s entrance, aligning herself teasingly. Luna whimpered. "Please.""Say it. Tell me what you want, Looney-Love.""Please fuck me, Pansy."Pansy barely let her name leave Luna’s lips before she thrust forward, burying herself to the hilt. Luna yelped, pleasure and sensation overwhelming her all at once. Pansy’s teeth scraped the curve of her shoulder, leaving small marks before soothing them with warm, open-mouthed kisses.She pulled out slowly, hovering just at Luna’s entrance. Waiting. Teasing. Until Luna croaked, "More."Pansy slammed back into her, setting a relentless pace that sent pleasure quaking through Luna’s body. Her grip on Luna’s hair tightened as her other hand dipped into her mouth, wetting her fingers before slipping them between Luna’s legs, circling her clit in slow, agonizing strokes. The friction, the pace, the relentless build—it was too much, yet not enough.Luna moaned her name, pleading for more."Look, Luna," Pansy commanded. "Watch my cock disappear into your needy cunt. You take it so well. I lied before—this is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen you. A goddess of pleasure, devouring my cock like you were made for it. Now, cum for me."Pansy pinched her clit, rolling it between her fingers just as the words left her lips. Luna shattered, her world going white as pleasure ripped through her. She screamed, her body trembling as the aftershocks wracked her frame. Pansy fucked her through it, staying buried inside her until the last of the tremors faded.Finally, she slipped out, leaving Luna feeling suddenly, achingly empty. A soft whimper of protest escaped her, but Pansy answered immediately. With another flick of her wand, the strap-on vanished, and she pulled Luna into her arms, tangling their limbs together as she covered them both with the sheet.Luna pressed closer, their bodies slick and chilled from sweat. She felt Pansy’s breath against her temple as she whispered, "I don’t do goodbyes, Luna."Luna leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to her mouth. "You won’t need to."Pansy’s lips curled into a smile beneath hers. She pulled back, gently sweeping away the damp hair clinging to Luna’s temples. Her finger snagged on a charm–the birdcage. “Even with the door open?” Luna’s chest clenched at the look of uncertainty in Pansy’s eyes. “I think the doorway is big enough for the both of us, don’t you?” she suggested with a soft smile. Pansy returned it. A silent, relieved thanks. Her knuckles traced the curve of Luna’s cheek before tilting her chin up. She kissed her, soft and reverent, as if sealing a promise."This wasn’t some silly whim for me, Luna," Pansy murmured. "I want this. I want you ."Luna’s heart stuttered. She covered Pansy’s hand with her own, squeezing tightly. "Me too."And as they lay tangled together in the quiet hush of night, Luna smiled. No, she beamed. Giddy with the knowledge that she would never have to enter the gates of Malfoy Manor alone again. Because home wasn’t a place.Home was a person she’d never bid goodbye.