Ginny sat the kitchen table in the burrow reading a muggle novel her father had found at this sale muggles called a 'flea market.' What fleas had to do with selling old stuff, she did not know. It was called Pride and Prejudice and so far it was alright. It just seemed rather long.
"Hey, Ginny."
Ginny turned to look behind her and saw Hermione descending the stairs. She swallowed slowly as she watched the way Hermione's skirt swished about her legs.
"Yeah?"
"You think you could help me?" She asked, reaching the bottom step.
Ginny dog-eared the page and closed the book. "With what?"
"I need to pick out something to wear. You brother is actually taking me out to dinner tonight."
Jealousy flared up in Ginny but she forced it down so it would not show in her cheeks. Of all the people in the world Hermione had to be dating her brother. It made her want to strangle both of them, hit them very hard in fact.
She hid behind Harry, of course, continuing to 'wait for him.' It's not that she didn't like Harry, she did. Kissing him was great, but she didn't pine for him like she did for Hermione. So, having to watch Hermione date her brother made a rage fill her that she sometimes had difficulty suppressing. It didn't seem fair somehow. She had red hair too after all and was much more understanding than her brother.
"He's taking you out to eat?" She forced herself to ask.
"I know! I was surprised to. I suppose he is maturing some."
Ginny nodded and stood up. "Sure, I'll help." She couldn't have refused if she'd wanted to.
They walked up the stairs to Ginny's room which Hermione was sharing for the duration of her stay. Ginny's mother wouldn't hear about Hermione and Ron staying in the same room. Granted this sometimes made things rather difficult for Ginny. Luckily she had a single bed so Hermione used the futon. Entering the room Hermione opened her trunk that was in the corner and started pulling things out. She handed them all back to Ginny then stood up.
"I think one of these but I don't know."
Ginny laid them down on the bed. There was a yellow sun dress with light red flowers, a light blue sweater with a plaid skirt, black pants and a white floral blouse, and simple a blue dress with thin straps. Ginny sighed deeply.
"So?" Hermione said. "What do you think?"
Ginny felt a pain in her middle but smiled back at Hermione. "You know they will all look good on you."
"That's not the point, of course. The point is what is right for a dinner date."
She laughed. "You're asking me?"
Hermione fixed her with a gaze. "Don't get all Weasley on me. You've dated plenty."
Ginny only nodded, fingering the sun dress.
"I think the black pants are probably too stuffy." Hermione said picking them up.
"Because you are never stuffy."
Hermione scowled and carried the offending pants and shirt back to her trunk folding them nicely. Walking back she stood beside Ginny resting her chin on Ginny's shoulder. Ginny's knees suddenly felt weak.
'I have to leave…' she thought.
"You think a dress would be too formal?" Hermione asked.
"No…" Ginny found herself saying.
"I'll try them on then." She said, moving away from Ginny.
Heat rushed to Ginny's face. "No you don't-"
But Hermione was already removing her shirt and Ginny could not remove her eyes. Hermione's back was perfectly white but for the pink clasp of her bra. The straps held tight to her skin making slight indentations. Ginny found herself wanting to move the straps off of Hermione's shoulders. Her lips tingled to kiss the bare skin. Then Hermione turned to face Ginny, sun dress in hand. Ginny looked down at the ground, her face very red.
"Could you help me?"
"Uh…" Ginny knew if she raised her arms they would shake.
"Oh, never mind, I've got it."
Ginny looked up again and saw Hermione was wearing the yellow sundress. She stepped out of her pants and twirled around.
"Well?" Hermione said.
"Oh, Hermione." Ginny said, her voice thick, before she could stop herself.
Hermione's forehead crinkled. "What? Does it look bad?"
Ginny slowly shook her head. "Oh, no…" she could barely speak and couldn't move for fear of what she might do. "No, you look beautiful."
The other girl gave her a funny look and Ginny's hands flew to her face. What was she doing?
"I just remembered!" Ginny said rashly. "I told mum I would chop up the vegetables for dinner!"
"What?" Hermione said.
"I better go do that!"
Then she turned and nearly ran from the room, limbs weak and shaky. She pushed off the walls and stumbled slightly down the stairs. Reaching the kitchen she nearly fell against the sink, leaning all her weight against it, elbows locked. She panted and felt tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe herself. It had been close, far too close.
Why did she have to feel like this?
