The first chapters of this story are based on a story I once read online. I don't own that story and obviously I don't own the Harry Potter characters.

Wake Me Up

Chapter 1

"I can't Gin!" The brunette said to her pleading friend. "I can't tonight. I still have tons of work and I need to wake up early in the morning."

The redhead dropped to the couch and sighted in exasperation. It had been a long time since they had seen each other due to the long hours they both had to work and ever since her break up with his brother and Ginny's engagement to Harry, the brunette had been avoiding going out and spending time together, choosing to stay in and work endless hours. She understood Hermiones reticence to go out with them knowing that most times Ronald ended going with them but she missed Hermione and tonight Ginny had decided this had to stop and she was determined to get the other witch out of the house.

"C'mon, Hermione, tomorrow's Sunday! I know for a fact you don't have to work on Sundays" pressed the younger witch "Besides, all you do lately is work and we never see you anymore."

Hermione brushed a hand through her chocolate locks. She missed Ginny and Harry too and they had been the best of friends trying to give their supports. She was happy for them, for the happiness they'd found together but still she couldn't help feeling a little bit jealous of what they had. She had known almost from the beginning that things wouldn't work out with Ron and she still hadn't found someone who could make her feel that way. Maybe hiding at home wasn't the best way to find that someone but she was scared to face what she had found out about herself. Ginny's pacing got her attention as she concentrated on her once more.

"Do it as a favor to me. Fleur just came from France and I don't want her to feel like a third wheel with me and Harry." said Ginny pleadingly.

"Fleur?" the older witch said trying to place the name but not coming up with anything.

"You remember her right? She was here for the triwizard tournament. She's Harry's friend." Said the redhead noncommittally, walking to her friend's kitchen as if it was her own and munching on one of the cookies ever present in Hermione's kitchen.

"We're gonna have a big get together on Sunday afternoon with everyone, kinda like an engagement party and since Harry hasn't seen Fleur in a long time we wanted to spend some time with her today."

Hermione looked at her a little suspiciously and before Ginny could get a hand on another cookie she cast a quick spell over them without making a single sign. Pulling her hand away at the light shock she received, Ginny's eyes moved up to glare at the other woman.

"So why do you want me there if Harry wants a little time with Fleur?" said the brunette returning to the previous subject without missing a beat.

But in that instant a loud pop came from the front door and they both turned to look at a flushed Harry as he took his coat. Ginny rushed up to him and placed a kiss on his lips, lingering a little longer that Hermione was comfortable with.

"Thank Merlin, you're here!" said Ginny as she dragged him into the living room "You explain it to her."

With this Ginny let herself fall to the couch once more as she sighted in feigned exhaustion. Harry look at her girlfriend and then at his friend not sure what he was supposed to do before getting a glare from the redhead and remembering what Ginny was doing in Hermione's house in the first place.

"C'mon, Hermione. Think of it as a blind date and it'll only be a short while."

Ginny stood up and smacked Harry on the back of the head, seeing the look that Hermione was already directing her way at that suggestion. He flinched and glared at his girlfriend and before any words could come out from his mouth Hermione was already shaking her head and moving to her bedroom.

"Oh no! No way! I'm not going on a blind date! Do you remember what happened the last time you set me up?"

Ginny followed after her glaring at his fiancé who glared back but tried to stay away. Meanwhile Hermione was talking nonsense and whipping her wand away trying to arrange the papers that were scatter all over her desk.

"Hermione, listen to me!"

"You always try to do this Ginevra how many times have I told you I'm not interested and I'm too busy to get involved with anyone I'm perfectly ok and I need to concentrate on my career if I want to-"

"Shut up and just listen!!!" said the redhead as she took out her wand "Silentio"

Hermione's voice was cut off instantly and she stood there shocked at her friend for casting a spell on her. Ginny waited almost expecting the brunette to hex her, but she didn't and she relaxed.

"Can you please hear me out?" she asked the brunette, undoing the spell after the other's nod.

"Good, now…listen. This is not a blind date, it's just you doing me a favor so Fleur doesn't feel uncomfortable and who knows, maybe you'll make a new friend." Ginny sighted.

"Look, I know this is asking a lot, but I think she could use a friend. Harry says she's been different these last few years, I don't know…" she added getting lost in her thought of the French woman for a few second. She hadn't been acting like herself or at least as the self Ginny knew and Harry had thought the same. They didn't know what had happened but the spark in her eyes was gone, that fierceness that had been there the previous times wasn't there and they were both worried.

Hermione hesitated, debating with herself and not sure if she should trust Ginny after so many tries. She'd been looking forward to a long bath reading her newest book and just relaxing but if she was honest with herself, she was a little intrigued. She had met the French witch briefly but she didn't remember her that well and while Harry had become friends with her, Hermione hadn't known about it.

"All right, I'll go," she sighted and laughed as Ginny did a happy dance and ran back to Harry to give him the news, as she added loudly "But if there's any indication, any whatsoever that this is a blind date I'm out!!!"

She walked back to the living room and sat on the couch, watching as Harry pouted and Ginny gave him a kiss for hitting him earlier.

"You're such a baby." They all laughed at this, Harry throwing one of the cushions her way.