A/N: Thanks so much to my wonderful beta. She is one amazing woman.
Before I start, and sorry for the long author's note, but it somehow comes from a request of my 4 years-old daughter. For some reasons, she wants me to do this; I just decided to generalize it.
I want to ask for forgiveness to all the people I've ever hurt in my life. I never mean to hurt. I can do wrong things, making bad choices, and just like everyone I tend to find excuses for my bad choices. I can be a bit dumb, sometimes, I guess, even naive, I can be long to understand, but I never hurt on purpose. Nor do I try to destroy, fight, trick... So, please, forgive me, whoever you are, and wherever you are. I don't think this message will do much actually, because in my experience, people are not very forgiving, but I'll still pray for my apologies to reach all of you.
Also, I'll try to update as soon as possible, but I found a little job for the next two weeks. It's not much and all, but at least, it might allow me to say to my friends again, something like 'sorry, hun, I can't go to that very cheap restaurant, because I can't afford it'. And Maybe, I'll find another job soon! Wish me luck. :)

Now, on to the story...

Ginny woke up with a start. She was having a bit of a hard time sleeping peacefully these past few days. The other side of the bed was cold, so she knew that Hermione had already gotten up quite some time ago.

She smiled. Wednesday was Hermione's birthday and she wanted her to have the most perfect day possible. She had planned everything. They were supposed to leave work early and go to the Burrow for a family meal and then go back home, hopefully to have steamy sex. The thought made her grin like a fool.

They had been together for about 5 years now, but Hermione still managed to turn her on with a simple look. Ginny was actually happy to not be a man, otherwise she thought that she probably would be hard whenever her girlfriend was around.

After stretching some more, the redhead decided to get up. She had today, Monday, off, and it suited her very well, since she needed to go buy the necklace she had ordered for Hermione's present. She was nervous about Wednesday, but excited at the same time. Most of her family would be here, and a few friends as well. No one knew about her relationship with Hermione, except Luna, who as usual had been more perceptive than anyone ever gave her credit for. Also, Hermione did tell her parents. They had not been overly joyful, but were still accepting as long as their only daughter was happy. For the rest of the world, she and the brunette were sharing a flat. This time, Ginny sighed. She knew Hermione wanted to be out. To not keep lying to the ones she loved and to be able to be herself around her friends and family. Ginny had never managed to tell the truth to her own parents and friends. She felt like she was going to break everyone's heart, especially her mum's, and she couldn't stand it.

Still, she was planning on making up with her girlfriend for all that hurt she knew she had caused her. At this she grinned again, and finally got up to get ready. She was feeling like a teenager again. She took a quick shower and hurried to get dressed. She went down in the kitchen and drank some coffee with a couple of pieces of toast. Now that she was fully awake, she just couldn't wait to pick up the necklace she had ordered a couple of weeks ago. She got herself ready quickly and left the house as if she was late for an important appointment.

The bell of the store rang, and an old woman greeted Ginny with a broad smile.

'Good morning, Miss Weasley'

'Good morning Mrs. Perkins. Are the necklaces and pendants ready?'

'Yes they are. Would you follow me, please?'

Ginny followed the old woman at the back of the shop. The woman put some kind of silk gloves on and opened a box in which laid two wonderfully pretty heart-shaped pendants. They were finely made, in gold with the shape of the heart underlined by a delicate white gold line. Mrs. Perkins took them out, and after putting them on a cloth she handed them to Ginny so that she could have a better look. The redhead turned them over, and sure enough, she could read the inscription she had asked to be engraved on both of them.

"To my only love. Forever."

Ginny smiled, satisfied. The old woman also got the two gold chains out and slipped the two pendants on them.

'This is wonderful, thank you very much', said Ginny, happy with herself.

'I'm glad you like them', answered the woman. 'I admit that those are a work of art, you've made a very good choice, Miss Weasley.'

'Thank you. Would you mind putting them in separate boxes, please?'

'Not at all.'

After wrapping the small boxes, Ginny paid and decided to go home, where she wanted to find a good place to hide them for the next couple of days.

On Wednesday morning, both girls were getting ready for work.

'At what time are we expected at your parents, tonight?' Asked the brunette.

'At six, babe', answered Ginny from the bathroom. 'This way, way we'll have time to come back here, shower quickly and get ready for the birthday of the most wonderful woman ever'

Hermione smiled.

'Yeah, that's what you say, but I don't recall you wishing me a happy birthday with a proper kiss to go with it this morning, so I'm not sure I believe that.'

At that, Ginny poked her head out of the bathroom and studied her girlfriend. Hermione immediately composed her features, and put on an annoyed mask for good measure. However, Ginny could read people well, and she could see the playful gleam in her girl's eyes.

'Have I really made such a mistake?' asked the redhead, playing along. 'Merlin, I hope this is something that can be repaired!'

'Oh, well, I don't know,' pouted Hermione, 'I guess it depends on what's done to make up for it. That is a very serious fault, and it should not be forgiven so easily'

'Yes, yes, I understand that. More, I actually agree, and to prove that I'm not heartless, I'm going to repair it right away'

This time, Ginny fully stepped out of the bathroom, only wearing a red thong and matching lacy bra. And deciding that Hermione was not to be the only one to have all the fun, she started to walk slowly and seductively towards her girlfriend whose head was starting to feel a bit dizzy at the sight in front of her. Reaching Hermione, Ginny pushed her nicely against the wall and leaned her body against the brunette's, and coming close to her ear, she whispered:

'I hope I'll manage to make it up to you'

There, she bit the tender flesh of this inviting earlobe, and was rewarded by Hermione's soft whimper. Ever so slowly, Ginny started to nibble and kiss down the brunette's neck. The older witch's head was spinning already. She couldn't believe that after more than five years, Ginny still had such power over her. But she would not change that for anything in the world. It felt too good.

Ginny finally decided to look at her, and bent down to kiss her. Then, stopping just an inch from her mouth, she breathed a 'happy birthday' before tasting her lips.

The kiss started rather slow but quickly grew in intensity. Hermione's hands were roaming the soft body that was pressed against hers and Ginny was starting to rub her core on her vixen's leg.

'Fuck, I want you', said the redhead.

'Yeah, me too', answered a breathless Hermione. 'I can't though, I have a meeting this morning, that I can't miss'

'Me too actually! Shit! How am I gonna wait till tonight, huh?'

'Well, I don't know about you, but I'll probably do myself during lunch'

Ginny groaned.

'If you really want me to stop, you can't say stuff like that to me!'

The brunette giggled, which made her girlfriend look at her.

'Merlin's beard, I love you, baby'. Ginny couldn't recall ever being happier. And it was all thanks to the beautiful girl in her arms

'I love you too, sweetie' answered said girl. 'Sorry to kill the mood, but I really need to go, love'

'Yeah, I know'.

They moved apart, smiling at each other sweetly. Ginny finally went to find her work clothes while Hermione was taking her leave.

'Well, see you tonight, then, you sexy beast' shouted the brunette from the front door. She had left before Ginny had time to answer.

A loud crack sounded just outside the house and Ginny ran downstairs to see Hermione rushing in.

'You're late, love!'

'I know. I'm sorry!' She looked apologetically at the younger witch and added quickly 'I'll be fast, I promise'

'Okay! No problem, we're still not late at my parents, but since we were supposed to arrive here at five, I was worried'

'I'm here, now, so don't worry. Oh, and by the way, you look stunning!'

Ginny smiled broadly. She was wearing a nice pair of jeans with a tight white blouse. She had also let some buttons undone so her cleavage was more noticeable this way. It looked simple enough, but very sexy on her. Hermione, as promised, hurried up, and her girlfriend couldn't help staring at her when she arrived in the living-room fully dressed with a night blue dress that was underlining her figure at exactly the right places.

'You're gorgeous! I can't believe how lucky I am'

'Thanks babe'. Hermione still was blushing prettily at compliments, and it always made Ginny smile. 'Shall we go?'

'After you, Princess'

When they arrived at the Burrow, everyone had arrived already. Molly and Arthur were here, of course, but also George, Ron and Harry. Ginny had also invited Luna and Neville and it pleased Hermione greatly to see them.

'Hey you lot, here's the birthday girl coming!' shouted Ron happily.

Ginny and Hermione approached and greeted everyone. Just as usual, time with the Weasley family meant noise, laughs and joyfulness. Oh, and it also meant a delicious meal, of course. Molly Weasley was still a wonderful cook, and they all served themselves with gusto. Coleslaw, lamb, gravy, baked potatoes with different toppings. It was all good. And of course, the birthday cake, which didn't last long on the table.

At the end of the meal, Ginny stood up nervously and called for silence. Hermione looked at her, surprised.

'I think this is the time for us to give our presents to Hermione,' started the youngest Weasley with somewhat a shaky voice. 'And if you don't mind, I would like to offer mine first'

Everyone was looking at her rather curiously, (everyone but Luna, who had a knowing smile) which didn't help her with her state of mind. Her heart was beating so hard in her chest; she thought others could hear it. She took the boxes out with shaky hands and handed one to Hermione who looked at her with astonished eyes.

'Happy birthday, Hermione. This one here', she showed the box she had kept for herself, 'is the same thing as yours and is for me. Open it, and you'll understand'

Hermione opened the box and found in it one of the most beautiful pieces of jewellery she'd ever seen. She gasped audibly, which had everyone around the table craning their neck to see what was in the mysterious box.

'There is something written at the back,' added Ginny, who had opened her own box and was holding the necklace.

Ginny could see the confusion in her family and friend's eyes and before anyone had the chance to say anything, before she'd lose her nerve, she announced to all:

'I wanted to let you all know that I love Hermione deeply and that she's my girlfriend.' She gulped with difficulty while Hermione's head snapped up to look at her girlfriend, who was doing the one thing she'd been wanting for so long, doing one of the hardest things possible for the redhead. Tears started to run from the brunette's eyes. Ginny went on. 'I know it might be hard for all of you to understand it, but know that she makes me very, very, happy, and I believe that I make her happy as well. We really do love each other, and I can't imagine not having her as my friend, as my love, as my life.'

Once finished, Ginny stood there, her heart thudding painfully, looking at the dumbfounded people sitting in front of her.

'Congratulations, you two!' Luna chipped in cheerfully, 'and it's a very beautiful present, Ginny, you have good taste'

At Luna's words, Hermione stood up suddenly and kissed the redhead fiercely before looking at her, tears still rolling down her cheeks.

'I love you, baby.' She said emotion deep in her voice. 'Thank you so much for all this'

Suddenly, all heads turned towards the end of the table where a chair fell down with a loud clack on the floor. There, stood an angry Ron, who just turned round and walked away.

'Oh, dear!' breathed Hermione.

A/N: Just like most authors, I love reviews, so please, leave a note if you feel like it. :)