Chapter 1
I wanted to explore Hermione's romance with Viktor Krum as well as her friendship with Ginny. It's clear from the books that the two are great friends and who else really is Hermione going to be able to talk to boys about with other than Ginny? After all who doesn't love meeting up with your bestie to chat about your latest crush?
Ginny squealed excitedly as Hermione arrived at the Burrow, a few days before they were set to go to the Qudditch World Cup. Although she wasn't particularly girlie, Ginny had been constantly surrounded by teenage boys all summer and she had written to Hermione to inform her that "they were doing her nut in!" So she was overjoyed to see her and to have someone to properly talk to. The two girls had become close over the years, particularly after Ginny's first year at Hogwarts. Being possessed by You-Know-Who and nearly dying had been a horrific experience for Ginny and it had left her feeling rather traumatised and lost. Her mother had smothered her in affection and her brothers awkwardly treated her like she was some sort of injured puppy. They ended up ignoring her for most of the summer as they had no idea what to do. It was Hermione, with her large heart and insightful nature that reached out to Ginny, writing to her at the start of the summer. This turned into regularly correspondence, with Hermione mostly keeping her letters light hearted and after a few weeks she invited Ginny to her house for a sleepover.
At their sleepover Hermione introduced Ginny to television and they watched Overboard as it was one of Hermione's favourite films. Ginny found it hilarious and had tons of questions about Muggles. "My dad would love this!" she said. Their snacks for the movie were carrots and grapes but afterwards Hermione made them hot chocolate with marshmallows, a special treat she'd persuaded her dentist parents to let them have. They curled up on the sofa sipping their delicious drinks of chocolately goodness. The romantic comedy naturally led the conversation to boys, and Ginny confessed that she still fancied Harry. She giggled when Hermione made a face and said "Harry's a great guy, but Merlin that hair! I don't think he owns a brush."
Hermione noticed that Ginny had stopped smiling and reached out her hand to her, "You ok?" "Yea" Ginny replied, "No? Maybe. I'm getting there" she sighed, "I just felt so powerless and so stupid you know? And Harry, he saved me." "He does that" said Hermione, "Ginny much older wizards than you have been tricked by You-Know-Who and his followers. And I know for a fact that Harry often feels powerless and stupid too. Don't let the whole 'boy-who-lived' thing fool you. Often he's just a scared boy, figuring it out as he goes. But I know that both of you are Gryffindors through and through."
Ginny was watching Hermione out of the corner of her eye as she said all this. She took a deep breath and then looked her square in the eye. "Thanks Hermione. You've been a pretty good friend this summer. Now it's your turn." "My turn?" said Hermione with a puzzled brow. "Yes" and at this Ginny started to grin "Who do you fancy?" After much persistent needling, Hermione eventually gave in and confessed to her poorly chosen crush at Hogwarts last year- Professor Lockhart. Ginny had laughed so hard at this that she had fallen off the sofa.
Their friendship was sealed that night and from that point on they often confided in one another. Although very different in nature, Ginny naturally being more outgoing and less studious, their friendship seemed to bring out the best in both of them. Ginny was able to help Hermione lighten up and provided a sympathetic ear whenever she needed to rant about Ron and Harry. Hermione was able to bring out a side in Ginny that few people were privileged to see; her deep and thoughtful side. They trusted one another completely and loyally kept one another's secrets.
They had been writing to each other all summer, a fact which annoyed Ron greatly, "Why does she write to you more than me? She's my friend not yours" he said sulkily. "Because you always forget to reply you prat! And I'm her friend too," at this point Ginny had reached on her tippy toes and flicked Ron in the ear, running away quickly before he could retaliate. Arriving at the Burrow now, Hermione set down her bags and hugged Ginny. Ron was waiting for her arrival too and went to hug Hermione, which she turned into an awkward side hug, hoping that Ginny wouldn't see anything unusual in her behaviour. At the end of term last year she had had a rather vivid dream where Ron had hugged her and then kissed her deeply. She had decided not to analyse it too much but it still made her blush to think about it. Hermione blamed it on hormones and tried to reassure herself that from all she had read this was just a normal part of growing up. She just wished she could skip puberty altogether! Ginny had unfortunately noticed and was now looking at her questioningly. Hermione just shook her head, but knew Ginny would wheedle it out for her later. She was like a Niffler in her relentlessness. Now as Ginny helped her with her bags up to her room, Hermione wondered how long she would be able to hold out before confessing to her summer romance!