Another late night idea, because I don't think the Hermione/Ginny friendship gets nearly enough credit. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

...

"...Ginny?"

The red-haired girl looked up from the textbook she had been studying (Professor Binns really should care to make lessons less dreadfully boring; she really couldn't be blamed for her heavy procrastination), and was somewhat surprised to see Hermione standing at the edge of the common room stairs so late at night. Usually, the girl was never down at this time of night unless she was discussing something with Harry and her brother. Not that she herself was ever included in those discussions.

What was even more unusual, she noticed, was the nervous way the brunette bit her lip and crossed her arms as she spoke.

Ginny shut her book and placed it on the table in front of the sofa. "Yes?" she prompted.

Hermione continued to bite her lip, and then hesitantly moved towards Ginny and rather forcefully sat herself next to her on the couch. She was silent a few minutes, and her mouth was constantly opening and closing.

Admittingly, Ginny was rather curious to see what could make the great Hermione Granger so flustered. If it was a serious problem, Ginny knew that she would have gone to either Harry or Ron.

Brilliantly, she concluded that this secret, whatever it may be, could not be shared with either of the two boys. This was exciting, because it meant one of two things to Ginny.

One option was that one boy, or both, was the unfortunate object of anger to Hermione (and it was probably her brother too - poor git; if Hermione's reaction towards him was anything like how she had dealt with Draco, she would have to find time in her schedule to visit him in the infirmary).

The second option meant that this was something that in general could not be discussed with boys. And with the dance fast approaching, Ginny had to suppress a smile as her mind raced with possibilities of what Hermione would want to talk about. Although she already had an idea…

"I've been meaning to talk to you about something all week," quipped Hermione after a few more moments of silence. "And I want to know your opinion before I commit myself to this. As you know, the Yule Ball is fast approaching and…"

Finally, thought Ginny excitedly. She grinned, ecstatic to be a person that Hermione felt comfortable enough with to gab about topics that would sent other girls into obnoxious, giggling spirals.

That was one reason as to how and why the girls had bonded. Over the summer, Ginny had had to share her bedroom with Hermione while the girl was visiting.

It had been painfully awkward at first. Not because the girls did not enjoy each other's company, but because during the day, they barely associated with one another; the frizzy-haired brunette was always in rooms with her best friends (and her idiot brother refused to let her join), so Ginny was left to find company elsewhere. Nightly greetings were more of a roommate formality. Having to live together, it would make sense and make things easier if the girls were to get along, after all.

But more than a few small fights with Ron had eventually sent Hermione fuming into her temporary dwelling while Ginny was in the room. Since the room was theirs, it was obvious that Ginny would be the ideal person to confide in.

Later, the girls had learned that they both had trouble finding close friends amongst girls their own age (no similar interest or excitements, such as boys and gossip and the like), but missed having the ability to talk about said subjects the few times they so desired. And so, the friendship formed at first out of necessity quickly became a close bond between two girls who genuinely trusted one another.

Since that summer, the girls had conversed and spent time together a number of times, but Ginny was no fool. She would never be a replacement for Harry and Ron, and was really only the first choice when Hermione was in a spat with the boys, more commonly the latter. Nonetheless, girl talk was a vitality in their teenage years, and Ginny was pleased that Hermione was going to admit something that she herself had suspected a number of times. The longing looks, their constant proximity...

"...and I've been asked. Rather unexpectedly."

Ginny blinked. He asked her? He actually had plucked up the courage to ask her? Really, now, that was fast. Granted, it had been a while since she suspected, but based on the boy's excruciatingly slow-paced behavior, Ginny would have assumed he would not have actually asked until about one week prior to the ball.

"And I said yes."

At this, Ginny's eyes bulged and smiled at the same time.

"That's wonderful!" the red-haired girl exclaimed.

"Are you positive," Hermione asked, skeptically. "I mean, it was rather out of the blue, although I have been seeing him a lot lately when studying and..."

"You've always seen a lot of him, Hermione. You're just now noticing him."

"Really? I admit, I do have a tendency to lose myself in my reading, but when someone is simply staring at you for so long a person cannot help but notice…"

"Yes, it is rather obvious how he stares."

Hermione giggled. "Well, I didn't want to point it out, but-"

"Anyways, I want you to know that I'm completely okay with it."

At this, Hermione looked genuinely puzzled. "Excuse me?"

"It's really not a shock, Hermione. We've all noticed it. Even Harry, as dense as he may be, seems to be noticing something growing. I've suspected since this summer but haven't said anything-"
"Hang on - this summer?"

"Yes - as I was saying, I didn't say anything in case you were uncomfortable since he's my brother and all, but I'm so glad that he finally grew into his status as a Gryffindor and asked-"

"WHAT?!"

Ginny jumped, staring into Hermione's wild eyes with a curious expression. Upon realising she had yelled, Hermione frantically looked around, as if expecting someone to come down the stairs at the sound. When she had deemed nobody else was around or coming, she turned back to Ginny.

"Who exactly are you referring to?"

"Um, my brother?"

Hermione coughed multiple times. Ginny patted her back, still confused.

Turning to her red-haired friend, Hermione said, in a calmer voice, "Ginny, Viktor Krum is the boy who asked me to the ball."

Now it was Ginny's turn to choke, and the roles were quickly reversed.

After a few minutes, Ginny turned to the other girl, and said "Well, that was unexpected."

"That's what I was thinking! I mean, I wanted to know if it was odd, that a boy who has never so much as spoken a sentence to a girl ask her out. I'm not sure what's the normal protocol of dating."

Ginny merely stared at Hermione for a few seconds.

And a few seconds after that, she laughed. Hysterically.

"Stop it! Ginny, this is not funny, by any means! I can't ask Lavender or Parvati because they'll spread it around and Harry and Ron would never stop making fun of me and-"

"No, no," Ginny said, wiping her eyes. "Really, Hermione, I think it's wonderful. And adorable, that a famous Quidditch star watches you from afar without hesitation," she teased.

Hermione blushed. "...so it's okay that I'm doing this, right? I just didn't want to go alone, you know? And this was before Neville asked me, or else I would have agreed to go with him, too. I just want to prove to everyone that I'm a girl, too," Hermione stated sadly, "Not that Ron seems to notice."

Ginny smiled knowingly while Hermione turned, mouth agape and eyes wide, away from her as she realised what she had just said. She turned back to her friends to say something else, but Ginny cut her off.

"I knew it! Oh, Ronnie better watch out! Finding out that the girl he fancies can bag an international athlete will certainly teach him a lesson!"
Hermione turned, mouth still agape.

"Honestly, Hermione, you think you're the only one who notices when a girl fancies a bloke," Ginny said cheekily.

Hermione moved her mouth into an uneasy grin. "He never would have asked me, Ginny. Maybe as a last resort, if he doesn't find anyone, but the bloke is as shallow as they come. Should have heard the way he talked about his qualifications for dates…"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Why do you think I was so puzzled when I heard he asked you? I know my brother, Hermione, and he isn't terribly gifted at recognizing a great thing when it's right in front of him," she said decidedly. "...he always does, though, eventually," she added as an afterthought.

This time, Hermione grinned. "Thank you, Ginny."

"Anytime. Hermione. Glad to be of service."

"Glad to have you. And who knows? Maybe some bloke will finally come to their senses and ask you so that you can help me with my boy dilemmas at the ball, too."

…

Hope you enjoyed!