Chapter 2
Hermione was exhausted. She hadn't been getting much sleep lately because she was trying to work ahead on some schoolwork she knew she would be receiving when she returned to school. It had been a long day. The first day back to Hogwarts always seemed to do that to her.
Dinner had been somewhat interesting though. All the first years filed in to the front of the great hall, and there in front holding Hagrid's hand she spotted the small red-headed freckle faced girl that reminded her instantly of all the Weasley brothers. Hermione remembered that Ron had mentioned a sister once or twice, but she thought she was much younger than he had let on. During the sorting Hermione leaned over to Ron and asked if that was his sister. He nodded and shushed her.
Hermione observed Ginny closely and thought that she looked like a very nice girl. Then, towards the end of the dinner after everybody had already lost interest in all the new first years, Hermione made her way over to introduce herself to Ginny. She seemed a little dazed at first, but after she snapped out of it she realized that Hermione was one of Ron's friends and she introduced herself kindly.
As Ginny talked a smile started to form on Hermione's face. There was something different about this one.
Hermione's thoughts continued to linger on Ginny as she made her way back to the common room to go to bed. The room was crowded with confused first years so she just went around them and up to the girl's bed chambers. As she began to dress for bed she slowly began to shut her mind down for sleep.
Hermione crawled in the covers and sat up in the dimly lit room. There were 5 other beds, 3 of which were full. The bed to the left of hers still remained empty. She didn't have to wonder for long who it might belong too because only a few seconds later Ginny walked in. She looked very tired as well, but at the sight of Hermione her face seemed to brighten up a bit.
Ginny sat her suitcase on the vacant bed next to Hermione's and sat on the edge facing her. Ginny looked at Hermione for second before speaking. "Thank you for introducing yourself to me earlier. I was a little nervous because I don't know many people other than my brothers, and well gulp Harry Potter."
Hermione seemed to comprehend the tension in her voice as she mentioned Harry. Harry was a little intimidating at first, after all he was the only person to EVER survive the killing curse, and from the darkest powerful wizard of all time, AND he was only 2 YEARS OLD! But Hermione had a feeling that Ginny was feeling a different kind of nervousness.
Ginny fumbled with her own fingers and hair and seemed to finally get up the courage to ask a question.
"Are you good friends with Harry?"
"Well yes, we did go through some things last year, but he is pretty much oblivious to any kind of attention people give him now. He has had to learn to deal with it ever since he entered the wizarding world."
"Okay thanks Hermione"
Ginny seemed a little less tense now and she started to make her own bed as Hermione lay down. Hermione turned toward Ginny and watched her as she made her bed. She was very fluid in her motions even for such a young age. She must have learned how to make beds from her mother. Hermione knew Mrs. Weasley to be an excellent housekeeper.
"I'm glad I met you Hermione." Hermione wasn't even aware that Ginny knew she was watching her.
"Oh!, I'm glad I met you too Ginny. I hope we become the best of friends!", replied Hermione a little surprised.
Ginny smiled in return and turned the lights down in the room. Ginny fell asleep almost instantly and despite the fact that Hermione was exhausted she could only lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling. She could hear Ginny breathing next to her.
Hermione had the sudden urge to just crawl in bed with Ginny and put her arm around her. She was surprised at the thought, and pushed it out of her mind. She was confused and a little scared. She had only known this girl for a few hours and they had only spoken a few words. What was going on with her?