Hermione led Ginny to the back alley where the hidden entrance to Diagon Alley lay. As they entered the street they held hands again. It was odd for them, being together in a new place.
"Have you ever been down to the vaults?" Hermione asked.
When Ginny shook her head, Hermione squeezed her hand and said, "Want to?"
Ginny looked at her uncertain, "What's it like? I heard the cart rides can be pretty scary..."
"Well, my vault isn't very far down as it's one of the newer ones, so it doesn't take very long to get there...it's a little scary but I think you'll love it," at Ginny's confused look she explained,"...it kind of makes me feel like I'm on a broom," she winked.
"I'm surprised they let you go to your vault without your parents..." Ginny started to say but Hermione laughed and shook her head.
"It's my vault, not theirs...we set it up especially that way so they wouldn't always have to be with me, though no, the Goblins weren't too pleased...I have a feeling dear-old-dad might have had something to do with it," Hermione explained.
"You know, even though I know we figured that out awhile ago, I'm still getting used to you calling him your father." Ginny said quietly.
"Gin, you saw him when we met a couple a few weeks ago...is there any doubt in your mind that he loves me?" Hermione asked, "He's scared for us...he and Minerva are committed to making sure we'll not only survive whatever comes, but finally end Tom for good," she finished in thought as they entered Gringotts.
As they approached one of the Goblins behind a counter, Hermione removed her backpack and took the paper bag her mother had given her and placed it on the counter.
"I would like to convert this to Galleons," she reached into her jeans and removed a key, "and I would like to visit my vault, please."
"Of course, Miss Granger, Bogrod will be happy to take you, as always," he replied as he began taking stacks of Muggle money from the bag, "We will have this counted by the time you return and the gold transferred to your vault."
"Thank you," Hermione turned as a different Goblin walked up to them, "Good day, Bogrod, how are you?" she asked as she handed them the key.
"I'm very well, Miss Granger. Will your friend be joining us?" he asked as he looked at Ginny.
"She will. Thank you." she turned to Ginny, "Ready?"
"Yes," Ginny answered. She was frankly amazed at the exchange between her girlfriend and the Goblins. Granted she'd only ever been inside the bank once, and had been focused on Hermione the entire time, so she hadn't really noticed, but she was pretty sure that her parents had never been treated with this much respect by them. She wondered whether it was due to the amount gold her girlfriend had, or if it was again, Dumbledore's influence.
They followed Bogrod through a door to where the carts that would transport them to Hermione's vault were. They climbed inside and Ginny braced herself for the ride. They took a few hairpin turns and a fairly rapid descent until they came to a stop outside Hermione's vault.
Once they were standing with Bogrod, he placed Hermione's key in the door and, after a series of loud clicks, it opened. Bogrod handed Hermione a lantern and she and Ginny entered.
"You weren't kidding..." Ginny said in awe of the sheer volume of gold inside of her girlfriend's vault.
"No...this isn't right..." Hermione said quietly. She turned to speak to Bogrod when Ginny stopped her.
"Hermione?" She said as she pointed to an envelope bearing the Amice knot.
She walked over and opened the envelope with slightly shaking hands.
Inside was a Wizarding photo...her father holding a baby, Minerva beside him. Both were smiling from ear to ear, as tears ran down their faces.
"Guess you're not the only one getting surprises today," Hermione said quietly as she showed Ginny the photo, "Pity I can't take it with me...it's safer here," she added as she felt the tears on her cheek.
Ginny put her hand at the small of Hermione's back, "You okay?" she asked softly.
Hermione sniffed and wiped the tears from her face. She carefully placed the photo back in it's envelope and hid it under some gold in the far corner of the vault and sighed.
"Well, c'mon then...give me a hand..." she said as she turned to Ginny. She took off her backpack again and took out two leather pouches, handing one to Ginny. "Fill it with Galleons."
"Seriously?"
Hermione smiled and walked over and kissed her briefly, "Each one of these bags holds about five hundred...I usually take that much with me every year to Hogwarts...however, I have some gifts to buy today..." she trailed off and then kissed her lightly, "And we're wasting time."
Hermione walked over to the nearest pile of Galleons and began putting them her leather bag by the handfuls while Ginny walked over and started to do the same. The bags were filled and in Hermione's backpack in no time, and they headed back out to where Bogrod waited patiently.
"Everything in order, Miss Granger?" he asked
"Bogrod? When was the other gold added?" Hermione asked him.
"February, Miss. Shall we head back?"
"Yes, thank you, Bogrod," Hermione replied as they joined him in the cart.
Hermione barely noticed the ride back, she was lost in thought. It was true then, he had meant to tell her...she thought and smiled, feeling a small shred of hope. They truly were going to okay. Whatever comes, they would be ready.
Hermione conferred briefly with the first Goblin again and then she and Ginny left again for the sunlight street of Diagon Alley.
"Where to first?" Ginny asked as her eyes adjusted to the sun.
"Madam Malkin's for dresses for the wedding," Hermione answered as they walked off in the direction of the shop.
"Do the Goblins always treat you so well?" Ginny asked curious.
"Well, I've always thought it was because of how much gold I have...now I'm not so sure."
"But they can't possibly know..."
"Well, no, but I would wager that he had something to do with it...they respect him enough to respect me, even if they don't know our connection," Hermione speculated as they entered Madam Malkin's.
"Well, hello my dears...a bit early for Hogwart's robes, isn't it?" Madam Malkin greeted them.
"Good afternoon...we actually need a couple of dresses for a wedding we'll be attending in August." Hermione replied.
Madam Malkin took them to the dress section and left them to look at them. The each chose one, and turning to each other, said at the same time, "This would be nice on you," and giggled.
They had picked out the same dress, only in different colours. The one Ginny had picked out was soft lilac colour, while the one Hermione held was a soft dusty rose colour. They traded dresses and went to try them on. They came back out and stood in front of the mirrors while Madam Malkin made adjustments, never taking their eyes of each other's reflections.
"You look beautiful, Gin," Hermione thought to her and watched as she blushed.
"You too," she thought back.
Once Madam Malkin was satisfied with her alterations they went to take the dresses off and put their own clothes back on. They handed out their dresses to Madam Malkin and Hermione had just finished pulling her shirt over her head when Ginny slipped into her changing room.
"What..." she tried to ask but Ginny had kissed her before she had the chance.
"Sorry...been wanting to do that for a while," she whispered before slipping back out.
Hermione shook her head and followed her, smiling. By the time she reached the counter, the dresses were already wrapped and ready to go. Hermione paid for them and put them in her bag. Taking Ginny's hand again they left the store for their next destination.
"Apothecary next. I ordered a Master Potioneer's set for Luna...I missed her birthday. And we need supplies anyways, for the summer," Hermione told her as they walked towards the Apothecary.
As soon as they entered they were greeted by the shop's owner.
"Ah, Miss Granger...I have that item you ordered, I'll just go get it."
"Thank you...and can I have two sets of third year potion's ingredients?"
"Of course," he called to one of the other clerks to gather their supplies.
"Have you always been treated this well?" Ginny asked quietly.
"The shop owners are used to me, my parents are kind of lost when it comes to all this stuff," she shook her head a little sadly, " Also money, my love, makes people treat you with respect."
They walked over to the counter where the owner had just laid a large mahogany box on the counter, the Amice knot engraved in the lid. Hermione ran her hand across the lid then opened the box. It contained everything Luna would need.
Once everything was again paid for and stowed in the capricious depths of Hermione's backpack, they headed to the bookstore and bought a set of fourth year texts so Hermione could get started on their course load for next year. The tried to find books on Healers, Empaths and Telepaths, but there were none. Perhaps their gifts were even more rare than they had thought.
"Three more stops...first I want to stop at the jewelery store to pick up Minerva's wedding gift."
"How did you get all this stuff done?"
"I talked my parents into bringing me the day after I got back. I wanted to get a few things ordered so I could pick them up today," Hermione explained.
The jewelry store was a quick stop and when then again stood in sunlight Ginny turned to Hermione to ask where they were going next when she realised Hermione was leading her towards Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Hermione? My love?" she said quietly as she pulled her to a stop outside the shop, "I can't let you buy me a broom."
"And why not?" Hermione asked gently.
"I know money isn't an issue for you, but..." Hermione interrupted her.
"You feel bad because you think you could never buy me something as expensive?" she asked.
"Well...yeah..." Ginny admitted quietly.
She took Ginny's hand and led her to a quiet alleyway to talk. She kissed her softly before speaking.
"Ginny...I love you...and what you've given me every single day since we became friends? It's priceless..." she kissed her again, "Besides, I think of a new broom for you as an investment...you're so amazing when you fly Gin, I have no doubt that someday you'll play Quidditch professionally...then it'll be your turn to spoil me." She kissed her, "Until then...can you please let me spoil you? I've never had anyone, before, that I could."
Ginny leaned back against the wall and regarded her girlfriend for a moment.
"If it makes you feel better...I did get your Mom's permission at Easter," Hermione informed her as she closed the distance between them and slightly pushed her up against the wall, "Besides...it'll annoy the hell out of Ron when, not only does he figure out we're together and you've skipped a grade, but you show up with a brand new broom all your own."
"I think his head might explode..." she said laughing and shaking her head, "Promise me you let me make this up to you someday?"
Hermione laughed lightly and kissed her before responding, "You make it up to me every minute we're together Gin, just by loving me as much as you do..."
Once they had kissed again Hermione took her hand and led her into the shop.
"Ah, Miss Granger...would I be correct in assuming this the young woman you spoke of?"
"It is," she replied, smiling warmly, "Is her broom ready?"
"Almost...we just need to adjust it...if you'll follow me?" he replied as he led them into another room.
Against one wall were seven purple brooms. Each with the Holyhead Harpies Talon and a players name embossed on it. He laid another broom on the counter, the letters HGW, embossed on the handle.
Ginny reached out tentatively and when the shop's owner didn't stop her, she ran her fingers over the letters on the handle. "It's beautiful,"she whispered in awe.
"It's more than just that, my dear...these brooms were designed for the Holyhead Harpies. Not only are they designed specifically for female fliers but they are custom fit and, although anyone can fly it, it will not work as well as it does for it's owner," he explained proudly, "The wood has never been used before in a broom...it is called Purpleheart Wood."
"When I came in earlier this week I just wanted to find out how much a Firebolt was...I started to telling him all about you and he told me about the brooms he had just made..." Hermione explained.
"Originally I wasn't going to sell them to the general public...I wasn't sure there would be a market for a Witch-only broom...but then your partner suggested, if I could have one seen at Hogwarts...perhaps a market would be created."
"And he generously offered to, not only given me a very good deal on the broom for the idea, but has offered me a share in profits should it become popular." Hermione told her, "I also told him how amazing you are, of course."
"Indeed, I look forward to seeing you fly sometime," he assured Ginny, "Please my dear, pick it up and hold it in both hands."
Ginny picked up the broom and, as she stepped away, held it in both hands in front of her. The wood seemed to warm beneath her hands and vibrate slightly.
"What's it doing?" she asked softly.
"It's getting to know you. Now, hold tight..." he instructed.
She did as she was told and was amazed when the broom changed shape slightly.
"It's adjusting for your current size...there are a few younger women on the Harpies and they still have a bit of growing to do as well...because they are custom fit to each flier, it will adjust as you get older," he explained.
"Most people have to adjust to a standard broom size...yours adjusts to you, so you'll always fly your best," Hermione tried to explain in simpler terms.
The broom finally stopped vibrating and it's temperature returned to normal.
"It is truly an amazing broom you've created, Sir. Thank you for allowing me to purchase it...I suspect one day she'll use it with the Harpies as well," Hermione finished proudly as she smiled at Ginny.
"I'm also working on a way to make them more affordable, perhaps if I can find a different wood that will allow for only one fitting..." he trailed off in thought, "I will wrap this for you."
Ginny handed him the broom and reached for Hermione's hand.
"Thank you," Ginny said quietly.
Hermione kissed her briefly then said, "Thank you for letting me. I love watching you fly."
After Hermione had paid for Ginny's broom she turned to her, "Backpack? Or would you rather carry it?"
"Carry it," Ginny replied smiling.
"Thank you again..." Hermione told the shop's owner.
"You're most welcome, Miss Granger," he replied smiling.
"One last stop," Hermione said as they left they the shop, "Time to buy a Raven."
They walked towards the Magical Menagerie and entered the noise inside.
They quickly found the Ravens and Hermione smiled.
"Which of you would like to come home with me?" she thought to them.
She smiled when they all turned their heads towards her.
"So? Who wants to be my Elly?" she asked them.
One Raven jumped to the front of it's cage.
"Well, I guess, it's you then beautiful..." she said aloud as she opened the cage and offered the bird her finger. It hopped out and looked at her quizzically, "Are you okay with the name?" she asked it, and it clearly nodded.
She signaled a clerk, "I'll take this one, a cage and whatever else it needs, please."
"Are you sure? She's been here a while..."
"Quite sure, thank you," Hermione replied smiling as she reached up to put her new Raven on Ginny's shoulder.
"Gin...meet Elly," To Ginny's confused look she thought to her, "Short for Elise?"
Ginny smiled and reached up to pet it, "Nice to meet you, Elly."
Once she paid for everything and put the supplies in her backpack they left the shop. Holding hands, Elly on Ginny's shoulder, her broom in her free hand while Hermione carried Elly's cage in her other hand.
"You were talking to them, weren't you?" Ginny asked quietly.
Hermione nodded, "It seems to depend on the intelligence of the animal in question and maybe whether or not it's magical in nature..."
"But, no offense Elly, she's a raven..."
"Normal ravens, normal owls for that matter...don't deliver mail, Gin."
"Huh...I hadn't thought of that," Ginny replied.
"That's why we're the perfect team...I know all the Muggle stuff and you know all the Magical stuff..." Hermione joked.
…
They had a pleasant dinner with Minerva and Rosmerta and were enjoying desert when Hermione thought to Minerva, "Can you bring Ginny up to our room in ten minutes? I have one last surprise for her before 'the talk'".
Minerva smiled and nodded.
"Gin?" she whispered into her ear and squeezed her hand, "Come join me in ten minutes in our room, with Minerva, okay?"
Ginny look at her, a question in her eyes.
Hermione smiled and kissed her softly.
"I never said I was done with the surprises for today..." she said softly.
Ginny shook her head and smiled.
"See you soon." Ginny said and kissed her again.
Hermione all but ran up to their room and immediately reached for her backpack as soon as she was inside and started taking candles out of it. She placed the three dozen candles around the room and quickly lit them all by hand. She took two matching pale blue silk nightgowns from the bag and laid them on the bed. She then took a box from her bag and placed it on the dresser.
She opened it and sighed. Inside were matching rings and a ceremonial dagger. She took the small knife from the box and put it aside. She wanted to explain that part to Ginny without Minerva around, even though it had been her who had found the rings for them in the first place.
She had just placed the dagger out of sight when the door opened and Ginny and Minerva entered.
Ginny looked around in wonder, her eyes coming to rest on Hermione. She was smiling but she also seemed nervous about something.
"Minerva? Before we start can I ask you something?" When she nodded, Hermione continued, "Did you speak to my parents about Ginny and I?"
"I did...actually I spoke to both your parents," she smiled and turned to Ginny, "Your mother wrote to me right after Easter and I went to speak to her before you arrived home." She turned to Hermione, "I went to see your parents afterwards."
"I had a feeling my mother would be okay with it, she's friends with a lesbian couple...but what did you tell them?" Hermione asked.
"I told them that, although you are young, you are most certainly in love," Minerva replied simply.
"And what did they say?" Ginny asked.
"They already knew," Minerva replied smiling, "Neither of them have ever seen you so happy. Miserable the last week, I would expect...which is why I am here."
"Come sit on the bed, love, there's something we need to talk about," Hermione said quietly as she brought the box containing the rings with her.
Once they were all seated on the edge of the bed, Ginny in the middle, Hermione began softly.
"Gin? You know how we said we were going to take things slow, physically I mean."
Ginny blushed and nodded.
"Well, it turns out there's a reason we have to...Minerva?" Hermione said.
"Ginny...the Amice Sisters reached their full potential when Elise and Fania...consummated...their relationship," Minerva began, "We believe she was at least fifteen at the time."
"So you're saying...that if made love now...we'd be become stronger than we already are?" Ginny asked quietly.
"Probably," Hermione reached her for her hand, "We're not ready for that, my love...we're still learning to control what we can already do...we need to learn to master it before we take on anymore."
"And it's not just you, that would be affected...Luna would become more powerful as well," Minerva added quietly,"And she definitely needs the time to master her gift before getting stronger...you all do."
"And how exactly, am I supposed to continue to control myself for two more years?" Ginny asked, "It was hard enough before Hermione realised she felt the same."
Hermione opened the box on her lap.
"With these...and Gin, don't think for a second that I like this anymore than you do..." she leaned over and whispered in her ear, "That was my plan for tonight...to let things happen..."
"These rings will not only help you to control yourselves," Minerva said smiling, "They will, once activated, help with the physical effects when you are separated."
"When did you get these, Minerva?" Ginny asked as she looked at her.
"I'd been looking for them for awhile...when I saw the two of during our family dinner, I knew I needed to help," she explained.
"And you're sure they'll work?"
Minerva held up her hand and showed Ginny a similar ring.
"Yes...Rosmerta and I have decided to stop what we've been doing and wait until we're married. Our rings are charmed to stop working when we get married."
"And ours?"
Hermione smiled, "Let's just say your fifteenth birthday is going to be amazing, my love."
Minerva stood and looked at them both.
"I will let Hermione explain the rest...have a good night you two."
Hermione and Ginny stood and hugged her and then watched as she left, closing the door behind her.
Hermione went and retrieved the dagger and she and Ginny again went to sit on the bed before she explained.
"Ginny...my love...you know we have to wait, right? We're not ready..." she said softly as she reached for her hand, "I know it doesn't seem fair...you've already waited so long but you need to know, it really is just as difficult for me. Especially after reading your journals..." she teased, a bit, and was pleased when Ginny smiled a little.
"So how do they work, exactly?" Ginny asked softly.
"Well, once they're activated they will help us in two ways..."
"Activated?"
"We have to add our blood to them...it's what makes them work...but I'll explain why after I tell you how they're going to help us..." she squeezed Ginny's hand, "It doesn't take much...but you will have to concentrate on not healing yourself too quickly."
When Ginny nodded she continued.
"The first way they're going to help is...well it's kind of like Luna's potion, only instead of bottling up what we're feeling, the rings will let us be satisfied with what we've already been doing. We won't feel the need to take things further. Just kissing," She paused to kiss her gently, "and touching," she continued as she ran a finger along Ginny's face, "and cuddling...will be enough."
"And if we still try to do more?" Ginny asked, her voice a little deeper than usual.
"The rings will stop us."
"How?"
"That is something Minerva didn't explain, I think she was too embarrassed...we talked when I went to return the Timeturner just before we left Hogwarts. I was worried what would happen the first time we were really alone together. And that's when she explained about Elise and Fania."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I just really didn't have the chance...and it wasn't something I wanted to explain in a letter." Hermione took her hand again, "Please, don't be angry with me..."
"I'm not...just..."
"Disappointed and frustrated?" Hermione finished for her.
"Yes...it was supposed to be easy now that we were together...you know, slowly forward?"
"The rings will still let us do that...as it gets closer and closer to your fifteenth birthday...we'll be able to do more and more stuff..." Hermione smiled and blushed, "Just not actually make love...because that's the key...once we bond in that way, so will our powers."
"So explain how these rings will make me feel better when we're apart?"
"The ring you'll be wearing will have my blood, an actual little piece of me, for your soul to recognize."
Ginny sighed as she said, "Why couldn't we just be two normal girls, falling in love and enjoying everything that means...and not..."
"Gin...we can't ask that 'what if'...we are what we are...and I love what we are," she smiled and kissed her, "I love you Ginny...more than I ever thought I could love another person...but we have to wait."
"Can we just take them off if we change our minds?" Ginny asked.
"No...once we put them on they won't come off again until we make love," she reached over and turned Ginny to face her, "These rings are also a promise, Gin...that we will be each other's firsts..."
Ginny leaned in and kissed her.
"First, last and only," she said softly and reached for the rings but Hermione stopped her.
"No...first I want you to put this on while I go change," she said as she handed her the smaller of the two silk nightgowns, "Just because we have to take things slow, doesn't mean we can't make tonight special," she smiled, "After all...it's the first time we've spent the night together truly alone. And I did ask for this room especially," she finished as she stood, her own nightgown in her hand.
Ginny stood with her and pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear, "Can I maybe just touch you a little before we put on the rings?"
"I don't know if that's a good idea..." Hermione replied as she felt Ginny's lips on her neck.
"That's what you said about kissing, and look how good we've been doing with that..." Ginny replied, laughing quietly, "I promise not to go too far..."
Hermione pulled her back into a kiss and then said, "I suppose, even though I was asleep at the time, that I owe you one.." she teased, "But lets get changed first...I want to be able to curl up with once we've got the rings on..."
They kissed again and Ginny watched as Hermione left for the bathroom. She sighed as she started to undress. It wasn't fair, she thought to herself, she'd waited all this time and now...
"No," she said quietly to herself, "Hermione's right...we have to wait and she has always been worth waiting for. Nothing has changed that," she thought.
She slipped the silk nightgown over her head and sighed at how nice it felt.
She turned when she heard Hermione come back from the bathroom, sighing when she saw her.
"And I'm really supposed to resist you now?" Ginny asked, shaking her head a little as she walked over to her, "You're beautiful," she said quietly before kissing her.
"How better to test our new jewelry?" Hermione replied as she broke the kiss and went to gather the rings and dagger from the bed. She placed them on a table and waited for Ginny to join her.
Once they stood in front of each other Hermione pulled Ginny in for a deep and passionate kiss, running her hands lightly down Ginny's arms as she did so. She felt Ginny's hands at her waist, then slowly her left hand made it's way upwards towards her breast. She followed suit and did the same to Ginny, both of them reaching and squeezing their destination at the same time. Hermione gasped and pushed herself into Ginny's touch as Ginny gently bit her neck. She felt Ginny's other hand leave her waist and come to rest on her behind as Ginny used it to pull her closer.
Hermione tangled her free hand in Ginny's hair and pulled her back up for a kiss.
"We need to stop..." she said throatily as she rested her forehead against Ginny's.
Ginny gave one last squeeze, relishing the feeling, before sighing and placing her hands at a more neutral position at the small of Hermione's back, as she did the same. Hermione kissed her again before pulling away entirely.
She took one of the rings from the box and handed it to Ginny then picked up the knife.
"I'll cut my palm, you place the ring in the blood, once it has soaked it up I'll put it on your left ring finger...sort of weird pre-engagement ring," she smiled and kissed her gently to reassure her before continuing, "Then, after you heal my hand...we do the same for you, only remember, try to slow the healing down..."
Ginny nodded and said quietly, "I love you, Hermione."
Hermione kissed her, "And I love you...more with every minute."
Hermione looked her in the eyes for a moment before gently running the dagger across her palm. Ginny gently placed the ring in the small pool of blood and then they watched as the blood seemed to disappear into the ring. Hermione then took the ring and placed it on Ginny's finger with her other hand.
Ginny took her Hermione's cut hand and, once it was healed placed a kiss where the cut had just been.
Hermione picked up the other ring and handed Ginny the dagger. She took a deep breath and drew it across her palm, just as Hermione had done, and concentrated on not letting it heal immediately. Hermione placed the ring in the blood and watched as it did the same as the first. Ginny then took the ring and placed it on Hermione's finger, letting her own hand heal as she did so.
Hermione took her hand, and kissed where there had been a cut only a moment before.
"I love you, Ginny Weasley, I plan on spending the rest of my life trying to make you just as happy as you make me," Hermione said before kissing her.
"And I love you, Hermione," she said and kissed her, "You've always been worth the wait."
A/N Slowly forward...I had hoped to get this up earlier today, however I had a visit with the eye doctor and had my eyes dilated...hope it was worth the wait. Enjoy.