Disclaimer: I forgot to put this in my first chapter, but it kind of goes without saying that I don't own nor did I create the HP universe. Kudos to Ms. JK Rowling for that feat. I just like to play around with her characters for my (and hopefully your) entertainment.
The next time Hermione and Ginny saw each other was at Harry's birthday party at the Burrow two weeks later. Both had managed to push that Sunday morning to the back of their mind and were looking forward to the festivities planned for Harry's twenty first birthday.
"Hey Hermione!" Ginny said when she saw her enter.
"How are you Ginny? I haven't seen you in awhile," Hermione said. "You look great."
Hermione's eyes lingered a split second longer than she thought they ought to on Ginny's toned body. She was gorgeous in the simple gold dress with her brilliant red hair.
"You look fantastic too," Ginny said.
Ginny also took her time admiring Hermione. Hermione had managed to tame her curly locks and they were now luxurious, silky curls. Ginny thought the lilac dress Hermione had on was perfect for her.
Just then, Oliver Wood came over and stood beside Ginny. He slid his arm around her slender waist. Hermione felt the breath catch in her throat and fought back a surge of jealousy. Why on earth should I be jealous? What is my problem? Hermione thought angrily.
"Hello Hermione, I haven't seen you in such a long time! How are you?" Oliver asked.
"I've been well. How are you?" Hermione said, trying maintain her composure.
"I'm doing very well. I just became starting keeper for Puddlemere, so when I'm not playing, I'm developing strategy. I can't seem to keep Ginny here from scoring no matter what I try though," he said, smiling affectionately and giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Ginny is very good," Hermione said, swallowing hard to maintain her poise. "When did you two start going out?"
"About two weeks ago," Oliver answered. "She came right up to me after the Harpies beat Puddlemere and asked if I'd like to go to dinner."
"Why didn't you tell me this Ginny?" Hermione said, feigning delighted surprise as her voice rose an octave above normal.
"It was the day after I last saw you," Ginny said. "It's only been a few dates."
"A few very good dates," he said flirtatiously wrapping his other arm around her waist.
Ginny smiled absently back at him. She had been busy watching Hermione's reaction during the conversation. She seemed more tense than usual.
"That's fabulous," Hermione managed to say. She needed to get away from Ginny and Oliver to think clearly. "If you don't mind, I think I'm going to find Harry and wish him a happy birthday."
"It was nice chatting," Oliver said.
Hermione nodded quickly without looking at Ginny.
She turned and walked through a crowd and across the lawn. When she thought that Ginny couldn't see her anymore she edged her way around the crowd and into the empty house. Hermione thought best when she knew that she wouldn't be disturbed. She went upstairs and into the first bedroom she found, which happened to be Charlie's old room. Hermione was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the door swing open.
"What's wrong?" Ginny was leaning in the doorway looking at Hermione.
"Nothing," Hermione responded. Ginny was the very last person Hermione needed to talk to right now.
"Come on Hermione. I've known you for years, I think I can tell when there's something going on," Ginny said.
"It's just that I did something and now it has lead to something altogether unexpected and very complicated," Hermione said.
"You're not pregnant are you?"
Hermione laughed. "No, I'm not. That would be quite a trick though." To her surprise tears suddenly started to well in her eyes. She walked across the small room hoping to hide them from Ginny.
"What's wrong then?" Ginny said, following Hermione across the room. "Why do you look like you're about to cry?"
Hermione felt Ginny's hand on her shoulder and spun around to see that Ginny was right behind her. Ginny was so close, and now she was touching Hermione. There it was again, that same feeling she'd had during their kiss. Hermione backed up a step so that she was leaning against the wall. If she were to have any hope of carrying on an intelligent conversation, she couldn't be this close to Ginny.
"I'm just, I have been acting altogether irrationally," Hermione said, trying to remain as vague as she could.
"That's altogether unlike you. Do you want to be more specific?" Ginny said, smirking. That's good, keep it light. And Merlin, don't touch her again, keep your wits about you.
Ginny was not going to let this go. "I'm afraid that I've developed, well, feelings for a friend, and I know for a fact that they are not interested," Hermione said.
"Have you developed feelings for Harry?"
Merlin, she is going to start guessing now? "No, not Harry," Hermione said. "You don't know them."
"Hermione, I know all of your friends," Ginny said. "We could stand here all day while I try to guess which bloke it is that you fancy."
Being alone with Ginny in this room doesn't seem all that bad. Wait, what are you thinking? You have to get out of here. "I would rather you not," Hermione said, adopting her best prefect voice. "Now if you don't mind I have to go find Harry, I haven't seen him today."
"Not until I know that you're ok," Ginny said.
The truth was that Ginny was starting to suspect that she was the friend Hermione was talking about. Between her reaction to Oliver and how she had acted during this conversation, Ginny was almost positive that the demonstration had done the same thing to Hermione. Or was it just wishful thinking? Ginny had to keep Hermione here until she found the courage to do something about her suspicion.
"Really, I'm fine. Just forget about it," Hermione said. Was it her imagination or was Ginny moving closer? She tried to move to leave, but her legs suddenly refused to work properly.
"I don't think you are," Ginny said. She was moving slowly closer to Hermione, as close as she could get without actually touching her. If Hermione had any feelings for her, surely such closeness would facilitate a confession, Ginny thought.
"I, I honestly, I'm, I'll be fine. I just need a, I need a, a good restorative draught," Hermione said. Merlin, did Ginny know what she was doing being this close without touching her? She couldn't think straight and that never happened to Hermione Granger.
Ginny stood where she was without moving any closer or pulling back. Hermione, who had been studiously avoiding eye contact, suddenly looked at Ginny. It was in that that moment that Ginny knew her guess had been correct. She began to close the remaining distance between herself and Hermione. She could feel Hermione's quick, warm breath against her skin.
Just as their lips were about to meet, someone entered the room. Ginny was so surprised by the visitor that she didn't move away from Hermione. She kept Hermione pinned against the wall, their faces almost touching, as though momentarily frozen. When she had braced herself for seeing a horrified family member standing in the doorway, Ginny slowly turned around. She was enormously relieved to see Luna smiling vaguely at her.
"Hi, have either of you seen Rolf?" Luna asked.
Ginny mutely shook her head.
Hermione managed to find her voice. "I saw him talking to Charlie. They were discussing the feasibility of cross breeding a Norwegian Ridgeback and Antipodean Opaleye. I remember because the feasibility of trying to force any type of dragon to do anything is questionable at best, since the Ministry of Magic classification for all dragons is five X's, making it a know human killer, rendering it incapable of being domesticated. In addition, the Ridgeback and Opaleye have notoriously incompatible temperaments."
Ginny turned her gaze to Hermione. It amazed Ginny that, moments after being caught in a very compromising position, Hermione was able to remain cool enough to spout off information as though she had digested a textbook.
"According to The Quibbler, if blotwringers are involved it is actually quite possible," Luna said.
"I suppose so." Hermione was too preoccupied trying to avoid eye contact with Ginny and maintain her composure to put up much of an argument regarding the existence of blotwringers.
Ginny now looked from Luna to Hermione. Where they really having a conversation about dragon breeding after what had just happened? And had Hermione just agreed with Luna about something called a blotwringer?
"I'll go find Rolf," Luna said, smiling serenely. "You two can continue."
Neither girl responded. After Luna left, Ginny and Hermione stood in awkward silence. Though Ginny had moved when Luna entered, she was still closer than Hermione was completely comfortable with.
"I really should wish Harry a happy birthday," Hermione said. She edged past Ginny and quickly left the room before Ginny could respond.
A/N- So, the party was suppose to be just one chapter, but it's turning out to be longer than I expected. I know that there was not much in the way of femmeslash in this installment, and I'm sorry for that. Stay with me though. Things will get more intense, I promise!
As I said in my previous chapter, I adore reviews, even if they are only a few words. I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed already, and I hope that you continue to read and review this fic!