Right, I've finally decided to update this. I struggled quite a bit, writer's block and such. Anyway, this is the second chapter. So, enjoy, and don't forget to review! :)

"Hermione, it's not your fault. I completely understand."

My jaw dropped. I was stunned, to say the very least. Ron was such a hot head. Why wasn't he exploding?

"I'm upset, yeah, but I understand. You can't control who you love. I'm not mad at you. Bit of a blow to my ego, though," he joked.

I managed a small smile but stood silent.

"So, you have anyone in mind, then?" he asked gently, noticing the tears brimming in my eyes.

"No," I lied quickly.

That was one thing I knew for sure. If Ron ever found out I had feelings for his sister, he'd kill me. That would have to be kept a secret. I would take it to the grave with me.

"All right, Hermione. Come here," he said, spreading his arms.

"Ron?" I sniffled as I buried my face into his chest and hugged him.

"Yeah?"

"Can we not mention this to anyone? I'm not exactly ready to let anyone know except you and Charlie."

"Charlie knows?" he said, taken aback.

"Yes, well I needed advice."

"All right… Sure, it'll be our little secret, all right?"

I nodded and hugged him gratefully. It felt strange to have Ron react so calmly and rationally, but at that point, I took his reaction gladly. We made our way back to the living room and Charlie eyed Ron and I.

"What's going on?" Mrs. Weasley asked, noticing my glum expression.

"Um, nothing mum. Just, Hermione and I have decided it might be best for us to stay friends."

"What? Why? Why would you ever say such a thing?"

"Personal reasons, mum. Can we just leave it alone?"

"I most certainly will not! Hermione, dear, what did he do to you?"

Harry snorted.

"Nothing, Mrs. Weasley, honestly. We just decided we're better off as friends."

"But --,"

"Mum, leave it alone," Charlie said softly. "Hermione, come take a walk with me."

I hugged Ron one last time gratefully before heading off with Charlie.

"How'd it go, then?" Charlie asked once we were out of earshot.

"He was completely understanding. It was actually a bit scary."

"Really? That's odd," Charlie said, perplexed as we walked into the garden.

I could only nod.

"So, what's the next step?" Charlie asked.

"Tell my parents?"

Charlie nodded. "They need to know."

"All right, I'll apparate over there in a bit. I should probably stay with them for a bit, as well."

"Whatever you want to do."

I hugged Charlie and went back into the Burrow to gather my belongings. Once I had said my goodbyes, I left with a pop. Arriving in my parents' house, I called for them.

"Mum? Dad?"

I wandered around the house until I found them watching television.

"Hermione!" Mum shrieked delightedly, jumping up from the couch to smother me with hugs and kisses.

"Hermione, what a pleasant surprise!" Dad said, standing up to give me a single hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Mum, please, calm down!" I laughed, "I missed you both, too."

"What brings you back home, dear?" Mum asked happily.

"I'd like to have a word with the two of you about something," I said, feeling anxiety growing in my chest slowly but surely.

"Of course, dear. Is everything okay?" Mum asked, noticing the expression on my face.

"I think you should sit down," I suggested, sitting in a cozy armchair in front of them.

Mum and Dad sat down on the couch, watching me worriedly. The silence was thick in the air and killing me.

"I'm gay," I blurted out after a few agonizing moments.

Mum and Dad looked at each other, completely unsurprised.

"Mum? Dad? Did you hear me?" I said nervously.

"Hermione, we're your parents. Don't you think we figured this out already?"

I stared at them, stunned.

"We've known that you would like girls right since you were little. We were convinced after you had that girl down the street stay over every day."

"Catherine? You knew before I did?"

Mum laughed. "Hermione, why are you overreacting?"

"Mum, how could you know before I did?" I exclaimed.

"We're your parents," Dad repeated.

I rubbed my temple; I was getting a headache, and I didn't know why. Most people would be jumping for joy if their parents were this understanding. But just to make sure…

"So, you're okay with it?" I asked tentatively.

"Of course we are," Dad said. "You're our daughter. We love you no matter what, Hermione."

I got up and hugged them both silently. They hugged me back tightly and at that moment, I had never been more grateful to have the parents that I had.

"Your room is still well kept, if you'd like to go rest, dear," Mum said.

I nodded. "That'd be nice. I'll see you in a bit."

I headed up the stairs and into my bedroom. Lying on my bed, I sighed and curled up, wondering what Ginny was doing. Was she thinking of me? No, of course she wasn't. If she were thinking of anyone, it would be Harry. I thought about what Charlie had said, about me liking athletic girls.

He was right, of course. I had fancied Angelina Johnson for quite some time before she had graduated. We had even fooled around a bit before she had graduated, despite the fact that she was a bit older than me. We still kept in contact, actually. She was a good friend, albeit a secret one. Everyone knew Angelina was a lesbian, and for me to be speaking to her so often would raise red flags. I hadn't heard from her in quite some time, a month, almost. I wished she would owl me, or visit, something.

I don't quite remember thinking after that, only that Ginny's face swam in my mind. Then I woke up with a frustrated sigh. Why did I wake up? I looked around my room, it was dark, and there was tapping on the window. Could it be Angelina's owl?

I jumped out of my bed and opened my window to see a small owl still pecking away at the open window.

"Hey, now, it's open," I said gently, stroking the owl's feathers softly.

It hooted and I squinted in the dark to realize it wasn't Angelina's owl at all, but rather, Charlie's. I took the letter from it and closed the window, allowing the small owl to fly around my room, hooting away.

Dear Hermione,

I was getting worried when you hadn't written, even though it's only been a few hours since you left. Then I realized you don't have an owl, just Crookshanks. Did you tell your parents? How'd they take it, then? Are you all right? Do you need me to come speak to them? Sorry if I seem a bit annoying, I just remember how difficult it was to tell my parents that I'm gay. Write back soon.

Charlie

I smiled at his worries and wrote on the other side of the parchment.

Dear Charlie,

I appreciate your concerns. I did tell my parents. They took it better than I did. They told me they had already figured out a long time ago that I like girls. It was rather odd, really. I'm okay, just tired. I keep wondering if Ginny is thinking about me, and then feeling disappointed because I know she's not. You don't have to come speak to them, it's quite all right. You're not annoying, Charlie, I quite like your being worried. It's like you're the big brother I never had. Thank you for being there for me when I needed someone the most.

Love, Hermione

I tied the letter to the owl's leg, and sent him off with a gentle pet and a thank you. Grabbing my diary from my bag, I flipped it open to a clean sheet, and began to write.

Dear Diary,

Today I came out to my parents. Next step? Telling Ginny I love her. The thought alone terrifies me. I'm so afraid to see her reaction; horrified, disgusted… I wish it didn't have to be this way. I wish she could just accept me, and love me. I wish she would just simply confess her feelings for me, kiss me and get it over with. Why does life have to be so hard?

My parents' reaction was amazing, if not surprising. They already knew. They knew before I did. I suppose that was one thing I was slow to learn of. Well, nobody's perfect, I suppose. I do believe it's time for a bit of a rest. I'll write soon, then.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

I closed the diary, tucked it under my pillow and curled up, quickly falling asleep. Tomorrow was another day.