Chapter 2 Relaxing

Ginny walked through the portrait hole and sat down in the big arm chair near the fire. She stared into the flames trying to shake the nervous feelings she had. We're just friends. It means nothing. But I just can't seem to think about anything else. Can I just tell her how I feel? She would probably say I was sick in the head and avoid me till the end of the year. But she might not. She's such a great and caring person that even if I told her, and she didn't feel the same, I think she would still be my friend. It would be great if she wanted me the same way. I'm so tired! But every time I try to sleep I see her smiling at me. She leans closer towards me. Her lips so close to mine that I can feel her breath caressing my skin. Her hand reaches up to my face and she gentle pulls me closer. My eyes close as our lips meet. With a smile on her face she falls asleep.

The next thing Ginny knew was that arm was back and it was gently nudging her. Ginny moves and finds that Hermione is sitting on the arm of the chair and Harry is kneeling in front of her face.

"Gin, are you ok? You've been solid for at least the past hour. We've been back from dinner for at least that long." Harry said, concern etched all over his face. Hermione moved to get more comfortable on the chair and turned carefully to Ginny.

"I got here and you were dead to the world. I tried a few times to wake you but you sort of mumbled and went again. Are you really this tired? I'm worried about you Gin. You missed all your afternoon classes but you've got some rest which I think is more important." Ginny sat bolt upright and she glared at Hermione as if the world had just been turned upside down.

"I missed my classes. I missed my dinner, and Hermione doesn't think it's important. What the hell happened while I nodded off? Where did the Hermione I love go?" Ginny's eyes grew wide as she realized she had made a fatal slip of the tongue. She looked carefully up at Hermione waiting for some sort of reaction. But Hermione just smiled and ran her hand over Ginny's arm squeezing gently.

"I'm still here Gin. I wont go anywhere" Harry stood up and tried to see where Ron had dashed off to. He spotted him handing what looked like a sickle and his potions homework over to a first year.

"I'd better stop Ron from making that first year do his homework. You'll be okay if I leave you with Mione?" Ginny looked up and nodded.

"Thank you Harry. It's nice to know you care. Unlike my own brother!" Harry wandered over to Ron and tried to make him leave the first year alone. Ginny watched Hermione for a moment. She seemed to be off in her own thoughts. Ginny smiled a little.

"Mione, Look those second years are scribbling in their library books!" but Hermione didn't move.

"Malfoy has just come into the common room and confessed his undying love for you!" Hermione blinked a few times and looked up at Ginny.

"Who did?" Ginny giggled and replied.

"Malfoy did just now" Hermione's eyes began to focus as fear crept across her face.

"Malfoy did what??" she yelped as she stood up to stare round the common room.

"Mione calm down. I just wanted your attention. Please sit down!" Hermione went slightly red and sat back down next to Ginny. Hermione looked like she was about to tell Ginny off when Ginny started to yawn again.

"You need more rest. You should go up to bed. It's Saturday tomorrow. Homework can wait." Ginny simply stared at Hermione. What had gotten into her?

"I think I'm more worried about you. Grades and homework have always been more important than anything to you. What's happened to change that?" Hermione took a breath and fixed her gaze on Ron and Harry's backs as they went up to the boy's dormitory.

"Things change. I have been thinking a lot lately and I realized that I care much more about other things, other people. What good are great marks in Charms if you're dead or too ill to care anyway! I care about you Ginny and you've looked unwell for a while now. You need to try and relax. I want to help you. If there is something bothering you, something keeping you awake, I want you to tell me because I want to help you get better." Did she just say she cares about me? No I'm reading it wrong. She does care, as a friend.

"I've just got a lot on plate right now that's all. I don't know how to sort out my biggest problem but I know I'll get through it. Especially with you here." It was Ginny's turn to place a comforting hand on Hermione.

"I'm here for you Gin." Ginny looked at Hermione and thought she wasn't the only one with problems. But before she could say anything she yawned again.

"That's it, up now! Before I drag you to bed!" Hermione said as she stood up.

"Ha, I wish." was Ginny's mumbled reply.

"I can grant that wish if you like?" as Hermione mischievously grinned down at her. Oh shit did I say that out loud? And what does she mean about granting my wish? She's giving off so many signals tonight I don't know if I'm finally cracking up, or seeing what I want to see? Or is Hermione trying to let me know she likes me? I need to sleep so I can think about this. I probably too tired and when I wake up tomorrow it will all have been in my head. Hermione was still waiting for Ginny to move.

"I can't go up there yet. As much as I want to I wouldn't be able to sleep. The other girls in my dorm talk about boys all night every night and tonight they don't have to get up early so they won't sleep till the sun comes up. I'll stay here and try to rest. It's a damn sight quieter than it will be up there. I'll go up a little later when they might've calmed down a bit. Ginny closed her eyes and tried to snuggle into the chair. Hermione hadn't moved. She was still in front of Ginny, her mind furiously working out a problem she was having. After a few moments she knelt down and cleared her throat.

"Gin, why don't you stay in my room tonight? McGonagall let me have the Head Girls room 

because of Lavender snoring all night, every night, for the last 5 years. It was affecting my grades. Since there is no Head Boy or Girl in Gryffindor this year, she said I could move in. Plus she mentioned that I would probably have the room next year anyway! It's quiet, there plenty of space. I just thought it might be better than waiting here to go up to a noisy dorm." Ginny opened her eyes and smiled up at Hermione.

"It would be lovely. Just promise me one thing? No boy talk! It's all they do and it drives me mad" Hermione nodded.

"Agreed, I only usually talk about Harry and Ron anyway, and I've never seen them as boys. More like a babbling pair of baboons!"

"Then when can we go?" Ginny was answered by Hermione pulling her up out of the chair and leading her off to her room. What have I let myself in for?

Here it is Chapter 2, if you like the story please review it. I would love to know what you think so far.