-Chapter 3: Just For You-

Ginny lead Hermione over to her bed and they sat down. Hermione sat near the foot of the bed, she pulled up and hugged her knees up close to her chest and stared at her feet. Ginny sat facing Hermione as close as she could, cross-legged. Ginny reached out and put one hand on Hermione's arm. Hermione flinched and Ginny pulled away.

"How long?" Hermione whispered.

"For you? Last summer, that…that cold night. I know we never talked about it and sometimes I wonder…I wonder if it was real or not. I mean…I know it being cold was real and we slept in one bed but um…there were other things that happened. Did…did they happen?"

Hermione nodded. Ginny smiled.

"As far as fancying girls, I don't even know. It's just always felt natural to me," Ginny said. Then she joked, "I guess that's what I get for having all brothers."

Hermione managed a smile. "I fancied you before that…but…you were thirteen and then just barely fourteen and I didn't know what to do. I just…Ginny things like this…us…in the Muggle world are ridiculed endlessly. I-I don't know about the wizarding world. I've never really thought to check into it. I never thought I would have feelings for…a witch. I guess it is because I didn't know being..." Hermione paused.

"A lesbian?" Ginny said.

"Yeah, that. I didn't know that was any part of the wizarding world until George told me he and Fred knew you fancied girls."

"Wizards and witches can be gay just like Muggles. It's not a choice for anyone. It just happens. You have no more a choice of being gay than you do being magical or non-magical. It's kind of the same here as you said in the Muggle world. People are ridiculed but it is pretty much the same people like the Malfoys who think pure-bloods are above all others. My family would never judge you though."

"Gin, I know I feel things for you, I know it with all of my heart. I know that I fantasize about…other things." Hermione smiled a bit and turned red. "I know your family would accept me. And I know that I should be comfortable with shouting it to the world since I have, like you, always fancied girls. But because of things that go on in the Muggle world, people being hurt just because of it, it has made me afraid of it. Afraid for someone to hurt me like that."

Ginny shifted around to where she was sitting next to Hermione. She put one arm around behind the trembling brunette and the other around her front, pulling her into a hug. She kissed her on the forehead and Hermione leaned in and put her head on Ginny's shoulder.

"'Mione, I would never let someone hurt you like that. I would always protect you. All of us Weasleys would…" Ginny rested her cheek on the top of Hermione's head.

Hermione sighed and with a slight smile said, "That is really sweet, Gin. I have no doubt that you would protect me and it does ease my mind a little. I just have so many apprehensions, not only about the reaction of other people but…no, I don't even want to think about it." Hermione pulled away and buried her head back into her knees.

Ginny sighed. "You're afraid that if what we feel for each other is real…that it could be destroyed because of the war?"

Hermione looked up at Ginny with tears streaming down her cheeks and nodded. Ginny gently wiped them away.

"Yes, that. But again, I don't want to think about it. The thought of losing you even if it is just as a best friend is way more than I can handle." Hermione tried to turn away but Ginny kept her hand sturdy against her tear stricken face. Ginny stared deep into Hermione's dark brown eyes.

"Right now I am going nowhere. It is just you and me, here and now," Ginny whispered as she traced her thumb over Hermione's lips.

And with that, Ginny leaned in and pressed her lips against Hermione's. They were salty from the tears but Ginny knew that any other time they would be sweet like honey. Hermione stretched her legs away from her chest and slid her arm around Ginny's waist. Ginny gently bit Hermione's lower lip and Hermione let out a whimper. Hermione slipped her tongue into Ginny's mouth and their tongues danced together, swirling each other. Hermione pulled back for a split second and then their lips touched once more.

"Wow," was all Hermione could conjure to say as she leaned in and nuzzled Ginny's neck.

"Yeah…" said Ginny as she tried to catch her breath. She took Hermione's hand and put it on her chest. "Do you feel that, 'Mione? My heart racing?"

"Mmmm."

"It's never done it like that before. Not like this. This is going to sound so cheesy but...it's like…like this heartbeat is just for you."

"That is a bit cheesy…but I think it's the sweetest thing I've ever heard," Hermione said. She kissed Ginny's neck and a small gasp escaped the redhead's lips. Hermione bit down a little on the pale flesh and Ginny moaned.

"Be…be careful…don't want to leave a mark."

Hermione stopped and looked at Ginny with a smile. Ginny smiled back.

Hermione moved back to Ginny's neck and kissed the bite. "I don't think we'll have to worry, I don't see a mark."

"Okay, good."

"It's midnight you two," the clock on Ginny's table said with a yawn. "Better get some sleep."

"Oh dear, yes we should." Hermione started to get out of Ginny's bed but she stopped.

"Ginny…can I…can we…" Hermione glanced down at the bed.

Ginny beamed.

"Of course!"

Ginny moved to the head of the bed and put her head on the pillow, Hermione followed suit and snuggled up facing Ginny. Ginny reached over her to turn off the bedside lamp. They wrapped their arms around each other and in no time were fast asleep.