School's just started for me so you can expect slower updates sorry. I'll be aiming for around once a week hopefully.


Miserably Hermione watched as a streak of red hair disappeared out the living room. She'd only just stepped through the door long enough for Ginny to spot her before she'd quickly left making some excuse to Tonks.

They were leaving tomorrow for Hogwarts and Hermione wasn't sure how, but Ginny had become very good at navigating the old house. Hermione only had to be in the same room for a few seconds for Ginny to have already disappeared out a second door Hermione didn't know existed. If she didn't know better she'd expect to find a Marauder's Map of the Black's house in Ginny's pocket.

More often at meal times Hermione found herself wedged between Ron and Harry, with Ginny doing her best to find the furthest away seat from her or absent altogether. At night Ginny seemed to be one of the last to go to bed, long after Hermione had fallen asleep. She was obviously trying very hard to avoid Hermione, and succeeding.

Hermione knew that as hard as it was to get Ginny alone here, in the castle it would be impossible to corner her. But even if she did corner her, what was she going to say? Anything she said was going to come out wrong and probably offend Ginny more. Tell Ginny she's just freaking out because she might like her and doesn't know what that means about herself? It sounded daft, even in her own head, it should be obvious what it meant. Sighing Hermione sat down on an empty couch.

"What's going on between you and Ginny? It's like you've been avoiding each other these past few days." Tonks said, moving over to sit next to Hermione.

"She is avoiding me, I said something and she got offended by it. She won't even let me apologise!"

"She's just being stubborn, it's a family trait." Tonks said with a laugh and Hermione managed a weak smile. "She'll come around, just let her storm about until then. But, what was it you said to her?"

"I don't know, I was just confused and trying to put my thoughts in order and it came out wrong. Then she stormed off saying something about my opinion of right and wrong." Hermione said trying to avoid revealing what their conversation had been about. But remembering the grin Tonks had given her a few breakfasts ago Hermione realised she'd probably figured out the true nature of her and Ginny's dispute.

"Just wait till school starts, then she'll have more important things to worry about than phrasing of your words." Tonks said reassuringly.

"Thanks Tonks."

"Hermione where're you going?" Harry called out from the hallway. They were about to leave and as usual everyone was running around chasing at least one unpacked or forgotten item. Unusually Hermione was one of those running around.

"Hang on, I left a book in the living room, I'll be right back." She replied skidding past the screaming portrait of Mrs Black. "Oops, sorry." She said as she knocked someone over. A piece of paper fluttered down from the collision landing next to them.

"It's alright. Oh, Hermione." Ginny immediately went cold when she realised who it was and Hermione's heart sank. It would have been only a few days ago when something like this would be brushed off with only a joke about her clumsiness.

"Ginny, I'm so sorry, not for knocking you over, well I am sorry about that as well. What I mean is I need to apologise for a few days ago..." She said offering a hand to help her up before Ginny cut her off.

"Don't bother." Ginny said ignoring the offered hand. Refusing to even look at Hermione she helped herself up and left quickly, not giving Hermione another chance to speak. Hermione watched Ginny's retreating form helplessly until she was out of sight. Rousing herself from the daze she picked up the facedown piece of paper Ginny had dropped, wondering what it was Ginny had forgotten to pack. Turning it over she was surprised to see a photo of herself, sprawled across her bed reading. Her picture self looked at the camera surprised making some wordless complaint at the photographer before blushing.

She remembered Ginny taking this photo a few weeks ago, ambushing her with the camera. Ignoring Hermione's complaints about not being photogenic Ginny told her she took beautiful photos when she thought no one was looking. Blushing at the memory Hermione slipped the photo into her pocket, curious as to why the photo had made it onto Ginny's last minute packing list. She could hardly stand to look at Hermione, so why did she want to take this photo with her? Quickly grabbing her book from the living room Hermione ran back out the front door of Grimmauld Place.

The trip to the station was very awkward since the seating arrangement had Hermione wedged up between Ginny and the door. Hermione felt Ginny got the better end of the deal, since Harry was on her other side and she could talk to him and continue to ignore Hermione's existence, while she only got a window to stare out of. She was relieved when they all boarded the train, Ginny settling down with some friends while Hermione went to do Prefect duties. As much as Hermione wanted Ginny's presence, she found it preferable to be alone than have Ginny looking straight through her.