It was Saturday evening. Hermione and Ginny were lying in bed, content with just being with each other. Ginny lay in the crook of Hermione's arm, drawing small patterns on her girlfriend's stomach with her fingers.

They talked about how much Hermione missed her parents during the advent season. In early December Mr and Mrs Granger had already sent their daughter her Christmas presents to insure that she received them in time for the holidays. They had not been sure how they could send packages from Australia to the magic community in Great Britain. They had hoped with a head start everything will turn out just fine. Hermione wrote to her parents regularly. By now they knew that their daughter was happy in love with another girl. Their answer was very cordial and they had sent their regards to Ginny in their last letter.

"I'm trying to imagine Mum's face when I will tell her about us. In general she has no problem with two women together. But she will be asking about grandchildren right away. Her secret desire is, that every single one of us siblings follows her and Dad's example. When I was with Harry, she already saw herself as the grandmother of little ginger Potter-Weasleys with untidy hair right after my graduation. As if that is going to happen."

"Do you want children at all?"

"Later maybe. But first I want to have enough time to play Quidditch professionally. I don't want to plan a career in sports scheduling a pregnancy break right from the beginning."

"I can relate to that. It is important to build up your own live first before thinking about children", mused Hermione. She remembered her research in the library about the topic of same sex couples in the magic community.

"If your mother doesn't let go of that question, we could say that I will be the one who gets pregnant first. With two women it is no problem."

Hermione remembered all to well how insistent Mrs Weasley could be when she wanted to know something. She did not notice that Ginny tensed in her arm, that she stopped to caress her stomach.

"Pardon?"

"When using a conceiving spell, the couple can decide who will become pregnant", Hermione said.

"Conceiving spell? You don't want a child with me, do you? We haven't even finished school", Ginny said, raising and scooting to the edge of the bed. She looked aghast. Hermione sat up, pulling her knees under her chin.

"Ginny, calm down. That was a pure hypothetical thought. In case your mother won't stop asking about grandchildren when you tell her that we are a couple. That was what we have been talking about, haven't we?"

Ginny jumped up.

"I should sleep in my own bed tonight."

She got dressed.

"Ginny!"

"We will talk tomorrow."

Hermione saw the red hair swishing out of the door. Should she go after Ginny? Or would she ignite Ginny's temper even more. Hermione put on a t-shirt and pj-pants, sat on her window seat and looked over the landscape in the light of the sun set. She was able to see the spot over the lake where Ginny had taken her. Hermione had just started to hope that they had a future together. Especially after Ginny mentioned to tell her mother that they were a couple. Whenever Hermione thought about her future, Ginny was in the picture. No matter what she would do – whether she would be aiming for a higher magical education or teaching at Hogwarts or writing or working for the ministry – Ginny was always there. Maybe she had jumped the gun. Had she just destroyed the best thing that had happened to her in a long time with a simple thoughtless remark? She started to cry.

"I'm sorry. I overreacted."

Without making a sound Ginny had returned. Hermione looked up.

"No. I'm sorry. I didn't want to be clingy or presumptuous", Hermione said.

Ginny kneeled before Hermione, took her hands.

"Don't apologize. As girlfriend you are the best partner I could ask for. You just said that you really want to be with me. You love me. And you've never left me in any doubt about that. You don't just say the words; you actually show it to me. You are sensitive and patient with me, sometimes a little bit quirky. That is great. I am happier with you than I have ever expected to be. That is actually quite overwhelming. I'm not used to this feeling from my relationship with Harry."

Ginny kissed away Hermione's tears, took her face in her hands and looked into her eyes.

"What I want to say is: I love you, too, Hermione Jean Granger."

Hermione laughed under the tears. She took Ginny's face in her hand, pulled her close and kissed her. Hermione moved aside on the window seat. Ginny sat beside her. They were holding each other and continued to kiss.

"When we are at the Burrow at Christmas, we will tell my parents about us."