Disclaimer: Jo is like the shepherd, and I am but one sheep in her flock.
Okay, so this story has been filled with a good bit of angst. It only seems fair I let the last couple chapters be a bit fluffier. If this makes you regurgitate, feel free to PM me and tell me how terrible of a person I am. =p
Mit Liebe geschrieben :)
Chapter 21: Hallelujah
Hermione couldn't wipe the smile from her face. Never before had she been so proud of her lover.
"Did you see that last goal, 'Mione? That's was bloody brilliant!" she heard Ron yell wildly, wrapping her in a strong hug and spinning her out of her seat.
"Yes Ron, I was watching! Harry, please tell him to put me down!" she begged from her oldest friend. Before she knew it, he had joined Ron in lifting her up, now on their shoulders, parading her around the glass box to the cheers of Ginny's family.
"Guys! Please put me down! I'm serious, you know I hate heights!" she yelled nervously, grasping the tops of their Harpies fan robes tightly.
"Hey, you think I might get a moment with the Minister…" Ginny asked with a lopsided grin, placing her broom against the entrance.
"Ginny! Did you see that match?" her oldest brother, Bill, yelled excitedly.
"Um… yeah, Bill… I was playing in it." She deadpanned, accepting the excited hug he gave her.
"Ewe, you're all sweaty…" he said, pulling a face. Ginny couldn't help but laugh at her brother.
"Oh really, am I? I had no idea." She mused.
"You were bloody brilliant out there, Gin!" Ron said excitedly. The rest of the gang all followed with their own versions of praise. She could see George smiling at her, and though it hurt that Fred's identical one was not alongside it, she felt strong enough to push through it.
Her mother started fidgeting with her uniform, laying the collar flat and brushing the few strands of auburn hair that fell out of her ponytail, behind her ear.
"Mum! Quit it!" she said blushing as the older Weasley tried to rub some dirt off the young girl's cheek.
"Oh, you are just so marvelous, dear. You can't imagine just how proud I am of you."
Ginny kissed her mothers forehead, then extracted herself from the plump woman's arms, heading over to where her father stood beaming.
'Everything really seems to have fallen back into place…' Ginny thought to herself, shaking her father's hand.
"I second your mother; you are definitely a daughter to be proud of." He said with a smile. She hugged him tightly, receiving an awkward but loving pat on the back.
"Hey, you come here baby sis." The largest of the redheads yelled across the room. She ran over to her brother, Charlie, jumping into his arms, as he was the only one in the family, with the exception of their father, that stood taller than her.
"You did so well!" he exclaimed, finally putting her back on the ground. She felt herself blushing, knowing there was only one other person to address.
She could hear a soft clearing of a familiar voice. Turning around she was met with the sweetest smile she'd ever been blessed with.
"You looked incredible up there…" Hermione said nervously. They were currently on good terms, but hadn't made their relationship "official" yet.
"Thanks…" Ginny said blushing.
"Um… I actually have something for you." Ginny fidgeted with the pockets of her robe, too nervous to go in and pull out what laid inside it just yet.
"Ginny, you didn't have to get-"
"No. Just… listen." Ginny cut her off, eyes' pleading for her to really hear what was going to come next. She took Hermione's left hand into her own shaking one; the tattoo clearly visible, even with the tape job, for everyone to see.
"I wish there was a way to make time fly faster, because I'm falling more and more in love with you all over again. I know this is going to sound crazy. I know your gut instincts will be to say no. But I need you to understand something." Ginny said, trying to find the Gryffindor courage inside of her.
"This time, were not giving up. Let's make this last forever…" she continued. Hermione could feel her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She imagined this was very much like feeling God take over your body. But in the back of her mind, she knew it was just too soon. She was the Minister of Magic; Ginny was the biggest Quidditch star in the world! There was no way they had time for this kind of relationship yet.
Ginny could see the doubt behind Hermione's brown eyes, but pushed it aside.
"Hermione, I can't force myself to see the end without you in my arms forever. Please be mine, and before you know it, we'll be old together, feeling as though time flew by us faster then we could ever have anticipated." Ginny practicaly begged. Forcing back the tears she felt coming from all the overwhelming emotions, Ginny pulled out a small black box and opened it. Inside, laid a simple Claddagh ring in white gold with an Australian fire opal heart.
"Hermione…" Ginny said, looking deep into Hermione's dark brown eyes.
"I know I've really messed things up the last couple months. Hell, since the start really... But you have shown me happiness where I thought none existed. You are all I'll ever want, and this time, I'm not giving up. Will you please take my hand in marriage?" she asked with pleading eyes. "Let's make this last forever."
Hermione should have felt uncomfortable; she should have felt all eyes on her, waiting for her answer. But all she felt instead was Ginny's love, and honesty.
"Yes…" she answered. "I'll be your wife, Ginevra."
Ginny smiled in a way she never thought possible, almost sure the corners of her mouth reached far past her eyes. She slipped the ring onto Hermione's ring finger, intertwining their left hands.
"Semper." The redhead muttered, gazing longingly into Hermione's eyes.
"Semper." Hermione said next, with a flash of light, the two women were kissing passionately, holding onto each other for dear life.
Everyone in the Minister's box cheered loudly, patting both women on the back in congratulations.
"Everybody! A toast!" Hermione said, finally pulling away from the woman who had once more, stolen her heart.
"To my beautiful fiancé. And for all those of you who bet on who would have the balls to pop the question, congratulations to you! You all now owe Ginny and I half of your winnings!" she laughed to everyone.
"Not fair!" she heard George call from the sea of red.
"It is too you git!" Ginny yelled back good-naturedly.
"Cheers!" everyone rang out together, sipping from their respective glasses.
"I love you." Ginny whispered into Hermione's ear.
"We, have a lot to discuss." Hermione said sternly, giving her a glare that could kill a death eater.
"Whatever you say love…" Ginny said with a small laugh and a bright smile. She kissed the back of Hermione's hand and then the heart of the ring. "Whatever you say."