Chapter Twenty

The weeks ebbed away, Luna had now began to show her pregnancy due to her slight frame and most girls cooed over the sight. Even Hermione took time to unbury her nose from her books to offer a few points she had read about before gushing that her child will beautiful and that Luna was glowing.

Things however didn't seem to improve between Harry and Hermione. Harry seemed to a take a deeper dislike for a blonde slythern and Terry Boot while Ginny sulked and dashed from the room once either Hermione or Draco walked in.

Ron began to grow uneasy with how his friends and even Draco were acting that it was affecting his stomach… he had cut down to only one and half helpings of food.

It was during one of the late nights Hermione sat up researching that Ginny walked down the stairs yawning. Hermione lifted her eyes up from her book and went to offer her red head friend a smile however this was short lived when Ginny froze and stared at Hermione with wide eyes.

Hermione frowned and wondered if her distance from Harry was affecting her other friendships. However Ginny narrowed her eyes and almost glared at Hermione.

"I thought everyone was asleep" Hermione offered stretching from her hours bent over the book she was currently studying. Ginny folded her arms tightly across her chest and shook her head.

"I wanted a drink… I thought you didn't study with out your buddy" Ginny snipped before Hermione furrowed her brow. Ginny threw a piercing gaze towards Hermione before she headed towards the portrait however Hermione jumped up and hurried to stop Ginny from leaving. Ginny shot Hermione a glare but refused to look at Hermione.

"Ginny have I done something to offend you" Hermione ventured as Ginny looked off to the side.

"Of course you haven't… why would you Hermione Granger miss know it all do anything that she would consider wrong. I mean everything you do is right and correct right" Ginny snapped with a glare at Hermione but then tore her eyes away.

Hermione couldn't help the deep frown etching into her forehead, she studied the youngest red head before her hoping to find something that might help her understand what she had done to upset her friend. Hermione of course used her senses, but even with out her new sense to feel everyone around she could tell Ginny was pissed.

"Ginny if there is something bothering you" "oh no Hermione I wouldn't bother you with my little problems… Draco is no doubt confiding in you enough as it is, you're always studying together and whispering and disappearing together… I wouldn't want to bother you" Ginny ground out before stepping closer to Hermione who by now understood everything that was wrong.

And try as she might Hermione couldn't help the fit of giggles that spilled from her lips, stepping back Hermione laughed out loud holding tightly to her sides only increasing in laughter when Ginny threw her a confused look then glared.

"Oh I'm glad that you two have time to laugh at minor things too" Ginny hurled at her friend before Hermione raised a hand and shook her head. After a few moments straightened and glanced to Ginny.

Softening her tone Hermione gave her friend a friendly smile "oh Ginny… no matter what you can be silly sometimes, Draco and I aren't doing anything like that…we're friends. Just friends Ginny really" Hermione offered while Ginny listened then a small blush worked its way up her neck. But Ginny glared at Hermione who repressed the giggles once more.

"Ginny please… please just hear me out, will you?" Hermione asked before guiding the angry red head to the sofa she was sitting at. Ginny sat as far as she could from Hermione who was still grinning at her, Ginny sat stiffly with her eyes adverted from Hermione.

"Ginny… I know you like Draco, but… but Draco isn't interested in me that way, nor am I interested in him more then just a friend. A few weeks ago, well Draco told me that you and he were attempting to make me and Harry see each other more then friends… I was rather rude to him but he said that you two were only trying to help us… then Draco offered to help me discover a little more about my father, a way to talk to him without any risk. Draco has been helping me and in turn I've been helping him" Hermione admitted as she carefully watched her friend.

Ginny took a few moments to allow the words to sink in before her shoulders slumped forward and she glanced to Hermione a little sheepish. Hermione only smiled brightly at her and wrapped an arm around her.

"I'm sorry Hermione… I know you would never… I mean not that I have anything against anyone you choose but" "as long as it isn't Draco" Hermione offered as Ginny blushed and ducked her head.

"So Draco is trying to help you with your real father" Ginny ventured as Hermione nodded waving a hand towards the books that laid open before her. Ginny nodded mutedly glancing over the books but Hermione knew her thoughts were no doubt with a blonde student who was sleeping in his own dorm that night.

"What are you helping Draco with" Ginny questioned meekly as Hermione let her arm drop and her lips to curl at the corners.

"Who he's planning to ask to the ball… he's nervous to ask this girl and doesn't know how to but I'm helping him" Hermione told her as Ginny's face sunk and Hermione repressed the giggles once more.

"Oh… he has someone in mind who to ask already… do you know who it is?" Ginny questioned as Hermione looked away and chewed her lips.

"Yes… she's beautiful and brilliant, a real prefect girl for him" Hermione admitted as Ginny slumped forward and nodded mutely. Hermione grinned before nudging Ginny with her shoulder causing the younger witch to look at her.

"Perhaps you want to help the poor git out and ask him instead of him getting nervous over asking you out" Hermione ordered as Ginny's faced blanked for a moment and her mouth dropped.

"Me" she questioned as Hermione nodded and smiled brightly as Ginny blushed and ducked her head.

"You are happy aren't you Ginny" Hermione questioned after a few moments silence, Ginny snapped her head around and nodded. Before she bit her lip, she turned her eyes away and sighed.

"You probably figured out that I like him" "to quote your brother but 'it was bloody obvious'" Hermione said lightly causing the younger girl to laugh then blush again.

"Speaking of your brother he'll probably have kittens when you tell him" Hermione stated as Ginny thought on this for a moment before she grinned and twinkle rose to her eyes. She looked to Hermione and nodded "I best wait till morning… maybe I should ask Draco at the great hall" Ginny mused before Hermione laughed and shook her head.