Written In The Body
Poetheather
A/N: May 2, 1998: We will always remember!
A/N 2: The second chapter you all earned this week. Read and enjoy. New chapter on Monday.
Have fun with this.
Still not JKR.
Twenty-five
Time passed, as classes picked up in terms of work required and she had made sure to pass on her information about the attacks to Cameron. She hadn't heard anything about any more attacks by any Slytherin boys on any other students and that made her happy. Maybe, just maybe a warning from Cameron was all that had been needed to cool off some hotheads. She could always hope that was all it took to set things right. Her first round of patrolling the castle simply saw saying bye to Cameron very quickly and just sitting in a classroom with a charmed hourglass which was set for seven minute increments. Whenever it went off she would look at the Marauders Map to see if there was anybody out and about that needed to be dealt with and where Cameron was on his rounds, making sure that everything was safe and secure. Otherwise she kept studying. Most of the way through her 'patrol' she stopped a couple of sixth years from snogging who were in a really nicely hidden section of one of the Astronomy Tower that was hard to get to. It seems that they had gotten there when she had taken a break to go to the restroom and she had missed their movement during one of their checks. Needless to say they were quite surprised and embarrassed to have the Head Girl pop in to their 'secluded' spot and point out that the particular shade of lipstick did not go with his House colors. Cameron was rather astounded by that as he had no idea how she had done that and she wasn't sharing, just gave him a jaunty smile and left.
Now if she could just figure out a way to make the Marauder's Map do what she wanted it to do then everything would be perfect. She hadn't reached that section of the notes yet but she should be getting close since she was sure that they had had the map for several years before they had graduated, which meant it had to have been around fifth year. That meant that she should read the journal entries on it in the next few weeks at the latest. Then, once she knew the specifics of construction she could make the particular add on that she wanted and then her patrolling would be quite easy. Yes, now all she had to do was juggle reading and studying the journals with everything else she was already reading and studying for her NEWTs. Easy.
On her birthday, which was thankfully on a Saturday this year, she was quite glad that she was not scheduled to patrol. She was planning on spending the day with Ginny, just doing whatever came to mind, and maybe making love at some point which held great appeal to her. Given that the amount of pleasure they both had that night had been so amazing she most certainly wanted another go, or at least a longer one then what then had been able to fit in. She just needed life to comply a little better more with her libido. She had gotten all of her homework done so she really had nothing to do that whole weekend due to her forethought and outside of a Quidditch practice that Ginny had scheduled for Sunday, they had the entire weekend together to do anything that tickled their fancy. And she most certainly intended on tickling Ginny's fancy. That sounded like a lovely present to her and unwrapping it would be half the fun.
Needing to change her train of thought before it got her into any trouble, Hermione realized that it did make her sad that she was going to spend today without Harry and Ron. This would be the first birthday she would have spent since after her second year at Hogwarts without her two male best friends and that felt amazingly unnatural. While things with Ron were getting tremendously better, as their letters were going nicely and they seemed almost back to the level of friendship they had had before, she was going to especially miss Harry. That messy haired reckless troublemaking fool really was her brother in all the ways that mattered except one and to be apart from him for the first time in years made her very melancholy. There were lots of times when she missed the nights the two of them had spent in the tent alone, providing each other with the comfort they both had needed to survive the loneliness and stress. Harry's brilliant idea to dance that one time had really helped to save their sanity, starting a practice that they had continued until Ron had returned. The long hours in the cold, dwindling food supplies, being constantly worried about being spotted, all of that had been so much easier to bear with him next to her. She sighed and looked off, trying to let her thoughts move to happier things so she could fend off the incipient tears.
Ginny laid a hand on her leg and asked, "What is it Kitten?"
"I just miss Harry. Well, Ron as well, but I really miss Harry the most. This is my first birthday without them since the three of us became friends. I mean I went from having no real friends to having two of the best anyone could have wanted. Sure I wish it hadn't taken a troll, but we have been thick as thieves since. I thought I would be okay today, since you know we never really made a big deal about my birthday but just being together was special. I just miss them both so much." Hermione sighed despondently.
Leaning in, Ginny gave her a warm and comforting hug. "I'm sorry. I wish there was something that I could do to so I could make it all better."
"You could always give me a kiss?" asked Hermione a bit shyly.
"Is that the prescribed treatment now? Very well, your wish is my command Kitten." said Ginny, giving her a happy grin before leaning in and capturing her lips and letting Hermione know just how she really felt.
Hermione lost herself to the kiss, moaning into Ginny's mouth as the girl's tongue entered. She ran a hand into Ginny's hair, tightening her grip at the base of her girlfriend's neck. This elicited a moan from the redhead and her head slowly tilted back, going with the slight tug. Hermione leaned in and started kissing down Ginny's neck, occasionally sucking on more sensitive spots, nipping others. "Unh… 'mione… we… things… do…"
"Uhmhum." muttered Hermione as she continued to lavish attention on her girlfriend, eyes closed happily. This was something she could stand to do all day long if she could.
"Kitten…"
"Busy…"
"Kitten." said Ginny, trying to be more forceful.
"You're no fun." pouted Hermione. She let Ginny go and moved back, her bottom lip quivering slightly as she exaggerated things in an attempt to get her way. It was her birthday after all.
"That's not what you said last night 'mione." A cheeky grin crossed Ginny's face as she winked at her, getting a blush. "Now come on. I want to run down to Hogsmeade for a little bit. We promised we would get Simon something nice the first chance we could and Luna was kind of thinking about meeting us down there for a little bit."
Hermione sighed, a little upset that they weren't going to snog or maybe shag, either of which was honestly her preference if asked. "Well, I guess if we have to. That'll be okay. Oh, can we go to Scrivenshaft's? There is some ink that would be nice to get that I forgot to buy back when we were in London. And I also wouldn't mind getting a new quill or two. Maybe some extra parchment as well."
"You never mind getting new quills." Ginny shook her head, amused.
"Well, I wear them out fairly quickly is all." stated Hermione, somewhat embarrassed.
Ginny snickered slightly as she teased her girlfriend, "Maybe if you didn't write as much then maybe you wouldn't need as many."
"Ha ha. Also I want to pick up some… well… supplies. If we can get some specific items from a few of the shops then we can also get to work on the first prank."
"Oh? You thought of something? What do you have in mind?" asked Ginny, clearly interested in whatever it was that Hermione was planning for the first prank.
"I'll tell you on the way in, as I don't want anyone to overhear. It would be terrible to have made it all the way through the war and everything by keeping secrets only to be caught on our first prank because of such a simple mistake." said Hermione with only a touch of mock severity.
When they were finally headed into the village and were apart from others on the walk into Hogsmeade who might overhear, Hermione explained the basics of her plan to Ginny, causing the girl to hunch over in laughter, needing to be supported so she wouldn't fall over. Hermione explained how she had planned to make it happen and what they needed to do purchase in order to make it work. Unlike the Marauders she did draw the line at pilfering supplies. She even explained the other reasons behind why she had planned the prank this way and what she was hoping to accomplish. Ginny just kept snickering as they walked, with Hermione shushing her as they started to near others. The girl kept looking at other students and would start giggling, making Hermione eventually need to smack her on the arm until she quieted down. Ginny responded with mock contriteness, "Sorry."
"Listen up Firefly…"
"Oi! Don't call me that!" Ginny glared at her, turning to face Hermione seemingly a bit disturbed.
"What? I didn't think you would have minded that? Of all the things I have ever heard your brothers and parents call you, I like that one the most. It's cute and it fits you." said Hermione, her brows furrowed in confusion. She had to admit, Ginny did look a bit green around the gills.
"Yeah, but that's my family nickname. You need to come up with something on your own and not get one from somewhere else. Please. Do you know how creepy it is to hear you call me the same thing my Father calls me?" huffed the redhead, who closed her eyes and then shuddered. The greenish tinge to her complexion got a touch worse.
"Fine, fine, I'll try to come up with my own bloody nickname for you. And it will be one that I haven't heard your family use. Happy?" Appeasing her girlfriend sounded like a wonderful plan at the moment and might help her look less nauseated. Besides, if she was pleased it invariably led to snogging and Hermione was rather pleased with that idea, supporting its implementation.
"Yes. Besides, is it really that difficult?" challenged Ginny.
"Well, sometimes. I haven't been able to think of anything cute for you yet. Nothing's come to mind." grumped Hermione.
"You'll think of something Kitten. I'm sure you will. You're really clever." Ginny one armed hugged her against her side, pressing a kiss against the side of her head.
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head after she was released. As they neared the village was clear that the streets of Hogsmeade were somewhat crowded on this first Hogsmeade weekend, but the two of them knew where they were going. Looking at the crowds she thought about the available options of where to go for a drink and some snacks, honestly none of the usual places sounded appealing. Madame Puddifoot's had tea and such which was not all that bad but was so cutsey and over the top that it could easily make you gag. The Three Broomsticks would be crowded at this time and would remain that way most of the day. She was sure that The Hog's Head would give her flashbacks so there was no way she was going near that place on her birthday. There was that one shop that was a holdover from the Restoration era that she did not go to all that often because Harry and Ron had no interest in it, but she had gone there a few times with Ginny and they had both had enjoyed it.
Thanks to Magical society being very much a collection of holdovers from past eras there was actually a rather modest chocolate house in Hogsmeade that had to have been there since the mid to late 1600's when they began to become popular in London and spread through other parts of the isle. She remembered that its business began really booming lately with the students in her third year thanks to the presence of the Dementors around the school and the village but in and of itself it was wonderful all on its own. Not only did the chocolate house serve the most amazing hot chocolate she had ever had in her life and that included Hogwarts, but it also served some excellent tea and coffee for those who were far more interested in it rather than its more traditional fare. In fact it seemed to have combined facets of tea houses and coffee houses along with the chocolate house. Hermione completely approved. Beans and Leaves generally did a moderate amount of business, more so with the older students and staff than it did with the younger students, except in the winter months when the demand for their varieties of hot chocolate were at its highest. "Gin, can we get a cup of Chocolate? I would rather go there at the moment, somewhere without too many memories right now. There really are too many conflicting memories with the rest of the village. I honestly only have good ones from there."
Ginny looked at her critically for a moment, as if trying to decide if she needed a potion or not, and then nodded, giving her a smile. "No problem 'mione. I just want you to have fun today, so whatever it is that you want to do we will do. Your wish is my command."
"Do we have anything in particular planned for today?" asked Hermione curiously. She had thought that maybe Ginny might have come up with something special for her birthday besides simply spending the day together. They pretty much always spent the day together now. That was more along the lines of a Ron idea and she had expected more from Ginny.
"Uhm… well, I did sort of arrange a special dinner for us." replied Ginny a bit embarrassed.
Hermione raised an eyebrow questioningly. This was an interesting development. Ginny set up a special dinner? Really?
"Well, there is that whole big Room of Requirement on the seventh floor just sitting there all by its lonesome, doing nothing and I thought that it might be nice if we were to have an enjoyable dinner there, just the two of us. I mean, I know that fundamentally it's really just the three of us up here at the school and now we got Simon to add to the mix, but I wasn't sure if you wanted a party with just the four of us or what. So I figured that a dinner was the best thing I could come up with." Her smile was kind of apologetic.
Hermione leaned in and kissed Ginny on the cheek, "That's fine Gin. And you're right. With so many people not here it would be a bit rough to celebrate without them. I think that all it would do is only make me miss them more. But having a night with you all to myself… I think I can do that. You know, just the thought of unwrapping you… ummmm… that would be a lovely present."
Hermione was a bit saddened by the fact that she would not see her friends but she had the girl she loved with her and really that was all that mattered now. The rest of the afternoon was spent happily. The chocolate was wonderful, as usual. She had the Mayan blend which was made with a touch of Cayenne and a bit more bitter than the Aztec mix that Ginny was drinking that was similarly spicy. The little bit of shopping was taken care of easily and mostly they just spent the time together. Luna joined them for a short while as they were looking through some of the shops and then left them to continue on their own. After a while the two girls were headed back up to the castle and Gryffindor Tower hand in hand, simply pleased with how the day had progressed.
They were quite out and open about their relationship and it made Hermione so giddy to see that her fears about how people would react to them had been unfounded. While she had gotten a few surprised looks from some people at the beginning there had actually been no derisive comments or anything hurled her way, which was rather surprising. She had been so used to that sort of treatment from Malfoy and his ilk that its absence was glaring. It really seemed to her as if this was just life as normal at Hogwarts. Granted it could have something to do with the fact that she and Ginny were currently two of the scariest witches in the school but she wasn't really sure. Given the way her life way there really was no telling.
Now all she had to do was just tell Ron about this and all would be well, for the most part. Hopefully it could be done without everything ending in fire and then life would be even better. Maybe she should send another message to Harry to poke him about the issue and see what he had to say. He often had good advice when it came to Ron and she had honestly been putting it off because she was just afraid of this particular confrontation. She was so afraid that this entire mess was going to ruin their friendship and she wasn't sure she could stand that. That thought unfortunately reminded her of another issue that was hanging over them, refusing to go away. "Gin, when are we going to tell your parent's about us?"
This question caught the redhead by surprise and she blinked at Hermione a few times before answering, "Uh… well, I kind of wanted to do it in person and the next time we really see them is at the end of term so…"
"Don't you think that's a bit like cheating? I mean, don't you feel that they would want to know? About the two of us? About the fact that we are happy?" asked Hermione, a little unsure now if Ginny was really, truly sure about them. Was it really that difficult to tell her parents? She had told her own parents and they still loved her so what was causing Ginny to balk if not doubts about her?
"Yeah, they would. It's just that… I hope they are used to the idea that me and Harry and you and Ron are not going to happen, because if they aren't that could actually cause a problem. You know my Mum, she might try to say we don't know what we are talking about and that we're simply confused and need to get back together with the people we are 'supposed' to be with. That time will fix things and everything will work out right or some other nonsense. Ugh… she makes me crazy sometimes. And Dad… honestly, sometimes Dad is not much better. Sure he is nice and wonderful and accepting on the whole but occasionally he gives you these looks and you feel like you are disappointing him. It makes you feel like you are so tiny and pathetic and that you have failed him and the family. Makes you feel worse than any lecture Mum can come up with." explained Ginny, clearly fretting over this issue.
Hermione nodded and absently gave the Fat Lady the password as they stepped into the common room that was only partially filled before heading up the stairs towards her room. Ginny just kept going, not really paying attention to those few people around them, "I mean, I know they love you. I kind of think they adopted you the way they adopted Harry, though I honestly have no idea why you haven't gotten a stupid jumper yet. I think Mum's just barmy because of reading one too many of those bloody stories she's seen about you in the ruddy papers. I don't know how many times we've told her… seriously, she's daft. If she forgets to make you one this year I swear that I will hex her."
Hermione hugged her, trying to calm her down if only just a little. It was clear that this topic had her girlfriend a bit worked up. "Gin, it's okay. If you're not ready to tell them, you're not ready. You take care of me and I am just looking out for you as well. Honestly, you don't have to rush off and fight all the time to protect me. It's sweet but not necessary. I can take care of myself you know."
Ginny said the password and they entered into the bedroom, "I know it's not really necessary, but I… I just like to take care of you. It's not that you're weak or helpless or anything like that, it's just that I feel… it makes me feel good doing that. Holding you safe and being helpful and protective of you is just another way I can show you just how much I love you."
"You love me?" asked Hermione, a bit surprised, as she had never heard Ginny utter those words before. She had to blink a few times as her mind tried to process this. Had she really heard that correctly?
Ginny turned bright red and looked down at the floor, embarrassed. Hermione would have none of that and stepped forward, lifting Ginny's face to look her in the eyes, searching the brown depths for the truth. She asked the girl calmly, "You love me?"
Ginny nodded shyly. "I… I had planned on telling you in a bit more romantic setting but I guess it sort of slipped out. Heh… but yes, yes I do. Hermione Jean Granger I love you. You are absolutely amazing. You are a beautiful woman with an incredible mind who is so giving and caring that it is humbling. You kept my idiot brother and Harry alive for so many years that it's just sad how much they depend on you. Everything you do is just too amazing for words and I don't know a more remarkable witch anywhere. I seriously don't know how I ever got so lucky to become the one you chose and I thank the stars every day that I am here with you but yes, I love you, with all my heart."
Hermione began to cry happy tears as Ginny spoke, her heart feeling like it was going to burst from joy at what her girlfriend was telling her. She threw her arms around Ginny and pulled the girl into a deep passionate kiss, not even caring if she could breathe or not. There were far more important things than air at this moment. When they parted, Ginny looked at her with a dazed but happy expression, a smile growing on her face. Hermione grinned broadly and said, "Gin, thank you. That means so much to me and warms me so much. I love you too Ginevra Molly Weasley, with all of my heart and I have for a while now. You are the love of my dreams that saved me from my nightmares and I truly think that you are perfect."
Ginny blushed, her face turning almost the color of her hair. This response got Hermione to laugh lightly and hug Ginny tight, moving backwards, pulling the girl along with her until they fell against the bed. They leaned against the mattress, chuckling and then looked at each other with eyes bright and happy. Ginny grinned at her and she grinned back. Hermione leaned in and kissed her lips briefly, saying, "I love you."
Ginny repeated the action. "I love you."
"Oh… it feels so good to finally say that." sighed Hermione, relief flowing through her since she could now fully express how she had felt for so long.
"What do you mean?" asked Ginny, sounding somewhat confused.
"Well, even though I have loved you for a good while now, I didn't say anything at first because I hadn't told you I fancied you. That would be a bit problematic. Then I didn't tell you because I didn't want to rush our relationship and leading us into too much too soon. If I had said I love you too soon it might have freaked you out and I was afraid of that so I didn't want to risk it. I didn't want to drive you away because I said too much too fast." Hermione bit her bottom lip after she admitted that, unsure of what the reactions would be to that revelation. She was afraid that Ginny might actually be angry at her over this and that did scare her a little.
Ginny looked thoughtful, clearly working her way through what Hermione had said and then finally she nodded. "That makes sense, so I forgive you for holding out on me. But we can say it now, right?"
"Right. If you feel like you want to say it, just say it. No problem at all with doing that. Like right now, I just wanted to tell you that I love you." She grinned at Ginny.
"Wow… who knew that Hermione Granger, the smartest witch of her age is a total romantic sap?" teased Ginny playfully.
Hermione good-naturedly scowled at her, "Watch it there missy or else no more kisses for you."
Ginny quickly raised her arms in surrender, looking somewhat worried. "I yield. I yield. No need to play rough now. So, did you want to get some studying done before we need to get ready for dinner?"
"Sure. Oh, did you need to leave yet to get the room ready for us?" Hermione had to admit she was a bit curious about their dinner. Given what the Room of Requirement could do she was wondering what exactly it was going to look like and what Ginny had in mind for their evening both for supper and afterwards. There were all sorts of possibilities and it really made her wonder.
"No, Luna is going to take care of that for me since she and I had already talked about what I wanted for tonight. Besides the House Elves love her and she is the one who set up everything with them for me. So from what she told me the meal will be a bit different from what everyone else is eating tonight." Ginny grinned excitedly.
"I can't wait. Today has already been absolutely perfect. I can't imagine anything more wonderful than spending a fun day with you and then having you say that you loved me. Best day ever." Hermione smiled at her, a bit of a dopey love filled smile that Ginny returned.
"Yeah."
Homework passed quickly as they were both making sure to stay ahead of the curve in all of their classes. They even had time to work through some of the journals, as Ginny was working hard to catch up with Hermione, and they even made a few more plans for their first prank. When it was getting close to the time for them to head to dinner, Ginny excused herself and headed downstairs to her actual room so she could get ready.
Hermione decided that before she was going to get dressed up for this she needed a shower and stripped off her clothes, dropping them into the hamper she had set aside for them. While she was well aware that Topsy would have picked them up from wherever she dropped them, Hermione did not want to make more work for the house elf. Once she had the water set to the correct temperature she stepped under the stream and began to get clean. Due to her bit of snogging and how excited she had been thanks to hearing 'I love you' for the first time, soaping herself felt a good bit more sensual than it usually did and washing her breasts was far more distracting than it really needed to be. Part of her wanted to give herself a little bit of relief, as the shower could be angled and adjusted until it was just right and have just the right amount of pressure with very little effort so that it would have a more than pleasurable effect. However another part of her wanted to be already aroused when she was around Ginny, wanted this dinner to lead them back into bed where she could celebrate her birthday by unwrapping the most incredible gift she had ever gotten and lavishing all of her attention on it until they both eventually fell over exhausted.
Once done and dressed in the short and flirty pink dress she had not chosen for the date, she made her way downstairs, where Ginny was already waiting for her wearing a dark blue dress the clung to her quite nicely until it flared out at around her mid-thigh. Hermione had to admit that Ginny looked stunning. "Ready 'mione?"
"Certainly."
The walk to the Room of Requirement was easy as it was also on the seventh floor, same as the entrance to their common room. They walked for a ways holding hands in silence of the corridors until they came to the door that was waiting for them across from the tapestry of Barnabus the Barmy. Ginny opened the door and gestured her through. Once Hermione walked into the well lit room and gasped at what she saw, lots of voices then began yelling out, "Surprise!"
Hermione stood there gaping, as if unable to process exactly what she was seeing. The room was expanded and decorated for a party and there standing in front of her were all her friends, the entire Weasley clan including Ron, who was supposed to be in Auror training, Neville, Harry and most miraculous of all there were her parents. They were actually here, standing in her school. She started crying, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of her emotions and her mother quickly came up and pulled her into her arms, saying quietly, "I've got you baby."
Ginny walked up to stand next to the two of them as did Mr. Granger, Harry and Ron. It took her a little bit but Hermione calmed down and wiped her eyes, chuckling a little and the sight she had to have been because of losing it like that. "How?"
"Ginny here put this all together, saying that she knew that you really needed this. She had this whole thing in the works even before you two left for school, mostly to make sure that your mom and I had permission to come up here." said her dad, clearly proud of Ginny.
Hermione turned and looked at Ginny who blushed and smiled a bit uncertainly at her. She appraised the girl she loved again and asked, "You did all that for me?"
"Well yeah, of course I did. I thought we covered that." replied Ginny a bit incredulously.
"She even made sure I asked to get out of training." commented Ron a bit amused. "This is one of those times where being a bloody hero comes in handy."
Hermione laughed, she really had missed Ron. Once she was free of her mother's arms she hugged Ron tightly, whispering to him, "You really are one of my best friends. I am so glad you're here."
"Me too 'mione, me too. Happy birthday Hermione. I'm so glad I didn't miss it."
Harry hugged her next, also passing on birthday wishes before saying, "Now I want to get this over with early so I need you to promise not to hex me or punch me before I tell you anything."
Hermione narrowed her eyes and squared off against Harry, her fists on her hips, already knowing that she was not going to like this, "Harry James Potter, what did you do now?"
"Now wait just a moment, it's not that bad." protested Harry, seemingly offended by her charge, stepping backwards and raising his hands.
Hermione tapped her foot impatiently, giving him the look that Ron had earned far more often than he had. He swallowed heavily before he slumped his shoulders in defeat. There really was no fighting her and he really knew better than to try. "Look, okay before you get on my case about this just to let you know I have thought about this and thought about this and I don't need you mad at me. I am not just jumping into this blind like I usually do most everything else. I actually have a plan this time and I happen to think it's a good one. You know, unlike our usual ones."
"Harry…" she said warningly, wanting him to get to the point.
With a sigh he relented and was unable to meet her eyes as he said, "I took Kingsley up on his offer."
It took some effort but she swallowed her near instinctive scream of indignation. How could he be so stupid? "Okay. You said you had a plan?"
"Yes. I really do. I figured that if I work for a few years, absolutely no more than three and then get out I can then turn around and easily get my mastery in DADA with a lot less fuss than I would get now. I know I could probably get it now but I would rather do it right. If I did it now, how would I know that they didn't just give it to me because I killed Voldemort and not because I earned it? This way I will have some additional field work as an Auror to supplement what I have already done, which will probably be a lot less stressful, and then I get out of that completely and I teach." He explained in a rush.
"Teach?" she goggled at him, as if having trouble following what he was saying. It seemed to be so logical and sensible that surely it couldn't be Harry that she was listening to.
"Well yeah, you always did say that I was rather good at it when I was working with the DA so why not listen to the advice of my best friend and get away from the fighting forever before it really hurts me more than it already has. A few years 'mione, that's it, that's all I ask, I swear. Please I need you to hold me to that. I don't want to end up like Moody." His eyes told her how serious he was.
She hugged him tight, one of her stronger Hermione Hugs and Harry groaned a little under it. She let him go, saying, "Absolutely. I can't say I'm not worried about this particular plan, but the end result is brilliant. You will be a wonderful teacher and you teaching Defense is simply a natural fit. I always told you so. What does Luna think about all of this?"
"Well… she may not be a fan of the couple of years part of the whole thing but she likes it as well. She especially likes the part where I am away from danger by the end of it. There have been a lot of letters going back and forth because of this. Thanks for being so understanding Hermione." Harry replied, smiling at her happily, feeling much better now that she was behind him.
"No problem. Oh, that reminds me… can I get some help?" she asked quietly.
"Ron?" Harry cut his eyes over to his friend, clearly still reading her like he always had.
She just nodded.
"I'll see what I can do. You still happy."
She smiled and hugged him again as the only answer necessary. That taken care of she went off and mingled with the other guests, as there were many. There were so many people she had not seen in so long that it was amazing, certainly most of them since Harry's party a month and a half ago. Despite the urge she had to simply hang out with her friends, she made sure to take the time to introduce Simon to her parents and most of the others and he was a big hit with everyone, especially charming her mother.
Harry and Simon both seemed to hit it off as well, which made her feel better about her meddling into things. She liked Simon and didn't want him to feel ostracized by her friends so their actually liking him was a bonus. It was also nice to see Luna and Harry cuddling together, a bit more out about their burgeoning relationship. While it was adorable and made her excited for her best friend, she did wish that she and Ginny could have been as open. She wanted to tell everybody about how much she loved Ginny and Ginny loved her, but with Ron there and the Weasleys it simply wasn't practical.
She just enjoyed being around friends and family, chatting with everyone, not even caring about the presents, which were wonderful. When she got a coupon for a new broom at Broomstix from Harry and a broom repair kit from Ron she had glared at the two of them and then at Ginny who pretended to be completely innocent which failed when she started grinning and chuckling. Ginny had gotten her a small wall relief of the Rosetta Stone which made both of them grin at each other like idiots.
Simon's gift was rather a surprise. Inside a small box was a paper rose that looked fairly accurate despite being clearly made of paper. Hermione smiled as she saw it. "Did you make this?"
Simon nodded. "The Headmistress helped me with the transfiguration. Since it was paper to paper, with just the shape being different it wasn't really all that hard. The most difficult part of the whole process was picturing the flower. It took me a while but I finally got it yesterday."
Hermione hugged him. "This is wonderful work Simon. It really is impressive for someone of your year, especially this early on. Thank you so much."
He blushed and looked down, "Your welcome Hermione."
As he took off to go and talk to Ginny, her mother came up to her and said, "He seems like a nice boy."
"He is mum, he really is. He has some issues in his life that Ginny and I are helping him with but he is very sweet and quite smart. I know you would like him." said Hermione, grinning at her.
"Well, I guess I'll go over and talk to him some more. If you like him he can't be all bad." teased her mother, hugging her briefly before she walked away.
Fleur sidled up to Hermione a little while after her mother left, as things were going well with the rest of the party and there was a quiet moment, saying, "So I see all is well in your life."
She just answered the blond quarter Veela with a smile filled with all of her joy.
"I am very 'appy for you 'ermione. You deserve all this 'appiness you 'ave found. And I can tell by the way you two interact and look at each other that it 'as gone beyond simply words and kisses, oh la la." Fleur teased lightly.
"Fleur!" Hermione blurted out, shocked. She looked around to see if anyone was listening, and did not see anyone, nor even an extendable ear.
Fleur laughed lightly, a very friendly sound that warmed the heart. "Seeing you 'appy after 'ow troubled you were this spring and summer gives me great joy. And to see you so obviously in love, this is what we veelas cherish, love and 'appiness. I am so glad you 'ave found that."
Hermione looked across the room to where Ginny was standing, busy talking quite animatedly with Luna and a few other girls about who knew what. Her heart swelled at the sight of her girlfriend and her smile grew larger. "I certainly have that Fleur. I certainly do."