The first time Ginny Weasley tries to ask Hermione Granger on a date it's two days after the announcement of the Triwizard Yule ball.
She is beaten by a minute by Viktor Krum and watches helplessly as he asks a blushing Hermione to be his date for the ball, thankfully only as friends.
She marches straight back to her dormitory and screams in her pillow for 5 minutes straight.
Then she smiles when Hermione tells her the news and happily informs her best friend that Viktor Krum is lucky to have her as his date.
"You could go with Ginny," Hermione says, and Ginny was honestly planning to go home for Christmas so she doesn't have to watch Hermione being twirled around the dancefloor by someone else.
But then Neville is giving her his puppy eyes and she remembers when he patiently helped her go through the entire first-year herbology program, elbow deep in dirt and with a smile so warm and different from Tom's cold smirk that it warmed her heart.
So she nods and takes his hands to talk about their dresses and how to match.
They both spend their evening watching Hermione being spun around by Viktor bloody Krum, and neither can resent the Bulgarian for giving her a happy night.
Then Ronald Weasley happens and Neville just looks her in the eyes after Hermione flees the room and nods "I still owe Susan a dance" he says, and she smiles and runs after her best friend.
Ginny finds it creepy that the thing the Bulgarian would miss most is a girl he barely knows and went on a date once, as *friends*, she reminds herself.
At least she wasn't hurt and the clenching anxiety that had been building up since that morning gives up on trying to make her puke as she goes down the stairs to hug a wet and shivering Hermione to her.
Of course, she gave one of her blankets to Harry, and Ginny feels jealousy for their closeness for the first time since her first year.
Then the third task happens, Harry disappears with Cedric Diggory and returns with his corpse, Ginny can feel the cold of the killing curse emanating from it as she holds Hermione's hand and tries to help her elbow her way through the mass of panicking idiots only to find out Harry isn't with the teachers.
She can't help but be awed as Hermione immediately gathers their attention with an authority that shushes the crowd in an instant.
Ginny's cheeks grow warm and red as she notices she's still gripping her hand and tries to let go, but Hermione just strengthens the hold and keeps her close the entire time, hopefully without noticing her heart beating a mile a minute.
They didn't even write him a letter!
Ginny is furious when she finds out, she knows they kept sending him short notes, but they didn't even try to explain without revealing anything, they left Harry Potter to rot, isolated for the entire summer on the word of Albus Bloody Dumbledore.
She could strangle her best friend!
But then she hears her cry herself to sleep for days after his arrival, she sees the worry and the guilt in her eyes every time they interact.
She sees Hermione Granger vulnerable and scared that she might have stretched her friendship with Harry too much.
As Hermione throws herself in the library to help Harry find a way out she asks herself why she didn't do the same to find a way to contact him.
So she corners Harry in his room one evening and sits on his bed as he twirls a quill.
"She's sorry, you know," she says trying to sound like her mother when Ron said something hurtful that sent her crying to her room
"That doesn't make it right," he responds, and she knows it's true because she knows how awful it is to be alone, surrounded by darkness and no one to listen to you, so she takes his hand with hers
"No, it doesn't," she said "She's made a mistake, a big one, but she's your friend, and she loves you so much."
The next day Hermione's shoulders are less tense at breakfast, and she doesn't sneak glances at him, and Ginny lets herself smile a little brighter even as that old feeling of jealousy rears its ugly head, but Hermione looks at her and Ginny winks, and her grateful smile is everything Ginny needs to keep going.
The second time Ginny Weasley tries to ask Hermione Granger on a date she overhears her speaking to Luna about Hogsmeade and of her plan to publish Harry's version of the events of the night in the graveyard, so she lets her pride for her best friend outshine the sadness of having missed her chance once again.
She watches Hermione studying for her OWLs with a fond smile and a warmth in her heart she didn't think she could ever associate with studying.
"You must be very in love with her," Luna says to her one day as they sit in the library, preparing for their finals.
She would have been surprised if it wasn't Luna, but the two had known each other for 10 years, so of course, she could read her better than even her brothers.
"I think I am," she says, and Luna gives her one of those brilliant smiles that had been missing from her face since she started Hogwarts.
They're learning the Patronus spell, and everyone is having trouble with it, but no one else was possessed by a shade of Tom Riddle when they were eleven, and even if Ginny knows that it's not there anymore, a part of her mind is always tainted by his presence, always connected to the damp darkness of the chamber.
Every time she thinks of something happy and the warmness of the Patronus flows through her she remembers the cold eyes of Tom Riddle and fails again.
Then Hermione is by her side, she smiles in her usual sardonic way that Ginny finds infuriatingly attractive and takes her hand.
"It's ok," she starts, "You are safe, Harry and I are here."
Ginny smiles because it's true, Hermione is there holding her hand.
Ginny's hand tightens and she focuses on the girl next to her, on her warm brown eyes, on her untamable hair, on the light freckles on her cheeks, the sexy mole on her neck.
"*Expecto Patronum*!" And the silvery mist coalesces in a small silvery otter that runs circles around the two of them.
And her cheeks burn because she has her same Patronus, but Hermione is smiling like it's Christmas, so she just hugs her in thanks.
Then the department of mysteries happens, and Hermione almost dies, and she wasn't at her side to protect her, and her world is slowly crumbling to ash as she watches the unsteady rise and fall of her chest in the infirmary.
"You're in love with her," Harry says, startling her as he takes off his invisibility cloak "You're in love with her and I led you all into a death trap. I'm so sorry."
The guilt in those emerald pools makes her stomach turn and she takes his hand again and forces him to look into her eyes "It's not your fault" she says, because it's what Hermione would have said and she forces him closer and hugs him.
And then they both sit down at her bedside and watch her breathe for the rest of the night without saying a word.
She feels something switching that night and knows that she can't keep it a secret anymore, because they could all be dead right now, and she could have died without ever telling Hermione that her eyes make her heart beat faster, that the way she smiles while solving an Arthimancy problem is the sexiest thing she has ever seen.
Without telling her that she loves her so much that sitting here doing nothing as she suffers is torture.
The third time Ginny asks Hermione on a date it's summer, and they're at the burrow, and the heat is suffocating both of them in the middle of the day.
And this time no one beats her to it, despite the desperate attempts of her brother to gain her attention.
"Go out with me," She said
"We are out," Hermione points out gesturing at the garden around them
"I mean on a date," and she has never blushed so much in her life
"Oh," Hermione said surprised and Ginny waits as she processes the information, sitting straighter against the trunk of the apple tree in her backyard, she can almost hear the gears turning in Hermione's head as she slowly blinks.
And then Hermione smiles "Ok," she says "Let's go out on a date."
Their first kiss is shrouded in the darkness of the room they share, of course, they haven't told anyone, or her mother would have separated them.
Hermione's lips taste of cherry and her breath is intoxicating, the touch of her tongue sends shivers down her spine and her moans, as she caresses her sides and slips her hands under the flimsy top of her sleepwear, are her new favourite sound, even better than the wind roaring in her ears during a Quidditch game.
Hermione's touch leaves trails of fire on her skin, she can feel her trailing upwards on her sides and caressing the underside of her breasts.
She has no idea how long it takes for the kiss to end, she breaths heavily and Hermione smells like Vanilla and sweat and arousal and they have to stop now or they'll cross a line that neither of them is ready for.
They try to keep it a secret, but Harry sees right through them and smiles every time they seat near each other, every time he catches them linking their fingers as they sit on the couch.
He manages to get them away from Ron one morning and hugs them both so hard they are surprised they didn't break a rib, it's also a surprise because Harry never started hugs.
"I'm so happy for you two," he says
"You're not jealous?" Ginny asks
"I thought I could be," he says earnestly "But I'm too happy for you two, so Jealousy doesn't get a say."
The half-blood prince book breaks Harry and Hermione apart until she takes them both by the ear and tells them in no uncertain terms that their friendship is worth more than an old book and some good grades, and they at least have the decency to look ashamed.
They apologize to each other and they hug.
"Just be careful Harry, please," Hermione begs
"I will, I promise" Harry relents
And then they hug the stuffing out of her, to thank her for stopping them from being stupid.
"Someone has to be the brain here."
Harry's fixation with Malfoy being a death eater would be weird to Ginny if his father hadn't slipped a cursed diary to an eleven-year-old.
The room of requirements is perfect to have private conversations about the war and their role in it because as much as Ginny would like to sit out of an all-out conflict she knows that she'll have a role to play, even if it's just to support Harry, Hermione and Ron, who will most certainly play an integral role in it.
She could hear their whispers during their stay at the Burrow and is still a little hurt that they don't trust her enough to be open.
"Of course Malfoy didn't take the mark Harry, why would You-know-who mark school children?"
Ginny raises an eyebrow at that "Hermione," she says "You're the smartest person I know, but that's bloody stupid!"
"Ginny!" She exclaims a hint of rage in her brown pools.
"He was sixteen when he made the diary, Hermione," Ginny says frostily "He was sixteen when he killed moaning Myrtle with the Basilisk, and we don't even know if it was the first time he killed someone.
Why would you think he *wouldn't* use school children?"
"Thank you, Ginny!" Harry says, probably feeling vindicated that someone is taking his side in this.
"But-" Hermione tries to retort, but her heart isn't in it, I can tell.
"And Muggles do this sort of thing too, don't they? Using school children as propaganda and brain-washing them into compliance? Like that bloke that cooperated with Grindelwald."
And she's not sure how it's come to this, but she's pretty confident that Hermione is looking at her with overwhelming desire right now, and she shuffles on her seat so that maybe they won't notice she just went weak in the knees because of a single look.
She's so going to snog Hermione for hours after this.
Later the room changes for their needs, a comfortable bed taking the place of the couches and chairs that were there before.
"You are so incredibly smart," Hermione says to her while laying on the bed and slipping her hand up her tighs, goosebumps in the wake of her touch "I find that extremely attractive."
Ginny can only moan as Hermione continues her ministrations, sucking on a particularly pleasurable spot on her throat, her tongue darting out to taste her skin.
"I'm going to make you come so hard you won't be able to walk afterwards" and the absolute confidence of her words sends shivers of pleasure down Ginny's spine, her panties have slipped out from under her skirt and have pooled at her feet.
She can feel Hermione's fingers caressing the lips of her sex as she travels upward to press a gentle finger on her clit, her breath shudders as Hermione's mouth finds that amazing spot behind her ear and her finger circles her clit, teasing her until she's moaning her name continuously.
"Hermione, please," Ginny whispers and her girlfriend stops her movements to look her in the eyes, she closes the distance to kiss her with so much abandon that Ginny feels as if she's going to burst with desire, then one of Hermione's fingers slips inside of her and she shudders as their tongues caress each other, and another finger slips in, slowly moving in and out and exploring every hidden spot inside of her until she finds *that* one.
And Ginny comes undone under her, as Hermione's palm pushes on her clit and her fingers caress and press on the perfect spot.
Hermione slowly retreats her fingers, studying the wetness that covers her hand, she looks at Ginny, never once straying from her eyes as she slowly licks her hand clean.
Ginny can only shiver in anticipation as she hears Hermione humming in appreciation at her taste.
"I want more," her girlfriend says, and Ginny almost comes again just from the words.
And then Dumbledore dies.
No one knows of her and Hermione apart from Harry and Luna, but Hermione still hugs her like a lifeline the day before the marriage, tells her she can't have the dance they promised each other.
"I love you," Ginny says, "I know you have to leave, but I will wait because I love you."
"I love you too," Hermione smiles "but I don't know if we'll ever see each other again."
"Of course we will," Ginny says with certainty and she's happy that it gives Hermione some more courage, she stands up straighter than before, and their next kiss takes her breath away.
She can almost feel the fear and anxiety melting off Hermione as their breath mingle and their tongues caress each other, she can feel the touch of Hermione's hands as she takes off her shirt.
She trails her hands up her stomach and caresses her breast in the way she knows Hermione loves, her nipples sensitive and hardening under her touch.
They fall back on her bed, clad in just their underwear
"Make love to me," Ginny asks, a bit of uncertainty returning in her tone
The kiss she receives takes it all away, and she moans as Hermione caresses her legs and slips her panties down.
They lay naked in her bed, glowing in satisfaction.
"Marry me?" Ginny asks, and the sound of Hermione's thrilled laughter gives the butterflies in her stomach a shake.
"Ask me after the war."
And Ginny nods and falls asleep on her chest.
And then they leave her behind.
She cries after the wedding, for Bill and Fleur and their ruined night, but mainly because they left her behind.
She turns the tears into determination and she spearheads the resistance against Snape and the Carrows, and if her hexes turn to curses more often after Luna doesn't come back from Christmas no one says anything.
The battle of Hogwarts is a nightmare, Fred dies and her heart shatters, and then Harry is there, his body limp in Hagrid's arms, and she keeps Hermione from running to him.
And then Tom dies and Harry lives.
And then they win.
The cries of happiness are deafening, even the crack of the death eaters apparating away are drowned, but none of it matters, Ginny is elbowing the crowd running towards Hermione, they see each other at the same moment, in the corner of her eye Ginny sees Ron and Harry making their way towards them, but she has eyes only for Hermione.
They reach each other and Ginny hugs Hermione so close the bruises on her body scream in protest, but she doesn't care.
"Marry me," Ginny says
"Of course," Hermione nods "There was never a doubt."
And then they kiss, Hermione's lips still taste of cherry, and her breath means she's alive, and the shivers come back as she feels Hermione deepening the kiss, caressing her lips with her tongue, demanding access and consuming her whole when she grants it.
She can feel Hermione's hand closing on the back of her head as her hand caresses her jaw.
"What the bloody hell!" her brother's cry puts a stop to their first public display of affection, she turns to find a blooming smile on Harry's face and a bewildered expression on Ron's.
Ginny fixes him with a glare for interrupting their kiss but he simply sighs as a jealous smile forms on his lips.
"Did you ask?" Harry winks at Ginny
"I did," Ginny answers smiling
"Ask what?" Ron seems even more confused now
"She asked me to marry her, of course," Hermione beams "And I said yes!"
Ron can only open and close his mouth like a fish out of the water as Harry runs up and embraces them both lifting them slightly off the ground.
"Yes! I can't wait!"
The marriage takes place two years after, Hermione is starting her healer training program and Ginny is still moving wildly through England's Quidditch lower leagues.
They marry on a beach because Hermione has always dreamed of a beach wedding, Harry and Luna are standing on the altar with them, beaming as they promise to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives.
Their Honeymoon is a trip through Europe, Ginny has always wanted to see the sports scene on the continent, and Hermione just loves experiencing the magic and history of different countries.
They come back to England the day before Harry takes off.
"Where will you go first?" Hermione asks, smiling despite the tears she is holding in her eyes.
"South America," Harry says "I want to see Brazil."
"Don't go around Oogling women, Harry!" Ginny laughs, but she can feel the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You'll tell us when you come back, right?" Hermione asks with a whisper
Harry smiles a bit sadly "Hey," he says, lifting her head with a finger on her chin "I'll come back, I promise, don't know when, but I will," he puts an old gold coin in Hermione's hands "And if you ever need me, just call, and I'll be here immediately"
He hugs them both and kisses their cheeks before the portkey takes off and they're left alone, looking towards the forest behind the burrow.