Disclaimer: I'm not JK Rowling. If I were I wouldn't be stuck in school
half of the day now would I?
Rating: PG-13 for cussing
Pairing: Hr./G, HP/DM(scattered and not the main couple)
Feedback: Please oh please gimme some feedback! Send it to
philosophy897@aol.com.
Archive: Just let me know.
A/N: I have decided to include Draco and Harry since I've had several
requests to see them together in the story.
***
"Hermione! Hermione," shouted Ginny as she walked into the Gryffindor common room with an almost angry expression on her face. Hearing Ginny call her name, Hermione looked up. She glanced over to Neville who was looking up at Ginny with a dreamy look in his eyes. Hermione's eyes seemed to narrow into dangerously slender slits as she sunk back into her chair. She'd been avoiding Ginny that day due to the fact that she had trouble even looking at the youngest Weasley without picturing her and Neville together. Hermione pulled the book that was resting on her lap up and held it so that her face was not visible in hopes that Ginny would just pass her by and leave her to her self-loathing process which always seemed to take place after she avoided her girlfriend. No such luck. Ginny marched over to where Hermione was sitting with her nose in a book and reached her hand up, pulling the book down a little, "there you are." A frown tugged down the corners of Ginny's lips as she saw Hermione flinch slightly, "I've been looking everywhere for you." Hermione looked up to Ginny, trying to play dumb, something she never thought she'd do, "Oh? Really? I'm sorry I've been in the library all day." Ginny frowned even more, "no you haven't that was the first place I checked." "Oh....I was uh....I was in the uh....I was at....I mean I was hanging out with Ron and Harry," said Hermione, stumbling through her lies. "Why are you lying to me Hermione? I already asked Ron and Harry where you were!" Hermione looked at Ginny for a moment before standing and saying coldly, "I'm going to my room." "Fine then! Go," shouted Ginny to Hermione's retreating back.
***
Sighing, Hermione plunkered down beside Ron at the table. Ron looked over to his long time crush to see that she looked extremly sad and extremly undone. As Harry took a seat he exclaimed, "Hermione what's happened? You look like a wreck." Ron shot him a 'you're such an insensitive prick' look before beginning to rub Hermione's back, "what's wrong?" Hermione glanced from Harry to Ron before laying her head down on the table, "nothing...I'm just tired." Ron frowned as he looked across the table to Harry and mouthed, "what's wrong?" Harry glared at Ron before shaking his head realizing his best friend honestly didn't know that he had no idea so he just went back to eating his food. Feeling eyes on him, Harry turned his head about and spotted none other than Draco Malfoy looking to him. The two looked into each other's eyes before they each turned back to their respective tables, each with a smile on their lips. Harry spoke up again, "umm...Hermione why was Ginny asking us where you were yesterday?" Hermione glanced up at him, "she needed help with some homework." Ron, "oh...well what was with all the shouting you two did last night in the common room?" "We were just having a small fight. About girl stuff and what-not." "Oh." "So Ron, what're you doing today," asked Hermione, hoping he didn't have plans since it was Saturday which ment that she would have no excuse to get away from Ginny. Ginny came and sat down in between Neville and Harry. Nothing special, she was sitting in her usual seat but to Hermione it seemed as though she was trying to be as visible as possible to her. Ginny was seated across the table from Hermione who sat in between Ron and Seamus. "I was planning on going to Hogsmeade." "Why? It's not like you need anymore candy," said Ginny sharply. "Would you mind if I tagged along," asked Hermione, trying to ignore Ginny. "Not at all," said Ron with a happy smile, not missing the look he received from Ginny.
***
Ron was sitting in the Gryffindor common room playing a game of chess with Harry when Ginny walked in. She took a seat to watch the game of wizard's chess. "Ron that was a horrible move." Ron just continued playing. "What're you thinking Ron? You imbecile Harry is going to have your daft arse beat if you don't wisen up!" Ron clenched his jaw gently but kept playing. "Are you blind!? Didn't you see that move there! I swear even...even Neville could play better chess than this!" Ron glanced up to Harry who watched him a moment before they went back to playing. "You idiot! I swear you must have air up there in between your ears!" At this Ron turned and looked at Ginny. "What are you doing," he asked in a harsh tone, "no, on second thought I don't care just stop it!" "Fine," said Ginny before walking off. "What's gotten into her," Ron asked Harry. Harry shrugged and replied, "maybe it's that time of the month." "No that was last week, trust me I noticed." "Then I have no idea." "I think she's jealous." "Jealous?" "Yea, jealous. Of me and Hermione, ya know since they're best friends but now that Hermione likes me she's starting to hang out with me more than Ginny." "Oh....yea....you're probably right."
***
"Ginny do you want to go to the Three Broomsticks? I'll get you a butterbeer." "No thanks Neville." "Okay...then why don't we go to Zonko's? I'll buy some of those Hiccup Sweets you're always using on Harry and Ron." "No thank you Neville," said Ginny sharply. "Well what about Honeydukes? I know you practically live on those Licorice Wands they sell there," said Neville in a pleading voice, he was grasping for anything to get Ginny's attention. Ginny, who had been looking into the window of Dervish and Banges for Hermione, Ron, and Harry, turned about to face Neville with an aggitated look on her face. "Neville I don't want to go to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer, I don't want to go to Zonko's for some Hiccup sweets, and I do not want to go to Honeydukes for a Licorice Wand! Okay? I just want some time to think for a moment, okay?" "F-fine, Ginny," said Neville in a somewhat scared voice. Ginny looked to him and was about to say sorry before hearing laughter coming from the alleyway behind Dervish and Banges. Hearing that laugh made her stop, her mouth hanging open as she'd been about to speak. She knew that laugh. It was Hermione's. Neville watched her curiously as she turned and walked down the alley. "Ginny what're you doing?" "Nothing, just stay there." Ginny quickly made her way down the side alley that led to the back alley. She moved stealthily, not wanting Hermione to hear her coming. Peering around the corner she spotted Ron and Hermione talking, Hermione was laughing again. Ginny felt a pang of jealousy move through her body as she watched Ron and Hermione. Suddenly Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione. Coming out from behind the corner Ginny gawked at them a moment, looking into Hermione's suprised eyes as they glanced towards her before storming off. The minute Ginny had left Hermione pushed Ron away from her. "Ron what're you doing?!" "Kissing you?" "Well you can't!" "W-why not?" "Because I said so," shouted Hermione before running off after angry Ginny.
***
Harry looked up as Ginny ran past him followed quickly by Hermione. He sighed and glanced back behind him before looking at Ron as he walked over to Neville. "What do you think happened," came a voice from behind him. "Relationship problems no doubt," replied Harry. "You're probably right, love," said the voice. "I'm sure they'll work thourgh them though. Hermione and Ginny seem like they're very happy together." "I still can't believe they didn't notice us watching them while they were making out under the stairs." "I can't believe it either. I wonder if anybody has ever spotted us making out," mused Harry as he turned to face the voice who turned out to be none other than Draco Malfoy. "Doubtful since we're always under your invisibility cloak."
***
Later that night, Hermione lay in bed wondering if Ginny would ever speak to her again. Sighing for the hundreth time she looked down at the pillow beside her, imagining that Ginny was there. Her fantasy was quickly cut off as the real Ginny walked into Hermione's room and, instead of getting into the bed, stood defiantely at the foot of the bed. "So that's why you've been avoiding me and lying to me! So you could go off and snog my bloody brother!" "Ginny please...let me explain-" "No! I don't need to hear anymore of your lies!" "I'm not lying!" "Right, so then where were you yesterday?" "I was avoiding you," shouted Hermione, caught up in the heat of the moment. "What?! Why?" "Because!" "Because why?" "Beause I can't even look at you anymore! I can't even see you without picturing you and Neville together! I....I can't deal with the fact that you'll be with him!" "Hermione you promised that you wouldn't get jealous." "Well consider that my actual lie!" Ginny just stood there, obviously stunned. Hermione looked at her with tear-filled eyes before looking down and wiping at her eyes, muttering curses under her breath as she hunched over in her bed. "This is complete and utter bullshit Hermione," shouted Ginny harshly, not wanting to believe Hermione when it would be easier to believe she had been avoiding her to go off and snog her brother. Then Ginny stormed off, deciding to head back to her own room for a good cry.
***
The next morning the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Hermione was fidgetting slightly in her chair, avoiding eye contact with everybody. Harry was concentrating on looking to Draco. Ron was looking down into his eggs. Ginny was looking at Hermione then to Ron then back to Hermione. Neville however was just chomping away on his toast, completely oblivious to the tension. "So uhh Ginny, we've got a meeting today with McGonagall haven't we," asked Ron finally. Ginny nodded, "yes, I think so." "Well good." Then the table fell back into silence.
***
Ron looked up from his homework to see a flustered Ginny storm into the common room. He didn't miss the look that passed between Hermione and Ginny. Hermione looked apologetic but Ginny looked like she was all but forgiving. Frowning, Ron decided he'd have to have a talk with his sister about what was going on. After all, he knew she was just jealous of his and Hermione's closeness, right?
***
Hermione leaned against the doorway, watching a certain red-headed Weasley laugh jovially as Lavender made some crack about Millicent Bulstrode. Her eyes were only on the Weasley a moment before being met by the same Weasley's own eyes. Ginny's laugh faded as did the huge grin that had been splayed upon her lips only moments before. Hermione couldn't stand the intensity of the gaze and looked away, pushing off the door, wondering what she was doing there. Ron glanced over to his sister who was having a blast sitting over there with his friends, while he, Ron, the older Weasley was being forced by Professor McGonagall to put up banners in the Great Hall. Sighing he scrunched his nose up as though he'd just smelt something foul and wondered why he'd ever signed up for this stupid, girly dance comittee. Ginny couldn't help but laugh as Lavender made another crack but, feeling eyes on her, she looked up and caught Hermione's eyes with her own. Loosing her breath, Ginny felt her chest tighten as her smile faded away with her laughter. Just looking at Hermione was hard. Then Hermione looked away and a few moments later, Ginny followed her lead, wondering why she'd ever gotten involved with Hermione, Head Girl and the crush of her brother's life.
Because I need to see her, answered Hermione to herself.
Because I had to prove that I could join up, thought Ron.
Because I love her, was the answer that resounded in Ginny's head.
***
Ron sat in the common room, waiting for Ginny to get back so he could talk to her. Sighing he gazed into the fire as he replayed what would happen again in his head for what must've been the thousandth time. Ginny would come in, he would have a heart to heart with her and she'd realize she'd been wrong. Then she'd hug him, tell him he was the best big brother a gal could ever hope for and everything could go back to being okay. Unfortunately Ron was way off. Hearing Ginny walk in, his eyes snapped up to her. "Ginny we need to talk." "Not now Ron." "Please," he pleaded. "Fine," said Ginny, turning to look at her brother. "About Hermione...." "What about her," asked Ginny icily. "You've got to stop being so mean to her. I understand that you're jealous- " "Jealous?!" "Yes, of our closeness. Ginny, just because Hermione likes me doesn't mean that the two of you can't be friends." "Hermione does not like you Ron!" "Yes. Yes Ginny, she does." "NO! SHE DOESN'T," shouted Ginny as Hermione walked into the common room. Ginny looked to her with tear-filled eyes before storming off. Hermione looked to Ron who was pinching the bridge of his nose, obviously upset. She was torn. Should she go after the girl she loved or the man she was supposed to love. Her mouth opened as she was about to say something but closed again as she turned and walked to her room.
***
Hearing crying, Hermione walked out onto the empty Quidditch pitch. For some odd reason she always came out there when she felt like she needed to take a step back and get some perspective. Even though she didn't play there something about the place just felt right. It just clicked. Maybe it was because whenever she walked out on the field she could see Ginny flying above her, or maybe it was because it was just a huge expanse of land where she could lay for hours starring up at the stars. Deciding now was not the best time to ruminate over her somewhat odd behavior she looked around the pitch, finally spotting hunched over body at the end of the pitch. Her brows furrowed as she walked down the length of the field to the figure, who's body was being wracked by sobs. The moon was covered by a thick sheet of clouds so Hermione couldn't see who it was that was sitting before her. "What's wrong," she asked in a quiet tone. Ginny, who was too wrapped up in her crying to realize it was Hermione talking to her replied, "my girlfriend is snogging my brother and....and she's jealous of me and this guy and....she's just...ugh...I don't know," came Ginny's voice before the youngest Weasley started up a fresh batch of tears. Hermione felt her chest tighten as she took a seat beside her girlfriend and slid her hand to the girls back, massaging it soothingly as she spoke. "Maybe your brother kissed your girlfriend when she didn't want him too...." Ginny, realizing it was Hermione looked over to the other girl with puffy red eyes that had obviously been crying for awhile now. Hermione fought back the urge to gasp as she pulled Ginny into her arms and whispered, "Oh God Gin I've missed you so much." "Good cause I've missed you like hell," said the youngest Weasley with a small laugh.
***
Dim light covered Hermione and bathed the book that rested in her lap in a warm glow as she tried to concentrate on her homework. The first Quidditch match was tomorrow and it was Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Of course that wasn't what Hermione was thinking about....well not exactly. She was thinking about the game, or more the fact that she was going to be there, and furthermore that her girlfriend was the star keeper for the Gryffindor team. Hermione had given up hope that Ginny would come to bed at all by that point, figuring the younger Gryffindor still wanted some time to figure things out since they still hadn't talked about the whole jealousy thing. "Gulping gargoyles," she said frustratedly as she closed the thick volume and slid it on to the table that rested beside her large four-poster bed. "You'd better watch your mouth...after all, what would McGonagall say if she knew the Head Girl was cursing at her books?" Hermione's eyes snapped up and looked into Ginny's eyes. Her breath catching in her throat as she raised a hand and placed it over her heart. "Ginny you scared me!" "Sorry....I figured you'd be used to me coming in here since I've been doing it since you got this room." "True but I just assumed that-" "You assumed wrong. Just like you assumed wrong about Neville and I." "I know Ginny. I don't know why but I was just....I couldn't even look at you. It hurt so bad to know that you'd be with Neville instead of me." "Why this time? I mean I've gone to the dances with Neville since...forever." "I guess because this is our last year and because this is the last year I'll ever have to finally get up the guts to ask you to dance with me." "That makes sense but still Hermione you should be able to trust me." "I know and I do it's just....I don't know...how can I explain? Okay, you know that I'll be going with Ron?" "Yes...," mumbled Ginny, obviously not happy about that fact. "Well imagine me dancing with him, being in his arms and smiling at him. Imagine my hands running through his hair as we talk and he makes me laugh." Ginny's hands balled up into fists as she allowed herself to imagine it. She knew it would play out that way and that Ron would try to kiss Hermione. Seeing the images of her girlfriend, the one person she loved most, kissing her brother infuriated her. She was seeing red even thinking about it. "Imagine us kis-" "Okay," shouted Ginny quickly, "okay, I get it," she added in a softer tone as she looked up to Hermione. "All the same, if I'd felt that way I would've told you." "Would you," asked Hermione challengingly. "Yes," replied Ginny confidently. Sighing, Hermione just shook her head before saying, "can we just forget it?" "I'd love to, Hermione. You know I would but we can't. If it's how you feel we have to deal with it. I have to know that you can trust me and I have to know I can trust you," said Ginny in a very 'mature' tone, obviously taking Hermione's advice and forgetting it. She understood Hermione and knew that she'd felt the same way. "You really aren't going to let this one slide," asked Hermione with a grin. "No way. For once you're the one that messed up so this time I get to go all out with the psycho-babble-bullshit," said Ginny cheekily as she crawled up the bed, towards Hermione. "Ginny Weasley!" "Aww...you know you like it when I talk dirty 'Mione," said Ginny as she moved up on top of her brown-haired girlfriend. "You better believe it," whispered Hermione as she looked at Ginny's full, lucious pale pink lips before her eyes moved to Ginny's neck then to the girls breasts which were scarcely hidden behind the tight tank top that the other girl wore to bed. "Ah hem, Miss Granger my eyes are up here," said Ginny though she was smiling. Hermione, however didn't take any notice of Ginny's words as she moved in, gently dusting kisses along the youngest Weasley's neck. Ginny gave a small moan, her hands moving up and tangling themselves in Hermione's hair. All that was in Hermione's mind was the need to show Ginny how much she loved her, how much she trusted her and she had the perfect idea on just how to do that. Ginny on the other hand was thinking this would just be another make-out session that would get intense and passionate then Hermione would pull away and they would go to sleep. As Hermione's hands moved to the straps of Ginny's tank top and pushed them off Ginny gasped and mumbled out, "Hermione....what are you doing?" After attacking the newly exposed skin, Hermione whispered heatedly against Ginny's skin, "making love to you, you doof..."
***
TBC?
***
"Hermione! Hermione," shouted Ginny as she walked into the Gryffindor common room with an almost angry expression on her face. Hearing Ginny call her name, Hermione looked up. She glanced over to Neville who was looking up at Ginny with a dreamy look in his eyes. Hermione's eyes seemed to narrow into dangerously slender slits as she sunk back into her chair. She'd been avoiding Ginny that day due to the fact that she had trouble even looking at the youngest Weasley without picturing her and Neville together. Hermione pulled the book that was resting on her lap up and held it so that her face was not visible in hopes that Ginny would just pass her by and leave her to her self-loathing process which always seemed to take place after she avoided her girlfriend. No such luck. Ginny marched over to where Hermione was sitting with her nose in a book and reached her hand up, pulling the book down a little, "there you are." A frown tugged down the corners of Ginny's lips as she saw Hermione flinch slightly, "I've been looking everywhere for you." Hermione looked up to Ginny, trying to play dumb, something she never thought she'd do, "Oh? Really? I'm sorry I've been in the library all day." Ginny frowned even more, "no you haven't that was the first place I checked." "Oh....I was uh....I was in the uh....I was at....I mean I was hanging out with Ron and Harry," said Hermione, stumbling through her lies. "Why are you lying to me Hermione? I already asked Ron and Harry where you were!" Hermione looked at Ginny for a moment before standing and saying coldly, "I'm going to my room." "Fine then! Go," shouted Ginny to Hermione's retreating back.
***
Sighing, Hermione plunkered down beside Ron at the table. Ron looked over to his long time crush to see that she looked extremly sad and extremly undone. As Harry took a seat he exclaimed, "Hermione what's happened? You look like a wreck." Ron shot him a 'you're such an insensitive prick' look before beginning to rub Hermione's back, "what's wrong?" Hermione glanced from Harry to Ron before laying her head down on the table, "nothing...I'm just tired." Ron frowned as he looked across the table to Harry and mouthed, "what's wrong?" Harry glared at Ron before shaking his head realizing his best friend honestly didn't know that he had no idea so he just went back to eating his food. Feeling eyes on him, Harry turned his head about and spotted none other than Draco Malfoy looking to him. The two looked into each other's eyes before they each turned back to their respective tables, each with a smile on their lips. Harry spoke up again, "umm...Hermione why was Ginny asking us where you were yesterday?" Hermione glanced up at him, "she needed help with some homework." Ron, "oh...well what was with all the shouting you two did last night in the common room?" "We were just having a small fight. About girl stuff and what-not." "Oh." "So Ron, what're you doing today," asked Hermione, hoping he didn't have plans since it was Saturday which ment that she would have no excuse to get away from Ginny. Ginny came and sat down in between Neville and Harry. Nothing special, she was sitting in her usual seat but to Hermione it seemed as though she was trying to be as visible as possible to her. Ginny was seated across the table from Hermione who sat in between Ron and Seamus. "I was planning on going to Hogsmeade." "Why? It's not like you need anymore candy," said Ginny sharply. "Would you mind if I tagged along," asked Hermione, trying to ignore Ginny. "Not at all," said Ron with a happy smile, not missing the look he received from Ginny.
***
Ron was sitting in the Gryffindor common room playing a game of chess with Harry when Ginny walked in. She took a seat to watch the game of wizard's chess. "Ron that was a horrible move." Ron just continued playing. "What're you thinking Ron? You imbecile Harry is going to have your daft arse beat if you don't wisen up!" Ron clenched his jaw gently but kept playing. "Are you blind!? Didn't you see that move there! I swear even...even Neville could play better chess than this!" Ron glanced up to Harry who watched him a moment before they went back to playing. "You idiot! I swear you must have air up there in between your ears!" At this Ron turned and looked at Ginny. "What are you doing," he asked in a harsh tone, "no, on second thought I don't care just stop it!" "Fine," said Ginny before walking off. "What's gotten into her," Ron asked Harry. Harry shrugged and replied, "maybe it's that time of the month." "No that was last week, trust me I noticed." "Then I have no idea." "I think she's jealous." "Jealous?" "Yea, jealous. Of me and Hermione, ya know since they're best friends but now that Hermione likes me she's starting to hang out with me more than Ginny." "Oh....yea....you're probably right."
***
"Ginny do you want to go to the Three Broomsticks? I'll get you a butterbeer." "No thanks Neville." "Okay...then why don't we go to Zonko's? I'll buy some of those Hiccup Sweets you're always using on Harry and Ron." "No thank you Neville," said Ginny sharply. "Well what about Honeydukes? I know you practically live on those Licorice Wands they sell there," said Neville in a pleading voice, he was grasping for anything to get Ginny's attention. Ginny, who had been looking into the window of Dervish and Banges for Hermione, Ron, and Harry, turned about to face Neville with an aggitated look on her face. "Neville I don't want to go to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer, I don't want to go to Zonko's for some Hiccup sweets, and I do not want to go to Honeydukes for a Licorice Wand! Okay? I just want some time to think for a moment, okay?" "F-fine, Ginny," said Neville in a somewhat scared voice. Ginny looked to him and was about to say sorry before hearing laughter coming from the alleyway behind Dervish and Banges. Hearing that laugh made her stop, her mouth hanging open as she'd been about to speak. She knew that laugh. It was Hermione's. Neville watched her curiously as she turned and walked down the alley. "Ginny what're you doing?" "Nothing, just stay there." Ginny quickly made her way down the side alley that led to the back alley. She moved stealthily, not wanting Hermione to hear her coming. Peering around the corner she spotted Ron and Hermione talking, Hermione was laughing again. Ginny felt a pang of jealousy move through her body as she watched Ron and Hermione. Suddenly Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione. Coming out from behind the corner Ginny gawked at them a moment, looking into Hermione's suprised eyes as they glanced towards her before storming off. The minute Ginny had left Hermione pushed Ron away from her. "Ron what're you doing?!" "Kissing you?" "Well you can't!" "W-why not?" "Because I said so," shouted Hermione before running off after angry Ginny.
***
Harry looked up as Ginny ran past him followed quickly by Hermione. He sighed and glanced back behind him before looking at Ron as he walked over to Neville. "What do you think happened," came a voice from behind him. "Relationship problems no doubt," replied Harry. "You're probably right, love," said the voice. "I'm sure they'll work thourgh them though. Hermione and Ginny seem like they're very happy together." "I still can't believe they didn't notice us watching them while they were making out under the stairs." "I can't believe it either. I wonder if anybody has ever spotted us making out," mused Harry as he turned to face the voice who turned out to be none other than Draco Malfoy. "Doubtful since we're always under your invisibility cloak."
***
Later that night, Hermione lay in bed wondering if Ginny would ever speak to her again. Sighing for the hundreth time she looked down at the pillow beside her, imagining that Ginny was there. Her fantasy was quickly cut off as the real Ginny walked into Hermione's room and, instead of getting into the bed, stood defiantely at the foot of the bed. "So that's why you've been avoiding me and lying to me! So you could go off and snog my bloody brother!" "Ginny please...let me explain-" "No! I don't need to hear anymore of your lies!" "I'm not lying!" "Right, so then where were you yesterday?" "I was avoiding you," shouted Hermione, caught up in the heat of the moment. "What?! Why?" "Because!" "Because why?" "Beause I can't even look at you anymore! I can't even see you without picturing you and Neville together! I....I can't deal with the fact that you'll be with him!" "Hermione you promised that you wouldn't get jealous." "Well consider that my actual lie!" Ginny just stood there, obviously stunned. Hermione looked at her with tear-filled eyes before looking down and wiping at her eyes, muttering curses under her breath as she hunched over in her bed. "This is complete and utter bullshit Hermione," shouted Ginny harshly, not wanting to believe Hermione when it would be easier to believe she had been avoiding her to go off and snog her brother. Then Ginny stormed off, deciding to head back to her own room for a good cry.
***
The next morning the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Hermione was fidgetting slightly in her chair, avoiding eye contact with everybody. Harry was concentrating on looking to Draco. Ron was looking down into his eggs. Ginny was looking at Hermione then to Ron then back to Hermione. Neville however was just chomping away on his toast, completely oblivious to the tension. "So uhh Ginny, we've got a meeting today with McGonagall haven't we," asked Ron finally. Ginny nodded, "yes, I think so." "Well good." Then the table fell back into silence.
***
Ron looked up from his homework to see a flustered Ginny storm into the common room. He didn't miss the look that passed between Hermione and Ginny. Hermione looked apologetic but Ginny looked like she was all but forgiving. Frowning, Ron decided he'd have to have a talk with his sister about what was going on. After all, he knew she was just jealous of his and Hermione's closeness, right?
***
Hermione leaned against the doorway, watching a certain red-headed Weasley laugh jovially as Lavender made some crack about Millicent Bulstrode. Her eyes were only on the Weasley a moment before being met by the same Weasley's own eyes. Ginny's laugh faded as did the huge grin that had been splayed upon her lips only moments before. Hermione couldn't stand the intensity of the gaze and looked away, pushing off the door, wondering what she was doing there. Ron glanced over to his sister who was having a blast sitting over there with his friends, while he, Ron, the older Weasley was being forced by Professor McGonagall to put up banners in the Great Hall. Sighing he scrunched his nose up as though he'd just smelt something foul and wondered why he'd ever signed up for this stupid, girly dance comittee. Ginny couldn't help but laugh as Lavender made another crack but, feeling eyes on her, she looked up and caught Hermione's eyes with her own. Loosing her breath, Ginny felt her chest tighten as her smile faded away with her laughter. Just looking at Hermione was hard. Then Hermione looked away and a few moments later, Ginny followed her lead, wondering why she'd ever gotten involved with Hermione, Head Girl and the crush of her brother's life.
Because I need to see her, answered Hermione to herself.
Because I had to prove that I could join up, thought Ron.
Because I love her, was the answer that resounded in Ginny's head.
***
Ron sat in the common room, waiting for Ginny to get back so he could talk to her. Sighing he gazed into the fire as he replayed what would happen again in his head for what must've been the thousandth time. Ginny would come in, he would have a heart to heart with her and she'd realize she'd been wrong. Then she'd hug him, tell him he was the best big brother a gal could ever hope for and everything could go back to being okay. Unfortunately Ron was way off. Hearing Ginny walk in, his eyes snapped up to her. "Ginny we need to talk." "Not now Ron." "Please," he pleaded. "Fine," said Ginny, turning to look at her brother. "About Hermione...." "What about her," asked Ginny icily. "You've got to stop being so mean to her. I understand that you're jealous- " "Jealous?!" "Yes, of our closeness. Ginny, just because Hermione likes me doesn't mean that the two of you can't be friends." "Hermione does not like you Ron!" "Yes. Yes Ginny, she does." "NO! SHE DOESN'T," shouted Ginny as Hermione walked into the common room. Ginny looked to her with tear-filled eyes before storming off. Hermione looked to Ron who was pinching the bridge of his nose, obviously upset. She was torn. Should she go after the girl she loved or the man she was supposed to love. Her mouth opened as she was about to say something but closed again as she turned and walked to her room.
***
Hearing crying, Hermione walked out onto the empty Quidditch pitch. For some odd reason she always came out there when she felt like she needed to take a step back and get some perspective. Even though she didn't play there something about the place just felt right. It just clicked. Maybe it was because whenever she walked out on the field she could see Ginny flying above her, or maybe it was because it was just a huge expanse of land where she could lay for hours starring up at the stars. Deciding now was not the best time to ruminate over her somewhat odd behavior she looked around the pitch, finally spotting hunched over body at the end of the pitch. Her brows furrowed as she walked down the length of the field to the figure, who's body was being wracked by sobs. The moon was covered by a thick sheet of clouds so Hermione couldn't see who it was that was sitting before her. "What's wrong," she asked in a quiet tone. Ginny, who was too wrapped up in her crying to realize it was Hermione talking to her replied, "my girlfriend is snogging my brother and....and she's jealous of me and this guy and....she's just...ugh...I don't know," came Ginny's voice before the youngest Weasley started up a fresh batch of tears. Hermione felt her chest tighten as she took a seat beside her girlfriend and slid her hand to the girls back, massaging it soothingly as she spoke. "Maybe your brother kissed your girlfriend when she didn't want him too...." Ginny, realizing it was Hermione looked over to the other girl with puffy red eyes that had obviously been crying for awhile now. Hermione fought back the urge to gasp as she pulled Ginny into her arms and whispered, "Oh God Gin I've missed you so much." "Good cause I've missed you like hell," said the youngest Weasley with a small laugh.
***
Dim light covered Hermione and bathed the book that rested in her lap in a warm glow as she tried to concentrate on her homework. The first Quidditch match was tomorrow and it was Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Of course that wasn't what Hermione was thinking about....well not exactly. She was thinking about the game, or more the fact that she was going to be there, and furthermore that her girlfriend was the star keeper for the Gryffindor team. Hermione had given up hope that Ginny would come to bed at all by that point, figuring the younger Gryffindor still wanted some time to figure things out since they still hadn't talked about the whole jealousy thing. "Gulping gargoyles," she said frustratedly as she closed the thick volume and slid it on to the table that rested beside her large four-poster bed. "You'd better watch your mouth...after all, what would McGonagall say if she knew the Head Girl was cursing at her books?" Hermione's eyes snapped up and looked into Ginny's eyes. Her breath catching in her throat as she raised a hand and placed it over her heart. "Ginny you scared me!" "Sorry....I figured you'd be used to me coming in here since I've been doing it since you got this room." "True but I just assumed that-" "You assumed wrong. Just like you assumed wrong about Neville and I." "I know Ginny. I don't know why but I was just....I couldn't even look at you. It hurt so bad to know that you'd be with Neville instead of me." "Why this time? I mean I've gone to the dances with Neville since...forever." "I guess because this is our last year and because this is the last year I'll ever have to finally get up the guts to ask you to dance with me." "That makes sense but still Hermione you should be able to trust me." "I know and I do it's just....I don't know...how can I explain? Okay, you know that I'll be going with Ron?" "Yes...," mumbled Ginny, obviously not happy about that fact. "Well imagine me dancing with him, being in his arms and smiling at him. Imagine my hands running through his hair as we talk and he makes me laugh." Ginny's hands balled up into fists as she allowed herself to imagine it. She knew it would play out that way and that Ron would try to kiss Hermione. Seeing the images of her girlfriend, the one person she loved most, kissing her brother infuriated her. She was seeing red even thinking about it. "Imagine us kis-" "Okay," shouted Ginny quickly, "okay, I get it," she added in a softer tone as she looked up to Hermione. "All the same, if I'd felt that way I would've told you." "Would you," asked Hermione challengingly. "Yes," replied Ginny confidently. Sighing, Hermione just shook her head before saying, "can we just forget it?" "I'd love to, Hermione. You know I would but we can't. If it's how you feel we have to deal with it. I have to know that you can trust me and I have to know I can trust you," said Ginny in a very 'mature' tone, obviously taking Hermione's advice and forgetting it. She understood Hermione and knew that she'd felt the same way. "You really aren't going to let this one slide," asked Hermione with a grin. "No way. For once you're the one that messed up so this time I get to go all out with the psycho-babble-bullshit," said Ginny cheekily as she crawled up the bed, towards Hermione. "Ginny Weasley!" "Aww...you know you like it when I talk dirty 'Mione," said Ginny as she moved up on top of her brown-haired girlfriend. "You better believe it," whispered Hermione as she looked at Ginny's full, lucious pale pink lips before her eyes moved to Ginny's neck then to the girls breasts which were scarcely hidden behind the tight tank top that the other girl wore to bed. "Ah hem, Miss Granger my eyes are up here," said Ginny though she was smiling. Hermione, however didn't take any notice of Ginny's words as she moved in, gently dusting kisses along the youngest Weasley's neck. Ginny gave a small moan, her hands moving up and tangling themselves in Hermione's hair. All that was in Hermione's mind was the need to show Ginny how much she loved her, how much she trusted her and she had the perfect idea on just how to do that. Ginny on the other hand was thinking this would just be another make-out session that would get intense and passionate then Hermione would pull away and they would go to sleep. As Hermione's hands moved to the straps of Ginny's tank top and pushed them off Ginny gasped and mumbled out, "Hermione....what are you doing?" After attacking the newly exposed skin, Hermione whispered heatedly against Ginny's skin, "making love to you, you doof..."
***
TBC?