*Chapter 2 ~ Questions*

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Hermione", responded Ginny, with a quizzical smile.

"... Um . y'know how you sent Harry that Valentine the year Lockheart was here. and how you'd always get all red when he walked in. I mean... well. do you, do you still."

"-like Harry?", Ginny interrupted. Hermione nodded, feeling rather stupid. It wasn't often that she stuttered as she had just done. Ginny sat back in her chair and looked as if she were deep in thought. "I don't think I really ever did. Not actually, I mean. I sort of just. heard so much about him from my brothers, and it's what's expected of me, I suppose."

"It's expected of you to like someone famous?" Hermione jumped in.

"No, it's expected of me to like a bo-" Ginny's eyes grew wide and she squeaked out ". er. well you see, it's mostly because he's Ron's friend I think." with that, Ginny firmly shut her mouth, as if she were afraid to say more, her ears distinctly pinker than before.

Hermione let Ginny's words sink in. "So you don't like Harry?" Ginny shook her head. "Then. who do you like?"

Ginny looked down. Her mind was spinning. I like you. "Oh... um, no one really" she said softly. "Who do you like?" she said, looking up at Hermione hopefully.

Hermione ran her hand through her hair. "Me. well... here. I'll give you a hint. They're in Gryffindor."

"What an excellent hint Hermione," said Ginny, rolling her eyes. "Really narrows it down, that does."

Hermione laughed. "You're really not going to guess who it is, Ginny" Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Fine," said Hermione, "they've got. blue eyes." Ginny glanced at her and Hermione lowered her eyes. Stop it. Stop it. Stop looking at her, Hermione thought to herself.

Ginny thought for a moment. "Seamus?" Hermione laughed and shook her head. "Um." Ginny proceeded to guess ten more blue-eyed Gryffindor boys, to each of which Hermione shook her head "no". Ginny sighed. "give me another hint."

"No," said Hermione. I would just die if she found out and she hated me. "I can't," she said.

"Pleeeeease 'Mione," Ginny begged. "Tell me what color hair they have?"

Hermione shook her head dejectedly. "No, I. I'm too tired, I'm going to head up to bed."

Ginny looked at her pleadingly. "Please?"

Hermione turned and faced Ginny, suddenly filled with the urge to just scream. She couldn't take it anymore. I can't believe I'm saying this, she thought. "Red. They have red hair, okay?"

"Oh." My GOD. thought Ginny. Her face fell.

"I knew it. I knew you'd hate me," said Hermione.

"No, I don't hate you, Hermione, it's just. why'd you have to love Ron?" said Ginny, stifling a sob. Why not me?

Hermione looked at Ginny, sitting on the sofa with her tiny feet tucked under her. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach and she looked so fragile in the candlelight. She noticed Ginny was shaking slightly.

A tear rolled down Ginny's face and she reached up and brushed it away quickly. Hermione stood up and walked over to the sofa, her eyes locking with Ginny's. "I don't love Ron," she said.

Ginny stared back, "but. but you said. they're in Gryffindor." Hermione nodded. "And they have blue eyes." Hermione nodded again. "And they have red hair."

Hermione smiled. "They do." She reached out and tucked a strand of Ginny's strawberry hair behind her ear. Her hand slid down the curve of Ginny's jaw line. "I love you." Cupping Ginny's face in her hand, Hermione closed her eyes and leaned in slowly, her lips lightly brushing Ginny's.

They both opened their eyes. Ginny stared at Hermione in disbelief. "You really like me?"

Hermione nodded, smiling. "How could I not?" This time, Ginny surprised her. She grabbed Hermione's shoulders and pulled her down onto the couch, and into a kiss much more heated than their first. She wrapped her hand around Hermione's waist and felt Hermione's hand resting behind her head.

All of the sudden they heard a voice. "What the hell do you think you're doing with my sister?!?!"