Decisions, Advice, And Hints of True Love

Ginny reclined slightly, resting her forearms on the bench behind her.

To her left, Hermione's tense body and tortured expression displayed the gravity of the

situation Ginny now found herself in.

She truly didn't know what to do.

If she told Hermione the truth, Ginny was pretty sure of the result. Hermione would

march right into the very public Gryffindor common room, find Ron, and tell him she

knew he liked her. From there, one of two things could happen. Ron could admit it and

snog her senseless, or he would sputter out a feeble, embarrassment induced, "Are you

mad? I do not!" that would mortify Hermione in the presence of all her peers.

But if she said she didn't know, Hermione would probably take that to mean that Ginny

either knew Ron didn't reciprocate Hermione's feelings, or at least had no evidence of it.

Being Hermione, Ginny was sure this would be detrimental to the hope Hermione had

harbored thus far. After all, who would know better about Ron's feelings than his nosy

little sister?

Sometimes Hermione was too logical for her own good.

Part of Ginny wanted to blurt it all out to Hermione, if only to get everything out in the

open. She, like everyone else, was pretty sick of the fight, silent treatment, make up

routine that had become a staple in Ron and Hermione's relationship. And she was

pretty sure that Harry would have a lot more free time (hopefully, for her) if he wasn't

constantly playing mediator between the two.

But if things didn't work out (and even if they did) she knew Ron would be upset with

her for betraying his confidence.

Before Hogwarts, before Harry and Hermione, Ron had been her best friend.

As the two youngest, they had relied on each other, mostly because the rest of their older

siblings had no time for "babies."

The older Ron got, the further away he slipped from her. They stopped playing Explorer

in the fields surrounding their house.

They stopped reading story books to each other, stopped swimming together.

Stopped confiding in each other.

Ginny's heart had broken when Ron left for Hogwarts, because even though she knew

she would be joining him in a year, it was the first time Ron had done something without

her.

Due to her nightmare first year, and Ron's already rock solid friendship with Harry and

Hermione, Ginny had always felt a bit apart from them.

Ron certainly hadn't wanted her around. Harry was embarrassed by her obvious crush on

him, and Hermione…..well Ginny had always secretly resented Hermione the tiniest bit.

Hermione spent the majority of her time with the two people Ginny cared for most- Ron,

who was the embodiment of a childhood long since passed, and Harry, who Ginny

desperately wanted as a part of her future.

Ginny had gotten over her jealously by summer's end, as she had begun to realize that

Ron and Hermione were evolving together into something wholly different from the

previous "trio" type of relationship of years past. And where did that leave Harry?

Well, if the summer was any indication, right beside Ginny.

It was last day of Hermione and Harry's summer visit.

Harry, like the rest of the Weasley's, was getting pretty sick of the constant fighting

between Ron and Hermione.

Harry had been sitting on the living room couch, reading a Quidditch magazine and

listening to Hermione and Ron's latest squabble.

At the time, Hermione been screaming at Ron for spilling pumpkin juice all over

her Arithmancy: More Than You Ever Wanted To Know, Hoped To, Or Thought You

Could textbook.

It had obviously been an accident, but, instead of apologizing, Ron had yelled back, "It's

just a stupid bloody(his mum was out) book, Hermione! It's not like it's important for one

ruddy page to be a bit wet. There are 896 other pages for you to obsess over!"

"Obsess? OBSESS!? That's not obsession, but I'll tell you what is! Mooning over a

stupid Quidditch team that hasn't won in years! Obsession is wearing orange all the time,

decorating your room in orange, and saying its your favorite color just because of the

pathetic Cannons when your hair is RED and it obviously clashes!"

Ron had stood suddenly, and advanced on Hermione. "Clashes? What do I care if this

stupid hair clashes? The Cannons are about to turn things around, and I'll thank you to

know that I'm not a fair-weather fan. I stick behind my team, no matter what. That's

loyalty, I tell y-"

"Your hair isn't ugly, Ron. I never said that." Hermione interrupted Ron's outburst.

"Huh?" Having lost track, Ron had to mentally go back and catch the thread of

conversation she was referring to.

"Oh, well it's not like you had to spell it out, Hermione. I know my hair is right dreadful,

but that's no reason to change my team allegiance, now is it?"

"Ron, there's nothing wrong with your hair." Hermione stubbornly refused to let the

point pass. "Actually, it's quite beau- it suits you."

By this time, Ron and Hermione had both begun to blush. Hermione, because she

couldn't believe what she had been about to say, and Ron, because he had managed to

figure out what the original end of her sentence was.

There was a bit of silence, with the both of them alternately looking at their shoes,

then each other, then back down to their feet.

Finally, Ron had quietly muttered, "Uhhh, I uh, think your hair's nice too."

Hermione's smile had lit up the kitchen, at least in Ron's opinion.

Ron had blushed more in response, and Harry had abruptly put down the magazine and

left, feely embarrassed enough for all three of them, having witnessed such awkwardness.

Not having much else to do, Harry had ventured down to the lake, deciding a lazy nap

against the huge oak tree would be just the thing.

Ginny had already beat him too it.

Ginny had felt someone's eyes on her, and sat up abruptly, well

used to sudden attacks by the twins.

After meeting Harry's gaze, she had smiled up at him. "Hello, Harry."

"Hey Ginny, am I interrupting?"

"Not at all!" Ginny moved slightly to her left, making room for Harry to join her.

Though she was still slightly nervous around him, the last weeks of school culminating in

Cedric Diggory's tragic death had brought into focus just how human Harry was. He

didn't need a squeaking idiot mooning at him, he needed a friend.

Ginny desperately wanted to be that for him.

After the whole bikini incident, Ginny had noticed that Harry seemed to be, well,

avoiding her. Thought any other girl might be disheartened by this, Ginny was actually

encouraged. Harry had to know she at least existed if he was purposefully avoiding her.

Ginny wanted to say something, but she had no idea what, so she stayed silent and

watched the ripples on the lake.

After a time, Harry had remarked, "It's so peaceful here."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "As opposed to….?"

Harry snorted. "As opposed to any place Ron and Hermione are at the same time."

Ginny winced. "That bad?"

Harry shook his head slightly. "Worse."

Ginny sighed. "Something is going to have to be done about those two."

Harry frowned. "I know, but…"

"But what Harry?" Ginny asked encouragingly.

"I guess I just feel weird about it. I mean, I know it's just a matter of time before they get together, and I want to them be happy….but I…"

"Feel like you'll be left out?"

Harry smiled at Ginny. "Exactly. Ron and Hermione both have pretty forceful

personalities. Whenever they fight, it's like the rest of the world disappears to them. Can

you imagine what that would be like if they were a couple and snogging everywhere?"

Ginny laughed softly. "Yeah, I can just imagine me going down to the Common room

only to discover them rolling around on the couch."

Harry couldn't help but grin at the image. "And with the knowledge those two have of

Hogwarts, well, no room would be safe."

Ginny giggled. "The library, definitely."

"Astronomy Tower, for sure," was Harry's contribution.

"Transfiguration! Can you picture McGonogall's face?"

"Defense of the Dark Arts classroom. What a great mood setting." Harry stated

sarcastically.

"Hagrid's Hut."

"Herbology."

"Snape's Office."

"Dumbledore's Office."

By this time, Harry and Ginny were laughing like loons.

As their laughter subsided, Ginny realized that they were having an actual, well,

conversation. About snogging, no less. And it was going pretty well.  She decided to risk

a bit more and open up to Harry.

Taking a deep breath, Ginny murmured, "I know that, well I know that this particular

school year is going to be hard for you, Harry. Besides Ron and Hermione, the

other…events that have happened, and those stupid O.W.L.S…..well, anyway, I just

wanted to let you know that if you need anything, advice or even just someone to listen,

that I will be here."

Ginny risked a glance at Harry's face to gauge his reaction.

Her breath caught at the emotion contained in his eyes, pleasure, happiness…..and a

promise of something more, something Ginny had only dreamed of thus far.

It felt like hours, their shared gaze, yet it also seemed as if no time at all had passed

before Harry's trembling hand had slowly joined her own in the soft, dewy grass.

They didn't speak about it.

Throughout the rest of that day, as well as at Hogwarts, whenever their eyes would meet,

Ginny would see that same promise in them. She would smile in return, and blush.

It made her heart hurt with a kind of joy she'd never before experienced.

On a basic level, she knew what Harry was saying without having to hear his words.

It wasn't yet time. There were other, more pressing concerns. He couldn't give her all of

himself until his life was his own, instead of Fate's. And besides, Ron would kill them.

Ginny knew all this, and understood.

Because, when the time did come, he would be hers. In her heart, he was already.

She knew what it was to love, even at her age. She knew what it was to be frustrated and

confused. She could deliver Hermione from that turmoil with the three simple words,

"Ron likes you."

But Ginny knew better.

So, instead, she turned to Hermione and said, "Let me ask you something. Let's say some

girl came to you for advice and said that she was ready to shag someone, but was too

embarrassed to ask a teacher or any of her mates for advice on what contraception spell to

use."

Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion. "What does this have to do with Ron?"

Ginny sighed. "Just answer this question, Hermione. What would be the logical response

in your opinion?"

Hermione thought a moment, then slowly said, "Well, I suppose……..I suppose I would

tell her that if she was too embarrassed to take proper precautions and research the

subject, then she probably wasn't ready to pursue that activity in the first place."

Ginny remained silent, waiting for Hermione to understand her point.

It didn't take long. After all, Hermione was the smartest witch in her year.

"You're trying to tell me that, until I'm ready to ask Ron myself and accept whatever

answer he gives, that I'm probably not ready to know."

Ginny grinned. "Good girl."

Hermione rolled her eyes in response. "Gin, that's just not fair. This is driving me crazy!"

Ginny bit her lip, then muttered, "Well, I suppose I can give you some advice."

Hermione smiled, "Thanks Gin, you're wonderful!"

Ginny grinned back at Hermione. "Well, you're good at research, aren't you? Why don't

you study Ron's behavior and see if you can objectively record factual information that

sheds light on the question you're driving yourself crazy trying to answer? That way,

you'll be able to see for yourself the answer to your question, as opposed to someone

else's ruddy opinion."

Hermione's eyes widened considerably. "I never thought of that!"

She reached over and hugged Ginny fiercely, exclaiming, "You're brilliant!"

She stood up and began pacing around the bleachers. "I can write up a whole checklist,

with scores in different categories that measure Ron's reactions. The higher the score, the

more weight towards romantic feelings…and vice versa.  I can even write up scenarios,

execute them and judge Ron's response.  Oh, this could work!"

Ginny smiled, gathering her and Hermione's wand and starting down the bleachers,

with Hermione a bit behind, still muttering ideas to herself.

Hmmmmm, Ginny thought.  This could get interesting.