Ginny had quidditch practice that day, but once again, she couldn't focus. Usually quidditch could take her mind off anything, but today all she could think about was how much she wished she had told Hermione when she had had the chance. And she started wondering what would happen if she just screamed it now, for the entire world (though mostly her teammates) to hear. What would they think, if they knew? What would they do? By the time practice was over, Ginny had come to a decision. She would go up to the Gryffindor common room and tell Hermione, right then and there.

When she landed, Harry – now captain of the Gryffindor team – asked her if she was feeling alright. She told him she was just a little stressed from all her school work and he nodded understanding.

Ginny thought the words in her head as she walked up the Gryffindor common room. Hermione, I'm lesbian. I love you. That was all she needed to say, and she was going to say it just as soon as she saw the girl.

She had to pause to think of the password (since it wasn't lesbian, Hermione, or love), but after a second of thought she gave it to the Fat Lady and climbed through the portrait hole.

Looking around, she was appalled by the number of people there. It seemed that every Gryffindor currently attending Hogwarts had nowhere better to be at that very moment than in the common room. Ginny began to loose her nerve by the time she spotted Hermione. The girl was curled up with some 'light reading' (a 500 page advanced transfiguration textbook). Ginny took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"Hermione, can I talk to you?"

Hermione looked up from her book. "Sure," she said, sliding over to make room on the sofa for Ginny.

"Actually, I was wondering if I could talk to you somewhere... more... private." Ginny managed, her mouth dry.

Hermione gave her a concerned, and slightly confused, look, and nodded. "My dorm? I don't think anyone else is there just now."

Ginny nodded. She would have preferred her own dormitory, but at least this way it would be easier for her to run away if she needed to.

Hermione led the way up to her room. Ginny sat down next to her on the bed and opened her mouth, but her mind went blank. What was she supposed to say again? She couldn't remember, couldn't think.

"I... err... I mean I... I just wanted to tell you... um..." Ginny looked away from Hermione's questioning eyes. "Er... that is... uh... I..." She glanced back at Hermione and continued in a rush, "I'mgayandIloveyou." She felt her cheeks flame and stared at her hands as if they were the most interesting things in the world, unable to look at Hermione for fear of the hatred or disgust or rejection she might see there. Why had she done this again? What on earth had made her think telling Hermione was an even remotely good idea? She wished she could just vanish. She shouldn't have told Hermione. She didn't need to know, it didn't matter. Know she had ruined their friendship, she knew she had. And now that Hermione knew, what was to stop her from telling the entire school? How could Ginny face her classmates, teachers, her family, knowing that Hermione might have told them all... What if Hermione told her parents and they disowned her? What would she do? If only she could go back in time and unsay those words... And then another thought occurred to her. What if Hermione didn't believe her? Blaise hadn't believed Draco until Draco had...

Ginny glanced quickly up at Hermione's face.

"Oh..." The girl looked confused. "Um... okay then..." Hermione gave a slightly forced smile. "You know... I don't really like you... that way..."

Ginny felt intensely relieved – Hermione didn't hate her – but at the same a little hurt. It wasn't like she had expected for Hermione to cry her undying love for Ginny and her response was better than Ginny had dared let herself hope for, but she couldn't help feeling rejected. Some of this must have shown on her face, because Hermione quickly continued, "I mean, I still like you and all. Just not, you know, that way. I mean, you are a girl and I don't... I mean there's nothing wrong with it but... and I am dating Harry..." Hermione was blushing now.

Ginny took a deep breath and forced herself to smile. "It's okay. I just wanted you to know."

Hermione nodded, relieved. "Er... does anyone else know?"

Ginny shook her head. "No... Well, actually yes. Fleur sort of figured it out on her own, I guess, but other than that..."

Hermione seemed to have regained her composure and smiled. "Well, I'm glad you trust me enough to tell me. Thanks."

Ginny nodded, smiling back. "Uh... I'd better go finish my homework."

Hermione grinned and nodded. "Right."

And Ginny walked back downstairs feeling like a huge load had been lifted from her shoulders and for the first time in weeks, she found herself smiling. Life was good.

A/N: I know this chapter was a little short, but the next one will be longer.