((Same disclaimer. Thanks otakuprincess and lockeness for your reviews. I agree---I didn't really like the Slytherin Weasley. I can't seem to write Draco IC...it's much easier to make him a sweetie! And shame on you for not being 17, otaku! Just kidding, I'll bet there are thousands of R readers who aren't 17. Thanks for your review too, lupenlee, but if you don't really like it, why did you ask me to write more? I'm a little lost there! And to poizin, thanks for the compliment. The R stuff will come later, I promise. If it was all R I'd have to make it NC-17 and that's never fun! And thanks for the reviews Dottie, Vamphunter, and Soon to be dark Nadeshiko. Well....with all that said...here's Chapter 2. I hope this Authors Note isn't longer than the Chapter! Hehehe.))
Ginny awoke the next morning with confusing thoughts still in her mind. She spotted Hermione, already in the small bathroom crammed with three showers, and three toilets.
"I hate not having privacy..." Hermione was grumbling.
"Well at least the toilets are in stalls. And the showers have curtains." Ginny remarked. Hermione shrugged. Ginny recognized a cranky morning mood when she saw it, and decided not to ask for help with her love life just yet. She hopped into a shower, and drew the curtains tightly. She pulled her hair out of her two long braids and began to shower. With her eyes closed and thinking of Draco and Harry, she reached for the shampoo. She missed, and her arm knocked it over. It landed on her toe, and Ginny winced.
"Damn." she said aloud as her toe throbbed. She heard Hermione giggle, and figured she was brightening. And what better time to ask Hermione? If she started to blush, her friend wouldn't be able to see it.
"Um...Herm? I need some help." Ginny said, hoping the bathroom was still empty besides the two. She peeked a soapy head out of the shower and checked. The coast was clear. She ducked back behind the curtain. She began to rinse, and already her cheeks were a bright red. Ginny wasn't very comfortable with the subject. She refused to have "the talk" with her mum, and hadn't had a real relationship before.
"Okay. Go ahead." Hermione answered, washing her hands at the sink.
"I...uh...like somebody. Two guys, actually..." Ginny began. Then quickly, before Hermione could ask who, she added, "Draco and Harry."
The tap stopped, leaving only the water from the shower running. Now clean, Ginny stepped out of the shower and quickly wrapped a towel around her body. Hermione was sitting against the wall, looking shocked.
"Draco?" Hermione repeated weakly.
"Yes. I know you're surprised, but he seems different around me. I don't know if I'm imagining things, though." Ginny said quietly. She sat down beside Hermione.
"I don't know, Gin. Draco's always been a bastard, so don't get your hopes up. And I don't think Ron would be pleased if you and Harry started dating. I'm afraid I can't help you. Why don't you send an owl to your mum?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed staring surprised at her friend. "You know I can't talk to my mum about that!" Ginny cried.
"But it's natural." Hermione insisted. When Ginny firmly shook her head, Hermione sighed. She realized that Ginny was lacking a lot of information. Even though Ginny had dated Michael Corner and Dean Thomas a few years ago, those relationships were more like friendships. So, reluctant and slightly embarrassed herself, Hermione began the talk that she herself had had to bear, many years before.
"Any questions?" Hermione asked hesitantly afterwards. Ginny wasn't too shocked, she'd known most of it already. She shook her head.
"And now that we're in this topic, I might as well tell you. I like Ron." Hermione said, after a moment.
"Way to go!" Ginny said, cheering up. "I'm sure he likes you, too." she added. Hermione grinned. They rose, and headed to the Gryffindor common room, both feeling amazingly relieved.
"Hey, Ginny." Harry greeted as she and Hermione entered. Ginny felt giddy, realizing he hadn't greeted Hermione, but her. And then she realized Ron and Hermione were already deep in conversation.
"Hi, Harry." Ginny replied. She sat down on the coach beside him, but suddenly felt awkward. She cursed the conversation she and Hermione had just had, for now it was all she could think about. She was too aware of the rippling muscles underneath Harry's robes; his bright green eyes that lingered on her. And then came the jealousy. She wondered how many girls Harry had been with, while she had never even seen a man naked, never mind actually doing anything!
Harry was aware of the silence that passed between them. He was busy thinking about Ginny when she came onto the train in her tight Muggle clothing. As the silence loomed over them, he heard Hermione giggle, and then she and Ron came and sat down by Harry and Ginny. They were holding hands.
Harry raised a brow at Ron, while Ginny was grinning at Hermione. Ron and Hermione didn't need to announce they were a new couple as it was obvious.
Later in the day, Ginny got Hermione alone.
"See! I know he liked you!" Ginny said, grinning. Hermione smiled.
"Guess what I found out, Gin!" Hermione said.
"What?" Ginny asked eagerly.
"Harry li--" Hermione began. Ginny didn't hear the rest. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had just turned the corner and Ginny's attention focused fully on him. Pansy Parkinson and another Slytherin girl from Ginny's year were following the three looking as though they were dying for attention. Malfoy spotted Hermione and Ginny.
"Funny seeing you here, Weasley. I would have thought you would have ran into me by now." he drawled. Ginny felt herself blushing, and fought back a grin. Hermione stepped forwards.
"You would have thought? I didn't know you could think, Malfoy." Hermione growled.
"Tut, tut, Granger. Can't allow a decent conversation?" Malfoy asked, smirking. "Good thing you can't waste anytime coming up with a good insult. Might get behind on your studies." he remarked. Then his steely gaze fell on Ginny again, and he headed off. His little group followed.
"Gin. Don't waste your time going after a guy like him." Hermione said quietly. But Ginny couldn't help it. Why had he acted so different today? She couldn't help but wonder. But then again, he was acting like the usual Malfoy. Maybe he felt nothing for her. Feeling depressed again, Ginny turned and headed back to the Gryffindor dormitory. She was glad there were no classes for a while. She needed the time to think.
She entered the Common room, and saw Harry sitting on a chair reading a book on Firebolts. He looked up at Ginny as she entered.
"Hi." he ventured. She was still confused about Malfoy, and wasn't thinking straight.
"I can't talk right now, Harry." Ginny said, heading up to her bed. She missed the hurt look in Harry's eyes. He rose, and headed out the portrait hole, looking for Hermione. He found her, quite suddenly, in fact.
Her lips were locked on Ron's, and he had her pinned against the wall. Right beside the Fat Lady. Harry wondered why the Fat Lady wasn't objecting, but saw she was asleep. Unsure what he should do, he just stood there.
Hermione's leg rose up along Ron's, as she released a deep moan. Ron ran his hand along her thigh, and as he reached the end, she broke into a little giggle. It was stifled by their lips meeting again. Harry cleared his throat. Ron froze, and jerked his head up. Hermione lifted hers away from the wall, and two sets of eyes fell on Harry.
"Oh! Harry! We're so sorry." Hermione said quickly. She pulled away from Ron's bulk, and smoothed her robes. Harry shot a look at Ron before turning to Hermione.
"I need to talk to you. In private." he said, pulling her away. They turned a corner, and Harry faced Hermione.
"Ginny snubbed me in the dorm just now. Did you tell her...about...me...?" Harry asked, looking upset.
"I was going to. But...something interrupted. She's probably confused because of it. It has nothing to do with you, though. She just needs some peace." Hermione answered.
"What happened?" Harry insisted. Hermione gave in.
"Malfoy came around the corner. She fancies him." Hermione said quietly. Seeing the look of horror on Harry's face, she continued. "She likes you, too. She can't decide between you."
"That makes it so much better." Harry replied sarcastically.
Just then, Malfoy appeared around the corner. Without Crabbe or Goyle by him, he was looking out of place. He wandered around the area slowly, unaware that Harry and Hermione were just around the corner watching him. Ron had long since left. Then Ginny came out of the portrait hole. Malfoy turned his back to where Harry and Hermione were hiding; silently watching. Only a few minutes later, Ginny came out. There was a pause, and then both walked around the corner.
Hermione's soft gasp was enough to let Harry know she was as surprised as he was. He slumped into the corner.
"Harry... I didn't know. Maybe they aren't..." Hermione said gently. But Harry was already silently cursing himself for not telling her sooner. Now she was with the one person Harry loathed. He had seen it for himself.