Chapter 8

The next few days passed in a blur. Everyone seemed to be busy with last minute shopping, backing and decoration. The Weasley household was alive with noise and smells. Mrs. Weasley and Julia were finishing the Christmas backing, Mr. Weasley, Ron and Harry were finishing the decorating, and Fred and George were up to their old tricks.

Everytime Ron would turn to put another ornament on the tree, he would be surprised to see that it had disappeared. He kept it up until finally he realized that he was taking vanishing ornaments from a box that the twins had placed there. Obviously, this was a new invention of theirs and who better to test it on then Ron.

The laughter of Fred and George could be heard all the way up the stairs to Ginny's room were she and Hermione were wrapping presents.

"Sounds like they're having fun down there." Ginny said looking up at Hermione from the gift she was wrapping. A sly smile spread across her face. "Are you sure you want to marry into this family? Because by all means take my place. I would love to be an only child sometimes."

"Well I admit. Having Fred and George as brothers is quite a scary thought. But if it means having you as a sister than it's worth it." Hermione looked at Ginny and smiled a warm heart felt smile. She looked back at the gift she was wrapping up for Harry. "Of course you do know that if you needed to talk about anything I'm always here. You know, maybe even about a certain dark haired young man?"

Hermione didn't want to meet Ginny's eyes, but this was made quite difficult by the fact that Ginny was staring right at her. Finally Hermione gave in and looked up.

"What do you mean by that Hermione? You know there isn't anyone I'm interested in. Who are you talking about?"

"Harry. Just listen ok?" She said hurriedly as she saw the look of shock on Ginny's face. "Look, I know you've been Harry free now for a while and that's great. You've dated and proved you don't need a man, especially Harry. However, I also know that you had strong feelings for him before and that you probably still harbor some feelings for him. Don't interrupt me." Hermione put her hand up to emphasize this.

"I think you need to confront certain things. First of all, you took it really hard when Harry left. Secondly, you stopped writing to him when he wrote more about Julia. You told him you were too busy to write but I know that's a lie. Thirdly, the other day at the Three Broomsticks I saw the look you gave Julia. Now I won't pretend to be an expert on body language, but I do know that look of rage. Ron used to do it when I was with Victor." Hermione had now moved right beside Ginny and made sure she had her full attention.

"Ginny as your best friend and future sister, I want you to be able to trust me. Especially after everything we've been through." Hermione took Ginny's hand and took her time with what she was about to ask. "Ginny, so you still have feelings for Harry?"

There was a moment of stillness as Ginny sat there looking at Hermione to make sure she had heard right. Finally Ginny stood up, went to the door, and closed it. When she turned around, she looked confused.

"I don't know anymore. I mean I thought that I was over him, but now I just don't know. He's changed so much, yet he's still the same old Harry. Hermione," she walked over to her friend and looked scared, "what if I still have feelings for him? I don't know if I can ever go back to feeling that way."

Hermione sighed deeply. It was what she had suspected, but now that it was confirmed, she hadn't the foggiest idea what to do. She took Ginny by the hands and led her to sit on the bed. "Ok, let's just walk through this slowly. Do you feel anything when you're around him?"

"I don't know...yeah, sometimes." She concentrated very hard to make sure what she said was true.

"Ok, what do you think of Julia?"

Ginny looked up at Hermione as if she was crazy. "I really like her. Ok I admit that I wanted to hate her but I don't. She's really a great person and it's impossible to hate her." She gave a little laugh. "It's no wonder Harry likes her. She's perfect."

Ginny's eyes went wide and a look of shock came over her face. "Oh God, Hermione, I do have feelings for Harry. I mean why else would I be jealous and getting goosebumps whenever he's around?"

"Ginny it's ok. You're both older now. You are better friends and besides I don't think there is anything going on between Harry and Julia."

Ginny gave Hermione a look that obviously meant 'You're crazy if you think that.'

"Um Hermione. If you haven't noticed, Julia is beautiful and nice and she makes Harry smile. There is definitely something going on between them. And why shouldn't there be? I never did anything about my feelings before and I'm more afraid now then I ever was. What am I going to do?" She put her head in her hands. Hermione rubbed her back to try and comfort her friend.

"I'm sorry I brought it up. Though, I think it's better for you to be truthful with yourself and with Harry. No matter how hard it is. Look at Ron and me. If he hadn't finally told me how he felt I probably would have married Victor and most likely wouldn't be here right now."

"You're right. You're insane, but you're right." Ginny got up and went to her miror to straighten up. "I guess I have to confess everything to him." She turned around to face Hermione. Enough hiding and pretending to him. Even if he doesn't feel the same, I need to get it out in the open."