I would just like to say that although I love J.K. Rowling and all of her characters, imagery, storylines and the such, they have never been mine and will never be mine. Rowling has just given me a push to explore my own imagination.

A/N: This is all I have for now. Chapter 5 is in the works. I'll get it to you as soon as possible. I don't want to rush it, I want it to be perfect. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

Chapter 3: Realization

Ginny sat straight up. It was already dark and had begun to rain. Thank goodness it's raining or I might have stayed out here all night, she thought. Cursing herself for being so stupid she got up and made the trek back to her house. Mum and dad aren't going to be pleased with me. How could I be so bloody stupid? As she came into view of her house she saw the only light emanating from it was from her bedroom window. That's strange she thought, who would be in my room. Then she remembered Hermione was staying in her room. The thought of seeing her didn't upset her as she thought it might. She quickened her pace and snuck in through the back door and quietly crept up to her room. As soon as she walked through her bedroom door Hermione jumped off her bed.

"Where have you been? I've been so worried about you, Ginny. I told your parents you had gone to bed early so you wouldn't get in trouble. You know you shouldn't be out alone like this with everything that's happening. I've been beside myself thinking I'd made a mistake lying for you."

"I'm sorry," was all Ginny could reply.

"Well, don't scare me like that again." Hermione had just realized that there was a pool of water gathering at Ginny's feet. "My goodness, you look like a drowned rat." She grabbed a towel that had been laying over the back of the chair at Ginny's desk. "Sit down, I'll dry you off."

"Please, you don't have to. I've already caused you enough trouble."

"No, I'll do it. I need to do something. I feel worthless because I can't fix what's wrong with you. I don't even really know what's wrong with you. I thought it was Harry, but with the way you looked at me earlier before you ran off I'm not so sure anymore. Ginny I.."

Ginny cut her off in mid-sentence. "Did anybody ever tell you that you talk too much," she said with a quirky smile. Hermione smiled back and they both broke into much needed laughter. Ginny now saw Hermione in a way she'd never thought possible. She never dreamed she could feel so much for one person just by being near them. It's not right, I shouldn't feel this way, I can't feel this way because I know she doesn't feel it back. Ginny suddenly had a million thoughts running through her head at once, so much that she couldn't concentrate on any one thing anymore. She felt lightheaded as she sat down so Hermione could dry her off.

"What's bothering you Ginny? I care about you, I want to help you. Whatever it is you can tell me and we'll figure it out together," Hermione said as she started to dry off Ginny's face. Ginny couldn't say anything and she just watched Hermione as she wiped the water out of her hair. When Hermione was done she wrapped the towel around Ginny's shoulders. She then, knelt down in front of her so they were face to face and she reached out to brush a wet strand of hair away from Ginny's forehead. Ginny reached up and touched Hermione's hand, scared that Hermione would pull away, but needing the physical contact that she desperately craved at that moment. Hermione never flinched never made one single movement, but allowed Ginny to guide her hand to her cheek. A sudden burst of what felt like molten lava cascaded from Ginny's cheek straight through her body. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the volcano of emotions erupting from her heart. They sat like that for what seemed a lifetime, but was not, would never be, enough time for Ginny.

"Ginny, you're shaking. Let me get you into some dry clothes and into bed so you don't catch a cold." Ginny knew it wasn't because she was cold, but she allowed Hermione to help her into her pajamas and usher her into bed. Hermione had made herself a bed on the floor and after she got Ginny into bed she began to get her own ready. Ginny turned to her side and looked down at Hermione.

"Hermione?"

"Yes Ginny."

"Would you mind sleeping with me tonight. I need someone near me. I need..."

It was now Hermione's turn to interrupt. "I know, Ginny. You don't have to say it." They looked into each other's eyes for a moment and Hermione stood up. Ginny pulled back the bed covers so Hermione could join her. She slipped in next to Ginny and pulled the covers over herself. She put her arm around Ginny and Ginny curled up into Hermione's warm embrace.

"Hermione, I'm sorry I put you through what I did today. I don't know what I'm feeling and I'm very confused."

"We don't have to talk about it tonight. I'm just glad you're safe and you're here with me where I can watch over you. There's a lot of things that need to be figured out, but we don't need to do it right now. Just rest and know that I'll be here for you when you wake up."

It took a while for Ginny to fall asleep, but soon the slow rhythmic beating of Hermione's heart lulled her into her dreams.