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: Okay, chapter four is in. It's probably not what you're expecting, but I had fun with it. The next chapter will be more dramatic. Enjoy and thanks for reading.
Chapter 4: Early Morning Wake Up
Ginny slowly opened her eyes. When she had aroused from her dreams at first she thought she must still be asleep. Hermione was lying beside her still lost in the oblivion of sleep. She was lying on her back, head slightly turned toward Ginny. One arm was up over her head resting on the pillow, the other lying on her stomach. Ginny watched the slow, relaxed, risings of Hermione's chest for a few moments before slowly moving her eyes to study her face. A small ray of morning sunlight peaking through the bedroom window illuminated her face in an other worldly glow. I wonder why I've never noticed how beautiful she is before? She has the face of an angel, she thought as she took in every detail. A lonely strand of hair had come to rest on Hermione's lips. Ginny watched it as it danced from the force of Hermione's breath. She reached out to brush it away when suddenly Hermione's mouth turned up at the corner for a brief moment before returning to where it had originated. The hair must have tickled her lips causing her to unconsciously twitch them. Her face went back to its calm beauty as Ginny slid the hair away. Ginny tucked her hand back under her pillow as she silently photographed this moment into the photo album of sacred memories in her mind. I want to remember this always.
There was a sudden crash and resounding clanking noise in the floor above them. Ginny nearly jumped out of her skin as Hermione, eyes wide open, shot straight up in the bed. She must have been lying too close to the edge because the speed in which she sat up made her lose her balance and topple over. The last thing Ginny saw before Hermione disappeared from sight was her arms flailing wildly above her as she tried to keep her balance.
"Oh my goodness! Hermione are you alright?" Ginny asked trying so desperately to keep the smile threatening to break across her face, under control. As she leaned over the bed she heard a small giggle escape Hermione's lips.
Hermione was lying on the floor, legs tangled in the blanket that had been resting on her and Ginny before she fell. Face red in embarrassment as she quickly untangled herself and stood up, she looked at Ginny. Their eyes met and Ginny tried her best not to laugh, but Hermione was so obviously embarrassed that she couldn't help herself. It came from deep within her chest and burst forth so loudly that she clapped her hands over her mouth. She felt better as Hermione joined in. They laughed for a couple of minutes when Hermione threw herself down on the bed next to Ginny.
As the laughter finally faded, they both let out a contented sigh. Hermione looked over at Ginny who was lying on her back gazing at the ceiling and asked, "What on earth was that noise? It nearly scared me to death. Woke me right up out of a sound sleep."
Ginny turned her head towards Hermione, face still red from their hearty laugh session, and replied, "The house ghost in the attic. I hate it when he does that. He usually reserves the early morning wake up calls for Ron, but sometimes gives them to me instead. I guess he gets tired of Ron's reactions and decides to see what he can get out of me. I've never fallen out of bed though!" She then stuck out her tongue.
"Oh you little snit!" Hermione exclaimed, mouth and eyes wide open. "It's your turn now!" she laughed, tickling Ginny anywhere she could reach. Ginny started squirming and trying to move away, but Hermione kept finding all the sensitive places that she couldn't protect. Tears in her eyes from so much laughter and almost out of breath, Ginny finally fell to the floor.
"Now we're even!" Hermione got up and put out her hand to help Ginny to her feet. As she took Hermione's outstretched hand, her breath caught in her throat. Hermione's face was practically glowing as she smiled at Ginny, her face flushed in all the right places. Ginny didn't want to let go of Hermione's hand. It was so soft and petite. Nothing like Ginny's fingers, calloused rough from playing Quidditch.
Suddenly, Ginny heard her mother's ringing voice. "What is going on in here? We heard everything from the kitchen. It sounded like the house ghost made a friendly call to you and then there were two thuds. I think they could have heard you laughing all the way to the Ministry of Magic! What was so funny?"
Ginny regretfully released Hermione's hand and turned to her mother who was positively beaming because her daughter was in such and obviously good mood.
"Hermione feel out of bed from fright when the noise started. It was so funny mum. You should have seen the look on her face!"
Hermione blushed crimson once again. Ginny loved the fact that she was so easily embarrassed. The face she made and the brightness the apples of her cheeks reached made Ginny's heart melt.
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better Ginny. You two girls come down to breakfast now. Harry and Ron are just finishing up. I've already told them they are to de-gnome the garden today. They weren't very happy about it because they are invading the garden in extremely large numbers this year. It should take them all day to accomplish. That leaves you two with some uninterrupted girl time. Ginny, I want you to enjoy the beautiful day outside. You've been too long in your room."
Mrs. Weasley then turned to leave saying to nobody in particular, "Thank goodness for Hermione." They heard her humming all the way down the stairs.
Yes, Ginny thought, thank goodness for Hermione.