Chapter Two:
(A/N. Wow! I'm so happy! So many reviews! I sure hope I live up to your expectations! Well I'm sorry this chapter is so short. I just started school and it's been really hectic. So…But I promise to update soon! Anyway the italics are set a few years in the future but we will be focusing on the past, ie. Where we left off in Tale as Old as Time. K? So italics are Draco and Hermione in the Malfoy Manor sometime in the future. Righty. Go review The Little Mouse that Roared if you haven't! Alright enough talk from the author. Read, Enjoy and REVIEW!)
Hermione trotted back to he Gryffindor tower and breathed a sigh of relief that no one was sitting in the common room when she swept in. She raced across to the portrait of the girl and quickly murmured the password. With a small giggle the portrait swung open and Hermione stepped inside. She rested against the wall until her racing heart slowed to a more natural rhythm. Then she made her way to her bathroom so she could shower and dress. Ten minutes later, Hermione stepped into the common room and found Ginny sitting on the couches waiting for her. Giving her friend a big smile, Hermione sat down beside her.
"How did it go last night?" Ginny asked, grinning knowingly. Hermione blushed and busied her hands with the hem of her skirt.
"It went good. Very good." Hermione whispered and Ginny giggled reaching over to grab her friend's hands to stop her fidgeting. Suddenly her eyes narrowed and she pulled Hermione's left hand toward her.
"Oh my god!" Ginny cried ogling at the ring on her hand. "Is that what I think it is?" People around the room where starting to look over and Hermione quickly snatched her hand back.
"Depends, what do you think it is?" Hermione snapped a little too gruffly. Ginny glared at her.
"Don't play dumb." She snapped and then with a furtive glance around the room she leaned forward and lowered her voice. "Is that an engagement ring?" Hermione sighed and realized she should have taken it off, at least until she decided she was ready to go public with her relationship. Sure there were tons of stories running around the rumour mill as to why Hermione had missed so much school at the same time as Draco but no one had guessed the truth. In fact most people believed that they had gotten into a wizard duel and had managed to hurt each other considerably before collapsing.
"Yes." Hermione whispered back. Ginny let out a shrill squeal of delight and once again Hermione felt all eyes shift to the two Gryffindors. Blushing furiously, Hermione pulled Ginny up and dragged her out the door. When they were safely outside of the portrait and the range of curious eyes and ears, Hermione stopped and turned back to her friend.
"This is great!" Ginny was muttering to herself a big grin plastered to her beautiful, Fay face.
"You can't tell anyone." Hermione hissed sharply. The redhead placed her right hand on her hip and looked up at Hermione with a smouldering gaze.
"Of course not. This is yours to tell, Hermione." The girl said nodding respectfully at Hermione.
"Thank you." Hermione said and Ginny smiled then shot her a slightly offended look.
"Besides I wouldn't betray our friendship like that." She said and Hermione shrugged helplessly.
"I know you wouldn't, Gin, but…" She trailed off and Ginny nodded knowingly and the hurt left her doe like eyes.
"I get it. You can never be too careful." She said and then grinned again. "But I can't believe how great this is."
"Yeah, I know." The brunette said starting to catch her friend's unbelievable enthusiasm.
"Any date for the wedding?" Ginny said quietly. Hermione shook her head blushing furiously.
"No, we haven't talked about that but I think it will be a while. I don't think we're ready yet. Maybe when we both get jobs?" Hermione mused. Ginny nodded.
"So…when are you going to tell people?" Ginny couldn't help but ask after a long silence. Hermione shrugged and waited until a group of third year girls passed behind them before answering.
"I don't know. I guess when I feel ready? The only thing holding us back before was Lucius and then all those problems afterward…well…I don't think people are ready to accept us dating, much less engaged." Hermione said. Ginny nodded thoughtfully.
"Okay, well you know where I am if you need me. I have to go though, I promised I'd help Colin with some homework." She said and started to walk away only to stop and turn. "You know I agree with not telling the whole school yet, but I really think you should tell Harry and Ron. You owe it to them as a friend." Ginny said and then hurried away. Hermione was stuck by the wisdom in those words from someone so young. Then she laughed, she was only a year older than Ginny and yet after all that had happened to her she felt years older. She sighed as she realized Ginny was right. She would have to tell Ron and Harry.
"Maybe I should give Draco a heads-up in case Ron goes into a killing fury with Draco as his target." She mused thoughtfully as she skipped down the Gryffindor tower stairs and down to the Great Hall for breakfast.