Hermione stared at Ginny, clearly stunned by her confession.

"What? But...I thought...you...Harry...well...I mean...you like girls too?" Hermione finally managed to say.

Ginny grinned. "Apparently!"

"Haha," said Hermione, unable to stop the grin that was spreading across her face. "Seriously though Gin...I thought you were mad on Harry...its common knowledge!"

Ginny sighed. "Well, the truth is, everyone only thought I liked Harry, because I never said anything to suggest otherwise. I thought it would be best if I just let everyone think that, because I was scared of people finding out what I really am, and as Harry never showed any interest in me that way, there was never any chance of him being hurt. Instead, everybody thinks I'm heartbroken because he doesn't feel that way about me." She looked at Hermione. "I'm guessing its the same with you...everyone in school thinks you're mad about Ron and that you're made for each other!"

Hermione couldn't help but smile at the crazy thought of her and Ron as an item. "Yeah, well, as Ron is totally clueless when it comes to things like that, theres no chance of him ever thinking that I really do like him, therefore no chance for him to get hurt either."

The girls fell silent for a while, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Ginny spoke.

"What are you thinking about 'Mione?" she asked. Hermione turned to her friend, looking unsure about what she was going to say.

"Well...even though I know you feel the same way about me now, I'm nervous about saying what I'm thinking about at this second, " she said, giggling nervously.

"C'mon, I think its pretty obvious whats going through your mind right now Hermione!" said Ginny, with a mischievous look on her face. "You're thinking about how much you want to kiss the gorgeous, lovable Ginny Weasley, right?" She started laughing, noticing that Hermione was now blushing furiously.

"You know something, you're SO modest Ginny," Hermione said sarcastically, but not able to stop herself from laughing. "Yeah, alright, I want to kiss you, there, I said it!" She turned away, hiding her red face.

Ginny grinned. "Well of course you do! I mean, you don't tell someone you're in love with them and not want to kiss them! As well as the rest, of course..." she stopped as she noticed Hermione turn around, looking, if possible, even more embarrassed than she already had been throughout this conversation.

"Ginny!" she tried to sound angry, but she failed, as she was trying hard not to laugh. "I can't believe how forward you're being, I only told you about 10 minutes ago that I love you, and now you're talking quite casually about..um...well, you know what I mean..." she trailed off, feeling her face grow hot again.

Ginny had by now calmed down, and spoke gently to her friend, guessing what was causing her embarrassment. "You've never kissed anyone before, have you?" she said, walking over to Hermione and sitting next to her. Hermione shook her head. "Its ok, neither have I," Ginny said, putting her arm round the older girl, resting her head on Hermione's shoulder.

"Really?" asked Hermione. She smiled, her feeling of inadequacy fading. They sat there in silence for a while, continuing to hold each other. Then Ginny spoke. "Hermione?"

Hermione turned to face her. "Yeah Gin?"

"I think I'd like to kiss you now, " said Ginny straightaway, with no hesitation at all. She looked into Hermione's eyes, reaching for her hands and holding them gently. Hermione looked back at her, smiling. She didn't need to say anything. All she wanted now was that first kiss.

Just a few seconds later, she got exactly what she wanted. The moment their lips touched for the first time, Hermione immediately dismissed any doubts she may have had. She felt like all her dreams had come true, felt like the world would end if they were to ever break off the kiss.

At that moment, Ginny pulled away and Hermione only felt sadness. But it was only for a second, for Ginny to whisper, "I love you" into her friend's ear. Hermione felt tears in her eyes, as she looked at Ginny and said, "I love you too Ginny."