A/N: Guys, I am sorry for updating so late, but this semester is really busy. I will take a break until end of June when my finals are over, but I'll NOT abandon this story. So stay tuned and enjoy this chapter. Also, reviews are highly appreciated.

Chapter 18 – Actions speak louder than thoughts

It was dark when Hermione arrived at the Burrow again. A cold wind swept through her hair and ruffled through her clothes, but she did not notice it, because her head and heart were filled with concern. How was Ginny feeling right now? What kind of words had she listen to? Would she be able to stand up for herself?

Hermione looked up at the window to Ginny's bedroom, trying to make out something in the dark, but it was impossible. She proceeded a few steps forward, but suddenly an unpleasant sensation hit her, something similar to a weak electric shock.

She could not believe it. The Weasleys had put up a defense spell around the house that prevented her from entering. A wave of disappointment and anger rolled over her. She had not expected Ginny's parents to be happy about them dating, but this? How could they treat Hermione like this after everything that they had endured together? Hermione swallowed bitter-tasting saliva while trying to fight the tears that were shooting into her eyes. She clenched her wand tighter and thought of Ginny. Now was not the time to think about Ginny's parents. Ginny was everything that counted at the moment. She had to see her.

With newfound determination, Hermione raised her wand and started analyzing the spells that were cast around the house. She sneered when she realized how amateurish the spells were. This was clearly Ron's work. She felt relieved, because it meant that Ginny's parents were not the ones who did not want her in the house. On the other hand, she felt even angrier at Ron. His behavior had been unacceptable, no matter how hurt he was. The words he had used were clearly meant to insult Hermione and Ginny; and even though Hermione did not feel insulted by words like 'fucking lesbian', the fact that Ron had intended to hurt them like this, made her incredibly angry and sad. She had no idea whether they would be okay again one day, and she was not even sure whether she wanted them to be okay again.

In a matter of seconds, Hermione managed to lift all the spells Ron had cast and approached the Burrow. The easiest way to get to see Ginny would be apparition into her room, but the possibility of someone else being there was too high. If Mrs. Weasley caught her, she might become even angrier at Hermione. So instead Hermione used a spell she had worked on for a few months already, but it had never quite worked out. She closed her eyes and concentrated while she took a deep breath. Then she put the tip of her wand to her throat and formed words with her mouth without making a sound. The moment, she started speaking a red-glowing kind of steam left her mouth, slowly ascending towards Ginny's window, where it creeped through a tiny, tiny space somewhere between glass and frame.

Finally the spell worked! Hermione would have felt a sense of achievement if it was under different circumstances, but now all she felt was impatience as she waited for Ginny's reaction.

Around one minute later, the window to Ginny's room was opened and Hermione could make out a pale face and long hair in the darkness. The redhead waved which probably meant that it was safe to enter her room. Hermione concentrated and disapparated.

The next moment she was standing in Ginny's bedroom, but before she could assess the situation she was nearly overthrown by Ginny. The young witch threw her arms around Hermione and pulled her against herself so tightly, Hermione could not even breath anymore. But she did not mind. All that mattered was that they were together.

After a few moments, Hermione pushed Ginny an inch away from her body to get a look at her girlfriend's face. The room was dark, but thanks to the moonlight falling in through the window, she could recognize Ginny's pale features. The redhead did not cry. Her face looked exhausted and deep lines had dug themselves into her forehead.

"Are you okay?", Hermione asked quietly and cupped Ginny's cheeks with her hands. Carefully, she caressed her with her thumbs, following the pattern of her freckles.

Ginny shook her head, clenching her fists into the fabric of Hermione's sweatshirt.

"Weren't you cold?", the redhead whispered. "You left your coat when…when it happened."

"Don't worry about me, I was fine", Hermione replied. "Sit down", she said and guided Ginny over to the bed. They sat down next to each other, Hermione's arms around Ginny's shoulder and waist. Ginny rested her head on Hermione's shoulder and sighed. It was just a sigh, but it seemed to contain all the anger, sadness and disappointment the redhead must have felt during the last hour. Hermione knew, because she felt the same, only that it had to be way worse for Ginny, because it was not only her best friend, but her whole family, who was making her feel this way.

"So, what happened?", Hermione asked carefully. She did not want to further upset the redhead, but this was an issue they had to deal with, and it was best dealt with together.

Ginny remained silent for a few moments and buried her head deeper in Hermione's crook of the neck. Hermione rested her cheek on her girlfriend's head, trying to enclose her from all sides, making her feel as secure as possible.

"Well, Ron is in his room, refusing to come out", Ginny finally said in a weak voice. "Sophie went after him after the…situation earlier, but then they fought, because she could not understand why he was making such a fuss, when he is not your boyfriend anymore and so on. So she left after threatening to break up with him. Then he came to my room and insulted me some more and said it was my fault that he and Sophie fought." Ginny laughed coldly at the situation's absurdity. "That stupid arse", she added. The spitefulness in her voice shocked Hermione, but she found it understandable. Ron really was a stupid idiot, to say it nicely.

"And your parents?", Hermione asked.

Ginny sighed once more, shaking her head slightly against Hermione's neck.

"They totally freaked", she said. "Dad did not say anything at all, he practically ignored me, but Mum…she cried and asked me how I could betray the family like that. But I didn't betray anyone!", Ginny exclaimed. "I don't know what their problem is, really! I love you and you love me and we're happy, what's so wrong about that?"

Ginny rose her head and looked at Hermione from teary eyes. Hermione did not know what to reply, so she just pulled the redhead in a tight embrace and kissed her hair.

"There is nothing wrong with it", Hermione whispered after a while. "There is nothing wrong with us", she added. "I will get your parents to acknowledge that."

"How?", Ginny asked weakly.

"Trust me", Hermione said. "I will find a way". But in reality, she had absolutely no clue what to do.

"How about your other brothers and Fleur? What did they say?", Hermione asked. "Maybe they could help convince your parents and Ron?"

"They were really angry at Ron and Fred told Mum that she should accept me and stuff, but she did not listen to him", Ginny replied. "Oh and Fleur told me that you and me were a beautiful couple", she added and her eyes lit up a little.

Hermione chuckled slightly. "We are" she said and kissed Ginny on the lips.

"You know that I love you, right?", she asked.

Ginny nodded. "And I love you."

"We can do this", Hermione said and placed another kiss on Ginny's lips.

Just when she was about to deepen the kiss, they head steps approaching Ginny's door. "Ginevra?", Mrs. Weasley's voice asked.

Hermione squeezed Ginny's hand and disapparated in an instant.

It had been three days since the incident. Ginny's parents had forbidden their daughter to meet Hermione, which was ridiculous regarding the fact that Ginny was long of age. Of course Ginny could just apparate to Hermione's flat or they could meet secretly around the Quidditch pitch, but Hermione had told Ginny to wait in order to not provoke her parents even more.

Hermione wanted to find a way to talk to both Weasley parents, to find out their motives for their behavior and to make them understand. Yet, Hermione was afraid. She avoided to pass by Mr. Weasley's office and she did not visit Diagon Alley, because she was afraid of crossing paths with Ron or Mrs. Weasley.

Hermione knew that she had to stop being a coward, but she wanted to do this the right way, whatever the right way was. Still, deep inside she knew that there was no real right way, the most important thing was to just face the conflict and act. She was repeating exactly the same mistake like she had done with the telling-Ron-issue, and even though she was aware of the fact, she could not bring herself to go straight to Mr. Weasley's office and talk to him.

She had owled Harry to hear his opinion, but he had told her that he had to be there for Ron now. Apparently, Ron had maneuvered himself into a real crisis with his girlfriend. At least, Harry had promised Hermione to try to change Ron's opinion and get him to realize his silliness. Hermione could only hope that their best friend would be successful.

Hermione grew increasingly frustrated with herself. She knew she had to do something and the most straightforward way would be to go and talk to Mr. Weasley. But there was a possibility that he would get angry at her, which could seriously threaten her position in the ministry, since Mr. Weasley had become way more influential since the war. But was her position in the ministry really more important than her relationship with Ginny? After all, she hated her job. It was hard to admit, but it was true. She hated her job, but she loved Ginny, so what was there to dwell on? Fuck the ministry! At least that's what she wanted to scream, but instead, Hermione just stared at the document on the desk in front of her, without reading even a single letter. She sighed and hated herself for being not brave enough. Why had she become such a coward?, she wondered. Only when it came to Ginny, her old braveness sometimes showed. But this was about Ginny after all, wasn't it?

Hermione sighed once more, pretending to write something on the document to hide the fact that she was not doing anything. Why was life so complicated? She had thought that the whole Voldemort and battle stuff had been complicated, but it actually hadn't. Hard, yes, but not complicated.

Hermione continued to be lost in thought and did not even notice that lunch hour had started.

"Hermione?", Sera suddenly asked from behind. "Are you coming?"

"Uhm what? Oh yeah, sure", Hermione replied absentmindedly.

"Everything okay?", Sera asked slightly concerned.

"I'll tell you during lunch", Hermione replied. Maybe talking to him would help her to organize her thoughts better. And outside opinions were always a good way to get a different perspective on things.

Silently, the two of them walked towards the elevator. Just when the doors were about to close, someone pressed the open-button and squeezed themselves into the tight space.

"Mind if I join you for lunch?", Pansy asked, a sly smile on her face.

Hermione opened her mouth to protest or at least come up with an excuse why this was the worst idea ever, but Sera had already replied. "Yes, sure, Miss Parkinson", he said, not overly friendly, but sincerely.

Hermione rolled her eyes and suppressed the urge to slap his back of the head. So much for getting an outside opinion. No way she would talk about her private matters in front of Pansy. It would give her the perfect reasons to bully her.

The trio walked into the cafeteria and Sera led them to the table in the back where he sometimes ate with Hermione. Hermione felt slightly betrayed, because this was 'their' spot, but she knew she was being childish.

"Nice spot", Pansy said as she sat down next to Sera, across from Hermione, a smug expression on her face.

They made their orders and ate quietly for about a minute, which was probably the most awkward thing since the scene Ron had made on his birthday.

"So", Sera eventually said. "What is wrong with you lately, Hermione? You seem really distracted." He looked at her expectantly.

Hermione glanced at Pansy, who looked at her in the same way, maybe slightly more spiteful. Or was it concern? Hermione tried to hold Pansy's gaze for a second and was surprised to find something in her eyes she had not noticed before: Sincerity.

And then she did something truly crazy. She shut off her thinking and just followed her gut feeling. She decided to tell both of her co-workers about her problem. She would tell Pansy and listen to her opinion, because suddenly that seemed like the right thing to do.

"Okay, this might take a little while", Hermione said after taking a deep breath. And then she told them everything. She told them how she discovered her feelings for Ginny, how they became a couple and about their worries and fears. And she told them about what happened at Ron's birthday party. She did not leave out the words he had chosen to address them with, nor did she try to attenuate the reactions of Ginny's parents. Finally, she explained her current state of mind and how she hated herself for being such a coward.

Sera and Pansy did not interrupt her. They just looked at her, sometimes nodding, sometimes shaking their heads, listening to Hermione until she finished and sunk back into her seat.

Hermione felt nervous and agitated, because she had finally told someone about everything that had happened during the past weeks and months. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest, agitated by the anger that had risen in her as she had to relive the entire situation Ron had caused. This time it hurt even more than when it had actually happened. Yet, the whole thing was not Ron's fault alone. If they had just told him earlier. If Hermione had told him earlier…

Insecurely, Hermione glanced at Sera and Pansy. She suddenly started regretting the decision to tell her nemesis. What had gotten into her? As if in slow motion, she saw Pansy's mouth opening and Hermione prepared herself for some nasty comments.

"Hermione", Pansy said and Hermione was surprised that she used her first name. "I know you hate me and I can understand why you do. And I admit, that I hated you as well. But not anymore. I won't say that I like you, but I respect you as my colleague and I feel honored that you shared your story with us, especially with me. Would you like to hear my advice?"

Hermione looked at Pansy, not sure what she should think or feel anymore. She felt nothing and everything at once. She hated Pansy. Her eyes found Pansy's and for the first time she noticed that the woman's eyes were not just dark brown, but that there was a light brown circle around her pupils. She tried to analyze what Pansy had said. Whether there were any hidden intentions or not. But Pansy's eyes told her there weren't. There had been no evil intentions all along.

Hermione hated Pansy, but at the same time she did not. Not anymore. Not even the day when Pansy had entered the office. She had been blinded and confined by their unfortunate past, unable to see the changes in the woman who had once been the girl that had enlarged her front teeth. Just like Hermione, Pansy was a human being who had their reasons for doing the things they do, even though their reasons and actions might not be something Hermione would approve of. She had hated Pansy for long enough. It was time to forgive and move on.

"Yes, please", Hermione said quietly. "Tell me what you think."

"What are you waiting for?", Pansy said and there was a power in her voice that made Hermione wince.

"W-what do you mean?", Hermione stuttered.

"Hermione, you're supposed to be the brightest witch of our age, but sometimes you're just stupid", Pansy replied. Under normal circumstances, Hermione would have been offended by her remark, but now she knew that there was no evil lingering behind it.

"What do you think will happen, if you wait?", Pansy asked.

"Uhm…", Hermione uttered blankly, not able to say more, since Pansy interrupted her.

"Nothing, Hermione, absolutely nothing! Do you think the situation will get better if you just sit around and avoid confrontation? Do you think you can have your happy ending with the baby-Weasley if you just think about stuff, but don't do anything? Get up and do something! Even if it might be hard and you might not succeed in the end, it's better than doing nothing after all!"

Pansy had spoken in a loud voice, which caused several ministry employees to look at her in surprise or confutation, but Hermione did not even notice them. She just stared at Pansy in shock as the realization hit her.

"You're right", she whispered with wide eyes. "You're absolutely right!"

Hermione jumped up from her chair so quickly it fell over. "I got to go", she said determinedly. "Thank you!", she added towards Pansy and really meant it.

Hermione mixed in with the witches and wizards leaving the cafeteria. Even though she walked fast and without really noticing her surroundings, she did not bump in to anybody. It felt as if everyone was moving in sync around her, as if she was the center of a solar system made of people.

All of her nervousness, all of her doubts and all of her fear was gone. She felt grounded and confident. Knowing exactly what she wanted and what she had to do, she headed to Arthur Weasley's office. She wanted Ginny and she wanted to be with her, so she had to do everything she could to make it this way.

Hermione did not knock at his office door, she just pushed the handle and walked in. Mr. Weasley looked up in surprise from his desk, where a bunch of documents was piled up messily.

"Hermione", he said, not exactly welcoming, but also not as coldly as Hermione had expected.

"I have to talk to you, Mr. Weasley. I imagine you know about what?", Hermione said as she closed the door behind her. She did not walk further into the office, but remained right next to the door, their physical distance mirroring their current emotional one.

Mr. Weasley leaned back in his chair and ruffled through the bit of hair that was still remaining. "I think I do", he replied slowly.

"I don't know how I should start", Hermione began hesitantly. Suddenly the nervousness was creeping back into her heart. "I never meant to make Ginny fall for me, as Ron has claimed, it just happened. I-I did not want this to happen myself at first, believe me. I was so scared and felt guilty towards Ron and I never meant to hurt anybody. I am so sorry you had to find out like that and-", Hermione blurted out without breathing, not knowing how she should continue. Mr. Weasley only stared at her, his expression unreadable.

"I just love Ginny so much!", she cried without thinking.

She wanted to add more, but then Mr. Weasley's expression changed: It became softer. It was only a subtle change, but Hermione was sure she did not imagine it.

"Keep talking", Mr. Weasley said. Hermione took a step forward before she stopped again.

"I love Ginny and I would never hurt her. I respect her and cherish her like nobody else. She is my everything and I am hers. I-I just want to be with her, Mr. Weasley. She makes me happier than anybody else and I believe I make her happy too. And I wish for nothing more than to be able to share that happiness with the people I love. And I know that Ginny wants the same. She wants her family to accept the choice she's made, and while I can understand Ron's reasons for being upset about the whole thing, I wish you and Mrs. Weasley would support and respect Ginny the same way as your son.

"I know it might be not easy to get used to the fact Ginny is with a woman. Also, I know I broke Ron's heart, but it was because I could not love him the way I love Ginny. I would never leave Ginny. You know I'm reliable and a good person. Please, give us a chance", Hermione pleaded, already close to tears.

Mr. Weasley slowly rose from his chair and walked around his desk.

"I know you're a good person", he finally said. "And I believe that you love my daughter very much." He rubbed his forehead as he seemed to think about his next words.

"Actually, I have waited for you come talk to me. You showed me that you're a person, who can stand up for themselves and I can see your will to make Ginny happy." He made another step forward, hesitating before he added: "I'm sorry Hermione. I did not react like a good father to Ginny. Of course I should support Ron, but I think I did not consider her perspective enough… It was just surprising, you know? The news that my daughter likes witches and you of all people…"

Mr. Weasley looked as if he was in pain and he suddenly seemed to shrink several inches. "I didn't think about how hurt Ginny has to be…", he said shakily, a tear rolling down his cheek. "She must feel so lonely…I'm so sorry..."

More tears were coming from his eyes as Hermione stared at him in astonishment. She had only seen him cry before once. Tentatively, she took a few steps forward and patted him on the shoulder.

"Please make her happy", Mr. Weasley said and then he pulled Hermione into a tight hug. Well, that was unexpected. The two of them remained like that for a few moments until Mr. Weasley cleared his throat and took a step back.

"So you are okay with…with me and Ginny?", Hermione asked hesitantly.

Mr. Weasley nodded and smiled slightly.

"What about Mrs. Weasley?", Hermione asked.

"She might be harder to convince", Mr. Weasley sighed. "You know, she had that perfect vision, were you would end up with Ron, and Harry with Ginny and everyone would be happy. The perfect family. She has grown so used to the thought, it has become difficult for her to accept changes in the plan. Especially after what happened to George… She needs security and steadiness, I reckon."

"So I have to show her, that there are other ways to find happiness", Hermione concluded.

"I think so, yes", Mr. Weasely agreed.

"But how can I talk to her? She does not want to see me, right?", Hermione asked.

"I will talk to her and let you know", Mr. Weasley said. He looked exhausted.

"Thank you", Hermione said. "I'm sorry for storming in like that earlier", she added apologetically.

"I would appreciate your knocking next time", Mr. Weaselly replied, a trace of humor in his voice. "Let's get back to work."

Hermione left his office and headed straight to the bathroom, where she sprinkled some cold water on her face. She felt as if she had fallen out of reality somehow, detached from her surroundings but at the same time more aware of her feelings than ever before.

She had done it. She had stopped thinking and analyzing and simply acted while following her heart. It made her feel liberated and light.

She grabbed the sink with both her hands and looked at herself in the mirror. The same face as always stared back at her, but it did not belong to the same person anymore. Hermione had changed. Or had she gone back to being the person she originally had been?

Hermione smiled at herself and her reflection smiled back at her. She could not even remember the last time she had smiled at herself in the mirror. Her smile was genuine and pure and only meant for herself. It reached her eyes and wandered into her heart and she knew that she would smile like that more often from now, because her life would become happier. She would become happier.

She left the bathroom and walked back to her office. She had to tell Pansy about what happened and thank her. Maybe they would never become friends, but they were not enemies anymore.