A/N: So here's chapter two. I've received a good amount of hits to my last chapter but only three reviews. Special thanks to those three people! Made my day! Anyway, as a first timer I would appreciate any comments/suggestions/opinions to let me know how I'm doing and to boost my self esteem just a bit ;) Thanks!

A/N 2: Please bear with me with the pace of the plot. The girls are just starting to get to know each other so don't expect them to get together just yet. When you don't have something in common with a person (school, a team, etc.) it's sort of awkward to start things from scratch which is more or less what these girls will try to do, in addition to sorting out their new feelings of friendship and maybe something more. So yes, things will pick up; there will be drama, some angst, and all that fun stuff we all love. That's all! Enjoy.

Disclaimer: All the characters used in the story are characters from the Harry Potter books and belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter 2

Ginny was more anxious to meet Hermione than she was trying to let on. She rationalized that it was because she would finally meet the last member of the infamous trio, and the best friend of her brother and former crush Harry. Being the only girl in the family, she also hoped that they could become friends- real ones, not like the sort that clung on to her after she became famous. Relax. There's absolutely nothing to be nervous about. You are just going to meet the smartest witch of Hogwarts and the most promising employee of the Ministry. Great. Just relax, she's going to like you. Nothing to worry about Gin. Just be cool.

"Ginny. Hey, are you ok?" Ron grabbed her arm softly to stop her, worry noticeable on his face.

"Oh yes, just a bit tired. That's all." she smiled sweetly at her big brothers concern as he gave her a half hug and resumed their conversation about the match.

Hermione was the first thing to come into view when she opened the door; she had a faraway look on her face and was biting her lower lip as if in deep thought. Goodness this girl was gorgeous. Her conservative outfit only drew more attention to her delicate features. Her dark chocolate eyes seemed never ending and despite their depth there seemed to be a glint of something else- some sort of spark. How come no one ever mentioned how beautiful this girl is? No wonder Ron liked her.

Ginny knew that her brother had harbored feelings for the brunette when they were younger. Although she knew things never fully worked out between them, she still didn't know the reason why. The redhead pulled herself out of her musings and saw the older witch stand nervously before her- their eyes locked. Thank Merlin she looks as nervous as I am. Hermione's reaction, or lack thereof, gave Ginny a bit more confidence. She introduced herself as sweetly as she could, trying to mask some of the eagerness and giddiness she felt. After a brief hug the older witch seemed to find the courage to greet her as well. Though Ginny wasn't entirely sure she thought she saw a slight blush on her face. She attributed the nervousness to the fact that, although she didn't think much of it, she was quite famous and that usually made people uncomfortable around her. No- that couldn't be it. If anything she knew how much unwanted fame her brother and his friends had received over the years after the defeat of Voldemort. What was it then? Her train of thought was disrupted as soon as Harry put her arms around her waist.

"Nice to see you Gin!"

"It's been a while Harry! How have you been?" If she hadn't known better she could have sworn she saw Hermione roll her eyes right before Harry engulfed her in his arms. Stop imagining things Gin.

"Great! You were incredible out there Gin!" The young witched stepped out of the embrace as quickly as she could without being rude and smiled at the boy who lived.

"Thanks! We did okay..." she smiled at her attempt to be humble. She really did get uncomfortable when people praised her.

" Just ok? Oh come off it Gin, that was bloody brilliant! I wouldn't be surprised if you win the league this year" Ron interjected in disbelief.

"So you think we can beat the Cannons then? I won't forget that Ron" Ginny teased and slapped Rons arm playfully.

"Well, I mean, n-no, of course not. At most you'll come in second."

Ginny noticed that Hermione had remained silent during their exchange. She had heard from her brother that the girl didn't really enjoy Quidditch or flying. How could she not? Already this girl had her interest peaked. She was different, a mystery, and she really wanted to figure her out. In an attempt to bring the brunette back into a conversation, Ginny switched gears.

"Enough about that boys, what are we doing to celebrate?"

"The Leaky Cauldron?" Harry suggested

"Perfect, are you joining us Hermione?" Ginny asked making a conscious effort to mask the small trace of hope in her voice.

"Yes, that sounds like fun" Hermione gave a short nod and straightened out her coat.

"After you gents!" Ginny held open the door and the men went through. Hermione went last, and Ginny, her attempts at nonchalance forgotten, approached the older witch once again.

"It's really nice to meet you Hermione. I feel like I've known you for my entire life, and now you're finally, well um, here!" She mentally slapped herself for sounding like a blubbering idiot. Nice Gin, great first impression.

"Oh, yes, likewise" She smiled nervously and caught up with the boys without looking behind. Four "pops" later and they were all gone.

They apparated directly into the Leaky Cauldron in an attempt to go unseen by the mass of journalists that already crowded the streets.

"Ginny! OH- Harry, Ron, Hermione! How are you all?"

"Great Neville, it's nice to see you again" Harry responded sincerely

"Nice to see you all again too! Ginny- fantastic game as always"

Ginny blushed "thanks Neville, couldn't have done it without the team though. Would you mind making sure the press doesn't bother us tonight?"

"Consider it done! Please find the best seat it's all on the house tonight!"

Knowing that Neville wouldn't budge they all agreed and thanked him for his generosity.

The topic of discussion, as could have been expected, started with a step by step analysis of the match before it could turn into casual conversation. It really did feel like Ginny had always been part of the group and in some strange way she had. Although she hadn't really spent any time with Hermione, Ginny had grown close to Ron and Harry over the years. At the Burrow they always made a point of telling her about their adventures at Hogwarts including some stories about the war. Although they had tried to avoid the latter subject for a while, knowing full well that it was a sore spot for the youngest, they had caved after an abundance of interrogations and foul moods.

Ginny had slowly learned to let the war issue go. Still, she couldn't help but feel some lingering resentment towards her family for forbidding her to return to England during that time. She had tried, oh Merlin, had she tried to return, but all the international portkeys were under tight control and wouldn't make trips to Europe- a formal letter from the Weasley's to the American Ministry's International Travel Department relinquishing her travel privileges didn't help much either. Being a Weasley she didn't give up easily and had even tried to fly over the Atlantic before heavy winds exhausted her and she had to turn around. Looking back she knew her family was just trying to protect her, still she always felt she could have helped, perhaps even save her brother Fred from his fate.

"So, now that the trainings are officially over. How are my favorite junior Aurors doing?"

"Great actually, though Ron has a bit of trouble with the paper work" Harry smirked as Ron rolled his eyes.

"It's like being back at Hogwarts all over again, except that this time Hermione isn't there to copy off of" he whined.

"Hey!" Hermione chimed in indignantly "I never let me copy my homework Ronald"

They all smiled knowing that she, though somewhat reluctantly, had always let the boys "borrow" her homework for extended periods of time without questions.

"And Hermione? I heard you work at the Ministry?" Ginny inquired trying to not sound too knowing. She had heard about the girl enough to be fully informed on where Hermione worked and about her ambitions to empower house elves. Ginny always though that ,while unorthodox, it was a fascinating endeavor nonetheless; honorable and selfless. She knew that Hermione could have chosen to do whatever she wanted after Hogwarts, the fact that she opted to help the less privileged creatures just made her even more intriguing to Ginny. Not only is she gorgeous and a border line genius but she also likes to help others? Who is this girl?

"Yes, I am a research analyst in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"The most promising witch there, of course. She's the youngest witch asked to participate in drafting bills and negotiating treaties between different creatures."

"Thanks Ron" Hermione blushed at Ron's affectionate words. She knew comments like that were rare and was thankful for her friend's recognition especially when she knew he didn't exactly believe in what she was doing.

"Just be careful with giants, I know for a fact you have a thing for them" he added. Everyone at the table laughed except Ginny who looked a little confused but decided to play along.

"Not true! Honestly Ron, and for your information Grawp was more of a gentlemen than some people I know" She smiled teasingly. Ron just shook his head in amusement and turned back to Ginny.

"So Gin, what time does mum want us there tomorrow?"

"I don't understand why she still does this! It's not like it's the first game I've won. I swear the woman just finds any excuse to have people over." She sighed heavily, "anyway, I don't know, I think at about lunch time ?" She loved her mother but she did tend to go overboard with family festivities.

" Sounds good. Are you two coming?" Ron directed his question to Harry and Hermione.

"Sure, I could always use some of Mrs. Weasleys cooking" Harry said with genuine excitement

"Hermione?"

"Unfortunately I have some work to do…" she trailed off. She glanced quickly at her friends who after all these years were not surprised by her answer, when she met Ginny's eyes, however, she though she saw a flash of disappointment " ...but I suppose I can spare an hour or two. I'll go."

"Brilliant!" Ron said still surprised but happy that her friend would join them.

As they continued to catch up Hermione fell silent. What have I gotten myself into? She thought angrily to herself. The rational part of her brain knew she shouldn't go to the Burrow. More time with Ginny was the last thing she needed to clear her head. The other part of her, however, was undeniably pulled to the girl. There was something there she couldn't quite explain, but the desire to get to know Ginny, really know her, grew by the second. With a heavy heart she realized that Ginny probably didn't feel the same way. While Ginny's actions today gave her a bit of confidence, the younger girl could have just been being polite- her friendliness just part of her usual demeanor. Defeated she turned her attention back to the conversation only to realize that Ginny had her eyes fixed on her. As soon as she was caught, however, the redhead diverted her gaze back to Ron and Harry. Hermione felt self conscious and nervous. What was that? The way Ginny was looking at her, it seemed like the girl was looking through her rather than at her, like she could hear every incoherent thought that was rushing through Hermione's head at that exact moment. She needed to get away. Thankfully Ron beat her to the punch.

"Right, we should probably get going then. See you all tomorrow?" he stood up and starting putting on his coat.

"Yes, see you all. Thanks again for coming to the match!"

"Thanks for the seats!" Ron smiled

"Yes Gin, thanks for everything. See you tomorrow" Harry stepped forward and gave her a hug good bye. Ron just gave her a pat on the shoulder and Hermione just stood there staring at anywhere but at Ginny.

"Hermione, again, it's been nice to meet you. Please take a break tomorrow and come to the Burrow! It would be great to have you there."

Ginny fought the urge to hug the brunette. She thought that she had made enough of a fool out of herself for the day and it'd be best to just put some distance between them.

"Of course Ginny. It's been my pleasure, honestly. I look forward to seeing y- everyone tomorrow."

Ginny smiled. A few moments passed and the girls just stared at each other, both unwilling to move. Hermione broke away first.

"Right, I should go. Good night. " Hermione twisted in her spot and was gone.