A/N: Hey guys! Hope everyone is doing well. I want to apologize for not posting sooner - I've been feeling under the weather for a few days and the medicine it take makes me incredibly drowsy so I fall asleep instead of writing Anyway, today I didn't take my meds so I could write this up, so I'm sorry if it isn't great but I tried! The next chapter should be up this weekend so that will be less in between time. Thanks for everyone who added this story to their alerts/faves! Please please please read and review.

Disclaimer: JK owns it.

Chapter 8

Hermione woke up feeling completely at ease for the first time in months. It was a wonderful spring morning, the sunlight warmly illuminated her room and she could hear birds chirping outside her window. She was mid morning stretch when her mind went to the events that happened last night. She jerked awake and sat upright on her bed. Was it a dream? The logical part of her brain panicked at the idea. Surely she had imagined kissing Ginny amidst the stars, things like that didn't happen. Not in real life. Not when the person is Ginny Weasley, a woman, who most surely didn't reciprocate her feelings. Last night was definitely a dream, a wonderful and rather vivid dream, anything else would just not happen to someone like Hermione. While she had a lot of affections in her life she was never the sort to swoon over anyone and if she did, like in that brief time she was pining for Ron, things never really worked out for some reason. But then she remembered the look in Ginny's eyes that had caught her so off guard; she didn't even have time for her mind to process how close their bodies were to each other, and then she felt the softest lips against her own and she let herself melt into that kiss. No one had ever kissed her like that; no one had ever been capable of erasing all rational thought from her mind. Oh gods and that delicious taste of strawberries. She touched her lips with her index finger at the memory. I can still taste her. It must have been real. It was real!

Another on-slew of panic washed over the brunette. What am I going to do now? Did Ginny mean it or was it just a spur of the moment thing? Did she like it? I most certainly did. Oh gods I enjoyed kissing a woman! What does that mean! Hermione you know what it means stop being so thick - this just confirms what you already suspected. How come I just figured this out now? How did this happen? Is it just a phase? Yes, that must surely be it. There's no way I'm a …. am I? Enough Hermione don't be foolish, be honest with yourself there is no need to put labels on anything, just relax. Don't over think it. You like Ginny, that's it, plain and simple. It could mean a lot of things but you aren't going to think about that now because you're going to lose it entirely, and you have to go to the Burrow in a few hours so just breathe! She took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes. The Burrow! She had almost entirely forgotten they all had agreed to lunch with Ms. Weasley to tell her all about last night. Ginny is probably going to be there. Oh gods. A rush of butterflies filled her stomach and she dramatically fell back down on the bed and half groaned half shrieked into her pillow.

As she rushed to get ready she felt that familiar feeling of nervousness mixed with anxiety and a twinge of fear she got right before exams. She was flustered. It was quite obvious that there would be an inevitable chat between herself and Ginny that would either make or break her heart at this point. Although she was trying to keep herself optimistic there was still a side of her that taunted her, that told her that Ginny wouldn't be interested, that it was just a meaningless kiss, another conquest for the famous quidditch player. Enough! Everything is going to be just fine.

With renewed resolve she twisted in her spot and appeared in front of the Burrow. The house was unusually quiet; no one had rushed up to greet her upon her arrival which was rare. Hermione opened the door slowly wand in hand, years of being in danger preparing her for the worst.

"Hello? Ron? Harry?" she spoke into the apparently empty house as she took hesitant steps towards the kitchen. It was when she heard two people whisper. She stopped and stood still trying to focus her attention on the conversation that was happening just a few feet away from her.

"This is all our fault Arthur"

"There there Molly, she's going to be alright, this will blow over soon enough"

"But Arthur, I must have done something wrong. I surely didn't raiser her to -"

"Molly please darling, calm down. We haven't even had a chance to talk to Ginny about it yet. I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation to why she did what she did"

"Oh Arthur, I hope you're right. Our baby girl..." muffled sobs rang across the empty house.

Hermione waited until she heard Mrs. Weasley compose herself a bit. She then took a few quiet steps back and cleared her throat.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" she called out loudly. She turned the corner and feigned surprise when she spotted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen.

"Hermione dear" Mrs. Weasley quickly took a few steps and hugged the brunette but before meeting her eyes she continued her path towards the cupboard pulling out a cup for tea.

"Is everything ok?" Hermione asked gently trying to mask the fear in her voice.

"Everything is fine, nothing to worry about" Mr. Weasley reassured her

"Where is everyone?"

"They have left early to see if they could find Ginny"

"She's gone?" she was surprised to hear hurt in her voice; she recovered a moment later and added with genuine concern "Where did she go?"

While she was struggling to remain her composure inside the brunette couldn't help but feel rejected, foolish, and guilty. Oh gods how could I have been so stupid! She surely left because of yesterday. She was probably embarrassed or ashamed at least. Did she leave to avoid seeing me again, to spare my feelings? Her tumultuous thoughts were interrupted by Mrs. Weasley pushing a copy of The Daily Prophet towards her, on the front page was a still picture of Ginny only wearing what appeared to be a mans button down shirt; the young girl was smiling cheerfully and sitting casually on a backwards chair.

BREAKING NEWS: Ginny Weasley Disrobes in America!

Earlier this morning pictures have been revealed of Ms. Ginny Weasley, star chaser of the Holy Head Harpies, posing in nothing but underwear in a famous muggle magazine for men in America. The young athlete appears in a several full page photographs wearing minimal amounts of clothing. Her lewd behavior is unbecoming of a lady and will certainly tarnish her promising professional quidditch career. Not only are Ms. Weasley's actions consequential to her team, she also will undoubtedly lose a significant amount of her young fan-base. After all, mothers, would you want Ms. Weasley to be your child's role model? While no sources could be found to validate the details of this story we have reason to believe that Ms. Weasley engaged in such activities willingly to rebel from the strict and controlling ways of her parents Arthur and Molly Weasley. Currently the whereabouts of Ms. Weasley are unknown. We will continue reporting when we have new developments in the story.

Rita Skeeter

Hermione felt her heart speed up at the sight of Ginny almost naked body. Berating herself for being so insensitive and absolutely inappropriate she refocused her attention to the situation at hand.

"That vile woman" Hermione said under her breath. She heard Ms. Weasley's whimper escape before Mr. Weasley took her in his arms again.

"And Ginny is gone?"

"Yes, I asked Ron to go find her this morning to her flat but she was already gone. I have contacted one of her team mates but she hasn't been with any of them and the coach doesn't know where she is, she hasn't contacted any of her brothers, and we haven't received any owls from her either" Mr. Weasley answered evenly. Unable to restrain her sobs now Mrs. Weasley cried mournfully into the arms of her husband.

"She so impulsive that Ginny. When she was younger and she got angry or upset she would always end up doing something reckless. I can't imagine now. I'm just scared for my baby girl." She said in between sobs while Mr. Weasley gently rubbed her back.

"Is there any way I can help?"She needed to do something, to find Ginny somehow. Everyone knew quidditch was Ginny's life, and just the minimal chance that that may be taken away from her, though highly unlikely, would probably kill her. I can't even fathom how she's feeling right now. She shouldn't have to face this alone. Damn the Weasley's and their pride!

"Thank you for offering Hermione but I think we're doing everything we can. You can feel free to stay here if you'd like. I told the boys to come back at 7"

"I'll stay" she said with determination. I need to know if she's okay. Gods Ginny where are you?

Hours went by without any news. At around 7 in the afternoon Ron and Harry arrived looking dejected and concerned. They didn't have to say anything their expressions spoke for them.

"Nothing" Ron announced remorsefully.

Hermione felt a knot form in her throat. She was trying to control herself and think over things rationally. She'll be back, she has to come back.

"Thank you boys"

"What about the order?" Hermione interjected abruptly; her voice was thick with emotion.

"We already spoke to some of them but unfortunately since this is not a life and death situation, sort of speak; it doesn't fall into their priority tasks. That said, I wrote to Kingsley and he said that if we don't hear anything by tomorrow he will approve a small mission to search for Ginny"

At the mention of Ginny's name Hermione heard Mrs. Weasley sniffle again.

"It will be okay Molly, she'll come home soon" Mr. Weasley said reassuring his wife.

"Yeah mum. You know Ginny she probably just went out flying somewhere to calm down and lost track of time. We all saw her last night, I'm sure we're just being paranoid."

"Yes, yes I'm sure you're right Ron" Mrs. Weasley said determinately trying with all her might to maintain some level of optimism. She nodded fervently and gave a brave smile "I'm sure she'll be in her flat in the morning".

"Yes" Arthur confirmed, "Well boys, Hermione, please go home it's getting late. Please let us know if you hear from her we will let you know if we see her first as well. Thank you again for all your help. It is nice to see Ginny surrounded by such great friends. " He added with a grateful smile.

"Thank you Mr. Weasley" Hermione and Harry responded earnestly.

Hermione appeared in her living room and felt like she was about to collapse on the floor; she was just so emotionally and mentally drained. Everything had happened so quickly, she had experienced the best moment in her life last night and just as quickly as it happened it left. Ginny had left, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. The brunette sighed feeling defeated. All romantic feelings aside, she was genuinely concerned and just wished Ginny would come home tonight for everyone's sake. Please come back Gin.

Knowing that she would be unable to fall sleep Hermione walk towards to kitchen to make some tea. It was then when she heard a faint knock on the door. Surprised by the unexpected visit Hermione opened the door hesitantly.

"Hermione..."

It was Ginny.

A/N2: So…there might be some trouble in paradise! Don't say I didn't warn ya ;) On the bright side, I think this means my story will be a bit longer than anticipated.