A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews guys. I love them. I can't reply to the anonymous one so dear anonymous reviewer, thank you! :) Thank you also for the story alert list and all, I really appreciate it. Sorry it took me so long to write chapter two, but life got in the way. I'll try to get better and anyway, I'm already half way through chapter 3. I hope you'll like it and please, keep reviewing, whoever you are, whenever you want, wherever you are... I just love reviews. Happy reading.

Harry stood up.

'I'll go and talk to him', said the young man, and he left in Ron's direction.

All eyes returned back to the two girls. Ginny looked defiantly at her family. She was showing them an assurance she didn't feel at all. She was having a hard time swallowing because of the big bump lodged in her throat, and she was holding the table so hard to prevent her hands from trembling that they had started to hurt. She knew that nothing anyone could say would separate her from her love, but she still wished that everything had gone smoothly.

Her dad spoke first.

'You are serious about each other, right?' He asked, and then added without waiting for an answer, 'because same sex couples usually have to face hatred and judgment and things are not always easy for them.'

'We are more than serious, dad' Ginny reassured him with a voice steadier than she even expected. 'I've never loved anyone as much as Hermione, and I can't imagine myself being with anyone else but her, and I know she feels the same way about me'

Arthur and Molly looked at each other and then back at the girls. Molly cleared her throat as if she had something hard to say, and Ginny's face lost some of its composure.

'Well, as long as you make each other happy,' she said, 'I don't think there's any problem with that for us'

Ginny's eyebrows shot up and she looked at her mum as if she had grown another head.

'Thank you so much for your kindness,' answered Hermione.

The brunette's voice brought Ginny back to reality. Never in her dreams had she expected her parents to take it so well. Why had she waited so long to tell them? She started to feel lightheaded from the happiness she was feeling at that moment. Her eyes scanned the people she loved who were seated around the table. Ron's empty chair made her frown, and the happiness she was feeling a second ago seemed to not be as perfect.

'I wish Ron would have reacted just like you', she said, disappointment and sadness deep in her voice.

'You have to give him some time to adjust,' answered Arthur, 'he went out with Hermione as well after all, so he's bound to wonder about a few things.'

'I guess,' said Ginny.

Ginny looked back at the empty chair and sighed. She felt Hermione reaching for her hand, and she finally realized how good it was to be able to make such a simple gesture in front of her family.

'Do you think we could give Hermione our presents as well, now?' Luna asked airily.

Everyone started to answer that question at the same time. The laughter and the happiness came back at once, and it felt like family again, as if nothing had happened. But to Hermione, the difference was huge. It truly was the best birthday ever.

As soon as they were back home, Hermione pinned Ginny against the front door and kissed her senseless.

'Thank you,' she said, panting slightly.

Ginny was grinning like a fool. Who wouldn't after such a kiss?

'You're welcome, babe. I take it that you liked my present?'

'You know I did. It really surprised me though. I never thought you would tell them any time soon,' she hesitated and added in a barely audible voice 'if ever.'

Ginny's face became serious again. She took her girlfriend's hand and led her to their bedroom, where they both sat on the bed.

'I'm sorry babe, that it took me so long to tell my family about us'

'You've done it now, so it's okay', Hermione replied smiling reassuringly. 'It's just that I'm very surprised, you know. The last time we talked about it was quite some time ago, and we really argued about it, and you seemed to imply that you were never going to tell anyone'

'Yes, I remember, you even threatened to leave me.'

Hermione blushed slightly from remembering her harsh words.

'I was angry' she tried to explain, 'and a couple of days later I told you that I'd never be able to leave you anyway.'

'I know,' said Ginny, 'and that's what made me decide to tell everyone about us.'

Hermione frowned.

'I don't understand, it sounds contradictory. If I can't leave you no matter what you do, you could have gone on like that and told no one'

Ginny smiled, almost sadly.

'Well, it was a great proof of love from you. But mostly it made me realize something. You were ready to spend the rest of your life not unhappy, but not truly happy either, because you wanted to stay with me, who was too scared to do the right stuff.'

The redhead lifted her girlfriend's head so that she could look into her eyes, showing her how much she loved her and how much she meant everything she was saying.

'I love you, babe, more than I can really express it, and I want you to be happy, truly happy, and there's no way that I would be the one to prevent that.'

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. Her emotions seemed to be too strong at that moment to allow her to even talk, so she did the best thing she could think of, she kissed the beautiful girl in front of her. Not that Ginny minded, of course. They kissed sweetly, and slowly, for a long time. The caresses were soft and caring. They finally broke apart and Hermione rested her forehead on Ginny's.

'I love you too, honey. So much. And you do make me happy. Being with you is the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm so happy now that the rest of the world will be able to see how good you are to me.'

Ginny replied with a kiss that was hungrier this time. Her mouth started to explore the brunette's collarbone, and the moan she received in answer to her ministrations just made her want more. Her hands started to explore the soft flesh of a thigh, going under the older witch's dress. Her probing fingers didn't lose any time in going right to Hermione's core, and the whole body in her arms trembled under her touch.

'Mmmmm, you're wet', she purred.

'Well, I've been wanting you all evening, you sexy vixen.'

Ginny, grinning wickedly took her hand out and put her fingers in her mouth, sucking on them without breaking eye contact with Hermione.

'You taste so good, baby, it should be forbidden.'

Not wanting to let the redhead have all the fun, Hermione took her girlfriend's hand and sucked on the wet fingers, tasting herself.

'Mmm, not bad, but not as good as you.'

It was too much for Ginny who, started kissing Hermione again, and working on getting rid of this offending dress.

At that moment, they both heard something tapping at the window. They could see Harry's owl trying to get their attention.

'What fucking bad timing!' exclaimed the hot-tempered younger witch.

Hermione giggled and stood up to let the owl come in and then took the letter attached to him. She sobered quickly while reading the message. Then she handed it to Ginny, who read it as well.

Ron is pretty upset and feels like he's been played with. He feels like a fool and is very angry with the situation. Apparently he doesn't want to talk to or see either of you for a while. It would be wise to give him some time to calm down, I think.

I'll stay with him to check on him.

Harry

'What the hell?' started Ginny, 'what does he mean by 'he feels like he's been played with'? By who?'

'Don't you see? By me of course!' answered Hermione heatedly. 'He probably thinks that I'm a lesbian who just wanted to experiment with a guy and maybe make fun of him or whatever.'

'Oh, come one, he can't be that thick-headed!'

'Well, then, how do you explain it?'

'I... I don't know' admitted Ginny. 'Well, at least I hope Harry will put some sense into his tiny brain'

Hermione sighed.

'I don't know,' she said, 'I can only hope'.

The brunette sat down heavily on the bed and burst into tears. Ginny's heart broke to see her love being so distraught. She took her in her arms and cradled her, whispering sweet nothings, comforting her. Eventually, Hermione's sobs subsided.

'I'm sorry,' she said.

'Don't worry baby, and I should be the one to be sorry. I never expected Ron to act like that. More my parents, actually, but I know how much you care about my stupid brother. If I had known…'

'No, I don't regret you telling everyone about us', answered the older witch, looking up, 'I regret his reaction, not your decision, not even for one second'.

They started to kiss again, slowly and comfortingly.

Their love making that night was heart mending.

Ginny woke up feeling butterfly kisses on her bare shoulder. She sighed in contentment. She didn't want to get up. She could feel Hermione's naked body pressed against her back and she sighed again. It was just the best way to wake up.

'Good morning gorgeous.' Hermione whispered in her ear.

'Mmm', was Ginny's mumbled reply.

'I know you're awake, sweetie, so don't pretend you're not.' But the brunette resumed her kissing nonetheless.

'I'm not awake,' Ginny answered, her voice muffled by the pillow, 'I sleep talk and I'm only dreaming that I'm waking up'

'It's time to get up, though you cheeky thing.'

'Come on, just a little bit longer. I just love when you wake me up this way.' But Ginny turned round to face her lovely girlfriend.

'I love you', she said to the older witch.

'I love you too, baby', answered the brunette.

They cuddled for a little longer, and finally got up to get ready for work.

When Hermione arrive in St Mungos, where she was a healer and researcher, she felt something was wrong. The way some people were looking at her made her uncomfortable, and it seemed that everywhere she went, everything and everyone was quieter. She tried to brush it off, and act as if she had not noticed any difference, but the whole situation did make her uneasy. When she arrived in the research department, she hurried into her office to have some peace. After a few minutes, she could hear a shy knock on the door. Hermione sighed, resigned.

'Come in', she said. Her assistant, a young and sweet boy, entered the room, closing the door behind himself.

'Have you read the daily prophet this morning, Miss Granger?' he asked in a hushed voice.

'Good morning to you too, Harold' she said, surprised by the question, 'and no, I haven't. Knowing that Rita Skeeter is still working for them irritates me to no end. Why do you ask?

Harold shifted a bit on the spot and finally took a copy of the daily prophet out of his pocket. He seemed to hesitate, but finally handed it to her.

'Rita Skeeter has written a new article for today. I think you should read it.' He smiled uneasily at her, retreated, and left the room.

Hermione was even more perplexed by now, but she had the feeling that it was not something she was going to like much. She took a deep breath and unfolded the papers. There, on the front page, written widely she could read:

War hero Hermione Granger in a relationship with her ex-boyfriend (and war hero as well)'s sister: Ginny Weasley.

By Rita Skeeter.

A/N: So? What do you guys think?