A/N-I know this story seems to be a bit fluffy and lacking in the conflict department so far, but I ask that you stay with me here. Also, sorry the update was slower this time; I just got a five day a week job and it's really draining, so I have less time for writing. Oh well, here's chapter 3...
"Do we act normally?" Hermione asked, seemingly out of the blue as she pulled on a pair of jeans the next day.
Ginny propped herself up in bed where she had been laying as she watched Hermione get dressed for the eventful Saturday afternoon that they had in store at the Burrow.
"What do you mean? Normal compared to what?" Ginny asked.
"I mean," Hermione said, as she pulled a blue fitted shirt over her head, "do we act normal for people who have been together for years?"
"I think we have a little more sex than most at our stage," Ginny said. When Hermione cast her a dirty look, she continued more seriously, "I dunno, I guess we act pretty normal. Why are you asking?"
"Ron," Hermione said from the bathroom connected to the bedroom as she tried to tame her hair without much success, "he said we've been acting unusual lately, more lovey than usual. Apparently I'm kinder since the engagement as well. He didn't say the engagement part, but that was the main idea."
Ginny rolled out of bed for the first time that morning and stood leaning in the doorway as she watched Hermione getting ready. Ginny was clad in a matching black bra and panties , freckles dotting her Quidditch toned stomach and legs as she lingered in the doorway waiting for Hermione to finish her thought. Hermione didn't seem to have anymore to say, but Ginny knew better than to assume such things.
"I think we ought to tell your family today at the party," Hermione said a moment later, without taking her eyes of the mirror, "if Ron sees a difference in how we're acting, your mother will know before we even speak. Besides, last night was really too close. We can only keep something like this secret for so long."
"Alright," Ginny said simply, without moving from her spot in the doorway, "I'll wear the ring today."
Hermione clearly hadn't been expecting Ginny to agree so readily, as she stopped playing with her hair and looked at Ginny for the first time. "Really? Just like that?"
"Yes, just like that," Ginny said as she moved to stand behind Hermione, " I want to marry you, and I don't want that to be a secret. We'll tell everyone at the Burrow today."
Hermione twirled around and put her hands on Ginny's neck, truly taking in the redhead for the first time in their conversation. She smiled and kissed Ginny before speaking. "That would be fantastic," she said. After indulging in another lingering glance at Ginny's scantily clad body, she added, "as much as I'm enjoying the view, you really should start getting dressed if you want us to get there on time."
"Alright," Ginny said, after kissing Hermione on the cheek, though she seemed in no hurry to move away from Hermione, who was now leaning against the sink.
Hermione looked Ginny up and down, aware of the fact that the other woman was trying to distract her, and having more than a little success in her endeavor. She allowed herself one long, deep kiss before pulling away and catching her breath.
"Go on now," Hermione said, as she made a conscious effort to look only at Ginny's face, then added before she changed her mind, "get dressed before we're late for the Burrow."
Before she turned around to return to the bedroom, Ginny smiled knowingly, too knowingly for Hermione's taste. She knew that she had gotten to Hermione, that her body still had a way of distracting Hermione like nothing else. Hermione liked having someone that still made her feel that way, but did not so much appreciate the fact that it was absolutely out of her control.
After regaining her composure, Hermione returned to the bedroom where she found Ginny rummaging through her closet for something suitable to wear. It was hard to know what to wear, since it was hard to know what the get-together was celebrating. There were more family gatherings than special occasions in the Weasley family, so a few parties tended to be more Mrs. Weasley's excuse to see the whole family together than anything else. Ginny finally settled on a pair of jeans and a fitted tshirt with the Harpies logo on it.
After pulling on her chosen outfit, she went to the bathroom to calm her hair. Though Ginny's hair was silky smooth in comparison to Hermione's, it did have a mind of its own at times, and she wanted to look presentable, mostly to keep her mother happy. As usual, Ginny decided on pulling her hair back into a pony tail before returning to the bedroom where Hermione was sitting on the bed waiting.
"Am I acceptable?" Ginny asked as she spun around to allow Hermione to inspect.
"Very acceptable," Hermione said as she got up and handed Ginny her engagement ring after she had slipped on her own ring, "you know, I was just thinking, and I think you're underestimating how they're going to react to this news."
"I think you worry too much," Ginny said as she stepped closer and rubbed Hermione's bare arm, "I think they'll all be alright with it. "
Hermione sighed and licked her lips, as she often did when she was pondering something. She couldn't understand why she was suddenly so hesitant to make this announcement. She wanted to tell everyone more than anything, but as Ginny had been preparing for the party, Hermione became increasingly nervous and weary of announcing the engagement to the Weasleys and Harry. She couldn't pinpoint what it was that made her suddenly feel that way, but she just did not have a good feeling about the impending announcement. She realized that she did worry quite a bit, and decided that it was simply the worrier in her getting the best of her.
When Hermione and Ginny arrived at the Burrow, the entire family had already arrived and dispersed throughout the property. Victoire was at the stage of boundless energy, so she was running around the backyard trying to teach her younger cousins how to play tag. Most of the adults were lulling about on the back patio with a glass of firewhisky or butterbeer. Only Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen to prepare a last minute appetizer when they arrived.
As soon as Mrs. Weasley saw the pair, she made a beeline for her daughter, and looked as though she was ready to burst with excitement.
"You're engaged, aren't you?" she said before Ginny could even manage to open her mouth.
"Um, er, yes we are," Ginny said, as she tried to catch her breath after the uncomfortable floo trip, "we're engaged. How'd you know?"
"Oh, dear, I can just tell these things," Mrs. Weasley said as she waved off the question, the added, "let me see your rings. You do have rings?"
Ginny found herself smiling broadly as she held out her hand for her mother to examine. She realized that it was the first time she got to show off the ring and it felt great. She gestured for Hermione to show her ring too, and Hermione followed the suggestion with a similarly gleeful expression.
"Oh, tell me all about it," Mrs. Weasley said eagerly as she sat down at the kitchen table, "when did it happen? Who asked first?"
When Hermione and Ginny had finished telling Mrs. Weasley all of the particulars of the proposal, she still looked at them as if she was anticipating more information.
"What happened after?" she asked when it became apparent that neither was going to add anything more to their story.
"After what?" Hermione asked. She knew the answer to her question, but was trying to buy time to think of how she could possibly answer without Mrs. Weasley sensing that they were holding back.
"After Ginny proposed of course," Mrs. Weasley said with another dismissive wave of the hand.
Hermione started to open her mouth without any clue as to what she might say to the elder Weasley before Ginny responded.
"We ate out," Ginny said she made her way the cabinet to pull down a bottle of firewhisky and a few glasses so that her back was to her mother. Hermione followed Ginny's lead and busied herself pouring a glass of firewhisky so that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't see that she was blushing furiously.
"Where'd you go?" Mrs. Weasley asked, completely unaware of Ginny's double entendre. Though she was incredibly perceptive, Molly Weasley tended to be a bit naïve and innocent when it came to certain things.
"A very nice place. It was definitely fine dining," Ginny said as she took as sip of the firewhisky to keep from laughing at Hermione's mortified expression, which was still hidden from Mrs. Weasley's view.
Ginny also quite enjoyed that she'd so far managed to pull one over on her mother, who normally caught on to the tricks of her children very quickly.
"Oh that sounds like it must have been a good meal," Mrs. Weasley responded.
"Fantastic," Ginny said, the after another long sip of fireshisky added, "it was a fantastic four course meal. Wouldn't you say Hermione?"
Hermione, who had just taken a sip of her own, nearly choked on her drink, and had to take a minute to regain her composure.
"Sorry, I'm not use to such strong firewhisky. It was lovely," Hermione said, wishing she could cast a dirty look at Ginny without Mrs. Weasley noticing, "I think we should go see everyone else now."
"Oh, yes, of course. Spread the good news," Mrs. Weasley said as she sprung up to continue her hostessing duties.
When the pair was safely outside the kitchen and in the empty living room that led out to the backyard, Hermione finally dared cast one of her trademark dirty looks in Ginny's direction. Ginny merely smiled to herself, too accustomed to years of seeing the glare to be all that affected by it any more.
"You just can't help yourself, can you?" Hermione muttered, though a reluctant smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"No, I can't," Ginny said as she took Hermione's hand to lead her to the backyard, "you ought to know that. Now let's go see everyone and spread the news. I wouldn't want to disobey my mother."
A/N-Hmm, I wonder how the rest of the gang will react. What do you all think will happen?
Reviews are my inspiration. They are like ink in my pen; please don't let my pen run dry. :o)