A/N: Voilà, another chapter! I want to give a shout-out to my wonderful beta read kyresar for reading, editing, correcting and inputting :) Thank you!

Thank you to all the readers too and especially those who write reviews (yes, I'm fishing!).

This chapter took a while to write and was edited a thousand times before even kyresar got to read it. I hope you like it... Enjoy.

(PS: if there are any french speakers out there and you find any mistakes, please let me know, I'll correct them immediately - my french is more than a bit rusty.)

Chapter 12

Hermione woke because of a particularly stubborn ray of light coming in through the window.

Momentarily, she was disoriented. But then she felt an arm around her waist and smiled, remembering last night.

They had arrived at the Burrow scaring Molly half to death, but quickly explaining what had happened. True to herself Molly had offered them a late dinner and some tea, which they had gratefully accepted.

Valerie had put up camp in Bill's room and Molly had assumed that Hermione could stay in Ginny's room.

"We still have that old camp bed, if you need it. I don't know if you two…I mean, I'm…," Molly had stammered.

"Really, Mum, it's fine. We're fine, we'll manage. Don't worry," Ginny calmed down her mother and Hermione nodded in agreement.

"Well, alright then. You should get to bed to catch at least a couple of hours of sleep." Molly had said and consequently ushered all three of them out of her kitchen and upstairs.

Valerie had wished them a good night and had quickly mouthed a 'thanks for everything' before vanishing in Bill's room. Hermione could see that slowly but steadily it was all getting a bit much for her best friend. As adventurous as she might be, someone was after her life and there was nothing she could do to defend herself. Hermione had been waiting for everything to finally catch up to her and made a mental note to try and cheer her up a little tomorrow.

Ginny had taken Hermione's hand and drawn her out of her thoughts and into her room.

"Hermione, please don't understand this the wrong way it might seem a bit sober, but I was too tired to pussyfoot around this even before we got to your flat. Do you want to cuddle up with me in my bed, which I'll have you know is much more comfortable than the camp bed or do you think it is too soon and we need to take it slower? Either is fine with me, I prefer cuddling, but please understand that I will be asleep before I hit the pillow anyway." Ginny had concluded her little speech with another long yawn.

Then, all of a sudden, Hermione had closed the distance between them and had kissed Ginny passionately, overwhelming the younger witch completely. But before the red head could properly react, Hermione pulled back, "I have wanted to kiss you for way too long to pass up on the opportunity. And I'm glad that you got to the point, because I'm dead tired too. I would love to fall asleep with you close. I remember that camp bed. It wasn't much of a bed years ago, I don't imagine it has improved since then." Hermione answered truthfully. "Let's get to bed," she added and put her hands around Ginny's waist before kissing her again.

Ginny's breath had hitched at the sudden proximity but not missing a beat this time, she kissed Hermione back feverishly, putting her hands around her neck.

Before thinking it through too much, Hermione slowly pulled up Ginny's T-shirt and broke the kiss briefly to pull it over her head.

"I'm not complaining, but what are you doing. Didn't we want to go to bed?" Ginny asked, with heavy eyes but not minding the delay too much.

"We are. But were you planning on sleeping in your clothes?" Hermione answered in between kisses, already fumbling with Ginny's belt and the buttons of her jeans.

Ginny had apparently arrived at the realisation that, she too, had hands and started helping Hermione out of her clothes.

Their kisses had picked up in need and years of pent up desire had been rising to the surface. Hermione had ran her hands up and down Ginny's body, trying to memorise every curve and sensation she felt. When she had realised that her brain was not keeping any information she broke their kiss, "Gin, I love this. I love this way too much, but we need to stop because I don't want this to happen while I'm too tired to remember any of it."

Ginny nodded, clearly struggling with words. Her eyes were dark with desire. She stole one last kiss and got her PJ's from a drawer.

Hermione had put on her nightwear and hopped into bed, closely followed by Ginny. They had settled down facing each other, stealing kisses and fighting to keep their eyes open for just a bit longer. Ginny had put her arms around Hermione and kissed her one more time before giving in to sleep. Hermione had snuggled a bit closer and fallen asleep before she knew it.

Hermione lifted her arm and pushed a couple of strands of hair out of Ginny's face when the younger witch started to stir.

"Mhhm. This is nice. Can we do this every day?" Ginny asked, her eyes still closed, snuggling up to Hermione.

"Not if you move into team quarters, we can't," Hermione relayed and put her hand on Ginny's belly, playing with the fabric of her pyjama top.

Ginny closed her eyes and just enjoyed the warmth of the sunlight and Hermione's body next to her.

Hermione put her head on Ginny's shoulder and let her fingers go walkabout a bit further. I can't believe this is happening. I'm in bed with Ginny and she loves me just as much as I love her! Oh and Granger, quit being so sappy!

Hermione smiled at her own thoughts and marvelled at the peaceful moment they were having, when suddenly the door was opened and Valerie stood in the doorframe, rooted to the spot and her trademark smirk playing around her lips, "Get up sleepy heads. Molly sent me upstairs to remind you that you two have jobs."

Hermione groaned and burrowed deeper in to the crook of Ginny's neck. Ginny wordlessly took the pillow from underneath her and sent it flying in Valerie's direction without looking. Valerie made an oomphy kind of sound when she was hit.

"You have good aim, for someone half awake and not looking," Valerie said cheerfully, walking towards the bed.

"Go away, Valerie!" growled Hermione as she heard her friend come closer. Don't you dare do what I think you're going to do. Hermione dug her fingers into the blanket and held it in a vice grip.

"Do you want to explain to Molly why you're late?" Valerie asked.

And then all of a sudden she sat down on the bed next to the girls and gave back the pillow. Hermione relaxed visibly.

"I don't want to get up yet," Ginny mumbled into her pillow and turned around, turning her back to Hermione and Valerie.

Valerie gave Hermione an amused look, "Let me guess, you're a morning person?" She said with some sarcasm.

"We really didn't get much sleep, Val. Don't be mean," Hermione defended her girlfriend.

"Not much sleep? Finally! Do tell!" Valerie said excitedly.

"Hey, I'm right here, you know!" Ginny grumbled.

"Val, we didn't get much sleep because we went to bed way too late to be up at this ungodly hour. Nothing happened," Hermione said, but blushed. Dammit, Granger, can you not learn to control your blood circulation?

"Of course," Valerie said and shot her a dirty look before getting up.

Suddenly, Valerie grabbed the blanket and pulled it away, leaving the two witches uncovered. Oh no, Val, you didn't!

Faster than Valerie had anticipated Ginny was up and after her. Hermione smirked at the sight of it.

Valerie fled over the bed and ran in circles, laughing madly.

"I play Quidditch, Val. I grew up with six older brothers. Give up now and I'll be gentle!" Ginny growled viciously, feigning anger, but she couldn't quite stop a grin.

Hermione got back the blanket and watched the play unfold with an amused smile on her face. She could get used to mornings like this.

"Anything's possible, if you've got enough nerve," Valerie said, wondering where she had heard that before and ran for the door.

Ginny launched after her grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her down on the unused camp bed.

Quickly, Hermione was by their side with a devilish smile on her face, "Gin, would you mind holding Valerie for a minute. I have a debt to settle."

Valerie's face was riddled with fear, "No!"

"Oh yes, I'm going to repay you for all those time you tickled me out of bed in the morning and there is nothing you can do about it!" and in a swift motion Hermione's hands tickled Valeries ribs and sides, making her friend squeal and squirm.

"I told you that I'd get you back for it one day!" Hermione said evenly, enjoying her victory before stopping eventually.

Smiling good naturedly, Valerie panted, "We should get breakfast now. I'll wait downstairs."

After a quick breakfast, George dropped by to pick up Valerie, Ginny apparated to the Stadium while Arthur and Hermione flooed to the Ministry.

When the evening finally arrived and Hermione flooed back to the Burrow, Ginny was already home and arguing with Molly in the kitchen.

"No Mum, as much as I'd like to, I'm not asking Hermione to go on that date with me. I know I asked her out a week ago, but I don't think that given the circumstances she will want to go on a date!" Ginny said, a bit too loud.

"Ginevra, you promised that woman a date and I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. I wasn't in the order for my cooking skills alone, you know!" Molly stated.

"MUM! This is not about your proficiency as a witch, this is about a vicious Death Eater and his entourage!" Ginny retaliated.

"The way you're talking, I'm about to think you don't want to go out with her!" Molly shot back.

Ginny groaned and ran her hands through her hair, "No, I want to go out with her, but I know her. She'll think she left you or George to fend for yourselves for a date that we can have when Lucius is apprehended!"

"And what if that takes another year? You can't put your relationship on hold, just because something is going on. Something is always going on!" Molly said in her best motherly tone.

"Why don't you let me take part in that decision, Gin?" Hermione asked, deciding it was time to stop the conversation, leaving her place in the doorframe and walking into the kitchen.

Ginny left her mother and walked over to greet the brunette with a peck on the lips.

"Sorry, you're right, of course. What would you like to do?" Ginny asked taking Hermione's hands into her own.

Are you kidding? I've been waiting for this date all week!

"I admit, I have a bit of a guilty conscience about leaving others to take care of Valerie. Especially, since your family is already babysitting her all day. But your mother is right, we can't wait around for Lucius to attack. What if he decides to take his time? Let's go on this date." Hermione explained.

"Alright, let's go then." Ginny said and smiled broadly at her, "but you'll have to step it up a bit. I'm taking you to a fancy French restaurant. So let's go upstairs, put our glad rags on and I'll apparate us."

"Sure, this time I'm prepared. I don't even need to panic and have Valerie help me find clothes," Hermione admitted.

"I've put your things in Bill's room. I'll pick you up in twenty minutes," Ginny said and bounded up the stairs.

Hermione laughed and followed suit.

Exactly twenty minutes later, there was a light knock on the door, "Hermione, are you ready?" Ginny called from the other side.

Hermione opened the door and couldn't believe her eyes. Ginny was looking gorgeous in a floor length dress that looked like she was wearing the night sky complete with stars. The gown was the darkest blue imaginable and had hundreds of tiny little rhinestones sewn onto it. Hermione was speechless.

But judging from the look on the red head's face, Hermione didn't look too bad either. She had opted for a slightly darker than emerald green gown and an intricate twisted updo.

"You look beautiful, Hermione," Ginny said, finally finding her words.

"So do you." Hermione whispered and kissed her girlfriend passionately.

"Let's get downstairs and tell Mum we're leaving," Ginny said, taking Hermione's hand and leading her downstairs.

"Oh, look at this Arthur, don't they look beautiful?" Molly said, tears in her eyes, when the two young witches came into the kitchen.

Arthur looked up from his newspaper and nodded. He got up and hugged them, "You do look wonderful. Both of you. Have fun tonight, yes?"

"We will. And you still have my phone number?" Hermione said in a very sober tone before perking up again, "I'm sure we won't need it though. I just worry too much."

"Shall we go then?" Ginny asked and held out her arm.

A second later the two witches emerged in a deserted cobble stone street under a street lamp. "This way, please," Ginny said and took Hermione's hand again, leading her down the street and onto another busier one.

Hermione's eyes grew wide, "Gin, we're in Paris!"

Ginny grinned like the cat that got the cream and nodded, "I told you I'm taking you to a fancy French restaurant, didn't I?"

Hermione smiled and put her arm around Ginny's waist, who in turn put her arm around her shoulder. Together they walked a couple of minutes until they were standing in front of a picturesque little restaurant with rose bushes on each side of the entrance. Ginny opened the door and led them inside. "Reservation for Weasley," Ginny told the polite looking Frenchman at the desk.

"Oui, table pour deux. Suivez-moi, s'il vous plaîts," he answered and motioned for them to follow him. He seated them in a corner next to wall overgrown with vine tendrils and handed them a menu each.

"This is so nice, Ginny, how did you find out about this place?" Hermione asked excitedly.

"We were invited by the French Minister for magic when we played a game against the Parisian team last year. The food is divine," Ginny answered.

"Oh Ginny, I can't decide what to eat, it all sounds so lovely!" Hermione said and Ginny smiled with glee at having chosen the right place for their date.

"Bonsoir, je suis Thierry, et je…I vill be your waiter tonight," Thierry said in a heavy French accent.

"Bonsoir Thierry, y at-il quelque chose que vous pouvez recommander?" Hermione said in fluent French, which made Ginny's eyes grow wide.

A very relieved Thierry went on to converse with Hermione about what to have until she decided on the wine braised ox-tail. Ginny had watched in silence until Thierry turned to her, "Et pour vous?" Ginny had no idea what he had just said, but assumed he wanted to take her order, "I'm sorry Thierry, I don't speak French, but I know what I want to eat. I'd like to have the pan seared shrimp. They were too delicious last time."

Thierry nodded and scribbled on his notepad, "Et un verre de vin peut-être?"

Hermione nodded and simply told Thierry to have the sommelier choose the wine that went best with their food.

As soon as the waiter had left their table Ginny couldn't hold back anymore, "I didn't know you spoke French! You should speak it more often. It sound incredibly sexy."

"There is a lot you don't know about me, Ginny." Hermione relayed with a mysterious grin.

Their wine arrived and they fell into a light-hearted conversation, just enjoying themselves and laughing a lot.

"Voilà, le boeuf. Attention, c'est très chaud. Et pour vous Mademoiselle, les crevettes poêlées. Bon appétit," Thierry said as he put down their plates in front of them.

Hermione thanked him and watched Ginny carefully lift her shrimp with a fork.

Oh so you can eat like a civilised person, then! You just choose to shovel your food into you.

"This oxtail is delicious, Ginny. This restaurant is simply amazing. Thanks for bringing me here." Hermione enthused.

"I'm glad you like it. When we came to Paris to play their Quidditch team, I wanted nothing more than to explore the city with you, but we weren't even on proper speaking terms. It felt like the loneliest city in the world," Ginny reminisced.

"We could come here on our first holiday together, if you like. I'd love to show you my favourite places here," Hermione said dreamily and Ginny's eyes lit up.

They finished their food and ordered a white chocolate cake to share as a dessert.

A short while later, Ginny had paid and they were taking a stroll through the streets of Paris, when suddenly Hermione's phone rang.

"Very confused about who would call her, she fished it out of her purse and it just read 'unknown number'. "Hello?" Hermione picked up. All she could hear was static and cracking sounds and the odd sound that was definitely human, but she couldn't even guess whether it was a woman or a man talking, that's how poor the quality was. "Hello? I can't hear you. Who is this?" Hermione asked again.

"Herm…Arth…Valer…" the caller said and it began to dawn on Hermione. She stopped walking and put her hand on Ginny's shoulder.

A second later, the two witches were standing in the garden in front of the Burrow.

"Hermione, what is it, why did you apparate us? Who was on the phone?" Ginny asked immediately concerned about the worry lined face of her girlfriend.

"I don't know exactly, but I believe it was your father calling," Hermione said and ran towards the door, closely followed by the younger witch.

When she entered, she found Molly sobbing, sitting at the kitchen table, holding a crumpled piece of parchment. Arthur was still stood yelling into the mobile phone in his hands, "Hermione, it's Arthur. You need…Oh, you're here."

"What's happened?" Hermione said meekly, fearing the worst. She felt Ginny put her arm around her waist for support.

"Valerie is gone." Molly said in between sobs.

"They came to the shop. Five of them. And they just took her." George explained, entering from the living room. He looked furious and defeated at the same time.

Hermione's knees buckled and Ginny helped her sit down in a chair.

"I'm sorry, Hermione, I did my best. But there were just too many to fight them alone. I tried to get her into the fireplace but they had separated us. I couldn't even apparate us both out of there. I'm so sorry." George said, his voice growing lower and lower.

Hermione felt tears burn in her eyes, "I should have stayed. Then she wouldn't have been at the shop. Dammit, why am I so selfish?" Tears were streaming down her face and not even Ginny rubbing the small of her back could do anything to help her calm down. "You're not selfish. How could you have known they'd attack tonight. You said yourself, that we had no way of knowing when Lucius would choose to attack," Ginny said, trying to calm down the brunette.

"You were right, I should've listened to you." Hermione talked herself into a frenzy.

"Nonsense. You can't think like that. George, did they say anything?" Ginny asked in an attempt to divert Hermione's attention to gaining facts and hints.

"They sent a note." Molly replied through her sobs.

Reaching over, Hermione took the crumpled piece of parchment and read,

Mudblood,

It's a pity you weren't there to say good bye to your Muggle.

You have two days to get the charges against me dropped and my assets unfrozen. Fail and you will have missed your chance at good bye forever.

Please give my regards to the blood traitor, I hear he fought valiantly.

Lucius Malfoy

Hermione swallowed back her tears and they could all see the anger that was rising in her.

"That wanker! That complete arse! He is not even worth the dirt under his finger nails. I'll find him and I'll rip his sorry self into pieces. That bloody sod will beg me to put him in Azkaban," Hermione unleashed, finding herself pacing the room. Everyone around the table grew silent. None of them had ever heard Hermione speak in that way before. Even Molly stopped sobbing due to the brunette's outburst, although she couldn't bring herself to reprimand her for using such language, which in normal situations she would have done.

"So, what do we do now? What is the plan?" Ginny asked.