-Chapter 31: I Want You to be Proud of Me-
Hermione did go to the Quidditch match the next day but it was rather pointless to do so since Ginny got thrown out of the game ten minutes into it for giving one of the Hufflepuff Chasers a bloody nose after he scored and gloated about it. Madam Hooch wanted to suspend her from the final match but McGonagall talked her into just revoking Ginny's trips to Hogsmeade for the remainder of the term and sending Arthur and Molly a letter.
Even though they had quite a few classes together Ginny and Hermione didn't speak to each other at all for the week Ginny was in detention. Hermione noticed that Ginny still wore her ring and that gave her some hope that things would be all right. Ginny's detention time with McGonagall was more like study hall. She reviewed for her N.E.W.T.s and McGonagall quizzed her.
"I believe you will do quite well on your examinations, Miss Weasley." McGonagall said as Ginny was putting her things away on the last night of detention.
"Thank you, Professor."
"What is it you plan on doing after you finish school?"
"Quidditch."
"Is that all? You have no back-up plan?"
"What? Do you think it is a stupid little fantasy, too? Why does no one think I can do this?" Ginny slammed her books down on the desk.
"Control your temper unless you would like to spend another week in here with me, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Professor," Ginny said with a growl.
"Now, Miss Weasley, it is not that I don't think you could play professional Quidditch. As a matter of fact I believe you most definitely could. You are very, very good. However, things like serious injuries do happen. You should have a back-up plan, just in case."
"I once told Hermione that after I played I would like to write for The Daily Prophet or Which Broomstick. I'd even write for The Quibbler if Mr. Lovegood put in a Quidditch section."
"You have no interest in the Ministry of Magic? All of your test scores and classes would put you in a good position to join your brother and Mr. Potter in the Auror department this summer."
"I don't want that. I want to play or write or even stay at home and raise a family like my mother did."
"I see that you have given this more thought than I gave you credit for. I believe you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to, Miss Weasley. Just learn to control your temper so I am not forced to suspend you from the last Quidditch match of the season. I am sure you well know that scouts for professional teams attend the last few matches of the season."
"I'm aware. When can I move back into Gryffindor tower?"
"We will see how next week goes. You are dismissed, Miss Weasley."
...............
"I don't know, Luna. She obviously cares more about her grades than she does about us anymore."
It was Sunday night, Ginny and Luna were packing up their Charms homework in the Ravenclaw common room and getting ready to head up to the dormitory.
"Ginny you know she loves you. Hermione has always been very academically focused though, she just wants to do her best."
"There's a difference between doing her best and being completely obsessed."
"Maybe McGonagall talked to her."
"Maybe."
Tuesday afternoon Ginny resumed Quidditch practice. She was shocked when at one point she saw Hermione sitting in the stands, no books, watching the practice. Their eyes met and Hermione smiled a little. After practice Hermione waited outside of the locker room. When she was sure everyone but Ginny had left she snuck in. She walked around the corner and into the showers and saw Ginny with a towel wrapped around her. Ginny walked towards the shower stalls when she was startled by seeing someone out of the corner of her eye.
"Bloody hell, Hermione! What are you doing in here?" Ginny said.
"You look really good," Hermione blurted out as her eyes ran over Ginny's toweled figure. Ginny looked at her, puzzled. "I mean, the team looked good. Practicing. Out there," Hermione stammered and turned red.
"Did you come in here just to tell me that?"
"No. I wanted to talk to you."
"Whatever. I need to shower, can we talk while I do that?"
"I…uh…sure," Hermione said nervously.
Ginny walked into one of the shower stalls and closed the door. Hermione watched as the towel was flung over the door to hang. The water turned on and she saw it running over Ginny's feet and onto the floor.
"Ginny, I want to apologize to you. For everything. I'm sorry I ignored you and I am even sorrier for anything hurtful I said to you. I was stressed and tired and I don't really believe those things I said. You could be a professional Quidditch player, you're the best in Hogwarts and I have no doubts that you will play professionally."
There was a pause. Ginny let Hermione's words sink into her head as the water cascaded over her skin.
"We both said things we didn't mean, 'Mione. I'm sorry for losing my temper and also for the things I said to you. I just get really frustrated when we don't spend much time together, you know? We spent months apart and now that we have the chance to be together I want to take advantage of that."
"I understand that Ginny. I did go overboard with studying but I promise I will cut back. McGonagall said I was going to drive myself mad if I kept at it like I was. I am just so worried about failing. I have so much I want to do after school with the Ministry and law enforcement and I am just so afraid of not being good enough to do it."
"You've never been not good enough for anything, Hermione. You could go on and write legislation right now if you wanted. You're so brilliant and you will do whatever you set your mind to. You always have."
Hermione heard the water shut off, Ginny pulled the towel off the door and came out of the stall with it wrapped around her. She stood face to face with Hermione.
"I just want to do something I can be proud of and I want you to be proud of me," Hermione said. Ginny put one hand on Hermione's cheek.
"Hermione, you risked your life for almost an entire year to save the world as we know it. You found horcruxes, endured the Cruciatus curse, fought Death Eaters and not to mention stepped in front of me when you saw Bellatrix cast the killing curse just to name a few of the amazing things you've done. Sweetheart, if that isn't enough of a reason for you to be the most proud person on the planet then nothing is. I am proud of you every single day, you're brave and hardworking and you'll do anything for those you care about."
Hermione looked into Ginny's eyes and smiled.
"I love you Ginny," she spoke softly before leaning in and kissing the dripping wet redhead.
They walked over to Ginny's locker. Hermione grabbed Ginny's hair brush and straddled the bench in front of the lockers. She patted the space in front of her and Ginny sat down. Hermione brushed through the mane of wet hair occasionally moving it aside to kiss the back of Ginny's neck. When she couldn't stand it anymore Ginny turned herself around on the bench, grabbed the back of Hermione's neck and kissed her. She pushed her tongue into Hermione's mouth, Hermione pushed her tongue against Ginny's. Ginny pushed Hermione down to where she was lying on the bench. Hermione pulled Ginny's towel off and grabbed onto her breasts.
The locker room door slammed. Hermione sat up so quickly that Ginny fell off the bench onto the floor. Ginny grabbed her towel and wrapped herself in it just as Madam Hooch came around the corner.
"I'm locking up, girls. I'll wait outside while you finish getting dressed, Ginny."
"Yes ma'am," both girls said in unison. When Madam Hooch left they both burst out in laughter. After Ginny got dressed they headed up to the castle, hand in hand, smiling.
