Chapter 4

Ginny POV

Ginny lay on her bed reading the Daily Prophet, oddly enough, having read the latest copy of Quidditch Weekly at least three times now. She bounced her foot impatiently as she tried to not think about Hermione's impending arrival. They had only been apart a few days, but Ginny was already missing her like crazy.

Tomorrow was Christmas and Hermione was spending time with her parents until their flight to Scotland. Having seen enough of Scotland, Hermione had decided to spend the remainder of the holidays at the Burrow. Ginny secretly hoped that the brunette was also coming because she missed her, too.

Ginny skipped over an article by Rita Skeeter, and was just starting into an article about the latest ongoings at the Ministry when her mother's voice broke through her concentration.

"Ginny! Hermione's here!"

Bounding up and off of the bed, Ginny threw open her door and rushed downstairs, slowing down to a casual sort of trot as she reached the final flight.

She stepped off the last stair and saw the familiar brunette giving Mr. Weasley a hug, her back to Ginny. She let Hermione finish greeting the rest of the Weasley clan, still remaining unspotted. Coming up behind the older girl, Ginny tapped her on the shoulder and waited for Hermione to turn around, giving the curly-haired girl her best smile.

"Ginny," Hermione exclaimed, and excitedly pulled her into a hug. The greeting filled the younger girl's chest with warmth and she hugged the brunette tightly to her, tilting her head as discretely as possible towards Hermione, and whispered, "Hi, gorgeous. I missed you."

Hermione pulled her head away from Ginny to give her a look that was probably meant to be scolding, but the smirk that played across her lips and the crimson red of her cheeks didn't leave Ginny with any sort of regret.

"Great apparition, by the way, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley cut in, smiling proudly at the Head Girl who now pulled away entirely from Ginny and thanked Mrs. Weasley rather modestly.

"Ginny's got to start her training soon," Mrs. Weasley added, giving the youngest Weasley a pointed look.

"Yes, Mum," Ginny replied flatly, earning a snicker from Ron who was still lingering in the room.

"Shut it, you," Ginny snapped and shot a glare his way. "You failed your apparition test, so I wouldn't brag."

"Yeah, well," Ron retorted, clearly looking for a witty comeback, "I passed eventually! And I wouldn't talk so fast until you actually do your test."

"Fine," Ginny said as she rolled her eyes, not wanting to have a row with Ron when she could be spending time with Hermione.

"Do you want something to drink?" Ginny asked, turning her attention to the brunette, her tone and mannerisms vastly different to what they were a second ago.

"I'm fine, thanks," the older girl chuckled.

"Well, dinner will still be a little while yet," Mrs. Weasley announced. "Feel free to get settled, I'll call you two when dinner's ready."

Ginny and Hermione gave Mrs. Weasley their thanks and headed upstairs to Ginny's room. The redhead closed the door behind them once they were inside and Hermione turned to pull the younger girl into a heated kiss.

"I missed you, too," Hermione smirked as she pulled away, still lingering in their embrace, before kissing Ginny one more time on the cheek and walking over to the spare bed to set her bag down.

"I couldn't figure out a way to push our beds together without Mum questioning me," Ginny explained as she walked over to her own bed and sat down.

"That's okay," Hermione replied, her nonchalance making Ginny pout just slightly. "We can move them at night," the brunette went on lightly.

Ginny's trace of a bad mood disappeared and she smiled up at Hermione who walked over, giving a quiet smile of her own. The seventh year sat down next to Ginny and picked up the copy of Daily Prophet that had been discarded in a hurry just minutes before.

"What has your dad said about these crackdowns at the Ministry?" Hermione asked, her brows furrowed in contemplation.

"He says it been hard on some people, and he thinks the new Head is a bit too extreme, but he says that she's been reasonable in meetings with him," Ginny explained as she examined the article in Hermione's hands.

Earlier in the year, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Pius Thicknesse, was fired after he was exposed as corrupt. He apparently had been tampering with official documents and taking bribes. Ginny's father wasn't able to tell her much more because the whole scandal was kept well under wraps, even within the Ministry, but out of it came a new Head of Magical Law Enforcement, a Miss Vivian Blake. Since she has taken over, there had been a significant increase in regulations on all levels at the Ministry. Though some argued this move, she asserted that lack of regulation and accountability was how Pius had been able to do what he did. Ginny had to admit that in a weird way it was logical - if a bit overzealous.

"I'm not entirely sure what I think of her yet," Hermione said, still deep in thought. "But, if your dad says she's okay, then she can't be too bad."

Ginny shrugged. "I guess. I think everyone's wary right now. They're intimidated by her, but like I said, Dad thinks she's somewhat okay. The Minister likes her."

Hermione nodded and set the paper down. "I'll bet Percy knows," she stated knowingly, though decidedly unimpressed.

"Without a doubt." Ginny let out a scoff as she scooted back on the bed so her back was against the wall. "He's always got his nose in other people's business."

That thought brought Ginny's reluctant mind to the task that she and Hermione had assigned for themselves this holiday. She bit her lip nervously before shifting her gaze to the other girl and speaking.

"So, still want to tell everyone tonight?" She asked, trying to keep the apprehension out of her voice.

Hermione turned to look at her, still sitting on the edge of the bed, but swiftly lifted herself to the spot next to Ginny and grasping her hand in her own.

"If you still want to," she replied. Ginny gave her a displeased look, resenting how Hermione was making it sound like this was solely Ginny's decision.

"I fully support you either way, Gin," Hermione continued, not wavering under the redhead's gaze. "This is your family. I am more than willing to tell them, but if you want to keep things quiet for a while longer, I'm supportive. I don't want you to do anything you're not ready for."

Ginny dropped Hermione's gaze and sighed heavily. "Yeah," she relented. She wasn't looking forward to telling her family about being romantically involved with a girl, but she knew she had to come out sometime. She hoped every day that her relationship with Hermione would last, and if that turned out to be the case, her family might as well find out now. She also hoped that since it was Hermione and not any random girl, they would be more accepting than they might be otherwise. It was a comfort to know that she at least had Ron and the twins' support though.

Given the limited amount of time that Hermione had with her parents this Christmas, the girls had decided to just tell the Weasley clan first, and then in the summer they'd tell Hermione's parents. The brunette didn't want to tell her parents something of this magnitude through a letter or on her own, so they'd have to wait until they could tell them in person. Admittedly, this made things a bit more manageable for them as they only had to worry about one coming-out at once, rather than two.

"Girls! Dinner!"

Both girls looked up to the door at hearing Mrs. Weasley's voice bellowing up the stairs.

Hermione got up from the bed and Ginny reluctantly released the brunette's hand. Looking up, she saw that Hermione was standing next to the bed with her hand held out.

"Coming?" Hermione asked, her smile a much needed comfort in the younger girl's eyes.

Giving her hand to Hermione, she let the older girl pull her up from the bed.

"So, after dinner, then?" Hermione continued.

Ginny gave her girlfriend a brave smile. "Yep. You'll take me with you if you have to disapparate out of here in a hurry, right?" She joked.

"Gin," Hermione chided. "It's going to be fine," she assured her. "And you know I'm with you, no matter what."

"Thanks," Ginny nodded and released Hermione's hand to open the door. "Well, shall we?"

Mrs. Weasley and the kids were cleaning up the dining room and kitchen after everyone had finished their dinner and desserts - some helping a little more enthusiastically than others.

"Thanks again for your help, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley said genuinely to the Head Girl who was magicking newly cleaned plates up into the cupboard. "I wish some of my boys were as helpful as you," she said, eyeing Ron and the twins.

"Some things never change," Percy interjected, giving his brothers a smug look.

Ginny rolled her eyes at the sibling rivalry that was about to rear its head. She moved in close to her mother, her brothers now distracted by their little dispute. "Mum?" She asked, somewhat quietly, as not to attract unwanted attention, but did manage to catch Hermione's eye.

"Yes, Ginny, what is it?" Her mother responded distractedly, eyeing the boys over Ginny's shoulder.

"I, um, we," Ginny gestured between herself and Hermione, "were hoping to speak with you. Well, everyone," she said.

The entirety of Mrs. Weasley's attention instantly shifted to her youngest child and she eyed her with concern. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Mum, everything's fine - great, actually. But, I need to talk with you," Ginny assured her and gave her a small smile.

"Oh," Mrs. Weasley said, still on the alert, "Well, let's go into the living room, then," she said as she placed an arm around Ginny and herded her out of the kitchen, gesturing to Hermione to follow.

"Family meeting!" Mrs. Weasley called out, and the boys incessant chatter abruptly ceased.

Ginny was herded to the Burrow's small seating area of the living room and she took a seat on the couch, hurriedly pulling Hermione down with her, afraid that her mother would sit with her instead.

Moments later, everyone had crowded into the room and Ginny could physically feel the weight of the pressure upon her right now. She shot a look to the twins and Ron, all three knowing what the girls were about to do. Ron looked on nervously, but the twins both grinned at them and flashed them a set of thumbs up. Percy looked on curiously, a bit scrutinizing, and Ginny knew he was analyzing the situation in an effort to figure out what this meeting was for.

"Is everything okay, girls?" Mr. Weasley asked as he settled into the chair next to his wife.

"Yes," Ginny answered, giving a cursory glance to her girlfriend who looked at Mr. Weasley very serious and staid.

"Well? Go on, then," Mrs. Weasley prompted. Her mother's impatience provoked irritation in Ginny and she shot a look at her mom. Her annoyance was quickly overwhelmed by anxiety once more, as she struggled for the words she had rehearsed so many times over in her head. She was about to stutter when Hermione placed a hand on her knee.

Ginny looked over in alarm at Hermione, who turned to her, her expression changing from one of determination to one of tenderness. Ginny felt her body relax considerably and she reached out to grasp the brunette's hand, entwining their fingers together. She looked to her parents and saw no reaction from her dad, but her mom was eyeing them with what was probably the first moments of panic.

"Mum, Dad, everyone," Ginny said slowly, deliberately, "Hermione and I are a couple."

She paused, waiting for reactions and not taking her eyes off of her parents.

Her dad looked between the two of them and gave a single nod, a small smile forming on his face. Ginny felt a wave of relief go through her. Now, her mother. She looked to her mom and saw that her mouth was wide open in surprise. Ginny laughed inwardly, thinking that this was one of the only times in her life that she had seen her mother speechless. Encouraged at least by her dad's reaction, Ginny went on.

"We've been together since end of summer, but we've both really liked each other for years."

"Congratulations," her father finally spoke, his voice warm. "I'm happy for you two. And I couldn't be happier that my little girl is with someone as kind and brilliant as you, Hermione," he said, turning his attention towards the brunette who had been quiet this whole time.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. That means a great deal," she said a bit hurriedly, clearly having been just as anxious as Ginny the past few moments, but a grateful smile formed on her lips.

"Mum?" Ginny asked, tentatively, looking to her mother in fear and worry. She didn't know what she'd do if her mother rejected her. Ginny was Mrs. Weasley's one and only daughter and she knew that her mother had a preset notion of what her life would be like, and the youngest Weasley knew that this wasn't in that plan.

"Dear?" Her father prompted, as he turned in his chair to face his wife. He reached out and touched her knee gently.

Suddenly a strangled whimper echoed across the small room and nearly everyone jumped.

"Mum?" Ginny asked in a full-on panic, her grip on Hermione's hand having to be taxing.

"My baby," Mrs. Weasley choked out as she crossed the room in a couple of strides and pulled a very surprised Ginny into a hug. It took Ginny a few moments to register just what was going on and she absently let go of Hermione's hand to put her arms around her mom who was still leaning over her, holding her in an awkward embrace.

"Mum, are you okay?" Ginny repeated quietly, unsure of what was going on.

Her mother pulled back out of the embrace and looked down at Ginny, tears in her eyes. "I'm so happy for you, Ginny! Oh, you're growing up so fast," she said as she began to tear up again.

"Sweet Merlin," Ginny exhaled in relief, before getting worked up again. "Mum! You scared the shit out of me!"

"Ginny!" Her mother snapped, her expression flashing from weepy to furious and back again. Ginny just gave her mom an apologetic look that developed into a smirk that she knew her mother would recognize as one of quiet thanks.

Mrs. Weasley turned to Hermione, giving the girl a smile and went on, "And Hermione, I couldn't be happier that it's you. You've been a part of this family for years and now this makes it official."

"Mum! I didn't ask her to marry me!" Ginny exclaimed. Quickly, she realized what she had said and she reflexively shot a look to Hermione and blurted out, "...not that I wouldn't..." and blushed an ever deeper shade of red if it was at all possible, hurriedly dropping her gaze to the rug on the floor. She heard the twins and Ron snickering and she snapped her head towards them in a sort of embarrassed rage and shouted at them.

"Now, now, Ginny," her mother coddled her and reached down to pat her on the shoulder, somehow infuriating Ginny further, though she kept quiet. She was afraid to look at Hermione again, unsure of what her reaction was to everything that just spewed out of Ginny's mouth. She immediately tensed upon feeling Hermione softly rubbing her back and scooting closer to her.

"It's okay," Hermione said softly.

Ginny relaxed into the embrace and let out a sigh, drawing an overly saccharine coo out of her mother that made Ginny frown once more, and the twins and Ron started up again.

"Okay, okay," Mr. Weasley said overtop of the commotion. "Let's leave the girls alone," he said. "That was a very brave thing you two did, and I'm very proud of you," he said to them.

They thanked him simultaneously and began to walk towards the stairs.

"Wait," Mrs. Weasley called out, and Ginny audibly groaned at the interruption, and turned on her heel to look at her mother. "Yes?"

"Um," her mother started, seeming uncharacteristically hesitant. "You two are sleeping in separate cots still, right?"

"Ugh!" Ginny yelled out over top of the boys' roaring laughter, before grabbing Hermione by the hand and pulling her up the stairs. "Yes, Mum! Now please never ask me that again!" She yelled down the stairs.

After they had both entered the room, Ginny closed the door and leaned back against it.

Hermione stood in the middle of the room and looked to Ginny, a small smirk on her face.

"Well, that didn't go too badly," she stated in a light voice.

Ginny groaned and let her head fall back against the door with a soft thud. "Yeah, you're right, but honestly," she trailed off with a bit of a defeated laugh. "My family..." she said, hanging her head this time and shaking it ruefully.

Hermione came to stand right in front of Ginny, placing her hands gently on the redhead's arms, and asserted, "Your family is wonderful."

AN: Well, there's a bit of that fluff that was promised - hopefully you enjoyed it. There will be more Burrow-time in the next chapter as well. Unfinished business, you might say. Anyway, thanks again to everyone for taking the time to read. Comments and feedback are always appreciated :) Enjoy your weekend, everyone!