Chapter 20
Ginny POV
Ginny braced herself as Hermione swiftly strode towards her. The brunette carelessly threw her files down on the desk and Ginny took a step back out of instinct. Surprise flooded her system as Hermione threw her arms around her.
"Oh Gin," Hermione breathed as she hugged the redhead tight against her body.
Ginny stumbled over her words as her arms automatically came up to wrap around the brunette.
"I'm so glad you're here," Hermione said as she planted a kiss on Ginny's cheek before she pulled back enough to look the younger girl in the eye. The brunette's expression was warm and her eyes even looked a bit watery - both things that Ginny had not been expecting.
"...What?" Ginny stared into Hermione's eyes to find that the girl was oddly puzzled by the question.
"So," Ginny started once more, as her mind struggled to comprehend Hermione's behaviour. Ginny had run through multiple different scenarios in her mind and had planned different responses for each, but in none of those scenarios did she anticipate Hermione welcoming her with open arms. "So, I guess this means you know the article is complete rubbish?"
Hermione brought her hands down to rest on Ginny's arms and laughed lightly. "Rita Skeeter wrote the article. I wouldn't believe a thing that wretched woman says. Even if she told me the earth was round, I wouldn't believe her."
"Well, Merlin! Why'd you slam the door like that?" Ginny exclaimed, her voice rising much higher than usual. "I thought you were going to nail me with a curse or something. And geez, your receptionist is going to call the Aurors on me, now," she complained.
Hermione simply chuckled and leaned in to lay a placating kiss on Ginny's cheek. "Don't be silly, she's not going to call the Aurors on you. She offered on my way in," Hermione made sure to point out with a smirk, "but I told her not to. And I slammed the door because I was excited - I got a little carried away. I've missed you..."
Though Ginny was elated, she couldn't help but glower just a little bit at how this whole situation nearly gave her a heart-attack, but Hermione seemed uncharacteristically carefree. Her mild displeasure must've been observable, because before she knew it, Hermione was pulling her into a hug again and whispering in her ear, "Don't be mad, Gin."
"I'm not mad," Ginny found herself nearly pouting. "But...you're okay? You're not mad at me?" She asked, feeling like she should know by this point that the brunette clearly wasn't upset, but still felt hesitant in asking for confirmation.
"Of course not," Hermione shrugged.
Ginny let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness. I was so worried. Mum sent me a howler, screaming at me for betraying you - I had no idea what she was talking about. Then I got letters from the twins, Ron, and even Percy," her strong dislike for Percy coming out as she said his name, and from the look on Hermione's face, the brunette shared her sentiment. "Luna showed me the article and I came here as soon as I could."
"Yes, I guess I should ask, how did you get here?" Hermione asked as she frowned slightly.
"Long story," Ginny replied with a roll of her eyes to cover up her self-satisfied smirk. "But one escape, one apparition, one portkey, one kind pair of Ministry employees, and one over-protective colleague later, here I am."
Hermione's frown deepened as her mind tried to process Ginny's grand journey from Hogwarts to the French Ministry. She opened her mouth to speak once, briefly closed it, then finally spoke a moment later, "So you missed class?"
"Uh," Ginny stuttered, not expecting that question. "Yeah...I guess I did."
Hermione released Ginny from their lingering embrace and gave her an unimpressed look, coupled with her arms so-typically crossed against her chest. "Ginny."
"You're not Head Girl anymore," Ginny teased. "Someone will take notes for me, don't worry."
"That's not the point," Hermione stressed.
"Hello!" Ginny exclaimed quietly. "A false article about me cheating on you came out and I came hundreds of miles to see you to make sure you heard the facts from me, and you're concerned about me skipping classes?" Despite how ridiculous Ginny found Hermione's response, she did have to laugh.
"Well, I guess you have a point," Hermione conceded, though her frown still remained. "You know how I feel about school, and I was momentarily distracted by that," she explained before a smile crossed her face. "But honestly, I think you're the most amazing girlfriend ever for going through all that trouble to make sure I was okay."
Hermione closed the space between them once more and laced her arms around the back of Ginny's neck, pulling her into a kiss. After a few soft, tender kisses, Hermione pulled back once more, bringing one arm out from behind Ginny to gently run her thumb along the redhead's lip, examining it. "I'm so lucky to have you," she whispered.
Ginny's face already felt flushed from the kissing, but Hermione's mannerisms and words made the heat in Ginny's face and chest grow. "You know it's the other way around," Ginny smirked as she leaned her head against Hermione's. Ginny ignored her girlfriend's look of protest and instead changed the topic. "So, is Ms. Blake furious over this? I can't believe this whole thing, I'm so sorry."
Hermione sighed as she placed her arms around the back of Ginny's neck once more before replying. "Well, she's not impressed, bu-"
Suddenly the door swung open, only then, followed by a knock. Ginny leapt out of Hermione's arms and Hermione pulled back just the same, both looked in alarm to the figure in the doorway.
"Ms. Blake!" Hermione exclaimed. "I-I," Hermione stuttered in such a way that it made Ginny panic furthermore, already panicked by the intrusion and then finding out that this was the Ms. Blake she'd heard so much about.
"Ohhh," Ms. Blake smiled amusedly as she stepped into the office and swung the door closed enough to prevent any prying eyes from peeking in, but not enough for it to click shut. "So, you must be the famous Ginny," the blonde woman said as she approached with her hand held out. "I recognize you from the article," she said in a bit of a teasing voice that Ginny didn't fancy at all, but she shook the woman's hand nevertheless.
"Yes," Hermione cut in. "This is Ginny," she paused, "my girlfriend."
"So I saw," the Ms. Blake commented in a light voice. "Pleased to finally meet you, dear."
"Nice to meet you too, Ms. Blake," Ginny reciprocated and offered her a smile.
"I take it you two made up already? Quick work, I'm impressed. Efficient in all ways, Hermione," Ms. Blake laughed.
Ginny blushed and saw her girlfriend doing the same.
Hermione cleared her throat and spoke, "Well, none of the allegations were true, so," she trailed off, but looked Ms. Blake in the eye with just a hint of defiance.
"Nice excuse for a secret rendezvous," Ms. Blake noted with a sly smile. "Rita Skeeter really must be short on stories for her to be publishing stuff like that rubbish." Ms. Blake gave them a discrete nod of her head and turned her attention to Hermione. "I'll leave you two, give you a bit of privacy, but afterwards I need to see you about Section 21.4."
"Yes, Ms. Blake. I'll be right by," Hermione assured with a nod.
"No rush, enjoy yourselves," the older woman said with a dismissive wave. Ginny eyed Ms. Blake and thought she saw a glint in her eye. "Again, nice to meet you Miss Weasley. Glad to hear you're being good to our little Hermione, here. Take care, now."
With that she exited the room and closed the door. Both girls exhaled loudly.
"Oh sweet Merlin," Ginny whispered harshly. "That's Ms. Blake? I don't like her," Ginny stated.
"Shh," Hermione said as she ushered Ginny towards the back of the office. "She might hear you," Hermione whispered while giving Ginny a stern look.
"Fine, I don't care," Ginny said as she looked past Hermione to the door.
"She was nice to you, Gin," Hermione stressed. "She probably could've fired me for all the bad publicity I'm suddenly bringing upon the team, but she hasn't and she could've had you escorted out, but she didn't."
"I just don't like her," Ginny glowered. "The way she was smirking – it was like she was laughing at us. I can see why nobody likes her."
Hermione sighed and glanced over her shoulder at the closed door. "Gin, come on, she wasn't that bad. She can be a bit off-putting, but she's okay."
A scoff escaped Ginny's mouth as she crossed her arms. "Is she always like that?"
Hermione seemed to ponder the question for a moment before answering, "I guess..."
Ginny was about to comment further when she caught the look on Hermione's face that indicated that something else was brewing in the back of the brunette's mind. "What is it?" She gently prompted.
Hermione sighed and her eyes flitted about under they settled on Ginny again.
"Well, after she first found out that I was dating a girl, she, well, she I guess you could say 'warned' me in a way about...dating quidditch players. She mentioned scandals specifically."
"What!" Ginny snapped, making an honest effort to keep her voice down, but Hermione gave her a look of warning anyhow. "Maybe she's behind the article."
"I highly doubt that," Hermione said as she eyed Ginny sceptically. "Rita Skeeter's had it out for me for years. And Ms. Blake is much too busy to be bothered with trivial things like this. And she's the one who, next to me, deals with the most backlash over these articles - why would she want to bring that upon herself?"
The redhead sighed in relent, though she still had a bad feeling about this Ms. Blake. In a dull voice she inquired into what she probably didn't want to actually know.
"So what exactly did she say about dating quidditch players?"
Hermione instantly looked apprehensive, but forged on. "Well, that it's not...wise, for any Ministry official to marry one if they're hoping to move up. Apparently the scandals and such are not exactly conducive to a lucrative Ministry career-"
Ginny's demeanour must have abruptly changed because suddenly the brunette was urgently protesting.
"-I know it's rubbish, believe me," Hermione promised with pleading eyes. Before Ginny could give her thoughts on the matter, the brunette spoke up again, firmly. "I know that the timing is bad, but please know that I think she's full of it. I love you more than anything and I trust you completely."
Ginny was slightly appeased by Hermione's proclamation, but was still furious about the whole situation. As if she didn't feel bad enough already, still being in school while Hermione worked on this huge international government deal. And Ginny was well aware that her family wasn't the most prestigious, as people like the Malfoys had rubbed in her face time and time again. Now quidditch was being held against her? Despite some of these issues being old and some of them new, it still hurt.
"I love you," Hermione repeated, her voice soft and insistent, as her hand softly cupped the side of Ginny's face.
"I know," Ginny relented as she shifted her gaze away. "It just...pisses me off, this whole thing. I can't believe it," she muttered.
"Just ignore it, that's what I'm doing. Ms. Blake did say though that she doesn't personally have that opinion of quidditch players, but I know that doesn't make you feel any better right now. Rita Skeeter just likes to create controversy, Percy's a foul git, but none of them matter," Hermione asserted.
"Ms. Blake knows about careers, though," Ginny stated in a low voice, her eyes challenging the brunette. All of a sudden she felt like picking a fight, that knot of insecurity tugging at her again.
"Stop, it's all nonsense," Hermione argued. "For goodness sake, Ginny, there's a department within the Ministry specifically devoted to quidditch."
Ginny scoffed. "Well, you're definitely running into a lot of trouble with me around, so perhaps she has a point."
"Ginny!" Hermione cried, looking very upset and offended now.
Seeing her girlfriend this way reminded Ginny of their tumultuous relationship-friendship a couple of years back, and it hurt her even more now to see Hermione this way.
"That's complete nonsense and you know it," Hermione said firmly, her brows knitted together and her voice grew emotional. "And despite Ms. Blake's warnings, she still wishes me well."
"Perhaps you'd be better off...," Ginny started to say what her mind and body were telling her not to, and ultimately, she couldn't bring herself to finish the statement.
Hermione inhaled sharply, the wetness in her eyes becoming more apparent with each passing second. "That's not true at all. If after all this time, that's how you-"
"No, no," Ginny said as she dropped the older girl's gaze. "I'm sorry. I just- I just feel like I'm causing so many problems. I feel responsible for this whole mess. You deserve better."
Hermione's eyes flashed for a moment and Ginny wasn't entirely sure what was to come. But then, Hermione gently placed her hands on Ginny's arms. The redhead's arms nearly lifted up to pull Hermione into a hug out of habit, but she stopped herself.
"None of this is your fault," Hermione said. She was a bit calmer this time, but her voice was still thick with emotion. "And you have been so supportive, I couldn't have asked for anyone better than you."
Ginny shook her head, refusing to believe Hermione's statement. She still felt that she had caused most of these problems, even if inadvertently.
"Fine," Hermione said with a stomp of her foot, placing her hands on her hips. "When I was first introduced to this job opportunity, you could've discouraged me from coming, but you didn't. You calmed me down, you gave me confidence and you helped me think this through. When I moved here, you came with me and supported me through that. Any time I've been stressed out with work you've always been there for me, whether you helped me find a solution or just got me to laugh. On more than one occasion, you have offered to hex and/or disown your brother over his treatment of me. And today you made some grand escape from Hogwarts to ensure that I wasn't upset by this ridiculous article. What could I possibly have to complain about regarding you?"
"Hm," Ginny mumbled, "you do know how to make me sound good."
Hermione laughed and her demeanour softened. "I'm not doing anything. I'm just listing off the facts. You are amazing, Gin, and there's no one I'd rather be with than you."
"You're making me blush," Ginny groaned and huffed in false indignation.
"Do you believe me now?" Hermione asked, her eyes shining with affection.
"Yes, yes," Ginny conceded and opened her arms to the brunette who readily stepped into the hug. Ginny gave Hermione a quick kiss on the side of her head and spoke, "And I'm only like this for you. Remember that."
Hermione pulled back and sighed dramatically, "And I feel so terrible for all those other girls."
Ginny smirked. "I don't know. After that article, a lot of the girls looked unimpressed with me."
"Good," Hermione nodded decisively. "Less girls I need to hex."
"Hexing's my thing. Get your own means of punishment."
"Gin," Hermione teased.
"But back to what originally caused this whole disaster, I still don't understand how Rita Skeeter found out any of that stuff or got those photos."
"She's an Animagus – an unregistered one at that," Hermione stated, looking displeased. "And soon to be reported to the Ministry."
"Wha-how do you know this?" Ginny asked.
"Fourth year, during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, I dug up some dirt on her after she published that nasty article about me toying with Harry and Victor. She's had it out for me from the start, but I guess she decided that I'm no longer a threat and thought it safe to slander you. She guessed wrong."
Ginny smiled at the fire in Hermione's dark eyes, but decided she should step in. "So, are you sure that's wise? What if she retaliates?"
"What else could she possibly write? I've already been outed as a lesbian, she's published some insane article about my girlfriend cheating on me." Hermione held her hands out in question.
"I don't know, but it's Rita Skeeter, I wouldn't doubt her...craftiness," Ginny warned. "She will find something."
"Well I nearly put her into bankruptcy last time I threatened her, so if she did have power to turn on me, I imagine she would've done it back then," Hermione reasoned.
"Maybe," Ginny responded slowly. "But a lot has changed since then, you have more going on now and she will make sure she finds something, even if it's false. Perhaps now isn't a good time to trigger more controversy," she cautioned further.
"Ugh," Hermione voiced, her mannerisms clearly depicting that the whole thing perturbed her. She shook her head before continuing her thought, "Well, I can't just let her get away with it. Perhaps another threat is in order then, rather than just reporting her. I'll have to think about it," she said hurriedly before checking her watch. "Well, I hate to do this, but I should probably go see Ms. Blake now. How are you getting back to Hogwarts?"
Ginny's brows furrowed in contemplation. "I hadn't really thought that far ahead."
The brunette hung her head in her hand. "Oh Ginny." She went to her desk to pick up a folder. "I'll ask Antonia to bring you to the floo network. Floo to my flat. I'll try to wrap up here as quickly as possible. I'll also ask Antonia to locate a portkey for you. We'll have you back to school before tomorrow's classes."
"My hero," Ginny said sarcastically, though flashed Hermione a thankful smile.
"Shush, you," Hermione warned. She walked towards the door and grasped the handle, turning to face Ginny before opening it. "I love you," she said as she planted a short kiss on the younger girl's lips. "I'll see you tonight."
That evening Ginny lay on the couch with Crookshanks on her stomach, him swatting at her hands as she flitted them about his head. The fireplace roared and Crookshanks hopped down to stand a few feet from the growing flames in anticipation of his master's arrival.
Hermione appeared in a flash and stepped out of the fireplace. The look on her face told Ginny that her remaining time at the office hadn't been entirely positive. Ginny sat up and waited patiently for Hermione to take off her shoes and jacket. Hermione tossed her briefcase down and strode over to the couch and practically fell into it next to Ginny. She linked her arm with Ginny's and leaned her head on the younger girl's shoulder.
"Rough afternoon?" Ginny ventured.
"Just long," Hermione replied as she closed her eyes and nestled in closer to Ginny.
"Did you want dinner? I can make us something," Ginny offered. Hermione shook her head.
"No," she replied slowly. "I just want to rest."
"Are you alright?" Ginny asked, concern enveloping her voice. She brought her free hand up to rest on her girlfriend's forehead. "You feel okay...," she stated. "But you've been so tired recently. Maybe you're coming down with something. You should see a mediwizard."
"I'm fine, Gin," Hermione laughed, though her eyes still didn't open. "I'm just so worn down with all the long hours and my mind's constantly going; I'm just not sleeping well enough. It'll be better after the holidays. I'll feel loads better then."
Ginny was sceptical of Hermione's theory, but at the same time, she had to admit that it was plausible. The girl had been working so hard and with this project so close to her heart, Ginny didn't doubt that work was still on her mind even in sleep.
"Okay," Ginny relented. "But if you're still like this after the holidays, I want you to see a mediwizard."
The brunette tilted her head and planted a soft kiss on Ginny's shoulder. "Yes, dear."
"So did Ms. Blake say anything else about me being there?" Ginny asked as she kissed the top of Hermione's soft brown hair.
The older girl gave a bit of a laugh and lifted her head off of Ginny's shoulder.
"Her and I did chat a little," Hermione told her, now looking a bit contemplative. "She said that you were 'charming'," she relayed with a playful look. "And she guessed that you're rather protective of me," she smirked furthermore.
"Good, then she can back off," Ginny remarked.
Hermione chuckled. "Back off, how?"
"I don't know yet, but I just don't like her," Ginny asserted.
"So you've told me," the brunette said dryly. She sighed once more and buried her head in the crook of Ginny's neck, curling up against the redhead again. "She told me that the French Ministry officials were really not impressed about all of this, but she's done some damage control."
A huff of displeasure escaped Ginny's mouth and she resisted the urge grit her teeth. "Well, I guess that's one decent thing she did." She felt Hermione laugh against her neck.
A few moments passed and Ginny untangled herself from Hermione and rose from the couch. "Sure you don't want dinner?" She teased lightly.
A reluctant smile eventually formed on the brunette's face. "I guess I am a little hungry."
"That's my girl," Ginny smiled.
AN: See? Nothing to worry about - Hermione knew better lol. Next chapter - Christmas at the Burrow! Thank you so much to everyone for your support :)