Edited 9/12/2023 Minor Grammar/Spelling. Brief extension of the Ginny/Hermione convo at the end. EVERYONE'S a little gay, even Dr. Granger! :)

Chapter 2/3 for today and a bit of a Ginny feature (and some Espionage Updates)!

Saturday, July 25, 1998

Audrey MacDougal was, in a word, perfect for Percy Weas- Crouch. As Hermione sat with Audrey, in the parlour, she couldn't help but bite back a grin. Ginny looked like she was about to chuck her teacup at Audrey's head, but Audrey barely noticed. They were sitting, waiting for the guests of the Tea that had been scheduled. Hermione insisted that it went on as scheduled. Draco and Theo were not pleased with her idea, and required her to have Lulu next to her for the entire event so they could entertain the men.

Finally, after Ginny was about to rip her hair out, guests began to arrive. Ginny was an impeccable host, knowing some fact about every guest and tittering away with their friends. Each person greeted Hermione, expressing delight, both feigned and authentic, that she'd returned to health.

As the groups settled in various areas of the room, Hermione watched Aubrey interact with the guests. She'd have to shmooze her way into society if Percy expected to get anywhere in the Ministry and Tom's ranks. Hermione was pleased that although she was a bit of a pill when she was in private company, she appeared to be a pleasant and natural addition to the group.

Millie sat next to Hermione heavily, winking at Lulu who'd looked about to argue. "I'm glad you're better, Myuh," she said softly, gripping her hand. "Tell me more about this Audrey girl, she seems…stiff?"

Hermione chuckled. "Well, Percy Weas- I mean, Crouch is hoping to distance himself from his family and asked Gin to help Audrey integrate. It's definitely not her natural environment, but I think she's doing alright."

"I agree," Millie said thoughtfully, "I don't remember him much from school, just very, uh, focused. Is he much better?"

Hermione grinned at her friend, "He's mostly the same, although I think taking on the Crouch seat has settled him a bit. He's a valuable political ally to have."

"We're going to have to do something about that," Millie said, gesturing to Ginny and Pansy who were talking intensely on a couch in the corner, "I know that Blaise has been around and… Pans doesn't share well."

Hermione sighed, "Lulu can you fetch Gin for me?"

"I be getting Lady Ginevra for you," Lulu said smartly. Millie stood and floated over to another group. Ginny stood, leaving Pansy looking a bit put out and came over to Hermione.

"Hello," Ginny said, carefully, "are you feeling alright, do you need a break?"

"No," Hermione said, smiling and patting the seat Millie had just vacated. "You need to be moving around and I figured this was a good excuse to get you up. We'll talk about that later though."

Ginny flushed a bit under her freckles but nodded, "Please let me know if you need anything. Lulu or I could always grab Theo to bring you upstairs if you're feeling tired."

"Thank you, Gin," Hermione said, squeezing her hand softly. Ginny stood a few seconds later to go check in with Audrey and introduce her to some Ministry wives. Hermione smiled watching Ginny take on the challenge with confidence.

After the guests had left, Hermione and Ginny sat in Ginny's sitting room. "So…" Hermione said with a smirk. "Pansy or Blaise?"

Ginny collapsed backwards dramatically. "I don't know! They're so different and so…"

Hermione chuckled, "Do I sense another Triad in the making?"

Ginny snorted, "Absolutely not. Can you imagine the three of us in a relationship? We'd cause a natural disaster just with our arguments!"

"Alright," Hermione acquiesced, "I suppose you're right. Tell me about them, what do you like? What do you have concerns about?"

"On a personal level, Pansy challenges me, she's so confident and Godric she's beautiful. She's clever and so smart, but I'm Heir Prewett and while her brother is Heir Parkinson, we'd have to outsource for an Heir of our own."

"But if that's the only reas-" Hermione started.

"It's not," Ginny said with a sigh, "she's possessive and often lets her emotions run her." Hermione nodded sagely. "And Blaise…" Ginny continued, "he was my first."

Hermione's jaw dropped, "But I thought-"

Ginny giggled, "I've never told anyone before! He was my first and we dated on and off throughout school. He's so charming, and he's kind, and he's so… him?"

"Ohhhh-kay?" Hermione said, waiting.

"But we've never worked out before, and he's so stoic, he has a really hard time expressing his emotions because of his Mum…" Ginny finished with a groan.

"So you don't know then?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know!" Ginny said, kicking her legs out. "I've tried all the tricks, flipping a coin and seeing if I'm disappointed, but I was disappointed both ways! Is this Bi-Panic?"

Hermione snorted, "Bi-Panic, huh? Have you been attending Muggle functions again?"

"They have so many better words than we do!" Ginny said, cracking a smile.

"Yes, advancing as a Society will do that to you," Hermione grinned at her. "I don't think you should pressure yourself, Gin. There is no rush. What is meant to be will be."

Ginny sighed, "I know. I've purposely not defined it with Pansy, and I know Blaise will just wait until I make a decision. He once told me that he didn't want anyone else and that I was it for him, but that's a lot of pressure when you're still kids."

"I mean… I cannot relate to that sentiment," Hermione said with a wink. "But I can empathise, if I hadn't gotten to know Theo and Draco hadn't pulled his head out of his arse, I'm not sure what I would have done."

Ginny looked at her thoughtfully. "So I should just go with the flow?"

"I think so," Hermione replied. "Honestly, my parents were horrified at the idea of me knowing that Draco and Theo were so committed to me so early. Gods I'd love for you to be able to talk to my Mum about this, she had her wild University days, I know for a fact that she dated a Sandra and an Alessandro."

"No!" Ginny cackled. "Dr. Granger coming in hot."

Both girls devolved into giggles, laying back on Ginny's bed until Theo came and demanded she sleep in their bed. She left Ginny with a kiss on the head and joined her husbands in their bed.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think or if you have any thoughts about what might happen next!