Chapter 32

Ginny POV

One week had passed since the Second Task, and Ginny was being woken up by impatient wrapping on her dormitory door. She pulled back her curtain to look around at the other girls, who were now sleepily peeking out from behind their curtains as well, before she got up out of the warmth of her bed to investigate. Lavender barged in as soon as Ginny opened the door, startling Ginny and her dormmates.

"Why aren't you already up? Aren't you always down flying around first thing in the morning? Of all mornings, Ginny, I need you up!" Lavender exclaimed, clearly stressed.

"Lavender, it's far too early for this kind of wake-up call… Whatever it is, can't it wait?" Ginny groaned, flopping back into her bed.

"Of course it can't wait! It's Won-Won's birthday today, and everything has to be perfect!" Lavender shrieked.

"Ginny, please make it stop… Do whatever she wants, please!" Demelza begged from behind her closed curtains. Ginny laughed, knowing how much Demelza hated being woken up early.

"Okay, okay. Let's go downstairs Lavender," Ginny said, as she escorted the older girl out of her room and down the staircase.

"I need to know all of his favorites! His favorite food, his favorite sweets, his favorite color, his – "

"Hang on, why don't you know any of this?" Ginny asked.

"Well… We don't spend too much time talking…" Lavender said, dreamily.

Ginny shot her a look of disgust as they continued walking down to the common room. Ginny slumped into a cushy armchair and Lavender sat opposite her, attentively.

"Alright, what do you need to know?" Ginny sighed, already a bit exhausted with the interaction.

Hermione POV

"Come on Ronald. I told you; I forgot the book that we need for your Potions work! I just need to pop in quickly to my dormitory to grab it, then we can go back to the library," Hermione said as she marched Ron back towards Gryffindor Tower.

"Why do I have to study tonight anyway? It's my birthday, it should be illegal!" Ron argued.

"Well, if you had kept up with your studies like I suggested, then you wouldn't have to be playing catch up on your birthday, now would you?" Hermione scolded.

Ron swore under his breath, but Hermione ignored him as she kept a steady pace through corridor after corridor.

Once they arrived at the portrait hole and gave the password to the Fat Lady, Ron motioned for Hermione to go through first, "Age before beauty," he said, smirking in a way he clearly thought was charming.

"Wow, has Lavender got her hands full with you…" Hermione muttered.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Just go Ronald!" Hermione said as she pushed him through the portrait hole.

"SURPRISE!"

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelled, obviously startled.

"Settle down, settle down you lot! Don't want to startle the old man now do we?" Fred exclaimed sarcastically.

"Reckon we could've given the old chap a heart attack! Honestly Lavender, what were you thinking?" George with the same tone of fake-affront in his voice as his twin.

"Happy birthday, Won-Won!" Lavender squealed, running towards him and throwing her arms around Ron's neck, kissing him.

Hermione walked over to where Ginny and Harry were standing.

"Well, mission accomplished," she said as the other two grimaced at Ron and Lavender who were still locked in their embrace.

"Yeah… Happy birthday Ron…" Harry muttered, a bit disturbed by the couple. The two girls laughed.

"Let's grab something to eat before the birthday boy downs it all," Ginny suggested as they moved towards the food and drinks.

Lavender had quite the set up in the common room. All sorts of Ron's favorite foods and drinks completely filled two tables, and bright orange streamers (to represent Ron's favorite Quidditch team the Chudley Cannons) were hung across just about every opening they could be.

"So, what'd you two get Ron?" Hermione asked as she grabbed some food off the table.

"Lip balm," Harry said flatly, nodding towards the couple that still hadn't separated. Once again, the girls laughed. "No, I got him a Chudley Cannons hat."

"Nice, I'm sure it'll match the Chudley Cannons socks I got him!" Ginny laughed. "What about you Hermione?"

"Well, I did stray from the Quidditch theme a bit…"

"Shocking… What'd you get him?" Ginny asked, smiling.

"I got him a homework planner. What?" Hermione whined at Harry and Ginny who were grinning at each other.

"I'm sure he'll love that Hermione," Ginny said, trying to keep from laughing.

"Well, I can't babysit him forever! He's 15 now, he should be able to do his own work!" Hermione said, sternly.

"Uh… Does that mean I've only got 'til the end of term and then you'll stop helping me with my work?" Harry asked seriously while Ginny laughed.

Hermione huffed, crossing her arms.

"Oh Hermione, we're only joking. It's a very thoughtful gift, isn't it Harry?" Ginny said, giving Harry a look.

"It really is, Hermione. He may not be very appreciative when he first opens it, but I'm sure it'll come in handy once you cut him off," Harry smiled at Hermione.

Hermione rolled her eyes and playfully nudged Harry before the three of them went off to mingle with the rest of the partygoers. Hermione and Harry joined Parvati, Neville, and Dean, while Ginny hung mostly with Demelza, Ritchie, and Colin. Initially the three third-years weren't going to be invited, but Ginny swung them each an invitation when she threatened to withhold Ron's favorite color from Lavender. Suddenly, Seamus rushed in through the portrait hole, holding tight to a copy of a magazine.

"Sorry I'm late, happy birthday Ron! But look at this! My mum sent me her copy of Witch Weekly, and looks like Krum has been doing much more than just competing while he's been here at Hogwarts! The title reads, 'International Quidditch Star Scores a Secret Hogwarts Romance', can you believe it? Rita Skeeter must have somehow gotten a story about him after all!"

Just about everyone in the common room gathered around Seamus to read the article. Hermione stood back as she processed the title. She couldn't recall a time when Viktor mentioned he was seeing someone, especially not someone from Hogwarts. She hadn't really seen him interact with anyone outside of herself, Ginny, and the Durmstrang students he would occasionally jog the grounds with. She frowned, thinking about how frustrated Viktor would be about this, knowing his dislike for Rita Skeeter for this exact thing; digging for dirt and exploiting people who don't deserve it. She made a mental note to touch base with Viktor soon to see how he was doing.

As Hermione refocused on the room, she realized that every single pair of eyes were staring at her. Some looked shocked, some looked impressed, and a pair of bright brown eyes looked furious.

"Hermione… You're mentioned in this article…" Harry said gently.

"What? I don't have a secret romance with Viktor. We went to the Yule Ball, but that was just as friends…" she drifted off, realization setting in as she processed how softly Harry had spoken to her.

She grabbed the magazine out of Seamus' hands, ignoring the giddy expression on his face. Her eyes flew over the page.

Outside of the triumphs and excitement surrounding the Triwizard Tournament, romance has blossomed at Hogwarts. No, we're not talking about the Hogwarts Champion, golden-boy Cedric Diggory, and his adorable girlfriend Cho Chang who have been a cute, yet, admittedly boring, fixture of the Tournament thus far. Nothing yet for the French bombshell Fleur Delacour either, and no proof of snogging for the brooding Bulgarian Seeker Viktor Krum, at least nothing that has been officially reported. No, we're talking about a different Quidditch sensation that has been at Hogwarts this year as a part of the Beauxbatons delegation, who apparently has been taking the time to woo the local students.

Juliette Marat, French Quidditch wunderkind who was notably, and controversially, left off of the French Quidditch World Cup Roster this past summer, has been making herself right at home at Hogwarts, it seems. On numerous occasions, she has been seen snogging a fourth-year Hogwarts student. And not just any student, but a female student. Miss Marat and Muggle-born Hermione Granger have been spotted all over the Hogwarts grounds together, whether it be cozied up together at the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, or deep in the forest out by the Black Lake, they've been getting to know one another on a much more intimate level far beyond just that of international magical cooperation.

Now, it's not been all rainbows and butterflies for the two young ladies. Miss Marat was noticeably distressed after the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament. This was likely due to Miss Granger's apparent close connection to Viktor Krum, who had rescued Miss Granger from the Black Lake for the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament. Could a possible love triangle be brewing? What does this mean for both the Bulgarian and French National Quidditch teams as Miss Granger proves to be quite the distraction for their top talent? Will this create a rivalry between the two Quidditch powerhouses? And does this settle the debate on Miss Marat's lack of maturity, which was in fact the very reason that she was not called up for National Team duties during the Quidditch World Cup? Only time will tell, and we will continue to keep a close eye on this situation as it develops.

- Rita Skeeter

As Hermione finished the article, she found herself staring at two pictures just below Skeeter's signature. One of Viktor, scowling, and one of Juliette, looking radiantly beautiful as she smiled with a hint of her signature smirk. As Hermione processed what she'd just read, she lifted her head to look at the group still staring directly at her.

Ginny POV

Ginny stared at Hermione as the brunette's eyes furiously flew across the article of the magazine. She was feeling so many different emotions that she was unsure if her body would be able to keep them all contained.

If this article is in fact true and Hermione is actually dating Juliette… Dating Juliette… What would that mean?

Ginny's body tensed up at the thought of it being real, of this relationship between Hermione and Juliette actually existing. Last time she and Hermione had discussed Juliette was after her Quidditch accident when Hermione had begged Ginny to cut her out and ignore her. Hermione had said she was done with Juliette. Yes, that was months ago, but how is it possible for Hermione to jump from being done with her to dating her? Ginny bristled again at the thought. If, and that was a big if, if it was true, it would mean that Hermione had been keeping something from her for months… Not only that, but it'd also mean that Hermione was dating someone who seemed to enjoy going out of their way to get under Ginny's skin. Juliette was cocky and arrogant and smug and… Nothing like what Ginny would've thought Hermione would want to date. Over the summer, Hermione went on and on about how important the treatment of others factored in to how attractive she considered someone to be, had all of that suddenly changed? Ginny abruptly circled back to arguably the most important question: Since when did Hermione fancy girls? Why wouldn't she have said something when I was going through everything at the Quidditch World Cup? All of these secrets, why doesn't she trust me?

Ginny's heart was pounding so hard that she thought it might burst out of her chest. Again, the thought rolled through her head: Why doesn't Hermione trust me?

As Hermione finished reading the article and looked up to gaze at the many sets of eyes staring at her, she sought out Ginny's, looking at her almost imploringly.

"Hermione she is well fit! Good for you!" Ron praised her, offering the brunette a high five. This caused Lavender to burst into tears and run off out of the portrait hole. "Oh…" Ron muttered, looking after her miserably.

"Good luck with that, Ronnie," Fred chuckled as Ron went after his girlfriend.

George shook his head at his younger brother and laughed, "Amateur…"

"Hermione, is this true?" Ginny asked. Her eyes were blazing as they looked into Hermione's.

"I… It's… I have to go," Hermione turned, breaking their eye contact, and hurried off towards the portrait hole.

"It's a simple question! Is it true?" Ginny shouted after her, but Hermione was already through the portrait hole. Ginny felt her emotions bubbling up now in her chest, getting dangerously close to being uncontrollable. She moved to follow Hermione when Harry grabbed her gently.

"Harry, let go!" Ginny said furiously as she ripped her arm from his grasp.

"Gin… This isn't any of your business," he said softly.

"Harry, she's – "

"Ginny let's go, come on," Demelza said gently as she intertwined her fingers with Ginny's. Ginny softened slightly at her girlfriend's touch, and reluctantly followed her up the stairs to their dormitory. They found themselves alone as they entered, and Ginny sat down on her bed, hard, burying her head in her hands. Demelza stared at her for a moment, quietly, before she sat down beside the redhead.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly.

Ginny was silent, trying to sort out her feelings and figure out why her emotions were running so wild.

"I don't get it…" Ginny said slowly, frustration dominating her tone. Demelza put her arm around Ginny's waist, pulling her close.

"What don't you get?"

"Any of it… Why her? Why Juliette? And why - why wouldn't she tell me she fancied girls?"

"Ginny… If this is all true and she is with Juliette, that's hers to share when she's ready… She didn't have to tell anyone… And that doesn't mean that she was lying to you or that she doesn't trust you… It just means she was keeping it to herself. She's allowed to do that… And she's allowed to fancy whoever she wants to…" Demelza said gently.

Ginny could feel the tears coming, but tried to fight them back.

"Ginny, why are you so upset?" Demelza asked softly.

"I don't know… It's a lot to hear about someone who I thought was my best friend… I'm supposed to know everything about her, she knows just about everything about me…" Ginny mumbled, tears starting to trail down her face. Demelza gently wiped them away.

"Ginny, I don't think this is about you… I understand that she was there for you during the Quidditch World Cup and has been very supportive of you, but she may not operate that way. Hermione has always been a little bit of a loner outside of her friendships with Harry and Ron, and then you as of this past summer. She may just like to keep to herself a bit more, that's all. It doesn't mean anything about your relationship if she just operates a little differently than you do."

Ginny leaned up against Demelza, who pulled Ginny in closer and kissed her temple.

"Fine. I guess I can get past her not telling me that she fancies girls too, but of all people, Juliette?"

"I know. She's not someone I'd really see Hermione tolerating, but Hermione is free to be with who she wants. She's a smart girl, Ginny. I can't imagine she'd be with someone unless she really wanted to be with them," Demelza shrugged, stroking Ginny's hair.

Ginny looked up into Demelza's face, "Thank you… For calming me down and for talking to me about this. I don't know why it's got me so riled up, but thank you."

"I'm here for you Ginny, you know that. I've got you," Demelza said while smiling at Ginny, who was leaning in for another kiss. The two parted, got ready for bed, then drifted off to sleep in their own four-poster beds.

Hermione POV

Hermione was running through corridor after corridor, working her way to the doors leading out to Hagrid's Hut and the Beauxbatons carriage. She could hardly comprehend what had just happened. Here she was, feeling bad that Viktor had gotten caught up in the Skeeter woman's nasty web, and it was actually Juliette who was tangled up in it. Juliette and herself.

How did this woman know so much? I mean we were probably a bit too close at the First Task and anyone could've seen, but how did she know about the forest by the lake? Which time was she talking about? We never saw anyone and we tried to be careful, how is this possible? We used protective charms! For the most part…

Hermione internally scolded herself for the few times they had been careless enough to not bother with any protective charms. It would have taken seconds, and now look what'd happened!

I should've told people after we officially got together last week… This wouldn't be such a big deal if we'd just told people… Anyone…

Hermione was about to round the last corner leading to the back doors when she heard two voices speaking very fast, fluent French. She peered around the corner, and saw Madame Maxime and Juliette in a very heated conversation. She ducked back around the corner and waited until they were done. Once the speaking stopped, she heard heavy footsteps and the slam of a door. Risking a look around the corner, she saw that Madame Maxime had left, and Juliette was standing in the corridor alone.

"Juliette!" Hermione whispered as she quickly walked into view, beckoning the girl to come to her.

Juliette smiled at the sight of Hermione, and strode to her, wrapping her up in a fierce hug.

"I am so sorry 'Ermione," the girl whispered into Hermione's curls.

"What? Why are you apologizing? Juliette, this article… This woman ruined your reputation, she – " Hermione stopped as she heard Juliette chuckle. Hermione stepped out of the hug to look at her.

"It was going to be coming out eventually, zat I fancy women. I 'ad been zinking about saying somezing to ze media once I made ze French National Team anyway, but I guess now ze cat is out of ze bag. It probably could 'ave 'appened in a less dramatic way, but – " Juliette shrugged.

"You… You don't care?" Hermione asked, shocked.

"No 'Ermione, I do not care. It is 'oo I am. If anyzing, I am guessing zat my chances of being recruited by ze 'Oly'ead 'Arpies 'as likely increased," she chuckled lightly. "'ow are you doing?" Her tone had switched to one of concern.

"I… I'm fine. I mean I was just outed in front of all of my friends at Ron's birthday, but it's my fault for not telling anyone sooner. I was just so used to us being in our little bubble, I don't think I wanted to give it up. Honestly, though, it almost feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders," Juliette nodded in agreement as she listened to Hermione intently. "Ginny was especially shocked…" Hermione said, furrowing her brow slightly in worry.

"I am sure zat she was… But Little Ginny will be just fine; 'er girlfriend can take care of 'er," Juliette said as she pushed a loose curl out of Hermione's face and tucked it behind her ear. Hermione blushed slightly at the contact.

"So, what did Madame Maxime have to say? It sounded like a pretty intense conversation,"

"Oh, you 'eard zat, did you?" Juliette smiled. "Madame Maxime was not too 'appy with ze article, zat is for sure. Evidently, it is pulling too much focus and attention from our precious Beauxbatons Champion, " Juliette rolled her eyes lightly. "She threatened to send me back to France."

Hermione felt her heart jump at this, she certainly wasn't ready to say goodbye to Juliette just yet, "What? Why? Because you were outed by some salacious article?"

"Precisely, yes."

"Well, that's just ridiculous! You don't have any control of that, and we were trying to keep it a secret!" Hermione exclaimed, gripping Juliette's arms tightly.

"Zat is ze issue she is 'aving. Ze "scandal" of it all is what is pulling focus from Fleur. She is zinking it would not 'ave been a story 'ad we not been sneaking around ze castle and ze grounds."

Hermione paused and frowned, realizing that Madam Maxime was probably right.

"'Ermione, I am not leaving anytime soon. I am just important enough to keep around, despite zis scandal. Plus, I know zat Madam Maxime does deep down enjoy 'aving Beauxbatons name out in ze world, good press or bad," she smiled down at Hermione, smirking lightly. "We will make sure to be more careful from now on, I promised 'er," she said as she gently grabbed and lifted Hermione's hands up to her lips, kissing each finger one at a time. Hermione could feel the heat crawling up into her cheeks, and her pulse quicken.

"Oh..? Well, then should we not be… Doing… This..?" Hermione was losing more of her faculties as Juliette had begun kissing up one of her arms, pulling her closer to her with each kiss.

"I do not see anyone around…" Juliette whispered into Hermione's ear before continuing to kiss Hermione's neck, jaw, then lips.

"Well… I don't want to risk it…" Hermione said, stepping back from Juliette. Juliette looked shocked, but then smiled as Hermione grabbed her hand and pulled her down the corridor, "Let's at least find an empty classroom. Snogging in the middle of a corridor is just asking for someone to walk up, isn't it?"

"Lead ze way, 'Ermione."