Chapter 12
Ginny woke early the following morning. She threw on a jumper and joggers and, as quietly as possible, padded delicately across the floor so she could leave her room without waking any of her roommates. She got as far as the door before she heard her name.
"Ginny?" Demelza whispered. "What are you doing up so early?" The girl had pulled back her curtains just enough so Ginny could only see the girl's face. Ginny walked over and knelt beside the bed so they wouldn't wake any of their other roommates.
"It's Hermione's birthday tomorrow, so I'm up to try and make today special… Somehow…" Ginny whispered, still a little unsure of how exactly everything she wanted to do with Hermione today would fall into place.
Demelza smiled, "Well that's very thoughtful of you Ginny. Hermione's a lucky girl."
For some reason, Ginny blushed at this, "Thanks…" she muttered. She began to stand up to walk away when Demelza grabbed her arm.
"Wait!" Demelza pulled Ginny back down to her knees, this time pulling her in closer as she had sat up slightly, perched on her elbow. She then moved to put her hand in Ginny's hair, and Ginny froze, shocked by the physical interaction. Demelza pulled a feather from Ginny's slightly knotted locks. "Must be from the pillows. I've found a few in my hair over the past few weeks as well." She smiled at Ginny, her light grey eyes looking into Ginny's bright brown eyes.
Ginny was completely frozen, her eyes locked on Demelza's. Her heart began to race as she followed Demelza's eyes move down her face to her lips, and then back up to her eyes. The girl leaned towards Ginny slightly, and Ginny bolted up.
"Uh I've uh… I've really got to get going! I'm sorry… Sorry Demelza, I'm sorry," Ginny sputtered as quietly as she could.
"Ginny… It's okay. I'm sorry. I shouldn't' have…" Demelza started, looking up apologetically at the redhead.
"No, no, it's quite alright. I just, I've got to go. But I… Do you… Do you want to talk about this later?" Ginny offered.
"Sure Ginny, if you want to," Demelza replied, trying to read Ginny's expression.
"Good, okay, yeah…" Ginny ran a hand through her long red hair nervously. "Okay, sounds good. See you… See you later then!" Ginny managed to get out as she stumbled out of the room into the hallway. She had taken a few quick steps down the hall towards the staircase when she collided with someone, knocking their things to the ground.
"I'm sorry!" Ginny gasped as she knelt down immediately to help pick stuff up. She realized how many books she was picking up and looked up to see Hermione standing over her.
"Ginny, why are you up so early? Why is your face so red?" Hermione asked, a hint of both surprise and curiosity in her voice.
"Happy birthday!" Ginny exclaimed, jumping up and handing the older girl her books.
"Thank you, Ginny… Although, my actual birthday is tomorrow." Hermione's eyebrows were raised, taking in the seemingly frantic and odd energy the third year was displaying. "But you remembered my birthday?"
"Of course I remembered Hermione, how could I forget?" Ginny gave Hermione a smile before asking, "How would you like to do something special today? For your birthday? I'd ask you to do something on your actual birthday, but I'm assuming you wouldn't be interested in skipping class…?"
Hermione took her time to process the question, just staring at the girl before she answered, "Well… Actually, that sounds great. Today, I mean. Harry and Ron gave me their gifts last night, and apparently they're busy today with some all-day Quidditch training session that Harry has organized for Ron. I was just going to spend the day in the library, but it has been a while since we've really gotten to spend some time together," Hermione admitted, reluctantly. "And I guess spending some time with you for my birthday wouldn't be so bad…" she gave Ginny a small smile.
"Great!" Ginny beamed at this. "Meet me out at the lake around… 10 am? And make sure you're wearing shoes you can walk in."
Hermione nodded, "Sounds great Ginny, I'll see you then." And with that the older girl walked past Ginny and entered her dormitory.
Ginny leaned up against the wall of the hallway, processing what had just occurred. She was thrilled that the boys had followed through and helped her with her plan to celebrate Hermione's birthday just the two of them today. She was also pleased that Hermione had actually accepted her invitation. With how hard she'd been to pin down these past few weeks, and what Ron told her last night, she figured Hermione would give her another excuse and continue to avoid her. Hopefully at some point today she'd be able to broach this issue with Hermione.
She ran her hand through her long hair, thinking about the things she needed to gather for what she had in store for Hermione, when she pulled out another feather. She stared at it for a second as everything that happened with Demelza came rushing back to her. Had Demelza really tried to kiss me? Ginny tried to reflect on the interactions she'd had the past few weeks with Demelza. They'd eaten nearly every meal together, they'd had classes together, they'd played in pick-up Quidditch matches together, they slept in the same dormitory, but she'd never noticed anything out of the ordinary. Besides sleeping in the same dormitory, they'd done all of those things with Ritchie and/or Colin as well. Yes, Demelza had been kind to her, but that was true their first and second years at Hogwarts too. Why would Demelza try to kiss me? Ginny's newfound preference in women was something that was different this year, but if Demelza also fancied women wouldn't she have told her by now? Ginny sighed in mild frustration. Girls are complicated. Ginny shrugged and refocused on the task at hand, Hermione's birthday. She'd see Demelza later, and deal with all of this then.
Hermione's POV
After she'd spent two and a half weeks doing her best to keep her distance from the girl, she would be celebrating her birthday with Ginny Weasley. Hermione blushed at the thought, and then reprimanded herself for blushing. What are you thinking? All of the hard work you've put in, and now you're willing to undo it? Hermione frowned, frustrated by the fact that she appeared to have little to no self-control when in the physical presence of the youngest Weasley. One run in and you give in? Good luck getting through the day.
Hermione sighed, and put her books down beside her bed. Like it or not, good idea or not, she'd agreed to spend her the day with Ginny, who seemed to be incredibly excited about it. It would be fine, I'll get through it, I won't let this undo everything I've worked for.
The past two and a half weeks had been tough for Hermione. After the first night back to Hogwarts with everything that had happened surrounding Ginny, her feelings for the younger girl, and everyone else's fascination with Ginny and what had come out about her, Hermione had decided that some time apart would help the situation. She kept herself busy with her schoolwork, as well as with Ron and Harry's share of work. And then she would spend the rest of her time hidden away in the library, doing work that was outside of her classes, studying things that sparked her interest. Anything to keep her mind off of Ginny. She did allow herself to see Ginny occasionally, but from a distance. She'd taken to stopping by the Quidditch pick-up matches that had begun between some of the more dedicated Quidditch players at Hogwarts. In this scenario she could see Ginny, but would have the protection of being up in the stands while Ginny was out flying around on the pitch. This kept Hermione from getting too close, which she was trying to prevent at all costs.
Of course, she'd heard the mutterings about Ginny in the corridors and in the Gryffindor Common Room, and, unfortunately, in her own dormitory as well. The general consensus was that Ginny was a catch. Ginny was cute, Ginny was fit, Ginny was athletic, Ginny was funny, Ginny was the total package. From what Hermione had observed of Ginny, however, was that Ginny was still mostly oblivious to all of the attention she was getting. Hermione found that to be a bit annoying, but also endearing as well. Of course the hottest commodity of the third and fourth years had no idea what anyone thought of her, she was far too busy with Quidditch. Hermione smiled at the thought, Ginny truly was so dedicated to the sport. Hermione had even begun reading up on Quidditch to understand the game better, but also be able to help Ginny if she ever asked. Even though she was trying to limit her time speaking to and being around Ginny, she was still dedicating some of her library time to learning about the girl's biggest passion. Hermione sighed at this realization, and shook her head. It had been two and a half weeks, and although she was resisting everything in her that was telling her to spend time with Ginny, her feelings had remained the same. In fact, it felt like the absence had just made her feelings stronger, if possible. It's just one day. Get through it and go back to the boundaries tomorrow.
A few hours later Hermione was dressed in a light sweater, jeans, and sensible footwear and was headed down to the lake to meet Ginny. Even though she was a few minutes early, as she made her way down to the lake she could see that the redhead was already there, waiting for her. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach filled with butterflies. Ginny looked up, saw Hermione, and waved excitedly. The butterfly wings beat faster. Hermione tried to even out her breathing, feeling it was ridiculous how much control this girl had over her. Once she reached Ginny, the girl pulled Hermione into a hug.
"Happy birthday Hermione," Ginny said into Hermione's soft curls. "Well, happy pre-birthday."
Hermione inhaled gently, breathing Ginny in. After the hug, Hermione stepped back, hoping her face wasn't exposing what she was feeling in the moment.
"Thank you. Uh, so Ginny. What have you planned for us today?"
"Well, I've been trying to catch up with you for weeks, and it seems that you've been incredibly busy with all of your studies, so I figured you could use a nice break. A walk along the lake, and lunch?" Ginny proposed, nervously awaiting Hermione's reply. She pulled a basket out from behind her to show she'd packed food for the two of them.
Hermione did love the wildflowers that surrounded the lake this time of year, she smiled appreciatively at Ginny, "That sounds great, lead the way." With that, they began their journey around the lake.
The walk was long and relaxing as the two fell back into their routine from the summer seamlessly. They alternated between Ginny chattering away about Quidditch while Hermione listened and Hermione going on about her studies while Ginny listened. It was very easy, and so comfortable. They stopped a few times to look at the wildflowers, taking in the beautiful native colors around them. Eventually they came across a spot that was somewhat secluded and offered a great view of Hogwarts across the lake. They sat down next to each other on an old fallen tree and Ginny opened the basket she brought. They ate while they continued their conversation, this time Hermione adding to Ginny's Quidditch talk and Ginny chiming in about Hermione's course load. Again, their conversation flowed effortlessly, and as they finished their lunch Ginny brought out two Sugar Quills, one for each of them.
"You know, only you would pick these as your favorite sweet," she teased lightly as she offered the Sugar Quills to Hermione, letting her choose which once she wanted.
Hermione smiled as she took one out of Ginny's hand, "They're vastly underrated, and I appreciate you remembering that they're my favorite."
"Of course," Ginny said as she returned the smile. "So, how's it feel to be nearly 15?"
Hermione sighed, "It feels like I'm old. A lot older than you."
"Okay you're not that much older, really. Less than two years, and you're only one year above me in school. With my maturity, I feel like I'm just about the same age as you!" Ginny noted as she gave the older girl a grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes lightly, thinking about what the younger girl had just said, "If you say so Ginny."
It was quiet for a bit as they sat and took in the view of the lake.
"Hermione?" Ginny asked, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Ginny, what is it?"
"Have you been avoiding me?"
Hermione paused at this and turned to look at Ginny. Her bright brown eyes were looking into hers, seemingly searching for the reason why she would've been hiding from the younger girl over the past few weeks.
"Ginny I've been very busy with my school work and everything I've wanted to add outside of my classes as well. I've been going to some of your Quidditch pick-up matches, you've seen me there."
"Ron said that you've missed me. That you'll ask about me, and then dismiss his suggestions to talk to me yourself." Ginny's eyes had narrowed a bit, and Hermione knew she was being backed into a corner.
"Sometimes you come up in our conversations and I ask about how you're doing, is that not allowed?" Hermione's tone becoming a bit more defensive.
"Of course, it's allowed. That's beside the point Hermione. After the end of the summer, I guess I just thought that we would be closer friends at Hogwarts, but clearly I was wrong." Ginny turned away from Hermione, looking down the shore of the lake.
"Ginny I… I've just been busy, that's all. Okay?"
Ginny didn't respond or turn back to look at Hermione. Hermione placed a hand tentatively on Ginny's shoulder, "Ginny?"
Ginny responded, but still didn't turn to look at Hermione, "You're not a good liar Hermione. I can feel that I've done something to make you want to avoid me, I just don't know what it is."
"Ginny… Ginny please look at me."
At that Ginny did turn, her eyes glistening with tears that she was fighting to keep from falling.
"Oh Ginny…"
"Just… Please be honest with me Hermione. You can be up front with me. I'm not a child, you don't need to keep stuff from me. Be honest and we can work it out. I care about you, and I appreciate our friendship, maybe more than any other friendship I have. So please, just be honest with me. I can take it." The tears started to escape the younger girl's eyes now and she quickly wiped them away. Hermione softened at this, unable to maintain her rigid stance on the situation with how vulnerable Ginny was being. She reached out to wipe a tear from Ginny's cheek, but Ginny grabbed her hand. "Hermione, what is going on? Just tell me, please."
"Ginny… You're right. It's not just that I've been busy. Which is true, I have been busy, but that's not completely it. I just… I haven't felt like myself since we got back to Hogwarts. I've been having a hard time," Hermione admitted, softly, as she took her hand from Ginny's.
"Why wouldn't you talk to me about it? Maybe I could help?" Ginny looked at Hermione earnestly.
"I'm not sure that you can help. Ginny, I'm trying to get through it and process it on my own. If I believe that I do in fact need your help, I will ask. Otherwise, I'd like to keep it to myself. Is that okay? Can you respect that?"
Ginny stared at Hermione with an unconvinced look. Please let her drop this, please.
"Okay… I can respect that. You promise if you feel like you need help, you'll ask me?"
"Yes Ginny, of course."
"Okay…" Ginny responded, seeming somewhat satisfied.
The two were quiet again for a few moments, until Ginny broke the silence.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Something happened today, and I feel like I need to talk to someone about it. Can I talk to you about it?"
"I believe we just established that we can talk to each other about anything Ginny, of course you can talk to me about it. What is it?"
"Uh…" Ginny started to turn red, Hermione looked at her curiously.
"Ginny?"
"Well so… This morning… Demelza tried to kiss me..."