Chapter 46

Ginny POV

A few days after Ginny's birthday, she was returning from her run to Stoatshead Hill when she saw a familiar figure in the back garden with Ron.

"Harry!" Ginny shouted excitedly, sprinting towards the older boy as fast as she could. As she reached him, she leapt into his arms, tackling him to the ground.

"Merlin's beard, Ginny! Since when are you so solid?" Harry laughed from the ground.

Ginny grinned down at him, "Since I've spent my summer training non-stop."

"No kidding!"

Ginny stood up and offered her hand to Harry, helping to pull him up, "It's so nice to see you, Harry."

"Oi, can I have my best friend back at some point?" Ron asked grumpily.

"He's my friend too!" Ginny whined.

"Alright, alright you two… There's plenty of me to go around," Harry said sarcastically, grinning, spurring the two Weasleys to laugh.

"Come on, I think Mum's got lunch about ready inside," Ron said.

The three of them headed inside, Ginny breaking off to go upstairs to rinse off and change before meeting them back downstairs in the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley had made a tray of chicken and ham sandwiches as well as a salad, and fortunately the boys hadn't managed to finish everything before Ginny had a chance to eat. She sat down at the table across from Harry and Ron, filled a bowl with greens, and grabbed a sandwich. Mrs. Weasley went off to tend to her vegetable patch, leaving the three of them alone at the table.

"So, Gin, how're the feelings for Hermione going?" Harry asked as he grabbed another sandwich.

Ginny let out a light but hard laugh, "Just diving right in, are we?" she muttered.

"Sorry, but I'm curious. The last letter you sent me was nearly all about how much you missed her since she'd stop writing you after she'd left for France…"

Ginny sighed as she ran a hand through her hair, "It's about as bad as it was since that letter. No matter what I do, I just can't stop thinking about her. I thought not seeing her for weeks and focusing on my Quidditch training would help, but it's almost as if not seeing her has made me fancy her more."

"Well sure! She's not around to boss you around, why wouldn't you fancy her more?" Ron chuckled as he grabbed a sandwich in each hand.

Ginny shot Ron an angry look as Harry shook his head and laughed.

"If it wasn't for Hermione, I'm sure we wouldn't have passed as many exams as we did, mate," Harry pointed out.

"I know… Bu' s'ill… She could be a little nicer abou' i'…" Ron grumbled, mouth full of food.

"Well maybe Ron you could do your own schoolwork and your own studying for exams and she wouldn't feel so inclined to get on you about all of it, ever consider that? She's only doing it because she cares," Ginny snapped.

"Oi alright! I was just joking!" Ron said defensively.

"Anyway, I assume you're still on not telling her that you fancy her?" Harry asked.

"Yeah… I don't want to complicate things for her. It sounds like she's still happy with Juliette, so who I am to say something to ruin it?" Ginny said as she picked apart her sandwich.

Harry nodded, then changed the subject, "How's the new Quaffle was working out for you?"

Ginny lit up, "Oh, it's been great! Thank you so much, by the way."

"You're welcome, I figured you'd appreciate it. Maybe later today we could go out to the orchard to shoot on Ron, I'm sure he needs the practice," Harry elbowed Ron lightly in the ribs, who shot him a glare. "Hey, if you want to beat out Cormac McLaggen for the Keeper spot, you should really start training…"

"Yeah… I know, I know…" Ron mumbled, grabbing the last sandwich from the tray.

"Maybe now that you're here, Harry, you'll be able to convince Fred and George to come out to the orchard as well. They've been very odd this summer, really keeping to themselves all locked up in their room. It'd be fun to get a pick-up match going, though!" Ginny exclaimed.

"I'll see if I can work the ol' Harry Potter charm on them, get them to come train with us," Harry said, winking at Ginny. "Alright mate, help me carry my trunk up to your room? You can consider it the start of your Quidditch training," Harry grinned at Ron as he received another glare from the redhead. Ron begrudgingly got up from the table, leaving Ginny alone in the kitchen. Once she finished her salad, she cleaned off the table and headed outside to help her mum in the vegetable patch. She smiled as she walked outside, happy that Harry had finally arrived for the summer.

Two days had passed since Harry had arrived, they'd just finished a delicious dinner out in the garden, and Ginny was a nervous wreck. Hermione would be showing up at some point that evening, but she wasn't sure when. Ginny was in her room, re-organizing her bookcase for no less than the third time, when she knocked a few of the cards she'd received for her birthday to the floor. She knelt down to pick them up, and saw that the first card she grabbed was from Hermione.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing you this summer, and I can't wait to finally be able to talk to you in person. I miss you, Ginny.

Ginny read the last paragraph over and over as she sat on her bed. Once she was finally able to tear her eyes away from the card, she glanced up at the cot that she'd be sleeping on once Hermione arrived. She figured it'd be rude to make Hermione sleep on the cot since last year she made the older girl sleep in her bed. Of course, this year she fancied the girl, but she didn't know that, so she probably (hopefully) wouldn't think anything of it. Her mum had suggested that they make up Bill's old room down the hall for Hermione to stay in, seeing as they both fancied girls and Hermione had a girlfriend to think about, but Ginny insisted it would be fine. She found it odd, that her mum was aware of Juliette, until she remembered that her mum had probably read the article about the two in Witch Weekly. For a second, she'd considered that maybe her mum was right, and it would be better for Hermione to stay in Bill's old room, but at the same time, she just couldn't not share a room with the girl.

I can handle it; it'll be totally fine, she thought as she re-organized her bookcase one last time, nervously trying to ensure there would be more than enough room for Hermione's books.

"Hermione, dear, welcome!" Ginny heard her mum exclaim from downstairs. Her heart felt like it'd stopped, and Ginny looked over her room frantically, hoping it was organized enough for Hermione's liking. She took a few slow, settling breaths, then walked downstairs, calmly. However, as she descended the staircase, no amount of breathing would prepare Ginny for the feelings that came rushing to the forefront of her mind as soon as she saw Hermione.

"Hey, you," Hermione said, smiling up at Ginny who had frozen a few steps from the bottom of the stairs. Ginny had to force herself to breathe, but wasn't able to speak. She wasn't sure if it was because she hadn't seen her in weeks or that she hadn't seen her and had been pining after her, but Hermione looked absolutely stunning. Her loose brunette curls had been naturally highlighted by the sun, her skin was sun-kissed and glowing, the freckles that scattered across the bridge of her nose were more pronounced, and the white flowing top and light jean shorts she was wearing seemed to enhance every single one of her beautiful features. She looked like a dream, and Ginny was speechless.

"Well come down, Ginny, don't just stare at the girl! Help her with her bags, for goodness' sake!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed as she ushered Hermione further into the Burrow.

Ginny sprang to life and jumped down the remaining steps, grabbing Hermione bags and finally offering her a smile.

"Hi Hermione," she said, trying to sound normal.

Hermione cocked her head, giving Ginny a slightly curious look, before picking up her remaining things and following Ginny up to her room. Instead of following them, Crookshanks bounded out the door, likely in search of gnomes to play with.

Ginny bumped her door open with her hip and placed Hermione's bags on her bed. Hermione wasn't far behind, and when Ginny turned around, she turned right into Hermione. The bag Hermione was carrying fell, but Ginny's quick reflexes allowed her to snatch it before it hit the floor. She stood up to hand the bag back to Hermione, and suddenly realized how close they were standing to each other. Ginny was just about to take a step back, but grinned instead.

"What?" Hermione asked curiously.

"I'm as tall as you now," Ginny's grin grew as Hermione's jaw slightly dropped in realization.

"Yes, it appears that you are," Hermione looked Ginny up and down, and Ginny thought for a split second she saw Hermione's tan cheeks blush the slightest bit. Ginny was in a green Harpies tank top and black athletic shorts, and she knew that her new muscles were visible. Apparently, visible enough for Hermione to notice.

"You know you don't have to give me your bed, Ginny… I'd be perfectly fine sleeping on the cot," Hermione said, slowly placing the rest of her things on Ginny's bed.

"It wouldn't be good manners," Ginny said, sitting down on the cot. "So, uh, is Juliette okay with us sharing a room?"

"Of course, why wouldn't she be?" Hermione asked calmly as she sat on Ginny's bed.

"I don't know, just figured I'd ask," Ginny shrugged. "Uh, so! You kept me pretty up to date on how your summer was going before you went to France, but how was your trip?"

"It was… Interesting… To say the least," Hermione started. "Like I said, the architecture, culture, and food were all amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed Juliette showing me around, but…"

"But…?"

"I'm not sure I've ever met a more passionate and intense group of people than Juliette's family… The expectations that Juliette's parents have for their daughters are impossibly steep. I fully understand why Juliette is as accomplished as she is at such a young age; she has no other choice than to be the very best. Her parents were actually disappointed that she hadn't somehow figured out how to enter her name for the Triwizard Tournament, because then she would've been able to bring even more honor to their family. I mean, they certainly support her and believe in her, as well as her older sister, but I don't think I could handle the type of pressure and expectations Juliette has weighing on her. She didn't seem to think anything of it, but of course, she's been living it for the past 15 years, so why would she think it to be odd?" Hermione sighed, then leaned against the wall that her cot was shoved up against. "I'm a little worried about her."

"How were they to you? Did they treat you kindly?"

"Oh yes, they were incredibly hospitable. They were also very impressed with how accomplished I was, for a Muggle-born," Hermione gave Ginny a look.

"What? Did they say that?"

"Yes. They're not exactly tactful, but it didn't really feel like a nasty remark. They truly were impressed with how much I knew having only been a part of the Wizarding World the past few years," Hermione shook her head, smiling.

"Wow. Well, how was her sister? The French Quidditch captain?"

"She is Juliette times ten, actually. Well, the Juliette that we were first introduced to. The arrogant, smug, flirtatious, and seductive Juliette. She reminded me very quickly of how I only really began to fancy Juliette once she showed me her soft, vulnerable side. Juliette had words with her quite a few times, with how she was coming on to me."

"What? Isn't she engaged?" Ginny asked, shocked.

"Yes, but no one seemed to be concerned with that. It was all 'armless," Hermione said the last word with a faux French accent. "Juliette was great the whole time, though. She really looked after me and made sure I was as happy and comfortable as I could be," Hermione smiled.

"Well, good for her," Ginny said stiffly. Hermione looked across the room at her, lifting an eyebrow. "I mean, it just doesn't sound that great that you were getting hit on by her sister the whole time and that her parents were talking down to you for being a Muggle-born. But yeah, I guess I'm glad Juliette took care of you," Ginny sighed, starting to undo the plait her long red hair was pulled back in. Hermione watched her quietly.

"I assume the two of you are doing well, then?" Ginny asked as casually as she could.

Hermione blushed, then nodded, "Yes, we are."

"Good, I do like Juliette, even more so if she protected you against her family," Ginny said definitively.

Hermione stared at her for a moment, then asked, "So, how has your summer gone? Still full of training, training, and more training?" she smirked at the redhead.

Ginny chuckled, "Yes, that's pretty much all I've done this summer. I do feel like I've improved so much though, even more than when I was at my peak of training with Juliette. The training plan she gave me has been amazing."

Hermione nodded, "You do seem to be very fit at the moment."

Ginny paused, then said, "What was that? Could you repeat that?"

Hermione blushed, "Ginny…" she said scoldingly.

"No really, I didn't quite hear that middle part. I seem to be very what at the moment?" Ginny asked with faux seriousness.

Hermione shook her head, but smiled, "Fit. You seem to be very fit at the moment, Ginny."

Ginny shot Hermione her best crooked grin, "Ah, yes. That's what I thought you said." She laughed as Hermione shook her head. "So, uh, we've already had dinner, but if you're hungry, I'm sure my mum could whip something up for you," Ginny said, shifting gears.

"Oh, uh, no, I'm good, Ginny, but thank you. I think I'll go get ready for bed, if that's alright with you? Traveling from France was a bit much."

"That works for me. I've been going to bed early because I get up so early to train, so I should be asleep in no time anyway. I'll leave you to get ready, then I'll be back, okay?"

"Sure thing," Hermione was already digging through her bag for her toiletries and a t-shirt and shorts when Ginny disappeared down the stairs to grab a cup of water from the kitchen. Ginny desperately wished Ron and Harry hadn't gone camping for the next few days, as she'd have loved to be able to talk to them right now.

"You do seem to be very fit at the moment." Between that and the full body scan when I told her we were the same height, maybe it really wasn't the best idea to share a room with Hermione this summer. What's she playing at, anyway? She's the one with the girlfriend, after all. Relax, it really doesn't mean anything, you're probably just overreacting… Just… Focus…

Ginny worked to steady her breathing again, before finishing her water and heading back upstairs to her room. As she entered, she could see that Hermione was already under the blanket of her bed reading, with Crookshanks curled up at her feet. Ginny walked over and scratched Crookshanks behind the ears, and he looked up at Ginny gratefully and purred.

"How'd he like France?" Ginny asked, continuing to pet the large orange cat.

"Well, this is the first time he's purred in a few weeks, if that's any indication," Hermione said, watching Ginny interreact with Crookshanks.

"Well, I'm not sure if that's really much of an indication, seeing as I'm his absolute favorite," Ginny grinned, lifting an eyebrow at Hermione.

"Besides me, you mean…" Hermione said scoldingly, raising her eyebrows at Ginny.

"Of course, of course," Ginny gave Hermione her best crooked smile, then walked to the trunk at the base of her bed to grab some clothes to change. She paused, then began to pull her Harpies tank top up over her head, having decided to just change in her room. The quicker we re-establish our completely platonic, normal friendship, the easier this will probably be on me, Ginny thought.

After she too had changed into a t-shirt and shorts, Ginny climbed into the cot and glanced across at Hermione, who was deeply entrenched in her book. Ginny settled in with the newest copy of Quidditch Times, and the two read silently for a while as Crookshanks slept at Hermione's feet. About half an hour had passed before Ginny was feeling tired enough to sleep. She tossed the magazine on top of her bookcase, then whispered across the room to Hermione, "G'night, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Ginny."

Hermione POV

As she heard Ginny roll over and settle in, Hermione couldn't help but risk a look over at the redhead and bite her lip. She hadn't seen the girl in weeks, and had been so enamored and happy with Juliette, but she knew deep down there was still something there that had flipped back on the moment she saw the youngest Weasley. This frustrated Hermione to no end. She was so genuinely content with Juliette, especially over the past two weeks they'd just spent together, and yet, one look at Ginny and she's gone back another step. To make matters worse, Ginny had somehow gotten even more attractive since the last time she'd seen her. Ginny was right, they were the same height now, and whatever training program Juliette had her on had caused Ginny to gain a fair amount of lean muscle mass in just a matter of weeks. Ginny was now well fit, in multiple meanings of the word. Hermione was incredibly thankful that Ginny didn't know she'd ever fancied her, or who knows what she would've thought of Hermione's slip up in actually saying out loud that she was fit. Hermione put her head in her hands, irritated with how she'd made such a careless mistake, then shook her head, trying to shake it off…

It's fine. Ginny doesn't know you fancy her… Fancied, Hermione… Fancied… Just, get it together. You owe it to Juliette to make this long-distance relationship work. You love her, for goodness' sake, and she loves you. Do not waste another second on Ginny. It's not worth it.

Hermione set her book down on the floor beside the bed, then rolled over to face the wall, trying her best to ignore the scent of Ginny's shampoo on the pillow as she gradually fell asleep.