AN: As always, thank you so much to everyone who has read this far into the story!

Just wanted to give a heads up: Based on an intimate moment in this chapter and what will likely occur in future chapters as the story continues, I'm changing the rating of the story to Mature, just to be safe. I don't imagine I'll ever really get too graphic with anything in this fic, as it's not really the vibe I'm going for, but I just want to cover my bases here.

Again, thank you to you all for reading, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 70

Ginny POV

It had been a week since Lavender's visit to the Burrow that had ended quite awkwardly. After her mum caught Ron and Lavender snogging in the bathroom, breakfast the next morning was painfully quiet and uncomfortable, and Lavender had left soon after that. Though Ron and Lavender's evening had been ruined, Ginny and Hermione had a great night, and had been having great nights ever since. Still, no one had said anything about their relationship, and with one week left before they'd be heading back to Hogwarts, it really felt like they were going to make it the whole summer without anyone finding out.

As Ginny and Hermione helped clean up the kitchen after breakfast, Ginny spotted something she wished she hadn't on Hermione's neck.

"Put your hair down," Ginny whispered as she took a dry dish from the girl.

Hermione looked at her, self-consciously reaching up and touching the messy bun she'd pulled her loose curls up into, "Why?"

Ginny chewed on her lip and gave the girl a somewhat guilty look, her eyes darting to the mark she'd apparently made on Hermione's neck the night before.

"Ginny!" Hermione hissed under her breath, putting a hand on her neck where Ginny was looking.

Ginny grinned sheepishly as Hermione blushed, "I'm sorry! I didn't see anything last night!"

"That's because it was dark!" Hermione said scoldingly as she hastily pulled her sun-kissed curls out of the hair tie, letting them fall over her shoulders.

"Why didn't you say anything to me last night when it was happening?" Ginny asked innocently, a smirk making its way to her lips.

Hermione started at her incredulously, "You Ginny Weasley are the one who did this, not me! You are the one who… Who… Made me lose – "

"Control?" Ginny smirked freely now.

"It is not funny Ginny, what if your parents see? Or Ron and Harry?" she said in a stressed tone as she pulled her hair to cover the mark on her neck, "It's hot out today, I'm going to look like an idiot with my hair down!"

"Okay then put it half up or something," Ginny suggested.

Hermione glared at her.

"I really am sorry, Hermione. I won't do that ever again, I promise."

Hermione sighed, "Don't be ridiculous. You'll be doing that again, just make sure you're doing it on a spot that won't be so visible."

Ginny grinned broadly, "I can do that."

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave her a light smile as they finished up the dishes.

Hermione POV

A few hours later, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Harry were headed off to Diagon Alley. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to join them later, once Mr. Weasley arrived home from work.

"Ah, it's good to be back!" Ron grinned, looking around at all of the shops as he brushed a bit of soot off his shoulder. "Where to first? Florean Fortescue's?"

"Don't you want to check out Fred and George's shop first?" Hermione asked.

"Fine…" Ron mumbled as they walked down the cobblestone road running through the middle of Diagon Alley.

"They said it was over by – Oh wow! There it is!" Ginny exclaimed, pointing down the alley.

Hermione followed Ginny's hand to a bright, busy storefront that couldn't possibly be ignored. Every window was filled with loud, eye-catching products that were making all kinds of noises, and there was a queue of people out the door. Hermione looked at Ginny and smiled, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was indeed doing very well.

Once they finally managed to get in, the shop was completely packed. There were odd sounds, lights, and smells all around, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood, either laughing or smiling at whatever product they were looking at. The foursome split up, Harry and Ron going to look at the Skiving Snackboxes, while Hermione and Ginny headed upstairs to continue looking at what the shop had to offer. They came across a line of love potions, and exchanged skeptical glances, before Ginny became distracted by the Pygmy Puff display and walked off to check it out.

"You know, we've got some bruise removal paste that would heal that up real nice…" a voice said behind Hermione.

She whipped around to find Fred and George standing there, each with an eyebrow up.

"I – What are you talking about?" Hermione stammered, moving her hair so it covered her neck once again.

Fred shook his head disapprovingly, "The love bite on your neck, Granger, that's what we're talking about."

"We've ruled out Ron and Harry, as Ron has a girlfriend that isn't you, and Harry – Well, Harry's a bloke, so not exactly your type. Which leaves…" George added.

"Our baby sister…" Fred said, eyeing Hermione suspiciously.

Both boys crossed their arms over their chests. Hermione didn't know what to do or say. She glanced over at Ginny, who was fully immersed in all of the Pygmy Puff supplies. Then, the boys smiled.

"We're thrilled," George said.

"Couldn't be happier!"

"As long as you take care of her, of course."

"Oh yes, only the best care for our baby sister, got it?" Fred said, raising an eyebrow at Hermione again.

"I – Yes, I've got it! How – How much is the bruise removal paste?" Hermione asked, feeling the heat rush to her face.

"For you? Free. You don't pay here," George said dismissively.

"What? Why not?"

"Did you already forget about the hundreds of galleons you gave us to do all of this? You don't need to pay us a single knut. Go on, take whatever you want," Fred said encouragingly, "Now if you'll excuse us, we've got customers to help!"

The twins headed off in different directions, and Hermione walked over to join Ginny.

"I'm going to get some Pygmy Puff treats for Arnold," Ginny said, grinning at Hermione. "Look at how cute they all are! And the twins were right, they must be popular, because look, they're all reserved!" Ginny said, pointing at the sign on that cage that said reserved.

Hermione smiled at the girl, "That's great. Ginny, we've got to talk – "

"Here's that bruise removal paste you asked for, ma'am," Fred said, quickly handling the jar to Hermione and shooting a knowing look at the girls before hustling off to help another customer.

Ginny looked from the jar to Hermione, eyes wide, "Wha – "

"Yeah, Fred and George know. They saw what you left on my neck…"

Ginny turned red, and looked around the shop, "Are they going to – "

"I don't think they'll tell anyone else. They were happy though. Well, as long as I take care of you. They gave me direct orders on that," Hermione explained to a further reddening Ginny.

"Sorry…" she muttered.

Hermione sighed, "Honestly, it's alright. Hopefully this actually works," Hermione said, eyeing the jar.

"Okay, let's go downstairs and check in on the boys before we pay."

"Actually, give that to me," Hermione said, holding a hand out for the bag of Pygmy Puff treats.

"Why? You don't have to buy them for me."

"I know, and I won't. Because of the start-up I gave them, the twins aren't charging me for anything. I figure I can start right now showing them how well I'll take care of their 'baby sister'," Hermione said with a smile.

Ginny handed the bag over and followed Hermione down the crowded stairs. They found the boys over by the dung bombs, and let them know they'd be checking out and leaving soon. Once Hermione and Ginny got to the front of the checkout line, Fred appeared.

"Mmmhmm… One jar of bruise removal paste and one bag of Pygmy Puff treats, eh?" Fred said looking from the treats to Hermione to Ginny and back to Hermione.

"Yes, the treats are a gift," she said, nodding at Fred.

George then appeared, "Interesting… And who do you know that has a Pygmy Puff, hmmm?"

Ginny turned red, smiling nervously at her brothers.

They both winked at her as they bagged up Hermione's items, and gave both girls a hug as they went to leave.

"Congratulations on the shop, boys," Hermione said.

"Yeah, it's really cool," Ginny added.

"Come back anytime," George said, smiling.

"And tell your friends! Maybe you could put out a Prefect memo once you get back to Hogwarts, eh Hermione?" Fred suggested.

Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled as she and Ginny exited the shop.

"Where to next?" Ginny asked, looking at the rows of shops in front of them.

"How about Flourish and Blotts to get our new schoolbooks for the year? Then I was thinking we could swing by the Magical Menagerie, I'd like to get something for Crookshanks as well as Hedwig and Errol again, and then we could end with Quality Quidditch Supplies and Florean Fortescue's? I imagine that's where we'll catch up with the boys," Hermione mused.

"Lead the way," Ginny said nodding.

Once they finished up at Flourish and Blotts and the Magical Menagerie, they were in Quality Quidditch Supplies looking at the array of different jerseys.

"I really should be better at writing to Viktor," Hermione said as she admired the Karasjok Kites jerseys hanging up near the end of the international teams section, "I hope he's doing well."

"According to the latest copy of Seeker Weekly, the Kites have risen up the rankings of the European Quidditch League quite steadily this past season. They may even be in contention for the European Cup in a few years, if they maintain their level of play. They haven't been in the European Cup final in 40 years, so I'd say that at the very least his team is doing well," Ginny reported to Hermione.

Hermione nodded, "It's quite impressive that you know so much about Quidditch and still manage to get such good marks in school."

Ginny shrugged, "Well, I figure I'll end up playing professionally, so it's important to know as much as I can and keep up to date with everything. And I know my mum, and likely you as well, would kill me if my marks started to slip, so I can't allow that either," she said, grinning at Hermione.

"You figure you'll end up playing professionally, is that right?" Hermione asked, a proud smile forming on her lips.

"What? Don't you think so?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, I know you will. It's just nice to hear you talk about it that way. Any particular team you'd want to play for? I believe I could make an educated guess on that…" Hermione gestured to Ginny's green Harpies t-shirt that she was wearing.

"The Harpies would absolutely be my first choice if I had my pick, but I'd be willing to play anywhere if it meant I'd play professionally," Ginny said, looking across all of the international jerseys. "I'd also love to represent England in a Quidditch World Cup. I don't know how realistic that is, but I figure, why not dream big and go for it, you know?"

Hermione nodded, smiling at her.

"What?"

"I'm just proud of you, that's all. And I'm excited to see what you end up accomplishing, Miss Weasley."

Ginny blushed lightly and returned Hermione's smile before they left Quality Quidditch Supplies and headed for Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. There, they found Harry and Ron each devouring a strawberry and peanut butter ice cream.

"You guys took off on us!" Ron stated irritably as he tried to keep his ice cream from dripping.

"You were taking forever at Fred and George's shop and we wanted to get a move on with our school things. Speaking of, have you gotten your books yet?" Hermione asked, looking around where the boys were sitting and noticing the lack of bags other than from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

"Nah, figured I'd wait for my parents to get here," Ron explained.

"Are you done already?" Harry asked, looking at the bags the girls were carrying.

"Yep, Hermione came up with a pretty airtight schedule for us. We'll probably head back to the Burrow early if you two still have your shopping to do," Ginny said.

The boys didn't seem to care much, as they were too focused on their melting ice creams.

"We'll see you back at the Burrow, then?" Ginny added.

The boys nodded, and the girls turned and left, headed for the Burrow.

Ginny POV

Once they arrived back at the Burrow, Ginny carried all of their bags up to her room, placing them next to her bed. Hermione followed closely behind, and rifled through one of her bags until she pulled out the bruise removal paste.

Ginny smiled sheepishly, "Again, sorry about that…"

"It's fine, we've already discussed it. Just be a little more careful next time, okay?"

Ginny nodded, "Here, let me do it."

Hermione handed her the jar and Ginny opened it, dipping her fingers into the yellow paste. Hermione moved her hair off to the side, exposing her neck and the hickey to Ginny. Ginny stepped forward closer to Hermione, but before she reached up to rub the paste onto Hermione's neck, she leaned forward and gently kissed the mark she'd left. She then continued placing soft kisses on Hermione's neck, moving up until she was at her lips. She kissed Hermione, softly at first, then deepened the kiss, before moving back down Hermione's neck to the bruise.

"Ginny…" Hermione whispered a bit breathlessly.

This sent a jolt through Ginny's body, and she gently nipped at the mark with her teeth.

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, stepping back and giving the girl a stern look, "I thought we agreed you'd only leave marks where no one could see them."

"We did, but that mark is already there, and we've got this!" Ginny said, holding up the jar.

Hermione shook her head and smirked, "Put the paste on already, Miss Weasley."

"Fine, fine…" Ginny conceded, gently rubbing the yellow paste onto the bruise on Hermione's neck before looking at the jar. "It says the bruise will be gone within the hour," Ginny read out loud.

"Fantastic. Hopefully before your parents, Ron and Harry return," Hermione said as she began unpacking the many schoolbooks she'd bought earlier in the day and placing them on the bookcase.

Ginny walked up behind her, wrapping her arms around the brunette.

"Yes? Can I help you?" Hermione asked innocently, smirking as she looked over her shoulder at Ginny.

"No one's home… And likely won't be for another hour at least…" Ginny said, placing soft kisses on Hermione's jawline before capturing the older girl's lips in hers.

Hermione turned in Ginny's arms and Ginny deepened the kiss. As she felt Hermione melt into her, Ginny slowly walked them over to the door, closing it tight. Hermione took that opportunity to pin her firmly against the door with her body. Ginny responded by reaching down and pulling Hermione's shirt up over her head, revealing a plain bra, and then removing her own shirt, revealing a grey sports bra. She then reached down and grabbed the back of the girl's legs, lifting her up so Hermione was straddling her and Ginny was holding her weight completely. Hermione wrapped her arms and legs tightly around Ginny and looked down at her intensely, her brown eyes darkening by the second. She leaned down and kissed Ginny passionately, burying her hands in her long red hair, as Ginny effortlessly walked them over to her bed and lay Hermione down gently on her back. Ginny slowly moved up Hermione's body, kissing her warm, soft skin as she went. She was careful to skip over Hermione's chest, and kissed up her neck, up her jaw, until she reached her lips.

"It's okay, you know?" Hermione whispered, looking into Ginny's eyes, "I trust you."

Ginny swallowed – she was nervous. Again, the furthest her previous relationship had taken her was accidentally touching Demelza's bare back and freaking out about it. That was also more than a year ago, and Ginny was no longer the nervous third year she was when that had happened. She was confident and comfortable and trusted Hermione completely, she was just so inexperienced and didn't want to do something wrong. Hermione said there had been "light touching" with Juliette, what did that mean?

Hermione was looking up at her, concern on her face, "Do you not want to? Because that's okay too, that's completely fine and – "

"Of course I want to," Ginny interjected quickly, "I'm just nervous, that's all…" she admitted, accepting the blush that was covering her face.

Hermione's face softened, her eyebrows lifting just slightly, "Okay, that's fine too," she said quietly, a soft smile forming on her lips.

Hermione pushed herself up onto her elbows, and Ginny backed up to allow Hermione to sit up further, so that Ginny was eventually on her knees straddling Hermione's legs, while Hermione was sitting up, her back against the wall Ginny's bed was pinned against. Hermione reached out and grabbed one of Ginny right hand, before bringing it to her mouth and kissing it. She then looked at Ginny and lowered the hand, letting it hover just over her chest.

"Yes, or no?" she asked gently, not breaking eye contact.

Ginny looked from her own hand, hovering just above Hermione's chest, up to Hermione's eyes. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and hoped Hermione hadn't noticed. She swallowed, took a deep breath, then nodded.

Hermione smiled softly, then moved their hands closer to her, and they both gasped slightly as contact was made. Hermione leaned forward just a bit to place a soft kiss on Ginny's lips, before she closed her hand over Ginny's, squeezing her own chest gently in the process. Ginny looked down at Hermione's chest, then back up into her eyes, clocking just how dark they'd gotten, and decided to take control. Ginny moved closer to Hermione so she was essentially sitting in Hermione's lap, and brought her free hand up to the back of Hermione's head, sliding her fingers into her sun-kissed, loose curls and pulling Hermione's lips to hers for a deep kiss. Hermione took her hand from on top of Ginny's and placed both hands at the base of Ginny's head, weaving her fingers in Ginny's long red hair and pulling her close too, as the two girls seemed to share the feeling of not being able to get close enough to each other. Ginny kept her hand on Hermione's chest, becoming exceedingly aware of there only being a thin piece of fabric separating her hand from Hermione's soft skin, when Hermione broke their kiss and leaned closer to Ginny, arching her back as she reached behind herself, grabbing the clasp of her bra. Ginny froze.

"Yes, or no?" Hermione asked again, still with the same love and understanding on her face even though she was fighting to control her breathing.

Ginny's eyes widened, took another settling breath, and began to nod –

"Hey you guys missed seeing – WHAT IS GOING ON?!"