Chapter 71

Ginny POV

"Hey you guys missed seeing – WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Ron bellowed as he realized what he was seeing.

Ginny immediately jumped up and away from Hermione, quickly throwing the older girl her top as she tried to pull hers on.

"Uh, Gin… You've got it on backwards…" Harry muttered quietly.

Ginny blushed deeply as she rotated her green Harpies t-shirt around so it was on correctly.

"Hello? Is anyone going to say something here? We thought you were working on your bloody friendship!" Ron demanded, glaring at Hermione.

"Don't look at her that way, she didn't do anything wrong!" Ginny yelled at her brother.

"The hell she didn't! It looked like she was about to take off her – Her – " Ron stuttered, not being able to finish his sentence.

"So what? I'm sure you've seen Lavender's boobs loads of times!" Ginny shouted, making Ron's eyes go wide and Harry fight back a laugh.

"Ginny!" Hermione scolded, her face burning red from where she sat uncomfortably on the bed.

"That's – That's none of your business!" Ron argued, his ears burning red.

"And neither is this! So what if we didn't tell you about our relationship? We wanted to keep it between us!"

Ron muttered something about Ginny being his baby sister and Hermione defiling her, and Harry actually had to hold Ginny back.

"Ron, not that it is any of your business whatsoever, but everything that we have done has of course been done with consent," Hermione stated firmly, standing up from the bed to walk over and place her hand in Ginny's. "I love her, Ron," Hermione said much softer.

Ron looked from the girls to Harry, who shrugged.

"It's their relationship. And Ginny surely wouldn't date someone who would defile her, would she Ron?" Harry asked in a calming voice, "Didn't you say you thought the two of them would be great together?"

Ron pursed his lips tightly, clearly trying to fight the rational thoughts and statements that were rendering his anger irrational, "I mean, yeah, but I didn't think about all of this… Ginny had her hand on Hermione's – Hermione's – "

"Do not finish that sentence, Ron," Ginny growled angrily from where she stood across the room from him.

She felt Hermione squeeze her hand gently before the older girl spoke up.

"Ron, not that she can't take care of herself, because she obviously can and does…" Hermione said, looking from Ron to Ginny and back. "But I promise, I'll take care of her too," she said earnestly, looking across at her best friend.

Ron's face softened just slightly, "It's just… She's my baby sister… And you're my best friend…"

"Wait, what about me, mate? I thought I was your best friend!" Harry interjected, breaking the tension by making the other three laugh.

"You have made her cry before…" Ron added, returning his focus to Hermione again.

Ginny felt Hermione's hand squeeze hers again.

"I'm sorry about that. We went through a period of poor communication and many, many wrong assumptions. We're working to make sure that doesn't happen again," Hermione explained genuinely to Ron.

Ron looked at Harry again, who Ginny felt shrug beside her, and Ron narrowed his eyes at Hermione, seemingly having made up his mind.

"Fine. But be a bit more careful when you're doing… Any of this…" Ron said, motioning to Ginny's bed with his hand.

"I don't think you should have any say about anything we do, Ron…" Ginny said angrily, Hermione's hand squeezed hers a third time.

"Not just for my sake, but for yours as well! What if Mum and Dad had walked in, huh? You'd have a lot more explaining to do to them than you would to us!" Ron pointed out.

"Where are they, by the way?" Ginny asked, her anger for her brother slowly beginning to subside.

"Stayed to visit with Fred and George and see their new flat. Apparently, Mum was going to give it one last shot at trying to convince them to switch to Ministry work. Fat chance of that I reckon, they seem to be doing more than fine with their shop," Ron mused.

"Back to mine and Ginny's relationship for a moment…" Hermione said, "You two aren't going to tell anyone, are you?"

Harry shook his head no, but Ron furrowed his brow.

"Why not?" he asked, "We head back to Hogwarts in a week, won't you be telling people there?"

Hermione looked at Ginny. They would be telling people in a week, then everyone would know. The right thing to do would be to tell her Mum and Dad, but Ginny certainly didn't want to give up the privilege of sleeping next to Hermione every night, at least not yet.

"We'll tell Mum and Dad soon. Not yet," Ginny responded.

"Why not when they get back? So you can get back to – "

"Do not finish that sentence…" Ginny warned again, grabbing her wand from the top of the bookcase.

Ron froze, eyes wide.

"We would like to figure out how to break the news to them as delicately as possible, that's all…" Hermione added, wrapping her hand firmly around Ginny's wand hand.

Ginny softened at the touch, and looked up at the older girl who was giving her a warning look.

"See Ron? You'd have bats flying out of your nose right now if Hermione wasn't here to tame that infamous Ginny Weasley rage. This relationship is already working out for you," Harry said jokingly.

Upon taking in both Ginny and Hermione's unimpressed looks, the boys decided to depart.

"Alright, we'll keep it to ourselves. Just, don't get caught. I'm not lying to Mum and Dad for you if you do," Ron warned as Harry pushed him out of Ginny's room.

Once the boys were gone, Ginny walked across the room and closed her door, turning to look at Hermione, who had sat down on the bench beneath the window.

"I'm so sorry… I'm sorry they walked in on us, and I'm sorry I got so heated… Ron's just such a…" Ginny gritted her teeth, not being able to come up with the word.

"He's a hypocrite and he's a bit sexist, yes, but he's just being protective of you. It's no different than how the twins told me to take care of you when we were at their shop," Hermione pointed out.

"It certainly feels different."

"That's because you get on with the twins far more than you do with Ron, and he's got a girlfriend that he snogs all over the castle."

"And apparently in the communal family bathroom…" Ginny said. They both laughed, and Ginny joined Hermione sitting beside her on the bench, "I am sorry they walked in on us though…" she added, more seriously now.

"It's alright. We haven't been very careful at all this summer, and honestly, I'm shocked that we lasted this long before getting caught by either them or your parents…"

"No… I'm sorry they walked in because…" Ginny drifted off, heat rising in her cheeks.

Hermione gave her a small smile and gently tucked a few strands of red hair behind her ear before placing a kiss on her slightly swollen pink lips, "I'm sorry we were interrupted too. Was that okay? The way I asked? The way I guided…?"

Ginny felt her cheeks burn red hot now at the memory of Hermione guiding her hand, "Yes, yes, that was okay. More than okay. It was perfect."

She looked up, and Hermione was now grinning at her.

"What?" Ginny asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"You're just so cute," Hermione said, her grin growing bigger as she leaned forward again to kiss Ginny, "But at the same time, so hot. I felt you take control," she said, a smirk forming on her lips.

"Was that okay?" Ginny asked, unsure.

"Of course it was, Ginny," Hermione said, nodding. "If it wasn't, I would've said something. As long as we continue communicating, we'll be just fine, okay?"

Ginny nodded, then put her head on Hermione's shoulder, snuggling into her. Hermione put an arm around her and rubbed Ginny's arm soothingly.

"I love you…" Ginny muttered into Hermione's neck.

"I love you too, Ginny," Hermione responded, kissing the top of her head.

"Oh hey, the mark is gone!" Ginny exclaimed, looking at Hermione's neck.

"Fantastic," Hermione said with a laugh.

Hermione POV

The next few days unfortunately felt like they were flying right by and picking up speed the closer they got to September 1st. They had been good days, spent mostly by the two of them finishing Ginny's chores as quickly as possible, then finding something to do together for the rest of the day, be it flying, going down to the creek, preparing for their upcoming classes, or just laying out in the back garden. They'd made the conscious decision to try and cool off on their more intimate activities, realizing just how lucky they had been that it was Ron and Harry who had walked in on them a few days ago and not Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Hermione couldn't bear to think of how she would've responded to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's reactions. It's not that she didn't think they'd be happy that she and Ginny were together, it was about the lying. They'd lied this entire summer, the entire time that she'd been at the Burrow as their guest. The guilt was starting to get to Hermione, and they'd agreed that they'd let them know about the relationship before they head back to Hogwarts, but days kept going by, and they still hadn't done it yet.

"Ginny, eventually we're going to run out of time…" Hermione said as they were washing and drying dishes after breakfast, "You do realize we catch the Hogwarts Express tomorrow morning?"

"I know…" Ginny muttered.

"I think we should tell them tonight at dinner," Hermione suggested.

Ginny looked up at her, her bright brown eyes reflecting the tiniest bit of sadness, "But what if they make you move rooms?"

Hermione tilted her head giving Ginny a look, "Then we spend one evening apart. We'll survive. This is more important, and you know it."

"I know…" Ginny muttered again, returning her attention back to drying dishes.

Their last day at the Burrow was great. After the chores were done, Ginny and Hermione lounged out in the back garden for the majority of the day, taking in the beautiful late August weather. Crookshanks and Arnold had formed quite the friendship over the last few weeks, and were chasing each other around the garden. As they lay out under a large tree, filtered sunlight streaming through the branches, Hermione rolled to look at Ginny.

"Hmm?" Ginny asked, not looking at her as she had her eyes closed while she lay in the soft, green grass, enjoying the rays of sun warming her skin.

"This was my favorite summer ever," Hermione said.

"Oh yeah?" Ginny asked, looking up at her. "Better than the summer you found out I fancied girls at the Quidditch World Cup?"

Hermione furrowed her brow in slight irritation as Ginny laughed, "I'm being serious, Ginny. This has by far been the best summer I've ever had. And it's all because of you."

Ginny rolled over and smiled, "It's been mine too. Life is just easier with you around, I've found," she said, her smile growing.

Hermione wanted so badly to kiss Ginny right now, but knew she couldn't. In a few hours, they'd tell Ginny's parents about them, and then they'd be free to live their relationship openly. And maybe Ginny's parents wouldn't be too mad? Hopefully…

"Nervous about dinner?" Ginny asked, clearly reading the stress on Hermione's face.

"A bit, yes. I just don't want them to hate me," Hermione admitted nervously.

"Oh, they love you Hermione. They'll be over the moon that the Hermione Granger is dating one of their children."

"What about the lying?"

"Yeah, they won't like that…" Ginny conceded, "But eventually it'll be alright. We'll be going back to Hogwarts tomorrow, so even if it is horrible, it won't be for long…"

Hermione swallowed hard as she rolled back onto her back, looking up at the green leaves seemingly glowing from the sunlight and absolutely hating the idea of Ginny's parents being mad at her.


A few short hours later, Mrs. Weasley was calling everyone out into the garden for one last dinner.

"Ready?" Ginny asked Hermione as she got up from where she'd been lounging on the cot in her room.

"Yes," Hermione said, trying to sound as confident as possible as she placed the new Potions book she was reading on the top of Ginny's bookcase.

"It's going to be okay," Ginny said reassuringly, kissing Hermione. "Really, it will. Besides, it's not as if we're the first to lie to them. My brothers do it all the time!"

Hermione took a deep breath as they left Ginny's room. Once they got out into the garden, they saw that the table was set for eight.

"Who else is coming?" Ginny asked.

"Do you think we wouldn't be here to see you lot off on your journey back to school?" George said, walking out into the garden behind Ginny and Hermione, carrying a large salad.

"Another year of learning, another year of having your minds molded!" Fred added, following George out while carrying a bowl of boiled potatoes.

Hermione and Ginny grinned at the boys, then moved forward to take seats at the table. Hermione sat between Fred and Ginny, while George took one of the spots across from them. Suddenly, Mr. Weasley, Harry, and Ron walked out of the kitchen appearing to be in a very animated conversation, at least from Mr. Weasley's end, which meant it likely had something to do with Muggles. Harry and Ron took seats on either side of George, while Mr. Weasley sat at the head of the table. Finally, Mrs. Weasley settled in on the other end of the table, placing a platter of ham and chicken pie between herself and Fred.

"I just wanted to take a moment to thank Harry and Hermione for joining us this summer. We consider the two of you to be family, like two more of our children, and we love that you are so willing to spend part of your summer holiday with us," Mrs. Weasley said, getting a bit tearful at the end.

Hermione looked up and Ron was staring at her, looking as if he was fighting back a laugh. She'd of course heard what Mrs. Weasley had said, that she considered Hermione to be one of her own children. Wasn't exactly the greatest sentiment considering what she and Ginny would be revealing later on.

"Here, here!" Mr. Weasley added, raising his glass.

"To two more Weasley children!" Fred added, nudging Hermione.

"Bringing the brood to nine!" George chimed in, his eyes sparkling as he shot a look at Hermione.

"Maybe Lavender could bring us to an even ten, eh Ron?" Fred said.

Ron shot Fred a glare, and George, Ginny, and Harry all laughed. Hermione however, did not. She suddenly felt Ginny press her leg up against her own and Hermione looked over at her. Ginny gave her a small smile, letting her know it was okay. Hermione certainly didn't feel like it was going to be okay, but still returned the smile.

Dinner went well. Many stories about Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes were told, to everyone's delight, even Mrs. Weasley's, who had appeared to finally be accepting of her sons' chosen profession. The twins brought up Quidditch and who Harry would be selecting to replace the "massive" holes in the line-up that they left since they'd graduated.

"Sure, you've got Ginny and Demelza covering for Angelina and Alicia, but who could possibly live up to us?" Fred asked in faux-seriousness.

"Maybe ol' McGonagall would let us pop in for a few matches," George suggested, again with the tone of faux-seriousness. "We know how much the Gryffindor Quidditch team means to her."

"Ritchie will be just fine!" Ginny insisted.

"Is that what the standard is these days? 'Just fine'?" Fred asked, eyeing Ginny. Ginny rolled her eyes at him.

"I liked Jimmy Peakes as well at last year's trials, he seemed solid," Harry added.

"But is he Weasley solid, that's the big question!" George exclaimed, pointing a fork with a potato on the end at Harry.

Hermione tuned them out as she focused on the upcoming announcement she and Ginny would have to make. Hopefully the presence of the boys would be helpful, as they all knew and all seemed to be at least somewhat supportive of them.

As the Quidditch conversation started to wane, Mr. Weasley spoke up, "Well, should we get to clearing the table? You lot have got an early start tomorrow morning and a big day!" Mr. Weasley said, beginning to stand up.

Before Hermione was able to say anything, Ginny interjected, "Uh, Dad, hold on a moment…" she said, looking up at her dad.

Mr. Weasley sat back down, looking at Ginny curiously. The boys all exchanged looks as well, and Mrs. Weasley looked concerned.

"What is it, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Um… Well, I'm just going to come out and say it. Hermione and I are together," Ginny said confidently, taking Hermione's hand.

Hermione gave Ginny a small smile, then looked around the table. No one said anything. Ron was looking from his mum to his dad, Fred and George were grinning at each other, and Harry was looking at her and Ginny, smiling proudly. Hermione saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley exchange a brief glance, and then Mr. Weasley spoke up.

"Yes, we know," he said simply.

"Wait, what?" Ron shouted. George elbowed him sharply while Harry shot him a disapproving look.

"We've known for a while now," Mrs. Weasley said nodding, smiling at the girls.

"They've been sneaking around and sharing a room!" Ron exclaimed again, to nasty looks from his brothers and Ginny.

"We just assumed that they'd tell us when they were ready," Mr. Weasley explained, also giving the girls a kind smile.

"What about Mum not wanting them sharing a room when Hermione arrived and announced she was single?" Ron asked angrily, "All that's just out the window now, is it?"

"I spoke to your father about it once we started realizing what was happening between the two of them, and we decided that it was fine. We trust the two of them to make good decisions for themselves and for each other. They're two intelligent, responsible young women, why wouldn't we trust them?"

Ron's jaw nearly hit the table it'd dropped open so fast, to the laughter of Harry, Fred, and George.

"So, you're really okay with this?" Ginny asked, looking from her mum to her dad.

"Of course we are. And we're so glad that you finally decided to tell us," Mr. Weasley said, smiling at his youngest child.

"Your support means so much to us," Hermione said, looking from Mr. to Mrs. Weasley, "I really do consider you to be my second family, and I care so deeply about Ginny."

"We know, dear. Ginny is so lucky to be with such a brilliant and kind young woman such as yourself," Mrs. Weasley said, beginning to tear up again.

"How did you know?" Ginny asked, "How did you know we were together?"

"Well, the two of you aren't exactly subtle…" Mr. Weasley began, "But our suspicions were confirmed the day you were cleaning out the chicken coop. Your mother said that Hermione had gotten bit by a gnome, and you ran over to her faster than she'd ever seen you run before," he smiled. "That, and your mother said that Hermione couldn't keep her eyes off of you after you'd apparently needed to remove your tank top to work…" Mr. Weasley added, raising an eyebrow at Ginny.

Both girls blushed deeply, and Ron interrupted again.

"So, it's all good and fine for them to be checking each other out in broad daylight, but when Lav and I kiss a bit in the privacy of the bathroom, we get reprimanded? How is that fair?" he whined.

Mrs. Weasley glared at him, "It was not a bit of kissing, Ronald Weasley, you were fully groping that girl! In our shared family bathroom! And it was our first day meeting her, where do the two of you get off doing that under our roof after she'd only been here one day? Not exactly respectful, now is it?"

Ginny and Hermione joined in laughing with George, Harry, and Fred at this. Ron glared at them and opened his mouth to likely call them out for what he walked in on the day they all went to Diagon Alley, but Harry bumped Ron hard as he stood with his glass, effectively cutting him off.

"To Ginny and Hermione!" Harry toasted, grinning broadly at them.

"Ginny and Hermione!" Everyone except Ron joined in.

Ginny looked at Hermione with her signature crooked smile and nudged her gently, squeezing her hand. Hermione returned the smile, feeling so relieved that it was over and it had gone well. They got up to start clearing the table, but were waved off by Mrs. Weasley.

"No, no! Ronald can clear the table for being so rude," Mrs. Weasley declared, shooting her youngest son a nasty glare.

"What?" he cried out.

"Oh, come on mate, I'll help," Harry said, clapping Ron on the back harder than he usually does.

Ron gave Harry an irritated look, before begrudgingly starting to stack the plates and carry them back inside to the kitchen. Hermione and Ginny excused themselves and headed up to Ginny's room.

Once inside, Ginny gently closed the door behind them, turning around with a pretty satisfied, yet slightly shocked expression.

"I mean, I'm not sure that could've gone better?" she grinned, closing the gap between them.

"It does feel good knowing they approve and support us," Hermione nodded, looking into Ginny's eyes.

"Approve and support? Hermione, they love you. And they love that we're together. See, I told you! The Hermione Granger has chosen one of their children to date, and they couldn't be happier," Ginny exclaimed, beaming at her.

Hermione blushed, "I mean yes, they do seem quite thrilled," she admitted.

Ginny kissed Hermione gently before pressing her forehead against hers, closing her eyes, "I'm so happy…" she said softly.

Hermione looked at Ginny and smiled, before wrapping her arms around her and burying her head in the crook of her neck, "So am I…" she agreed.