Chapter 42

Ginny POV

The day after the conclusion of the Triwizard Tournament, Ginny rose with the early morning sun. She could feel it filtering through the curtains surrounding her bed, and smiled softly at the bit of warmth it provided as it touched her face. She sat up and stretched, groaning lightly as she did. For a brief moment, she'd forgotten everything that had happened the day before, but suddenly, it came flooding back.

"…Feelings for Weasleys don't just go away…"

Ginny was up and out of her bed before she knew what she was doing. She changed into some jogging shorts, threw a t-shirt over her head, and loosely laced up some trainers before running out the door. She needed to be able to process all of this further, alone.

She ran all the way down to the lake and jogged easily along the shore. While it was still so early in the day, the warmth of the late June sun and the cool air floating across the vast lake created a nice, comfortable environment around her. She stopped as she came across the fallen tree that she and Hermione had sat on during Hermione's birthday. She strode towards the log and sat down, staring out across the lake. She would miss Hogwarts for the two months she'd be gone. While there was nothing quite like the comfort she felt of being at home at the Burrow, being at Hogwarts was surely a close second. Ginny breathed deeply and slowly, taking in the unique combination of water, dirt, summer flowers, and grass that surrounded her as she sat between the lake and the forest. She ran a hand through her long, red hair, and sighed, thinking about what she'd found out last night.

She wasn't sure why she'd never considered Hermione as anything more than a friend before. Of course, she only knew of Hermione as someone who also fancied girls while Hermione was in a relationship, so she hadn't wasted time before thinking about her that way, but she truly was quite a catch. Ginny had noticed that during the weeks they spent together during the summer. It wasn't anything huge, but minor details that Ginny had noticed about the older girl that made her smile, but never think too much about because she'd assumed at the time that Hermione was straight. It was the way the sun glistened across the natural highlights in her hair that she'd gotten from the summer sun. It was how she insisted on continuing to help Ginny collect the chicken eggs every single day despite being chased completely out of the coop the first day by one of their larger, more aggressive chickens – she was adamant that they'd all learn to love her, and of course, she was right. It was the way she took absolutely zero flak from any of the Weasleys, especially the twins, and especially when they were picking on Ginny. It was how her lips moved while she read, the way her brow furrowed when she was deeply engaged in her studies. And most importantly, it was the way that she spoke to Ginny like she was her own person. Ginny was so used to being the youngest Weasley, the only girl amongst a house full of boys, the baby, but Hermione spoke to Ginny and treated her like Ginny, not just some accessory of the Weasley family. Sure, they'd had their differences, but Ginny almost appreciated that more as it felt real and authentic to quarrel with the girl every once in a while.

Ginny paused, wondering how could she know the difference between admiring Hermione as a friend and fancying her. She thought back to the morning after she'd hexed Juliette and Demelza said she wanted to go on a break. When she spoke to Hermione about it and Hermione wiped her tears away, she felt so safe and comfortable. And when Hermione held her face in her hands, kneeling down just in front of her… She felt something, but then Demelza showed up. The feeling she had when watching Hermione and Krum dance at the Yule Ball… The feeing she had sharing a bed with Hermione the night Demelza actually did break up with her… The rage she felt seeing Juliette and Hermione together… The rage that elevated even further at the mention of Juliette and Hermione getting back to…

Ginny blinked furiously and looked back over the lake, trying to calm herself down as she'd gotten angry again just at the memory. But since that moment in Hogsmeade, she'd calmed significantly about the two of them being together. She even sort of liked Juliette as she'd started showing her kindness out on the Quidditch pitch, of course with a dash of smugness here and there. And Harry was right, Hermione was happy, she couldn't ruin that, even if she did think she'd be a better match for Hermione than Juliette.

I'd be a better match for Hermione than Juliette?

Ginny ran a hand furiously through her long red hair and put her head in her hands.

Why did I have to know about any of this? Why did Ron have to say that?

She thought about the conversation she'd had with Hermione just moments before she found out all of this.

Juliette had helped her through a hard time… Is there any way that I'm not the hard time she was referring to? If so, then why would she have told me to try things out with Demelza? Why wouldn't she have just said something, anything to me about her fancying girls or even liking me? Why would she push me away?

Ginny shook her head, as if she was trying to shake all of the thoughts out of her head.

Harry's right. Hermione is happy with Juliette, and I don't have a right to ruin that. I don't even know how I feel about her, so it wouldn't be worth it. I'm sure Hermione would be glad if I'd never brought up our conversation from yesterday again, and we can just continue on, as friends…

Ginny chewed on her bottom lip, noticing that tears were starting to form in her eyes.

Just friends…

Ginny remained on the log for a few moments longer, calming herself down and waiting until the tears had subsided, before she started jogging back to the castle. She had been so busy the past month with studying that she hadn't had the chance to meet with Juliette to discuss the training regimen she had agreed to program for her, so when she'd had the rare chance of Hermione allowing her a break from studying, she'd used that time running. She could definitely feel a difference, too, in her endurance now that she'd stuck with it for a month. She'd leaned out a bit, and her muscles, especially the ones in her legs, were starting to become more prominent and defined. She felt good, confident, and was looking forward to taking the summer to begin training seriously. As she jogged along, she smiled, realizing she'd found a perfect distraction for her thoughts about Hermione – she could throw herself into training for Quidditch and preparing for next year's Quidditch trials. After all, they were right at the beginning of the term, so the summer would be a perfect time to polish her skills and get into as good a shape as possible.

The memory of Juliette stating Ginny needed to add muscle for Quidditch burst into her brain as she remembered what she'd said: "…ze girls like muscles, too…"

Surely, Hermione must find muscles attractive if she's with Juliette… Ginny thought as she started to sprint up the remaining lakeshore towards the castle, pushing her body to its limit. Minutes later as she arrived at the castle doors, she nearly collapsed up against them, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. She could feel her abs contracting as she breathed heavily, and she smiled.

Surely Hermione does find muscles attractive, she thought as she entered the castle, and headed off to clean herself up for breakfast.


Later that day, Ginny finally managed to catch up with Juliette. As she walked toward the girl, who was just outside of the Beauxbatons carriage, chatting with some of her classmates, Ginny took in her appearance. Because Ginny had eyes that worked, she was well aware of how physically attractive Juliette was. The June sun had darkened her skin to a deep, golden tan, her hazel eyes sparkled as she laughed along with her classmates, and her white teeth seemed to glisten against the backdrop of her darkened skin. Her dark, shiny hair was plaited intricately in three rows running the length of her head, and the rest had been pulled back with a hair tie, loosely and effortlessly laying over one shoulder. She was wearing short athletic shorts and a racerback tank-top, her apparent outfit of choice during the hot summer days, which showed off her lean muscular body. Suddenly, that body was moving towards Ginny, and Ginny started as she realized Juliette had undoubtedly noticed that she was looking at her.

"'ello Ginny, I assume you were looking for me? Alzough, I could introduce you to ze girls 'oo may be interested in you, if you would like…" she smiled, with just a tiny hint of a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth.

"I – What? No, I mean - Yes, I was looking for you. I was wondering if you had the training plan we'd discussed?" Ginny stuttered, blushing lightly but trying to fight it off.

"Ah, yes. I was zinking I was going to 'ave to give it to 'Ermione to give to you, as she 'as kept you plenty busy zese past few weeks with all of ze studying. She even cancelled a few of our plans to make sure zat you were fully prepared for your exams," Juliette said, raising an eyebrow, as she pulled a piece of light blue parchment from her shorts pocket.

"Oh I – I didn't know that," Ginny said, processing what Juliette had just said.

"It is fine. After all, she is going to come stay with me for a few weeks in France zis summer, so I guess I cannot complain if she does not spend every second with me zese last few weeks," Juliette shrugged, the smirk still pulling at her lips.

Ginny's heart sank and a touch of anger stabbed at her stomach, but she didn't dare let any of these emotions show on her face. Instead, she took a deep breath, and smiled the best she could at Juliette.

"I'm sure she'll love that. She can spend a few weeks with you, and then finish out the summer with me."

Ginny didn't know where the bravery came from or why she felt the need to say that, but something had switched inside of her, and even better, she thought she saw a twitch of emotion in Juliette's hazel eyes as she said it.

"Sounds like she will 'ave a very busy summer, my 'Ermione…" Juliette said softly, smiling down at Ginny, "Anyway, 'ere is your training plan. It is extensive and it will push you far beyond your comfort levels, which is why I 'ave included mandatory rest days throughout," she stared at Ginny, raising her eyebrows, "Mandatory rest days, or you can get 'urt. Do you understand?"

Ginny took the light blue parchment from Juliette and looked it over. It was incredibly detailed and difficult, but she had no doubt it would be effective.

She looked up, "Thank you Juliette, sincerely. Maybe someday I'll have everything that you have," she said, staring intently into Juliette's hazel eyes, eyes that used to rattle her with one simple glance.

Juliette raised her eyebrows, looking at Ginny curiously, "Maybe Ginny, we will 'ave to wait and see," she said before walking off to rejoin her classmates over by the carriage.

What in the bloody hell was that?! What am I playing at?! Ginny thought as she walked back up to the castle.