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Ginny tried not to let her jaw drop open when she spotted Hermione appear over the hill, a vision of beauty in her summer dress - a dusty blue shade with a dangerously low V neck and a split in the front which parted, allowing Hermione's golden tan to peek through with her every stride. Ginny felt her face go slack in shock. She had been in the store when Hermione purchased the dress, only days before in Muggle London, and yet that did not prepare her for Hermione to arrive, at the annual Weasley Beltane gathering, the embodiment of Aphrodite.
A deep flush spread from Ginny's crown and ended at the juncture of her neck. She could not help but think that Hermione continued to age like the finest Elf-Made Wine with each passing year. Ron sauntered into her periphery vision from her left, smothering his laughter with a fake cough.
"Talk to her, Gin. Do us all a favour, will you?"
Ginny fixated her brother with a glare, that once upon a time would have sent him scarpering, and muttered that he should mind his own business.
The Weasley Beltane gathering was a grand affair with scores of Weasleys, relatives and life-long friends celebrating the start of summer, using rituals to bring positive energy for the new season. Bill and Fleur arranged the perfect music for dancing. Charlie, visiting from Europe, entertained the children with tales that made Mrs Weasley scowl. Hermione, who had forgone a Ministry career and opted to spend her days healing at St Mungo's, approached each individual with a May basket overflowing with flowers and in a gesture of goodwill gifted them with the most suitable flower.
Hermione wove matching crowns of Rowan Fruits for Ron and Harry - the newly engaged couple - to serve as a charm against dark sorcery and to protect them on their lifelong journey together. Her explanation caused Harry to tear up and pull her into a crushing embrace.
Arthur and Molly received adornments made of marsh-marigold, a symbol of grief and rebirth, as they held Fred Weasley II.
Young Teddy Lupin was gifted a bouquet of primrose, he matched his hair accordingly causing Andromeda to laugh.
Xenophilius and Luna Lovegood were gifted Hawthorn seeds to plant along the Rookery's boundary, they delighted at being able to attract the Fae to their residence.
The hours whittled by, and Ginny continued to watch Hermione from a distance, a delicate smile dancing at the edge of her lips. She felt her mind become fuzzy, a side effect that Elf-Made Wine brought on and moved along the tables to find water. Ron and George scurried past her, arms full of Whiz Bangs and kindling to start the bonfires. She wished that she dared to pursue Hermione. The almost kiss that they shared at Hogwarts haunted her. Ginny had since dated with abandon; Dean Thomas, Demelza Robins and International bachelor Blaise Zabini all made her hit list. Sadly, none of them were the right fit. They did not smell like jasmine, their eyes were never the right shade and they always fizzled out.
Hermione never mentioned their almost kiss in all the years that passed, she never treated Ginny any different. It was as if it never happened. Hermione had not been reported to be dating in the Daily Prophet gossip columns, Rita Skeeter had learnt her lesson and refused to publish any articles on the Golden Girl's romance. Even Mrs Weasley's nagging did not crack the great vault of secrets that remained Hermione Granger's love life. Lost in her musing, Ginny failed to notice that Hermione now stood in front of her.
She blinked. Hermione blinked too.
There it was, that particular shade of honey.
"Did you think that I might have forgotten you?" Hermione asked, one arm hidden behind her back, her tan shimmering under the setting sun. Ginny fought the urge to lean forward and inhale - would she still smell like fresh jasmine?
When Ginny did not answer Hermione's question, the curly-haired witch giggled and it made her eyes shine.
"These, are for you." In Hermione's grasp was an ostentatious arrangement of peonies, shades that Ginny had never before seen, inserted amongst the peonies were flowers that were yet to bloom. Ginny wondered what they could be.
"Hermione, these are - wow - stunning."
"I hoped you might think so," Hermione said, stepping forward. "In some places, these represent bravery and honour and in others, they symbolise compassion, bashfulness - romance."
Ginny froze, hand outstretched. Ginny briefly wonders if she misheard.
"You changed everything for me, do you know that?" Hermione continued. "I knew I wasn't keen on Ronald - Thank Merlin for that, he deserves his happiness with Harry - but I resigned myself, mentally, to the life of a spinster."
Ginny wished that she could move but she did not wish to break Hermione's monologue. She watched and listened, attentively.
"Cormac confirmed my theory." Hermione visibly shuddered at the mere mention of his name. "Luna was sweet but sadly, she wasn't right. Parvarti was close, she had the passion I needed. But you, Gin, you set me alight."
Hermione had edged close enough to Ginny that the smell of jasmine overpowered her, she felt like a startled first year.
"I hope that you understand my intentions and I hope that you accept them. Many happy returns this Beltane."
Ginny turned her neck, mouth open to give thanks when she collided with Hermione. This kiss, much like the first, was brief. This kiss, unlike the first, was not an almost kiss. Hermione slanted her lips over Ginny's and smiled.
The sun rose, the following morning, illuminating the peonies that adorned Ginny's kitchen window, petals of red roses peeked from the buds yet to fully blossom.
Hermione's summer dress was discarded carelessly on the kitchen floor.