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Hermione granger was nose deep into a large volume of ‘Potion making today’, the only sounds she could hear was her own quill scratching onto the paper in an even speed. Every few minutes she could hear Harry jot down a few notes as he skimmed a large tome as well. Harry and Hermione had found themselves in the Library together more in fifth year then they had any other year, what with Harry being banned from quidditch.
Hermione looked up as she heard the sounds of a chair being pulled back, and a smile easily came to her face at the familiar sweep of long fiery red hair alerted her to Ginny’s arrival. She was wet and still in her Quidditch clothes, but she had a smile for both Harry and Hermione still. “Alright Harry.” she greeted.
“How was Practice?” Hermione asked looking back at her essay.
Ginny made a disparaging noise before groaning “don’t ask.” As she sank into the chair next to Hermione.
“That bad?” Ginny just nodded in agreement.
“And it’s poring out there, but Angelina wouldn’t call off practice for anything short of murder.” Harry sighed and looked out the window, it was clear that Harry would have given anything to have been out in the rain riding his broom with the team. Ginny changed the subject “what are you working on then Hermione?”
“Potions” Hermione said as she looked back down to her books. “I don’t know how I am going to finish all this and my arithmancy before tomorrow.” she had only finished saying this when she felt the warm fingers of Ginny slowly pushing her hair back out of her face as she leaned over her books.
“Not sure, but you always look so beautiful when you're concentrating.” Hermione looked up and just stared at Ginny, who just smiled back. Hermione looked at Harry, who hadn’t even looked up from his own work at Ginny’s odd compliment.
Ginny stretched and said she was going up to take a shower and change, as she was leaving Hermione could hear Madam Pince calling after Ginny for entering the Library wet.
Hermione sat in silence for a minute going over the conversation she had just had with Ginny, after a minute she glanced up “Harry, do you think Ginny was flirting with me?”
“Yes.” Harry answered immediately before he looked awkward and scratched his head. Saying “when Ginny liked me, she was intimidated by me. She is not intimidated by you.” Hermione opened her mouth like a fish and closed it before suddenly saying “it seems weird, too sudden.”
“Sudden?” Harry sounded amused before asking incredulously “This can’t be the first time you noticed.” Hermione’s Eyebrows scrunched together as she thought, Her and Ginny had always been friends, and Hermione found that they were continually growing closer. After all Hermione had shared Ginny's bedroom for more than one summer, apart from Harry and Ron, Ginny was Hermione’s closest friend. Harry brought Hermione’s attention back to him when he spoke again “well, pay attention, I can’t believe I am saying this to you, this honestly sounds like something you would say to Ron or me but, just watch how Ginny acts differently to you then she does to anyone else. We are all friends, right?”
“Right” Hermione said hesitantly, she felt slightly dazed for a second as her mind raced through the last few interactions she had had with Ginny, nothing had seemed unusual or stand out about them she could vaguely remember Ginny complaining about a transfiguration essay but she hadn’t flirted with her then, had she?”
Hermione was surprised, she was fairly confident that she could not have missed one of her best friends having a crush on her as Harry seemed to be insinuating. Hermione found it impossible to continue staring at the Potion’s assignment with the thought of Ginny sticking to the sides of her brain. Hermione suggested that they pack up and the pair of them went up to Gryffindor tower. Ginny greets them at the entry hall, pulling Hermione in for a hug, as she always did when they met up. Harry raised his eyebrows at Hermione over Ginny’s shoulder. But that was stupid Hermione thought, Hugging a friend as a greeting isn’t weird and it's not necessarily romantic. Ginny slung her arm over Hermione’s shoulders steering them to the couch next to the fire where Ron is playing a game of Wizard Chess against Dean.
Hermione and Ginny settled onto the couch and Ginny pulled Hermione over so she could wrap her arm around her. Hermione breathed in fresh Soap and Ginny’s flowery perfume, an involuntary smile coming to her lips as she leaned into Ginny’s arm, snuggling down. Hermione trailed her hand down Ginny’s arm that was around her neck, in the past few weeks of Ginny playing quidditch her arms had become more muscular and toned.
Ginny started complaining about that piece of transfiguration homework again until Hermione told her she should wait till fifth year to complain. Hermione would have thought nothing of her behavior if she hadn’t turned her head slightly and caught Harry’s eye. He looked incredibly smug, and it took Hermione a minute to realize Harry thought the way she was sitting was weird.
But it wasn’t different, Hermione had done this at least a dozen times, and it was natural. Hermione was lost in her thoughts thinking about the girl next to her when she felt soft fingers pushing her hair back, Hermione looked up into Ginny’s blue eyes, they were startlingly close to Hermione’s face as Ginny had leaned over Hermione to speak to her. Running her hand soothingly though Hermione’s Hair before asking “so what is on the ‘Prettiest Prefect’s mind?” Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled, she couldn’t help it Hermione could feel a slight blush heating her cheeks. Hermione risked a glance back at Ginny, Ginny had a grin now, she raised her eyebrows it looked almost in surprise.
“I’m just tired from all that studying.”
“Speaking of being tired, I am exhausted from practice, I’m off to bed.” When Ginny said this Hermione came to the realization that both of Ginny's arms were around her still and that she was half on her lap. Ginny leaned down and kissed Hermione on the cheek, Hermione could feel her face and neck heating up, her cheek was burning where the small kiss had been placed. Ginny was somehow gracefully untangling herself from Hermione while saying “sweet dreams, see you at breakfast.” Everyone was quiet until Ginny had disappeared up the steps to the Girls Dormitory.
“Well” Said Harry.
“What?” Hermione tried to say but she had a feeling Harry was trying to talk about Ginny again.
“Did you see what I mean, how she treats you differently?”
“No, it was just like normal.”
“Yeah, that is how she normally treats you, but she doesn’t treat other people that way.” Ron added.
“We are just close.”
“Me and Harry are close and you don’t see us giving each other goodnight kisses.” as Ron said this he leaned over, turning his face exposing his cheek to Harry saying “come kiss me night night Harry.”
“I get what your saying. But you don’t understand, girls are like that sometimes.” Hermione argued.
“Ok, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.” Harry and Ron changed the topic of conversation and Hermione went to bed wondering what on earth Ron could have meant by “don’t say we didn’t warn you.”
When Hermione woke up her mind was firmly back on studies and she didn’t even think about the previous day's conversations, instead she was going over what might be on her arithmancy test after breakfast.
Hermione sat down in her usual spot next to Ginny. Hermione sat there for a second and looked down at the familiar sight, Ginny had poured Hermione’s favorite herbal tea into a cup for her and buttered her several slices of toast. Hermione looked up and smiled. Ginny had done this for her several times before. Ginny looked at her and said “you’d better eat something Hermione, you have that test you’ve been studying for this morning right?” Hermione nodded and felt Ginny run her hand down her back in a soothing motion, “I know you're going to do wonderfully, Hermione.”
“Thank you” Hermione said as she picked up a piece of toast and started to eat. She was rather touched that Ginny had remembered something small like this, especially because most everyone found her annoying when she got stressed from testing.
“Anything for you” Ginny said, Hermione looked at her and Ginny let out a laugh softly. Hermione nodded and stuffed more toast into her mouth. She spent the remainder of class reviewing Arithmancy, not thinking about Ginny, and definitely not thinking about that soft little laugh.
Hermione thought she had done well on the test and she was still in high spirits as she was leaving her next class Defense Against the Dark Arts. They were walking down the hall when Ginny joined Harry, Ron and Hermione. As they walked Ginny reached out and took Hermione’s books she was holding.
Hermione gave them to her without thinking and then paused, butting into the conversation, as it had turned to the latest Chuddley Cannons score. “You took my books.” Hermione stated it like a question.
“Yeah… I always carry your books.” Ginny was grinning at her, she cocked her head to the side and smiled at her “or didn’t you notice”.
“Of course I notice!” and it was true, now that Hermione thought about it Ginny had carried her books for her before when she was really tired or something, when had it changed to ‘always’.
Hermione looked over at Ron and Harry, they were both looking in different directions, staring at nothing, Harry had a stupid grin on his face. Ginny picked up the cuddly cannons conversation with Ron and walked with them down to the great Hall for Lunch. She put Hermione’s book on the table and squeezed her shoulder before saying goodbye and she went to sit with some friends farther along the table.
Hermione watched her food materialize in front of her as she thought. “It is true that Ginny treats me differently than other people, but what exactly does that mean?” And what if Ginny did like her? How would she like that? Hermione thought about it.
She thought about what it would be like to date Ginny, Hermione blushed as she imagined longer hugs, soft kisses, playful smiles that belong to her. Hermione and Ginny already told each other almost everything they were best friends, but as Hermione imagined more with Ginny, and she was honest with herself, she wanted more.
Hermione looked up from her still empty plate and looked over to a Ron who was currently stuffing his face full of mashed potato. “What did you mean last night when you said “don’t say we didn’t try to warn you?”” Hermione asked.
“When?” Ron managed to ask around his mouth full of potatoes.
“About Ginny, you said that last night,” Hermione demanded.
“Warn you that Ginny is wooing you I would Imagine” It was George. He sat down grinning as Fred took a seat next to Hermione.
“And a finer job done, I have never seen!” Fred said.
“Knock it off you guys!” Hermione spat out
“Your normally so smart Hermione, but I guess this just goes to show that everyone has their weakness, Ah, Love.” George said, making Harry and Ron choke on their food.
Hermione scowled at them and started to load up her plate of food. The group took Hermione’s glares seriously and steered the conversation to safer waters and Hermione went back to brooding.
The sun had set and the sky was quickly darkaing, Hermione was in the library still. She had her potions book open and she was slowly writing an essay, it was taking longer then normal.
“You're still in here?”
Hermione turned around to see Ginny striding over to her little desk in the back. “Yeah, just trying to finish up. What are you doing?”
“Looking for you of course.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing, I just didn’t see you after dinner.” Ginny sank into the chair opposite her. “I didn’t get the chance to ask earlier, how was the test?”
“Oh, I think I did alright.”
“That’s my girl! I knew you could do it.” Ginny winked at Hermione, who quickly looked away but couldn’t stop the smile that sprang to her face. Hermione risked a glance at Ginny. Ginny’s head was tilted to the side and she had a strange smile, hermione had no idea what she was thinking.
“Thank you.” Hermione sighed before saying “I guess I’ll have to finish this in the common room.” she packed way her things.
As they stood to leave Ginny said “you look beat Mione, let me carry your bag.” She picked up Hermione's very heavy bag and they set off back up to the tower. Ginny linked there arms and with a smile they set off walking. They fell into easy conversation about Arnold the pigmy puff.
The Pair soon found themselves out side of the portrait of the fat lady. Hermione opened her mouth to say the password when Ginny spoke unexpectedly “hey, Hermione.”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Do you want to come to the game with me tomorrow?”
“Uh, it’s Slytherin and…”
“Ravencalw, come on, it will be fun.”
“I normally only go if Gryffindor’s playing,” Hermione said. She could see the disappointment on Ginny’s face so she said, “but I’d love to go if it's with you.” Ginny beamed at her and nodded as they entered the common room both slightly pink in the face.
The next day Hermione fidgeted with her clothes, she was wearing her robes of course but she spent a little extra time getting ready. She was glad she did, because when she met Ginny in the Common room, she took her breath away. “Wow, Ginny, you look so good” Ginny had clearly dressed to impress today.
“And you're beautiful as always” the Redhead said as she pulled her into a hug that lasted for only a heartbeat. They went to the great Hall to get breakfast before heading out for the game.
It was a gray day, with chilly blustery winds. Ginny and Hermione linked arms and huddled together as they walked down to the quidditch stands. They followed the crowd onto the Ravenclaw side and found a nice seat. “Hermione, are your hands cold?”. As Hermione rubbed them together she felt warm fingers glide across the back of her hand. Ginny rubbed her hands over Hermione’s in an effort to warm them.
Hermione’s words that she brought a jar for portable fire died on her lips. “Thank you, that's better.” she said instead. Hermione threaded her fingers through Ginny’s, interlocking their fingers.
Ginny had a slightly smug smile before saying “look, they are starting,” she used her free hand to point to the field.
Ginny loved quidditch, she was on the edge of her seat, she would stand and yell, boo the Slytherins and jump when Raven claw scored. Every time Ginny would return to her seat, she would casually pick up Hermione’s hand and continue holding it. How on earth Ginny accomplished that level of casualness Hermione simply could not fathom. Throughout the game Hermione was reminded again and again of how beautiful Ginny was.
In the end Hermione did have a lot of fun with Ginny watching the game, but because of that Hermione had to adjust her homework schedule and she spent the entire rest of the weekend trying to catch up, but Hermione couldn’t help but to think it was worth it.
Going to the game had an unexpected bonus that materialized when Ginny came up to Hermione, Ron and Harry in the hallway, she took Hermione’s book from her hand like she always did, but the unexpected thing was that Ginny then grabbed Hermione's hand, interlocking their fingers. Hermione blinked a few times before she felt the smile slide up her face. Hermione didn’t bother looking at her two other best friends; she knew what their facial expressions would look like already and she didn’t care.
It was late on Sunday afternoon when Hermione set out to find Ginny. She knew Ginny was probably in the Library and she wasn’t surprised to find her on Hermione’s favorite desk in the back. Hermione sat down next to Ginny and leaned forward. Ginny looked at her curiously, Hermione pushed herself mentally and she felt herself move, leaning in farther so their faces were only an inch or so apart, blue eyes looked into brow and they were quiet just staring into each others eyes for several seconds until Ginny’s eyes fluttered closed and Hermione slowly moved forward, closing the gap between them. Ginny’s lips were soft and tasted sweet.
Hermione let herself be carried away, surrounded by the smell of flowers and old books. Ginny had just placed her hand on Hermione’s neck, her thumb tracing her throat when there was the sound of another throat clearing and a sharp voice pierced their quiet corner. “ Mrs. Granger, I really thought better of you!” Hermione shot away from Ginny gasping and starting to apologize, Ginny started laughing, unable to help herself. Hermione and Ginny grabbed their stuff and ran out as the awful Librarian chased them from the wing while continually berating them for public indecency.
Ginny was still laughing when they came to a stop, Hermione was clutching her side as if running the short distance had greatly tired her. “You alright?” She asked Hermione.
“Yeah,” she gasped. When Hermione straightened up Ginny took her hand and held a tapestry back so Hermione could go up the hidden stairs, Hermione went up with Ginny following behind her.
Hermione had only gone a few steps when she felt Ginny tugging her around, Hermione turned jumping at surprise to find Ginny was on the same step as her, and close to her. Hermione glanced up and down the deserted stairwell as Ginny moved still closer.
Hermione moved her hand up to the side of Ginny’s fiery hair and ran her fingers though it before running her hands over the back of Ginny’s head, she tangled her fingers there as she pulled the girl closer to her they rested their foreheads together for a moment softly smiling at each other before their lips met in a kiss .
Being held by Ginny was very familiar to Hermione, they had hugged and cuddled together many times, but this still felt different, somehow, unbelievably better. Hermione pulled Ginny closer and separated from the kiss, wrapping her arms around her. Both Girls giggled together happily for a minute before Ginny said in only a slightly more serious voice, “I see you noticed me, finally.”
Hermione always had an answer for everything but this situation with Ginny really seemed to be slowing down her brains. It was so frustrating to be unable to find the right words to speak, this never happened to her. She stared back at Ginny, a slight flush creeping in, still tongue tied.
“So?” Ginny confidently asked a flustered Hermione.
“What?” Hermione asked without thinking
“We are girlfriends now right?” Hermione let out a slight laugh and smiled, closing the short distance between herself and her girlfriend, ensnaring the redhead in her embrace and crashing their lips together in silent agreement. The new Girlfriends stayed in the deserted stairwell until curfew chased them back into the common rooms.