Chapter Text
Ginny has waited all summer for the 1st of August, for two main reasons. Number One being that Harry Potter would be back at the Burrow for the last month of summer, and while it was a tedious process to try not to embarrass yourself in front of your long term crush, spending four weeks with your long term crush was a win. Number Two, being that Hermione Granger would be back at the Burrow. Ginny always learned about fun muggle trends from Hermione, and she would bring muggle magazines (and newspapers for her father) for the two of them to look through together. It was nice to have another girl in the house besides her mum.
Ginny always found the various magazines fun to read, especially fashion trends and some of the silly advice that the magazine gave to the girls about how to get boyfriends. Maybe this year's magazine would feature something about wanting your brother's best mate.
Ginny runs down the stairs taking them two at a time, hugging Hermione tightly. She had arrived early that morning, Harry would arrive that evening, assuming there were no hiccups transporting him.
Hermione and her had gone straight up the stairs after pleasantries were exchanged. “So did you write to Harry any this summer? Or are you still too shy?” Hermione hums. Hermione always sounded expectant, as if she knew Ginny would say no.
“Hermione! It isn’t that simple, he isn’t expecting a letter from me and it would be weird,” She groans, sitting on the bed, pulling her knees up.
“It is that simple. Harry isn’t going to see you write a letter and suddenly know you’ve liked him since you were 10 years old. Trust me, if he was any bit observant, he’d have noticed a long time ago.” Hermione giggles, sitting on the bed. “And if he did, it would be the best thing to happen to either of you,” She groans.
Hermione had the unique position of watching Harry stare at Ginny and seemingly have no idea why his eyes always wandered to the redhead if she was in the room. Then, she got to listen to Ginny wax poetic about how there was no way Harry could like her, so much so that she suffered through a fling with Dean Thomas to try and get over Harry. It hadn’t worked. Just like Hermione had told Ginny it wouldn’t work.
Ginny flushed and looked at Hermione. “He doesn’t like me, there is no way.” She sighed. Ginny simply couldn’t imagine it, Harry seemed obsessed with Cho last year. Clearly, she was not his type.
“Ginny, you are not serious.” She groans, “Besides, I’ve worked up a plan!” Hermione giggles, showing her a list from one of the stupid magazines. 10 Ways to Make the First Move
Ginny screeches, wide eyed looking at Hermione like she has grown 3 heads. “You’re bonkers! Absolutely bonkers!” She says, shaking her head. “No way!”
Hermione giggles, “Come on, you have a month to do it! What’s the worst that could happen?” She says, shaking her head.
Ginny felt like a million different images flashed through her head all at once. Harry pulling away from her looking disgusted, Harry saying she was a stupid girl for thinking that was even a possibility, Harry laughing at her and telling everyone at school, Ron laughing at her, Fred and George laughing at her, it was all a montage of embarrassment flying through her head.
“A lot could happen,” is the phrase her mouth settles on as she looks up at Hermione.
Hermione nods, “A lot could happen, it could all work out.” Hermione grins, and it does stop Ginny in her tracks. That simple reframe gave Ginny a bit more confidence, and she very well could regret not ever taking the shot.
Then, Ginny had a thought. A lot of the focus was on her, but what about Hermione? Ginny was not the only one crushing on someone, Hermione Granger had confessed to Ginny on the train at the end of the term that something had happened in 5th year, that she wished Ron saw her as something more than a friend and a tutor. It was all complicated in Hermione’s head.
“And what about you, Hermione? If I’m taking a chance with Harry, are you going to take a shot with Ron?” Ginny grins, it reaches her eyes. She knows she’s caught Hermione.
Maybe, it will deter Hermione. At the very least, they may both make fools of themselves together. Though, Ginny knows that isn’t true. Ron had a similar epiphany about Hermione during his fourth year, but has been too insecure to act on it, thinking he is too dense to be worth Hermione’s attention. Ginny would never betray Hermione’s crush though, just like she had not betrayed hers to Harry.
It’s Hermione’s turn to blush now, and it reaches all over her face, across her cheeks. Hermione leans forward, pushing her hand against Ginny’s mouth, “Hush! Ron’s room is so close!” She hisses, glaring at Ginny, but there’s no malice in her words.
Ginny giggles against Hermione’s hand. Hermione pulls away. “Fine, we both have to make moves by the end of the summer,” Hermione says, her voice making it sound like a simple enough thing to do. Ginny knows better, Hermione just cannot back down from a challenge, especially one that is as logical as Ginny’s.
Ginny grins at her, “And if we don’t?”
“Well, then, I guess the other can tell the boy who fancies them,” Hermione snips, and Ginny giggles.
“Deal,” She grins and shakes Hermione’s hand.
But Ginny now knows she has to make a move in the next 31 days, because Hermione absolutely will, for no reason other than needing to tell Ron on her own terms. She would rather die than let Ginny do it.