Hello, everyone, and welcome to the first fic I've written in years. Constructive criticism is encouraged, so don't be shy. I hope you like it!

I would like to remind you that this IS femmeslash. The rating will be for later chapters, though there's a taste in here.

Disclaimer: I do not, repeat, DO NOT own Harry Potter. If anything, he owns me... ;)

Whoever said it was darker in the winter was a filthy liar.

I was personally offended by the brightness of the sun shining through my sheer curtains. After the night I'd had, I was not interested in a bigger headache than the one I already had. But we can't always get what we want.

I stretched my arms in front of me, refusing to open my eyes. As I reached blindly for the sheets to cover my head, I noticed that I was naked. It wasn't particularly surprising to me, except that it was too cold on Boxing Day to sleep in the nude. Curiously enough, though, I was rather comfortable. I tugged on the sheets, but they were likely caught on the mattress and wouldn't budge. I groaned a little out of frustration.

Figures, I thought to myself. I put my arm over my face to block some of the light.

I thought back on the night before. My parents had had their usual Christmas celebration at the Burrow. It was the first time since the war that the entire family was able to get together in one place. We had all been busy cleaning up the Dark Lord's mess and trying to form the wizarding world into some semblance of normalcy for the better part of three years. When we all finally came together, it had been magical.

So magical, in fact, that my headache was getting worse. My arm wasn't providing much relief. With a sigh, I reached behind me, over the large, soft lump in my sheets, for my wand on the opposite nightstand. A quick wand-less accio delivered the object into my hand. I pointed it at the window and froze.

My eyes shot open. Instantly, I winced against the bright light pouring through my bedroom window. I rolled over gently to inspect the lump that should not have been in my bed.

A mass of brown hair gave way to the creamy skin of a slender neck. The sheets were pulled tightly around her shoulders, obscuring her feminine curves from my view. Overall, it was a beautiful sight to wake up to. Except that I was somewhat confused as to how Hermione Granger ended up in my bed. Probably naked.

I sat up quickly, racking my brain for answer. I remembered arriving at the party to some fanfare; I'd just played and won a great game of Quidditch. I remembered leaning down to hug my mother and hearing her whisper in my ear how nice it was to see me. Even though she'd seen me the week before, I smiled and nodded. It always made her happy. Hermione had already arrived, and Harry was a few moments behind me. I remembered George suggesting Firewhiskey shots. Bill and Charlie had joined in while Percy looked on disapprovingly. Even our dad had a shot, and he took it like a professional.

I had heard yelling sometime after that. I never caught the subject because things were starting to blur for me at that point. Then, Hermione had grabbed my hand and side-alonged us to my front step.

I remembered tears, lots of tears. And quite a bit of hugging. And then... Nothing. My memory was curiously dark at that point.

Not helping, I thought. If I'm naked in bed with the woman I've come to love, I'd like to know how it happened.

I turned to the sleeping form next to me, only to find that she was awake and smiling at me. As soon as my eyes met hers, it hit me like an errant bludger.

Heat. Soft kisses quickly increasing in intensity. The feel and taste of soft skin under my hands and lips. Teeth nipping at my own skin. Pleasurable pain from fingernails scratching down my back. Heavy breathing, whispered words in my ear. Pliant skin giving in under my fingers...

A jolt of heat pulsed through my body and I felt my ears and face redden. I blinked and swallowed the lump in my throat. Hermione's grin widened. I licked my lips as she slowly sat up, holding the sheet to her chest in modesty. She slid forward, even with me, and slid the hand that wasn't covering herself into mine. I watched her carefully.

"Hi," I rasped after a moment of silence, clearing my throat out of nerves. She rested her lips on my shoulder.

"Morning," she whispered. She kissed my shoulder lightly. My slowly-receding blush flared again.

We didn't say anything else of several moments. My mind was racing to find something to say that wouldn't sound completely awkward, but she beat me to it.

"Why are you awake so early on Boxing Day?" I swallowed again.

"The sun was really bright," I mumbled lamely. Hermione's lips curved against my shoulder and I felt her gently shake with laughter.

"Why is that funny?" She merely giggled more.

"I don't particularly know!" Her laughter finally bubbled over and she threw her head back slightly.

I smiled then, my nerves melting away. If she wasn't unhappy to be next to me, I would not complain. So I laughed with her for a few minutes. She never released my hand, and I wouldn't have asked her to. Even if it wasn't the most ideal way to end up together, I would cherish her. I decided in that moment of levity that I would not let her go again.

Her laughter died out and she locked her light brown eyes with mine, the smile on her face sliding into a gentle curve of the lips. I had never seen her smile that smile before, and I hoped it was only for me.

"I meant what I said last night, you know." She kept her eyes on mine, even as my eyebrow cocked. "Even it didn't start out on the right foot, I'm glad it ended the way it did."

I couldn't help the foolish grin that spread across my face then. I knew I looked like a child in Honeydukes, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Hermione smiled with me, her eyes sparkling brightly.

"Ginny, I honestly think I love you."