Author's note: This is a fic I wrote a few years ago, and only just got up the courage to post it. I am posting it all in one go, so I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 1

"Bloody hell, Harry. It's my life. I get to decide what I do with it!" I yelled at my fiancé, the man who was supposed to support my decisions.

"No, Ginny. It's just too dangerous." Harry replied with that irritating overly patient tone of his.

"Look, just because you lost your drive after you stopped Voldemorte, it doesn't mean that we don't still need good people to stop the rest of the Death Eaters. I am going into Auror training. And nothing you can say will stop me. I'm not fragile. I won't break. And I need to fight. I've been training for this since my 4th year, when you started the DA." I said, hoping that he would understand and drop the matter.

Harry looked away. After a long moment, he sighed. "I'm sorry, Ginny. I just can't stand the thought of losing you. Every time I think about you becoming an Auror, I just keep seeing that green jet of light from Bellatrix's wand shooting towards you. I thought I was going to lose you that day, and I can't bear the thought of you facing that every day. I can't lose you, Ginny. I love you." I could hear the pleading in his voice.

"Harry, I love you too. I've loved you for the last seven years. But why can't you understand that this is something I need to do?"

"I understand that you think you have to do this. But Ginny, there are other people who can fight this fight. Don't you see that we've already had enough trouble in our lives? Now that you're out of school, why can't we just settle into a quiet life, and leave the fighting to someone else for once?" His voice was patronizingly gentle. It made my blood boil.

Feeling the heat raise to my cheeks, I exploded. "HARRY POTTER! When in the name of Merlin's saggy dick did you give up? I will not…No, I cannot turn my back on helping to stop the next Lord Voldemorte from rearing his ugly head! Is that what you wanted from me when you asked me to marry you? Did you want to turn me into a housewife like my mother? Who do you think I am?"

Harry had the grace to look slightly ashamed, but there was steel in his voice when he spoke. "I have lost too many of the people I love. I need to protect you."

"This isn't the way to do it, Harry. You can't keep me locked up in a cage of your choosing." I said, softening in sympathy.

Sensing my moment of weakness, Harry hurried on, "I know that, Ginny. I just want us to be happy. We don't need the added stress of you putting your life on the line for strangers."

All sympathy gone, I lost it. "Strangers! So, dying for strangers is only okay for THE BOY WHO LIVED, BUT NOT HIS WIFE? FUCK YOU!" Too mad to stay there a moment longer, I pulled out my wand and disapparated.

When the air returned to my lungs, I opened my eyes to see the dumpster in the alley behind Hermione's apartment. I quickly stowed my wand looking around to see if any muggles had noticed my sudden appearance. No one was around and I hurried out of the alley and rang the bell, praying that Hermione was home alone.

The intercom buzzed back, and Hermione's voice floated out of the muggle contraption. "Yes?"

"It's Ginny. Can I come up?" I said in a rush.

Hermione's voice held a hint of surprise. "Yeah, come on in." Then with a buzz, the door unlocked and I rushed inside. Running up the stairs, I raised my fist to pound on the door and Hermione opened it.

In a glance she took in my red face, angry eyes and said, "What's wrong?" She opened the door wider and I stepped inside. The living room was packed with bookcases and was cleaner than any other apartment I'd ever been in.

I opened my mouth to spill out all the details of my fight with Harry, when I heard the sound of the shower running. I grunted. "Ron's here?"

Hermione blushed. "Um, yeah. He's in the shower. Hold on a minute. I'll just let him know that you're here and he should hurry up." She rushed out of the room.

I sighed and flopped down onto the couch. I really did not want to see my brother right now. As I sat waiting for Hermione to come back, I felt all the anger drain out of me. As it did, sadness welled up to fill its place. Tears started to well up in my eyes and I hastily brushed them away with the back of my hand. I was not going to deal with Ron when I was crying. Trying to distract myself, I stood up and crossed over to a bookcase. I was reading the titles printed along the spines when Hermione came back in.

"Sorry about that, he'll be just a minute." Hermione said. I nodded and unwilling to get into my problems until after Ron left, I kept reading the titles. I could feel Hermione watching me, but I ignored the look. After a moment, she sighed heavily and went into the kitchen. I could hear her moving around in there, but I couldn't tell what she was doing. Just as I was about to go and apologize for my rudeness, Ron came into the living room from the direction of the bedroom.

"Hey, Ginny. What brings you over so early?"

I sighed. "I just need to talk to Hermione about something." I said, finally turning away from the bookcase.

Ron took one look at my red-rimmed eyes and took a step back. He had never been good at dealing with upset women. "Er-all right. I um…I'll just go then, shall I?" I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was very uncomfortable.

"Please. I just need some girl time with Hermione." I said, feeling new tears begin to prick at my eyes and threaten to spill over.

"Ok." He said, nodding to himself. He started towards the kitchen, then stopped, and turned back to me. "Do I need to kick anyone's ass over this?"

I couldn't help but laugh, which of course made the first tears fall down my cheeks. "No. It'll be ok."

Ron nodded and went to let Hermione know that he was leaving. I could clearly hear Ron tell Hermione that he'd be back later. I couldn't hear Hermione's quiet response, but it had Ron walking to the door and leaving with nothing more than a wave at me and a "See you later, Ginny."

Hermione came back into the living room a moment later with a tea tray loaded with milk, sugar, and comfort food. The sight of Hermione's thoughtfulness made me break down in earnest. I just stood there like an idiot with tears streaming down my face at the sight of tea and biscuits. Hermione noticed my reaction and quickly set the tray down on the coffee table and hurried over to pull me into a hug.

"Oh, Ginny," was all she said. She just stood there holding me while I sobbed out all of the betrayal I felt at Harry. When the worst of the sobs were past, Hermione lead me over to the couch and sat me down next to her. She began pouring the tea for both of us and doctored my tea the way I always did. I was momentarily shocked out of my crying. Hermione knew how I liked my tea?

When the tea was properly prepared, Hermione handed it to me and asked, "So, what happened?"

The shock passed as I was pulled back to the fight with Harry. I sighed, taking a moment to wipe my tear-stained cheeks. "Harry and I had a fight." I said simply, hearing how hollow my voice was.

Impatiently, Hermione huffed. "I had figured out that much. What was the fight about?"

"Harry wants a trophy wife. He doesn't really want me." As I said the last words, I realized that I believed them to be true. Harry didn't really want me anymore, he just wanted to play house and have an excuse to stop fighting.

"That's not true. Harry loves you. You have no idea how much he thought about you and worried about you the year we were hunting the horcuxes and how much he worried about you being back at school that year."

I fiddled with my tea cup. I knew that what Hermione was saying was true. But she just didn't know how much Harry had changed since then. "Hermione, you don't understand. Harry's given up. That's what we were fighting about. He wants me to give up too, and just be a housewife like my mother."

"What are you talking about? Harry loves the spark that lights you up when you are fighting for what you believe in." Hermione insisted.

I sighed, and set down my untouched tea. I turned to face Hermione. "Not anymore. He's changed and he wants me to fit in a neat little tidy box so he doesn't need to try anymore."

"No. That's not right. Ron told me that the Ministry was trying to recruit Harry to become an Auror. And he's considering it. It's what Harry's always wanted to do. Does that sound like he's given up?" Hermione said patiently.

I laughed bitterly. "No, Hermione. Harry just told Ron that he was thinking about doing that. He won't. Harry has changed. This morning, we started fighting because Harry saw my acceptance letter for Auror training. He doesn't want me to go. Harry wants us to live a quiet life. He even tried to guilt me into not going by throwing Sirius and Lupin in my face."

Hermione's face went blank in shock. "Oh," she breathed.

"Yeah." I said bitterly. "He's changed. And I don't know what to do. I've loved him for years and now it's like a stranger is living in his body. One who hid it so well, that the difference is only just starting to show through".

"Oh, Ginny, I'm sorry." Hermione said and pulled me into a hug. "When did this start?"

I sat back and thought about the past couple of months. "It's hard to say exactly. When I finished at Hogwarts, I could tell that something was a little different with Harry. But I figured it was just nerves. We had decided to wait until I completed school before we slept together. And since I was nervous about losing my virginity, I figured he was too-" Hermione made a strange little noise in her throat. "What?"

Hermione blushed and stammered, "I, uh—I didn't realize that you—um. Bloody hell."

I felt my face going red. "You thought we slept together last summer, after the war ended." I said, making it a statement rather than a question.

"Well, um, yes. There was that morning at the Burrow when you both came downstairs after everyone else was up and had eaten breakfast and you both seemed so smug. Everyone assumed-. I'm sorry, Ginny."

I laughed. "Yeah, I know what everyone assumed. But that wasn't why we were so smug. That was the day that Harry asked me to marry him. He was still running on the high of your victory over Voldemorte, and he was still his old self. I was so thrilled. The amazing Harry Potter was finally mine." I sighed, shaking my head at my stupidity. "Hermione, what am I going to do. I don't even like this new Harry. He used to be so curious and now he just wants the safety of a boring quiet life. And the sex is just awful." This admission made the waterworks start again.

"Oh, Ginny. Come here." Hermione said opening her arms to hold me while I cried out the agony of a woman realizing that her childhood dreams where nothing more than an illusion. As my sobs quieted, Hermione quietly asked, "Is the sex really that bad?" The laughter bubbled out and effectively killed the rest of my self-pitying tears.

I sat back and said, "Yeah. Sadly it is. I've sneaked enough of my mom's romance novels to know that I should get more out of it than I do. I mean, Harry tries, but it just isn't exciting and I don't feel anything but awkward when we're in bed together."

Hermione started blushing furiously and quickly looked away. She picked up her now cold tea and took a sip. She grimaced, set the tea back down and started fiddling with the biscuits. I just sat and watched her, knowing that Hermione had something to say, but was just too embarrassed to say anything. I waited her out and finally, the silence got to be too much for her. "It's the same with Ron." She finally blurted out; her face flushed all the way up to her scalp.

I couldn't help myself. I laughed. Hermione shot me a furious look, which only made me laugh harder. "I…I'm…sorry…'Mione…It's just…how are the…two most famous…wizards…in the world… so lousy in bed?" I asked in between giggles. The fury left Hermione's face and she began laughing too. Her laughter made me laugh harder, which in turn made her laugh even harder. After several minutes, we finally subsided into the occasional chuckle and were hanging onto each other for support.

I looked up at Hermione about to suggest we make some more tea. At that moment, she looked at me and our gazes locked. Hermione has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen, I thought. Then I froze. I couldn't stop staring into her eyes. Oh my god. I like girls. As this realization struck me, I saw the briefest moment of confused panic in those gorgeous eyes before Hermione was off the couch and picking up the tea pot.

"I'm going to just go and make more tea. I'll be right back." Hermione said, keeping her back to me as she went into the kitchen.

As soon as she was gone, I sat back and closed my eyes. How was this even possible? I've always fancied Harry. I've never even thought about a girl that way before. Now what do I do? Was that why Hermione panicked? Could she tell that I found her attractive? Was she repulsed? Is that why she ran? Bloody hell, Ginny! Get a grip on yourself. She is going to be back in a minute and you don't want to make this any weirder than it already has been.

Sure enough, when I forced my eyes open, Hermione was standing there watching me, holding a fresh pot of tea. I smiled weakly at her. "Thanks, Hermione. I was just going to suggest some more tea." Thank god my voice sounded normal.

She seemed satisfied that the weirdness had passed and Hermione sat back down and poured more tea. I sat forward to doctor my own tea this time and our hands brushed as we both reached for the milk. Every nerve in my body shivered and heat began to spread through my stomach. I jerked my hand back.

"Sorry, you go ahead." I said trying to cover my awkwardness. Stupid. Now I've suddenly turned into an adolescent boy. I looked at Hermione to try and gage her reaction. She was staring down at her hand like it had suddenly transformed into some fascinating creature. "Hermione?" I asked.

She jerked and started blushing. "I, uh. Sorry, Ginny. I think you just shocked me. You know, static electricity."

I stared at her blankly. "Static what?" I asked after it became clear that she wasn't going to explain what the bloody hell she was talking about.

Hermione laughed. "Never mind. It's a muggle saying. Here, go ahead and make your tea." She sat back gesturing to the free path to the tea set.

"Okay," I said, still not sure what she had been talking about. I quickly prepared my tea and sat back, carefully sipping the hot beverage.

Hermione then took her turn with the milk and sugar. When she sat back, we fell into an awkward silence, each sipping our tea and avoiding the other's eyes. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I broke the silence. "So, have you decided what you're going to do now that you've found your parents, and are free to start a career?"

Hermione sat up straighter. "No not yet. I've been offered a number of interesting jobs though. Professor McGonagall has asked me if I would be interested in teaching charms. Apparently Professor Flitwick is thinking about retiring. I've also been offered a job at the ministry in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Apparently they heard about S.P.E.W. and are interested in my assistance in writing some new laws after the war brought some of the other races into a better light. The manager of Flourish and Blotts has also offered me a position. Though, right now I'm leaning more towards the ministry job. I just don't know that I'm ready to work there. Though Kingsley has sacked Umbridge, and that definitely makes me feel much better about the new direction the Ministry has taken over the last year." As she spoke, Hermione became much more animated and excited. She even leaned in closer as she said the last bit about Umbridge.

I couldn't help myself. I leaned in as well, setting my tea aside. Then, I kissed Hermione. I just reached out, cupped her face in my hands and pressed my lips to hers. Hermione stiffened and I froze still with my lips pressed to hers. After what felt like an eternity, I felt her lips move against mine. Hermione was kissing me back! I opened my lips to let my tongue flick out and brush against her closed lips. With a little moan, Hermione let her mouth fall open. It was all the encouragement I needed. I leaned more fully against Hermione, letting my hands get tangled in her hair. Hermione's tea cup fell from her nerveless fingers and she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me tighter against her. The kiss was electrifying. I broke out in goose flesh and let a moan bubble out as I pushed Hermione down on her back on the couch.

My hands began roaming down her sides, exploring the soft curves of her body. Hermione's fingernails dug into my back, causing two things to happen at once; I became aware of how very aroused I was, and I realized exactly what I was doing. I bolted off the couch. Hermione gave a disappointed little moan, and then gasped and her eyes flew open and landed on me, halfway across the room. She hastily sat up and straightened her ruffled clothing.

For a long time, neither of us spoke. We were both blushing feverishly, and had identical looks of shock and panic on our faces. After a long time, I broke the silence. "What just happened?"

"I don't know." She said, her voice coming out much higher pitched than usual. She cleared her throat. "I mean, of course I know what just happened. You kissed me, and I kissed you back. And it was the most incredible kiss of my life. Then you're on the other side of the room. And I realized what we'd done and that it can never happen again. I mean. You're my boyfriend's sister, and you're engaged to one of my best friends, and you're Ginny. The closest friend I've ever had, because you just can't share some things with boys, and I have these feelings for you all of a sudden and I don't want to creep you out because of that, and I don't know what to do, because I think I'll die if I lose your friend—" When Hermione said the part about the kiss, the knot of tension in my body eased and I found myself walking back over to the couch and kneeling in front of her, ignoring both the panic in her wide eyes, and the tea seeping into the knees of my jeans. I stopped her babble by locking my lips onto hers again. I kept my mouth soft against Hermione's until I felt the tension drain out of her.

Then, I sat back on my heels and looked up into her beautiful face. "You're not going to lose me. I don't know what this is, but we'll figure it out. Ok?"

Hermione nodded. She hesitated then asked in a rush, "Do you have feelings for me too?"

I would have laughed, but the worry in Hermione's voice stopped me. I leaned in, taking Hermione's hands in mine. I looked straight into her eyes and said, "Yes. I'm feeling more for you in this moment than I have in the seven years that I was infatuated with Harry Potter." Hermione tried to pull her hands out of mine at the mention of my fiancé. I let her pull me up off of my heels and closer to her before I let go. I rested my hands along her hips. "Hermione, don't you see that this changes everything? I was already on the verge of leaving him when I came here tonight. Don't let him get between us."

Hermione sighed. "It's not just Harry. Ginny, we also need to consider Ron. This isn't fair to him, either."

"I know. I just don't want to think about the outside world anytime soon. I just want a little time to bask in the glory of this feeling. Is that too much to ask, Hermione?"

She smiled a little sadly. "Right now it is. You came over here because you were angry with your fiancé. For heaven's sake, Ginny, he's the man you said you'd marry, and Ron is your brother and he's the man I love."

Those last words were like a slap in the face. I sat back heavily on my heels. I couldn't keep the betrayal I felt out of my voice when I asked, "You love my brother?"

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "Yes. I do love him. I—"

I couldn't take anymore. Tears were stinging my eyes for the third time in an hour. Determined not to cry in front of the girl who had inexplicably just broken my heart, I got up, pulled out my wand and disapparated. As the silence closed in around me, I heard Hermione yell "Ginny, don't g—" And then I was gone.