One More Year

Chapter Twenty-Four

It was an unusually warm March day, with the sun shining brightly and a light breeze in the air, that brought with it the faint aroma of spring, rejuvenation and hope. Hermione had grabbed Ginny right after lunch and convinced her to enjoy the warm weather and spend the day outdoors sitting under an ancient elm tree by the edge of the lake. Even the Giant Squid was out sunbathing on a rock enjoying the sun's rays. Hermione and Ginny sat shoulder to shoulder, under the shade of the branches, that were just beginning to bud, while leaning against the trunk of the tree.

Hermione was studiously reading a large book with a slight smile gracing her features, while Ginny was replying to one of Harry's letters. Ginny's quill was busy scratching away across the parchment, Hermione glanced up curiously. "How's Harry doing?"

"Good," she smiled weakly, and then with more conviction tried responding again, "yeah, everything is great. Did I tell you that Harry's coming to visit next week? He has a meeting with McGonagall about having Snape's portrait added to the Headmaster's Office." Hermione smiled proudly at the thought of her best friend. "What are you reading Hermione?"

"A book about magical careers, that Ron bought for me."

"Ron's buying you gifts?"

Hermione looked up sharply at Ginny, "oh no, it's nothing like that," she correctly quickly. "It was my Christmas gift from him."

Ginny furrowed her eyebrows in suspicion but wisely let the subject drop, "why are you looking through it?"

"I still have not figured out what I want to do after Hogwarts," Hermione sighed in an exasperated voice. "Everyone else has figured it out. Harry's always wanted to be an auror, Ron and George operate the store, I just can't decide." She paused, biting her lower lip in concern. "What are you planning to do?" she asked curiously as she realized that Ginny has never mentioned any plans for after Hogwarts.

Ginny turned beet red at the question and looked quickly away, "uh, I'm not quite sure yet." She stammered, not quite meeting Hermione's eye.

Hermione raised her eyebrows in disbelief. A gust of wind blew by them, whipping their hair behind their heads. "Ginny," she started slowly in a soft voice. "You know you can tell me. I won't say anything."

Ginny sat in silence for a moment staring at the lake, watching the waves rippling along the surface. Hermione didn't think she was going to respond. "I... uh... I was thinking of playing quidditch."

Hermione looked confused before responding, "you mean professionally?" Ginny nodded, still not meeting Hermione's gaze. Hermione paused for a second collecting her thoughts. She didn't want to upset Ginny with her response especially when she seemed so self conscious about discussing it. "Ginny you're a fantastic quidditch player." She started slowly. "Even I can tell that, and you know I don't know much about the sport. You're a fantastic flyer, you're quick and you always seem to out maneuver the other players. But, that's a hard position to get. There's got to be a lot of competition. Are you ready to put in the time and effort and training to try and get drafted?"

Ginny looked at the ground. Running her fingers through the blades of grass back and forth. "I've actually already been drafted," she mumbled quietly.

"What?!" Hermione shrieked. "When did this happen? For who? Why didn't you tell me? Does Harry know? How about your parents? Oh Ginny, I'm so proud of you." She gushed grabbing her friend and pulling her in for a big hug.

Ginny stiffly hugged her back.

Hermione smiled proudly as she put down her textbook and took in Ginny. Something seemed off. "Come on Gin, what's going on? Why didn't you tell me?" asked Hermione in a concerned voice with her eyebrows furrowed.

Ginny let out another deep sigh, "I don't know. I mean I do know. Ugh." She glanced skywards and blew out a deep breath. "I'm in love with Harry," she whispered.

Hermione smirked, "yeah I already know that Ginny." She paused taking in Ginny's demeanor, "is something wrong? Did you guys get in a fight? What did he write in that letter?" Hermione almost reached down and pulled it from her hands to see for herself.