Ti Amo

Ron sat on the edge of his bed. His brain was still churning over the scene from dinner.

Ginny's gay... Hermione's gay... Ginny's gay... Hermione's gay... they are gay... together...

He stood up with a start and began to walk towards the window, changing his mind half way.

"Fuck... I can't take this...what the hell does she think she's playing at, messing around with my little sister? How on earth did this happen? It has to be the brothers thing... one girl with six brothers can't be healthy... that means... it's my fault... no... it's definitely her... she was always... slightly weird... Quidditch mad... never liked dolls much... clung to me the whole time... pissed me off no end... maybe... could it be my fault?" "Will you sit still for just ONE minute and stop bloody pacing. It's giving me a headache. It's not your fault, so shut up... we are going to have to deal with this somehow, and blaming it on yourself is not going to help in anyway"

Ron collapsed in a heap against the wall, elbows resting on his knees, hands cupping his chin. He glanced over at Harry, sprawled on his bed with his eyes closed, a furrow of concentration gouged between his eyebrows.

"It's... I never... it's a big shock... She's my bloody sister... what are the parents going to say... fuck..."

His arms fell forwards, and his head drooped.

"Look, I think we need to talk with them. We kind of ran out on them at dinner, we didn't hear them out. Things must be pretty serious between them if they felt they had to tell us..."

"I don't think that's a very good idea. If I see her, I'll have to hit her, and Bill made me promise never to hit a girl. She's corrupting Ginny. This whole mess is her fault. Ginny was perfectly normal before she met that... dyke."

Ron spat out the last word, his anger clearly building.

"But... didn't you just say that Ginny was slightly 'weird' before?"

The tips of Ron's ears blazed red, and a crimson stain was creeping up his neck.

"No she bloody well wasn't. This is all that bloody Hermione's fault. When I get my hands on her I'll..."

"Shut up Ron. You're just angry now. It's not a good idea to let you near them tonight. I think you should stay up here for the rest of the evening, sleep on it, and we'll talk to the girls in the morning."

~*~

"I hope Ron won't do something stupid. He seemed pretty freaked out at dinner."

"God Gin, I wonder why that could be."

Ginny pulled back from Hermione.

"Mione - no need to be a bitch. I'm just worried about Ron. He wasn't in the common room."

"Sorry. It's been a long day."

"I know love... I know."

A spring creaked slightly under Ginny as she shifted her weight so she was closer to Hermione. She wrapped her arms around the brunette, and drew her closer.

"As long as I have you, I know I'm going to be ok" she whispered, almost like she was afraid that if anyone knew how much Hermione meant to her, she would be taken away.

Hermione didn't respond. Instead she turned and dropped a chaste kiss onto Ginny's forehead before snuggling closer.

"I think we should try and get some sleep. I have the worst feeling that tomorrow is going to be a hell of a lot more tiring."

"Love you Mione."

"Love you too."

~*~

The beams of sunlight drove past Ginny's closed eyes, mocking her attempts to roll over and go back to sleep. Instinctively she reached over, searching for the comforting figure of Hermione. Her arm fell on cold, empty space. She sat up, feeling slightly panicky. Hermione was standing at the foot of the bed, watching her intently.

"Do you know how beautiful you look when you are asleep? So... innocent and pure."

"Oh... great... Mione? Is there something wrong?"

"No. I couldn't sleep. It's just... I'm feeling pretty nervous... seeing Ron this morning. And Harry too, if he has had to spend any time whatsoever with Ron. His... 'freakedoutness' might be contagious."

Ginny raised an eyebrow.

"Contagious freakedoutness?!"

Hermione glared at her.

"It describes him perfectly and I..."

Amusement had spread from Ginny's eyes, creasing as it went.

"I..."

She was desperately trying to choke the giggles building up in her throat.

"I don't see what you have to smile about Gin."

A hiccup turned into a chuckle and before long, she was grasping her sides and shaking with laughter. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"We're going to miss breakfast if you don't hurry... ah come on - Calm down. What's so funny about your brother completely freaking out?"

Ginny couldn't find the breath to answer, every word being crowded by snorts.

"Oh dear, I really hoped it wouldn't come to this..."

Hermione stepped up onto the bed, towering over Ginny. Bending over she grabbed her arms, pinning them to the duvet. She sat down onto Ginny's stomach, and waited. The laughter subsided in seconds. Hermione smiled, victorious.

"Good girl."

"Spoil my fun why don't you Mione," Ginny exclaimed, mock aggravated, "I'm going to need some sort of compensation," her mouth settled into a pronounced pout, "Payable... well... Now."

"I don't know Gin. You see, I'd have to get my lawyer to check over the case, find out exactly what you are entitled to. Wouldn't want to over-compensate, now would we."

Ginny's bottom lip quivered, and Hermione's heart melted.

"Dammit Gin. I told you not to use that trick again."

"It works, doesn't it, and that's all that matters. It's not my fault you find me irresistibly cute. It just so happens that..."

Hermione, determined to cut Ginny's gloating, leant over and kissed her.

~*~

The normal noise and bustle met Hermione and Ginny as they walked into the Great Hall. Hermione glanced down at her hand, entwined in Ginny's, and then up at the Gryffindor table. Ron's eyes were drooping shut, his arm placed neatly across his buttered toast, and Harry was gazing at a point above Seamus's head whilst slowly raising a spoon of raspberry jam to his mouth.

"Wouldn't eat that if I were you Harry. Might give you indigestion."

The spoon dropped from his hand, clattering to the floor.

"Hermione... Ginny... uh... fuck... Ron?"

Ron was staring at Hermione, as if seeing her for the first time. A black cloud passed behind his eyes, and his expression set.

"Ginny. Outside. Alone. Now."

"No. Hermione needs to come to."

"Listen to me Virginia. You are coming outside with me now, by yourself."

"Make me."

Ron stood up and walked around the table to behind Ginny.

"Ok."

He grabbed her arm, and yanked her out of her seat. Ginny yelped in pain.

"Ron - Be more gentle. You could hurt her. Cop on to yourself - She's a year younger than you, and female."

"Think about what you just said Hermione Granger, because that is exactly what YOU should be saying to yourself. She's FEMALE, a YEAR younger than you, and MY SISTER. And NOW you've gone and FUCKED HER UP. Just leave her ALONE, " yelled Ron, attracting the attention of most of the students.

Hermione spluttered, unable to think. Ron hauled Ginny out of the room to stunned silence, broken only by the sniggers emanating from the Slytherin table. A familiar drawl hit Hermione.

"Looks like the dirty Mudblood has found...uh...true love," an extra guffaw met the phrase, "with the wrong Weasley."

~*~

"Gin, I don't blame you, ok? I just wanted to get that straight. This is Hermione's fault. She's a bad influence. I should have never introduced you to her. I should have KNOWN something like this would happen. I've always wondered if Hermione was...uh...you know... batting for the other team. She was a bit slow on the whole boy thing. Kept turning me down. I assumed it was because she fancied Harry or something. Never imagined she had her greedy sights set on my little sister. I'll sort her out, no problem. She'll never come near you again."

A grin split Ron's face. He was obviously proud of himself, being able to solve Ginny's problem.

"Really? You'd do that that for me?"

"Of course Gin. I'd do anything to look after you."

"Oh. Great. Well, can you this one other thing for me? Just one?"

"What is it?"

"Keep your big nose OUT of my business," Ron's grin disappeared, "This is not Hermione's 'fault'. She is not a bad influence, and I sure as HELL don't need you to sort her out. I love her Ron. I really do. This is the forever kind of love, and if you can't accept that, then I NEVER want to see you again. I don't care that you're my brother. This is who I am, so accept it or bugger off."

Ron gaped, the meaning of the words being rejected by his brain.

"Oh, and by the way - I want her to come near me again. And again. And again."

Ginny smirked and turning, sauntered back into the hall.