Heart, Mind, Body and Soul

Ginny pulled out the chair across from Hermione who had been at the library since breakfast studying for her N.E.W.T.s. Or at least that was what she was supposed to be doing. The sound of the wood scraping against the floor snapped her out of her daydreaming.

Ginny just shook her head, "You've got it bad! Why don't you just tell him?"

Ginny wasn't exactly thrilled that Hermione had feelings for Professor Snape, but she was her friend and, in a weird way, understood. Hermione was smarter than anyone she knew, except for the professors, and even some of them couldn't hold a candle to Hermione, Ginny was convinced.

Hermione sighed and buried her face in her hands, "Ginny, we've been through this a hundred times, at least…"

"Yes, I know. You respect him. He's smart. He's courageous, even if he won't admit it. His voice is like velvet…" Ginny teased Hermione with words she had been hearing from her for over a year now.

"Ginny Weasley!" Hermione warned.

"Look," Ginny started, serious now, "I know you don't get on with boys your age. I know you've tried."

"This isn't a schoolgirl crush Ginny. I know what a crush feels like. I had a crush on Viktor and, as it turns out, on Ron. This is different." Hermione said in a voice that practically begged Ginny to understand.

Ginny just nodded her head and took both of Hermione's hands in her own. Hermione looked her in the eyes. "Hermione, you know I love you as the sister I never had. I'm telling you this as a 'sister', OK?" She waited for Hermione to acknowledge, and she did with a small smile. "If you don't let him know how you feel about him, you are going to explode. You can barely study for your N.E.W.T.s, although I bet you could have taken them a year ago and passed, but that isn't the point. When you keep feelings bottled up, something is bound to happen."

"Ginny, I feel the same way about you, and I appreciate you trying to help, but what do you expect me to do?" Hermione asked with frustration. "Walk up to him at dinner, throw my arms around him and declare my undying love."

Ginny saw her moment to lighten the mood, and pulled her hands away waving them in front of her. "Ewww! Please, don't. I really don't need to see that." Hermione smiled at the thought and laughed at Ginny's response.

"Actually, I was thinking something a bit more private, like sending him an Owl."

Hermione muttered, "We've only got a little over a month before I graduate. I'll tell him then."

Ginny shook her head and sighed. "Ok, but don't say I didn't warn you. Now, pack up your books. I've come to get you for dinner; you missed lunch. Harry will have both our arses if you don't come eat."

"Ha!" Hermione exclaimed as she gather her books and put them in her book bag, "I'm not afraid of Harry!"

Ginny smiled and whispered, "Don't tell him, but I'm not either."

When she saw that Hermione was done she stood up and stepped away from the table. "Ok, let's get to the Great Hall so you can stand up on the Gryffindor table and proclaim your love for the Head of Slytherin!"

"Ginny!" Hermione snapped, but Ginny was walking away laughing.

Hermione didn't take Ginny's advice to let Professor Snape know how she felt. Even though she was older than most of her class, having turned 18 in September, now being of legal age in both the wizarding and muggle worlds, she was still a student. She wouldn't be for much longer though, and she felt like she could wait.

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A/N: Warnings may be increased, if needed.
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