Title :: Becoming Irresistible

Chapter One – Back Again

Author :: SunnyKC

Fandom :: Harry Potter

Pairing :: Hermione Granger/Ginny Weasley

Warning :: FEMSLASH In later chapters this story will contain sexual displays between two women which may or may not be consensual… I haven't decided yet.

Disclaimer :: For the familiar, I don't own them; for the rest, I am making them up. All the while thinking of naughty things to do with them.

Becoming Irresistible

Chapter One :: Back Again

There she was, frozen, the nervous heat creeping across her cheeks. Her view was blurred and she shook her head to steady her increasing pulse. Hermione watched in a daze as the Weasley girl laughed her way towards the Gryffindor table. Hermione let out the breath she had been holding as Ginny approached.

Ginny Weasley, my how you've grown.

The small red head had nearly hit Hermione's height over the summer months. The two girls had sent letter by owl and kept in touch but had not seen each other since the war. Okay, so it had been more than just two months of summer break and the changes were evident. There was so much to talk about which had always been an easy thing for the girls. Talking. Hermione blinked as she wondered why being around her best friend was becoming so unnerving.

Through her musings, Hermione had not realized that Ginny stood behind her now and was snapped back to reality as freckled bare arms encrossed her shoulders. Soft lips kissed her cheek and moved to whisper in her ear, as they had so many times before. "Gods, Hermione, you look great! A holiday does you well."

Ginny laughed releasing her hold and took her familiar seat next to the newly appointed History of Magic intern. Over the break, Hermione had been invited to participate in a paid internship at Hogwarts, which was being renovated since the displacing battle. Hermione accepted the offer and immediately wrote to all of her friends to let them in on her good news. An announcement would be made public just before the Sorting Hat ceremony and dinner that evening.

Since casual attire was the norm at Hogwarts nowadays to try to discourage isolation, Hermione wore a short sleeve v-neck polo, knee length shorts, and oxfords. Ginny's arms were bare, and her top, not leaving much to the imagination, revealed the fact that the youngest Weasley was certainly maturing. She's seventeen now Hermione reflected. Ginny wore baggy, torn jeans held by a belt way too big for her, and dirty laced boots.

Hermione couldn't help the smile that snuck upon her lips as she took in Ginny's appearance. Of course she knew that Ginny would be 'developing' but she had not expected the small straggly girl to blossom so… so… she couldn't find the words. Hermione continued in her thoughts as Ginny shared summer tales across tables with Luna Lovegood. Luna, Hermione mentally pointed out, had also grown into a very lovely young woman.

Her eyes wandered again to Ginny. She's thinned out and filled in Hermione snickered to herself. Okay, so logically she has grown into her features –very beautiful features- I guess I just didn't expect…

"So, what do you think Hermione?"

"What? Oh, sorry I was off. What were you asking?" Hermione blushed apologetically as the girls rolled their eyes and Ginny reaccounted for her.

Luna broke in. "And since homosexuality seems to be a heavy topic between Muggles, we wanted to know your take on such a controversial issue."

They had been discussing the fact that over the summer, a now-second year, Corina Troutman in Hufflepuff, had announced that she was gay. Hermione looked blank as the color drained from her face.

"I never figured you to be narrow-minded Hermione." Ginny peaked. "I just thought the lot of us could try and befriend her. You know, make her feel more comfortable…" Ginny's brow creased and she lightly shook her astonished friends shoulder. Hermione took a steadying breath.

"I am not narrow-minded!" Hermione was quick to quip. "Just… surprised I guess. I mean, a second year? Knowing your sexuality at that age is just, well, it has to be confusing."

Luna laughed and Hermione and Ginny gave her a questioning quirk, Ginny raising an eyebrow.

After a moment Luna spoke, her tones calm and collected as always. "It's not so bad actually. I knew that I was attracted to girls from a very young age." Hermione and Ginny exchanged unknowing glances and, quickly averting her gaze from Ginny to hide the blush creeping to her cheeks, Hermione looked back to Luna who continued.

"Personally for me, it's not the gender of a person that determines if I will love them. It's the connection you develop with someone. The way they truly make you feel, that's what matters. Not their outward appearance." Luna sat and waited for a response.

"Well damn, Luna, I had no idea!" Ginny clapped and hugged the blonde girl, both laughing at how Ginny had never caught on.

Luna smiled at them before announcing she had a dinner date, picked up her books and promised to see them later.

Ginny sat, still rather highly amused, and looked to Hermione.

"Well, don't you have anything to say? I've never known you to be speechless Miss Bookworm." Ginny poked Hermione playfully.

"I don't know what comes as more of a shock." Hermione began, "Luna, being, pansexual I suppose you would call her… or you, swearing!"

"I said 'damn' Hermione, that's not really much of a swear word." Ginny smirked and waited. Hermione sat quietly. "But anyway," Ginny fingered a scruffed hole in her jeans, "it is nice to know that I'm not the only queer chick around here."

Hermione started at this and turned, her eyes looking ready to pop. "You're what?!" she exclaimed.

"Hah, isn't it obvious? Honestly, for the smartest girl in this school you're rather blind to what's right in front of you." Ginny's eyes had a twinkle to them as she let the words linger. Hermione, mouth slightly agape, continued to stare disbelieving.

Ginny laughed and told Hermione to meet her in the library the following day, during free period which they would be sharing. She let her messy red braid hang over a shoulder and got up to join a group of Ravenclaws, kissing Hermione on the cheek and whispering, "Don't be late," before she kissed her again and departed.

I can't believe…Ginny, she's…and Luna! What a year this will be. But when did all of this…

Once again Hermione was pulled out of her pondering as Professor McGonagall, Headmistress rather, addressed the chattering student body. Hermione sat straight and listened intently, butterflies swirling in the pit of her stomch awaiting her introduction. She had already been questioned by a few select students who had known her in her years at Hogwarts. She wanted to burst but simply shrugged them off pleading that she was only visiting her old professors. Since Hermione was know to be the teachers pet type, no one questioned her answer.

McGonagall smiled. "I am happy to announce that this semester will mark a first for Hogwarts. We have selected a handful of alumni who will be interning with the teaching staff, working as tutors and assistants in your classes." Professor McGonagall introduced a small group of students, one, Hermione gasped, being Draco Malfoy. He would be interning for Defense Against the Dark Arts! Though, nobody knew yet who would be teaching the class.

This is preposterous! But Hermione's rant was short-lived as the Headmistress asked her to join the interns. She stood next to Draco and both glared at each other. Then he grinned and Hermione had to stifle a laugh. She had never even seen Draco smile, only sneer as he would toss degrading remarks about. He smiled at her and leaned in to ask if they could talk later. Hermione stilled her hand which reflectively reacted to backhand the blonde mosquito buzzing much to close to her. Instead, she nodded, and Draco stood once again at attention.

After the new arrivals had been sorted into their houses and everyone sent off after their meal, Draco startled Hermione, coming up behind her and touching her shoulder. She jumped and whipped out her wand, whacking him in the nose with the instrument as she turned. Blood spurted from the Slytherin. He cupped his nose instinctively letting out a yowl.

"Oh, Draco! Darn it, I'm sorry. Please don't sneak up on me like that! You scared me…" Hermione tumbled into apologies as Draco took a towel from an apparating house elf, pressuring to his nose to try to stop the bleeding.

"I'm fine Granger, chill." Draco chimed and laughed at her ramblings.

Hermione sat with Draco waiting with him for the bleeding to stop. Madam Pomfrey had come over to take a look and was, to Hermione's surprise, politely refused and waved off with Draco claiming that he would be "…just fine, thanks for your concern."

After the bleeding had stilled Draco called a house elf over (who was busy setting up the Great Hall for the next mornings breakfast) wondering, "…if you wouldn't mind bringing us two glasses of water when you have a moment, please?"

Did Draco Malfoy just say please? Is he actually being nice? I must be dreaming. Draco Malfoy just showed respect to a house elf! And before, what was it he said to Madam Pomfrey? 'I'm fine, thanks' ? This is impossible. And why does he…

"So, is it okay to talk now?" Draco's voice broke through Hermione's confusion.

"Um, yes. I suppose so. What is it that you wanted to talk about then?" She was curious to see what had him so interested to talk to her, a muggleborn.

Draco paused, accepting two glasses of water from the returning house elf with thanks, and taking a sip from one handed the other to Hermione. Draco looked to be in his own thoughts, so Hermione sat sipping her water and waited for him to speak.

He set his glass down and shifted in his seat to look at Hermione. She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry." He said. "For the trouble I've caused you and your friends. And for calling you a mud – a uh, you know." He seemed to fumble.

Hermione looked to him now and questioned. "Why? It never seemed to bother you before if you hurt someone. Why do you care?" She knew her tone was harsh but her anger towards him would not allow her to speak softer.

"I know you probably hate me and I understand that, you definitely have good reason. I've been an ass the whole of the time we've known each other, but... that's not who I want to be." He paused again taking another drink of water and she waited.

"I know I can't make up for who I've been in the past. I don't intend to. I don't expect you or anyone else to forgive what I've done. Hell, I tried to kill Dumbledore! He was always so nice to me and I was always…" he trailed off and bit his lip, clenching his fists.

Oh my gosh, is he going to cry? Hermione was stunned, angry, and confused.

After a breath, she put a hand on his shoulder and spoke as gently as she could muster. "Draco, you are right. What you've done, what you've said, is unforgettable. But…" she drug out her last bit of will-power. "I think I can learn to forgive you."

He looked at her now almost upset that she was so understanding. But he let her go on.

"I know you've probably had a rough life. Maybe you just weren't aware of it. You only know what you grew up with and what you were taught to believe. That doesn't excuse any of it, but... you are a lot better off than you could have been." Hermione didn't know what to say next, but she kept on. "The war is over. He, You-Know-Who, is gone. Gone for good this time." She shuddered as the memories of the war fluffed through her mind.

"It's time for new beginnings." she started boldly. "The past is the past. Let bygones be bygones, right? Maybe… we can grow to be friends?"

Draco genuinely smiled at her and held out a hand. She took it, warily but firm. "Friends," he repeated, his smile growing, "that would be nice." She smiled back at him, sincerely. They stood and neither said anything for a moment. Another house elf wandered by vanishing their empty glasses to the kitchen. Draco spoke first. "Thank you," he said, acknowledging the house elf. He turned then to Hermione, "and thank you. You know, for having faith… in the greater good."

She had never heard him speak like this. It almost reminded her of Harry. Harry, who was no doubt, at this moment, complaining about the grueling processes of Auror training. Hermione held in a laugh at her comparison. What a day.

"Draco, I think things will work out fine." Hermione put a hand on Draco's arm and he laughed.

"I think you're right. Thanks. Again." They both gathered their belongings and made for the exit. They stopped to say good night.

"See you tomorrow then, Hermione." Draco headed toward the Slytherin dormitories and waved behind him.

Hermione stood bewildered for a moment. Has he ever said my name before? Normally it's just Granger or some slang from him.

The thoughts didn't linger as Hermione navigated the stairs to the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Gliese." she whispered, and the portrait door creaked open greeting Hermione with firelight and giggles. She nodded and waved and murmured 'hello's to some, 'fine thanks, and you?' to others, though not really registering the replies, and made for her new dorm room. It was good to be back again.

She was faintly aware of the small footsteps hurrying behind her.