Author's Note: The next chapter of Split Loyalties and my Avatar fic, The Nationless, are both on the way, but in the meantime I'm trying to keep writing. Fans of "Fireworks Madness" may enjoy this. It's a very short look at a pre-slash moment between Hermione and her muggle friend Emily (copyright me) who first "planted the idea" of liking girls in Ms. Granger's head. Probably makes quite a bit more sense if you've read "Fireworks Madness." Also, I was definitely channeling H from "Imagine Me & You" for Emily's dialogue.
The Right Words
"Stupid boys," Hermione said, sniffling and wiping her nose with her sleeve. She and Emily stood off to the side of the school courtyard, far from their 10-year-old classmates.
"My mom says that when boys do that dumb stuff it means they like you. I think that's silly though, I mean, wouldn't it be so much better to be nice to the person you fancy?" Emily kept her hand on Hermione's shoulders, trying to comfort her friend.
Hermione laughed bitterly. "So when they say my hair is a bird's nest, they mean it's pretty?" She looked at Emily, clearly disbelieving that notion.
Emily shrugged and pulled the bushy brunette into a hug. "I'm not sure what they mean, but I think your hair is pretty," Emily said. At Hermione's disbelieving look, she added, "It's fun to play with, at least."
Hermione nodded her head and sighed, leaning her head on Emily's shoulder. The slightly taller girl put her check against Hermione's head, wishing she could do something more.
"No matter what those boys say, you are pretty, you know. If I were a boy, I'd fancy you."
Looking up, Hermione asked shyly, "You would?"
Emily smiled, "Absolutely."
Happy with this, Hermione hugged her friend and then, hearing the bell to return to class, pulled back, but grabbed Emily's hand. The two walked back into the school building together and Emily wished she could find the words to explain things better to Hermione. Maybe next time, she thought.
