Author's note: Sorry for the long wait of this update, but I've been having a lot of computer problems lately. I know this chapter is really short, but I was trying to really make the content of this chapter count and not add more that I absolutely had to. If you would like to know more, please check out my profile. Enjoy the chapter!
Hermione was frowning as she walked out of the transfiguration classroom. It made no sense at all, it really didn't. Why would Fleur want to talk about her essay if it was perfect?
Was there something more than that?
She shivered, both in fear as well as in delight.
Wait a minute, why was she thinking these thoughts?
Without thinking about it, her feet steered her towards the nearest girls' lavatory. Once there, she turned the water as cold as she could get it before splashing it on her face several times, hoping that it would help her snap out of this.
What was she thinking?!
'Fleur is married to Bill! If anything she is even more off limits to me than Ginny! This isn't right, it has to stop. With both of them. I might have feelings for them both, but damnit, this isn't fair! Why am I doing this to myself?'
The Head Girl of Griffindor house was so deeply lost in her thoughts that she never saw a certain redhead come into the bathroom.
It wasn't until Ginny touched her on the shoulder that Hermione was shoved rudely back into the real world and out of the prison of her own thoughts.
"Hermione, are you all right? You're as white as a sheet lying on the snow!" Ginny asked, looking concerned and no little worried.
"N-n-n- no." Hermione stuttered, cursing herself. "Everything's fine Ginny." She assured the redhead in a more natural tone of voice, racking her brain for a believable excuse. "It's just that time of the month and I didn't have time to eat lunch. I was just feeling a little faint and needed to wake up a bit. It's almost dinnertime though, so I'll get something to eat now."
Ignoring Ginny's pleas to at least visit the hospital wing, she firmly walked out of the bathroom and forced her trembling legs to move down the stairs towards the Great Hall. Sitting down on the bench at the Griffindor table with relief.
'Whew! That was way too close. I need to be more careful. Honestly, how is a girl supposed to think when she can't even have privacy in the girls bathroom…' Her thoughts continued in the line as she automatically ate and drank, aware that both Fleur and Ginny were both watching her, but trying to ignore it.
After dinner, the Griffindor Quidditich team headed outside to practice. Although Hermione briefly toyed with the idea of following along to watch, she decided against it. There was no sense in leading Ginny on by paying her special attention. Until she figured out exactly what she was feeling, there was no choice but to avoid both girls in question.
Ignoring the painful lurch and the following emptiness that filled her heart. Hermione sadly dragged herself to the common room to finish her homework. She hoped that time would indeed prove to be a healer until she could learn about herself.