Disclaimer: Nothing that came from the books is mine.
My mouth fell open as Jen rose to stand above me. I had little time to ponder the strange feeling stirring between my legs before Hermione's hand was gripping mine and she was pulling me to my feet.
"Come on Ginny, let's go."
"What?" Jen spat, looking dumbfounded.
"You heard me." There was no fear in Hermione's voice as she stared down the goddess of Hogwarts. "Really, it's been lovely, but I think we've had enough."
"You can't just walk out on a dare." Jen took a step toward Hermione, blue eyes turned to ice.
"Watch us." And she led me out of the room, though my eyes were still on Jen. I couldn't look away from the intense beauty of her anger.
"Don't think I'll let you come back!" Jen called out as the door swung shut behind us.
She pulled me quickly through the twisting corridors, silent in her rage. She didn't speak until we were back in the deserted common room.
"Are you ok, Ginny?" She asked gently, sitting me down on an overstuffed sofa.
"A bit confused, I suppose, but otherwise fine." Of course, confused was an understatement. It had been strange for Jen to kiss me that way, but what bothered me most was how strangely wonderful it had felt.
"I'm so sorry I let it get so far. The incense they were burning made me feel so… unusual and sluggish."
"I guess it does different things to everyone." I mused.
"What does it do to you?" Her gaze was suddenly intense.
"It, well, it um…" I squirmed uncomfortably, searching for the right words, words that wouldn't make me sound insane. "It's like this weird tingling in the pit of my stomach. But I feel it all over my body. Weird, but it feels kind of good."
"Me too." Hermione whispered, leaning in close before she continued, "but my stomach wasn't where I felt it." She blushed a deep scarlet and a long silence passed between us.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"I was just wondering… do you think… which kiss counted?"
She rolled her eyes at my question, but the warmth of her smile made me feel safe enough that I didn't regret asking. "Does it matter?"
"Well, if the kiss in the woods didn't count, was tonight my first kiss?"
"Ginny, let me ask you something. How old were you the first time you rode a broom?"
"I don't know. Probably six or seven on this ancient Cleansweep that used to belong to Charlie. It was almost slower than walking. What does that have to do with anything?"
"How did it feel?"
"It was fun, but nothing like riding a real broom, with the wind whipping through my hair and the ground swimming far beneath me." I sighed happily at the memory.
"And it feels incredible every time, right?"
"Yeah."
"So does the first time really matter?"
"I guess not, but my first kiss…"
"It matters who you kiss, and what it feels like when you kiss them. The order in which it happens is completely meaningless as long as you're kissing the right person in the end."
I smiled. "Thanks. You know, you're smarter in a lot more ways than the boys give you credit for."
She beamed back at me. "My head's starting to feel a little clearer. Maybe we should get some sleep."
"I think you're right." we climbed the stairs together, and before we went to our separate rooms, she threw her arms around me. Holding my head close to her and stroking my hair, she mumbled quietly in my ear,
"Ginny, I know we haven't really been friends for that long, but it feels like forever. I've never had a sister, but I love you like the same blood flows through our veins. You can always come to me if there's anything you need, and I'll never let Jen hurt you like that again."
I pulled away, slightly confused. "Thanks. 'Night Hermione."
"'Night, Ginny."
My dreams that night were muddled and confusing. Jen appeared again and again, pale sapphire eyes glowing in the face of a little girl.
Her undulating body became more and more snakelike as her limbs wound around me. At first the touch felt wonderful, but then her grip started to tighten. I wanted her to hold me close, but her embrace was becoming painful. I tried to cry out, but the air had been forced from my lungs. The harder I fought to escape her, the harder she held me. Finally my tingling body went limp, and the world swam around me. There was no point in struggling now. I was completely lost in her iron grasp.
"Stop!" Hermione cried out. In the midst of the struggle, I hadn't noticed her approach. I saw the silver glint of a dagger as she raised her trembling hand. "Leave her alone." Her voice was strong even though I could hear the fear behind it. I was sure Jen could hear it too.
"She'sss miiine." Jen's low hiss in my ear sent a shudder through my body, ecstasy tainting the terror that pulsed through me. Her grip tightened and my breathing grew shallower still. I closed my eyes, letting my head rest against her shoulder. I heard a sickening rip, and a moan of pain in my ear. Her hold loosened.
As something warm trickled down her shoulder and slid over my cheek, I opened my eyes and saw the sparkling red of fresh blood. Horrified, I stepped back and her body fell to the ground with a soft thud. The blood soaked dagger clattered to the floor and I could hear the sharp ragged breaths as Hermione started to sob.
I rushed toward her, feeling the heat that still rose from Jen's corpse as I stepped over it. I reached out to take her in my arms, but was stopped by a tiny hand gripping my ankle. I looked down, horrified. Three sets of pale blue eyes looked back at me from the heads that had replaced what Hermione destroyed.
"Ginny, the knife!" Hermione cried, and I could see the blade glistening inches from my feet. I picked it up, and three faces stared up at me, childlike and helpless. I couldn't do it.
The dagger hit the floor for a second time, and Jen was pulling me closer. Needle sharp fangs tore at my flesh, and Hermione watched helplessly as the demonic goddess ate me alive.
